Cruise weddings: Everything you need to know about getting hitched at sea

Table Of Content

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises Wedding Package Details:
• Cruise weddings: Everything you need to know about getting hitched at sea
• MSC Cruise Weddings
• Norwegian Wedding Packages & Rates
• Do cruises have wedding planners?
• Why Book With Celebrity Cruises?

As with any cruise, all guests need to be flexible — even those exchanging nuptials. Each port has their own requirements to obtain a marriage license, which couples are responsible for handling. Documentation should be completed and submitted approximately two to three months prior to any legal ceremony at sea.

Carnival Cruise Line

Holland America offers a wide variety of itineraries to worldwide destinations on a fleet of beautiful cruise ships. With extra amenities galore and destination wedding opportunities, they definitely make our list of top cruise lines to host your wedding celebrations. What could be more romantic than a night at Movies Under the Stars, reclining on padded loungers while snuggled under wool tartan blankets on the pool deck? Or for a quiet conversation with your sweetie, try Adagio, a private lounge found on several of the cruise line's older ships, including Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess.

Princess Cruises Wedding Package Details:

That being said, part of the fun of having a wedding on a cruise is the opportunity for you and your wedding guests to enjoy all of the perks of traveling with Celebrity Cruises. Whether you want to organize a destination wedding at an international port, or hold an intimate ceremony onboard with a handful of guests, here’s everything you need to know about getting married at sea. Invite sailing and non-sailing guests to share in your occasion during embarkation day. Reception packages for lunch or dinner service can be arranged at onboard dining venues like The Verandah, Todd English or Britannia, depending on the ship.

Cruise weddings: Everything you need to know about getting hitched at sea

"You can have non-guests in ports of call come on the ship but usually the couple comes off the ship to get married on the beach." Shoreside ceremonies — in a port of call on the ship's itinerary — also welcome non-sailing guests but have capacity limits. This option is trickier, however, because you are only in port for one day, most likely. Beyond total guest numbers, each cruise line has strict rules about how many non-sailing guests can attend your embarkation-day wedding.

MSC Cruise Weddings

This ultra-luxury cruise line has worked with some of the world's best-known brands on its latest ship, Seabourn Ovation. Contemporary interiors were fashioned by designer Adam D. Tihany, Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil offers guests a holistic retreat, and The Grill by Thomas Keller is a classic American restaurant. A personal bar and refrigerator will be stocked according to your preferences and coordinated before arrival.

(There are no onboard ceremonies.) As a pre-event offering, the couple receives a tailor-made wedding website, a wedding registry and 25 save-the-date cards. A legal marriage can’t be recognized in open seas, which are not under the jurisdiction of any country, unless the ship captain or officiant is also a justice of the peace, minister, or notary public. That means that most legal cruise weddings take place either onboard the ship in port or harborside, docked in a destination. Many cruise ships do have chapels, but some offer more scenic options like a ceremony out on deck. Weddings start at $1,800 for HAL's onboard At Sea Symbolic ceremony with up to eight guests on all sailings.

Ceremonies at sea, in-port on embarkation day and ashore a destination in the itinerary. The cost for in-port marriages varies by location and what amenities that you wanted. Couples can choose from shoreside ceremonies in beach vacations, Europe vacations like Santorini, Greece or even exotic places like Alaska. Holland America has several wedding packages, cheapest option is a solitary ceremony with no guests and starts at a very inexpensive $800. The onboard ceremony includes check-in, a wedding planner, the officiant, and a wedding certificate for the couple.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

At night, catch a show or curl up under the stars on the top-deck Lawn Club that's landscaped with real grass. The average price for a cruise wedding falls between $7,000 and $20,000, according to GroupTravel.org, a sliver of what a land wedding normally costs (an average of $30,000). Your specific cost will depend on which cruise wedding package you choose and which inclusions and add-ons you select. "They'll jump on the flight to the island and meet the couple and then stay on the island for a few days," she says.

This photographer shoots Disney cruise weddings - Business Insider

This photographer shoots Disney cruise weddings.

Posted: Thu, 25 Apr 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Why Book With Celebrity Cruises?

