Finding the Best Cruise Lines for couples
If you plan to cruise as a couple, it is important for you to pick up the right cruise line. But then, why it matters? And, importantly, how can you find the best cruise lines for couples?
Each cruise line has a unique service and entertainment facilities. When you cruise, you are actually sailing with their service. It is very important for you which cruise line you have picked up. Make sure whether the cruise line meets your cruise styles and expectations.
The cruise lines offer certain service, daily schedules and entertainment for couples. If you pick up a wrong cruise line, you would be disappointed.
In this article, we will break down what makes great services and qualities for couples and adult cruisers. Different cruise lines offer different services. Then you will find three mainstream cruise lines. It’s no secret but these cruise lines are selected as the best cruise lines for adults and couples.
This article will help you decide which cruise lines are the best for your next cruise as an adult cruiser. Learn the best cruise lines for couples.
Best Cruise Lines for Adults Cruisers
When you cruise with your loved ones, you seek a sense of exclusivity and privacy. A sense of specialness and intimacy also comes a high priority during your cruise.
Your cruise needs to be something special and romantic. Shared memory and experience are important to deepen the love you feel for each other.
If you pick up a wrong cruise line, it will be upsetting.
For example, you booked a cruise and dreamed of a holiday to relax and feel special. Instead, you found running and screaming children around. The noise would be interrupting your reading, sunbathing or dinner. Your cruise would turn out totally different you dreamed of. That would be rather disappointing.
Of course, it does not mean kids are always interrupting your holiday with noise. But if you knew in advance the fact that one-third of passengers bring their children onboard:
- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says “more than 30% of cruise vacationers sail with children and nearly all cruise lines provide supervised activities for kids, especially during school holidays”. (source)
Some cruise lines designed their service particularly for the family cruisers. It’s wise to know which cruise lines are more family-friendly ships or for couples. Your cruise vacation will turn out totally different.
It’s good to know what kind of services attract particular groups of cruisers.
1. Adult Only Area
Royal Carribean Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line are one of the best cruise lines for families. They are also aware of the needs and expectations of adult and couple cruisers. Some of the cruise lines have created a segregated space from noise. It is a space for adult cruisers.
But then why Royal Caribbean and Carnival are popular among kids and family cruisers?
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line attract family cruisers. Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships facilitate giant waterslides and rock climbing walls. These entertainment facilities appeal to kids with young couples.
- The size of the ships they have tends to be large. Hence, dining and entertainment facilities vary. Cruisers have multiple choices in dining and entertainment options. The different generations have different needs and expectations. They have a lot of choices on the ship. Thus, the different generations can have a holiday together as a family.
- Carnival Cruise has made lower cruise rates than other cruise lines. Their fleets also create a casual and open atmosphere. It’s fun!
Royal Caribbean and Carnival do not brand themselves as the best cruise line for couples or adult only. They keep attracting family cruisers but created an adult-only area on their fleet instead.
- Royal Caribbean’s pool designed only for adult, Solarium, gives the passengers to relax at pools. The Solarium is opened for adults over 16 years old. (source)
- Some cruise ships of Carnival also built the adult-only area called Serenity. ‘Selenity Adult Only Retreat’ is a tranquil space for relaxation and comfort. Serenity is available to guests 21 years of age and older. (source)
2. Luxury Cruise Lines
Luxury cruise lines are frequently mentioned as the best cruise lines for couples in cruise reviews. High-priced luxury cruise lines can offer exclusive service. The guests can feel extremely special in their cruise experience.
Azamara Club Cruise
Azamara offers destination-focused cruises for couples. You can choose the best out of multiple land options to dine and explore the natural beauty, art, history and culture.
Azamara’s fleets stay overnights in ports. A unique cruising experience is offered. Have the time of sunset and late night at a port. A romantic night out date is possible on a cruise. Azamara will deliver the best cruise experience for intimate couples.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
It’s no doubt that Regent Seven Seas Explorer is one of the best cruise ships for couples. It is said as the “unquestionably the most luxuriously ever built”. The ship offers only suites with balconies.
Regent Seven Seas will deliver a fantastic cruise experience. They offer personalised service, fantastic cuisine and a famous infinity pool. Explorer can deliver the best all-inclusive cruises for adults. A sense of luxury is everywhere. There is a lot of privacy for couples. You can have a romantic date day and night wherever you go.
3. The Size of the Cruise Ship
Luxury cruise lines offer the mid-size cruise ships. The size is just comfortable and perfect fit for couples to be intimate. Dining options are not multiplied. There is no massive waterslides, rock climbing walls or high-speed surf simulators. This is because there is no enough space for them on the mid-size ships.
But then the adult and mature passengers do not need such multiple entertainment facilities or dining options.
Luxury cruise lines can offer the services of what exactly adult and couple cruisers looking for. They can certainly deliver the quality you are looking for. That is why luxury cruises are costly.
