The Best Cruises For Couples

D o you ever wish you could just grab your special someone, leave it all behind and sail away into the sunset? Not only can you do that by booking a cruise, but you can do it with panache by choosing one of the best cruises for couples. Gaze up at the midnight sun from the top deck of your expedition ship’s igloo, feel like the last two lovers left alive on a private islet in the South Pacific or eat pasta “Lady and the Tramp” style on an immersive voyage through Italy. Whichever destination you choose, anything is possible when you’re sailing with your sweetheart.

What each couple finds exciting is going to be vastly different, and so the best cruises for couples span travel styles, size and global destinations. Whether you prefer an Arctic expedition, a Caribbean holiday or a bucket list adventure in Tahiti, these cruises all excel at providing thoughtful touches to ensure you have the unforgettable romantic getaway that you both deserve. Below, we’ve selected the best cruises for couples, from the adventurous to the ultra luxe.

They don’t call it the “Love Boat” for nothing. Princess Cruises has a long history of cruises built for couples, from its time as the star ship of the ‘70s and ‘80s romantic comedy-drama to its recent partnership with bridal designer Randy Fenoli, known for “Say Yes to the Dress. ” But apart from its ties to TV fame, this cruise line’s onboard experience remains a standout due to its steady dedication to comfort (their Princess Luxury bed really is that good) with touches that ensure an intimate getaway (waking up to a catered, multi-course breakfast on your private balcony is truly the best way to start the day).

Princess has been sailing the Mexican Riviera for decades, but their weeklong escape from Los Angeles delivers on the ideal blend of sunshine and relaxation with three days in port and three sea days to unwind onboard. Discovery Princess delivers on a range of casual to high-end options, from a slice of pizza and gelato to the exclusive Chef’s Table experience. More importantly, its wide variety of rooms and suites can accommodate the price point of almost any couple.

After all, a restorative cruise vacation should be accessible to love birds across budgets. The concept of luxury is admittedly a little different for everyone, but most can agree that a spa-like bath drawn by your butler with Champagne and a matching soundtrack fits most bills. It’s just one of many indulgent touches offered as part of the onboard experience you’ll find on Silversea Cruises.

Onboard Silver Dawn, you and your significant other can find pleasure in a cooking class together through the line’s innovative S. A. L.

T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, which extends to excursions ashore. Surprise your sweetheart with their favorite snack or meal in your suite—all possible with the help of your butler.

A day spent in the stunning Otium Spa will melt away any remaining worries, a wellness concept inspired by the traditions of ancient Rome. Channel the extravagant romance of “Crazy, Rich Asians” with this lengthy sailing to Singapore. Traveling across six countries, you will both make plenty of memories sightseeing in Dubai, Mumbai and the lesser-visited ports of Sri Lanka.

Sure, Paul Gauguin Cruises includes free Wi-Fi, but you won’t need it. You’ll be surprised to find how little time you both have to scroll through social media when you have a front row seat to one of the most passion-sparking destinations on the planet. The enchanted islands of the South Pacific are one of the most romantic destinations for a cruise, and Paul Gauguin Cruises offers one of the destination’s most intimate and idyllic cruises onboard their only 330-passenger ship, the eponymous Paul Gauguin.

In Bora Bora, take a glass-bottom boat ride or head to a private, white-sand beach for a day together swimming, kayaking or challenging another couple to some volleyball. An overnight in Moorea allows you to try some local cuisine and soak in the beauty of the port’s blue lagoons. But perhaps the biggest selling point of this Tahiti cruise is a call on private islet Motu Mahana, where you and your loved one can bond under swaying palms.

When it’s time for lunch, you’ll enjoy a sprawling, beachside barbecue with drinks served in coconuts—or head to the floating bar for a top up. Any honeymoon or anniversary spent onboard qualifies for a complimentary Polynesian blessing ceremony, complete with Champagne. We promise you’ll find it hard to disembark.

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. This is the case for Virgin’s at-sea (and adults-only) venture, which boasts an undeniably cool and sexy vibe. The cruise line’s newest ship, Resilient Lady, sails weeklong voyages through Greece, bringing its carefree and fun-loving mindset to the Med.

After lounging at a bar or club with a view in Rhodes, keep the good feelings going at the nightly Opa Hour onboard, serving up local flavors on deck or from the comfort of a daybed with your beau. Virgin has a diversion for every type of couple, whether it’s a throwback night of popcorn and arcade games at The Social Club or a romantic walk at sunset on the ship’s suspended jogging track. An overnight in Mykonos allows energetic pairs to party with the locals till dawn.

