I have just returned home from a romantic voyage for honeymooners on board the Royal Caribbean International's Legend of the Seas.

We chose this ship because we read that it was one of the most luxurious yet intimate vessels for romantic cruises.

Lovely surprises

The mood was set for romance right from the start. The moment we walked into the stateroom, we were surprised with lovely "Just Married" decorations, a 15cm rose heart and welcome presents: a bottle of Domaine Chandon Champagne for the groom and a dozen roses for the bride.

Throughout the week, we were constantly surprised by the special amenities and gifts designed for honeymooners.

For example, on our first evening, there was a tray of canap's before dinner, and chocolate truffles at the bedside.

There are 11 decks on the cruise for you to explore with your loved one

The greatest gift of all was the impeccable service in our room that had a balcony that looked out to the sea.

The complimentary room service was available 24 hours a day, whether we wanted an extra blanket or a midnight snack.

There were even rose petals with special wraps and exclusive slippers provided for us.

On the first morning aboard, we had a choice of Mimosa or Bloody Mary with breakfast in bed. The pampering continued with a special appointment for a Couples Massage at the spa.

The mist with aromatherapy vapours in a Turkish bath atmosphere was the most intimate experience we'd ever had.

Moonlight sonata

We spent the afternoon exploring the ship's 11 decks and were impressed by the thoughtfulness of the ship's design, which gave a warm and intimate atmosphere amid the elegance and luxury.

The ship is nicknamed the "Ship of Light" for its large areas of open decks and spaces that are illuminated by skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows.

My favourite spot was the Romeo and Juliet Dining Room, the main dining venue on board. Each time I walked into it, the name itself conjured, alongside the elegant decor and wonderful sea view, a sense of bliss.

Every night, we had a new venue for our pre-dinner cocktails to suit our mood. From the Champagne Bar to the Vintages Wine Bar, I enjoyed these moments over a glass of bubbly or cocktail with my other half.

The piano bar, called Schooner Bar, was very relaxing to chill out in. It also had a fantastic live band and singers.

Free to play

The Legend of the Seas was refurbished recently and now boasts many innovative facilities, such as rock-wall climbing, an 18- hole miniature golf course and an adults-only Solarium that has a retractable glass roof and an indoor pool, a whirlpool and a cafe bar.

Luxurious dining venues available on the cruise

A casual evening would start with soaking up the panoramic view from the Viking Crown Lounge, which hovers 45m above the waves. After dinner, we would head for the theatre for a stage comedy show or musical.

What I liked most about our honeymoon package was the way we were taken good care of and provided with endless activities to occupy ourselves on board and on shore.

Not having to check in and out of hotels while visiting multiple destinations was a great relief, and we were free to disembark and explore at our leisure.

Walking down the beaches at Phuket was a most romantic experience for us.

On the way back to the port, the cruise photographer took pictures of us, and on the last night of the voyage, a framed portrait of the snapshot was placed at our bedside as a memento of our romantic vacation.

What a thoughtful touch.

This article first appeared in The Straits Times special, on Dec 14. It is published by the Special Projects Unit, Marketing Division, SPH.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.