The Most Romantic Cruises to Book Now

If you asked me what the most romantic trip I could take with my fiancé would be, my answer would be simple: A trip he planned. For me, facilitating the logistics of our trips is what takes me out of the moment. And that's why I think cruises are inherently perfect for a romantic getaway: Everything is planned for you. The cruise line sets the itinerary for you, including the cities you'll visit, the excursions you'll partake in, and which days you'll spend relaxing by the pool. Plus, if you book an all-inclusive cruise, you won't even have to think about taking your wallet out.

One of the most intimate elements of travel is sharing a new experience with someone you love. And a cruise sails you right up to those new experiences, giving you the chance to see several exciting ports (why choose one place when you can visit several honeymoon destinations during one trip?). Not only that, the luxury of the vessel ups the romance factor, too. From private dining options to couples massages, there are endless opportunities for you and your partner to reconnect. Here are some romantic cruises for couples that suit every travel style.

Seven Seas Explorer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

For the adventurous couple, Regent Seven Seas Cruises takes care of all the logistics — from round-trip business-class flights to unlimited shore excursions — so you can focus on soaking in the culture together. For an unconventional date night, the Seven Seas Explorer offers Gourmet Explorer Tours, during which you'll explore the food scene in a particular port and then make use of local ingredients in an onboard cooking class.

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like: Travel from Bangkok to Bali onboard the 738-passenger Seven Seas Explorer and enjoy cruising in the Gulf of Thailand, with stops in Singapore and the Thai island of Koh Samui.

Regatta, Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises prides itself on offering an elegant ambiance and the Regatta's custom design and nearly 1.6:1 crew-to-traveler ratio only enhance the luxury experience. The suites and veranda staterooms have original art, ocean views, and private terraces. For a romantic day on the ship, start at Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center and finish the evening with a wine tasting in Horizons, the Regatta's observation lounge.

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like: The 694-guest Regatta's voyage from Auckland to Sydney takes you on a two-week tour of the best of New Zealand and Australia. Along the way, you'll stop in New Zealand's Bay of Islands and Otago Peninsula, where you can spot penguins and albatrosses.

Paul Gauguin, Paul Gauguin Cruises

The flagship vessel of Paul Gauguin Cruises feels exclusive and effortlessly luxurious. The 332-passenger ship only visits smaller ports that larger ships can't access and most of the rooms have private, oceanfront balconies. For couples looking for a new activity that will bring them closer and help build trust in their relationship, the Paul Gauguin offers PADI scuba diving programs and certification.

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like: Paul Gauguin Cruises offers a Tahiti and Society Islands seven-night cruise. It includes a day on the company's own private islet, Motu Mahana, and of course, a glamorous stop in Bora Bora.

Emerald Princess, Princess Cruises

The entertainment is endless on the Emerald Princess — from a casino to live theatre to night clubs — but few things beat spending the day with your significant other at the saltwater pools and swirling hot tubs. The ship can accommodate more than 3,000 passengers, but there are plenty of places to share an intimate moment with your partner. For a romantic high-point of your trip, try the Chef's Table Experience, an extravagant multi-course dinner created by the ship’s executive chef.

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like: Their 16-day Hawaiian Islands Cruise leaving from Seattle feels like a honeymoon, whether you have no plans for marriage or you're celebrating 20 years together. You'll get a grand tour of Hawaii, stopping at Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island.

Viking Venus, Viking Ocean Cruises

This exclusive ship carries only 930 people, which means you'll barely have to share the floor-to-ceiling window views of the snow-capped Nordic mountains. It's an all-veranda ship, so every room is set for romance with a private balcony.

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like: For a romantic winter getaway, the Viking Venus sails in search of the northern lights, cruising the North Sea and Norwegian Sea from England to Norway. The seclusion you and your significant other will find sailing through waters few travelers get to explore is unprecedented. Your stops in Norway include cities north of the Arctic Circle such as Tromsø, home to the northernmost botanical garden in the world. And each Arctic night, you and your love are of course scouting for the aurora borealis.

