What are the best cruises for honeymoons?

At a glance

Your honeymoon should, by definition, be the trip of a lifetime: romantic, unforgettable and tailored just for you. Whether you're dreaming of Champagne on a yacht, penguins in Antarctica or a gourmet breakfast in bed with sparkling sea views, we’ve handpicked the very best cruises to mark the start of your next big adventure together. Oh, and congratulations!

What makes a cruise ‘the best’?

At World of Cruising, our travel experts curate ‘best for...’ guides by focusing on what makes a cruise right for you. After all, one pair’s dream honeymoon might sound completely unromantic to another couple.

That’s why we go beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, seeking out those ‘if-you-know-you-know’ details to tailor recommendations to different travel styles.

Best for a classic honeymoon: Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity well and truly understands the honeymoon assignment. Not only does its sleek, polished, resort-style ships offer couples all the luxury trimmings – we’re talking rooftop cocktail bars, private balconies and decadent spa sanctuaries – they also make sure your romance fizzes with extras like chocolate-covered strawberries, chilled bubbly in your stateroom and even the option to set up a honeymoon gift registry, so your guests can contribute towards the trip.

Celebrity’s ‘Always Included’ pricing keeps things easy, too, bundling in Wi-Fi, tips and drinks so you can stop worrying – after all, your honeymoon is supposed to be the fun part.

Itineraries: Celebrity’s prime honeymoon routes include the Caribbean, Greek Islands, South Pacific and Alaska, with sailings from seven to 12 nights.

Who’s this cruise for? Couples who want a slick, stress-free honeymoon with just enough sparkle – and a few indulgent little extras thrown in to make it feel super special.

What can I expect to pay? Fares typically start from around £2,500 per person for veranda cabins, including tips, a classic drinks package and Wi-Fi. Romance packages cost extra.

Browse offers:Celebrity Cruises.

Best for ultra-luxury: SeaDream Yacht Club

Fancy honeymoon cruising at its most exclusive? With no more than 120 guests on board, SeaDream’s sleek yachts feel more like upscale private retreats than cruise ships.

What does that mean? No real queues to speak of, no formal nights, no irksome tannoy announcements. Just Champagne under the stars, Balinese day beds for two and the reassuring hum of quiet luxury. The crew even learns your name – not to mention your preferred sundowner – within 24 hours of welcoming you aboard.

Itineraries: Seven-night sailings along the Adriatic Coast, French Riviera or Caribbean, often stopping at tucked-away ports that the bigger ships simply can’t get to.

Who’s this cruise for? Newlyweds who want to disappear into their own glamorous bubble and wake up somewhere jaw-dropping and lesser-known pretty much every morning.

What can I expect to pay? Around £5,500 per person, including gourmet dining, open-bar drinks, gratuities and water sports – and the luxury of not lifting a finger.

Browse offers:SeaDream Yacht Club.

Best for a tropical honeymoon: Paul Gauguin Cruises

If your honeymoon moodboard is all sublime cerulean lagoons, balmy sea breezes and a blessing from a Tahitian priest, Paul Gauguin Cruises is probably the one for you. Sailing the South Pacific on a stylish, low-key voyage, couples are treated to a colourful Polynesian ceremony, flower leis and serenades.

And of course, the beaches are so gorgeous that your snapshots will make your wedding guests back home weep with joy. And maybe a smidge of jealousy. Every last detail is honeymoon-coded, from swanky butler service to those heart-fluttering seashore picnics.

Itineraries: The voyages, which last a week or two, explore Tahiti, Bora Bora, the Society Islands and even Fiji – one postcard-perfect bay at a time.

Who’s this cruise for? Romantic souls craving barefoot luxury and a bit of authentic culture in one swoon-worthy itinerary. Think honeymoons with serious soul.

What can I expect to pay? Prices typically start at around £4,000 per person, including drinks, meals, tips, watersports and a truly unforgettable blessing ceremony.

Browse offers:Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Need a bit more help picking? Try our guide here:

• Best Cruises for couples

Best for adventure-loving newlyweds: Quark Expeditions 

Sure, you could lounge on a beach all day. Or you could honeymoon with penguins, polar bears and icebergs. Quark Expeditions offers rugged luxury in the planet’s most remote, awe-inspiring places. Think Antarctic kayaking, Arctic wildlife safaris and evenings wrapped in each other’s arms beneath the Northern Lights. It’s as far from a basic cookie-cutter honeymoon as you can get – the last word in alternative wedding cool.

Itineraries: Polar voyages from 10 to 20 days, exploring destinations like Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland and Svalbard, with expert-led excursions.

Who’s this cruise for? Bold couples who want to start married life with something decidedly different to capture in their wedding snaps.

What can I expect to pay? Expedition fares start around £6,000 per person, including excursions, meals and cold-weather gear – namely their iconic Quark three-in-one parka.

