Are you dreaming of escaping it all with your significant other? A cruise to a romantic destination is the ideal getaway for couples who want to reconnect and rekindle their passion. During a cruise, you and your partner can completely relax and live in the moment together. You’ll effortlessly visit some of the most scenic places in the world, filled with opportunities to bond over new experiences. If you’re ready to leave the ordinary world behind and embark on an unforgettable journey with the person you cherish, this post is for you. We share the most romantic cruises for couples and how to choose a destination you’ll both love.
Table of Contents
- Reasons to Take a Cruise Vacation With Your Partner
- What to Consider When Choosing a Romantic Cruise
- 5 Best Cruises for Romance
- Get Away With Windstar Cruises
Reasons to Take a Cruise Vacation With Your Partner
Going on a cruise is unlike any other vacation. Once you and your loved one step on board, you can leave all your worries behind and get whisked away to a world of relaxation and fascination. During your cruise, you can:
- Have a date night every night: You and your partner can enjoy five-star cuisine in an elegant setting every evening as you sail, attentive service included. During your relaxed meal, you can focus on the conversation you share and savor dishes prepared by passionate chefs.
- Pamper each other: Cruises are designed to make guests feel spoiled. You can order room service and have breakfast in bed if you want, or visit the ship’s spa and get a couple’s massage. Maybe you’d like to surprise your loved one with a bouquet of roses and chocolate-dipped strawberries, which you can add to your fare. Sometimes finding a private nook and cuddling under the sun’s warmth can be enough to feel pampered on a cruise.
- Enjoy spectacular views: When you take a cruise, you’re surrounded by the sea’s beauty and picturesque ports. Together you might watch the sun dip into an endless ocean or dolphins frolicking in the distance. Or head to the deck with a bottle of champagne and gaze at moonbeams shimmering on the water. You’ll find enchanting backdrops just about everywhere you look.
- Share a cozy stateroom: With a plush bed and ocean views, you and your partner may not be in a hurry to leave your stateroom — and that’s fine. If you want to do nothing for a day or have room service for dinner in privacy, you’re welcome to do that on a cruise.
- Let go of stress: During a cruise, you don’t have to worry about chores or to-do lists getting in the way of romance. Nor do you have to spend time figuring out where you’ll stay or how you’ll get to a destination. Everything is taken care of for you the moment you step on board, leaving you time and space to completely unwind and enjoy each other’s company.
- Make lasting memories: Imagine kayaking with your partner to an uninhabited, tropical island or purposely getting lost together in a medieval Mediterranean village. No matter where you go or what you do during your cruise, you will create unique memories and strengthen your bond.
- Renew your vows: What’s another way to amplify the romance on a relaxing cruise? You can renew your vows in the fresh sea air, with the captain as your officiant. With a vow renewal package, you can expect cake, champagne and dreamy scenery.
What to Consider When Choosing a Romantic Cruise
When planning a romantic getaway, you’ll want to research a few cruise lines first. Since cruise ships vary greatly from one another, it’s essential to consider all the details that matter to you. Here are some factors to think about as you plan a romantic cruise:
1. Cruise Line
Mainstream cruise lines cater to the mass population. You can expect large cruise ships to contain thousands of guests — along with crowded activities, long lines and lots of noise. While these types of cruises may be best for families with young children, you’re probably looking for something more low-key if you want to take a romantic cruise.
Some cruise lines, like Windstar Cruises, offer a much more intimate experience. With Windstar Cruises, you and your partner will sail to exotic destinations aboard a small, elegant ship. Our ships are designed for fewer than 310 travelers, meaning you’ll find plenty of nooks to call your own. Unlike large cruise ships that promote ordinary buffets, you can also expect innovative meals prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. With Windstar, personalized details like fresh flowers and fruit await you in your comfortable, ocean-view stateroom. Staff is pleased to meet your every need, and onboard experts are eager to share their knowledge at every port.
2. Itinerary
Where do you both want to go to ignite romance? Can you envision swaying side by side in a hammock on a secluded beach in Mexico? Or do your hearts throb when you think of sharing authentic Italian food and wine in an alfresco restaurant?
Cruises sail to regions worldwide and visit several different ports during the journey. Depending on where you go, you may also visit various countries during your trip. With Windstar Cruise, you’ll travel to romantic, tucked-away harbors and bucket-list ports, giving you a comprehensive view of a particular region.
