| Twenty years ago, travel agents wouldn't think of | | | | which is in Tahiti year round, provides an unforgettable |
| putting honeymooners or couples looking for a | | | | backdrop for romance. |
| romantic getaway on a cruise. There was no such | | | | Several of the cruise ships have upgraded or |
| thing as open-seating dining. Almost all passengers had | | | | expanded their spas, and many offer treatments that |
| to dine at assigned tables, at assigned times. So much | | | | couples can enjoy together. For the ultimate |
| for intimate dinners for two. And there were no | | | | experience, reserve one of the Spa Villas on |
| alternative restaurants to steal away to. | | | | Seabourn Odyssey. The 750-square-foot suites have |
| Back then, most cabins had twin beds, which isn't | | | | a treatment room for two, a double bed lounger, a tub |
| exactly what honeymooners have in mind. And ships | | | | for two, and wraparound deck with chaises for |
| weren't really designed to appeal to younger adults. | | | | relaxing. The villa is yours for half a day. |
| But that's all changed, and these days, cruises are | | | | The latest thing this year is private, pool-side cabanas |
| extremely popular with honeymooners and couples | | | | where couples can enjoy the fresh air and a little |
| celebrating their anniversaries. Since honeymoons are | | | | privacy simultaneously. You'll find them on Oceania |
| a big ticket item, many cruise lines have introduced | | | | Nautica and Regent Seven Seas Mariner. Other al |
| new amenities and services to make them more | | | | fresco hideaways include two balconies tucked away |
| attractive to couples. | | | | on either side of the Star Clipper Royal Clipper bow, |
| Many cruise ships now have open seating at dinner, so | | | | the Canopy beds in the Bliss Ultra Lounge on |
| passengers who don't want to dine with others don't | | | | Norwegian Gem, and the hammocks on Windstar |
| have to. The cruise ships that still have assigned | | | | Wind Spirit. |
| seating have alternative restaurants where love birds | | | | Perhaps the most romantic spot on any cruise ship is |
| can reserve a table for two. On Sea Dream Yacht | | | | the Balinese bed at the front of Sea Dream Yacht |
| Club, the two of you can arrange to have dinner table | | | | Club vessels. The staff will tuck you in, with |
| out on deck in the moonlight. And couples aboard Paul | | | | Champagne on ice, rose petals, and chocolates, so |
| Gauguin can arrange a picnic lunch on a private beach. | | | | you and your one and only can sleep under the stars. |
| If you spring for a cabin with a balcony or stay in a | | | | Once they rope off the area, it's actually quite private. |
| suite, you can usually have dinner served course by | | | | Active couples will enjoy a ship with a water-sports |
| course in your stateroom or on your verandah. And on | | | | platform that lets you jet ski, snorkel, windsurf, or sail |
| several all-inclusive cruise lines, you can have | | | | right from the stern. Windstar, Sea Dream, and Paul |
| Champagne and caviar hor d'oeuvres delivered to | | | | Gauguin all have them. And the staff aboard Crystal |
| your stateroom 24 hours a day. | | | | Serenity are happy to arrange almost any activity |
| As far as destinations go, turquoise water, white sand, | | | | ashore that a couple could want. |
| and balmy breezes are hard to beat. Paul Gauguin, | | | | |