Browse offers:Quark Expeditions.

Best for river cruise romance: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

If you and/or your beloved have ever daydreamed about cruising at a stately pace past serried ranks of French vineyards or fairytale German villages straight out of Grimm, Uniworld delivers. Its boutique river ships feel more like floating five-star hotels, all hand-painted murals, chandeliers and swanky marble-clad bathrooms.

Shore excursions lean classy – think castle tours and super high-end wine tastings – and the onboard vibe is one of understated luxury. It's just the ticket for honeymooners who prefer sipping to swimming.

Itineraries: Europe’s Danube, Seine, Rhine and Douro rivers are perennial favourites – typically seven to 10 nights.

Who’s this cruise for? Couples who want old-world charm, gourmet food and culture without the chaos.

What can I expect to pay? Fares start at around £3,000 per person, including excursions, drinks, tips and Wi-Fi.

Browse offers: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

Best for relaxation: Windstar Cruises

Windstar's Honeymoon Bon Voyage package sets a rather impeccable scene. Picture chilled Champagne, chocolate-coated strawberries and rose petals artistically scattered across your bed. And that’s before you’ve even unpacked.

Cliché, you say? Not a bit of it. These boutique, yacht-style vessels offer a uniquely intimate feel, with just a few hundred guests, no queues and no fuss. They’re ideal for newlyweds who want to feel like the ship was chartered just for them.

Itineraries: The most romantic routes include Greece, the Amalfi Coast, French Polynesia and Costa Rica, with seven to 11-night itineraries depending on what destination you go for.

Who’s this cruise for? Couples who love a bit of seclusion, some spontaneity and the most superb spa treatments. Plus, a little extra sparkle just to mark the magical moment.

What can I expect to pay? Standard fares start from around £2,800 per person; honeymoon add-ons from approximately £150 include Champagne, robes, flowers and other dreamy honeymoon details.

Browse offers: Windstar Cruises.

Best for a foodie honeymoon: Oceania Cruises

The ability to share and enjoy a good meal together is the foundation of any durable marriage. As luck would have it, Oceania’s entire brand is built around next-level cuisine – from the multi-course degustation menus in Jacques Pépin’s signature restaurant to hands-on pasta-making classes and vineyard excursions when you fancy ambling ashore.

Some ships even have onboard cooking schools, where honeymooners can master the subtle art of Mediterranean mezze or spicy takes on Thai street food.

Itineraries: Ten to 14-night sailings across the Mediterranean, Asia and the Americas, often with extra sea days for that long-lunch-on-deck feeling.

Who’s this cruise for? Food-loving couples who bond over good wine pairings, bold flavours and talking about what they’re going to eat out next.

What can I expect to pay? Fares from around £3,200 per person include all dining – even speciality venues – soft drinks and select excursions.

Browse offers: Oceania Cruises.

Best for outgoing couples: Royal Caribbean International

If you’d rather celebrate your honeymoon with karaoke, cocktails and a crowd than a quiet moonlit dinner – and there’s a lot to be said for showing off your shiny new spouse in public – Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships have got you covered.

These fun floating cities come packed with bars, shows, pools and even surf simulators. Plus, expect grown-up perks like suite-only sun decks and couples’ spa treatments. You can even order a custom romance package with Champagne, strawberries or breakfast in bed.

Itineraries: The Caribbean, the Med and Alaska are the main honeymoon picks – seven-night itineraries on ships like Odyssey of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas.

Who’s this cruise for? Fun-loving couples who want adventure, entertainment and a honeymoon that feels like one big party.

What can I expect to pay? From around £1,300 per person, with add-ons for spa packages or romance extras starting at £80.

Browse offers: Royal Caribbean International

Best for far-flung escapes: Ponant

If you’ve always secretly wanted to honeymoon like they do in the movies – think barefoot walks on Madagascan beaches, rosé on a teak deck off the Seychelles or snorkelling in Indonesia’s coral gardens – Ponant makes it all deliciously possible.

Its elegant, French-flagged ships blend boutique luxury with a genuine spirit of adventure, carrying just 150 to 250 guests and sailing to places other cruise lines can’t reach. Expect Michelin-inspired cuisine, Champagne sunsets and just the right amount of très chic seclusion.

Itineraries: Voyage to far-flung places like the Seychelles, Indonesia, Madagascar or Papua New Guinea on seven to 12-night voyages designed for serious wow factor.

Who’s this cruise for? Couples craving escapism, exclusivity and a honeymoon that feels appropriately once-in-a-lifetime.

What can I expect to pay? Prices start from around £3,200 per person, including fine dining, excursions and most drinks.

Browse offers:Ponant.

Now all that's left to do is discuss your ideal honeymoon with your partner and book your romantic adventure.