This month we are having a love affair with exotic and magical ports of call…from Alaska to Antarctica, and Bali to Florida.
The Disney Magic
Did you know that couples have traveled from every state in the U.S. to get married at Walt Disney World? There’s no travel agent across the U.S. who can’t—and shouldn’t—access the gold mine known as a Disney wedding. Consider, too, that Port Canaveral is only an hour away, and you can put a cherry on top of the Disney experience by recommending a honeymoon on a Disney ship. Says Korri McFann, marketing director for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, “With sailings from nearby Port Canaveral available all year, this is always a popular choice among couples planning their big day at Walt Disney World.” She notes, too, that “every sailing out of Port Canaveral includes a day on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, where couples can unwind with a seaside massage, relax in a private cabana or escape to the secluded adults-only beach. This magical land-and-sea combination is the perfect way for newlyweds to begin their happily ever after with an extra dash of pixie dust.”
“The port is the first choice for couples planning a wedding and honeymoon cruise with Orlando’s theme parks and attractions just an hour’s drive away,” adds Bobby Giangrisostomi, Port Canaveral’s senior director, business development & cruise. “Port Canaveral is an ideal choice for newly married couples that want to escape to romantic, exotic, historical and incredible ports of call and create lifetime memories of their beautiful honeymoon.”
For fall 2019, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy will continue sailing to
The Bahamas and Caribbean from Port Canaveral: Disney Dream will sail 3- and 4-night cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay; and the Disney Fantasy will sail 7-night Caribbean voyages. Eastern Caribbean itineraries visit the Virgin Islands of Tortola and St. Thomas, and Western Caribbean cruises call on Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth. McFann points out that “in addition to adventures ashore at world-class destinations, couples can indulge in specialty dining, a luxurious spa, unparalleled entertainment and spaces reserved exclusively for adults on board their Disney ship.”
An Escape to Bali
Across the world, romance-infused Bali awaits. Star Clippers offers a 3-day Sail & Stay package in this Indonesian paradise with couples spending their land-based getaway at the five-star Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa. Resembling a Balinese palace, and with direct beach access, the hotel offers newlyweds guestrooms decorated with authentic Balinese furnishings, and stunning views of the gardens or ocean. This hotel add-on can be coupled with several itineraries, including the 7-night Eastbound Bali and the 10-night Bali Roundtrip, with stops in uninhabited beaches and secluded waterfalls.
We got an insider tip for couples: While on board, recommend couples cozy up in the bowsprit netting—a hammock-like area stretching 30 ft. forward of the bow where guests can lay suspended over the ocean. For those seeking a bit more adrenaline, there’s the option of climbing the mast to the Crow’s Nest for unbeatable views of the ocean and landscape.
Something Old, Something New
Windstar Cruises’ new Asia tours explore some of the world’s oldest civilizations, as well as its most modern metropolises, so it’s a perfect recommendation for couples celebrating their second honeymoon that might have more time on their hands…say 17 days. There are seven new cruise tours for 2018-2019, but one of our favorites is the 17-day Angkor Wat at Dawn, Midnight in Manila aboard the Star Legend. It begins with a 3-day immersion in the wonders of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat before embarking on a 14-day cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong. There are days spent strolling through the busy markets of Kuching, Malaysia, taking in the waterfront food scene in Brunei, learning about Borneo’s rarest birds, mammals and amphibians at Kinabalu Park, snorkeling over coral reefs and wartime wreckage in Coron, and going for a classic beach getaway in Boracay.
And for honeymooners who have their eyes set on The Last Frontier, Windstar Cruises is back in Alaska after a 20-year hiatus. The line’s expedition-style cruising on board the all-suite Star Legend will have newlyweds taking zodiac and kayaking adventures along Alaska’s rugged natural coastline, not to mention viewing wildlife up-close and hiking through a mesmerizing landscape.
Adventurous Newlyweds
For couples yearning to add adventure to their honeymoon, Princess Cruises’ 2019-2020 cruise voyages in South America aboard Coral Princess and Island Princess reach ports that speak to adventurous souls—think Antarctica. In fact, the 2019-20 South America season will mark Princess’ return to Antarctica, which honeymooners can include in their getaway if they opt for one of these three departures: Dec. 20, 2019, Jan. 5 and 21, 2020 between Buenos Aires and Santiago aboard Coral Princess. On the Jan. 21 sailing, for example, couples will spend four days cruising the Antarctica Peninsula viewing unusually sculpted icebergs, blue-tinged glaciers, and steep ice shelves; and there’s a full day dedicated to a scenic cruise of Cape Horn. There are also stops in Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital, the Falkland Islands, Tierra del Fuego and Punta Arenas. In other words, newlyweds spend days exploring some of South America’s most far-flung ports.
For clients who want to explore beyond the ports while sailing on Princess’ South America cruises, recommend they choose pre- or post-cruise land tours, visiting Iguazu National Park in both Brazil and Argentina or discovering Machu Picchu.
Wine Lovers
What honeymooning couple would say no to a honeymoon in Europe, especially when it takes them along a stunning vineyard-flanked river? Crystal River Cruises has introduced the 10-day Enchanting Moselle itinerary aboard Crystal Bach roundtrip from Amsterdam through Germany and the Netherlands, running May 28, 2019 through Dec. 24, 2019. The voyages feature five entirely new ports of call along the Moselle River, which some say is one of Europe’s most breathtaking stretches of river. Newlyweds will experience world-class Rieslings and the famous vintages of the Mosel Wine Region in Bernkastel, the medieval charm and Roman ruins of Trier, and the stunning architecture of Reichsburg Castle in Cochem, among an array of other stunning locales.
Contact Information
Crystal River Cruises: crystalcruises.com/river
Disney Cruise Line: disneycruise.disney.go.com
Port Canaveral: portcanaveral.com
Princess Cruises: princess.com
Star Clippers: starclippers.com
Windstar Cruises: windstarcruises.com
