18 Romantic Things to Do on a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Romance abounds on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Couples activities, sweet surprises, and exciting extras will make any duo swoon. You and your partner will fall in love with each other all over again with this list of 18 romantic things to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Thank you to Royal Caribbean for hosting my husband and me on a two-night media cruise aboard one of their newest ships, Odyssey of the Seas.

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1. Get a couples treatment at the Vitality Spa.

Relax together with a little pampering at the Vitality Spa. Book a couples treatment like side-by-side full-body massages. Or book a pedicure date in the at-sea salon so your tootsies are beach and pool ready.

2. Eat a romantic dinner at a specialty restaurant.

Besides included dining options at the table service Main Dining Room, counter service at Café Promenade, and buffet-style Windjammer Café, Royal Caribbean ships offer Specialty Dining restaurants for an additional fee. Make reservations to enjoy a romantic dinner together.

Chops Grille steakhouse is available on most ships, serving lobster and prime cuts of meat. Meanwhile, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine serves inventive dishes in a whimsical setting on select ships. For the ultimate formal dining experience, book a table for two at Chef’s Table to enjoy haute cuisine paired with wine.

Some ships even offer teppanyaki for an entertaining and delicious Japanese meal at sea. Other Royal Caribbean ships offer Italian, seafood, Chinese, Brazilian, and/or Mexican specialty options.

3. Get professional photos taken together.

If you’re like my husband and me, then you rarely get photos taken together because one of you is always behind the camera (me!). Take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s professional photographers to commemorate your cruise.

You could sprinkle your photo sessions throughout your sailing or do as we did and wander around the ship one night searching for photographers and getting photos taken in various settings. I went all out with a blowout at the Vitality Spa salon and we both dressed up to look our best.

View and purchase your digital and print photos at the Photo Gallery on board.

4. Send flowers, sweets, or other treats.

Spoil your sweetheart by ordering Royal Gifts for delivery to your stateroom. Choose from a variety of flower arrangements, sweets like a celebration cake, and merchandise such as a Royal Caribbean luxury bathrobe. You can even have chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne delivered à la Pretty Woman.

5. Surprise your partner with stateroom decorations.

Ensure Royal Caribbean romance by ordering Room Decor. Choose Birthday, Anniversary, Just Married, or Bon Voyage decorations to be set up by your stateroom attendant. Packages include a magnetic door sign, one mirror cling, a wire photo cable with clips, two hanging ceiling decorations, and a photo frame.

6. Get married or renew your vows.

What could be more romantic than getting married or renewing your vows during your Royal Caribbean cruise? Most Royal Caribbean wedding packages allow guests to select their own flowers, cake, music, venue, and more.

Choose “Vows At Sea” for a wedding while sailing aboard the ship. To tie the knot in a cruise port or on the ship during a port day, opt for a “Destinations I Do” package. If you’d like guests to attend who won’t be joining the cruise, you could even opt for “Embark on Romance” for a ceremony on embarkation day. Meanwhile, the “Just Us” package is for couples who want to celebrate with a simple, stress-free private ceremony.

7. Watch the sunset over the sea.

Sunsets are romantic on land but it’s downright dreamy to watch the sun glow and shimmer as it sets across the sea.

If you’ve got an ocean view balcony, then you could pull up a chair and view the sun’s show from the privacy of your own stateroom. The top decks of the ship always make a great choice for sunset viewing, too.

For the best sunset view at sea, though, nothing can beat North Star. This impressive, enclosed glass pod fits up to 14 passengers and rises 300 feet above sea level during a 15- to 20-minute ride. It’s available on Odyssey of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and Ovation of the Seas.

For more options, take a look at these cruise sunrise and sunset viewing spots suggested by CruiseRadio.net.

8. Toast your love with a cocktail or other beverage.

Do you know what would make that sunset even more romantic? A tasty beverage, that’s what!

Choose from Royal Caribbean cocktails like a Lavender Daquiri, Curaçao Cosmo, or Passion Spritz from the variety of bars onboard. Every location offers its own signature drinks. For a unique experience, let a robot mix your cocktail at the Bionic Bar on select ships.

If cocktails aren’t your style, worry not. Locations like Vintages offer all sorts of wines for discerning oenophiles. For beer lovers, you’ll find a wide array of brews, especially at the English Pub or Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

Teetotalers can get in on the fun by ordering Royal Caribbean mocktails like a Blueberry Nojito or Shirley Ginger. Coffee drinks and other hot beverages are also available on Royal Caribbean cruises.

9. Spin your partner on the dance floor.

Options vary from ship to ship, but all Royal Caribbean Cruises offer nightclubs where you and your partner can show off your dance moves. Look for parties, too, like Dancing Under the Stars, where passengers dazzle in white and dance to DJ-spun tunes.

My husband and my favorite spot onboard Odyssey of the Seas was Boleros Latin Club, where a six-piece band played spicy tunes like salsa, cumbia, merengue, and samba while couples spun on the dance floor.

If rock is more your style, then jam out at the Music Hall nightclub.

