Top 7 Romantic Cruises
Here are our picks for best cruise lines and itineraries when it comes to the romance department.
1. Cunard, Queen Mary 2
This legendary ship may be emblematic of high-seas romance but the services and amenities on board are luxuriously modern. She surely delivers on old-time grandeur with the largest ballroom at sea and the Art Deco Chart Room. Dining is always a grand occasion and a unique experience on its own so don’t forget to pack accordingly. Combining classic Cunard elegance with a stylish, contemporary flair; Queen Mary 2’s staterooms, suites and duplex apartments provide a lovely home base for seeing the world. Almost three quarters of her rooms have a private balcony. Even the interior staterooms provide trademark Cunard touches: tasteful decor, rich wood furnishings and details, a mini-refrigerator, bathrobe and slippers, 24-hour room service and nightly turndown service with chocolates.
2. Norwegian Cruise Lines
NCL offers its exclusive ‘ship within a ship’ concept, several complexes of suites and villas located on private decks that offer spacious rooms, luxurious bathrooms, a sundeck, pool, exercise area and even a dedicated butler. Order food from any restaurant on board and have it served wherever you happen to be. You’ll never have to step off the deck if you don’t want to because everything is right at your fingertips. There are also extra pampering features such as a complimentary bottle of Moët & Chandon White Star Champagne and a daily customized tray of treats. Enjoy the privacy of the large garden terrace. Step into your hot tub and let your cares melt away. Enjoy a show in a special reserved section of the theatre. Even getting on and off the ship is easier with priority embarkation and disembarkation. It’s almost like having your very own private cruise ship.
3. Avalon Waterways
A river cruise offers an intimate way to discover the spectacular scenery that destinations like Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos Islands have to offer. Avalon has the world’s youngest river cruise fleet with sleek, contemporary ship designs and state-of-the-art technology leading the way in modern small ship river cruising. Your floating accommodation features best-in-class staterooms – at 172 square feet you’ll find none larger. All offer flat screen TVs, Egyptian linens, large wardrobes and a minibar. Nearly all of the staterooms in the Avalon fleet have panoramic sliding glass doors and French balconies, enhancing your view of the scenery as you pass.
4. Paul Gauguin Cruises
One of the leading Post-Impressionist painters, Gauguin was born in France on June 7, 1848. In 1891, broke and frustrated by a lack of professional recognition, he left Europe seeking an island paradise, which he found in the idyllic islands of Tahiti. The remaining years of his life were lived here in the Society Islands where he created one of his greatest masterpieces, Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? Today guests can enjoy the serenity and incredible beauty of French Polynesia, especially Tahiti, onboard the luxurious ms Paul Gauguin, a small ship specifically built to navigate the shallow waters around the islands.
Considered to be one of the most romantic ships in the world, MS Paul Gauguin boasts spacious suites and staterooms (more than 70% with private balconies) as well as an onboard watersports marina, three open-seating dining venues, an extensive spa, a fitness centre, a casino and a piano bar. The ship’s beloved troupe of Les Gauguines — a local Tahitian group who serve as cruise staff, entertainers and storytellers — add a unique Tahitian personality to every cruise.
A special honeymoon package of extras is available including a welcome gift, a Polynesian blessing ceremony performed by Les Gauguines, a photo portrait and a wonderful keepsake black pearl pendant as a pillow gift.
5. Windstar Cruises
Sailing under the appropriate banner ‘180º From Ordinary,’ Windstar was created in the mid-1980’s to offer a unique alternative to the typical cruise or resort vacation. See the world from a romantic sailing ship and enjoy luxurious accommodations, a casual yet elegant atmosphere, exquisite service and gourmet cuisine. Windstar’s tall-masted ships provide you with a unique wedding or honeymoon experience. Cruising at a relaxed pace, the ships create a more intimate and elegant atmosphere. The class of service is exceptional from the moment you arrive at the pier and are greeted by your personal wedding coordinator: you and your fiancé will receive priority check-in and be among the first passengers to board the vessel.
If you have guests sailing with you, they also can board early. From the private reception to fresh flowers and other pampering appointments, your coordinator will take care of every detail.
The level of personal service onboard is among the cruise industry’s best. While you walk on a beach in the morning, the chef might venture into town to buy some fresh local fish for that evening’s dinner. The staff — 90 on each of the Wind Spirit and WindStar and 190 on the Wind Surf — is on call around the clock. That’s more than one crew member for every two guests!
6. Princess Cruises
Considered the quintessential romantic getaway, a Princess cruise recalls the original Love Boat. Their newest ships, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess, offer a wonderful blend of big ship options and small ship intimacy. Princess offers the total cruising experience: unique itineraries; affordable private balconies; and Personal Choice Dining® offering the option to go formal or casual and eat early or late, in the traditional dining room, specialty restaurant or in the privacy of your stateroom. Their Big Ship Choice, Small Ship Feel provides all the deluxe amenities and personalized service that you would expect from a fivestar resort.
We recommend booking a cabin with a balcony in order to enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars. For an additional fee, the Princess team will provide the Ultimate Balcony Dining experience: their world-class chefs will prepare a feast for the senses including a lobster dinner with Champagne and course-by-course service. Captain Stubing would be proud.
7. SeaDream Yacht Club
They say good things come in small packages. Well, small cruise ships in the luxury market are also the most romantic. SeaDream I and SeaDream II, carrying only 112 passengers and 95 crew members apiece, were created for those craving first-class service, five star accommodations and world-class gourmet cuisine in a more intimate yacht-like setting. And due to the smaller size of the ships, they are able to access the smaller islands that traditional ships just cruise by. Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the British Virgin Islands, is a must-see four-mile long island paradise with a population of only a few hundred people – one of the Caribbean’s real hidden gems. Sunbathe or nap on the Balinese queen-size sunbeds lining Deck 6 or sleep under the stars – a crew member will provide you with the duvet and pillows! Reserve a spot for a romantic dinner in one of the private alcoves where your waiter will serve you course by course.
Although there are plenty of ways to relax, there is also plenty to do on board. Kayaks, Sunfish sailboats, jet skis, snorkel gear, waterskis, wakeboards and even swimming goggles are available to all guests. If you think your guy will get a bit anxious without his golf fix, no worries – he can teeoff at any of 30 different courses on the ship’s golf simulator. Most staterooms come with oceanviews, the finest Belgian linen and bedding, a multi-jet shower massage with Bvlgari® bath products, a flat screen TV and CD/DVD player, a personal refreshment bar and 24 hour room service.