6 Reasons To Rethink Taking A Cruise For Your Honeymoon

Picture you and your spouse-to-be lying on the deck of a ship, the breeze cooling you as you sip a tasty cocktail. It’s your honeymoon, and you’ve been waiting and saving for this vacation for a long time. You’re finally there. But now picture that deck filled with families, the kids crowding the small salt water pool, the only available deck chairs were in a corner close to the splashing children. Those drinks you have in your hands cost you a pretty penny and you’re starting to wonder if this is the relaxing, romantic honeymoon you’d always imagined it would be.

For honeymooners on a tight budget, cruises can be a very tempting option. You can travel to many destinations, while still getting to lay your head on the same pillow each night. You’re food is included with the price of the cruise. Seems like a great deal, right?

Unfortunately for me and my husband, these reasons convinced me that a cruise would be the right fit for us, but we were extremely disappointed in the end. Granted, I love cruises and had taken a few before this, but my honeymoon fell short of the expectations I had. Below are six reasons you might want to rethink taking a cruise for your honeymoon. I wish someone had shared these with me while I was making my decision.

1) The romance factor gets diluted

Romance and privacy go hand in hand, right? If you picture you and your bride or groom sitting alone at a romantically decorated table getting lost in conversation, you would be very disappointed. In actuality, you would be seated at a table of six to ten strangers. These would be the people you eat with for the entire trip. Still think the dining would be romantic?

2) Quarters are very tight

Depending on the room category you book, your room may not be romantic or inviting either. The interior cabins have no windows or outside lighting, with just enough room for the bed, a chair, a small counter, and extremely tiny bathroom. The bed would most likely be two twin beds pushed together. Feel like sleeping on the crack to cuddle?

3) Relaxation is hard to obtain

Cruises may stop at various destinations along their itinerary, but they only stop for about six hours. If you had been really set on seeing a particular destination, you would only end up with a quick sample. Six hours is not exactly enough time to find a gorgeous beach to explore, find some authentic cuisine, and take an exciting excursion. You would end up feeling hurried due to the small allotted time and knowing the ship would leave on schedule with or without you.

If you miss out on that beach time, forget having a relaxing time at your pool instead. There would be a larger pool that is filled with lots of splashing kids and a much smaller adults-only pool. Let’s hope you wouldn’t be looking to build that tan or to relax at length on a secluded parcel of beach.

4) Dinner times are inflexible

You would have to pick a time for dinner before you set out on your cruise. The time you pick is the time you keep. If you got back to the ship later on that one and only beach day and were to miss dinner, you would have to eat at the buffet. Depending on the day’s schedule, you might have eaten lunch at 11:00 in order to go out and do an excursion, but if your dinner time is at 7:00, you may find it difficult to wait. And vice versa, you may find that you want to push lunch back but have a dinner time of 5:00. Wouldn’t you want to have the ability to make your own schedule on the most important vacation of your lives?

5) It may end up being more expensive than you thought

Did you know that you are expected to tip your housekeepers and maitre d’ anywhere between 15 to 20 percent of your total cruise cost? And any of those drinks cost extra, whether they be soft drinks or alcoholic. Your activities and excursions would cost you even more. Those extra expenses can really add up.

6) Destinations are not guaranteed

While no one can control the weather, hurricanes and rough seas can force you to skip an entire leg of your itinerary. If the seas are too rough to dock, for obvious safety reasons, you may end up missing the one destination you truly wanted to visit.

Due to my own personal experience and many similar stories, we do not recommend anyone to take a cruise for their honeymoon. You deserve a romantic and relaxing honeymoon; one where you have total control of your time, your budget, your meals, and your itinerary. We recommend all-inclusive resorts because they have their own beaches, plenty of pools for you to choose from, freedom to dine whenever you like, larger rooms with king size beds, and even your drinks are included in the resort price. Many resorts include transportation to and from the airport. They can also include water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing. You are never required to tip, although some small amounts for your favorite waiter or bartender may be appreciated. Doesn’t a no-hassle, relaxing honeymoon sound perfect?

We always recommend that you talk to a travel agent for your honeymoon. Here at Personal Travel, we specialize in honeymoons, and we would be excited to help you find the perfect fit for your perfect honeymoon. Every couple is different and you deserve more than a cookie cutter honeymoon. Call or stop by Personal Travel to find out how we can give your honeymoon the personal touch you’re looking for!

Written by Courtney Siefring of Personal Travel