10 Memorable Cruises for Every Occasion
For many travelers, there’s no better place to celebrate a special occasion than onboard a ship. Though cruise travel is largely on hold due to COVID-19—you can find our latest coronavirus coverage here—it’s never too soon to start planning your next voyage. To whet your seafaring appetite, we’ve rounded up 10 distinctive cruise ideas for ringing in some of life’s sweeter moments—from an island-hopping honeymoon in South Pacific to a kiddo-friendly birthday cruise (complete with Mickey Mouse cake) in the Bahamas.
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An unforgettable Father's Day cruise
Treat Dad to an exciting European adventure on Oceania Cruises’ 12-night “Isles Overture” voyage. Traveling from London to Dublin, it stops in golf- and pub-friendly ports throughout the United Kingdom. On board the 684-passenger Sirena, fathers can tuck into a slab of meat at the Tuscan steakhouse, share a tipple (or three) in Martini's lounge, try their luck in the Monte Carlo-style casino, or work on their form at the ship’s nine-hole putting green. On shore, Scotland’s famed Saint Andrew's Golf Club awaits—as do falconry lessons in Edinburgh, whisky tastings at Scotland’s historic Glenmorangie distillery in Ross-shire, and a “musical pub tour” in Liverpool. Embarks June 13, 2022; from $3,899 per person.
An indulgent Mother's Day cruise
Toast Mother’s Day 2022 aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ newest ship, the 750-guest Seven Seas Splendor. The 15-night “Voyage of Bacchus” sails from Monte Carlo to London, with wine-centric stops in Provence, Porto, and Bordeaux, as well as calls in the bustling cosmopolitan ports of Barcelona, Casablanca, and Lisbon. Notable shore excursions include wine-making and cava tasting outside of Barcelona, and a chef-led tour of Casablanca’s food markets. Back onboard, Mom can luxuriate in the ship’s top-rated spa, take a dip in its infinity pool, or sign up for a cooking class in the Culinary Arts Kitchen. Embarks May 6, 2022; from $15,199 per person, including airfare and excursions.
Rottet StudioThe ultimate retirement cruise
Ahhh, retirement—when you finally have enough time to embrace the good life. In 2022, Viking offers just the ticket to celebrate with its new Viking Expeditions arm, dubbed “the thinking person’s expedition.” Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are influenced by Scandinavian design and fit up to 378 passengers per ship. Each vessel includes a working laboratory for resident scientists, plus fun expedition toys like Zodiacs, kayaks, and twin submarines.
For a truly epic adventure, consider Viking Polaris’ 43-night From the Arctic to Antarctica voyage, which departs from Norway’s northernmost Arctic town (Tromsø) and visits multiple ports in the United Kingdom before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, hopping from Brazil to Argentina to Uruguay, and culminating in Antarctica. Embarks September 21, 2022; from $33,995 per person, including excursions.
A party-vibin' graduation cruise
When Virgin Voyages—brainchild of Sir Richard Branson—officially debuts in 2021, it will be the place for new grads looking to celebrate at sea. The innovative cruise line caters to younger adults with a decidedly hip flagship, the 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady (the first of the line’s four planned vessels). Draws for the twenty-something set include an onboard tattoo parlor, vinyl shop, yoga-dedicated sundeck, more than 20 dining venues (one of which hosts a drag-show brunch), and “Rockstar”-themed suites.
Make a graduation party really count by signing up for the five-night Dominican Daze itinerary, sailing round-trip from Miami. Stops include Virgin’s private Bahamian beach club and the sugar-white sands of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Select sailings offered year-round; from $825 per person.
A decidedly adult birthday cruise
Crystal Cruises’ new 200-guest Crystal Endeavor marks the luxe brand’s entry into expedition cruising. Vessel highlights include butler-serviced suites, five dining venues (including one from Nobu), and exemplary service—birthday celebrants can expect thoughtful surprises like Champagne delivery, personalized dining menus, and customized shore excursions.
Celebrating a summer birthday? Book the 10-night Icelandic expedition, sailing roundtrip from Reykjavík, to blow out your candles in the midst of fjords, waterfalls, and geothermal springs. Active port excursions like white-water rafting and helicopter tours of glaciers promise to keep you young at heart, no matter what age you’re turning. Embarks July 28 or August 7, 2022; from $14,999 per person.
