15 Romantic Cruises for February

Having recently sailed around French Polynesia with my wife, I can say that a Tahitian cruise is one of the most romantic there is. Leaving conveniently roundtrip from Papeete are Paul Gauguin Cruises and Windstar Cruises exploring the legendary likes of beautiful Bora Bora.

As long as you're considering Polynesian islands, Hawaii can't be left off the list. If all you have is a week, Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America is the only ship to sail roundtrip from Honolulu, while many other brands set out from the U.S. mainland for longer voyages.

Paris is another classic destination for romance, and it's an opportunity to bring river cruises into the discussion. Leaving right from the heart of the City of Light-not far from the Eiffel Tower itself-are lines like Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Viking River Cruises.

Speaking of amorous river cruises, Viking River Cruises has its perfectly titled Romantic Danube itinerary heading from Budapest, Hungary to Nuremberg, Germany or vice versa. In between are the European port gems of Vienna, Austria; Krems, Austria; Passau, Germany and Regensburg, Germany.

It shouldn't be forgotten that there are rivers closer to home, and the Mississippi offers the historic south for foodies and jazz lovers at New Orleans, Louisiana up to the mansions of St. Paul, Minnesota. Genuine paddle wheelers from American Cruise Lines and American Queen Steamboat Company can take you there.

Just below New Orleans is the Caribbean. Cruises aplenty in warm tropical waters are primed for rekindling both body temperatures and personal affections. Private islands are always romantic spots by day, and a wide selection of regional ships serve up specialty restaurants for candlelit dinners by night.

One specific Caribbean destination that is worth checking out? Cuba. The island nation is like a cultural time capsule, making for a cinematic backdrop for travel (and traveling) lovers. Just make sure you have all the proper documentation.

Also making a comeback is the Mexican Riviera, which is particularly convenient for local residents departing from California towards the cultural favorites of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. White sandy beaches and dramatic landscapes await romantic cruisers.

Between Baja California and the mainland of Mexico is the alluring Sea of Cortez with its own collection of quaint port towns and mystifying marine life. Expedition companies like UnCruise Adventures take guests intimately on smaller ships to explore all the area has to offer.

If you're a couple into expedition cruising, there's probably no single greater destination to discover than the Galapagos. Wildlife abounds in this treasure trove of Ecuadorian islands calling to all amorous adventurers.

Alternatively, California Coastal cruises can be romantic getaways for those looking to sample some local wines and visit their own backyard-whether Catalina or Santa Barbara-from a ship. Princess Cruises is one such line to sail these routes.

Heading across the pond again are cruises recalling the romance of vintage ocean liners. Cunard's modern Queen Mary 2 is the only one of its kind to remain, offering transatlantic service complete with grand ballroom dancing like back in the day.

The aforementioned QM2 sails back and forth from Southampton among the British Isles, itself a romantic destination if Amy Adams' "Leap Year" is to be believed. Besides the wonders of Great Britain, the natural and cultural beauty of Ireland and Scotland are included.

Pretty amazing year-round is the other riviera along France's Cote d'Azur. Everything from the romance of Hollywood in Cannes to the old fortifications of Villefranche can be found here, all easily accessible from Spanish and Italian homeports.

Eternally romantic in the Mediterranean is Greece: from the cradle of Athens to ports such as Corfu, Katakolon and Santorini. The latter's white-washed buildings crowned with sky blue domes is a dreamy setting for an affectionate stroll.