Honeymoon cruises and weddings at sea

A cruise solves one of the great problems of the multi-stop honeymoon: packing and unpacking. Your room travels with you, meals are taken care of, and every morning brings the possibility of a new harbour. For couples who want to see several places without the stress of organising transfers, a cruise can be a relaxed and romantic choice. It is not for everyone, though, and understanding how cruising works will help you decide.

How cruising works

Wikipedia's article on the cruise ship describes cruise ships as large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, which are used for transport, cruise ships typically make round-trip voyages to various ports of call, where passengers may go on shore excursions. In practice, that means your trip is shaped by an itinerary: a set of ports, a set of days at sea, and a timetable for arriving and leaving each place.

Ships range from huge floating resorts with theatres, pools and dozens of places to eat, to small vessels carrying only a few dozen guests. The size of the ship changes everything: the atmosphere, the ports it can reach, the number of people you share the decks with, and how much of each place you actually see.

Choosing a route

Think about the places, not just the ship. A route through warm islands offers beaches and snorkelling. A route along a historic coastline offers old towns, museums and food. A river cruise offers calm water, riverside villages and a view that changes by the hour. A route through fjords or glaciers offers dramatic scenery from the deck itself. Ask yourselves which ports you would be sorry to miss, and whether the time in each will be enough to enjoy them.

Sea days and port days

Sea days are when the ship is travelling between ports. For many couples they are the most romantic part of the trip: sleeping late, reading on deck, swimming, enjoying a long lunch and watching the ocean go by. Port days are for exploring. Some couples book organised excursions; others prefer to wander on their own. Either way, keep an eye on the time. The ship will not wait for late passengers, so leave a generous margin for getting back on board.

A good balance for a honeymoon is a route with a mix of both: enough port days to feel you have seen new places, and enough sea days to rest.

Choosing a cabin

Cabins vary from inside rooms without windows to suites with large private balconies. For a honeymoon, many couples feel a balcony is worth the extra cost: breakfast in your robes with the sea below, or a quiet drink as the ship sails away from port at dusk. If budget is tight, an ocean-view window still lets in daylight and brings the sea into the room. If either of you is sensitive to motion, ask the cruise company which parts of the ship tend to feel it least before you choose a cabin.

Feeling well at sea

Motion sickness is something many first-time cruisers wonder about. MedlinePlus's page on motion sickness describes it as a common problem in people travelling by car, train, airplanes and especially boats, and explains that it happens when the brain receives signals about movement that do not match. The page notes that where you sit can make a difference, with the upper deck on a boat among the positions that may give a smoother ride, and that looking out into the distance can help.

If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are unsure whether a long trip or a sea voyage is right for you, talk to a health care provider before you go; MedlinePlus's traveler's health page is a good general starting point for preparing. It is also worth drinking plenty of water, protecting yourselves from the sun on deck, and getting up and moving about during long days on board.

Getting married at sea

Some couples marry on board, others hold a ceremony at a port of call, and many simply marry at home and begin their honeymoon on the ship. If you are thinking of marrying at sea or in port, investigate the legal side carefully. Marriage rules differ from place to place, and a ceremony on board or on a beach in a foreign port may not work the way you expect. The where to marry guide explains the general questions to ask, and the destination wedding planning guide covers guests, timing and budgets.

Is a cruise right for you?

• You will probably love it if you enjoy variety, dislike packing, like being looked after, and find the sea itself relaxing.
• You may be frustrated if you want to linger in places, dislike crowds, prefer to eat in local restaurants, or want spontaneity.
• A smaller ship or a river cruise can suit couples who like the idea but not the scale.

If you are drawn to a cruise through warm islands, the Caribbean for two guide will help you understand the region, including the seasons when storms are more likely. Whatever you choose, save one evening to stand at the rail together as the ship leaves port and the lights of the harbour slip away behind you.