Courtesy of Terri Peters
- My husband and I are avid cruisers, but we’d never sailed on a mega-ship until recently.
- We went aboard Royal Caribbean’s 10,000-person Star of the Seas for our 20th wedding anniversary.
- I’d recommend a large cruise ship for a romantic getaway for a variety of reasons.
My husband and I have been taking cruises for years, so as our 20th wedding anniversary approached, we decided to book a three-night sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Star of the Seas, to mix things up. The 10,000-person vessel, which joins sister ship Icon of the Seas, is nothing short of massive, and was unlike any cruise we’d done as die-hard fans of midsize Disney cruises and small expedition voyages.
I wasn’t sure if sailing away with 10,000 people was the best way to celebrate such a milestone. I wondered if we’d be able to connect as a couple with more than 7,000 passengers and nearly 3,000 crew members surrounding us. And, as an introvert, I worried I’d be stressed out and grumpy on such a people-filled ship. Turns out, everything about the trip was perfect for celebrating a wedding anniversary, right down to the ocean balcony suite we stayed in, which cost just under $700 per night for the two of us.
Here’s why we loved celebrating such a romantic event aboard a mega-ship.
The ship was huge, but we still found quiet spots to spend time together.
Courtesy of Terri Peters
Our cruise ship was huge, with 20 decks, about 50 different bars and restaurants, pools and a water park, tons of evening entertainment, and everything from an escape room to an ice rink. Strangely, it wasn’t hard to get the lay of the land. Once acclimated to the ship, we started making a list of restaurants we wanted to try, shows we hoped to see, and activities we wanted to participate in.
While there was plenty of hustle and bustle, we quickly found places we could escape to, like secluded deck areas or a coffee bar we liked, where we knew things were quieter and we’d be able to grab a spot for two with an ocean view. In fact, neither of us remembers a time when the crowds felt overwhelming or like they were harshing our romantic vibe.
Our days were a perfect mix of sunny public areas and intentional downtime.
Courtesy of Terri Peters
We filled our days on board sunning by the pool, participating in trivia games, and eating at as many different restaurants as we could. Even in crowded areas, like restaurants or pool decks, we found it easy to stick to ourselves and reconnect as a couple.
What’s more, our stateroom had its own balcony and plenty of room inside, so we were always able to head back for an afternoon nap or to relax while showering for dinner. And, most evenings, we found ourselves watching an on-demand movie together in bed before falling asleep.
We loved how, at night, the ship felt like a bustling city.
Courtesy of Terri Peters
One of our favorite things about traveling is getting dressed up each night and heading out on the town. Because the extra-large ship felt like a city, each night was like we were vacationing somewhere metropolitan.
Whether dressing up for a fancy dinner followed by drinks at a jazz club or eating a quick dinner before seeing a comedy show and catching a band, each night felt like we were out on a date together. As a bonus, neither of us struggled with ideas for what to do on our night out since the options were endless.
As a sober person, I found plenty of non-alcoholic drinks that felt celebratory.
Courtesy of Terri Peters
I’ve been living an alcohol-free lifestyle for nearly two years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes want a festive drink to celebrate with. I was blown away by the non-alcoholic offerings on the ship, from booze-free wines on every restaurant menu to unique mocktails at each bar.
Having something sparkly in my glass made our anniversary trip feel extra-festive, and I never once felt like I was stuck only drinking Diet Coke or club soda while on the ship.
I’d definitely recommend a mega-ship for an anniversary celebration.
Courtesy of Terri Peters
My husband and I both agree: We’d definitely recommend a mega-ship for a celebration like an anniversary. Sure, it’d also be great for birthdays or bachelorette parties, where people are looking to party hard in a big group, but as a couple who wanted to be alone together, we never once felt overwhelmed while on board.
I often say I like cruising because everything is planned out for you without much effort on your part, and this ship was no exception. Being able to relax all day with my husband, then go out “on the town” each night without much thought made the trip all the more special and we truly felt reconnected when we disembarked.
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