10 Romantic Things to Do on a Cruise

For many cruise fans, romance and the high seas go hand-in-hand. There's something about the salty air, the sound of the ocean, and getting away from it all that puts many of us in the mood for love. If you're planning a romantic cruise, here are 10 romantic things to do at sea.

1. Renew Your Vows

This is arguably the ultimate in romance at sea, and the good news for couples is that many cruise lines and ships offer vow renewal packages, ranging from simple to quite involved, which can include cake, music, Champagne and an officiant. Cruise lines which may offer this service include Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Princess Cruises and Seabourn.

2. Choose A Suite

If you're celebrating a wedding anniversary, going on honeymoon, or just rekindling romance with your significant other, a suite is the way to go. Suites not only have more space and usually a private balcony on larger ships, but also often come with perks from priority check-in to butler service and more. A suite with a private balcony also allows you to be part of the action when you want to, but also get away from it all when you don't.

3. Ultimate Balcony Dining

If you're cruising on one of the many Princess ships that offer it, and have a balcony stateroom or suite, you have the option of ordering Ultimate Balcony Dining, an intimate and romantic dinner for two in the privacy of your accommodation. Perks have included cocktails, fresh flowers, Champagne and a deluxe four-course dinner which may include fresh lobster or a juicy steak, served on your balcony. Princess has also offered a romantic balcony breakfast of pastries, smoked salmon and other treats to start the day.

4. A Couples Spa Treatment

If your ship has a fabulous spa, why not opt for a leisurely afternoon of pampering together? More and more ships have spa facilities featuring couples' treatment rooms, and a range of treatments for two. Examples include MSC Cruises' Aurea Spa packages for couples, which include a variety of massage and body treatments for two, plus facials. Other lines and ships offering couples treatments include the Lotus Spa on Princess ships, and the Mandara Spa on some Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

5. Watch The Sail-Away Together

Few moments on a cruise are as memorable as leaving port. Head up to the top deck as the ship pulls away, find a spot at the rail, and watch the coastline slip into the distance together. Then, once the day's activity has died down, come back up after dark. Away from the lights of land, a quiet corner of the open deck can be a wonderful place to look up at the stars side by side, with nothing but the sound of the sea around you.

6. A Romantic Dinner For Two

If you're not on an all-inclusive ship with open seating for dinner, or on an adults-only cruise, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a romantic dining experience just for two. Organising dinner in your accommodation through room service (if available) is one way, but many ships now offer alternative dining venues which host fewer people at one time, and allow for intimate tables just for two. A few of the lines which offer this luxury include Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and MSC Cruises.

7. Choose A Romantic Itinerary

What's romantic for one couple isn't necessarily the same for another; for some people it might be visiting the great cities of Europe, while for others it might be enjoying the hot weather and white-sanded beaches of the Caribbean. Fortunately, there are so many fascinating destinations and itineraries to choose from that there is something to suit everyone on a high seas holiday. For many romantics, however, it's hard to beat Tahiti, with just some of its drawcards being tiny islands, French cuisine, and sunsets that Paul Gauguin would be proud of.

8. Choose A Small, Grown-Up Ship

This not only allows you to travel in style, but also gets you away from the energetic bustle of family-style holidays, and offers a lot more privacy. Ships that suit couples tend to be smaller with fewer guests, and have onboard facilities and activities geared towards grown-ups, and romance. They tend to offer more private balconies, more intimate dining and more peace and quiet, such as the ships of Seabourn, Windstar and Silversea, which draw few families even though they are not couples-only.

9. Add Champagne, Chocolates And More

Cruise line staff are generally more than happy to cater to couples seeking a touch of romance while on the high seas. Besides the options for in-room dining, dinners for two, couples' spa treatments and vow renewal, you can also simply treat yourself and your significant other to a surprise bottle of Champagne, organise a bouquet of fresh flowers, order handmade chocolates or a special cake, and more. Just ask when you are on board and see what's available, or check your cruise line's policy on bringing your own!

10. Hire A Private Island Cabana

If your ship is visiting its own private island, plan a special day on shore to make the most of the facilities and rekindle a little romance in your life. A good example was Holland America's Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas. When this was written, this private retreat for guests cruising the Caribbean offered romantics a long white-sand beach to walk on, private cabanas with optional butler service, a private oasis cabana equipped with a hot tub, wet bar, barbecue and massage area, and a Bahamian chapel for wedding or renewal ceremonies.

Editor's update: In December 2024 the island was renamed RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, and it is now shared by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line. An expansion, including a new pier, more cabanas and new beach facilities, is under way from mid-2026, so the facilities described here may change.

More from UTM: 10 Different Things to Try on a Cruise Holiday, Cruise Ship Dining 101: Sittings, Specialty Restaurants and Special Diets and Our Guide to Cruising French Polynesia: The Society Islands, Motu Mahana and the Marquesas.

Editor's note. This article brings together UTM's original Top 10 Romantic Things to Do on a Cruise feature, first published in two parts, into a single piece. Consolidated and fact-checked on 22 September 2026.