Want a little help with your steps? Look for lessons in salsa, hip-hop, swing, or ballroom on the Cruise Compass daily schedule.

10. Enjoy a pool day together.

Whether you’re looking for lots of action with music and exciting waterslides, or you want to chill out in a lounger poolside, you’re sure to find the right splashy spot. All Royal Caribbean ships offer several pool decks to choose from.

Forward on every ship, couples will be pleased to find the Solarium. This indoor-outdoor pool area is reserved for adults only (ages 16+ on most sailings). Head here to soak in the hot tub or go for a relaxing swim.

11. Split a sweet with your sweetheart.

If you or your honey has a sweet tooth, then you’re in luck. Royal Caribbean’s restaurants and buffets are positively bursting with tempting desserts. Plus, they’re made fresh onboard every day.

Picture a decadent Red Velvet Cake layered with sweet cream cheese frosting from Chops Grille, the Campfire Cookie at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade topped with roasted marshmallows, and ice cream, or Kahlua Crème Brûlée from the Main Dining Room.

Why choose just one? Split two…or three!

12. Stay sexy and fit while cruising.

Sure, you want to let loose while cruising, but you want to look sexy in your swimsuit, too! Thankfully, there are lots of ways to stay in shape while cruising.

Couples can hit the onboard fitness center together. There’s one located on every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. There you’ll find weight machines and free weights for your lifting pleasure. Plus, there are all sorts of cardio equipment like stationary bikes, stair steppers, and treadmills.

If exercise classes are more your thing, then you’ll be pumped to know fitness classes are included with your cruise. Sign up for Pilates, yoga, spin sessions, sculpting classes, and more via your online Cruise Planner or once onboard.

There are lots of fun options for those who prefer exercising outdoors, too. Jogging tracks are available on every ship to walk or run off those cruise calories. Head to the onboard sports court for games like basketball, volleyball, and tennis. Look also for climbing walls, miniature golf courses, and FlowRider for surfing and boogie boarding.

13. Get your hearts pumping during shore excursions.

Shore excursions present an opportunity for couples to try something new and thrilling together. Get your hearts pumping with a zip-lining adventure, helicopter ride, or Segway tour. Choose active port activities like guided nature hikes, stand-up paddleboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, snorkeling, and more. The couple that plays together, stays together!

Of course, more mellow options are also available for couples seeking relaxation, like beach visits, driving tours, and culinary options. If your cruise includes a stop at CocoCay, then Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas, then you may want to splurge on a private cabana.

14. Buy a token of your affection in the Royal Shops.

Want to buy a gift for your significant other while at sea? Happily, all Royal Caribbean ships offer shopping. Note that stores are only open while sailing, not in ports.

Browse fine jewelry and watches, perfume and cosmetics, Royal Caribbean logo items, and designer handbags.

You could also surprise your partner with a bottle of their favorite scotch, tequila, or other liquor, but these may not be consumed at sea and must be retrieved at your final cruise destination.

You might also find clothing, sunglasses, greeting cards, stuffed toys, chocolates, and other goodies in the Royal Shops.

15. Bet on your anniversary date in Casino Royale.

Ante up for love in your ship’s casino. Hit the poker, blackjack, or craps tables together. Slot machines and other video gambling games are also available. As a romantic gesture, bet your anniversary date at a roulette table!

16. View a movie under the stars.

On outdoor movie nights, Royal Caribbean shows first-run movies under the stars. Couples can watch films together by moonlight on the pool deck in the Aqua Theatre. Some ships offer indoor movie viewings instead.

17. Watch incredible live entertainment.

Royal Caribbean is among the best cruise lines in the world for onboard entertainment. Look forward to Broadway-caliber shows like “Mama Mia,” “Grease,” and “Hairspray” on some ships. You might also get a chance to see breathtaking acrobatic performances in state-of-the-art theaters or side-splitting stand-up comedy routines.

Cruise Critic says, “Royal Caribbean has long been at the forefront of innovative cruise ship entertainment, introducing unique offerings never before seen at sea on its new ships over the years. It’s the first (and only) line to offer ice skating shows in an onboard rink (on select ships) and water-based acrobatic shows in a pool-based stage area (on Oasis-class ships).”

18. Order room service.

Sometimes the most romantic thing you can do is stay in. When you’re craving some couple time with just your partner, order room service. You can cuddle up in your stateroom for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack in bed.

This service is available 24 hours per day. Continental breakfast is included while hot breakfast items are available for a fee. A service fee is charged for all room service deliveries.

Book Your Royal Caribbean Romantic Vacation

Ready for Royal Caribbean romance? Book your cruise now directly with Royal Caribbean or read ship reviews and look for Royal Caribbean cruise deals via Cruise Critic!

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Which of these romantic things to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise would you and your partner enjoy most? Do you have any Royal Caribbean romance tips or questions? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: My husband and I were hosted by Royal Caribbean on a two-night cruise aboard an Odyssey of the Seas cruise for media and travel agents. I will not receive any other compensation from Royal Caribbean related to this article. All opinions are mine, as always.

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