Look at different itineraries and think about the ones that excite you. Consider what experiences you want to have together, how long you plan to sail and the type of scenery you want to see. If there’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, now might be the perfect time to make it your romantic getaway.
3. Stateroom
To ensure a romantic ambiance when you spend quality time alone, choose a cabin where you’ll both feel comfortable. You may want to select a suite if you plan to spend a lot of time together relaxing in your private space. Suites are more spacious than staterooms and typically have larger windows, so you’ll always have an exclusive view you can share.
To enjoy peace and quiet when you’re in your suite or stateroom, try to select a cabin that’s not located next to stairs, service areas or below restaurants and dance floors. Look at a cruise ship’s deck plan to help you select the best location. When you find the room you want, don’t wait too long to book.
4. Amenities
Are you excited to relax next to your honey in the pool while sipping colorful cocktails? Or is it most important to share gourmet meals every day you’re on board? Consider what amenities you hope to access during your romantic voyage and find a cruise line that will fulfill your wishes.
On a cruise with Windstar, all guests have access to world-class dining experiences, live music, complimentary room service and our Watersports Platform. You can spend the day kayaking right off the back of the ship or sunbathing on the warm teak deck. Enjoy a romantic dinner under a star-filled sky in Candles, our open-air restaurant. Have after-dinner drinks in the Lounge and let musical performances fill your soul. Before you head to bed, you might take one last stroll on the deck to look at a moonlit sea next to your loved one.
5 Best Cruises for Romance
Thousands of places are worth visiting in the world, but some are exceptional when it comes to romance. The world’s most romantic cruise destinations feature dreamlike landscapes, secluded spots to sneak away and opportunities for an impromptu adventure. If you’re not sure where to go, here are five cruise destinations that radiate romance:
1. The Caribbean
With lush rainforests, seductive beaches and year-round balmy weather, the Caribbean is easily one of the world’s most romantic destinations. The region is ideal for couples who want to reawaken their passion with adventurous activities or spend their vacation relaxing on the beach. You and your sweetheart might snorkel with tropical sea life in crystalline water and experience something new together. Maybe you both enjoy sea kayaking and would love the chance to explore a secret cove or discover a remote island floating in the gem-colored sea.
If you prefer to stay ashore for excursions, consider roaming through historic colonial towns, hand in hand, or get an adrenaline rush with a zip line ride through a rainforest canopy. You can also claim a spot on a secluded beach and enjoy the pleasure of utter relaxation next to the person you love.
There are dozens of port cities in the Caribbean region, so cruise itineraries often focus on either the eastern, western or southern portion of the sea. For example, during an eastern Caribbean cruise, you might stop in Saint Maarten, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis. You might visit the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and Belize during a western Caribbean cruise. Head to the southern Caribbean to explore Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.
No matter what region of the Caribbean you plan to explore, make sure your itinerary includes lesser-known ports to avoid crowds and leave room for romance. Choose a small ship that sails to less-visited places like Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands, and feel like you have paradise to yourselves.
2. Italy
Italy is known around the world as one of the most romantic places. With beautiful seaside villages stacked on dramatic cliffs, verdant volcanic islands dotting the Mediterranean Sea and twinkling cities replete with ancient ruins, Italy is a dream destination for couples and solo travelers alike. Anyone can find romance in Italy, thanks to its natural charm and stunning scenery. Still, this region of the world may be most appealing to couples passionate about history, culture and cuisine.
Italy is a sensory feast, where you and your loved one can treat your eyes, taste buds and noses to new experiences. Taste authentic extra-virgin olive oil and Italian wine at a vineyard overlooking the sea, or share fresh seafood under a canopy of bougainvillea. Italy’s sweet treats will have you both feeling giddy, from creamy cannolis to fluffy limoncello cakes.
There’s plenty to do besides eat while you’re in Italy and ways to create memories you’ll talk about for years. You might visit the ruins of Pompeii or Herculaneum, or finally visit the Colosseum. Simply take a spontaneous stroll through a quiet, picturesque village, and pause for a kiss along the way — your loved one will never forget it.