Malta officially legalized same-sex marriages in 2017, therefore same sex partners are now able to tie the knot while at sea on Celebrity Cruises. Same-sex marriages can also be conducted on land in countries where they are legally recognized. Event Managers help with all the planning required before boarding your cruise. They’ll answer any questions, help narrow down your venue choices, assist with bookings, help secure the proper documentation required for your ceremony, and more. To kick off the process, you can start by familiarizing yourself with the various wedding and event packages that we offer on our Celebrity Weddings and Events page. Getting married on board offers all the benefits of a destination wedding without any of the inconveniences.

Start your wedding on the right note with live music at the ceremony. Ultimately, if you're a person who wants a hassle-free wedding, with a one-stop shop for planning and a built-in honeymoon, then swapping vows ashore, in port or at sea might just be your dream affair. The caveat, however, is that the further in advance you book, you run a risk of change or cancellation as ships are known to swap itineraries or take ships out of service. In other words, don't play up Aruba or a specific ship — all your guests need to know early on is that it's a Caribbean sailing. Examples of extra-fee add-ons include videography, photography or live entertainment at the ceremony or reception (Carnival Cruises charges $150-plus for some tunes to accompany your celebration). Princess Cruises was the first cruise line to offer legal marriages at sea by the captain.

You'll need to make decisions around where to get married (at sea or in port) and understand how those choices affect your guest list, risk of cancellation and the legality of the ceremony. Perhaps the biggest question is whether you want friends and family sailing with you on your honeymoon. Each year, more than 300 couples exchange vows on board a Celebrity Cruises ship. Celebrity offers couples all-inclusive wedding packages, coordinated by the line’s specialist partner, The Wedding Experience. Engaged couples can tie the knot on board a ship or while docked in ports such as Aruba, Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, Civitavecchia (near Rome), Hawaii, Alaska, Seattle or Santorini, Greece. Ideal for couples seeking a unique and budget-friendly cruise wedding, Carnival Cruise Line caters to youthful spirits with chapels on ships such as Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Miracle.

Or, get a little rowdy at the Keg & Compass Pub over pints of craft beer. When you're ready to relax from the wedding stress, soak your cares away in the adults-only solarium, or cuddle up on the pool deck to watch a movie on the giant LED screen. Feel the Polynesian atmosphere on board through local art and a virtual museum with more than 150 paintings by the cruise line's namesake, prolific French artist Paul Gauguin, who captured these magical islands in iconic artworks. Stroll on to find the Infinity Beach area with two pools, the impressive Concourse sculpture garden and the Oceanwalk glass bridges, where you feel as if you're walking on air over the sea. Fleeing an escape room together in the uber-cool Galaxy Pavilion is a fun way to flex your teamwork muscles. Iceland's on everyone's bucket list, so why not check that box on your honeymoon?

Feed your sweetie finger sandwiches and petit fours as you sip Earl Grey and soak in the scenery. Sip wine and try to create local dishes at a cooking class at Riviera's Culinary Center, or embrace your creativity with an art class led by the ship's artist-in-residence. For after-hours entertainment, you can bond over your love of "Star Wars" at the Hyperspace Lounge, where you can sip drinks inspired by the moons of Endor or the planet of Coruscant.

Top Tips for Planning a Romantic Cruise Ship Wedding - Travel Agent Central

Top Tips for Planning a Romantic Cruise Ship Wedding.

Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2018 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Your Celebrity Group Vacation Planner can arrange private shore excursions, dinners, scavenger hunts—or even your destination wedding as part of our large group cruises and event cruises. Unique onboard experiences, plus a range of facilities make nearly anything possible. Note that, if the couple gets married onboard, the captain or a ship officer will preside over the ceremony.

