Valentine's Day 2013 is best celebrated with a romantic getaway — and what's more romantic than a cruise? Imagine just the two of you on the open sea, the sun warming you during the days and moonlight and stars romancing you at night. This list consists of selected ships that will be embarking on a cruise on Valentine's Day or already sailing on February 14. If considering a Valentine's Day cruise this year, book early to avoid disappointment and get the cabin you want.
1. Cheap Valentine's Day Cruise: Norwegian Sky
© Norwegian Cruise Line.
An older ship, the Norwegian Sky offers a 4-night roundtrip Valentine's Day cruise out of Miami departing on February 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2013. The ship calls at Freeport, Bahamas; Nassau, Bahamas; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, the cruise line's private island. If you don't have much cash but want to spend Valentine's Day at sea, this cruise ship is an affordable choice — especially if you book an inside cabin.
2. Biggest Valentine's Day Cruise Ships
© Susan Breslow Sardone.
That would be RCL's Oasis of the Seas, the floating behemoth that holds 5,400 passengers (and her new twin, Allure of the Seas). Both are cities unto themselves, and if you like bigger, newer, and more when you cruise, Allure would be an ideal place for you to spend Valentine's Day. She departs on a 7-night roundtrip cruise from Fort Lauderdale February 9, 2013 and calls at Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI; Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. RCL is the cruise line with the Flowriders, rock walls, zip line, and other activities for passengers of all ages.
3. Sexy Valentine's Day Cruise: Celebrity Silhouette
© Susan Breslow Sardone.
Celebrity Silhouette is a gorgeous cruise ship that has a special appeal to couples. Her 7-night Valentine's Day cruises embark from Ft. Lauderdale on February 10 and 24, 2013. They include at least two days at sea and call at ports in the Eastern or Western Caribbean, depending on which week you sail.
4. Valentine's Day "Love Boat" Cruise: Princess
© Rhonda Barnett.
The Princess cruise fleet is associated with the "Love Boat" TV show. Capitalizing on that theme, Princess goes out of its way to make sailings romantic. A variety of restaurants, many cabins with a private balcony, and even the Hearts and Minds Wedding Chapel for weddings at sea make this ship a perfect place to spend Valentine's Day. Embarking from Los Angeles for fourteen-night roundtrip cruises on February 13 and 27, 2013, the Golden Princess calls at Hilo, Hawaii; Honolulu, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Lahaina, Maui; Ensenada, Mexico and returns to Los Angeles.
5. Exotic Valentine's Day Cruise: Azamara Journey
© Susan Breslow Sardone.
Departing from Hong Kong on February 3, 2013, Azamara Journey sails on a 14-night Southeast Asia journey that calls at Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Bangkok and Ko Samui, Thailand; and disembarks at the port of Singapore. There are four sea days. Azamara Journey is a small (710-passengers) cruise ship that is known for personal service (every cabin has a butler) and the excellent quality of its food.
6. Valentine's Day Cruise with the Kids: Disney Magic
© Susan Breslow Sardone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Valentine's Day often coincides with President's Day holiday and winter recess. So if you have vacation time and want to cruise with the family, you could do worse than choosing a Disney ship. That's because Disney has figured out that if you keep the kids busy, really busy — there are children's programs on this ship from morning till night — adults get time to themselves. In addition, there are adults-only areas where the little darlings may not tread. The 6-night roundtrip cruise departs from Galveston on February 9, 2013 and calls at Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.
7. Tahiti Valentine's Day Cruise Offer: Paul Gauguin
© Paul Gauguin Cruises.
The ultimate in romance in the world's most seductive setting, Paul Gauguin Cruises ply the waters of French Polynesia. On a 14-night cruise that commences February 2, 2013, the ship originates in Papeete, Tahit and calls at Fakarava, Omoa, Atunoa, Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a and Moorea before returning to Papeete.