American Queen, American Queen Voyages

The American Queen transports you back in time to the mid-19th century. The spacious decks are a picturesque spot to take in the river views together, and the staff exudes Southern hospitality and charm. The 417-passenger riverboat is ideal for couples who want to explore their own backyard rather than booking an international flight. Plus, their onboard jazz and blues concerts make for an extra-special evening.

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like: American Queen sails from New Orleans to Memphis. After two days in NOLA, you'll set sail on the Mississippi to visit several other cities along the river.

Zuiderdam, Holland America Line

For the artistic couple, Holland America Line takes great care to decorate their interiors with enviable art and antiques. On board this 1,964-passenger vessel, you'll find plenty of activities. If you're looking for a romantic cruise but can't leave the kids at home, Zuiderdam is a ship that caters to both adults and kids, with the Greenhouse Spa & Salon for you and your S.O., and Club Hal for the children.

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like: Find love in the Caribbean on Holland America Line's Panama Canal Sunfarer cruise. With stops in the Curaçao, Colombia, and Costa Rica, the cruise satisfies your craving for a romantic beach getaway, new cities, and a jungle adventure in one fell swoop.

Evrima, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

With its six restaurants, six bars, and two pools on board — plus plenty of over-the-top hotel amenities — The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima is basically an all-inclusive luxury resort at sea. Couples can look forward to sipping reserve-list wine while listening to live jazz; indulging in a deep-tissue massage; or relaxing by the infinity pool. All 149 suites have private terraces, giving you and your partner your own space to soak in the sights — whether you're cruising around the Mediterranean or sailing to Caribbean islands. Guests are assigned a personal concierge when they step on board, ensuring that every detail of their romantic getaway is planned to perfection.

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like:  Evrima offers five-, seven-, 10-, and 12-night voyages. A five-night voyage from Athens, for example, gives cruisers the chance to explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus, Turkey, before sailing to Santorini and Milos in Greece, where couples can take in spectacular views, explore historical sites, or hit the beach, before heading back to Athens.

Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages

A screaming toddler can instantly kill the mood on a romantic cruise. This is where Virgin Voyages’ adults-only Scarlet Lady comes into play. With 11 eateries, 9 bars, and a two-story nightclub, the 2,750-passenger ship is geared toward couples who love to party as much as they like to sightsee. Most of the cabins have balconies with hammocks, and couples who opt for one of the RockStar suites will enjoy additional perks like priority boarding and access to a personal agent who handles all your day-to-day needs. Couples can indulge in alternative activities like getting inked at the onboard tattoo parlor or lying back on daybeds at the outdoor lounge The Dock to stargaze at sea. 

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like: On the four-night Fire & Sunset Soirées cruise, the fun begins in Miami, before cruising down to Key West where you can explore by bike, catamaran, or kayak. The boat then stops at Virgin Voyages’ private beach club in Bimini, Bahamas, where cruisers can opt to relax by the pool or spot dolphins in the wild before the ship heads back to Miami.

AmaLucia, Adventures by Disney and AmaWaterways

For couples looking for a slow-paced epicurean adventure through Europe, a river cruise with Adventures by Disney and AmaWaterways could strike the perfect balance between fun-filled and tranquil. Gone are the days of river cruising being only for retirees. New itineraries are jam-packed with activities, from wine tastings and pub tours to exploring towns by bike. The 156-passenger AmaLucia is an ideal vessel for the experience, thanks to its twin-balcony staterooms, a fleet of complimentary bikes, and a sun-deck pool with a swim-up bar.

What Your Itinerary Might Look Like: On Adventures by Disney’s eight-day Rhine River Cruise, you’ll depart from Basel, Switzerland, and sail along the Rhine River while stopping in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Activities might include a macaron-making class, a pub tour, or a visit to medieval wine caves. You’ll disembark in Amsterdam, where you and your significant other can continue exploring or fly home after a week of wining and dining.