Which cruise itinerary for a honeymoon?

[FSU Girl]

I'm guessing your honeymoon will be plenty romantic no matter which you choose.

That being said, I really like the idea of both of you visiting new places together for the first time. Kind of a nice beginning to your life together. I also agree with previous posters about the Baltic seas. We had some rough seas between Norway and Iceland, but that was it - the rest was just fine. And even that wasn't so bad. Just look at it as a reason to hang on to each other while the boats a rockin'!!

Congratulations, whatever you decide!

Yes I think it will be romantic no matter what I like the idea of visiting all new places together too, I was just also considering the Mediterranean since I do like all those places and have always thought of Italy as very romantic. I wish I could do the cruise that goes to Iceland, but those are too long and we wouldn't be able to do a week traveling to other countries on our own.

My wife and I just took the Mediterranean cruise for our honeymoon last month! We absolutely loved it as we both have not been to Europe before and always wanted to visit the ports on our itinerary. It really gave us a good idea of the cities we would like to see again (Rome, Florence) and the places we are good with only going to that once (Pompeii and Pisa). I would say we were really fortunate with the heat as many said it was a cooler summer and we even had some wet weather on a few days.

No matter which cruise you take, it will be great. The Disney Magic treated us well for our honeymoon.

Congrats!! I love Rome, it's one of my favorite cities and I do really want my boyfriend to see it. I also loved Pompeii I've been twice already and would probably go again if we pick that itinerary lol. It's hard to go wrong when you're on a Disney ship.

What are his plans for Amsterdam? I know I'm biased because I'm Dutch, but Amsterdam is the least romantic place I can think of! Makes it better if he has places he wants to show, but are they in Amsterdam them self? Otherwise maybe stay in Delft of Leiden? The Netherlands is really small and all the major city's are close together and have good public transport, if what he want's to show isn't in Amsterdam itself, I'd stay somewhere else. (The high speed train also stops in Rotterdam, which is really close to Delft)

I have no idea what his plans are. I'm the planner, he is 100% not, so he might leave what we do up to me. I think Amsterdam is more about his heritage and wanting to show me where his family came from. He's been to the city a few times before and his mom speaks fluent Dutch. We haven't done too much research into anything yet. I think we are going to first pick the cruise we are going on so we know the dates and how we need to work around it.



I noticed that Celebrity cruises already has their 2019 itineraries out. I've never sailed with them, has anyone? They have a few European cruises that could be potential in case Disney's prices are too high when they get released or the timing doesn't work. I do love Disney cruises though so probably will end up doing that, but was wondering if anyone has an experience with Celebrity.

 

[olafLover]

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[FSU Girl]

Ask him if he considers his family to be from Amsterdam of from the Netherlands. With the same arguments used here it might be fun to visit an other part of the Netherlands instead of Amsterdam (do you notice I'm not a fan of Amsterdam? I'm not, but it also really isn't romantic). If you want any help or suggestions I'm glad to help We're getting married next year (in a really romantic castle on the other side of the country), out honeymoon will be in Hawaii

That's an awesome way to get married! I'll be getting married at Disney I'm like 99% sure his family is actually from the city of Amsterdam. His grandparents and mom were from there. His mom has been back often, but he doesn't actually have any family that still live there (at least I don't think he does). I have a feeling I'll be the one planning the specific details so any help would be appreciated

 

[jdb in AZ]

Yes I think it will be romantic no matter what I like the idea of visiting all new places together too, I was just also considering the Mediterranean since I do like all those places and have always thought of Italy as very romantic. I wish I could do the cruise that goes to Iceland, but those are too long and we wouldn't be able to do a week traveling to other countries on our own.

I noticed that Celebrity cruises already has their 2019 itineraries out. I've never sailed with them, has anyone? They have a few European cruises that could be potential in case Disney's prices are too high when they get released or the timing doesn't work. I do love Disney cruises though so probably will end up doing that, but was wondering if anyone has an experience with Celebrity.

We've cruised on Celebrity several times, including a Baltic cruise. I wanted Disney, but Celebrity was less expensive(!) so we were able to afford nice shore excursions. Our cruise was very port-intensive so we used the ship as a floating hotel more than as a resort. The food was better than DCL too.

FWIW, we enjoyed Amsterdam and are looking forward to going back.

