If a week away with your partner filled with island hopping, exceptional food, indulgent spa treatments, and attentive service sounds like a dream come true, it might be time to think about a romantic cruise for two. The best couples cruises often come from smaller luxury lines, but even some of the big family-friendly lines know how to blend romance with high-energy fun. Here are my picks for the world’s top couples cruise lines (and their most romantic voyages) in 2026.
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1. Princess Cruises
Best cruises for traditional sailing
Known for its iconic “Love Boat” branding thanks to its ships working as the setting for the show of the same name, Princess Cruises offers couples the joy of a traditional cruise. Whether you’re sailing on one of the smaller, older ships or the newer, mega-ships, couples can enjoy the pool decks and outdoor adventures in the morning and afternoons. Then, as the sun sets, the ship’s lounges and bars become a hot spot for entertainment.
Two of the newest ships from the brand are Star Princess and Sun Princess. Star Princess sails around the Caribbean and Alaska, both of which are exceptional choices for romantic sailings. Sun Princess takes cruisers to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, the latter of which is the perfect romantic getaway. Here, you explore charming neighborhoods in some of the most historic cities in the world.
2. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best cruises for couples looking for complete luxury
Regent Seven Seas Splendor sailing in the sunset.
One of the most luxurious cruise lines to sail with is Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The line is known for its attention to detail and exquisite service. The all-inclusive cruise line features spacious suites (most of which have ocean-facing balconies) with marble bathrooms, plus unlimited shore excursions in ports of call, specialty dining at no extra cost, unlimited Wi-Fi, and pre-paid gratuities. The fleet’s six ships (plus a new vessel debuting in December 2026) carry fewer than 750 guests, so everyone onboard is well taken care of.
For a more adventurous itinerary, consider the 10-night Tokyo to Hong Kong sailing. The cruise takes place on Seven Seas Explorer and visits places like Osaka, Japan; Taipei, Taiwan; and has an overnight port in Hong Kong, China. You can also extend your vacation with a pre- or post-cruise program around Tokyo or Hong Kong.
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3. Viking Ocean Cruises
Best cruises for couples looking for smaller ships
Viking River Cruises offers U.S. river cruises as well as its well-known European river cruises. Here, the Viking Mississippi sails past St. Louis.
Couples looking for a romantic vacation with an intimate feel love the smaller ships of Viking Ocean Cruises, all of which accommodate just 930 guests. The dedicated staff on each of Viking’s cruise ships is there to serve your every whim as you travel from port to port. Since Viking’s ships are smaller compared to ocean liners from brands like Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line, they can dock and spend quality time in more unique ports of call.
One of the best cruises for couples offered by Viking is the North Pacific Passage voyage, which starts in Tokyo, Japan, and ends in Vancouver, Canada. The couple’s cruise is 23 days long and visits three different countries. Another great option for a couples cruise is the eight-day Viking Shores & Fjords itinerary, which travels to three countries: the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. Along the way, you’ll see historic cities and beautiful landscapes.
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4. Silversea
Best cruises for ultra-luxury
Couples looking to sail on one of the most luxurious cruise lines in the world will want to book Silversea. The cruise line offers exceptional service, unique itineraries, and delightful dining experiences. Even better, each cabin is assigned a butler who can do just about anything. For example, they can make a spa-inspired bath right in your cabin (complete with flickering battery-operated candles and plates of macarons) or bring afternoon caviar service with all of the traditional accompaniments to your room. Pair either with a glass of champagne, and you’ve got a romantic evening.
The spaces onboard Silversea’s ships are intimate, allowing you to have a quiet conversation with your partner, enjoy a cocktail, or share a meal without feeling like you’re in a massive crowd of other cruisers. The dimly lit S.A.L.T. Bar feels exclusive with its perfectly cozy plush booths and hand-crafted cocktails. Additionally, the Silver Note restaurant and bar pairs a live jazz club with a menu of small plates. Silversea sails all over the world, but one region that offers romance in abundance is French Polynesia and the Pacific. Destinations on these itineraries include Papeete (Tahiti), Moorea Island, and Bora Bora.
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5. Virgin Voyages
Best cruises for adult-only fun
Virgin Voyages is known for its adult-only cruises, where nearly anything goes, especially because kids are left at home. Each of the four “lady ships”, as Virgin calls its vessels, is nearly identical. Specialty dining restaurants, a sprawling pool deck, and a host of entertainment offerings are all onboard. The only thing you really need to figure out is where you want to go.
This year, Virgin Voyages will make its debut in Alaska, an itinerary filled with natural wonders and plenty of romance. Onboard the brand’s newest ship, Brilliant Lady, you can venture to see destinations like the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Skagway, the Tracy Arm Fjord, and more. Additionally, Brilliant Lady has some of Virgin’s most unique dining venues yet. I love the all-new Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, which highlights Spanish cuisine through tapas and larger shareable plates.
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6. Celebrity Cruises
Best couples cruises on a mega ship
Luxury comes standard onboard Celebrity Cruises.
Accessible luxury is a top priority at Celebrity Cruises. From romantic dinners at some of the best restaurants at sea to beautifully designed spaces where couples can simply hang out with a drink in hand, Celebrity really does have it all. For the ultimate couples’ cruise, book a fully furnished suite. This can be a place of refuge after a busy day of new experiences or from the bustling pool deck. When night falls over the ship, step into the theater to see a jaw-dropping performance. Alternatively, dance the night away under the stars with one of the cruise line’s iconic parties that last until the wee hours of the morning.
One itinerary that is particularly enticing for a couples cruise is a seven-night cruise through Italy and the French Riviera. This sailing takes place on the newest Celebrity ship, Xcel. You’ll set out to see incredible ports of call like Nice, France; Portofino, Italy; and Naples, Italy. For a sailing a little closer to home, consider the three-night Key West and Bahamas cruise on Celebrity Reflection. You’ll visit Key West, Florida, and Bimini, Bahamas. This perfect beach vacation is ideal for those who need a mini-vacation.
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7. Royal Caribbean
Best for adventurous couples cruises
Couples cruises on Royal Caribbean are affordable, packed with fun things to do on board, and sail to romantic destinations. Adventurous partners will fall in love with any of the line’s cruises that stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay. One of the most talked-about ships in the fleet is Icon of the Seas. It features a beautiful glass-domed AquaTheater for entertainment and dining, plus a spectacular Broadway rendition of The Wizard of Oz, which is one of the best theater shows at sea. Active couples will love trying fun outdoor activities like the FlowRider and waterslides before heading back inside for a date night in one of the specialty restaurants.
If Icon of the Seas sounds like your idea of a good time with your partner, the ship sails on seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, Florida. Of those two, Eastern Caribbean sailings offer more romantic destinations like Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, where serene beaches are paired with an exciting dining scene for an incredible few days.
Best cruises for couples: Romantic voyages you’ll both love in 2026 originally appeared at FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The most romantic cruises for couples to book in 2026
