The Top 5 Locations to Pop the Question at Sea

22 Oct 2015

Getting engaged is a big decision, but the problem many people face today is that we as human beings are always trying to think of something special or more unique and a ‘marriage proposal’ is no different!

For something completely truly special that’s sure to leave your future spouse weak at the knees, why not get engaged during your cruise holiday? Cruise ships offer some of the most romantic experience imaginable, and it’s as if some of the destinations they travel to were made for these occasions.

Romantic Ship Areas

Whether you decide to pop the question right at the start of your holiday or prefer to leave it until just the right moment, there are plenty of places on board where you can feel the romance in the air.

1. Watching the Sunrise on Your Private Balcony

When booking a cruise, some passengers can never quite decide whether splashing out for a balcony room is really worth the extra amount, but if you’re planning to pop the question, your own private veranda can be the perfect spot. Engagements often happen over dinner or during the romance of the hazy darkness that comes with dusk, so why not surprise your beloved with a morning they’ll never forget? Nudge them awake early, order two mimosas from room service, and catch the magnificent sun rising up over the ocean. Just the two of you, there’s nowhere more intimate on the whole ship. Spend a loved up day exploring the ship, or simply hide away in your room.

2. A Movie Under The Stars

Regardless of whether you prefer things to be more modern and contemporary rather than old fashioned, you can’t argue with the fact that there’s a certain romance that comes with retro and classic tradition. Cruise lines are well known for blending old and new and you can always find a time-honoured activity on board, such as a game of quoits or shuffleboard for example. Something you’ll also find on ships belonging to Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International are gigantic movie screens located on the lido deck, where passengers cuddle up under blankets and watch everything from Hollywood blockbusters to timeless vintage cinema classic. It’s reminiscent of a 1950s American-style drive-in ‘movie theatre’, and it can be hugely romantic (depending on the film of course – proposing with a horror film on in the background might not be the best idea!).

3. Let the Planets Align

Proposing under the stars may seem clichéd but the faint glow against the dark sky can make it a moment you’ll never forget. If you’re sailing transatlantic during the summer months or throughout Northern Europe or Alaska in the early spring – fairly remote locations – you should have plenty of opportunities and plenty of chances to make the most of a clear night. If, however, you’re sailing throughout more heavily populated areas, such as the east coast of North America, where the bright lights of the city interfere with stargazing, that doesn’t mean you need to think up another plan. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 features what is currently the only planetarium at sea, emphasising how special it is that two soul mates can find each other within such a vast universe.

Picturesque Destinations

If you’re taking a port-heavy cruise it’s well worth considering asking the question whilst ashore, getting back on board for a celebratory dinner at the end of the day. While Barcelona, Venice and Rome are, of course, obvious destinations, here are some you may not have thought of:

4. Seclusion on Your Private Desert Island

Isolated desert islands are synonymous with romance, and while you may not find anywhere completed secluded, you can book cruise holidays to private islands owned by the cruise line for the sole use of their passengers. Located in the Caribbean – one of the most luxurious cruise regions – you can pop the question on the white sand beaches of Princess Cays, at a relaxed beach bar in Coco Cay, or in front of the historic 19th century lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay. If you and your fiancé-to-be are keener on quiet, serene and intimate moments than busy and bustling atmospheres, a private Caribbean island is the perfect destination for asking such a life-changing question.

5. The Bright Lights of the City

If beaches aren’t really your thing and you’re a couple more interested in taking in the cultural sights and cityscapes while travelling, consider booking a cruise that stops overnight in one of the world’s most stunning city centre destinations. Whether you’re on your balcony, enjoying a window side drink in a bar, or out on deck, there’s nothing quite as romantic as watching the sun go down and the lights of the city start to illuminate an infamous skyline, casting silhouettes like you’ve only ever seen on postcards. Cruise ships often stop
overnight in fascinating and beautiful destinations, such as St Petersburg, Russia; Istanbul, Turkey; Venice, Italy and Dubai, UAE. As the importance of destination immersion continues to dominate the cruising headlines, we are seeing more and more overnight stays in destinations around the world, giving you a wealth of choice over where you take that leap into engagement.

Good luck to everyone considering popping the question on their upcoming cruise. Send us some photos and share your experiences with fellow cruise lovers. For those of you a little further down the line, see our guide to Weddings At Sea.