Planning a romantic getaway? We ranked 10 major cruise lines from Worst to Best to help you find the perfect adult-focused vibe, dining, and value for your next vacation
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After over 90 cruises, we’ve discovered which cruise lines create the best experiences for couples at sea. This comprehensive ranking reveals the top 10 best cruise lines for couples in 2025, from budget-friendly options to luxury experiences.
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We evaluated these 10 lines based on dining quality, adult-only areas (Solarium/Retreat), nightlife, entertainment, and overall romantic atmosphere. We compare premium lines like @HollandAmericaLine and @princesscruises against contemporary giants like @norwegiancruiseline and @RoyalCaribbean to see who offers the best value for couples in 2026.
Our Complete Best Cruises for Couples Cruise Rankings:
🏆 #1 Celebrity Cruises – Modern luxury with sophisticated atmosphere, exceptional dining, and refined entertainment. Perfect for couples seeking upscale experiences without ultra-luxury pricing.
🥈 #2 Virgin Voyages – Adults-only innovative cruising with cutting-edge dining and immersive entertainment. Ideal for couples wanting contemporary experiences and all-inclusive value.
🥉 #3 Viking Cruises – Cultural immersion with no nickel-and-diming approach. Best for couples who love learning, destination-focused experiences, and elegant adult-only atmospheres.
#4 Holland America Line – Cultural experiences with destination dining and longer port stays. Great for couples prioritizing authentic cultural immersion and sophisticated fellow travelers.
#5 Atlas Ocean Voyages – Luxury expedition cruising combining adventure with upscale amenities. Perfect for adventure-seeking couples wanting unique destinations and all-inclusive luxury.
#6 Windstar Cruises – Intimate yacht-like experiences with James Beard Foundation dining. Ideal for couples seeking personalized service and access to unique ports.
#7 Princess Cruises – Classic cruise experiences with traditional amenities and Movies Under the Stars. Best for couples wanting predictable, relaxed cruising without surprises.
#8 Norwegian Cruise Line – Freestyle cruising with flexible schedules. Good for couples who value flexibility but don’t mind crowds and unpredictable experiences.
#9 Royal Caribbean – Non-stop entertainment and activities on massive ships. Perfect for active couples who love excitement but can handle overwhelming crowds.
#10 MSC Cruises – Budget-friendly cruising with party atmospheres. Great for couples wanting affordable fun but limited romance and adult-focused amenities.
How We Ranked the Best Cruises for Couples
We evaluated each cruise line on four critical factors: adults-only areas and atmosphere, dining experiences, value for money, and overall vibe. Our rankings consider different couple preferences – from adventure seekers to cultural enthusiasts, budget-conscious travelers to luxury seekers.
Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary celebration, or romantic getaway, this guide helps you choose the perfect cruise line for your couple’s style and preferences.
Complete Guide to Best Cruises for Couples
0:00 The Best Cruise Lines for Couples
0:25 Ranking the Best Cruises For Couples
0:42 #10 MSC Cruises
3:08 #9 Royal Caribbean International
5:38 #8 Norwegian Cruise Line
8:20 #7 Princess Cruises
11:05 #6 Windstar Cruises
13:20 #5 Atlas Ocean Voyages
15:50 #4 Holland America Line
18:10 #3 Viking
20:50 #2 Virgin Voyages
23:15 #1 Celebrity Cruises
READ OUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BEST CRUISES FOR COUPLES ON THE BLOG
Best Cruise Lines for Couples in 2025: Top 10 Perfect Getaways
—–TRENDING VIDEOS FROM EAT SLEEP CRUISE——
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What Nobody Tells You About Alaska Cruises: https://youtu.be/hbU3iTxW5Jw
The Cruise Rip-offs Cruisers Never Pay For On a Cruise: https://youtu.be/cjbKOLTVStQ
The Real Costs of a Royal Caribbean Cruise: https://youtu.be/2RcpjhOMLuc
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28 Comments
My boyfriend and I are grumpy and don't want to be around really anyone too much, so I'm glad that Viking is up there.
En promedio, los cruceros europeos y americanos tienen comida pobre
What about carnival?
We loved Celebrity but was not expecting it to be more of seniors demographic. Not a complaint just an observation. Could have been the Caribbean itinerary? We will definitely do again! Doing Alaskan cruise this Sept with Princess.
61 cruises here over 6 lines.
1. Virgin
2. Norwegian
3. Princess
4. Royal
5. MSC
6. Carnival
I'm looking forward to trying Celebrity, Viking and Windstar soon!!!
I can see through this that everybody may have a different opinions. But I do appreciate getting your opinions.