A cruise to Italy may take you to a range of romantic destinations, such as Venice, Capri, Rome, the Italian Riviera and the Amalfi Coast. Depending on the itinerary you choose, you might also head to the tip of Italy’s “boot” and visit islands such as Sicily and Lipari. Some Italian cruises add Croatia’s awe-inspiring Dalmatian Coast to the itinerary. Before you book your cruise, research each port so you know what to expect. However, it’s hard to go wrong with a voyage to Italy if you want a flood of romance.
3. Spain
Spain has all the elements of a romantic destination, from gorgeous, sun-drenched coasts to mouthwatering cuisine. You might choose Spain for your getaway if you and your partner love art and history, as Spain is known for its artistic heritage. You’ll find world-class art museums in its dazzling cities and adventurous architecture lining its streets. You’ll be overwhelmed with historical and cultural sites to choose from, including Moorish palaces and intricate cathedrals touching the sky. After a day of sightseeing, you and your partner can relive the awe you experienced over tapas and sherry.
And that’s not all you might do. Catch a passionate flamenco performance and get inspired. Slowly stroll through ancient, winding streets together as you listen to Spanish guitar drift through the air. Take a cooking class and learn how to make paella, which you can later prepare at home. Regardless of how you spend your time in Spain, its romance will linger in your hearts.
To explore Spain on a cruise, consider taking a Mediterranean voyage. Spain is often part of a Mediterranean cruise itinerary, which may also include stops in Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Greece and romantic Spanish islands, such as Mallorca and Menorca.
4. Greece
Greece is a romantic paradise for history buffs, though beach lovers could find their bliss here, too. Containing thousands of wildly beautiful islands in the Ionian and Aegean seas, Greece is known for its dramatic coastal scenery and ancient, sun-kissed cities.
Since Greece includes must-see historic sites, you may want to balance history exploration with beach time for an equally relaxing and stimulating experience. For example, you might spend one day touring ancient ruins and the next sunbathing on a secluded beach, surrounded by limestone cliffs and deep blue water.
You’ll find endless ways to experience natural beauty with your loved one while you’re in Greece. Ride a ferry to a charming seaside village and wander its pathways together, taking breaks to cuddle in a gentle breeze. Share a kayak and paddle through sea caves and along impressive rock formations. Watch the setting sun paint the sky and whitewashed buildings gold from a secret overlook.
You can easily infuse each day with romance, no matter where you go in Greece. However, you may prefer an itinerary that includes some of its most romantic islands, such as Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes.
5. Tahiti
If you’re looking for an exotic, tropical island vacation that spells romance, Tahiti awaits you. Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia and provides travelers that far-flung feeling they desire. Its interior consists of towering mountain peaks, lush, waterfall-filled rainforests and tropical fruit trees. Coral reefs and crystal-clear lagoons hug Tahiti’s coast.
While in Tahiti, you might go hiking at Mount Otemanu or stroll through a botanical garden brimming with native flora. You and your significant other might rent a car and explore the island and its emerald-green volcanic landscape on your own. Be sure to stop at a Polynesian food truck to try some snacks.
On a cruise to Tahiti, you’ll likely stop at other French Polynesian islands along the way. For instance, you might visit Raiatea, where you’ll be greeted with the scent of coconut, pineapple and vanilla. Here, history lovers can visit Taputapuatea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and millennium-old example of Maohi civilization. For some of the best beaches in the world, make sure your itinerary includes Bora Bora, Moorea or the lesser-known Huahine. Here you can snorkel or swim with diverse sea life in warm, transparent waters. In the evening, lounge on the beach with a rum-infused cocktail as you watch the sunset.
Get Away With Windstar Cruises
If you’re searching for the best cruise line for your romantic getaway, consider booking your voyage on a smaller, more intimate ship. At Windstar Cruises, our award-winning ships offer a private yacht-like feel and elegant, uncrowded spaces. As a Windstar guest, you and your loved one can expect personalized, VIP treatment as we sail you to the most romantic ports and hidden harbors in the world. Enjoy each other’s company in the warm and relaxed onboard atmosphere, and prepare to find romance in unexpected places.
Whether you’re ready to book a cruise for your anniversary, honeymoon or just because, we’re ready to help you plan a voyage you’ll both love. Browse our cruise destinations today or contact a Windstar Vacation Planner to learn more.
