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After planning a cruise honeymoon of my own, I know that selecting a honeymoon destination is an exciting, daunting task. A honeymoon is the one time it should all be about you, so where do you want to spend your first days as Mr. & Mrs.?
For thousands of couples each year, cruising offers the perfect option: You get to immerse yourself briefly in a variety of locales and cultures with all the amenities that a ship provides — couples spa treatments, whirlpools, great dining, often a dance club or stage show — minus the stress of dealing with logistics.
Choose a getaway that will provide a lifetime of memories: a wedding on land or on a ship, plus a cruise honeymoon or one that combines land and sea. Some 15 percent of all honeymoons today are on a cruise ship.
Here is our complete Honeymoon Cruises Guide — our editors' picks of the 12 best honeymoon packages from the major cruise lines.
When it comes to romantic cruise destinations, French Polynesia is about as good as it gets. Paul Gauguin Cruises offers a memorable voyages to Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea aboard the 332-passenger ms Paul Gauguin, which packs a lot of luxury touches to pamper the newlyweds. In Bora Bora you'll have access to an exclusive, palm-tree-lined beach on a motu just off the coast as part of your cruise.
Cost: Free (included with your cruise fare). Upgrades available with extras such as a private dinner with the ship captain or hotel director.
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Use our Bliss Filters sliders to zero in on the kind of romanic escape on Paul Gauguin you're seeking. Some itinerary ideas:
With a capacity of just 148 passengers, Windstar Cruises' four-masted sailing yacht, Wind Star, brims with laid-back romance. Set sail to places like otherwordly Santorini, Rhodes, Ephesus, Istanbul, the Amalfi Coast, Mallorca, Barcelona and Lisbon. Windstar Cruises offers luxury amenities on its yacht-style cruises, and the crew will go out of its way to make your honeymoon special. The 310-passenger Wind Surf is another good choice, and if you choose the Caribbean you can use its water sports marina. You'll also find a wide range of ages on Windstar ships, while many luxury cruise lines attract mostly older couples.
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Use our Bliss Filters sliders to zero in on the kind of romanic escape on Windstar you're seeking. Some itinerary ideas in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South Pacific:
Honeymooners get special VIP treatment on Celebrity Cruises, where every cruise features a complimentary party for newlyweds, with champagne and cheek-to-cheek dancing to live music. On Celebrity you won't find the waterslides, rock climbing walls or frenetic activities of some larger ships; you will find cruises to alluring destinations, from Alaska to Asia, from the Galapagos to the Mediterranean and beyond.
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Use our Bliss Filters sliders to zero in on the kind of romanic escape on Celebrity Cruises you're after. Some itinerary ideas:
For deluxe honeymoon pampering, you'll want to consider booking one of the plush suites at The Haven, the private ship-within-a-ship on eight Norwegian Cruise Line ships (and counting). In The Haven, amenities include a private restaurant, priority boarding, in-suite cappuccino machines and gourmet treats delivered every evening. Whether you're staying in The Haven or a stateroom, Norwegian's Honeymoon Packages add even more romance. And now you can create a personalized wedding registry website and let all your friends and family experience your cruise with you.
Honeymoon Package – Cost: $179
Deluxe Honeymoon Package – Cost: $299
A Romance Package ($169), Deluxe Romance Package ($299) and Ultimate Romance Package ($429) are also available.
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will add a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Use our Bliss Filters sliders to zero in on the kind of romanic escape on Norwegian that's right for you. Some itinerary options:
Princess Cruises is known for many things, but it's probably best known as the top cruise line for seeing Alaska. For honeymooners, the perfect pairing would be a cruise tour that includes visits to ports along the Inside Passage along with a scenic train ride followed by a stay in a Princess Wilderness Lodge near the entrance of Denali National Park, home to grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and 20,310-foot-high Denali (fka Mount McKinley), North America’s tallest peak. Princess has also just launched a new Honeymoon Wishes Registry that lets you create a registry for loved ones to make contributions to cruise fare, refreshing beverages, luxurious spa treatments, shore excursions, photographs and more.
