A trip for two? Don’t mind if I do!
Cruise line vacations are some of my favorites because they’re so simple to plan it almost feels like cheating. Everything you need is right there on the ship, from dining to entertainment, luxurious lodgings, and stunning views.
I’ve written about a few cruise lines I recommend for kid-friendly voyages, but if it’s just you and the sweetie setting off, you’ll have to change your search criteria.
I’ve got you covered! This guide will explore the top 9 cruise lines for couples. I’ll also spotlight the most romantic routes you can take for grandiose views and R&R in paradise.
1. Princess Cruises – Best Cruise Line for Couples Vacationing on a Budget
The only thing that feels better than taking a much-needed vacation is traveling within your budget. Cruises can be costly, but with Princess Cruises, your vacationing dreams are much more within your financial means.
You can save up to 50 percent off your trip costs by booking early, and other special offers drop all the time, especially if you sign up for the Princess Cruises email list.
You’ll feel the love when you engage in exciting onboard activities. Hotspots and nightclubs always drop the hottest beats.
If that’s not your style, you can sign up yourself and your sweetie for a dance class, learning how to salsa, ballroom dance, or country line dance.
Take a dip in a cozy hot tub or set the mood with a wine-tasting and culinary demonstration. The alluring Princess Casinos invites you to partake in tournaments and games. If you’re feeling even more daring, you can bet in a live auction and win it all.
Rudi Sodamin is the Head of Princess Culinary Arts and an award-winning author and chef. He ensures the mouthwatering meals you dine are ones to savor. They’re made from scratch using only the finest, freshest ingredients.
Recommended Romantic Voyage
Princess has so many incredible destinations that it’s tough to pick just one, but their three-to-six-day cruises are ideal for couples who don’t want to leave the kids with relatives for too long.
A five-day Caribbean getaway is just what the doctor ordered. Depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and travel through Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk in Turks & Caicos.
You’ll spend your time strolling through the historic streets, sunning on the beach, exploring lighthouses, and snorkeling.
» MORE: 11 Best Adults-Only All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts for Couples
2. Celebrity Cruises – Best Cruise Line for Couples Seeking Luxury
The luxury cruise lines under the Celebrity Cruises umbrella just keep growing. It’s no surprise at all this cruise line has taken home awards for its top-notch service, impeccable ships, and immersive experiences.
Celebrity Ascent is the newest addition to the Celebrity Cruises family as of this writing. This Edge Series ship is one of the most impressive on the seas, but any Celebrity Cruises ship is sure to put you and your sweetie in the mood for adventure.
The Retreat is the exclusive suite on Celebrity ships that offers guests premium beverages, Wi-Fi, and onboard credit to spend how they wish. The Iconic Suite is the largest. It measures 1,892 square feet and includes two bathrooms and two bedrooms.
Is that too much for two? The Edge Villa is more intimate at 739 square feet. This two-story residence includes one bedroom, a private terrace, and two bathrooms.
Fall in love with each other all over again as you enjoy entertainment aplenty, from live shows and performances to high-class art galleries, clubs, culinary and beverage programs, and an onboard casino.
Commemorate your unforgettable experience with professional photography on the cruise line. You’ll look back on those photos and cherish the memories for years.
Fine dining is only a few steps away. Chef Daniel Boulud, the creator of New York City’s DANIEL restaurant (a Michelin-starred establishment), works with Cornelius Gallagher, a chef with his own Michelin star rating, to bring you and your honey culinary delights.
The menus are created with inspiration from all over the globe, an apt representation of the experience one can have on a Celebrity cruise. Mixologists and sommeliers have the perfect pairing to sip on with your meal.
Recommended Romantic Voyage
Perfect Day at CocoCay is a must for couples eager to rekindle their spark. This island in the Caribbean is exclusive to the cruise line.
South Beach is a hotspot on this award-winning private island, offering cabanas and palm trees to shade you from the sun. The Coco Beach Club includes an infinity pool and poolside dining and drinks.
You can also get away to the perfectly-named Chill Island, where you can go on a guided island tour, eat BBQ at the Chill Grill, and simply unwind on a picturesque expanse of beach.
3. Paul Gauguin Cruises – Best Cruise Line for an Exotic Couples’ Vacay
How does a cruise to the South Pacific sound for you and your sweetie? That’s the specialty at Paul Gauguin Cruises, where a ship awaits to whisk you away to Fiji, French Polynesia, or Tahiti.
The m/s Paul Gauguin is a luxurious, award-winning ship that’s on the smaller side, with 165 suites and staterooms and the space for 330 guests. The exclusivity and intimacy of it all make it highly sought-after.
You deserve a spa day at the Algotherm Spa, where you can receive hair styling, nail services, beauty treatments, facials, body wraps, massages, and more.
Spice up your nights with live cruise shows, a lounge, a piano bar, and Le Grand Salon, which features line dancing, performances, and a lounge. You can also spend sunny days scuba diving or enjoying watersports.
