Honeymoons at sea

updated 1:08 p.m. ET Feb. 2, 2007

Is there any vacation in life that's more romantic than a honeymoon? A cruise is a great choice -- it's easy to plan, you get to see a variety of places (how's that for bang-for-your-buck) and you get to travel without packing up your lacy things and schlepping them around. Most lines offer an array of perks to honeymooners, from those coveted tables for two to a slot at the late-dinner seating. Don't be shy about letting the cruise line know it's a honeymoon trip and make sure to let the airline know you're honeymooners, too. You could be put on a standby list for a business-class upgrade.

Perks are nice, but don't expect too much. You probably won't get first choice of shore excursions or pre-boarding -- most ships carry too many honeymooners to be that generous. But even those lines that don't have any freebies (or provide any special packages), may still offer flowers and wine that you can order before you arrive and have waiting in your cabin to surprise your sweetie. Want some specifics? Here's a selection of what cruise ships offer and sell newlyweds to make their cruise a little sweeter.

Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival gives all newlyweds a wedding cake at dinner on their first night. (You were too busy at the wedding to enjoy yours anyway, right?) Plus, for $35 you can arrange for the line to decorate your room with "Congratulations" banners, Mylar balloons, and a cake. (Though, like we said, you'll get the cake anyway.) For $45 you can pre-order a dozen red roses, so that they're waiting in your cabin when you arrive. And, for $75, you'll get the "High Seas Honeymoon" package, which includes T-shirts, visors, a camera, coupons for drinks and an onboard portrait, and a bottle of Korbel champagne with flutes.

Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity's signature honeymoon package includes breakfast in bed (which, let's be honest, you'd get anyway), a bottle of Michel Roux Champagne with two engraved glasses, flowers, plush cotton bath robes, and candy for $169. Or, as always, you can choose to order from the à la carte menu instead.

Crystal Cruises
This luxury line is one of the last to offer free champagne and flowers on arrival to their honeymoon passengers, making them a great choice for any husband and wife, especially those 35 and over.

Cunard Line
Cunard doesn't get many honeymooners - though they get plenty of couples who come aboard to renew their vows. Those honeymooners who do choose the QEII for a long, quiet crossing will get a cake after dinner the first night.

Disney Cruise Line
True, you don't have to be a honeymooner to book Disney's "Romantic Escape at Sea package" - but it's certainly appropriate. For $299 per couple, you'll get a one-hour couples' massage, and fresh flowers in your cabin.

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