Romantic Cruises

Given all the work, thought and, yes, love you put into all you do for your kids, wouldn’t it be nice if a romantic break you both took involved little or no planning at all?

Marina Shumaiev, co-founder and CTO, CruiseBe.com, offers a few suggestions to make that getaway more spontaneous and less stressful.

• Choose new modern fun ships: Steer clear of cruise lines specializing for older clientele or on long itineraries. Choose new, modern ships with fun activities, modern attractions, nightclubs and other things aimed at younger adults.
• Don’t waste time on a huge research project perusing different websites and guides. Use cruise aggregators. For example, our company can plan your itinerary in several clicks so you have complete information about your cruise, ship, ports of call and attractions.
• Don’t buy expensive excursions. You can easily walk around almost all ports and discover almost all beaches, major places of interest, museums, historic landmarks and parks on your own. Just be sure the port is safe beforehand (check travel advisories from Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State).

With that in mind, here are a few romantic packages (from daytrips to longer sojourns) with some offerings that promise memories that will be more lasting and interesting than the usual staple gifts of candy, jewelry and gadgets.

High Society

Paul Gauguin Cruises offers a seven-night Tahiti & Society Islands cruise departing from Papeete, Tahiti, and sailing to the many iterations of South Pacific heaven. Stops include Huahine, Moorea, the famously romantic Bora Bora and Motu Mahana off the coast of Taha’a.

More Tales of the South Pacific

For those who treat love as a great adventure, the small ships of Windstar Cruises and Haumana Cruises offer big adventure and epic romance around Tahiti and the Society Islands, including rich four-day itineraries that can be worked even into the busiest work and parenting schedules. Spontaneous travelers can check out the Windstar webpage every Thursday for limited-time deals on amazing voyages valid for seven days or until suites and staterooms sell out.

Wonder Down Under

Australian small ship line Coral Expeditions features voyages to Tasmania. Its small population and untouched landscape mean there will be an abundance of breathtaking natural settings as well as sojourns to several national parks, some with World Heritage sites. Travelers on the 72-person ship explore the rugged coastal beauty of Australia’s island state on foot and by kayak, alongside an expert Expedition team and Tasmanian specialists for a seven-night journey. Expect to be the only people hiking the Wineglass Bay Track in Freycinet National Park and spotting fur seals scaling Tasmania’s rocky cliffs.

Heart Strong

Couples with wellness in mind as well as romance will want to look into Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which not only offer prime luxury accommodations and custom-crafted itineraries on the high seas but also an innovative new program called Seven Seas Wellness, which combines a wellness shore excursion with an onboard Canyon Ranch SpaClub treatment in 10 Mediterranean destinations, with more to be announced in 2018.

New York Loves You

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises just may make you fall in love with the Big Apple all over again with its Harbor Lights With Your Honey Cruise. Against the backdrop of America’s most iconic skyline and a fireworks display, you can toast with a glass of Champagne and chocolate while passing camera-ready points such as the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges.