Your idea of a romantic getaway may include a wine tasting in Tuscany, Italy, a day hiking in New Zealand or kayaking through gorgeous waterfalls in St. Kitts. Whatever comes to mind, the time away is made memorable by the special person you’re with and the adventures you can enjoy together around the world.
On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you can sail to your pick of many beautiful destinations. Whether it’s a private island destination in The Bahamas—with gorgeous overwater cabanas—or the white sand beaches of Australia, there are places for everyone. And talk about the best of both worlds: You’ll also be wowed by the experiences on your ship as you head from one place to the next. Imagine breaking bread at a different restaurant every night, enjoying full-scale entertainment productions across air, water, ice and stage, and taking in beautiful ocean views from your own balcony.
We’ve highlighted five of the most romantic destinations you can visit to inspire your next getaway for two.
Enjoy quality time in an overwater cabana, on a helium balloon ride or snorkeling at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas
Whether you’re looking for thrills or relaxation—or both— you can find all kinds of ways to spend quality time together at Perfect Day at CocoCay. At Coco Beach Club, kick back at the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas—complete with a cabana attendant—a private beach, an oceanfront infinity pool, an exclusive restaurant and more.
To get your heart pumping, soar across the island on the 1,600-foot-long zip line or head to Thrill Waterpark to ride The Twister, built for two and one of 13 waterslides to choose from. Or views.
Get there: Head to Perfect Day at CocoCay on a variety of cruises that sail to several Caribbean islands, too, from places like Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida; and even the Big Apple.
Pro tip: If you vacation on a ship like Icon of the Seas, you can visit more idyllic destinations like Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis, Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.
Ready for this slice of paradise? Find a cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay here.
Heart Reef, a group of coral shaped like a heart in Whitsunday Islands, Australia, is a natural wonder that’s only about 56 feet wide.
Credit: Unsplash
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
With more than 1,500 species of fish, the white and blue waters of Whitsunday Islands are iconic. The dreamy location is right off the Great Barrier Reef, making it the perfect place for a day of sailing and snorkeling together. If you’re lucky, you might even spot sea turtles gliding through the waves. And what’s sweeter than taking a helicopter ride over the famous Heart Reef? The location will make for picture-perfect photos of that special moment.
Get there: As part of your South Pacific cruise, you can get to Whitsundays by ferry from Airlie Beach—it only takes about an hour!
Pro tip: Keep date night going on Quantum of the Seas, where you can dance the night away at club Boleros or grab cocktails served up by robots at Bionic Bar.
Want to go on the adventure of a lifetime? Learn more about how you can vacation in Australia here.
Ponte Vecchio is an iconic landmark in Florence, Italy. Built more than six centuries ago, it’s both a bridge and marketplace.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
A jewel of Tuscany, Italy, and surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills, Florence is full of food and wine, history and Renaissance art. There’s a reason the famed Uffizi, home to 100-plus rooms with works of art from this period, is one of the most visited galleries in the country. For all its global fame, Florence is often likened to a small town inside a city because of its more laidback pace of life. You can go for a tasting at a nearby winery or take a hike to the hilltop of Piazzale Michelangelo for a stunning view of the city. Or explore by boat down the Arno River and visit Ponte Vecchio, a bridge that doubles as a market, predominantly for jewelry—a great place to shop for that special someone.
Get there: Have your pick of cruises in Europe, from nine nights in Italy, France and Spain seven nights in the Western Mediterranean.
Pro tip: On Anthem of the Seas, sailing the Western Mediterranean, discover romance on the way to other dreamy destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and Rome, Italy.
Set course for Florence and more on a cruise in Europe.
Purple lupines can be found throughout Milford Sound, bringing vibrant color to the New Zealand mountainsides.
Credit: Unsplash
South Island’s Milford Sound is something out of a postcard. As part of the Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site, the fjord brings a romantic magic to your vacation. For hikers, the Milford Track will take you across suspension bridges, boardwalks and mountain passes for the ultimate views. On a hot day, kayaking past the towering waterfalls like the 530-foot-tall Bowen Falls or diving into the crystal-clear waters to see black coral, which is native to the area, will cool you off in no time. There’s also a wide variety of incredible wildlife, including penguins and dolphins, as well as fur seals, who enjoy lounging on the aptly named Seal Rock.
To experience even more of what New Zealand has to offer, be sure to choose a cruise that also stops in Bay of Islands. The location’s famous Hole in the Rock formation is a great spot for a speedboat ride after a traditional lunch of fish and chips. And if the weather is extra nice, try parasailing over the seas for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Get there: Several Royal Caribbean ships visit Milford Sound (and Bay of Islands!), including Ovation of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas.
Pro tip: Reach new heights with North Star, on ship Ovation of the Seas. The all-glass observation capsule can take you as high as 300 feet above sea level.
To see New Zealand’s natural beauty, check out the cruises to Milford Sound here.
At 3,255 square miles, Juneau is the largest capital city in the United States by land area.
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With its snow-capped mountains and abundant wildlife (including bald eagles, grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and more!), Juneau is an action-packed getaway for two. There are endless ways to enjoy such a unique place, like dog sledding and zip lining through the rainforest. Another popular activity is whale watching, one of the many Global Sustainable Tourism Council-certified shore excursions, or sustainably operated adventures, you can choose from during your cruise.
The city’s personality really comes to life in its downtown area, which is lined with centuries-old bars, boutique shops and local treasures like the Alaska State Museum. For a romantic experience that will leave you speechless, enter the Mendenhall Ice Caves for a magical sight that can only be seen from underneath the glaciers.
Get there: Enjoy your Alaskan cruise on ships like Ovation and Radiance of the Seas, departing from cities like Seattle, Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.
Pro tip: For more time in Alaska, you can add a Cruise Tour before or after your cruise. These packages include guided, land-based adventures, like visits to the historic gold-mining town of Talkeetna and a trek into Denali National Park.
For great scenery and even better experiences, book your cruise to Juneau here.
This list is just the start. From Australia to the heart of Italy, discover even more romantic getaways you can choose from here.