But don’t miss the nightlife onboard Resilient Lady, which includes campy, “festival-style” entertainment, from a rock ‘n’ roll retelling of Greek myth “Persephone” to a cabaret dining experience called The Supper Club Series—and everything in between. Really want to prove your devotion to one another? Head to Squid Ink, the onboard tattoo parlor. 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. Your hubby’s favorite drink made with top-shelf liquor? Included. A celebratory dinner at any of the fine dining restaurants onboard? Included.

Even the beds are overly accommodating, with the ability to raise and lower either end (on either side) with the push of a button. On this incredible, two-week itinerary winding through Indonesia, couples can feel like the only two people in the world as they step foot on some of the planet’s most remote and pristine islands. Knowledge is undeniably attractive and you’re sure to learn something new on this route that mimics the journey of 19th-century naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace.

Five days in the Raja Ampat Islands is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in what’s considered the most biodiverse marine region on earth, representing 75 percent of the world’s known coral species. Couples searching for paradise should make sure to book this cruise, which sets sail in 2025. Snuggling might be compulsory in Svalbard, located above the Arctic Circle.

This cruise through Norway’s Arctic islands blends the very best of expedition: opportunities to explore unfamiliar terrain and spot rare wildlife (polar bear, anyone?) with your partner by your side, and the unique chance to cuddle under a top-deck igloo for two. National Geographic Resolution is an impressive ship built to navigate polar waters, but it also happens to have an igloo available for one-night bookings built from solar panels that warm the adjacent infinity hot tubs. (Just remember to pack a sleep mask if you want any shuteye; this far north, summer is the time of the 24-hour midnight sun.

) Lindblad-National Geographic has long employed world-class naturalists and experts who are there to guide you on your various excursions, whether it’s a Zodiac cruise to witness the cliffside nests of thousands of arctic terns or a tundra hike to encounter endemic plants, reindeer or Arctic foxes. After an active day of exploration, retire to a ship fully outfitted with both Nordic and tropical saunas with floor-to-ceiling windows as well as an outdoor lounge equipped with fire pits, infrared heaters and wind protection. Italy is known the world over for evoking amore , so why not spend 10 cozy nights circumnavigating its famous boot-shaped shores? Azamara Cruises is a small-ship cruise line that specializes in country-intensive itineraries like this one, calling on nine Italian cities with a stop in jaw-dropping Kotor, Montenegro.

By day, you and your bambino can stroll ancient piazzas, go wine-tasting or sail along the postcard-perfect Amalfi Coast, arm in arm. Back onboard, Azamara Pursuit keeps the wining and dining going with included Italian specialty restaurant Aqualina and vintages from its wine bar, The Wine Cellar, staffed by a sommelier. Looking for a cocktail to kick off the evening? The Atlas Bar is a trendy space where mixologists blend inventive, globally inspired drinks to be served alongside a variety of hot and cold small plates.

(If you like a kick, the Mumbai Hug will instantly spice up your happy hour. ) Once per sailing, Azamara hosts its signature White Night event, so bring your finest whites. The deck party promises a glamorous night under the stars with your special someone—especially in a captivating port like Capri.

The best way to really see the Caribbean is on a ship small enough to dock in tucked-away harbors on small, intimate islands. Onboard Windstar’s 312-passenger Star Pride yacht, you and your sweetie can experience a side of the Caribbean that most only dream of, with five weeks spent swimming, sunning or stand-up paddleboarding to your hearts’ content on this ultimate island-hopping itinerary. Custom-fitted snorkel gear is included, so you can dive into turquoise waters straight from your ship.

Highlights include overnights in dreamy ports of call including Jost Van Dyke and Pigeon Island, a stunning national park in St. Lucia. Onboard, romantic spaces like dinner in Candles alfresco restaurant add to the ambiance with tall-masted sailboats or the Pitons as your backdrop.

All suites come with at least 277 square feet of space to stretch out, as well as robes, slippers and fresh fruit. Many rooms include a full-size tub for an anytime soak. End your amorous adventure with a crossing through the Panama Canal, considered one of the greatest feats of modern engineering.

I have been covering the cruise and travel industry across oceans, lakes, rivers and expeditions for more than a decade. Some of my favorite things to do on cruises is to dive into the ports and destinations visited for a taste of local culture. To date, I have been on over 50 cruises and have had the privilege of sailing some of the world’s most scenic waterways, from Portugal’s Douro River and the Galapagos Islands to Alaska and Arctic Svalbard.

When I’m not at sea, I can be found (still by the sea) in my hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey. .