The Best Cruises for Couples for a Multi-Destination Getaway

If today's travel trends are anything to go by, searches for the best cruises for couples are on the incline. The demographics for cruising have broadened, and now there seems to be a sail for every kind of couple and generation. Some will find adults-only ships, like Virgin Voyages, to be more their style as certain cruise brands are targeting millennial-plus travelers who work hard… and play harder. Then, there are small river cruises from the likes of Uniworld that veer away from the frequently-traveled sailing routes and make their way past remote villages and national parks for authentic local and outdoor interaction. Thrill seekers will also find adventure expeditions that stretch their comfort zone, such as CroisiEurope's land and sea safari itinerary that sails through South Africa.

Whether you're seeking inspiration for your debut honeymoon cruise or consider yourselves seasoned sailors, there is most certainly a route, cabin or package for you to try. We've vetted the best couples cruises for a romantic getaway, so all you have to do is recline and enjoy the glamorous voyage.

The Top 10 Cruises for Couples

Photo: Virgin Voyages

We get that there are so many different brands and itineraries that exist out there. That's why we've narrowed down the best options for romance, particularly. Read on for The Knot's favorite cruises for couples, including our selection of the best for romance depending on your budget, itinerary preference, and adventure level.

• Best Luxury Cruise for Couples: Windstar, Tahiti
• Best River Cruise for Couples: Uniworld, India
• Best Romantic Cruise for Couples: Princess Cruises, Japan
• Best Adventure Cruise for Couples: CroisiEurope
• Best Adults-Only Cruise: Virgin Voyages, The Mediterranean
• Best Alaska Cruise for Couples: Holland America, Alaska
• Best Destination Itinerary for Couples: Celebrity Cruises, Antartica
• Best Affordable Cruise for Couples: Royal Caribbean, The Bahamas
• Best Cruise for Theme Park Lovers: Disney Cruise Line, Australia
• Overall Best Cruise for Couples: Norwegian Cruise Line, Norway

Uniworld, India

Photo: Uniworld

A boutique expedition that promises a hearty mix of adventure, culture, and gastronomy, plus plenty of pampering, Uniworld is a honeymoon duo's dream. This 13-day extravaganza kicks off with the Taj Mahal (where you'll take it in at both sunrise and sunset, no less) and the Amber Palace in Jaipur, before boarding the Ganges Voyager II in Kolkata to sail the sacred Ganges. Each day is a cultural feast of local villages and celebrations, and on board, guests discover more with traditional dancing, sari fittings, cooking classes, and henna patterns. In addition, a wellness practitioner guides guests of all abilities through yoga, and there's a plush spa on the ship. Overnights on land are at Oberoi Hotels, among the most prestigious stays in the country.

4.3 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Norwegian Cruise Line, Norway

Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line

It's a no-brainer that Norwegian Cruise Line is best for any Norway-focused sails, and our favorite is this 12-day trip aboard the Norweigan Star. It departs from Portsmouth in England, and en route up you'll check off Scotland, Norway, and Iceland, three superb destinations for vast natural landscapes. Hike and bike the trails at each stop, or delve deeper with opt-in excursions, such as whale watching and kayaking the fjords. One for the outdoorsy couple, or those who simply want to wake up to magical snow-capped mountains and island castles every day.

3.6 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Virgin Voyages, The Mediterranean

Photo: Virgin Voyages

Tick off multiple countries in just one trip, and party while you do it. Virgin Voyages shook up the cruising industry when it launched in 2021, attracting a whole new generation of sailors (read: adults who don't take themselves too seriously, but want the premium treatment). True to the Virgin brand and Sir Richard Branson's joie de vivre, imagine festival-style entertainment, nightclubs, and a club tier serving complimentary champagne. The seven-day "Irresistible Med" itinerary goes from Barcelona and across the French Riviera. It then heads to Italy. Couples will soak up Southern Europe's golden beaches and celebrate with an overnight in Ibiza, holy grail of Mediterranean nightlife. Night owls, this is your cruise. Similar region itineraries include Greece and Croatia.

4.1 Star Rating | Read Reviews

CroisiEurope, Southern Africa

Photo: CroisiEurope

If French food speaks your love language, board a CroisiEurope. The river cruise line operates the African Dream and the Zimbabwean Dream, both with just six classic suites and two suites with a balcony for an ultra-intimate experience. The nine-day African Dream takes place half on land, and half on a lake. Guests enjoy a historic city tour of Johannesburg, move on to a safari lodge in Namibia to safari in the famed Chobe National Park, and then take small planes to a ship in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, and Victoria Falls. It's the best way to see both the Big Five on land and the Big Five marine mammals.

4.1 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Windstar, Tahiti

Photo: Windstar

Snorkeling in crystal clear waters and watching the sunset with coconut cocktails are part of the fabulous Windstar parcel when you sign up for their seven-day Tahiti cruise. Guests will sail on a handsome Wind Spirit yacht from Papeete, bouncing from island to island to frolic on white-sand beaches, and swim among tropical sea life. You'll immerse yourselves in Tahitian culture too, thanks to discovery events in Bora Bora, and sample delicious local bounty.

4.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Celebrity Cruises, Antarctica

A trip to the world's least visited continent is a once-in-a-lifetime (if you're lucky) experience, and due to its difficulty of reach and navigation, it's wise to do it via cruise. Celebrity's 14-night expedition sees couples picked up from Buenos Aires, and sail to Argentina and Chile before arriving in Antarctica. Gaze at dramatic landscapes, glide through iceberg-strewn waters inhabited by communities of penguins, seals, and whales, and learn about the rich history of the continent. Due to extreme weather conditions, cruises depart only in the summer months of January and February.

4.1 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Princess Cruises, Japan

There's no need to Google Translate bullet train signs with a cruise to the land of the rising sun. Princess Cruises' Japan itineraries depart from Yokohama, right next to Tokyo, stopping at the ancient city of Nikko to see breathtaking shrines amidst natural woodland, and Kagoshima, famed for onsen (hot springs). You'll sample the freshest sushi at every port, and all routes, including the eight-day circle, feature one visit to South Korea, so you can try kimbap (Korean sushi) too.

3.8 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Disney Cruise Line, Australia

Photo: Disney

A Disney Cruise may not be for everyone, but couples obsessed with the house of mouse will be afloat on these fairy-tale cabins. The line has a number of sails departing across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, so you can check off sites like the Opera House before immersing yourselves in all things Disney. That includes live shows, character meet and greets, and movie screenings. Note: these cruises are heavy with kids, but couples who frequent theme parks will be used to it.

4.2 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Royal Caribbean, The Bahamas

Photo: Royal Caribbean

Couples wanting a taste of exotic without venturing too far from home can retreat to Hideaway Beach, Royal Caribbean's first adults-only escape at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Opening January 2024, a stop here is part of their Bahamas packages, such as the three-night cruise which departs and arrives back at Fort Lauderdale, and gives you full days at both CocoCay and Nassau. An easy and affordable escape for US residents, and you won't exhaust the PTO for island vibes.

3.9 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Holland America, Alaska

Cruise powerhouse, Holland America offers an Alaskan vacation made easy. Guests depart from either Seattle or Vancouver, such as on this 7-day itinerary which will take you through the 49th state's serene seas to Glacier Bay to hear the creaks and groans of "living" ice, and the Tracy Arm Inlet where bears, whales and mountain goats roam. Choose a room with a private verandah to make the most of Alaska's rugged vistas, and likewise, bookend the trip with a waterfront hotel like the JW Parq in Vancouver.

3.9 Star Rating | Read Reviews