Shipboard Romance

As the holiday of hearts continues its annual onslaught, I’m reminded how cruising and love were meant for each other. And we’re reminded of this at every turn—from Royal Princess’ newsletter recruiting vow renewals to celebration packages for toasting your twosome.

And so, in the spirit of the holiday, I offer a few ways you can foster your shipboard romance:

Find a suite deal. Usually do an inside room or balcony? Make it a suite to make it special. 

Pronounce it to the crowd. At the Captain’s Welcome on a recent Princess trip, a fellow cruiser stole the show when he proposed to his girl in front of a few thousand guests and a round of applause.

Capture the mood. Ship photographers are eager to please, and will capture you and your lover at your best.

Stroll the deck in the dark. Everyone's inside at night, which leaves the outside decks just for you. It’s quiet, colorful and romantic. And no wonder so much of the "Love Boat" took place under the moonlight.

Consider an in-the-dark dip in the hot tub on Allure of the Seas

Make it sparkle. Buy a bauble to express your love—it doubles as a souvenir. Just a few of your choices: Bvlgari and Cartier on Harmony of the Seas; Tiffany's on Oasis of the Seas; and Effy on Royal Princess.

Wed or re-wed. Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival all have packages for doing weddings onboard. Princess also has some for engagements, honeymoons, vow renewals and anniversaries. Carnival will even help you get married on the beach.

 

Tie the knot that binds in the chapel on Freedom of the Seas

Make dining special. Get a table for two in the plush specialty restaurant 150 Central Park on the Oasis class ships or the stately Crown Grill of the Royal or Regal Princess for leisurely dining and attentive service.

Tables for two that are meant for you in Allure of the Seas' 150 Central Park 

Side-by-side massage. Take out your tensions together with a couples massage in Royal Caribbean’s Vitality Spa or Princess’ Sanctuary.

Room for wine and roses. From Royal Caribbean’s room décor packages to Carnival’s goodie baskets to Princess’ Norman Love’s chocolate gifts to Norwegian’s flower deliveries, you’ve got a slew of selections for filling your stateroom with love.

Norman Love sweets for your sweetie on Regal Princess

The one time to say “no.” Getting prodded to be on the marriage game show? Just say "no." Better to laugh at other couples sweating under the spotlight and scrutiny, and still  be in love on the morning after.

Musing's Top Tip: Visit us on Facebook and Instagram for more tips and quips, and musings about cruising!

Photos by Roger James Photography

How Could a Cruiser Get in the Mood for Love?

The “holiday with the hearts,” as someone I know called it, is upon us with full force. It’s made me wonder, how could a cruiser get in the mood for love? Or, how could a lover get in the mood for a cruise?

I did have a few ideas of how cruise lovers could embrace their passion—onboard and on shore:

A romantic meal by the sea. If you’re between cruises, you could book a dinner in a room with a view—by the ocean, lake or river. (Or if you live in Florida, you can eat at your own table and stare out at the pool.)

Something nautical for her neck. Show her (or him) your love—and love of cruising—with nautical bling. Put an anchor around her neck or pin her to a palm.

Snorkel and stay dry. Miss being up close and personal with the fish? Visit your local aquarium.

See Sea World. A trip to Florida won’t cost you as much as a cruise. And you can see Sea World while you’re there. You can even check out the beaches. The water won’t be blue, but you can pretend.

Buy her a book on cruising. If you still have something to learn, you’ve got a bunch of choices—from traditional travel tones of Frommer’s and Fodor’s to funky ones like The Essential Little Cruise Book with a quantity of quick tips on the ship experience.

Book a cruise on the Love Boat. Sorry, the Pacific Princess has been put out to pasture. But Princess has a gleaming newer fleet to choose from. They’ll even fog horn the TV show theme song for you.

Miss the show? You don’t have to try hard to find the reruns. You’ll enjoy comparing the TV cruise ship experience with the real one.

Wonder what they’re doing now? Check out this video on the “crew” as they reunite for the show’s 40^th anniversary.

Playing games. Throw a cruise-themed party with your own takeoff of the “Newlywed Game.” But remember that you will see these people again.

Need more ideas? See my sidebar posting “Romance on the High Seas.”

Don’t like these ideas? Have a heart. Happy V-day!