Matt StroshaneA kid-centric birthday cruise
Disney just gets kids—both on land and at sea. Fill little birthdays with big memories aboard any of its four ships brimming with age-specific kids’ programming, pools and water parks, meet-and-greets with Disney characters, and themed deck parties with fireworks overhead. For an added sprinkling of birthday pixie dust, the cruise line throws in extras like celebratory buttons and dinners (think singing waitstaff and special desserts). You can even upgrade with specialty cakes and birthday-themed stateroom decor.
To test the waters with young mariners, book a quick three- or four-night Bahamas sailing aboard the 4,000-guest Disney Dream. The ship departs from Port Canaveral, near Orlando’s Disney theme parks, and includes stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island). Select sailings offered year-round; from $1,500 per person.
A special anniversary cruise
Princess Cruises—the original line featured in The Love Boat—does brisk business helping guests commemorate milestone wedding anniversaries. Set sail on one of its amorous voyages around the Caribbean and tack on an anniversary package with Champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, spa treatments, and framed keepsake portraits. Bonus: A vow renewal ceremony, officiated by the captain, makes for a meaningful addition.
Lock in a stateroom on a soon-to-launch Southern Caribbean Medley sailing aboard the line’s newest ship, the 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess. Couple-ready diversions include a French bistro, jazz club, spa, and a “Marriage Match Game Show.” The cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale and stops in Princess Cays, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, and Curaçao, where made-for-two excursions like bubbly-accompanied snorkeling awaits. Select sailings from November 2021 through March 2022; from $798 per person.
A storybook honeymoon cruise
A top-ranked line for honeymooners, Paul Gauguin Cruises is synonymous with romance. Little wonder, given that its 332-passenger M/S Paul Gauguin sails the dreamy South Pacific idylls and throws in special complimentary touches for newlyweds, including Champagne and a unique Polynesian blessing ceremony.
Select from two 12- and 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands itineraries running between Fiji and Tahiti, combining visits to both off-the-beaten-path islands and higher-profile honeymoon destinations such as Bora Bora and Moorea. Sweetheart-worthy shore excursions include snorkeling in turquoise lagoons and waterfall dips in remote national parks. Embarks May 22 and June 5, 2021; from $8,145 per person, including airfare from Los Angeles.
Marco RiccaA something-for-everyone family reunion cruise
Minimize the logistical nightmare of coordinating a family reunion by gathering your clan aboard a multigenerational-friendly cruise ship. Lindblad Expeditions, which partners with National Geographic, has new-for-2021 “Wild Escape Alaska” voyages, sailing between Juneau and Ketchikan. The 5-night expeditions unfold on two 62-passenger ships (National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion). Both vessels are small enough to keep the fam together but offer diverse enough activities to appeal to all ages. (Think: kayaking near glaciers, hiking in Tongass National Forest, and whale-watching in fjord channels.)
Bonus: Family reunion groups booking eight or more cabins receive 5 percent off and a $150 shipboard credit, among other perks. Select summer sailings in 2021 and 2022; from $4,570 per person.
Wendy Shattil /Bob RozinskiA touching memorial cruise
A last wish for some true-blue cruisers is to have their ashes scattered at sea. A charter can be a fitting solution for an intimate ceremony that memorializes your loved one, while also bringing together friends and family to celebrate a life well lived. Small-ship operators Pacific Catalyst II, operated in partnership with AdventureSmith Explorations in Alaska, Baja California, and the Pacific Northwest, have experience delivering lovely at-sea memorials.
Consider, for example, chartering the Westward to Baja’s Sea of Cortez. A typical 8-night voyage between Loreto and La Paz, Mexico, puts the emphasis on the surrounding wilderness landscapes. Onboard the historic yacht, with its wood paneling and fireplace-anchored salon, up to eight guests can break bread over meals sourced from local farmers and fishermen. The memorial services are fully customizable; past guests have opted to scatter ashes at sunset in a calm cove and during an encounter with whales. Charters and scheduled sailing dates available from December through March, starting at $5,750 per person, including excursions. Full-boat charter from $42,840.