Best Cruise Lines for Couples and Top Romantic Cruise Ideas

Are you looking to go on a romantic getaway with your significant other? Nothing is more romantic than a luxurious, leisurely cruise ship vacation for couples to create memories and bond together. We discuss the best cruise lines for couples to make your next couple’s vacation memorable.

Cruise lines offer the most romantic vacation options imaginable. However, finding the best cruise line for a couple can be a bit challenging. When trying to create a romantic atmosphere, you don’t want to experience an overcrowded deck or have a romantic couple’s dinner disturbed by children misbehaving, cramped cabins, and minimal amenities.

You will want to create that perfect, romantic memory that will last for years to come.

In terms of romantic cruises, we have selected ocean cruises that spell romance in terms of private balconies in a stateroom, luxurious bathrooms, couples dining, venues for a date night, open deck spaces that are almost private, and, most importantly, adventures for two. We also considered some popular tastes, interests, and personalities.

How Do You Find the Best Experience for the Two of You?

When some people consider going on a romantic couple’s cruise, they tend to think generically. They tend to think more about the destination than the overall experience. While the destinations are great, you do spend quite some time onboard a cruise ship. This experience needs to be memorable and special if you are spending time together alone.

What you want to avoid are:

• Family cruise ships if it is just the two of you
• Potentially noisy dining experiences
• Generic settings
• Bland experiences

To do this, you may need to think outside of the box in terms of a cruise ship experience. This isn’t a family experience where you can incorporate a little bit of everything. This is a chance to reconnect with a partner or spouse.

To make it special, you need to consider similar interests. What activities do the two of you enjoy? What do you find fun? What type of couple are you? This will help you find a cruise line catered to your interests and personality type.

Not only will the experience be fun, but it will show your significant other the thought and preparation that went into creating something special. In turn, it will make them feel valued and special as well. This will be the foundation of the most memorable event ever.

A couple’s cruise ship experience should center around the couple- not the destination. Make sure that it has amenities designed for some alone time, romantic little secret nooks, a cozy stateroom, and plenty of activities to enjoy. This will make it unforgettable.

Top 7 New Best Cruise Lines for Couples

Are you ready to make them fall in love with you all over again? Here are a few suggestions to make that vacation extra special, because they are worth it.

Princess Cruises Tops the Charts for Traditional Romance

Does your perfect experience involve reclining on a lounge chair with your partner by your side watching the sunset? Maybe it’s a movie under the stars?  What about a couple’s retreat?

The Crown Princess, Ruby Princess, and Emerald Princess offer a private lounge called Adagio for couples. They are designated, private areas where couples can talk or simply spend time alone away from other people.

Want to just relax? The Sanctuary is a retreat complete with waiter service and couple’s massages. A romantic cabana can also be booked for that added romantic touch.

This cruise line has couple’s dining options, with the best experience being the Ultimate Balcony Dining Experience. For a bit extra, treat your partner to a lobster dinner complete with champagne and course-by-course service.

You can additionally experience a romantic breakfast in bed with the Balcony Breakfast option. The only thing is that your cabin needs to have a balcony.

If you want to dine out, consider the Crown Grill for open grilled seafood and steak, Sabatini’s for a multi-course Italian meal, or share a romantic dish at Share by Curtis Stone.

If you really want to wow your spouse, book the Sky Suite. This option is available on the Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, and Discovery Princess lines. Cabins include huge balconies with a panoramic view, complimentary wine tasting, and a personal concierge.

Virgin Voyages is Perfect for Young Love

Newly married or younger couples just want to spend time together. Virgin Voyages offer vacations that are kid-free. They are designed for young couples who enjoy the nightlife, a good party/good time, and a much-needed spa break for a little pampering.

They have over 20 dining spaces with bars attached so couples can have a romantic drink prior to entering the restaurant. If you want a private dinner for two, the Galley has a fresh market containing 100 different international cuisines for meals to enjoy on your balcony.

If you want to party, you can go dancing at the poolside Aquatic Club or The Manor. The ship goes well into the night in terms of dancing, music, and partying. You can also enjoy private time in a cabana, snuggling together under the stars, or beachside bonfires.

Carnival Cruise Lines Offers the Best Budget Friendly Option

Imagine a serene retreat filled with clamshells, hammocks, sunbeds, and bars located nearby. Best of all, you don’t need to pay extra for visiting.

Couples who are looking for a food experience can choose from Bonsai Teppanyaki, Fahrenheit 555, or the Chef’s Table (multi-course dinner with a master chef). Dinners come with private champagne receptions and a galley tour.

If you want a more casual experience, the Carnival Panorama, Mardi Gras and Carnival Horizon feature Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse/Brewhouse. This restaurant offers smokehouse favorites from popular chef Guy Fieri, plus it includes a brewery as well as live music for dancing.

The Carnival Cruise Line also has newlywed and anniversary experiences wherein couples can enjoy a stateroom that is romantically decorated with heart-shaped cakes, cookie plates, champagne, and Carnival-etched champagne flutes.

Crystal Cruises Are Designed for Both Luxury and Entertainment

Luxury cruise lines tend to place emphasis on creating a high-end atmosphere. However, Crystal Cruises have incorporated and focused on entertainment as well. This allows a Crystal cruise to combine both luxury and fun into their cruise ship line.

