Book a 2011 Valentine's Day Cruise

An older ship, the Norwegian Sky offers a 4-night roundtrip Valentine's Day cruise out of Miami departing on February 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2011. The ship calls at Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, Bahamas and on Great Stirrup Cay, 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.

Celebrity Solstice debuted in 2010. She's a gorgeous new cruise ship that has a special appeal to couples. One entire deck — the spa-oriented AquaClass — is for adults to enjoy. Celebrity Solstice's 7-night Valentine's Day cruises embark from Miami on February 5 and 12, 2011. They include at least two days at sea and call at ports in the Eastern or Western Caribbean, depending on which week you sail.

Another elegant new cruise ship, Ruby Princess joined the fleet associated with the "Love Boat" TV show in November 2008. 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 Fort Lauderdale for seven-night roundtrip cruises on February 6 and 13, 2011, the ship calls at Princess Cays, Bahamas (the cruise line's private island); St. Thomas, USVI; St. Maarten; and Turks & Caicos. It includes two days at sea, which give you a great opportunity to relax.

Departing from Hong Kong on February 5, 2011, Azamara Quest 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 Quest 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. On Valentine's Day 2011, she will be docked in exotic Thailand. There you can spend the day visiting a Buddhist pagoda and then swim in the Gulf of Thailand.

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. In her maiden year, she departs on a 7-night roundtrip cruise from Fort Lauderdale February 13, 2011 and calls at Labadee, Haiti; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. Oasis of the Seas follows the same itinerary, departing on February 5, 2011. Both journeys include three days at sea. RCL is the cruise line with the Flowriders, rock walls, zip line, and other activities for passengers of all ages.

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 7-night roundtrip cruise departs from Port Canaveral on February 12, 2011 and calls at St. Maarten; St. Thomas/St. John in the USVI, and Castaway Cay (the cruise line's private island).

The ultimate in romance in the world's most seductive setting, Paul Gauguin Cruises ply the waters of French Polynesia. Although it's late to book a Valentines voyage, the cruise line offers a gift package for guests reserving any 2011 sailing between February 4 and February 19, 2011. Guests booking this limited-time offer receive a Tahitian black pearl and sterling silver pendant, a bottle of Champagne, Leonidas chocolates, and flower turndown service onboard(a $230 value). As with all 2011 sailings on The Gauguin, guests receive 50% off standard cruise fares and free airfare from Los Angeles. Plus, if they reserve any February-June 2011 sailing by February 19, 2011, they also receive up to $1,000 per couple as a guest privileges credit.