Planning Cruise Weddings: Everything You Need to Know

Table Of Content

• Weddings? Burials at sea? Unexpected things you can do on a cruise ship besides cruising
• How much does it cost to get married on a cruise ship?
• Free Vacation Planning Services
• Did You Say Destination Wedding?
• ANCHORS AWAY & ASHORE CEREMONY
• Services
• Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning
• Princess Cruises Wedding Package Details:

From floral arrangements to fine dining, these vessels are well-equipped to make your dream wedding a reality. Several cruises lines have private islands for wedding or vow renewals, but they can't always be legal marriages. For example, Disney Cruise Line captains can lead wedding ceremonies onboard or at Castaway Cay.

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To get married at sea on a Celebrity Cruises ship, you’ll need to obtain a Maltese wedding license beforehand. In order for a wedding ceremony at sea to be legal, ceremonies need to be conducted under the laws of the country in which the ship is registered, and all of Celebrity Cruises ships are registered in Malta. While a cruise wedding is unlike your typical occasion, it still borrows from common wedding etiquette. It is up to them whether it is a fully formal event or if the theme is more beachy chic.

How much does it cost to get married on a cruise ship?

Licensing and regulatory fees are not included in Celebrity's base wedding package prices. Also, the number of wedding ceremonies performed on each sailing is based on the captain's availability. Couples should book their wedding packages in advance to allow time for the processing of marriage licenses and legal documents; for legal ceremonies at sea, all documentation should be completed and submitted about 10 weeks prior to sailing. Weddings on Celebrity cruises include the option to have the captain perform either a legal or symbolic ceremony at sea -- including legal same-sex weddings -- under the line’s Malta registration.

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Thankfully, Celebrity Cruises has a Marriage License Coordinator who can assist you with all the details and paperwork required to have a legal wedding both on board or in the country where you ultimately choose to hold your ceremony. Start your wedding on the right note with live music at the ceremony. With our Cruisetours, you can combine your cruise with an exciting land tour where you’ll stay in authentic lodges and travel remote roads and railways in deluxe transportation. When you book a group of eight staterooms or more, we can hold cruise fare pricing for 30 days as you finalize arrangements.

Did You Say Destination Wedding?

Regardless of how you're making your way to port on embarkation day, put your most essential items (dress, veil, tux, shoes, rings) in a carry-on bag that you keep with you at all times until you reach your cabin. Or co-pack backup items with a friend or your significant other so you'll have something to use in a pinch. The answer is a resounding "Yes!" Cruise lines make it easy by offering a number of packages at varying price points, but there are still some things you should know. 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. "We're starting to see more weddings on the islands, whether their whole group is sailing with them or meeting them there," says Bernal.

Most people know cruises offer a great value and are nearly all-inclusive with good food, accommodations and entertainment. Add to that exotic ports of call and shore excursions that strike all fancies, from beach bums to adrenaline junkies. For those looking for a classic at-sea wedding experience, Cunard Line offers packages starting at USD 3,300. Lastly, MSC Cruise steps into the arena with a variety of packages including Classic, Romantic, Deluxe, and Ocean Cay Celebration, catering to a wide range of tastes and budgets.

However, because senior officers can't perform legal ceremonies, the actual "legal" marriage (and paperwork signing) must occur in the cruise terminal before the ship leaves Port Canaveral -- not terribly romantic. Carnival and Holland America conduct weddings and vow renewals at their private island, Half Moon Cay; these can be legal if the cruise has a prior port stop in the Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise (NCL) weddings come in a vast array of options, which can turn basic packages into full-blown extravaganzas. Its ships also feature a wide range of specialty restaurants for easy romantic dining for two. NCL also offers legal same-sex ceremonies, available in destinations where same-sex marriages are recognized by local law. In addition to the above benefits, you'll score priority check-in and boarding for the couple and guests with the Tie the Knot Harborside package, which includes a service in port before embarkation.

Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning

Cruise wedding couples can choose to hold their ceremony in a homeport like Seattle or Miami before departure. This gives them the ability to choose their own clergy and invite day guests onboard for the afternoon before setting sail. Or they can choose a wedding in a port of call, like Mexico, either onboard the ship or at a venue like the beach of a resort. The next step in planning your nuptials is typically deciding on a wedding venue. Why limit your options to land when you can exchange vows on a cruise ship?

Princess Cruises Wedding Package Details:

When you get married while sailing in international waters, the ceremony abides by the laws of the country where the ship is registered. Cruise lines only allot a certain number of weddings to take place on any given week or sailing. So, if you have a very specific date in mind, it’s best to book as far in advance as possible. The downside to this is that during that long stretch of time, something could impact the sailing affecting dates, ports of call, and more. As with any cruise, all guests need to be flexible — even those exchanging nuptials.

The good news is that with these all-inclusive packages, you know exactly how much your at-sea wedding will cost from the beginning. 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). Your health insurance may not cover you while you're on the ship and out of the country.

Many couples use the sailing as their honeymoon — yet another aspect of the wedding you won't need to plan. But if your guests are joining the sailing, your romantic getaway may not be very private. If you want family and friends to attend your at-sea wedding, consider whether you can sneak away when needed without hurting anyone's feelings. 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. Windstar Cruises' yacht-style smaller ships entice many couples planning a cruise elopement, with either just them or only a few guests.

Several cruise lines allow for the scattering of cremated remains from their ships, provided the guest can produce the decedent's death and cremation certificates. Royal Caribbean allows for 75 of 150 wedding guests to be non-sailing. NCL permits up to 10 non-sailing guests free of charge, but a reception must be booked if you have up to 50 guests who are not sailing. The decision to have a cruise wedding should align with your desires and expectations for your special day.

Cruise lines are typically well-versed in these matters, with their wedding planner departments ready to assist with information and facilitate license acquisition. Imagine tying the knot under a palm tree on a Caribbean island or being married by a uniformed captain in the middle of the ocean. And cruise-ship weddings are necessarily small, meaning you don't have to worry who is going to drive Great Aunt Hilda to the wedding or how to get out of inviting all those uncouth second cousins. Cunard can offer you a Royal Ceremony at Sea on board the majority of its voyages and on any of its ships.

This option is trickier, however, because you are only in port for one day, most likely. Cruise weddings can range in size, though cruise lines do limit numbers. In many cases, the size of the venue restricts the number of guests allowed. For example, 50 non-sailing guests can take part in weddings aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships before the cruise sails from the port of embarkation. For those seeking a fairy-tale experience, Disney Cruise Line offers their Fairy Tale Weddings starting at USD 3,500. This package is designed for those who dream of adding a touch of Disney magic to their wedding day.