Best Ship/Itinerary for an Anniversary?

[kamin83]

My husband and I are looking ahead to our 10th anniversary in 2018. We'd like to finally take a trip without our kids. Our anniversary will be in May, so we'd like for the trip to be around that time, give or take a month or two. I realize that the 2018 schedule is not available, but we can probably anticipate the general idea based on what's currently available. So...

 

If cost and port of departure were not a consideration, what ship would you recommend for a young-ish couple celebrating an anniversary? Which ports of call would you suggest?

 

Thanks!

[punkincc]

The POA in Hawaii without a doubt! And since they sail this itinerary year round every year, your date may be already available or if not soon will be.

[wanderlust81]

I second POA in Hawaii... we went on our honeymoon and it was amazing. Very few children on board, mostly couples. Really a well maintained ship for it's age, great service and staff, AMAZING ports you can really explore because they dock overnight at two of them.

 

I'd also recommend sticking around a few days before or after in Oahu, but avoid staying in Waikiki (too crowded), I like the north shore or Ko'Olina.

Edited February 27, 2015 by wanderlust81

[mickeysgal]

Venice and Greek Islands.

Jade.

[Barb Nahoumi]

The Breakaway to Bermuda.

[cmdchiefthom]

A 10 nighter in Tahiti aboard the Tahitian Princess worked for our 10th, the Paul Gauguin does something similar now with air from LA included, and for our 20th in 2016 we've booked a B2B on the Gem out of San Juan.:D

[Winston Wolf]

The Breakaway to Bermuda.

 

 

+1. We did this trip last May for our anniversary.

[Ship2shoreCO]

We are doing the Eastern Mediterranean on the Jade next month for our anniversary. There's no other way I could justify paying the airfare to get over there.

[Budget Queen]

I suggest looking at Hawaii, Alaska and Europe. Determine how you wish to spend your time and read up on the ports. All of these are available in May. Otherwise South America is also excellent. :)

 

With any choice add at least another week for additional touring.

Edited February 27, 2015 by Budget Queen

[Nola26]

Your signature shows Disney cruises so you've not married the casino with your cruises. If you want that option since you won't have the kids POA and Hawaii on NCL won't work. If a casino isn't of interest Hawaii would be awesome.

[xriva]

We just celebrated our 15th anniversary on the Getaway, and renewed our vows with the Captain officiating. (Vow renewals are handled by NCL Group Sales, and it was handled nicely. It was a brief, but lovely ceremony.) We were married on a schooner off Key West, so after 15 years, we decided, "We're gonna need a bigger boat!"

 

It was a week-long, three-port cruise (St Maarten, St Thomas, Nassau) - for the newer ships, I think it's as much about the ship as the ports - this may help you decide on an itinerary, depending on whether you want ports or a big ship to explore.

 

There will be similar Caribbean itineraries for your anniversary, I'm sure. As new ships arrive in Miami, this seems to be a standard starting route. Two sea days, two ports, sea day, port, Miami.

 

Have fun planning your anniversary! (We did.)

[garycarla]

As you can see, you will get lots of responses, including many that say THIS IS THE BEST OPTION.

 

Anniversary or not, you should go somewhere that will make you happy or enjoyable.

 

Alaska?

Hawaii?

Pacific?

West Coast?

Trans Atlantic?

Panama Canal?

Carribean?

Europe?

New England?

 

Short cruise? Long cruise?

 

There is no easy answer. Really.

Edited February 28, 2015 by garycarla

[kamin83]

I really appreciate all of the replies! You've given me lots to think about.

 

Nola26 - Casinos are not important to us. Food is!

 

Budget Queen - wish we could add more time! Our kids will be 8 and 6. I won't be comfortable leaving them for more than 8 days or so.

 

 

Bermuda seems like a great idea, in theory. We live in NJ, so leaving from NYC would be awesome. I'm just concerned about weather. Those of you who have gone in the early spring, how was it?

[LorraineP]

We just celebrated our 15th anniversary on the Getaway, and renewed our vows with the Captain officiating. (Vow renewals are handled by NCL Group Sales, and it was handled nicely. It was a brief, but lovely ceremony.) We were married on a schooner off Key West, so after 15 years, we decided, "We're gonna need a bigger boat!"

 

It was a week-long, three-port cruise (St Maarten, St Thomas, Nassau) - for the newer ships, I think it's as much about the ship as the ports - this may help you decide on an itinerary, depending on whether you want ports or a big ship to explore.

 

There will be similar Caribbean itineraries for your anniversary, I'm sure. As new ships arrive in Miami, this seems to be a standard starting route. Two sea days, two ports, sea day, port, Miami.

 

 

Have fun planning your anniversary! (We did.)

 

Can you please tell me about your vow renewal, we booked the $499 package on the Breakaway this June for our 50th. An officer will be officiating it. It would have been $100 more for the captain.

[titangas]

I really appreciate all of the replies! You've given me lots to think about.

 

Nola26 - Casinos are not important to us. Food is!

 

Budget Queen - wish we could add more time! Our kids will be 8 and 6. I won't be comfortable leaving them for more than 8 days or so.

 

 

Bermuda seems like a great idea, in theory. We live in NJ, so leaving from NYC would be awesome. I'm just concerned about weather. Those of you who have gone in the early spring, how was it?

 

We went on Bermuda cruises for Honeymooon and 10th Anniversary (w/o the kids) both out of NY.

No NCL so cannot help with the ship, and a LONG time ago.

 

But I can attest the Weather should be beautiful and comfortable.

It will not be scorching hot, beach type of weather if that is your thing.

But I would expect mid to high 70's with little rain. Which to me is almost perfect.

 

A cruise to Bermuda is nice because of the aspect that the ship is more like your hotel/restaurant while you are there and you can come and go as you please. It is very nice place for a couple to visit without kids.

 

To me the only drawback to a NY - Bermuda cruise is the Atlantic is a little rougher than cruises in some of the more protected waters of the seas.

So getting there and back could be an issue for those prone to motion sickness.

 

But given your limited time and location in NJ -- I think it would a great choice.