The Best Romantic Caribbean Getaways

It’s time to ramp up the Caribbean immersion and sail to St. Thomas. As the busiest U.S. Virgin Island, St. Thomas offers you countless attractions to enjoy in one day, all on foot. Charlotte Amalie will be your entryway to the island, and your first stop must be the Pirates Treasure Museum.

Here, you'll enjoy a hands-on experience learning about old pirate tales and the treasures they left behind at the bottom of the ocean. Deep-ocean explorations have produced many shipwreck coins and artifacts that are on display, some for sale. Snag a few unexpected souvenirs you can take home with you; they make great gifts for kids, family and friends.

Another awesome stop is 99 Steps, a street used daily by residents, featuring steps made from the ballast bricks of European ships that came to the island. Interesting fact: It's actually 103 steps, not 99 — I counted them. When you visit, count for yourself and see what you find. This makes for one of the best tropical vacations for couples who love to get the blood flowing over a bit of holiday activity.

When you're ready to slow down and take in the breathtaking views of St. Thomas' rugged north coast, Magens Bay is the answer. It's a favorite among both locals and visitors thanks to good parking, lifeguards, clean bathrooms and showers and several eateries. Make sure to get there early to find a spot under the shade.

The beach is shallow and clear, so you can just float by the shore or sit for a while enjoying the calm waters. The sand is so bright and soft that it massages your feet as you walk. If you want to do some dancing on the sand, find a spot by the beach bar and jam to the reggae beats with a fruity drink in hand.

For even more Virgin Islands immersion, your cruise now takes you to St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Once you arrive in this slice of paradise, go straight to the East End for a scenic drive to Point Udall and take in some of the most stunning panoramic views in all of the Caribbean. And if you feel a little adventurous, trek down the nearby trail that'll take you straight to several gorgeous beaches perfect for snorkeling, sunbathing or some time alone in the sand. Look for the human-made wooden abode on the beach where visitors leave positive messages and knick-knacks from their travels; even better, add your own.

On your drive back from the East End, you'll come across Christiansted, the largest town in St. Croix is home to cozy restaurants like Hamilton's and Savant, and shops like Asha World Designs. Make sure to visit Sonya Ltd, the best place to find the famous St. Croix hook bracelet, an ideal gift to celebrate your relationship, as it represents unity and love.

While you're in Christiansted, don't forget to take a step back in time with a walk along the shore of Fort Christiansvaern. This citadel, thought to have been completed in 1749 by the Danish, features cannons, dungeons and impressive sea views — adding a little historical twist to your tropical getaway.

This destination is your dream come true for underwater exploration. Don't hesitate to go on a quick tour of nearby Norman Island. This half-day snorkeling adventure takes you to the uninhabited tiny islet believed to have been the hiding place of pirates and buccaneers (the inspiration for the book "Treasure Island”). You'll bond over this shared experience of exploring sunken galleons, surrounded by tropical fish, vibrant coral reefs and mysterious caves. If this is your first snorkeling experience, don't worry, your guide will teach you the basics and get you in the water quickly and comfortably.

The city of Tulum, for example, was a favorite of ours to take a trip to. It bursts with history, pristine scenery and ideal opportunities for rejuvenation and relaxation. This dreamy destination offers a gorgeous setting with ancient ruins that bathe in the clear ocean. Start your visit at the Zona Arqueológica de Tulum, where you'll find a pre-Columbian Mayan city by the sea. I recommend visiting early in the day to avoid crowds.

This is a great spot for pictures, with the ruins framing an aquamarine sea. Then, head down the steps of the ruins toward Playa Ruinas for swimming in crystal clear water, lounging in the white sand and taking even more pictures of your ridiculously romantic getaway. Those seeking even more beach resort options in this part of Mexico often look to the Riviera Maya for resort-inclusive experiences.

At the end of a long day of outdoor escapades, there's nothing more romantic than some relaxation at the spa. Tulum is known the world over for this. Yään Wellness is a beach spa that uses pre-ancestral Mayan rituals for its treatments, such as the copal ceremony, where your therapist cleanses your aura. There's always a yoga class going on out on the beach, so feel free to join in for some sun salutations or dive in for some paddleboard yoga.

Tulum Yoga School or Holistika Hotel also offers yoga classes for couples. Many travelers note these special experiences when writing reviews of romantic hotels, often referencing wellness or mind-body-soul activities as the highlight of their romantic vacations.

One of the best Caribbean getaways for couples is Grand Cayman. The island is especially famous for the relaxing and romantic walks along Seven Mile Beach. Named one of the best beaches in the world several times, Seven Mile is flanked by dancing palm trees and lined by a cerulean sea washing over bright white sand beaches. With a live local band providing the soundtrack for your romantic escapade, you and your partner can pop in and out of the many beachside bars for small bites and strong drinks.

Pick up some food and find a quiet spot on the sand for a picnic. For a mellow option by the sea, head to Spotts Beach and rent a cabana. Or, grab a bench at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and sit surrounded by butterflies, flowers and a serene lake.

When you want to add some excitement and spice to your relationship, head to Roatán. This Honduran island offers unconventional experiences you'll bond over for the rest of your lives. Take Arch's Iguana Farm, for example, which is home to over 3,000 iguanas. It's a place for iguana lovers and those curious to meet these creatures. Some are quite big and reach almost 5 feet (1.5 meters) long.

Another great stop is the Carambola Botanical Gardens, featuring 40 acres of protected forest with easy trails that take you to a summit for views of Utila Island. You'll have fun spotting parrots, iguanas, fruit trees, medicinal plants and orchids on your way up. This is a fantastic spot for photos, surrounded by the charm of the jungle.

Next up on your couple’s Caribbean getaway cruise is Belize, considered the most romantic Caribbean island by many cruise enthusiasts. It’s home to several cozy seaside nooks and destinations.

Placencia is also a great place to find unspoiled beaches and a mellow atmosphere, ideal for couples looking to disconnect from the world and connect with each other instead. Look for a resort spa in the area if you want additional pampering.

The Placencia sidewalk is perhaps one of the most photographed areas in town after being named the "narrowest street in the world" by the Guinness World Records. It was built over 30 years ago for wheelbarrowing fish over the sand. The street is now lined with charming little bars, coffee shops, hotels and residences.

To check out some local music and dance the night away, try Garifuna in Hopkins. This vibrant fishing village, home to Garifuna culture, offers what is perhaps the best traditional dance scene in all of Belize. You'll meet Garifuna dancers, singers and musicians, and learn their traditional dance by the beach. Learn to play the drums at the Lebeha Drumming Center in the northern part of the village. When you get home, you can share stories with your friends and family and show off your new dance moves.

After a whirlwind week of trying new things, exploring and enjoying each other's company, it's time to sail home. The trip back will give you enough time to recover from the getaway and allow the two of you to recollect and recuperate — a sort of vacation from the vacation.

This is another reason why a short romantic cruise getaway stands out from other types of travel. You move around a part of the world in comfort, without a care in the world, as long as you're together. Caribbean honeymoon destinations don’t get better than the Caribbean, so start planning today!

Imagine enjoying a candlelit dinner with the love of your life under a breezy palm tree — your toes in the sand and a sky full of stars above you. Add to that curious explorations, shopping and cultural experiences, then the renowned Caribbean becomes the ideal option for the best romantic vacation destinations.

This enchanting region of diverse Caribbean islands is renowned for its white sand beaches, where you can find everything from a secluded private island paradise to the best Caribbean resorts for couples with adults-only inclusive packages.