Photo: Courtesy of Pacific Beachcombers/Paul Gauguin Cruises
Who says you have to stay in one place to have a relaxing honeymoon? Do a cruise and you can explore a ton of ports and unpack only once.
The Private Yacht
You don't have to be Beyoncé and Jay Z to sail the Caribbean on your own (sort of) boat. The BVI Charter Yacht Society will take you through the turquoise waters of the British Virgin Islands on anything from a masted monohull to a fully crewed power yacht. You set the agenda, which means you can check into the spa at the exclusive Peter Island Resort, have a romantic wade through the grottoes on Virgin Gorda, and enjoy a candlelit dinner of Anegada lobster on a deserted beach all at your own pace, with no one to disturb your afternoon siestas.
Passengers: Just you and your groom
What You'll Pay: All-inclusive seven-day charter from $6,000 for two; bvicrewedyachts.com.
The Small Ship
Who wouldn't want all the perks of a big boat — loads of dining options, top-tier entertainment, a spa — without the crowds? Sailing the Mediterranean and Latin America, Paul Gauguin Cruises' year-old Tere Moana has a restaurant helmed by Jean-Pierre Vigato, chef of the two-Michelin-starred Apicius in Paris, and a militant all- inclusive ethos (as in no tips, free drinks, and complimentary water sports). The best part: You can pull into tiny ports that those big ships only dream of, like Ithaca, Greece, and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Kotor, Montenegro.
Passengers: 90
What You'll Pay: All-inclusive seven-day sails from $5,390 for two; pgcruises.com.
The Midsize Ship
If you're looking for a little more room to move, Seabourn's three youngest ships, Quest, Sojourn, and Odyssey, each clock in at 650 feet long. Every cabin is a suite stocked with personalized stationery and your fave boozy beverages. But despite their size, the ships retain a communal vibe, especially at yoga and Pilates classes and movie nights on the open-air deck. Our advice: Choose an itinerary with a marina day, when the crew drops anchor and unfurls a cage pool into the sea so you can swim, kayak, and water-ski without fear of fish nips.
Passengers: 450
What You'll Pay: All-inclusive seven-day sailings from $4,630 for two; seabourn.com.
The Big Ship
Picture a floating megaresort with the attitude of a Miami nightclub and you've got a good idea of what's in store for you on the new 1,751-room, 1,094-foot-long MSC Divina. Onboard, you'll find a bowling alley, an infinity pool, and an "aqua park" with the longest waterslide at sea. And that doesn't include what's happening in port: four islands in seven days, launching out of Miami, so you can get outta Dodge in hours, not days.
Passengers: 3,502
What You'll Pay: All-inclusive seven-day sailings from $1,600 for two; msccruises.com.
Make it even easier!
"If you book your cruise through a travel agent, not only will she be able to alert you to deep discounts — yes, even on the expensive lines — she can work her contacts to get you upgrades and freebies like airfare and shore excursions," says Betsy Donley, of Camelback Odyssey Travel in Phoenix.
So what are you waiting for? Get cruisin'!