The sumptuous plates awaiting you will do more than fill your belly but renew your soul. An onboard wine program with wine pairings ensures you can tickle your taste buds with every meal you enjoy.
Recommended Romantic Voyage
French Polynesia is a must-visit when on a Paul Gauguin Cruise. You can spend your time on private beaches in Bora Bora or Motu Mahana.
Immerse yourselves in the clear, warm waters, stroll the pillowy white sands, take a kayak into the oceans deep, or immerse yourself in the incredible culture.
Overwater massages, floating bar cocktails, barbecue meals, snorkeling, sunbathing, and volleyball are just some of the ways you can fill your time. If you wish to relax and do nothing at all, that’s also on the table!
4. Norwegian Cruise Line – Best Cruise Line for Couples’ Freestyle Cruising
Freestyling is a way of life on a Norwegian Cruise Line. According to Norwegian, Freestyle Cruising is a schedule-free experience open to filling your itinerary with whatever your heart desires.
Perhaps that’s award-winning, heartwarming entertainment for two, including Broadway performances of some of your favorites. Maybe it’s treating yourself to a hot-stone massage or acupuncture at the Mandara Spa.
The Spice H20 retreat features a manmade waterfall, swimming pool, and chaise lounge while you drink in the serene ocean views and breathe in that sweet, salty air.
Luxury shopping, including fine goods like handbags and art, and an onboard casino prove Norwegian isn’t only for kids.
The specialty dining in the main dining room is designed for every cuisine you can imagine, from Spanish to Mexican, Japanese, Italian, French, American, and Brazilian. Sink your teeth into mouthwatering BBQ, fresh-caught seafood, or tender steaks.
The Haven by Norwegian is a luxury accommodation with an exclusive lounge, sundeck, pool, and courtyard. The Haven Restaurant serves dishes you’ll only find here, or you can have a butler deliver a delicious meal straight to your door.
Recommended Romantic Voyage
The Bahamas is calling for you! Norwegian can take you to Nassau or Great Stirrup Cay from Miami or Orlando. You can also experience the wonders of the Great Bahama Island.
Norwegian Cruise Lines offers one-to-four-day excursions, five-to-eight-day getaways, nine-to-fourteen-day traveling plans, and cruises that are more than fifteen days if you’re crisscrossing the globe.
5. Windstar Cruises – Best Cruise Line for an Exclusive Couples’ Experience
Getting on a Windstar Cruise means vacationing with up to 342 other guests but possibly as few as 148. It’s an exclusive, intimate experience designed to foster freedom and privacy.
Set the mood with the Starstruck Romance Package, which includes a $100 credit for the World Spa by Windstar, romantic photos, a nightly romance turn-down, champagne breakfast in bed, one romantic dinner, and a welcome with rose champagne, chocolate, and flowers.
The onboard culinary program provides a five-star dining experience with seasonal, customized, fresh, sustainable ingredients. You can request meals cooked to order or enroll in a cooking class, which is super romantic.
Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso is a Spanish restaurant led by a 10-time Michelin chef. This tiny restaurant for fewer than 40 people features a communal table designed for sharing. Star Grill by Steven Raichlen serves up barbecued, grilled foods with worldwide flair.
How about some watersports? The yachts in the Windstar Cruises family are the ideal platform for sailing, water trampolining, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling.
Recommended Romantic Voyage
Windstar Cruises has sailed to Tahiti for more than 30 years, so this cruise line understands what makes the island so magical.
You can experience the wonders of Papeete and the Tuamotu Islands firsthand, eating like a local, relaxing in an overwater bungalow, or lounging in paradise.
6. Carnival Cruise Lines – Best Cruise Line for a Fun Couples’ Experience
It’s time for fun on a Carnival Cruise Line!
Some of the family-friendly activities are just as fun to do sans kids, such as taking a spin on the SkyRide. You’ll pedal your way over the open ocean in a go-mobile.
The Cloud 9 Spa creates an opposite type of experience, as you can treat yourself and your partner to a trip to the Hydrotherapy Pool (on some Carnival ships), thermal suites, body wraps, facials, and massages.
I’m only just scratching the surface. A romantic trip on a Carnival Cruise also includes access to The Golden Jubilee, a part of the Carnival Celebration ship that opened in 1972. It has a vintage atmosphere, cocktails aplenty, history-inspired small dishes, live performances, and undeniably charming décor.
Serenity is Carnival’s adults-only retreat with chaise lounges, a bar, and a quiet atmosphere perfect for relaxing.
The staterooms are stunning, with suites and rooms available depending on how much space you require. Your room may overlook a balcony or provide ocean views. Specialty rooms like the Cloud 9 Spa and Havana are extra-special.
The Cloud 9 Spa stateroom includes luxurious comfy bathrobes, high-quality bath products, cozy slippers, free fitness classes, spa treatment discounts, unlimited trips to the thermal suite, and priority spa reservations.
