14 Romance Books Set on a Cruise You’ll Want to Pack in Your Beach Bag
I’ve been all about boat-set romances lately, and cruise ships bring a fun twist to the mix. Maybe it’s the forced proximity or the promise of a tropical fling—but these stories totally deliver on summer vibes. If you’re craving vacation mode without leaving your couch, these cruise romance books are calling your name.
Looking for more boat romance recs? Check out my full list of yacht, cruise, sailing, and shipwrecked romances here.
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Best Romance Books Set on a Cruise
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat by Sonya Lalli
What happens when you’re stuck on a singles cruise with your family and a guy you can’t stand? This one brings a refreshing mix of messy relationships, second chances, and cultural nuance, with plenty of tension and just enough heart.
Grab Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat on Amazon
Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson
She’s a hopeless romantic who works for a cruise line. He’s her broody coworker. Cue the workplace antics, forced proximity, and softhearted chaos as they board the same cruise. Think: sunshine/grump on the high seas.
Grab Never Been Shipped on Amazon
Shipped by Angie Hockman
When two marketing execs have to pitch the same cruise campaign, by experiencing it together, it’s enemies-to-lovers with a splash of wanderlust. Smart, breezy, and easy to fall into.
Cruiseshipped by Savannah Scott
Fake dating your boss’ brother on a cruise to save his reputation? Yep. This one’s flirty, full of banter, and balances romantic tension with tropical chaos.
For Vacation Only by Mila Nicks
A sweet, feel-good second chance romance between a single mom and the one that got away. Set on a cruise, this novella brings warmth, nostalgia, and a soft, hopeful tone.
Grab For Vacation Only on Amazon
Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle
She’s stuck on a cruise with her high school nemesis turned surprise coworker. Cue awkward run-ins, enemies-to-lovers tension, and lots of forced proximity moments that feel like a rom-com in motion.
Grab Total Dreamboat on Amazon
Wilder by Rebecca Yarros
This is more adventure romance than classic cruise, but it has that same jet-set energy. He’s a daredevil and she’s along for the ride on a semester-at-sea style program with major emotional stakes and steamy vibes.
We Ship It by Lauren Kay
A workplace romance between two cruise ship entertainers navigating on-deck drama, fake relationships, and a whole lot of tension while keeping their act together, literally.
Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean
A last-minute cruise with her best friend’s brother leads to unexpected feelings and some sweet self-discovery. YA vibes but with enough depth to hit the feels.
Grab Hearts Overboard on Amazon
Seas and Greetings by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
Holiday cruise? Check. High-heat romance with second chances and complicated feelings? Also check. This novella blends heart, heat, and humor.
Grab Seas and Greetings on Amazon
Undercover Billionaire by Amy Andrews
He’s hiding his identity. She’s a journalist. Cue cruise ship sparks, secret agendas, and a slow burn with a sexy payoff.
Grab Undercover Billionaire on Amazon
Cruise Control by Tamrin Banks
A steamy romance with an alpha hero and a heroine just trying to enjoy her cruise getaway, until he turns it into something more.
Caribbean Crush by R.S. Grey
This is exactly what you want in a cruise romance: banter, sunshine, jealousy, and unresolved tension. Bonus points for the tropical setting and breezy pacing.
Grab Caribbean Crush on Amazon
Sunastara & the Venusian by Jess K. Hardy
A sci-fi twist on the cruise trope, this romance takes place on a luxury space cruiser and brings a full dose of otherworldly chemistry and galaxy-spanning adventure.
Grab Sunastara & the Venusian on Amazon
Final Thoughts
Cruise ship romances scratch a very specific itch: a little bit of chaos, a lot of forced proximity, and the occasional midnight drama under the stars. If you’re in the mood for more maritime love stories (with way less sea sickness and way more kissing), don’t miss the full boat romance books list for even more ship-bound swoon.
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