Embarking on a new chapter together is one of the most treasured experiences for any couple, and what better way to celebrate your union than with a honeymoon cruise through the beautiful waters of the Caribbean?
There's a certain timeless allure to the romance of the high seas, the warm ocean breeze and the opportunity to discover paradise with your soulmate by your side.
In this guide, we will chart the course to some of the finest honeymoon cruises and offer a compass for selecting the perfect voyage for you and your special someone to celebrate one of the most cherished times of your lives.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly honeymoon, or even a more luxury cruise experience, a Caribbean cruise can certainly offer that. AAA Travel shares the best cruise lines for a romantic getaway to the Caribbean.
Enjoy an Affordable Honeymoon Cruise on Carnival Cruise Line
For the best value for your money, consider sailing with Carnival Cruise Line in the Caribbean. Fares are reasonable, and you can even set up a honeymoon registry to help with onboard expenses and excursion fees. With the money you might save on a Carnival cruise, you could upgrade your stateroom to one with a private balcony or reserve dinner for two at a specialty restaurant.
As with all cruises, be sure to leave room in your budget to cover gratuities, which average about $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day on Carnival cruises, with the exact amount dependent on your room type.
Bonus: When you book a Carnival cruise as a AAA member or part of a AAA Vacations® package, you can receive up to a $200 spending credit per stateroom, two-category upgrades and a 50% reduced deposit.
Enjoy a Caribbean Honeymoon Cruise with Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean features a range of itineraries, departure ports and onboard activities (including rock climbing walls and more!), making it one of the best honeymoon cruise lines.
Personalize your trip by having romantic gifts delivered to your room, or add some flair to your accommodations with a “Just Married” décor package. Royal Caribbean’s honeymoon cruise registry allows your wedding guests to contribute to your shore excursions and onboard expenses, too.
If you really want to get away from it all (and the rest of the passengers on board), splurge on a higher category room in the Royal Suite Class or a multi-level suite that includes a whirlpool tub and VIP seating at shows.
Gratuities for Royal Caribbean cruises are $14.50 to $17.50 per person, per day, depending on your room type.
Bonus: AAA Members who book a balcony room or a suite on Royal Caribbean will receive a free 8 inch by 10 inch photo while on board (for cruises 7 nights or longer).
If you book a Royal Caribbean cruise as part of a AAA Vacations® package, sparkling wine and a welcome fruit basket will be in your stateroom upon arrival. For balcony rooms and higher, you’ll also earn an onboard spending credit of $25 (for cruises 6 nights or less), $50 (for cruises 7-10 nights) or $100 (for cruises 11 nights and longer).
Honeymoon cruises under $500 per person:
- 3 Nights - Bahamas and Perfect Day: departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this cruise stops in the Bahamas and on Royal Caribbean's private destination, the Perfect Day at CocoCay. This is a great affordable honeymoon cruise.
Honeymoon cruises under $1000 per person:
- 7 Nights - Bahamas and Perfect Day: departing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, this cruise is a longer sail, but may be a great option for those honeymooners living in the Northeast United States. Starting at roughly $400 per person, this is one of the best honeymoon cruises for value and total length.
Sail in Style on Celebrity Cruises
With a more refined atmosphere than the mainstream cruise lines, a Celebrity Cruise is a good option for honeymooners looking for stylish staterooms, a smaller cruise ship and a higher level of service. This line is more adult-focused and you’ll have less nickeling-and-diming while on board, too, as Wi-Fi, a basic drinks package and prepaid gratuities are included in your fare.
The included gratuities average $15.50 to $19 per person, per day, depending on your room type.
Bonus: AAA members who book a Celebrity cruise will be eligible for an onboard spending credit of up to $75 per room (for ocean view staterooms and higher).
If you book a Celebrity cruise as part of a AAA Vacations® package, you can receive an additional onboard spending credit of $25 per room (for ocean view staterooms), $75 (for balcony staterooms) or $100 (for Concierge Class and higher).
Honeymoon cruise under $500 per person:
- 5 Nights - Bahamas Getaway: Departing from Miami, Florida, the Celebrity Summit will stop in Bimini and Nassau.
Honeymoon cruises around $1000 per person:
- 5 Nights - Key West and Bahamas: Departing from Miami Florida, the Celebrity Summit will make stops in Bimini, Nassau and in Key West.
Experience a Luxury Cruise with Princess Cruises
If your idea of onboard entertainment includes exclusive Broadway musicals and an at-sea version of “The Voice” TV show, sailing with Princess Cruises may be just for you. The fleet’s elegant ships are geared more toward adults than kids, with high-tech additions like a wearable smart device (included with your fare) that makes it easy to unlock your stateroom door, order drinks by the pool, purchase things onboard and locate your loved ones while on the ship.
Princess Cruises offers a personalized honeymoon registry service so wedding guests can contribute to your onboard expenses, shore excursions, gifts and room decorations.
Gratuities range from $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day, depending on your room type.
Bonus: AAA members who book their Princess cruise during select booking periods throughout the year will receive a reduced deposit along with a complimentary 6 inch by 8 inch photo while on board.
When you book a sailing with Princess Cruises as part of a AAA Vacations® package, you’ll receive dinner for two in a specialty restaurant as well as an onboard spending credit of $25 (for cruises 5 days or less), $50 (for cruises 6-11 days) or $100 (for cruises 12 days or longer).
Ask a AAA travel agent about the best time to book to take advantage of additional member benefits offered during special quarterly sales. Additional perks can include a reduced deposit as low as $50 per person.
Honeymoon cruises under $1000 per person:
• 12 Nights - Caribbean Islander: a full Caribbean honeymoon cruise experience, this ship sets sail from Galveston and stops in Cozumel, Aruba, Curacao, Antigua, Tortola and Fort Lauderdale.
Plan Your Honeymoon Cruise with AAA Travel
AAA Travel offers exclusive benefits and amenities just for AAA members. From stateroom savings to onboard spending credits, your local AAA Travel Agent can provide you with the best available offer and help you select the perfect honeymoon package. Browse the cruises mentioned in this article and learn more.