Tips for Planning the Perfect (Child-free) Romantic Cruise

There are few vacations as romantic as a cruise; that is, if it's done right. The quality, experience and atmosphere of a cruise ship vacation depends upon myriad factors. Many of these factors can be controlled to create the perfect romantic cruise, if you know what to look for. Below are five things to look for and take advantage of when planning a blissful romantic getaway at sea.

Choose A Luxury Cruise

In planning romantic getaways with my husband, I have never found a single cruise ship that is truly "couples only"; meaning, cruise ships generally allow passengers of any age on board any ship. While this may seem discouraging to couples looking to escape their kids (and everyone else's), you can choose cruises that are highly unlikely to have children on board. One of the best and most obvious ways is to choose a luxury cruise liner for your vacation, if you can afford it. Not only is the cost prohibitive to families, but these cruises often have little or nothing for children to do while on board. One example? Try a cruise on Celebrity Cruise Line's high-end Celebrity Silhouette. This ship is more expensive than many of the others, with beautiful veranda stateroom views, gourmet dining and the beautiful Solstice Deck for late-night stargazing.

Timing is Everything

If you can't afford the high prices of a luxury cruise (and many can't), paying attention to when you travel can be just as effective. If you want to avoid masses of screaming children, pay attention to school calendars. Don't schedule your cruise from about mid-May through August. Also, pay attention to other, smaller school breaks, such as spring break, fall break and Christmas break. Many families like to plan a quick getaway whenever school is not in session.

Make It A Long One

If you have the time, choosing a longer cruise as opposed to a shorter one will also help limit the number of children on board. While many parents will consider a three or five day cruise for their little ones, most are not so brave as to take them on a seven to ten day getaway. Not only do you have longer to relax, but the number of screaming children on board will be few to none. For the best results, try combining as many of these strategies as possible. For instance, a seven-day cruise on a luxury ship in early November should be exactly what you're looking for in terms of one-on-one, kid-free bonding.

Check Out The Spa

Once on board, the spa offers some of the best couples bonding the ship has to offer. Nearly every cruise ship now offers a spa, but the quality and services offered may vary widely. Even if you or your loved one consider yourself a "manly man", don't miss out on the relaxation and opportunity to connect that the spa can offer. My husband (very much a man's man) was reticent about trying the resort's spa on our honeymoon in 2006. I booked a couples massage, with side-by-side tables, and it still rates as one of his most relaxing experiences ever. We sipped champagne in a private hot tub both before and after our massages, and it was amazing. Many spas offer romance-focused services like this. Take advantage of them to enhance your cruising experience.

Pick The Best Stateroom For Romance

Most people don't plan on spending much time in their stateroom (or cabin) on board - but if you're travelling as a couple, you'll want accommodations that offer a romantic atmosphere of their own. Many rooms offer a beautiful balcony view, a large, cozy bed, even whirlpools and mini-bars. If you want your vacation to be a romantic blend of seaside activities and private time, the perfect suite can help that happen.