Organizing a honeymoon can be daunting, hectic, and stressful—especially after all the wedding planning of your big day.
A honeymoon cruise is a great solution, with many amenities and excursions already available.
Honeymoon cruises, like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Princess, offer a wide range of romantic packages to choose from—you need to find the perfect one for you and your partner.
There are a few essential questions to answer before finding the right voyage. Here are a few tips to consider being you start planning your cruise ship vacation.
Finding the Perfect Honeymoon Cruise Line for You
Different cruise lines are better for different experiences.
For example, Royal Caribbean is an excellent choice for families, Carnival is great for young adults looking for a rowdy time, and Norwegian and Princess have specialized in romance.
However, there is still a place for honeymooners on all cruises-- it just depends on what you’re looking for.
Here are some of the top picks for honeymooners seeking romance:
Affordable Luxury
Celebrity is an excellent choice for a luxury experience without the luxury prices.
Celebrity has a sophisticated atmosphere and the option to book a “retreat cabin,” which comes with butler service and access to an exclusive lounge and restaurants.
Top-notch Amenities (Think Chocolate Dipped Strawberries)
Norwegian is another great option for honeymooners. They have world-class dining options and offer an “ultimate romance package,” which includes chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne, a dozen roses, and even spa treatments like the ever-popular couple’s massage.
Romance Galore
Princess cruise line has been deemed the “love boat,” --and for a good reason. They are centered around romance and offer a variety of honeymoon packages to choose from.
True Luxury
Viking cruise line is an excellent option if you are on a quest for a classy and tasteful experience. As soon as you step onboard, the luxurious ambiance is apparent.
Viking offers many “kid-free” voyages and romantic amenities for newlyweds.
Adventure via Shore Excursions
Many bigger ships, like the Royal Caribbean and Norwegian fleet, offer endless activities on board. These include rock climbing, ice skating, water slides, and zip lining.
If this sounds more your speed, a ship in one of these two fleets would be the best option.
What Vibe Are You Looking For?
There are generally three types of voyages: ocean, expedition, and river.
All of these have their special accommodations and types of activities offered.
Ocean
Ocean cruising is the most common and has options to experience tropical beaches, European cities, and Alaskan glaciers.
They typically include a wide range of excursions and are more centered around the balance of relaxation and exploration.
Expedition
Expedition cruising, however, is for those adventurous spirits who want to experience activities like exploring the amazon jungle, hiking the Galapagos islands, or swimming with whales in the Baha Peninsula.
River
Lastly, a honeymoon cruise on the river will often occur in Europe or Asia and is much smaller and more intimate. You tend to get to know the other passengers personally, and there are far fewer children—sometimes even none.
They offer superb dining options and sophisticated excursions, like walking tours, boat rides, and wine tasting.
Destinations
There are endless itineraries on countless ships. It can be a little overwhelming to begin to think about it, so here is a little help:
Do you want to have a tropical getaway, sipping pina coladas in the Caribbean, or spend your days wandering around cobblestone streets in Europe?
Are you looking for excursions such as wine tasting and spa days, or are you seeking more adrenaline-pumping activities, like ziplining or parasailing?
It all depends on where you can depart from.
Departure Ports
Many ships leaving from Florida are great for those seeking a classic tropical honeymoon experience.
If you are looking for a more international and foreign experience, there are many extraordinary Europe voyages-- typically departing from big European cities like London, Barcelona, and Rome.
Alaska is another trendy destination for all types of voyagers, with the most popular departing destination being Seattle and Vancouver.
The extra cost of a plane ticket should be something to take into consideration when planning your adventure.
What Type of Excursions Interest You?
The ships themselves are enough for a beautiful vacation with your new life partner, but countless shore excursions are also offered on these voyages.
Once you pick your desired destination, it is time to choose the best land expeditions.
Tropical
Some of the best options for tropical excursions include snorkeling, scuba diving, catamaran tours, and parasailing. Many honeymoon cruise lines also offer private cabana experiences, with butler service, shade, and comfortable seating.
European
Depending on your destination, a Europe honeymoon cruise will offer many types of excursions. Walking tours and food tours are two of the most popular and encompass endless places and landmarks.
Just a few of these are cheese and wine tasting in Naples, a double-decker city bus tour in London, or a private visit to the coliseum in Rome.
Alaskan
Alaska is a very popular honeymoon cruise destination—and for a good reason. It offers helicopter glacier tours, crab and smoked salmon tastings, sled-dog expeditions, and much more.
If you don’t mind the cold, Alaska has endless awe-inducing activities that you and your partner will never forget.
Planning Your Perfect Honeymoon Cruise with Hitchd
Cruise lines make planning a honeymoon cruise seamless and stress-free. There are many packages to choose from, and the websites are easy to navigate.
Talking to a travel agent is a good option if you want more in-depth recommendations based on your interests. They can answer any questions you may have and guide you in the right direction in choosing the perfect voyage for you, whether that be a stateroom with ocean views or the trip of a lifetime with all of the best dinner reservations.
If you’re looking for all of the specialty to treat yourself during your special time together, check out the customization offered through Hitchd.
With Hitchd, you can add your most desired activities and packages to your registry. It allows your wedding guests to reserve the right to allow you to explore a new town, have a date night dinner at a fancy restaurant, or simply set sail with priority embarkation. Best of all, guests enjoy contributing to one of the more memorable times of your life.
Get started with Hitchd today!
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