Large Group Cruises, Event Cruises

Table Of Content

• Why Holland America?
• Quantum of the Seas in Alaska
• Do cruises have wedding planners?
• How to Choose the Best Cruise Line for Your Wedding?
• Coolest Perk of a Celebrity Cruise Wedding:
• Beware of Seasonal Surcharges
• Coolest Perk of a Carnival Cruise Wedding:

This could be due to the fact that our cruise was a transatlantic, which would mean less kids or adults with vacation time. This can be considered a positive on both accounts if you are considering getting married on a Celebrity ship. Princess Cruise Lines are quite accustomed to performing weddings, and many of their top ships are equipped with the services and accommodations needed to pull off fantastic celebrations. Every UnCruise sailing comes with guides who will take you exploring, expertly answering your questions and leading you on adventures big and small. You might go birdwatching, kayak among sea turtles, swim with gentle manta rays and jump off the back of the ship hand-in-hand with your love, all on the same trip.

Why Holland America?

Their romantic packages and extravagant luxuries are sure to make your guests swoon, as your perfect cruise ship wedding unfolds before them. The best cruise to get married on all depends on what you want for your wedding ceremony and reception. You can visit CruiseBooking.com to get a more comprehensive idea about cruise weddings and plan your special day easily. Several cruise lines, such as Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Holland America, offer wedding ceremonies or vow renewals at their private islands. In some cases, the actual legal ceremony and paperwork signing must take place before the ship departs from the port of embarkation.

Quantum of the Seas in Alaska

It's adults-only, and the entertainment reflects the passenger demographic. Bring your sassy selves to a drag show, or brunch at a mostly vegetarian restaurant, where the menu is divided into "nice" and "naughty." If the two of you are true connoisseurs, you might sign up for the extra-fee wine-paired dinners at La Reserve by Wine Spectator or an over-the-top gourmet private dining experience at Privee. The elegant new Disney Cruise Line ship has plenty of spaces where honeymooning couples can get away for grownup entertainment. Take a dip in the infinity pool at the adults-only Quiet Cove sun deck, or find bliss during a couple's massage at the Senses Spa. For many couples, the idea of honeymooning on Disney Wish with hundreds of children and larger-than-life mice running amok is their worst nightmare.

Do cruises have wedding planners?

Carnival would be a great option for a destination bachelor/bachelorette party. Dance the night away and get your party on at one of many bars onboard. Depending on your chosen package, you could end up having your cake, flowers, officiant, and even the music taken care of for you.

You can say 'I do' at sea and save money. Plus the honeymoon is all arranged. - Los Angeles Times

You can say 'I do' at sea and save money. Plus the honeymoon is all arranged..

Posted: Sun, 10 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]

How to Choose the Best Cruise Line for Your Wedding?

Not only can your ceremony be conducted at sea by your Princess ship's captain, but the line also features state-of-the-art technology that allows you to broadcast the ceremony live, via webcam, to friends and family on land. On one particular cruise over Valentine's Day, the captain casually announced he'd conduct vow renewals for anyone who wanted them, and about a half-dozen couples showed up. Combining lush accommodations (95 percent contain a private balcony) and high-end amenities, Silversea ships dock at smaller ports and visit major cultural centers. Couples also appreciate the gourmet cuisine, Pratesi bed linens, marble bathroom, and itineraries that span the globe.

These surcharges are often applied during Valentine's Day, other holidays, and popular wedding months like May and June. Carnival Cruise Line even imposed surcharges for weddings on its newest and most popular ships. Listed here are 8 Top cruise lines that offer a fantastic variety of options for couples planning their dream cruise wedding. There's a chance that a few people on your guest list are prone to sea sickness.

Beware of Seasonal Surcharges

Cruises aren't a one-stop destination, which adds to the trill for most passengers. Still, that doesn't mean you should plan your entire wedding around the intended stopping points of the cruise ship, either. If you've asked your friends or family members for advice on booking a cruise ship, you might have heard that you'll save the most money when you book at the last second. In reality, it's better to book sooner rather than later if you're looking for the best deals. The line traditionally caters to a sophisticated clientele with money to spare.

Coolest Perk of a Carnival Cruise Wedding:

The cruise line’s Wedding at Sea package starts at $2,995 and includes the wedding essentials, from an onsite coordinator to a wedding cake and champagne toast. In addition, Norwegian is offering couples a chance to select a Harborside Ceremony, which is performed on board the ship while docked in select ports of call, or a Destination Ceremony, which is performed ashore. Destinations include Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean, and prices vary depending on the port or destination. A final option, the Tie The Knot Ashore package (prices vary), is for couples who want a wedding ashore at one of the many destinations where Princess sails.