 

[Kate_45]

Whoops! I voted med before I read your post and now I can't change it.
Walking through the cobbled streets of northern Europe will be very romantic.

 

[FSU Girl]

We've cruised on Celebrity several times, including a Baltic cruise. I wanted Disney, but Celebrity was less expensive(!) so we were able to afford nice shore excursions. Our cruise was very port-intensive so we used the ship as a floating hotel more than as a resort. The food was better than DCL too.

FWIW, we enjoyed Amsterdam and are looking forward to going back.

I want to wait until the Disney itineraries are out so I can compare. The current Baltic cruise for Disney is $11,000 for a balcony so if it's that high I'd probably have to look elsewhere, but If it's a couple thousand less we could make it work. I'm going to do the onboard booking of a placeholder to get 10% off which might help. One thing I was concerned about is all the other cruise lines seem to use their oldest ships for the Baltic and I know Magic is Disney's oldest, but it doesn't feel old. I want to make sure I like the cruise as much as the places we are going.

Whoops! I voted med before I read your post and now I can't change it.
Walking through the cobbled streets of northern Europe will be very romantic.

I'm not sure how to change my poll to allow changing the votes. It does sound pretty romantic

 

[cadien]

And I mentioned to my boyfriend maybe we won't have enough time for all three countries in a week and he said he doesn't want to give any of them up so I guess we will have to make it work lol

I'd be tempted to do three countries in two weeks and skip the cruise then.

 

[cadien]

I second the new-to-both-of-you choice! I had a thing about doing that, which fortunately DH was agreeable about. We grew up in different parts of the country and he lived in multiple European countries as well, and we had both done a fair amount of traveling - so when it came down to our remaining choices: we ended up traveling around Oregon. Everyone thought we were odd except my grandmother. But we thought it was the best way to start our married life together - experiencing something entirely new to both of us, together!

That's sort of how we came up with our honeymoon destination too. We'd both traveled around Europe before meeting and ended up choosing a country neither of us had been to yet -- Spain.

 

[FSU Girl]

I'd be tempted to do three countries in two weeks and skip the cruise then.

I don't think we'll give up the cruise. I like with the cruise you get to so many places and never have to unpack and repack or worry about travel. We'll make it work somehow, even if we only do one day at one of the countries to give the two more time we'll probably do that. I'm hoping the flights are late at night so we can spend a whole day somewhere. I'm not sure when flights become available to book.

 

[FSU Girl]

Whoops! I voted med before I read your post and now I can't change it.
Walking through the cobbled streets of northern Europe will be very romantic.

I made the poll so you can change your vote

 

[kiford]

A Northern European one (possible ports would be Copenhagen, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Estonia) Neither of us have been to any of these countries so all of them would be new to us. I've been wanting to do this type of cruise forever. My concerns are the rough seas I've read about and that it would be less romantic for a honeymoon.

I'm assuming you'll have just come from a wedding (which isn't always the case for honeymooners so this may be a moot point) and you'll be physically and mentally tired. Med ports are far from the sights and the days are long and hot. While you spend the day together, it's a bit hard to find quality time to spend together alone later except on non-port days which are much fewer than port days.

On our Med cruises, the sights were typically 1-2 hours from the port and if you want to see anything significant, you're out for 9-12 hours. Breakfast is something grabbed really quick at 6:30 am, down to meet the tour group at 7:00, 2 hours to the sights, run around, 2 hours back (sometimes tendering required), change quick for dinner (it will be hot, you'll be sweaty, tired, cranky), then down to dinner assuming you have the later dining then pack it in for the evening. They're amazing cruises and they have done better about putting in more breaks between ports but it's still quite an exhausting vacation in some ways (Note: I still totally plan to do more Med cruises with DCL but I know what I'm getting into).

We found the Baltic cruise a bit more leisurely. Most of our tours were shorter than those in the Med. Not too hot, not too cold although sitting on deck is a bit chilly (they do put blankets out) and we didn't swim any because of the temperatures and after dark it can be cold. It made the day tours much more pleasant than 100+ degree temperatures in the Med. Just the pace and time seeing the sights are less tiring so I'd suggest this one. I can't say that I recall any rough seas on that cruise (July). I do recall some slightly rough seas on both Med cruises (one in September and one in June) but nothing of any real note. One day we used the rocking of the ship to sort of body surf in the adult pool during the early dining time when it was nearly empty. The other time we had done the couples spa and massage and we were sitting on a day bed on the balcony of the spa villa watching the dark clouds as we passed through some slightly rough seas just enjoying the view. That's the only reasons I recall rough seas not because it was bad.