Honeymoon Package – Cost: $299
Upgraded Honeymoon Package – Cost: $549
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning, including the addition of a Denali National Park land tour and vacation stay.
Use our Bliss Filters sliders to zero in on the kind of romanic escape on Princess you're seeking. Some itinerary ideas:
If you're a pair of active newlyweds and like the buzz of a big ship, where you can wade into the surf by day and choose from dozens of activities at night, Royal Caribbean might be just the ticket. Royal Caribbean features the six largest cruise ships in the world, all of which are technologically advanced smartships with reasonably fast Internet to let you share your honeymoon selfies with friends and family. Registry: Royal's honeymoon registry can be used for anything from a couple's massage on board to paying for the cruise.
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Use our Bliss Filters sliders to zero in on the kind of romanic escape on Royal Caribbean you're after. Some itinerary ideas:
Launched in April 2016, the 2,650-passenger ms Koningsdam — the first new Holland America Line ship in many years — has drawn oohs and aahs for its airy, classy design, inspired by the fluid curves of musical instruments, and its classical music performances with performers from New York's Lincoln Center. Other highlights include a new French seafood restaurant, a new farm-to-table dinner experience at the Culinary Arts Center and an atrium with a three-deck-high space topped by a skylight with changing projections. Koningsdam draws a younger set of travelers than other Holland America ships. And speaking of classical, Holland America is the world's oldest ship line, founded in 1873.
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Koningsdam spends her summer in the Mediterranean and the winter months in the Caribbean. See a complete list of Koningsdam itineraries. Some ideas:
The perfect choice for a long, leisurely honeymoon? Consider a wine-themed river cruise on AmaWaterways, which offers more wine cruises than any other cruise line. AmaWaterways offers a wide variety of wine cruises that include an expert host, three wine tastings and a food and wine dinner pairing. Enjoy tours to historic wine cellars to meet local owners. Visit castles along the way. You can also set up a free gift registry for your journey so your loved ones can participate in the celebration.
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Use our Bliss Filters to find the AmaWaterways river cruise that's perfect for you. One itinerary that we completely love is the Colors of Provence cruise on AmaCello through the South of France, including Lyon, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avignon as well as Arles, the city where Vincent van Gogh spent much of his life — with an optional pre- and post-cruise stay in Barcelona or Paris. Other great choices include Bordeaux, the Danube, Rhine, Portugal's Douro River, or Paris & historic Normandy.
Ever wonder what it would be like to sail on an intimate luxury yacht to dreamy Caribbean destinations? You'll be the toast of the ship on SeaDream I or SeaDream II. Both feature itineraries in the Caribbean from November to April to such spots as St. Barts, St. Thomas, San Juan, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten and Barbados. With a maximum of 112 guests and 95 crew members, you'll have attentive service throughout your journey, plus some of the best cuisine at sea on a cruise with cruisers of all ages.
Cost: $750
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Here are some options for you on SeaDream Yacht Club. If you use our Bliss Filters. You'll notice that SeaDream's yachts have dozens of unique itineraries throughout the year.
10No one wants to be nickle and dimed on their honeymoon, so if you're a fan of all-inclusive luxury cruises, you can't do better than Silversea. Their fleet of sleek small ships traverse the world, with many itineraries in the Mediterranean but also in far-flung places such as Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. The emphasis is on good food, world-class service and intriguing destinations rather than onboard activities. And Silver Muse, the newest luxury ship in the world, is a wonder to behold.
Make sure you notify the cruise line at least a month ahead of time that you are Very Important Honeymooners, and during your cruise you'll receive a cake inscribed "Happy Honeymoon." All guests also receive a bottle of Maison Pommery Brut Royal Champagne (yes, you can ask for a second), chocolates on arrival and fresh orchids in your room. And couples can enjoy gourmet dining and an enormous spa.