This cruise line’s entertainment is compelling and diversified with tastes for anyone. For a romantic piano bar, it has Avenue Saloon. This lounge features accomplished singers and pianists who entertain in leading hotels globally.

Experience magic with a Magic Castle magician. They will astound you with sleight of hand from inches away from where you are seated. For Broadway shows, many cruises offer a theater theme in partnerships with multi-Tony award-winning Broadway producers. Cast members tend to perform onboard.

On the luxury side, couples can select from ocean-going cruise ships, expedition vessels, or intimate yachts. Guests can experience an informative lecture on learning about wine and food, listening to a talk about music, film, or history. They can participate in afternoon tea, nights in the casino, or paddle tennis sessions.

Celebrity Cruises Designed for the Sophisticated and Hip

Celebrity cruises cater to couples interested in adult getaways. They have spaces designated for couples like specialty dining rooms, wine bars, double pool loungers, and lawns on the top deck that are designed for picnicking. Some cruises also offer live bands on the Rooftop Garden.

The Lawn Club is a lawn that includes real grass on the ship’s top deck. Solstice Class ships have a romantic corner on Deck 4 with a martini or wine bar. The adults-only Solarium and pool deck contain double sunbeds for snuggling.

In terms of restaurants, the most popular for couples is Murano. This continental, upscale restaurant has a la carte menus and tasting. It contains dishes like escargot, caviar, foie gras, and sweetbreads.

If you want a view, dine at the rear of the ship at the Tuscan Grille. The Tuscan Fille is an Italian steakhouse accompanied with a wine-country atmosphere. To celebrate an anniversary or special event, the Edge Class ships contain Fine Cut Steakhouse. It overlooks the large atrium and sometimes contains a light show.

Royal Caribbean International Offers Thrills and Chills for Adventurous Couples

Complete with rock climbing walls, FlowRider surf simulators, skydiving simulators, roller skating, bumper cars, escape rooms, bungee trampolines, and trapeze schools, couples will find themselves racing toward the next event. Then, when you are tired out, spend some time relaxing at the spa.

Thrill-seeking is not reserved for just the cruise ship. This cruise line often visits the private island retreat of Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. This contains pristine beaches, chairs for lounging, spectacular pools, and the best waterparks available.

This island contains a 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak, which is the tallest slide in North America. It also has a wave pool, helium-filled balloon rides, and ziplining.

For dinner, experience a night out at Cagney’s, which is a dedicated steakhouse or Le Bistro for French cuisine. Small plates can be romantically shared at Food Republic, or you can have a massive sundae at Coco’s.

Norwegian Cruises Allow Couples to Go with the Flow

The Norwegian Cruise Line has a freestyle dining experience wherein couples don’t have designated time or tablemates in various restaurants. The cruise line’s newest ships offer a Las Vegas-type flash combined with non-stop entertainment. For those wanting some private time, it has private spaces as well.

Couples can relive their youth by challenging each other to go-karts or see who can outshoot each other in a game involving zombies. Couples can relax in the spa’s relaxation space, relax in the thalassotherapy pool, or enjoy beautiful views in the glass Observation Lounge.

During the evening, enjoy a Broadway show or take in a cover bank at The Cavern Club. Go salsa dancing at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar or enjoy a vintage bottle at the Cellars Wine Bar.

Holland America Lines Offer a Culinary Experience for Foodie Couples

For an incredible dining experience, couples will enjoy the Holland America Line. Onboard is the Tamarind, which is an elegantly decorated Asian restaurant with a touch of the Far East. The menu contains a complete fusion immersion with an Asian sea bass, sushi, and wok-seared lobster.

Rudi’s Sel De Mer is available on the newer ships. It offers an exceptional experience ranging from oysters on a half shell, incredible entrees like coq au vin and steak frites, deserts, and fine cheeses. Rudi’s is known for its French cuisine, and reservations do go quickly. It is best to book early.

If you are aboard the Nieuw Statendam or Koningsdam, check out the Blend. This is where up to 10 guests can engage in a blending experience and wine tasting. Chateau Sainte Michelle allows passengers to create its own blends using a selection of five barrels containing single-vineyard red wine.

UnCruise Adventures Are for Couples Who Like to Play Together

UnCruise is a small company with smaller vessels. The focus of these cruises is what you do and the destination.

With a fleet of only nine ships, passengers can travel to pristine locations like Alaska, Hawaii, Belize, and the Sea of Cortez. Each ship only holds up to 86 passengers, making the experience small and intimate – perfect for couples!

These cruises are not designed for couples who want to unwind and relax aboard a cruise ship. This is created for those who want to go exploring and go for adventures. Couples can enjoy kayaking with sea turtles, birdwatching, swimming with manta rays, and jumping off the back of the ship with your partner.

Couples will learn about the culture of the people in the area, participate in traditions, and go to sleep exhausted, yet they’ll be satisfied to set off for the next greatest adventure in the morning.

Food is focused on locally sourced ingredients, couples can experience new flavors in alcoholic beverages, and the cabins are not excessive yet still very comfortable.

Also Read: 8 Tips For The Ultimate Honeymoon Cruise

These top nine couple’s cruises are designed to provide a romantic atmosphere wherein two people can enjoy each other’s company. You can choose not only a destination, but how the two of you spend your time onboard. This creates that extra-special memory due to the attention to detail that most couples crave.

Where will your adventure lead the two of you?