As for whether the Baltic is romantic enough for a honeymoon? First of all, you're in an area with some exceptionally beautiful views, Old World architecture and charm, and surrounded by centuries of history. If you think that this is what is romantic about the Med, you'll find it just as readily in the Baltic. But more importantly, you're there with your sweetheart, doing things together, spending time together, enjoying things together. Romance for us (after 30 years) can, and often is, a nice candlelit dinner in a quiet upscale restaurant but can equally be just being in our little personal bubble together away from work and stress. Seeing the Elgin Marbles in the British Museum in London, totally connecting over something that we've long dreamed of seeing, and doing it together - that was as romantic to me as actually being at the Parthenon in Athens together. Both of those memories are uniquely precious to us because of our shared interest. Heck, we find Pirates of the Caribbean romantic because it was something we did on our first vacation together before we married. To me, it's the person and the shared experience that makes the setting romantic; it's not the setting that is romantic just by itself.

 

[FSU Girl]

I'm assuming you'll have just come from a wedding (which isn't always the case for honeymooners so this may be a moot point) and you'll be physically and mentally tired. Med ports are far from the sights and the days are long and hot. While you spend the day together, it's a bit hard to find quality time to spend together alone later except on non-port days which are much fewer than port days.

On our Med cruises, the sights were typically 1-2 hours from the port and if you want to see anything significant, you're out for 9-12 hours. Breakfast is something grabbed really quick at 6:30 am, down to meet the tour group at 7:00, 2 hours to the sights, run around, 2 hours back (sometimes tendering required), change quick for dinner (it will be hot, you'll be sweaty, tired, cranky), then down to dinner assuming you have the later dining then pack it in for the evening. They're amazing cruises and they have done better about putting in more breaks between ports but it's still quite an exhausting vacation in some ways (Note: I still totally plan to do more Med cruises with DCL but I know what I'm getting into).

We found the Baltic cruise a bit more leisurely. Most of our tours were shorter than those in the Med. Not too hot, not too cold although sitting on deck is a bit chilly (they do put blankets out) and we didn't swim any because of the temperatures and after dark it can be cold. It made the day tours much more pleasant than 100+ degree temperatures in the Med. Just the pace and time seeing the sights are less tiring so I'd suggest this one. I can't say that I recall any rough seas on that cruise (July). I do recall some slightly rough seas on both Med cruises (one in September and one in June) but nothing of any real note. One day we used the rocking of the ship to sort of body surf in the adult pool during the early dining time when it was nearly empty. The other time we had done the couples spa and massage and we were sitting on a day bed on the balcony of the spa villa watching the dark clouds as we passed through some slightly rough seas just enjoying the view. That's the only reasons I recall rough seas not because it was bad.

As for whether the Baltic is romantic enough for a honeymoon? First of all, you're in an area with some exceptionally beautiful views, Old World architecture and charm, and surrounded by centuries of history. If you think that this is what is romantic about the Med, you'll find it just as readily in the Baltic. But more importantly, you're there with your sweetheart, doing things together, spending time together, enjoying things together. Romance for us (after 30 years) can, and often is, a nice candlelit dinner in a quiet upscale restaurant but can equally be just being in our little personal bubble together away from work and stress. Seeing the Elgin Marbles in the British Museum in London, totally connecting over something that we've long dreamed of seeing, and doing it together - that was as romantic to me as actually being at the Parthenon in Athens together. Both of those memories are uniquely precious to us because of our shared interest. Heck, we find Pirates of the Caribbean romantic because it was something we did on our first vacation together before we married. To me, it's the person and the shared experience that makes the setting romantic; it's not the setting that is romantic just by itself.

This is do detailed and helpful thank you! The honeymoon will actually be about six months after the wedding. I'm looking at doing a November or December wedding and there aren't any cruises in Europe around that time. Most are during summer so we're fine with waiting a little to do our honeymoon. We're going to go to Disney for New Year's Eve so that'll be a mini moon of sorts.

