So your big day is planned and you’re thinking about your honeymoon. But the options are as endless as the confetti that will be in your hair …
So here are 8 reasons why I reckon you should consider a boutique cruise honeymoon:
Note I say “boutique”. Unless you’re a totally extroverted couple who loves being surrounded by thousands of strangers on a monstrous cruise ship with nary a romantic dinner in sight, small ship cruising is the perfect way to have a stressfree, super relaxing honeymoon.
1) Start married life off to a great start, traveling to exotic destinations every day without having to plan the route, navigate a road, train station or airport. No arguing over wrong turns or driving on the wrong side of the road for these newlyweds
2) You unpack only once and all the hard work is done for you about where you’ll go and what you’ll see, do, eat, drink. A great way to kick your shoes off and enjoy the scenery floating by
3) You can dine together gazing wistfully into each other’s eyes in a private setting, or when you get sick of that you can join your fellow passengers, make new friends and plan to visit them in their own countries for your first anniversary
4) Your 3 to 5-course gourmet dining meals are included, as is breakfast and lunch in fine dining surrounds, or in a more lower key area like on the deck
5) Alcohol is included with meals (on Ponant) so you can knock yourselves out (so to speak) and not worry about a final bill that’ll mean you have to apply for a Community Services Card when you get home
6) You’re not driving (see above)
7) You can do as little or as much as you like on any given day. Hop off and explore a new city, village or island, or stay onboard behind a book
8) Being a smaller ship, you will visit different ports of call than the big megaliners can get into – and hence, less crowded locations
9) There won’t be the world class entertainment options you’d get on the larger ships (which also are a fun honeymoon if you like more action and less relaxation. But what you will likely get is a grand piano – in my case, played by the ship’s doctor every evening. Maybe a three-piece band. Maybe a lounge singer.
10) The gym is included (see point 4)
Here are two really gorgeous cruise lines that I think you should look at for the best honeymoon cruises:
Ponant
I was onboard Ponant’s L’Austral from Istanbul to Nice, which regular readers of this blog will know.
I travelled with my cousin (not quite a honeymoon), and I can totally recommend this ship, its staff and itineraries. (Ours was a history tour of jaw-dropping ancient ruins and sites through Greece).
With only 135 cabins it was never crowded and aside from our own balcony suite (all rooms have private balconies) there were several quiet nooks on three levels that you could find.
Inside there are bars, two restaurants, a fitness center and spa, plus a small theatre where evening performances and day time lectures and other activities were held. The afternoon tea lounge became a jazz piano bar by night and at least once per cruise, the ship’s doctor plays the baby grand.
Add a couple of days either side and this will be a honeymoon that you’ll never forget.
Windstar
This is a tall-masted yacht with teak decks and only up to 300 passengers. It’s small enough to get into tiny harbours and coves, but large enough to be luxurious with bars and even a cheeky casino if you feel like flutter.
Lie on a deck chair with the billowing sails overhead and music playing as you cruise the waters of the South Pacific. This yacht is new, chic and totally lavish – so you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re honeymooning like a movie star.
All meals are included, but only non-alcoholic drinks. I recommend you buy a beverage package before you go (or as soon as you board). There is a gym and you’re also free to use the watersports equipment when the anchor goes down.