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They’ve made a name for providing family-friendly cruises, which means lots of kids running around the pool deck. Best of all, nearly every Caribbean and Bahamas itinerary features a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay. The private island is home to pristine beaches, ziplining, private cabanas, and North America’s tallest waterslide. Our favorite attraction is the helium-filled balloon that rises 450 feet above the island and provides once and a lifetime view. Couples can enjoy quiet time on the private island by renting a cabana, snuggling under starry skies, or relaxing by the beachside bonfires. When people complain about being bored on a cruise, it’s usually because they weren’t proactive in taking advantage of the many activities available both on the ship and at ports of call.
Paul Gauguin Cruises: Best cruise for far-flung romance
You'll sample the freshest sushi at every port, and all routes, including the eight-day circle, feature one visit to South Korea, so you can try kimbap (Korean sushi) too. Snorkeling in crystal clear waters and watching the sunset with coconut cocktails are part of the fabulous Windstar parcel when you sign up for their seven-day Tahiti cruise. Guests will sail on a handsome Wind Spirit yacht from Papeete, bouncing from island to island to frolic on white-sand beaches, and swim among tropical sea life.
The best Caribbean cruise for every type of traveler
Throughout your stroll, you’ll visit several Old San Juan landmarks, including the Fort San Felipe, a 16th-century fortress, La Rogativa Monument, San Juan Gate, and La Princesa Boulevard. Once you’ve finished taking photos of the stunning sunset in the background, cap off your day with traditional tapas and cocktails at a nearby gastropub. You’ll first dock in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, where you’ll find plenty to discover, from the historic center of Old San Juan to the beautiful marine life swimming in its ocean.
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And if you're taking one of Virgin Voyages' Caribbean sailings, your itinerary will include a stop at the Beach Club at Bimini, an exclusive for Virgin guests. The ship will stay well into the night as big-name DJs like Mark Ronson and Diplo spin the decks, or passengers can enjoy quiet time by renting a private cabana. If you care to dive below the surface in a certified submarine or fly high above the water on a helicopter tour with your spouse, you can—these are the heights of luxury reached by Scenic’s tricked out yachts. The all-inclusive cruise line caters to its guests’ every whim, from dedicated butlers and a fully customizable in-room bar to included tips and a full balcony in every suite. Even the beds are overly accommodating, with the ability to raise and lower either end (on either side) with the push of a button. When your room’s lighting system has a “Get It On” setting, you know you’re on a cruise that encourages its guests not to take themselves too seriously.
It’s like a city in itself, boasting eight unique “neighborhoods,” including one exclusively for Royal Suite Class guests. On many of Royal Caribbean’s other ships, including Harmony of the Seas, you can opt for ice skating and dance lessons. Nicknamed “The Love Boat” in honor of the iconic TV show that was filmed on one of its ships, Princess is all about amore, and it just may be the most romantic cruise line.
If you do manage to abandon your suite, you can enjoy a quiet tete-a-tete over complimentary drinks at numerous bars around the ship. Meals are high quality in both the larger and reservation-only venues, and service is second to none, even with gratuities covered by your cruise fare. Plus, you can make memories during included shore excursions in every port; choose from guided tours, winery visits and active excursions.
9 Best Cruises for Couples - Travel + Leisure
9 Best Cruises for Couples.
Posted: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Aruba offers diversions below and above the water, from submarine tours and snorkeling to hikes and four-wheeling adventures. The stop at pristine Half Moon Cay provides an easy and relaxing beach day. Their world-spanning voyages leave behind traditional cruises to pierce the globe's polar regions on icebreaker vessels. Truly adventurous couples can ditch the dime-a-dozen Titanic bow pictures in favor of candid shots surrounded by the penguins of South Georgia or with polar bears in the backdrop. Rest assured, though, you won't be curling into an igloo to get some shut-eye; there's plenty of comfortable shipboard luxury to kill the chill after a day navigating ice floes.
Attend small intimate shows with an onboard Magic Castle magician, who wows with sleight-of-hand tricks from just inches away. At dinner, button-down shirts and slacks for men and sundresses or casual pants for ladies suffice. Expect your lavish multicourse meal, paired with fine wines, to look and taste Michelin-star worthy.
If gift-giving is in the cards, you can buy a new bag at Bulgari or find an iPhone 15 Pro at the first Apple store sailing the seven seas. While luxury is great, it's nice to also incorporate a little glitz and glamor of Hollywood or Dubai. Celebrity Cruises aims to make your onboard couple's pics look like you spent the week rotating through a dozen five-star venues. The ships are all about upscale, stylish spaces to relax, eat, and laugh in.
For luxury cruises in the Caribbean, the period between April and October is pretty much a dead zone. You'll now find these zones on Caribbean-focused vessels like Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Prima. Each of these solo cruiser zones, which are unrepeated in the industry for now, includes dozens of cabins for solo travelers, all clustered around each other. There is also a private lounge with a bar and television where solos can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings. Kids receive the royal treatment with high-quality kids clubs and onboard attractions like the 765-foot-long AquaDuck water coaster.
Indulge in meals made on board with locally sourced ingredients, and toast your significant other with a cocktail or glass of wine (all included in your cruise fare). Cabins aren't fancy, but you're not on board to spend lots of time in your room. The best way to really see the Caribbean is on a ship small enough to dock in tucked-away harbors on small, intimate islands.
For the most intimate experience, you’ll want to book the Wind Star or Wind Spirit, which both carry no more than 148 guests. The all-inclusive cruise line self-proclaimed the label but with an offering so vast, we’d say it has earned it, too. Aboard Silversea ships, guests can enjoy around-the-clock gourmet dining, scrumptious craft cocktails and bubbly Champagne, butler service, and 24/7 access to complimentary caviar. It's easy to rekindle the romance with a picnic for two in Celebrity Reflection's Lawn Club, a real grass lawn on the Solstice Class ships' top decks. Or hide away in a corner of the Deck 4 wine bar or martini bar on Solstice Class ships or the atmospheric Eden lounge-cum-performance space on Edge-class ships, and get a little tipsy with your loved one. The pool deck and adults-only Solarium also have cozy double sunbeds for snuggling in the sun.
Sometimes one of the best things you can do as a couple is to stay in and order plenty of room service so that you can dedicate your time to more romantic activities. The wrong cruise could end up either bringing a couple closer together or causing them to start bickering. Read on to learn more about how to get the most out of a couples’ cruise vacation. Your Mediterranean cruise will end in Italy, with stops in Sicily and Naples. In Sicily, you’ll dock in Messina, a city rich with historical treasures and architectural gems. Take a guided tour and visit all of its iconic landmarks including the Golden Mantle of the Madonna, the almost thousand-year-old cathedral, and the world’s largest astronomical clock.
Despite its uniquely small size, the Gauguin is no slouch in terms of amenities. The ship offers a full fitness center, pool decks, a library, and tons of cultural activities hosted by local experts. Most stunning of all, though, is the watersports marina built onto the ship. This is a platform off the ship's stern from which you can launch paddleboards and kayaks. You can also take a certified SCUBA diving program, or simply enjoy the crystal-clear waters on the lazy days you decide not to disembark for excursions.
Many have excellent high cuisine restaurants on board for the perfect candlelit dinner between you and your significant other. Keep in mind that many of these restaurants require reservations, so planning for formal nights is crucial. Cruise lines offer a wide variety of different on-board activities depending on which line you choose. These diversions can range from rock-climbing walls and demonstrations to dance classes and audience participation games.