I agree the Mediterranean can be really exhausting. When I did that cruise with a friend we had 10 hour long excursions every day and I ended up getting really sick at the end of it from lack of sleep. It is really good to hear the seas aren't bad. I wish Disney would release their schedule so I can see exactly where they will be going and when, since that'll play a factor. But I think from a lot of these responses I'm leaning much more towards the Northern Europe one.

 

[cadien]

Have you looked into river cruises at all? Many European stops. Even in winter. And very relaxing/romantic.

 

[GPaLarry]

Wife and I have done both of these DCL cruises. Each was unique in their own way. Weather was a bit cooler for the Baltic Capitals one (ours originated out of and returned to Dover...itineraries keep changing for this cruise). The seas were about the same, but, then, we do not have a problem with ship rock & roll.
All this said, how about a new idea to consider. Last fall we took the last DCL Med. cruise of the year on the Magic. Then we did a B2B (Barcelona was home base) WBTA. Because the Med. part was really taxing (we made it that way) with four days of excursions that went from about 7:30 am to 6 pm, the TA was the real vacation. One wrinkle was that, because the Monte Carlo bay was so rough (only tendering port), we had an "at sea" day on that day and stopped at Marseilles the next. Amazing how fast DCL rearranged their schedule to make this happen (maybe 3 hours from decision by the captain until new list of excursions in Marseilles available for cruisers). We rationalized the added expense of the WBTA by believing, perhaps halfheartedly, that we saved on the airfare flying back from Europe by taking the ship. When you like the sea mouse a lot you sometimes crunch $ figures a bit sideways.

 

[FSU Girl]

Have you looked into river cruises at all? Many European stops. Even in winter. And very relaxing/romantic.

No I haven't. I've only been on normal cruise ships so I'm not sure if we'd get bored on a tiny boat. I'll have to check them out. Have you been on one? I think we're okay with waiting for the honeymoon though. We'll have a little mini moon for New Years and this way I don't have to worry about days off since my wedding will be in a different year.

Wife and I have done both of these DCL cruises. Each was unique in their own way. Weather was a bit cooler for the Baltic Capitals one (ours originated out of and returned to Dover...itineraries keep changing for this cruise). The seas were about the same, but, then, we do not have a problem with ship rock & roll.
All this said, how about a new idea to consider. Last fall we took the last DCL Med. cruise of the year on the Magic. Then we did a B2B (Barcelona was home base) WBTA. Because the Med. part was really taxing (we made it that way) with four days of excursions that went from about 7:30 am to 6 pm, the TA was the real vacation. One wrinkle was that, because the Monte Carlo bay was so rough (only tendering port), we had an "at sea" day on that day and stopped at Marseilles the next. Amazing how fast DCL rearranged their schedule to make this happen (maybe 3 hours from decision by the captain until new list of excursions in Marseilles available for cruisers). We rationalized the added expense of the WBTA by believing, perhaps halfheartedly, that we saved on the airfare flying back from Europe by taking the ship. When you like the sea mouse a lot you sometimes crunch $ figures a bit sideways.

I'd love to do a transatlantic, but I won't have enough days at work to take off. I could maybe do just that, but we want to go to a lot of different countries. I think when we retire that will be a cruise at the top of our list. My parents go on it every year (different boat not Disney).

 

[tink1970]

No I haven't. I've only been on normal cruise ships so I'm not sure if we'd get bored on a tiny
boat.

We did a Danube River cruise last Christmas and it was magical. Truly. The weather was cold (so unlike Florida!), the ship was intimate (in a good way), service was wonderful, and it was so nice to be able to just relax on the boat or go, go, go during the day (or a little of both!). After the cruise we went to Cesky Krumlov and Prague which were both amazing, although it was pretty cold (snow!). We are actually going on the Rhine this Christmas to see more of France and Germany as well as Amsterdam. This will be the third Christmas in Europe for DH and me-for some reason I really enjoy it more in the winter (fewer crowds? cold weather? Christmas markets?).

Hopefully they offer more than one in 2019. I'm sorry you didn't get to go

Thanks, I'm hoping summer of 2019?

