Best cruises for love birds: romance at sea just got a serious upgrade

If you've found your First Mate (and are brave enough to test the waters), consider taking the wheel and setting sail on your own romantic sea adventure. Private charters and do-it-yourself sailaway packages are growing in popularity, especially in Europe, thanks to their surprising ease, as well as the variety of places to visit, and range of affordable options. In Europe, Le Boat offer a series of DIY canal boat and inland waterway cruise trips, with no boat licence or experience necessary: think drifting down past chateaux and vineyards in Burgundy, or exploring the lesser-known bays of the Venetian Lagoon. If you're feeling more confident, Sunsail offers sailboat charters across Europe, with popular self-skippered, skippered and flotilla sailing options for Greece, Italy, and Croatia.

Big anniversaries demand big celebrations, and while couples massages, private cabanas and champagne are standard offerings on most ships, some cruise lines have curated spectacular couples experiences. Aboard Carnival Adventure, couples can get their pulse racing with the Titanic Experience, where once safely harnessed, couples can re-create the iconic scene from James Cameron's film on the bow.

If you ever fancied falling asleep under the stars, guests on the Celebrity Flora, located in the Galapagos, can take part in a sunset-to-sunrise glamping experience and sleep on the top deck. For something more formal, NCL (pictured) offers guests a vow renewal package across their fleet, with a ceremony conducted by an officer, couples' cake, champagne toast and photos.

Destination weddings have been the norm for a while, but tying the knot at sea is fast becoming a popular alternative - with some American ships, such as Adventure of the Seas, even boasting their own chapel.

Driven by word-of-mouth and their stress-free appeal, most major cruise lines offer wedding packages that start with a simple champagne ceremony on deck (perfect for elopements or small parties) and progress to big blowout celebrations with rehearsal dinners, ceremony, reception and after-party, complete with their own personal on-board wedding coordinator. However, if you do opt to marry at sea, check the legalities to ensure your ceremony is legally binding: many Australian couples skip the red tape by getting married while the ship is in port.

Kids are great. But if you want real romance, opt for an adults-only cruise. Leading the pack is Viking, with its global fleet of small- to mid-size ships offering all-inclusive cruises. Heavily influenced by sleek Scandi design, it offers serene public spaces and an onboard program that leans into destination-driven guest lectures.

By contrast, Virgin Voyages takes a more playful approach to cruising. There are hammocks on the balconies, a big emphasis on food and dining and a high-energy social atmosphere. If you're after a smaller, more intimate experience, secure a berth on Blue Lagoon's brand new 22-cabin Yasawa Princess II, which launches in April. Offering a select number of adults-only casual cruises, the vessel sails the secluded beaches of Fiji's Yasawa Islands.