Many cruise lines are eager to help seniors celebrate a romantic event
such as a wedding, honeymoon, anniversary or Valentine’s Day with
special onboard packages. Two lines in particular, Princess and
Windstar, consider romance a specialty of their services as they sail
the Caribbean and other regions.
The launch of the new Princess Ruby ship in 2008 encourages romance for Princess passengers. In a ruby red-themed ceremony, Trista and Ryan Sutter of The Bachelorette reality show christened the 3,080-passenger ship and celebrated their own fifth wedding anniversary.
The Ruby offers many features that define the Princess experience including a wedding chapel, Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, Asian-style Lotus Spa and a relaxing area just for adults called the Sanctuary.
For romantic dinners, passengers can dine in the smaller, more intimate restaurants such as the signature Sabatini's Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill steakhouse.
Several other romantic initiatives were unveiled on all Princess ships, including a Romance By Room Service menu that includes a special presentation of champagne and chocolate, scattered rose petals and candlelight, all set to romantic music.
The Engagement Under the Stars package is designed for marriage proposals. Princess arranges a secret session for the surprise proposal with the ship's videographer to record the event. Champagne, roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, portrait session, special breakfast and dinner, couples massage, jewellery discount and more are included in the package.
On Princess’s Crown and Emerald ships, the line launched a Certified Romantic course for passengers. The light-hearted presentation offers a history of romance, humourous stories and practical tips from the company's Department of Romance experts – Trish McDermott, former vice president of romance at Match.com and a founder of Engage.com; couples therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer; and Gavin MacLeod, the actor who played Captain Stubing on the Love Boat TV show in the 1970s and 1980s. Passengers who complete the program become Certified Romantics.
Princess was named the Best Cruise Line for Romance and Best Cruise Line for Weddings in the 2008 Cruise Critic awards. A special section of the line's website focuses on romance with ideas and advice.
The Princess Ruby sails the Caribbean from January to April and October to December in 2010, offering seven- and 10-day voyages from Fort Lauderdale. Ports of call include Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Grenada and Aruba. For itineraries on the Crown and Emerald, visit princess.com.
Windstar Cruises, which operates a fleet of luxury yachts, was recently recognized by Porthole Cruise Magazine as the Most Romantic Cruise Line by readers in the 10th Annual Reader’s Choice Awards. Windstar also won Best Cruise Line for Honeymoons by the editors of Cruise Critic.
A leader in the small-ship luxury-cruise experience for more than 20 years, Windstar passengers appreciate the ships’ ability to access smaller and lesser-known ports that large ships can’t reach. Windstar’s three motorized sailing ships feature billowing sails and carry 148 to 312 passengers.
For seniors seeking special moments of love, Windstar has Romance Under Sail packages to celebrate a wedding, honeymoon, vow renewals or any other occasion with a range of options to make the event special.
For example, chilled champagne and chocolate-dipped fruit are served to staterooms. Mornings can begin with breakfast in bed. Lunch could be a picnic for two on the beach. At day’s end, couples can enjoy a Time for Two couples massage and an elegant dinner at a quiet table.
The three Windstar ships sail seven-day cruises in the Caribbean from January to March and November to December, from Barbados and St. Martin. Ports include destinations such as St. Kitts, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, St. Barts, Grenadines, Grenada and Dominica. For more information visit windstarcruises.com.