It is not fair though to compare luxury and mainstream cruise lines and examine which are the best cruise lines for couples.
In this article, mainstream ocean cruise lines will be focused. Their great services which are designed for couples and adults.
Cruise lines are often expressed as a floating resort at sea. All the cruise lines create a unique entertaining atmosphere and provide excellent services which will fit your expectation and needs. Find out which cruise lines’ service can meet your values and styles as a couple.
Best Cruise Lines for Couples
1. Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises comes at one of the top rankings as the best cruise lines for couples in reviews. Viking launched its first ocean ship in 2015. It has not been for long. Yet Viking has been one of the most successful cruise lines in the industry. Their service is innovative and original. In the last three years, Viking was voted as the best ocean cruise line from Travel + Leisure (source).
What is Viking’s Adult Only Policy?
Viking is a cruise line for adults. Viking’s ocean cruises have had an adults-only policy since 2015. Viking senior vice president of marketing, Richard Marnell, said that:
“the cruisers are those who aged over 50 years or older, and many of them appreciate voyages without children” (source).
The minimum age to sail on Viking Ocean Cruises is aged 18 years old and can offer the best adult only cruises.
Viking as the Best Crise Line for Adults
Viking Ocean Cruises offers all staterooms or suites with a fine balcony. Each cruise ship currently carries less than 1,000 passengers. All their fleets allow accessing to most ports anywhere around the world due to their flexible size to dock at ports. Viking’s ocean cruises are more destination-oriented rather than extravagant entertainment shows and events.
Viking offers an elegant and modern Scandinavian design. LivNordic Spa is available onboard at any Viking’s ocean cruise ships. You do not need to pay for accessing the facilities at the spa. That means whereas there is a cost for massages, beauty treatments and haircuts, no need for Viking’s spa facilities to use. WellTravelled features further details on LivNordic Spa.
What to Expect in Viking
You can pick up some books and sit on Scandinavian furniture at a well-curated library on board. Viking brands itself as ‘a thinking person’s cruise‘. The ‘active and intelligent adult cruisers have more opportunity to extend their interests in history, art, culture and exploration’.
Viking’s Adult Only Cruises in Style
Viking offers the best cruises for couples. Viking’s adult-only cruises give you relaxing time and open space with your loved ones to reconnect on a vacation. Cuddle up to your loved one and feel intimacy. Walk with a rising sun and a moonlit night at an open deck. Enjoy romantic dinners and dancing together.
You will enjoy a selectively curated library, guest lectures by historians, cooking classes and wine tasting on board. Pre-cruise online videos will be provided.
Pros and Cons on Viking Cruises
Viking Cruises Pros
One free complimentary shore excursion in every port
Unlimited Wi-Fi on every vessel for free
Beer and wine at lunch and dinner for free
No running, rude and screaming kids around
All staterooms and suites with a balcony
Spa facilities for free
No charge for dining in alternative restaurants
Best cruises for adults
Viking Cruises Cons
No children’s programs
No formal night
No less than 8-night cruise
High priced
No casino, photographers, art auction and no smoking
2. Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is ranked as one of the top cruise lines for couples in reviews. The result is not because of Princess’s famously starred 1977 hit TV series “The Love Boat”. Princess’s unique dining service greatly appeals to couples. They would love to spend exclusive and special time at dining together. Princess can offer you a romantic cruise.
Princess offers Romance Cruises
Princess has received a reputation in their dining service. Dining comes central during a cruise. It creates a sense of intimacy with your partner. Dining is one of the most important time to share and create a memory together. Princess can be one of the best cruise lines for adults and romance.
Princess’s Specialty Restaurants
Their specialty restaurants include Sabatini’s and Crown Grill. They are my best favourites too! Make a reservation at Sabatini’s on the first sailing day. Otherwise, all the tables will be fully booked quickly. Especially on a formal night, making a reservation becomes difficult.
With making an extra payment, not so expensive, you can enjoy authentic and hi-end Italian dish at Sabatinis’. If you fancy a rich beef steak, find out the Crown Grill restaurant. Of course, Princess’s open-seating is well-groomed for couples.
The interior design of Sabatini’s and Crown Grill is well featured. Well-trained dining staffs are courteous. With a candle on a table, a conversation you make and dinner together all keep you intimate and special. Speciality dining at Princess makes you feel special and exclusive.
Princess Cruises Balcony Dinner Service
One more thing I must introduce.
One of the most romantic dining options Princess can offer is Balcony Dinner. You can have your dinner with your loved one at your stateroom. This service certainly makes you and your loved one feel special and exclusive!
A dining waiter knocks on your stateroom door and decorates a dinner table with an iced champagne bottle and flower on your balcony. A photographer will also visit you and take your special moment whether or not you purchase.
You can enjoy cool champagne and dinner with your partner on sunset with an extra payment. I have never seen this Balcony Dinner service at any other mainstream cruise lines but only at Princess. Make sure that you have booked a stateroom with a ‘balcony’.
