Five Romantic Cruise Destinations | Travel Research Online

Image
Image

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 so much more; it can be a romantic adventure to last a lifetime.

[media-credit name=”Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders” align=”aligncenter” width=”640″]ftdc_nclepic-0872[/media-credit]

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

The idyllic paradise that is Bequia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.
[/media-credit] The idyllic paradise that is Bequia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.

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.

Why not go sailing through the Caribbean with Star Clippers?
[/media-credit] Why not go sailing through the Caribbean with Star Clippers?

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

The spacious pool deck of the Paul Gauguin is perfect for soaking in the Tahitian sun.
[/media-credit] The spacious pool deck of the Paul Gauguin is perfect for soaking in the Tahitian sun.

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

Seabourn Sojourn anchored in Amalfi.
[/media-credit] Seabourn Sojourn anchored in Amalfi.

If there’s one cruise destination that oozes romance, it’s the Mediterranean. Picture drinking wine in St. Mark’s Square in Venice, or wandering the historic streets of Valetta, Malta; savoring souvlaki on the Plaka in Athens; touring the Coliseum in Rome; or sitting on the Spanish Steps.

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

AmaPrima under a pink dusk sky on the Danube, approaching Vienna.
[/media-credit] AmaPrima under a pink dusk sky on the Danube, approaching Vienna.

River cruising is intrinsically romantic, but perhaps nowhere is this more true than on the famous “Blue 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.

5. Antarctica

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ 5-star expedition vessel HANSEATIC cruises both the Arctic and Antarctica.
[/media-credit] Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ 5-star expedition vessel HANSEATIC cruises both the Arctic and Antarctica.

Yes, you read that right: Antarctica, with its moody skies, snow-capped peaks and hoards of penguins wandering about, can be quite romantic. After all, colder climates can be perfect for cuddling up.

Antarctica is an amazing, life-altering cruise destination. What better way to see this rarest of cruise destinations than with someone you love?

contributed by Aaron Saunders


An avid traveler and an award-winning journalist, Ralph Grizzle produces articles, video and photos that are inspiring and informative, personal and passionate. A journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ralph has specialized in travel writing for more than two decades. To read more cruise and port reviews by Ralph Grizzle, visit his website at www.avidcruiser.com.

Share your thoughts on “Five Romantic Cruise Destinations”

You must be a registered user and be logged in to post a comment.