Compare Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Virgin & Princess
The Best Cruise for a Honeymoon
Trying to find the best cruise for a honeymoon? Compare Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Virgin Voyages, and Princess with honeymoon pros/cons, what each line is known for, and average 5-night balcony pricing.
Quick price snapshot: 5-night balcony (example pricing)
These are published example prices for 5-night sailings in a balcony category, shown per person (typical double occupancy), and will vary by ship, season, and promo.
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Virgin Voyages: Balcony “from” $795 per person on a 5-night Riviera Maya sailing
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Carnival: Balcony “from” $629 per person on a 5-night Bahamas sailing
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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Balcony “from” $929 per person on a 5-night Bahamas sailing
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Royal Caribbean: Balcony “from” $611 per person on a 5-night Caribbean sailing
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Princess Cruises: Balcony “from” $669 per person on a 5-night West Coast Getaway sailing
Pricing shown is a general starting point and will vary based on sailing dates, ship, cabin location, and promotions. Taxes, fees, gratuities, flights, and optional add-ons may be additional. I always recommend pricing based on your exact dates and priorities for the most accurate comparison.
If you want, I can re-price these around your exact dates + departure port + destination and give you a “true apples-to-apples” comparison.
Virgin Voyages
What Virgin is best known for
Adults-only cruising with a modern, boutique-hotel feel, nightlife, and a strong vibe.
Honeymoon Pros
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Adults-only = instantly more honeymoon-coded (no kids, different energy)
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Feels modern, stylish, and intentionally designed for couples
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Great if you want a honeymoon that feels like a trendy resort at sea
Honeymoon Cons
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Not the pick if you want classic/traditional cruising vibes
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The nightlife and style may feel “too scene-y” for some couples
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Some itineraries/ships can price higher depending on demand
Best for: couples who want adults-only, romantic, modern
Carnival
What Carnival is best known for
High-energy “fun ship” vibes, lots of casual food options, comedy and party-style entertainment, and generally strong value for the price.
Honeymoon Pros
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Often one of the most budget-friendly ways to get a balcony + tropical ports
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Lively nightlife if you want your honeymoon to feel like a celebration
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Plenty of easy, casual dining (good for low-stress days)
Honeymoon Cons
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Can feel rowdier (especially on shorter sailings)
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Romance factor can depend heavily on ship + itinerary
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If you want quiet-luxury energy… Carnival may not be your match
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Best for: couples who want a value-friendly trip that feels like a party + beach getaway.
Norwegian (NCL)
What Norwegian is best known for
Freestyle cruising (flexible dining and a less rigid schedule), plus a wide range of ships and stateroom categories.
Honeymoon Pros
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Great if you want a honeymoon that’s not overly structured
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Lots of dining choices, and you can lean into a more “date night” rhythm
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Many sailings include promos that can bundle value (varies by offer)
Honeymoon Cons
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Pricing can be promo-dependent and can climb quickly once you add upgrades
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The vibe can vary a lot by ship (some feel more romantic than others)
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If you want ultra-quiet luxury, you’ll likely be comparing categories carefully
Best for: couples who want flexibility and don’t want to plan their honeymoon around fixed schedules.
Royal Caribbean
What Royal Caribbean is best known for
Big ships, big entertainment, tons of onboard activities — great if you want your honeymoon to include shows, pool time, and constant options.
Honeymoon Pros
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Great for couples who like a mix: relaxing days + active moments
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Strong show/entertainment culture and lots of onboard variety
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Easy to tailor your experience (spa day one day, adventure the next)
Honeymoon Cons
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Can feel busy/crowded on certain ships/sailings
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“Romance” isn’t automatic — you may need to plan more couple time
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Specialty dining + add-ons can raise the final total
Best for: couples who get bored easily and want a honeymoon that feels like a floating resort with endless options.
Princess
What Princess is best known for
A more classic cruise experience with a calmer, more refined vibe — great for couples who want romance without the party atmosphere.
Honeymoon Pros
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Generally a more relaxed, romantic onboard pace
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Great for couples who want quiet moments, ocean views, and date-night energy
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A strong pick if you’d rather do spa + sunsets than waterslides + crowds
Honeymoon Cons
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Less “high-energy” entertainment compared to the mega-ship lines
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If you want constant activities, it can feel slower
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The vibe skews more classic (which is perfect… unless you want trendy)
Best for: couples who want a honeymoon that feels romantic, calm, and classic.
Honeymoon Cruise FAQ
Is a balcony room worth it for a honeymoon?
In almost every case — yes.
A balcony gives you built-in quiet moments that matter on a honeymoon: coffee in your pajamas, sunset cocktails without crowds, and that feeling of “we’re really doing this.” It’s one of the easiest upgrades that actually changes how the trip feels, not just where you sleep.
What’s the most romantic cruise line for a honeymoon?
That depends on your version of romance.
If your idea of romance is adults-only, modern, stylish, great food, and no kid energy, Virgin Voyages is hard to beat.
If you picture romance as classic, calm, slower mornings, sunset strolls, and a more traditional cruise feel, Princess is a beautiful fit.
Neither is “better” — they’re just romantic in very different ways.
Which cruise line is best for honeymooners who want nightlife?
If you want your honeymoon to include late nights, music, and a lively atmosphere, Carnival and Virgin tend to lean more nightlife-forward.
Royal Caribbean can be a really good middle ground — you can have fun nights out and still retreat to quieter spaces depending on the ship and itinerary. This one is very much about choosing the right sailing, not just the cruise line name.
Which cruise line is best if we don’t want a strict schedule?
Norwegian is great for couples who don’t want to feel locked into dining times or a rigid daily plan. You can eat when you want, change plans on the fly, and keep things spontaneous — which a lot of honeymooners love after months of wedding planning.
How do we keep our honeymoon cruise from feeling crowded?
This is where strategy matters more than budget.
Choosing the right ship, itinerary, sailing date, and even stateroom location makes a huge difference. I also always recommend building in intentional romance: one specialty dinner, a spa morning, and at least one port day where you do nothing more than beach, photos, and being present together.
Complimentary Planning Services
I know how overwhelming wedding planning can be, and your honeymoon shouldn’t feel like another thing to manage. If you want help narrowing down the right cruise line, finding the best itinerary, and making sure your honeymoon actually feels special (not stressful), I’d love to help you plan it.