Princess for me and my husband. We booked for next year vacation
I don't want ANY kids. Not special areas. They have Bemini Island which is adults only, as well. I don't want kids in the hall or screaming, yelling, loudness at all. Virgin is quiet. And the food is excellent.
How about when you are single what is the choice?
Virgin. Yuk…
Your reviews are spot on and we picked or didnt pick cruise lines for the exact reasons you mentioned. We are now firmly sold on MSC Yatch club as we like a ship with a family buzz but enough nooks and cranies for a romantic twosome
10. MSC
9. Royal Caribbean
8. Norwegian
7. Princes
6.Windstar Cruise
5, Atlas Ocean voyages
4. Holland America
3. Viking Cruise
2. Virgina Cruise
1. Celebrity
Can anyone tell me about the Christmas cruise on the Queen Mary to out of New York for 12 days?
Princess is a terrible cruise line in my opinion. If you know food theirs is terrible. If you don’t, and you just eat, all are going to be good for you. Can’t compare any line with the years ago cruises. Que pena!
Princess is our favourite, too. Didn't like Viking at all very unfriendly.
Princess cruise is my favourite.. They have ..
Stop being selfish and stop judging people
90 cruises, where do you get your money from?
What’s the point?
The video is Spot On! Celebrity Beyond or Edge Class Ships is the premier cruise line Bar None. Dining options are exceptional and state of the art entertainment. Sooo relaxing, not for kids but we asked multiple families and they really enjoyed everything about Celebrity. This video saved us from spending a load on the Viking. Thank you!
I will never understand why you guys hate Carnival so much. We've always had a wonderful time, kids or no kids.
Are cruise lines helpful with food allergies?
glad you didn,t name oceania.. of 16 cruises the worst value and execution.. ill trained staff. avoided 3 port and offered no compensation..passenegers were sending around bad blobs. and the captain asked that they stop. cold food very bad ding room service
they are owned by norweigen and we have found that to be not in their favor BAD BAD BAD
I strongly disagree with ranking Virgin Voyages #2 for couples. Its core identity is sex-coded, vice coded, hedonistic, party-forward, and drag-driven.
The real shame is that Virgin Voyages actually gets many fundamentals right. The ships are well-sized — large enough to offer variety without feeling like floating cities. The dining program is genuinely sophisticated, with restaurant concepts that far exceed the quality of traditional main dining rooms. Their pricing model is refreshingly transparent, and their itineraries tend to be creative and culturally aware.
But all of this refinement is undermined by the relentless sexual coding — every event, every party, every piece of branding wrapped in winking innuendo. Practically every show—Scarlet Night, The Miss Behave Show, Lights Camera Drag, Untitled Dance Show Party Thing, and others—is built around flirtation, spectacle, and erotic energy. All major parties and entertainment events are hosted by a drag queen, including the ship’s resident performer known as “The Diva.”
Yes, you can technically “skip” these events—but that misses the point. On Virgin, the ambient environment—lighting, sound design, crew personas, and branding—is the show. There’s no neutral space, no equivalent to a quiet lounge, promenade, or piano bar you’d find on MSC, HAL, or Princess.
For couples seeking romance, reflection, or a slower rhythm, Virgin offers little. The illusion of choice masks the reality that abstaining means boredom. The entire ship is a stage set for nightlife.
If your definition of a “couples cruise” includes intimacy, stillness, and discretion, this line fails. Its programming is explicitly targeted to a narrow demographic that equates sexuality and constant stimulation with connection. That’s fine for some—but it’s misleading to present it as universally “best for couples.”
Virgin could have truly owned this niche. It could have kept its playful, cheeky edge — many couples genuinely enjoy that energy — while also offering refuge and refinement: quiet lounges, soft lighting, a few adult-only spaces devoted to calm rather than spectacle. Most adults don’t want to escape fun; they want to escape noise. Virgin’s failure is not its sensuality, but its lack of balance. A cruise that promises sophistication should also respect silence.
"We did the Princess Cruise last year for our anniversary, and it was amazing. Totally agree with the ranking!"
Wild how the “best for couples” list basically splits into 🤪 mega‑ship chaos vs 🧘 quiet, cultured vibes. Low‑key feel like Viking, HAL and Celebrity are the real win if you actually wanna talk to your partner instead of yelling over a DJ 😂
It is all subjective.
You totally missed the mark on this one. The best cruise line for couples is Paul Gauguin Cruise Line.
Romantic itineraries, small ship, very few to no children on board, 2-1 ratio with staff to passengers, 5 star cuisine. You haven’t experienced romance until you’ve sailed on PG.