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Silversea ships circle the globe. Use our Bliss Filters sliders to zero in on the kind of romanic escape on Silversea you're seeking. Some ideas:
11
You really can't go wrong with any of the uber-romantic ships from Crystal Cruises, whether you choose the award-winning mid-size ships Crystal Serenity or Crystal Symphony, the luxury ocean yacht Crystal Esprit, any of the brand-new river yachts, or the luxury expedition ship launching in 2018. On any of them, look for a roomy crew-to-passenger ratio and exceptional Michelin star-level cuisine created by Crystal’s own masterful culinary team, and choose from complimentary Crystal Adventures shore excursions in every port.
If you opt for Crystal Esprit, her water sports equipment can be used directly from the aft marina deck. Snorkel or swim in the inviting waters of the Adriatic; water ski and jet ski; or paddle a kayak in the early morning quiet. During the day, you'll want to explore destinations such as Venice, Kotor and Dubrovnik, with its awesome medieval fortress that has been the filming location for the real King's Landing in HBO's “Game of Thrones.“
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $50 to $100 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose, to go with your all-inclusive pricing. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Use our Bliss Filters sliders to zero in on the kind of romanic escape on Crystal you're after. Some ideas:
12If you've saved up, why not splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon cruise aboard Seven Seas Explorer? The ship, which debuted in July 2016 from Regent Seven Seas, has been touted as the most luxurious ship ever to sail the high seas. Only 750 guests sail on board the all-suite, all-balcony ship. Explorer features three specialty restaurants, including Chartreuse, a French-inspired dining venue, and the line's first Culinary Arts Kitchen. On sea days, relax and enjoy the finest shipboard amenities — try a his and her spa day.
Cost: $470
Honeymoon Bonus: Cruiseable will throw in a $100 to $250 Bonus Credit, depending on the stateroom you choose, to go with your all-inclusive pricing. Call our travel experts at 1-877-322-3773 for your free trip planning.
Seven Seas Explorer sails throughout Europe, the Caribbean and Middle East. We especially like the Baltic cruises that call on St. Petersburg, Russia, Helsinki, Stockholm, Berlin, Copenhagen and Tallinn, Estonia. Be aware: Explorer sells out far in advance, so you'll want to call Cruiseable's Business Department at 1-877-322-3773 to get the best price and for flight and travel arrangements.
Here are the recipients of second annual Cruiseable Editors' Best Cruise Lines for Honeymoons Awards — for 2017:
Best Romantic Honeymoon Cruise: Paul Gauguin
Best Mediterranean Honeymoon Cruise: Windstar Cruises
Best Cheek-to-Cheek Honeymoon Cruise: Celebrity Cruises
Best Pampered Honeymoon Cruise: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Alaska Honeymoon Cruise: Princess
Best Fun in the Sun Honeymoon Cruise: Royal Caribbean
Best Classical Honeymoon Cruise: Holland America
Best Wine-tasting Honeymoon Cruise: AmaWaterways
Best Caribbean Honeymoon Cruise: SeaDream
Best All-Inclusive Honeymoon Cruise: Silversea
Best Luxury Yacht Honeymoon: Crystal Cruises
Best Once-in-a-Lifetime Honeymoon Cruise: Regent Seven Seas
Remember, you're not limited to our top 12 list. For some honeymooners, a better fit might be on Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Viking River Cruises, adventure line Lindblad Expeditions or other choices. Use Cruiseable's ship write-ups and travel guides for details about each ship, the itineraries they sail and the ports they call on.
Because there's so much that goes into planning a honeymoon, you should have a travel expert work on your behalf — at no charge to you. There are honeymoon cruises for every budget and every style. So contact a Cruiseable travel advocate in our Business Department at 1-877-322-3773 to begin planning your dream getaway!
If you're traveling with your wedding entourage for part of the trip, even better: Take advantage of our exclusive Group Cruise special rates.
Have you taken a cruise during your honeymoon? What was it like? What advice do you have for newlyweds? I'd love to know!
