As parents, romantic evenings for two may be hard to come by—especially when you’re on vacation with the whole family. One of the great things about taking a cruise, though, are the ample opportunities for the adults to spend time together—from wining and dining on date nights to alone time in the spa, watching a movie on the big screen outdoors or dancing.
With exhilarating kids programming, flexible dining times, and entertainment that spans aquatic acrobatics, ice-skating shows and large-scale theater productions, cruising with Royal Caribbean offers the perfect combination of family bonding and romance in a vacation.
Here are a few tips on how to have a romantic getaway while on a cruise:
Kids are Covered, from Tots to Teens
Kids want to get into all kinds of activities; their wish lists can vary a lot, especially when there’s an age difference. Not to worry! Adventure Ocean, our complimentary and award-winning youth program on board every ship, is packed with more than enough exciting adventures that young travelers can enjoy all vacation long.
Best of all, Adventure Ocean offers specially designed experiences for each age group, complete with our trained youth specialists on hand every step of the way. Aquanauts, or kids ages 3-5, Voyagers (children 9-11 years), Explorers (6-8 years) will have loads of fun with their new friends doing things like channeling their inner scientist as they conduct far-out science experiments; taking center stage in the Adventure Theater and at dance parties (ice cream included), and battling it out at video game tournaments and scavenger hunts around the ship. And for tweens and teens (12-17 years), Royal Caribbean’s tailored programming allows them to come and go as they please. They can join in on their favorite activities like hitting the dance floor at their very own teen disco or just hanging out in the dedicated teen lounge—no adults allowed.
While the kids are having fun, you and your better half can dress up for a nice evening “out on the town,” or even disembark the ship for a charming shore excursion like side-by-side horseback riding in St. Maarten or exploring the Tuscan countryside.
If you need an in-room babysitter, we’ve got that covered too. A trained youth staff member can be requested between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. through the Guests Services team on board.
Table for Two
Scoring a romantic dinner on a cruise is easier than you might think. If you arrange for My Family Time Dining, families with children ages 3 to 11 years old are among the first to be seated in the main dining room. The kids will dine in under 50 minutes, and our Adventure Ocean staff will then swing by to pick them up for an exciting night of activities. Parents can enjoy the rest of their evening together over dinner and a nightcap.
The assorted menu in the main dining room rotates—and is included in your cruise fare—so you can try different dishes nearly every night, from prime cuts of steak to lobster. That said, there’s also a range of specialty restaurants to spice up your date nights—serving Mexican, New England-style seafood, Mediterranean and more. Highlights include: Jamie’s Italian, spearheaded by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, with its fresh pasta handmade daily for dishes like zesty linguine with prawns; Izumi is your go-to for fresh sushi and hibachi style eats, and there’s Chops Grille when you’re craving a juicy, dry-aged steak.
Pro tip: If you’re foodies who appreciate all kinds of flavors, consider getting a specialty dining package to save as you dine.
The Night is Still Young
Looking to join the party after dinner? Parents can have fun, too. If you’re on one of our Oasis Class ships—the largest in the world—cap off the evening with a cocktail at Rising Tide Bar, which moves from the Royal Promenade to the signature Central Park neighborhood. While aboard Mariner of the Seas, try a fun (and delicious!) Polynesian-inspired cocktail at The Bamboo Room, and don’t forget to stop by Boleros, the spot to dance the night away to Latin rhythms, on our Voyager, Freedom and Oasis class ships.
Our entertainment team brings together world-class performers to star in awe-inspiring original shows, not to mention incredible high-diving stunts in the AquaTheater. There’s also an adults-only comedy club for side-splitting laughs. Each show is included in your cruise, but you can guarantee your spot by reserving your seat before getting on board.
Special themed parties aren’t just for kids either—though they’ll certainly get them at Adventure Ocean—parents can enjoy a throwback street party on the Royal Promenade. And if it’s a late night, fortunately, Adventure Ocean will keep the good times rolling with the kids after 10 p.m. for a nominal fee.
Ready to book your next vacation filled with family time and a side of romance for two? Check out Royal Caribbean itineraries for all of this and more year-round right here.