The Havana stateroom gains you primary access to the Havana Bar & Pool and the Havana Cabana. You’ll be primed for relaxation, that’s for sure.
Further complementing your Carnival experience is varied dining from major names in the culinary world, such as Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse, Rudi Sodamin, and more.
Recommended Romantic Voyage
Hawaii is a little slice of paradise on the American coast. Your stop via Carnival will include a luau, a trip to a volcanic mountain, and beach access from Honolulu to Kona and Maui.
Experience the waterfalls of Hilo during your vacation.
» MORE: What to Wear on a Plane to Hawaii
7. Crystal Cruises – Best Cruise Line for Awesome Entertainment
Luxury oozes from every ounce of your Crystal Cruises vacation. Exceptional is the word of the day on this cruise line, and even that seems too mild of an adjective.
The variety of entertainment options you’ll find on a Crystal Cruises trip far surpasses that of what cruises usually offer. How does listening to tribute acts, rock and pop concerts, classical performances, stand-up comedy, and Broadway shows sound?
You can also make your trip for two an educational experience. The Crystal Cruises staff is happy to teach you and your honey how to play bridge or golf, dance, take amazing photos, or even become a digital artist with the Computer University@Sea program.
Lectures happen frequently with some of the most renowned speakers in industries like science. Astronauts and celebrities are some of the speakers you might be fortunate enough to see!
The Aurora Spa is a 24-hour fitness center with a salon and spa. Treatments from a medi-spa to massages, men’s grooming, and IV treatments can reinvigorate you so you and your partner will feel energized for a fun vacation to come.
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the creator of restaurant Nobu, combines Peruvian and Japanese flavors into one irresistible combination to tickle your fancy. Umi Uma is his Crystal Cruises restaurant that you won’t want to miss.
Other classy dining options include the Waterside Restaurant with its eclectic American menu and Osteria D’Ovidio with Italian dining.
Recommended Romantic Voyage
Take a picture-perfect getaway for two to Europe and the Mediterranean courtesy of Crystal Cruises. Your voyage across the Black, Aegean, Adriatic, and Mediterranean Seas is an eye-opening cultural experience.
Stops in Greece, Italy, and Spain give you the complete European vacation experience.
8. Silversea Cruises – Best Cruise Line for an All-Inclusive Couples’ Vacation
Silversea Cruises’ luxury door-to-door experience provides everything you could ever need right at your fingertips. In the mood for an adult beverage? Done. Craving a dish in the middle of the night? The gourmet dining is available 24 hours a day here.
Need someone to clean up after you for a change? You’ll have access to your own butler for your stay.
Silversea Cruises will even chauffeur you in style from your home to your departure point or domestic airport, then pick you up after your cruise ends and send you home.
Complimentary beverages, personalized service, and included gratuities (i.e., no tip) make it easy to plan your entire vacation hands-off.
The luxury suites promise amazing ocean views, with suites available in varying sizes. The Otium Suite is 1,324 square feet with a 430-square-foot balcony. The suite includes a walk-in shower, whirlpool shower, sizable bedroom, walk-in bedroom closet, a whirlpool, and a 270-degree view.
Silversea Cruises offer abundant dining options, from Italian-influenced pizza at Spaccanapoli to international flavors at Silver Note, Asian fusion at Seishin Restaurant, and grilled meals at Atlantide.
Recommended Romantic Voyage
Silversea Cruises travel across seven continents with over 900 stops, but I suggest a visit to the Galapagos Islands for couples. This once-in-a-lifetime voyage provides an opportunity to witness more than 9,000 plant species.
This limited-edition cruise for 100 people offers guided wildlife tours, nature hikes, kayaking, and snorkeling.
9. Azamara Cruises – Best Cruise Line for Destination Immersion
Azamara Cruises can create a perfect vacation atmosphere for two aboard one of its stunning ships. The entertainment options here are exceptional, varying between the cruise lines but promising something delightful and fun every time.
Engage in some adult conversation with your sweetie at a lounge or bar on the ship, including options like Atlas Bar or Discoveries Lounge. These spots are as much about crafting an inviting atmosphere as serving delectable drinks.
The suites provide all you could want in a sizable space, including private balconies, plush beds, a lovely sitting area, a bathroom with a shower or tub, and refined views.
Specialty dining awaits you at the Italian restaurant Aqualina or the steakhouse Prime C. Wear something nice and prepare to have your taste buds taken on a fantastic adventure.
Discoveries Restaurant is another upscale spot to explore.
Recommended Romantic Voyage
Azamara Cruises offers a 15-night cruise to India and Sri Lanka that’s sure to be the highlight of your year.
You’ll begin in Dubai, then reach Mumbai. After another day at sea, spend a day at Cochin in India, then Colombo in Sri Lanka, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, and Sabang in Indonesia.