Top 5 Romantic Caribbean Cruises
Here are five of the most romantic cruises sailing in the Caribbean this year:
There are plenty of family-friendly cruise ships plying the Caribbean, but when you’re looking for something quieter and more romantic, you have to choose your ship carefully.
Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony
This ship does luxury the way it should be – thoughtful and attentive but also unobtrusive and warm. Before the evening magic show, dine in Silk Road, the line’s Nobu-helmed Japanese restaurant and sushi bar.
One to book: 7-day sailing from Miami to San Juan, December 12, 2015; from $2,045 per person.
On-land highlights: Lie on the gorgeous beaches in Grand Turk, and toast to your love in St. Barth’s.
Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Summit
This ship feels designed for lovers – at night, live music fills the halls and couples pair off to dance; during the day, hot tubs, day beds and egg-shaped chairs designed for two beckon.
One to book: 8-day round-trip from San Juan, April 4, 2015; from $499 per person.
On-land highlights: Hike to a waterfall in St. Lucia and, when docked in St. Thomas, head over to St. John to explore the sandy bays of the Virgin Islands National Park.
SeaDream Yacht Club’s SeaDream II
This 112-passengers ship feels adult and intimate. Picture a watersports marina that lets you sail and swim off the side of the ship; Balinese day beds for two on deck; and an “unscheduled” late-night trip to a beach bar.
One to book: 7-day sailing from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 28, 2015; from $3,499 per person.
On-land highlights: Snorkel around Treasure Island while docked in Jost Van Dyke, and swim around the rock formations in The Baths on Virgin Gorda.
Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper
This luxury line has a slightly more formal atmosphere than some of the others: Look for afternoon tea, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before dinner. Be sure to book a table for a night in Le Champagne, the only Relais & Chateaux restaurant at sea.
One to book: 7-day sailing round-trip from Barbados, November 6, 2015; from $2,650 per person.
On-land highlights: Explore St. Vincent’s beaches and check out the colonial sites of Curaçao.
Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Riviera
This 1,250-passenger ship has an elegant atmosphere, with suites designed by Ralph Lauren and a restaurant helmed by Jacques Pépin himself. The wine bar has pairing dinners you won’t want to miss.
One to book: 10-day sailing round-trip from Miami, March 22, 2015; from $2,799 per person.
On-land highlights: Hit the beach in Tortola or take a horseback ride in Cayo Levantado on the Dominican Republic
3 tips for choosing an itinerary
Caribbean cruise itineraries can be confusing. Here’s some advice to help you sort through the options:
1. Check out a map. Cruise lines call the itineraries “Eastern Caribbean,” “Southern Caribbean,” and “Western Caribbean,” but these routes change from line to line and even from sailing to sailing.
2. Go small. The smaller the island, the less likely you will see other ships lined up in the port or over-crowded sites.
3. Price out the flights before you book. Some of the most interesting routes start in the Caribbean – from San Juan or St. Thomas or Barbados – but the plane tickets can be a lot more expensive than sailing out of Florida. In addition, sailings that start in one port and end in another can also mean more expensive plane tickets.
Insight Guides | Sherri Eisenberg