Its fleet of nine ships visit some of the most pristine places in the world, including Belize, Alaska, Hawaii and the Sea of Cortez. UnCruise Adventures isn’t for the couple looking to relax and unwind; it’s for those who want to play together, sometimes intensely, from sun-up to sun-down. Romance has always been the Love Boat line's focus, and even as ships have gotten larger, Princess has continued to seamlessly find a way to blend big-ship options with a cozy small-ship feel. If you’re a guest, take your cue on what to wear from the invitation and when in doubt, ask.

You can geek out at the Worlds of Marvel dining experience, or dress up for a gourmet meal at French restaurant Enchante by Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement. After a long morning in bed, an adults-only brunch at Palo will really hit the spot. Or, beeline it to Ocean Boulevard, an outdoor boardwalk wrapping around the entire ship. There, you'll find Indulge Food Hall, Norwegian's first open-air marketplace, where you can savor Texas barbecue, Thai noodles or Spanish-inspired street food, among numerous other choices.

In truth, many people find that the perks of a cruise ship marriage far outweigh those of a traditional setup. Love & Lavender has cruised with one ship in Holland America’s fleet. Our review reflects the fact that Holland America is known to be an older crowd. They do provide outstanding service in many areas such as food, amenities, etc.

Dishes include Asian sea bass, wok-seared lobster and sushi that rivals the best restaurants on land. This allyship is made all the better by Celebrity's reputation as an excellent upscale cruise line, especially aboard its newest Edge Class of ships. That means Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond are all readymade for a spoil-yourself cruise vacation surrounded by some of the most contemporary digs you'll find at sea.

The couple can opt for a beachside ceremony on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay — all arrangements can be made with a Disney wedding planner. Princess Cruises and other cruise lines offer everything from a Wedding Ceremony to a Renewal of Vows Ceremony or Commitment Ceremony. On Bimini, Virgin guests have private access to the Bimini Beach Club for all the sunbathing they can fit into a day — no need to worry about tan lines now that wedding photos are done. On your end, you may find a cruise wedding a little less intimate as well. It's not uncommon to be close to strangers during your ceremony, especially while dining or engaging in your daily activities. The cruise line is one of the most inclusive companies for planning weddings of all sorts.

Bernal says one couple arranged a fireworks show off the coast of Puerto Rico and worked with Celebrity Cruises to stop the ship in the middle of the ocean for the best view. It's becoming more popular for couples to host a series of events on board the ship during the wedding week, says Bernal. 12For couples who are truly kids at heart, and hoping to have Donald Duck bust a move at their wedding reception, Disney Cruise Line is a fun option for a wedding or honeymoon at sea. Couples can decide to exchange vows on board the ship at locations such as the Outlook, a private party space with ocean views on Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream or Disney Wonder. Princess Cruises is one of the most popular cruise lines for shipboard weddings because of their wide array of options, services and venues.

Shoreside weddings start at $1,895 and in-port weddings are pricier, including all of the same features plus roundtrip taxi transportation to the ceremony site for the couple. A Vows at Sea package starts at $3,850 includes up to 50 guests and use of a private onboard wedding venue while the ship is at sea. The Embark on Romance option, from $5,600, lets the couple get married onboard the ship while it's in port on embarkation day, allowing non-sailing guests to participate in the ceremony before the ship departs.

You can transform your dreams of a "Fairy Tale Wedding" into reality with Disney Cruise Line. This exclusive package includes a dedicated coordinator, officiant, and solo musician to set the perfect ambiance, a delightful champagne toast, an exquisite wedding cake, and a cherished wedding certificate. Experience the magic of your special day surrounded by the charm and allure of Disney World, creating memories that will last a lifetime. They also organize weddings for same-sex couples, making sure they adhere to the regional laws. This means that everyone can have a special wedding ceremony on a Norwegian Cruise, as it assists couples in arranging everything they want to make their special day memorable. In this article, we will delve into the world of cruise weddings, exploring the best cruise lines for weddings.