Sail away

Ever since Cleopatra pushed off in her royal barge to impress Julius Caesar more than 2000 years ago, romance has been entwined with the ocean. So, cast your eyes over the nautical honeymoons Tricia Welsh has found, grab your beloved and set sail on a...

Traditional Dhoni, Maldives
Surely the original ‘love boat’, the six 65ft-long handcrafted Maldivian sailboats that are Dhoni Mighili have been refitted and luxuriously appointed. Each dhoni comes with personal captain, crew, chef/butler and its own private beach bungalow – yours to use as you will.

Private Gulet, Turkey
Charter your own traditional Turkish fishing boat and sail around the southwest coast of Turkey between Bodrum and Marmaris. Beautifully refitted with large bedrooms, comfortable ensuite, generous lounge and upper deck facilities, the gulet comes with its own captain, cook and deckhand on board. And since it’s all yours, you can create your own itinerary. Drop anchor and swim in sheltered harbours, visit rustic villages, sail into the sunset and then dine under the stars on terrific local food.

Royal Clipper, Mediterranean
Sail from one city of love – Rome, to another – Venice, on the magical five-masted tall ship, the Royal Clipper. Take either an 11-night or 10-night cruise departing Rome’s port of Civitavecchia and sail via the romantic Italian ports of Capri and Taormina and to the Greek island of Corfu. Then it’s up to the Adriatic to the picturesque Dalmatian Coast calling into the charming ports of Kotor in Montenegro, historic Dubrovnik, Hvar and Rovinj, finally docking in Venice.

Yacht at Docklands, Melbourne
You don’t have to go halfway around the world to experience a romantic sailing honeymoon when you can stay on board a luxury yacht moored in the heart of Melbourne. A two-hour private sail on Victoria Harbour and Hobson’s Bay with a certified skipper is part of the deal, during which you will be able to sail or steer the yacht yourself. The package also includes a bottle of Australian sparkling wine and nibbles, plus a full breakfast at one of a string of nearby restaurants at NewQuay.

Luxury yacht in Tahiti, French Polynesia
Swim or snorkel in the clear aquamarine waters of breathtaking Rangiroa Atoll. Go fly fishing, picnic on powder-white sands, visit a pearl farm, watch dolphins and sip cocktails while listening to the lilting strains of a ukulele at sunset before enjoying delicious Tahitian cuisine. These islands of love were made for discovering by sea and few vessels are as intimate as the luxury catamaran, Haumana. With just 17 cabins, this comfortable ship is designed for cruising the shallow lagoon waters.

Boutique Luxury Cruiser, Whitsundays
Having spent the past few years cruising the Mediterranean, the MV Fantasea Ammari is now sailing the islands and reefs of the Whitsundays. Choose either a three or four-night cruise departing Hamilton or Daydream Islands. By day, snorkel in Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island, check out the marine life on the Great Barrier Reef, walk the chalk white sands of Whitehaven Beach and at night dine on seafood buffets.

Cruise the Nile, Egypt
Watch the Nile come to life from the comfort of your cabin, as you cruise between Luxor and Aswan in the upper reaches of this vast waterway on the Sunboat IV. Visit ancient sites and temples of the Pharaohs by day, shop in local spice markets and learn about the romantic and complex history of the ancient Greeks and Pharaohs from the ship’s own Egyptologist.

Images this page and homepage image courtesy: Per Aquum