Funny @olafLover isn't a fan of Amsterdam-one of the selling points for me for the Rhine cruise was that we'll spend a day in AMS

I second the new-to-both-of-you choice! I had a thing about doing that, which fortunately DH was agreeable about. We grew up in different parts of the country and he lived in multiple European countries as well, and we had both done a fair amount of traveling - so when it came down to our remaining choices: we ended up traveling around Oregon. Everyone thought we were odd except my grandmother. But we thought it was the best way to start our married life together - experiencing something entirely new to both of us, together!

We did the same thing after our wedding-went to Vermont which was my 50th state to visit. Ate a lot of Ben and Jerry's which was the perfect way to start off the rest of our lives...

 

[FSU Girl]

We did a Danube River cruise last Christmas and it was magical. Truly. The weather was cold (so unlike Florida!), the ship was intimate (in a good way), service was wonderful, and it was so nice to be able to just relax on the boat or go, go, go during the day (or a little of both!). After the cruise we went to Cesky Krumlov and Prague which were both amazing, although it was pretty cold (snow!). We are actually going on the Rhine this Christmas to see more of France and Germany as well as Amsterdam. This will be the third Christmas in Europe for DH and I-for some reason I really enjoy it more in the winter (fewer crowds? cold weather? less commercialism?).

What was the cruise line for the river cruise? I studied abroad in college in Prague and went to Cesky Krumlov for a weekend. Loved it! I really want to take my boyfriend there since I can give him a local perspective of Prague. It'll have to wait for another trip. When we first started planning I had considered just going through Europe in December, but I've heard many of the popular tourist attractions are closed during the winter months and I would miss out on a lot.

Thanks, I'm hoping summer of 2019?

Funny @olafLover isn't a fan of Amsterdam-one of the selling points for me for the Rhine cruise was that we'll spend a day in AMS

Maybe you'll be on my cruise lol. I'm pretty sure Amsterdam is a nonnegotiable point for my boyfriend so we'll be going there.

We did the same thing after our wedding-went to Vermont which was my 50th state to visit. Ate a lot of Ben and Jerry's which was the perfect way to start off the rest of our lives...

That sounds so fun! I went there are a kid and loved the ice cream. And I think they had cows around? Memory is a little hazy I was around 8.

 

[tink1970]

What was the cruise line for the river cruise? I studied abroad in college in Prague and went to Cesky Krumlov for a weekend. Loved it

So jealous! It was the Adventures by Disney trip on AMA waterways. Honestly AMA Waterways is a great company so if we didn't have dd this trip we would have just gone with them.

Maybe you'll be on my cruise lol.

That would be fun!

And I think they had cows around?

It was only 5 years ago and I don't remember whether there were cows, specifically so not sure what that says about my memory! We had the most fun eating (of course) and traipsing around the ice cream graveyard.

 

[KDG]

So I'm planning ahead (not quite yet engaged, but is happening soon). My boyfriend and I decided we want to do a week long European cruise and then a week either before or after exploring other countries.

Which cruise itinerary would be better?

A Mediterranean one (possible ports would be Barcelona, Rome, Naples, Florence, Monaco) My boyfriend has not been to Italy before or the French ports that are usually included in these type of itineraries. I've done a Mediterranean cruise twice before and I've spent a month in Italy.

A Northern European one (possible ports would be Copenhagen, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Estonia) Neither of us have been to any of these countries so all of them would be new to us. I've been wanting to do this type of cruise forever. My concerns are the rough seas I've read about and that it would be less romantic for a honeymoon.

For our week exploring Europe I'm thinking two days in Iceland, two days in Paris, two days in Amsterdam and one day early for our cruise in the city it leaves out of.

We took an anniversary trip last year. Flew Icelandair to Paris and spent 2 days at Disneyland Paris. Then we took a short flight to Copenhagen and went on the Northern Europe cruise. It was fantastic! Calm seas, wonderful cities we had never been to. That's the trip I'd recommend.

 

[FSU Girl]

We took an anniversary trip last year. Flew Icelandair to Paris and spent 2 days at Disneyland Paris. Then we took a short flight to Copenhagen and went on the Northern Europe cruise. It was fantastic! Calm seas, wonderful cities we had never been to. That's the trip I'd recommend.

Your trip sounds almost exactly like the one I want to take. I wish I could fit Disneyland Paris in, but I don't think we have enough time.