Best Honeymoon Cruises: Lines, Ships, and Itineraries for Newlyweds
The best honeymoon cruise pairs a ship with real adult space and an itinerary that feels like a destination in its own right. For most newlyweds, that means a line with an adults-only area or an adults-only ship, a balcony or suite you will want to spend mornings in, and ports that give you a reason to get off the ship together.
A honeymoon is also the one trip where the cabin choice carries more weight than the ship's waterslides. The lines below are the ones I steer couples toward, followed by the itineraries, the cabins, and the extras worth paying for.
Honeymoon Cruise Picks at a Glance
| Cruise line | Why couples like it | Adult space to look for |
| Virgin Voyages | Every sailing is adults-only, minimum age 18 | The whole ship |
| Celebrity Cruises | Modern ships, strong food, quieter evenings | The Retreat suite area on Edge-class ships |
| Princess Cruises | Romantic itineraries and the new Sanctuary Collection suites | Sanctuary Club on Sun Princess and Star Princess |
| Disney Cruise Line | Adult-only dining and pool areas on a family ship | Palo, Enchante, and the Quiet Cove pool |
| Royal Caribbean | Big-ship energy, shows, and private island days | The Solarium |
Best Cruise Lines for a Honeymoon Cruise
Virgin Voyages for an Adults-Only Honeymoon Cruise
Virgin Voyages is the simplest answer for couples who want zero kids onboard. The line states that every sailing is created exclusively for adults and the minimum age to book and sail is 18. The ships lean toward nightlife, design, and casual dining, which suits couples in their 20s and 30s more than anyone looking for a formal dinner each night. My Scarlet Lady review shows what the ships are like.
Celebrity Cruises for a Polished Honeymoon Cruise
Celebrity Cruises is my pick for couples who want a modern ship that feels grown up without being stuffy. Families do sail Celebrity, but the line's design, food focus, and evening atmosphere tilt toward adults. Suite guests on the Edge-class ships get The Retreat, a private sundeck, lounge, and restaurant reserved for suite guests.
Princess Cruises for a Romantic Itinerary Honeymoon Cruise
Princess Cruises works well for honeymooners who care most about the itinerary, especially in Europe and Alaska. On Sun Princess and Star Princess, the Sanctuary Collection suites add the private Sanctuary Club, the Sanctuary Restaurant, and the Princess Premier package. If Princess is on your list, check the current Princess Cruises offers before you settle on dates.
Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean for a Honeymoon Cruise
Disney Cruise Line surprises people as a honeymoon option, but the adult spaces are well protected: Palo on every ship and Enchante on the newest ships are adults-only restaurants, and Quiet Cove is the adult pool area. It works best for Disney fans who will enjoy the theming on their own terms. Royal Caribbean suits couples who want shows, ice rinks, and a private island beach day, with the Solarium as the adult retreat on the pool deck. My best cruise lines for couples post compares the full field, and the best adults-only cruises guide goes deeper on kid-free options.
Best Honeymoon Cruise Itineraries
Where you sail shapes a honeymoon more than which ship you pick, so I usually settle the region first.
- Greek Isles and the Mediterranean: the classic honeymoon cruise, with evening departures from Santorini and long port days in Italy and Croatia. My Greek Isles cruise guide covers the routes.
- Southern Caribbean: warm water, fewer repeat ports than the Bahamas, and beaches in Aruba and Curacao. The Southern Caribbean cruise guide lists the ports.
- Hawaii: volcanoes, snorkeling, and dramatic coastlines without a passport for US travelers. My Hawaii cruise guide explains the round-trip and one-way options.
- Alaska: for couples who would rather wear a jacket on the balcony than sunscreen at the pool. My guide to the best time to cruise Alaska helps pick the month.
Pro Tip: If your wedding is in June, look at a Mediterranean or Alaska sailing a few weeks later rather than flying out the morning after. A short buffer protects against a missed flight and gives you time to rest before the trip.
Honeymoon Cruise Cabins and Suites Worth the Upgrade
A balcony is the minimum I recommend on a honeymoon cruise. Coffee on your own veranda as the ship sails into port is one of the best parts of the trip, and an inside cabin cannot give you that.
On many lines a suite stretches a honeymoon budget further than it looks, because the upgrade often bundles private lounges, priority boarding, specialty dining, and drinks. Celebrity's Retreat and Princess's Sanctuary Collection are good examples. My balcony vs. suite guide runs through when the suite pays for itself. An aft-facing balcony is my favorite for couples, since the wake views are the best on the ship and the hallways see less foot traffic than midship.
Honeymoon Cruise Packages and Gift Registries
Most lines sell celebration add-ons through their pre-cruise planning sites, such as flowers, sparkling wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, cabin decorations, and spa treatments for two. What is offered and what it costs varies by line and changes often, so I check the planner for your exact sailing rather than quote a fixed package.
For couples who would rather have the cruise as a wedding gift than another kitchen appliance, I book these for clients by setting up the honeymoon as a reservation that friends and family pay toward, or turn gift money into prepaid gratuities, a beverage package, or an excursion.
Pro Tip: Ask for the honeymoon to be noted on the reservation when you book, so the cabin steward and dining team know the occasion.
Honeymoon Cruise Dining for Two
Dining is where a honeymoon cruise can feel special or feel like a cafeteria, and the difference is mostly in how you plan it. In the main dining room, ask for a table for two. These are limited on every ship, and couples who request them at booking have the best chance. Flexible dining makes a two-top easier to get on most nights, while set seating at a shared table can be fun if you want to meet other couples.
Specialty restaurants are where I would spend the dining budget on a honeymoon. One steakhouse dinner on embarkation night and one tasting menu near the end of the cruise give the week two anchors without paying for a package you will not use. My guide to whether specialty dining is worth it explains how to decide between a la carte reservations and a dining package.
Pro Tip: Book specialty dinners for port nights, when many guests are tired from the day ashore. Those evenings tend to be the easiest times to get a quiet table.
Honeymoon Cruise vs. an All-Inclusive Resort
Couples often compare a honeymoon cruise with an all-inclusive resort. The cruise wins on variety, with a new port most days and one unpack. The resort wins on beach time and a slower pace. My full comparison of a cruise vs. an all-inclusive resort breaks down cost and pace.
Honeymoon Cruise: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cruise line for a honeymoon cruise? Virgin Voyages if you want an adults-only ship, Celebrity Cruises for a modern ship with a grown-up feel, and Princess Cruises when the itinerary is the priority.
Are there adults-only cruises for honeymooners? Virgin Voyages is adults-only on every sailing, with a minimum age of 18. Most family lines also have adults-only pools, lounges, or restaurants.
Is a suite worth it on a honeymoon cruise? On lines where the suite includes a private lounge, restaurant, and drinks, it often is. On lines where it only adds space, a well-placed balcony is the better value.
When should we book a honeymoon cruise? As soon as the wedding date is set. Suites and aft balconies sell early, and many lines allow name or date changes before final payment if plans shift.
Can we combine a honeymoon cruise with family plans later? Many couples sail again with family a few years later. My guides to a multigenerational cruise, a family reunion cruise, and cruising with a baby or toddler cover the next chapters.
Booking a Honeymoon Cruise With Jackson Jetsetting
My pricing is the same as booking direct. What you get on top of it is access to promotions that do not always show up on the cruise line's website, plus one person to call when a flight cancels or you want to change cabins after the wedding. Send me your dates and your dream region, and I will price the honeymoon cruise, flights, and pre-cruise hotel as one trip.
