A cruise ship is the perfect place to celebrate love and romance and to make a special occasion unforgettable. From premium Celebrity Cruises to luxury Crystal Cruises, cruise lines offer packages designed to commemorate milestones.
Holland America Offers Love-Themed Activities
Holland America Line has an indulgent package for couples who want to say "I do" again. It’s a Renewal of Vows in Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s private island. Tropical style, couples catch an early VIP tender from the ship to Half Moon Cay, where the renewal ceremony takes place in an island chapel, followed by beachside champagne and hors d’oeuvres under a private canopy. The package can be combined with a relaxing 50-minute Couples Swedish Massage
Couples lucky enough to be on a Holland America Line ship during Valentine’s Day will be surrounded by beautiful floral arrangements; heart and cupid ice carvings and heart-shaped cookies on Lido deck; a daily quiz featuring famous couples and trivia questions about famous love stories.
The highlight of Valentine’s evening is a Red and White Ball in the Crow’s Nest lounge, with a ship band playing love songs.
Holland America’s menus go romantic too, from the “Heart” of Tuna Tartare entree to chocolate covered strawberries with champagne foam.
“Our mission is to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences every time. What better way to fulfill that mission than to help our guests celebrate their personal lifetime occasions?” said Holland America Line’s Public Relations Director, Erik Elvejord during a December 8, 2011 interview.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to add special meaning to our guests who are celebrating a special event, whether it is a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, holiday, family reunion or any other event that holds special meaning for them,” he added.
Choose from Holland America’s celebratory packages including Happy Birthday (flowers and balloon); Let’s Celebrate! (including flowers, champagne, and dinner for two in the Pinnacle Grill); and Just for Us (including a dozen roses, bottle of Mumm Cordon Rouge, two bathrobes, dessert and champagne served one evening in the stateroom; two aromatherapy massages; dinner for two in the Pinnacle Grill).
Princess Cruises Celebrates Love All Year Long
For special occasions like Valentine’s Day, Princess Cruises offers a Princess Sweetheart Package consisting of three elegant roses in a vase and a box of Godiva chocolates – 14 gold-wrapped, heart-shaped confections. For that special celebration, Princess also offers a Champagne Balcony Breakfast for Two – a four-course breakfast with a half bottle of champagne.
Every February 14, the captain officiates during a group renewal of vows ceremony. Heart-themed festivities include a festive Valentine’s dinner; a Valentine’s Singles Party; romance-themed films and a Hearts card game tournament.
Royal Caribbean Lets You Celebrate Memorable Occasions
Royal Caribbean International helps couples express their love. The Ultimate Romance or Classic Romance packages include a bottle of champagne or non-alcoholic champagne, a dozen roses, two terry robes , canapés and petit fours every evening, breakfast in bed one morning and a silver-framed 8” x 10” keepsake portrait.
Consider the Anniversary Package, complete with decorations, a 6” rose heart arrangement, champagne, vanilla cupcakes at turndown, “his” and “hers” terry robes and slippers and a keepsake framed portrait. Or, perhaps the All About Love package – a box of chocolate fruit ganache, chilled bottle of champagne and a dozen red roses.
Enjoy the Champagne and Rose Petals package, guaranteed to make couples fall in love with each other all over again. It includes a bottle of champagne and the petals from a dozen roses on your bed at turn-down.
Norwegian Cruise Line Will Plan Your Onboard Wedding
NCL offers Wedding, Honeymoon and Anniversary packages. Norwegian’s wedding planner makes the wedding plans a piece of cake and that includes the ceremony, champagne toast and ideal ceremony location onboard. Or would you prefer to have your ceremony blessed by the balmy breezes of a tropical locale such as Hawaii? Wherever you choose to say “I do” (or “I do again”), the wedding planner will make sure it’s all done with style.
Wedding packages include a non-denominational officiant; pre-recorded ceremony music; traditional round bouquet; matching boutonniere with one bloom; white wedding cake for the bridal couple; a bottle of NCL’s private selection sparkling wine and a keepsake certificate.
Carnival Cruise Line Celebrates Romance
Carnival Cruise Lines has a “Bon Voyage” department where guests can order cakes, cabin decorations, wine, flowers, etc., to celebrate a special occasion. If you sail Carnival during Valentine’s Day, expect to be served a Chocolate Valentine dessert at dinner. Ladies receive a red carnation at dinner while the song “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” is sung. A large ice carving of a heart is placed in the late-night bistro.
It’s further proof that on a cruise ship, love is in the air and special occasions are worth celebrating.
Roberta Sandler - Roberta Sandler has written more than 1,000 articles that have appeared in scores of magazines and newspapers including Miami Herald, ...