Unique Entertainment Shows of Princess
It is not only dining, but Princess can offer unique entertainment shows. Princess’s musicals are all original called Broadway-caliber production shows.
- Join “The Love Boat” disco open deck party too. You will enjoy dancing and the 70’s Golden Era Disco music with
your loved one. World-class magicians and illusionist shows are also highly entertaining.
- Enjoy watching movies with your loved one on a big screen at the Lido open deck under the stars. Find a pool bed first and pamper yourself with a complimentary blanket. You can easily add pizza, gelato and drink by the pool too.
- As Princess says that ‘watching a hit film under the stars’ service can be seen only at Princess. I agree. I’ve never seen this service at other cruise lines. It is so refreshing to watch a film in the
open air.
- If you are an avid ballroom dancer, Princess is the best. Find out if your fleet
has the event. In Princess’s Promenade Deck, intensive ballroom dance parties are held at sea days. There are cruisers who choose Princess for this reason. Make sure that you are coupled to attend the ballroom dance parties.
Pros and Cons on Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises Pros
Rich and special dining options
A lot of choices at a buffet restaurant
Great entertainment shows
Watching a hit film on a big screen at an open deck
Well organised and coordinated to make a formal night very special
Princess Cruises Cons
High priced excursion
Crowed and ques at a dining
Long ques for embarkation and disembarkation
Kids and adult passengers are not separated
Additional costs for excursion, drink and internet
3. Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is ranked as the best cruise line for couples in reviews. Celebrity does not have an adult-only policy or balcony dinners like Viking and Princess. And yet, Celebrity’s unique service has been attracting couples. Celebrity can be mainstream best luxury cruise lines for couples
What Celebrity can offer ?
Nothing wrong with taking kids on Celebrity. In fact, Celebrity has wonderful children’s programs. There’s also babysitting in the playroom, both late nights and for a couple of hours on port days. You can harness your time with your loved one. So, what kind of magic Celebrity has made for couples? Celebrity has segregated space for adults from kids.
Adutl-Only Area Solarium
The Solarium is a fantastic facility to be away from the crowds and noise. It features an adult-only space with a gorgeous pool, waterfalls and two whirlpools. They are housed by glass walls and a glass roof. It is spacious and profoundly relaxing! The Solarium will be your
Unplug everyday chaos and sink yourself into tranquillity in the lightroom. Find a real sense of serenity on board, and make yourself at home in the Solarium.
AquaSpa Café
Another place I would like to recommend is AquaSpa Café. AquaSpa Café is located near the Solarium. Nourish your body and mind at the spa-inspired cafe. AquaSpa Café offers lights and a sense of wellness in a relaxing environment.
Lawn Club
Lawn Club is a real grass lawn and is situated on the ships’ top decks. The cruise ship can be totally artificial space. You can see there is no nature, animal and no insect. Bringing a real living plant onto the ship is extremely costly. Green areas need experts to look after. Celebrity has done it to make the guest feel comfortable and relaxing.
Lawn Club allows you to have a lovely picnic dating for couples. It makes you feel as if you are in a park in the middle of the ocean. You can also play “bocce ball, enjoy a drink or just sit and enjoy the ocean and landscape views from the comfortable grass”. Live jazz music is also presented at Lawn Club. If you were sailing with Celebrity Edge, visit the Rooftop Garden. You can enjoy accoustic live music too.
What to expect in Celebrity Cruises
What makes Celebrity stand out and unique is a touch of luxury in many ways. Celebrity calls it as ‘Modern Luxury‘.
Celebrity is considered as a premium cruise line. This means pricing is below the luxury cruise lines. Celebrity can provide the services and amenities above the mainstream cruise lines.
Celebrity Cruises offers stylish and modern staterooms and suites onboard experience. Especially suite features full-height windows and large balconies. You can enjoy panoramic views and landscapes from your cabin. If you cruise in Venice or Alaska, having a wide-angle balcony is something special.
Pros and Cons on Celebrity Cruises
Pros
Nearly 2:1 guest to crew ratio
Efficient to reduce long ques on embarkation and disembarkation
Lawn Club and the Solarium
Modern and comfortable, high-style cabins
There’s an expansive spa, martini and coffee bars and a casino S
Cons
Expensive excursion rate
No free Wi-Fi
Crowed at a dining
Additional costs for
Conclusion
The best cruise lines for couples and adults have been reviewed. Different cruise lines provide different services and qualities for couples and adult cruisers.
Although Royal Caribbean and Carnival are popular among family cruisers, they are offering adult-only area to meet the needs and expectations of adult cruisers.
Viking Cruises, Princess Cruises and Celebrity cruises are the best cruise lines for couples. Princess cruise can be certain the best cruise lines for the romantic getaway. Summer high season cannot be the same. It is summer vacation. Kids are everywhere around. If you are particularly looking for a cruise vacation more relaxed and refined atmosphere, avoid Summer.
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