Trip Planning Cruises The 6 Best Honeymoon Cruises of 2023 By Amber Nolan Amber Nolan Amber is a restless travel writer with more than 10 years of experience. She covers travel products for TripSavvy. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/05/22 Fact checked by Hans Jasperson Fact checked by Hans Jasperson University of Utah Hans Jasperson has been delivering fact-based information and analysis to business leaders, policymakers, and consumers for over a decade. His research has been shared with members of the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and policymakers in several states. Since 2019, he has reviewed hundreds of articles for Investopedia, The Balance, Treehugger, and other publications. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. The 6 Best Honeymoon Cruises of 2023 Best Overall: PG Cruises Best Small Ship: UnCruise Best Sailboat: Windstar Cruises Best for Luxury: Ponant Best Boutique: Blue Lagoon Cruises Best Modern Cruise: Celebrity Cruises Best Overall : PG Cruises Paul Gauguin Cruises Buy on Pgcruises.com Sails from: PapeeteDuration: 7 nightsShip Name: MS Paul GauguinItinerary: Huahine, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Moorea An iconic destination for honeymooners, Tahiti is where the luxurious MS Paul Gauguin cruise ship calls home. Carrying just 330 passengers, the crew to passenger ratio on board is 1 to 1.5 for unparalleled attention to detail, plus 70 percent of the staterooms have private balconies. Couples can relax in a full-service spa or take a stroll on a private beach. The ship has a watersports marina that is utilized when docked – allowing guests to paddleboard and kayak right from the aft of the ship. Plus, the MS Paul Gauguin often stays overnight in romantic ports of call, so that means more time in paradise surrounded by sparkling waters, palm trees, and soft-sand beaches. Best Small Ship : UnCruise UnCruise Adventures Buy on Uncruise.com Sails from: MolokaiDuration: 7 nightsShip Name: Safari ExplorerItinerary: Kaunakakai, Molokai; Lanaʻi; Humpback National Marine Sanctuary, Maui; Lahaina Town, Maui; Kona Coast, Big Island; Hualālai Volcano, Big Island Hawaii is a top destination for honeymooners, but many of the cruises that explore the islands are larger, mainstream ships. However, couples who prefer smaller ships and all-inclusive pricing should consider vacationing with UnCruise. The boutique vessel, Safari Explorer, has just 36 passengers and gets up close to Hawaiian ports of call that the larger ships don’t stop in. Plus, some truly unique activities are included like a night snorkel with Giant Pacific Manta Rays, a visit with a local Kahuna in Molokai’s ancient Halawa Valley, and wildlife searching in the Humpback National Marine Sanctuary. Newlyweds cruise in comfort with a sun lounge, library, and well-appointed cabins fitted with Tempur-Pedic mattresses and heated tile floors in bathrooms. Best Sailboat : Windstar Cruises Maud and John/ Flickr Buy on Windstarcruises.com Sails from: Athens, GreeceDuration: 7 nightsShip Name: Wind StarItinerary: Nafplio, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Patmos, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Monemvasia, Greece; Athens, Greece Tall sailing ships conjure up romance at sea, and WindStar Cruises’ 7-night voyage to the Greek Isles is a perfect fit for honeymooners. Sailing round-trip from Athens, Wind Star, a four-masted ship, carries 148 passengers in classic, yet luxurious accommodations. Elegant teak wood decks, ocean views in every cabin, plush robe and slippers, and fresh fruit and flowers delivered to staterooms set the mood. Couples can also dine under the stars at Candles restaurant for a perfect evening with award-winning cuisine. The ship calls in legendary islands like Santorini and Mykonos as well as lesser-visited locales along the Aegean Sea, plus nine UNESCO World Heritage sites and dinner at the Celsus Library in the ancient city of Ephesus. Best for Luxury : Ponant Ponant Buy on Ponant.com Sails from: Victoria, MahéDuration: 8 nightsShip Name: Le BougainvilleItinerary: Curieuse; Aride; Grande Soeur; Praslin; La Digue Island; Victoria, Mahé A romantic, French-operated vessel sailing the sparkling waters of the Seychelles makes for an exotic honeymoon cruise. Luxury cruise operator Ponant debuted a new, eight-night itinerary for eco-friendly couples that includes visits to several nature reserves. Aboard the luxury mega yacht Le Bougainville, 92 staterooms are beautifully appointed with private balconies to soak in the gorgeous views. Newlyweds can sip cocktails in the outdoor bar and lounge, relax in the solarium or pool, or take in a film in the theater. Highlights of the voyage include Curieuse Island, known for its red earth and abundant marine life, Aride Island that’s home to a variety of exotic birds and sea turtles, and the postcard-perfect, Grande Soeur Island with miles of soft white sands. Take a look at other cruise lines with our selection of the best luxury cruises. Best Boutique : Blue Lagoon Cruises Blue Lagoon Cruises Buy on Bluelagooncruises.com Sails from: NadiDuration: 7 nightsShip Name: MV Fiji PrincessItinerary: Port Denarau, Modiriki Island; Soso Bay; Naukacuvu Island; Yalobi Bay; Blue Lagoon; Sawa-I-Lau Island; Drawaqa Island Explore the picture-perfect beaches and paradise islands on Blue Lagoon Cruises, the boutique cruise line that’s ideal for honeymooners looking for a low-key cruise that blends relaxation with cultural exploration. The 68-passenger MV Fiji Princess docks in remote blue lagoons and isolated islands, so guests can enjoy peace and serenity without the crowds. Onboard, a sky deck bar serves up tropical cocktails and stunning views and when in port, guests can utilize paddleboards, kayaks, and glass-bottom boats. Other highlights include a visit to the film location of “Castaway,” a day spent on a private beach on Nanuya Lailai Island, and a swim in the caverns of the Sawa-I-Lau Caves. Best Modern Cruise : Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Cruises Buy on Expedia.com Sails from: CivitavecchiaDuration: 7 nightsShip Name: Celebrity EdgeItinerary: Rome, Italy; Ajaccio, Corsica; Portofino, Italy; Florence/La Spezia, Italy; Cannes, France; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Barcelona, Spain The sparkling Mediterranean Sea and bustling port cities of Italy and Spain offer a blend of romance and excitement. Honeymooners can cruise aboard Celebrity’s much-anticipated new ship, the Celebrity Edge, a premium mainstream vessel with fabulous service. The cutting edge ship breaks away from traditional layouts (it was designed entirely in 3D), and has trend-setting features like a rooftop garden with live musical entertainment, a curtain-less theater with 10 panoramic screens, the Eden restaurant, a glass-enclosed lounge with interactive performances, and “Magic Carpet,” a cantilevered elevator deck that spans 13 floors. The cruise sails round-trip from Rome and visits three countries in six ports of call. Thomas Barwick / Getty Images Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit