Five Romantic Cruise Destinations

A cruise, on its own merits — and without any ports of call — can be a romantic vacation choice. But coupled with the right destination, a cruise can be more than that; it can be a romantic adventure to last a lifetime.

So whether you’re celebrating multiple decades of marriage or just setting out for the first time with that someone special, here are five of our favorite romantic cruise destinations.

1. The Caribbean

Sure, it’s totally clichéd, but the fact remains that the Caribbean is one of the destinations many of us will think about when we hear the word “romance.” With its multitude of warm sandy beaches and impossibly blue waters, the Caribbean remains a romantic cruise destination that’s close at hand for North Americans.But to truly have a romantic experience – the kind they show in movies – you have to go off the beaten path. Skip the itineraries that call on St. Thomas and head for St. Georges, Grenada instead. Visit the out-of-the-way island of Bequia, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Or choose to swim among the pink sandy beaches of Barbados.

Another way to enhance the romance factor of your Caribbean cruise: Pick a small ship, a luxury ship, or a sailing ship operated by Star Clippers or Windstar Cruises.

2. Tahiti and the South Pacific

Next up, Tahiti and the South Pacific. Companies like Paul Gauguin operate here year-round, meaning you don’t need to wait for the weather to turn cold back home to plan your island paradise getaway.

So what makes Tahiti and the South Pacific so special for cruise passengers? It’s less overrun by dozens of cruise ships every single week.

The South Pacific also has a certain exotic cache to it: Many of us have been to the Caribbean before, but few have been to the South Pacific. Heck, it’s not unlikely that half of your friends will have to look it up to find its location on the map – and that, in and of itself, makes it romantic.

You may not be the first couple to visit French Polynesia, but you’ll come away feeling like it is a destination created just for the two of you.

3. The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is filled with romantic itineraries, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. As a cruise destination, the Med presents an alluring mix of history, warm weather, intoxicating cultures, great food, excellent wines, and deep-blue seas littered with sandy beaches.

It’s the perfect place to create your very own Roman Holiday.

4. The Danube

Small towns and gorgeous scenery slowly crawls past as your river cruise ship makes its way along the Danube, stopping at some of Europe’s most culturally important cities and towns. There’s Vienna, with its famous Ringstrasse and plethora of museums and attractions, or the quaint charm of Regensburg.

It’s the slow, relaxed pace of river cruising that makes it so romantic. Pair that with excellent food and local wines, and you’ve got the recipe for a very special occasion indeed.

For something different, we recommend sailing during the month of December, when Europe’s cozy and romantic Christmas Markets are in full swing.