Cruising ticks all the boxes for a romantic getaway: endless sky, civilisation a distant sigh away, and the quiet power of the sea on all sides. If you’re worried that cruises are filled with tiny humans or boozed up young’uns - banish the thought. Cruises are not a parent trap. Not the ones we’ll be looking at, anyway.
You, your beloved, and the sea. Let’s shine the spotlight on some cruise ships that’ll be sure to add some spice to your love life.
Viking Cruises ooze sophistication. If your better half has a penchant for the finer things in life, this is for you. Wine tastings with a sommelier, cooking classes, a resident historian, destination performances, resident musicians, curated libraries – it’s all there to be explored on these design-savvy ships. Oh, and in case you still live in fear of rampant children, in 2018 Viking upped the minimum age of occupants from 12 to 18 years old.
P&O Cruises offer two adult-only cruise ships: Aurora and Arcadia. Aurora was initially a family-friendly ship, but this year she’s morphing into an 18+ cruise liner in response to industry demand. The other ship, Arcadia, tempts couples with a plethora of coffee and cocktail spots, pool bars, live music, dance classes, and pub trivia. And there’s always the Oasis Spa to retreat to if you need a little “me” time.
Virgin Voyages is setting sail in 2020 and its ship, the Scarlet Lady, caters to the whims of even the coolest couple. Think all the mod-cons: a tablet in every room, impeccable dining options, and the exclusive Bimini beach club to really nail home the good vibes. In case you fancy ignoring the outside world, the Sea Terrace cabins offer a rain showerhead, a terrace with a hand-woven hammock and mood lighting.
Celebrity Cruises also know how to amp up the romance and relaxation factors. If you nab a Celebrity AquaClass cabin you can flee for a relaxing massage organised by your personal spa concierge, select the perfect pillow from the pillow menu or just zen out in your spa-themed oasis of a stateroom.
Princess Cruises was the filming location for the The Love Boat so its romantic pedigree is unquestionable. Princess Cruises have The Sanctuary, which is an over-18 space, plus an adult-only pool on the Royal Princess. Club Class takes the luxury to the next level - you get priority embarkation and disembarkation, exclusive dining perks, canapes straight to your stateroom and lush terry shawl bathrobes. You can also order a Sweetheart’s Package (champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries and red roses) to really set the mood. And we’d be remiss not to mention the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed. Sweet dreams are made of this...
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