We celebrated our anniversary on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas, a 10,000-person cruise ship. It was surprisingly romantic.

"My husband and I have been taking cruises for years, so as our 20th wedding anniversary approached, we decided to book a three-night sailing aboard Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Star of the Seas, to mix things up. The 10,000-person vessel, which joins sister ship Icon of the Seas, is nothing short of massive, and was unlike any cruise we'd done as die-hard fans of midsize Disney cruises and small expedition voyages."

"I wondered if we'd be able to connect as a couple with more than 7,000 passengers and nearly 3,000 crew members surrounding us. And, as an introvert, I worried I'd be stressed out and grumpy on such a people-filled ship. Turns out, everything about the trip was perfect for celebrating a wedding anniversary, right down to the ocean balcony suite we stayed in, which cost just under $700 per night for the two of us."

"One of our favorite things about traveling is getting dressed up each night and heading out on the town. Because the extra-large ship felt like a city, each night was like we were vacationing somewhere metropolitan. Whether dressing up for a fancy dinner followed by drinks at a jazz club or eating a quick dinner before seeing a comedy show and catching a band, each night felt like we were out on a date together."

A three-night sailing aboard Royal Caribbean's 10,000-person Star of the Seas provided an ideal anniversary celebration for a couple who normally cruise midsize and expedition ships. Initial concerns about crowds and introvert discomfort gave way to satisfaction as the ship's scale offered diverse entertainment, dining, and nightlife. The couple stayed in an ocean balcony suite costing just under $700 per night, which felt appropriate. Nights resembled metropolitan outings with formal dinners, jazz clubs, comedy shows, and bands. The variety of options removed decision fatigue and enabled effortless nightly date experiences. The bustling, city-like atmosphere suited both extrovert and introvert preferences by offering lively hubs and quieter retreats.

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