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Sure, most mainstream cruise ships easily accommodate thousands of passengers, but most wedding packages limit the number of guests the bridal party can invite to the actual onboard ceremony for logistical reasons. If you want to get married onboard and want to choose the clergy to perform the ceremony or invite people who won't be sailing, consider having your wedding onboard while the ship is still docked at its homeport. Clergy and guests can come aboard for the wedding and after-party, then debark before the ship sails, and you get the cruise as a honeymoon.
The Coolest Perk of a HAL Cruise Wedding:
We’ll take the bride and groom to the wedding site, select a local officiant to perform the ceremony, and handle the music and bouquet. We’ll even help you obtain a legally-binding marriage certificate in your destination port! Since we’ve already thought of everything, all you need to think about is how great it’s going to be.
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Only couples with a relatively small guest list are able to conduct their wedding onboard a cruise ship. Most lines restrict onboard wedding parties to 50 non-sailing guests maximum. 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? If you’re considering how to have a wedding on a cruise ship, there are a few things to know.
How do cruise weddings work?
Expect plenty of goodwill and well-wishes from fellow passengers on your big day at sea. For the most part, it's the big-ship, mass-market cruise lines that have embraced full-service weddings. Others -- mostly in the high-priced luxury category, like Seabourn and Crystal, don't have a problem with wedding or vow-renewal plans, but they eschew packages, opting to provide customized amenities to these passengers for small-scale events. The answer also depends on whether you want to get married while docked in a U.S. port, at sea in international waters, or in a port mid-sailing, as well as the critical issue of whom you would like to officiate.
Windstar Cruises' yacht-style smaller ships entice many couples planning a cruise elopement, with either just them or only a few guests. "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. "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." "The average number of guests is about 40, but we host weddings of all sizes — from only the couples themselves to very large parties," said Lupoli. Celebrity Cruises has also started to see more larger cruise weddings post-pandemic.
You can have costumed Mickey and Minnie join you for photos or offer a Dole Whip unity ceremony, as one couple did. Princess Cruises' three packages (At Sea Wedding Cruise, Harborside Wedding Cruise and Ashore Wedding Cruise) fold in all the details for a flat fee and also offer a registry so that guests can help amp up the luxuries on their honeymoon at sea. Guests and friends can gift shore excursion credits, specialty-dining experiences, spa treatments and a private breakfast or dinner on the balcony. Celebrity Cruises also offers legal weddings at sea by the captain.
A cruise wedding combines one of the most important days of your life with exciting travel destinations, plenty of entertainment and an array of things to eat, do and drink. Most major cruise lines offer a variety of services to help you plan your wedding, and options range from onboard wedding ceremonies to weddings before you embark, on top of a glacier or on a sandy beach. According to our pros, cruise weddings can work for a variety of different couples and styles. However, it’s best for those who don’t mind letting go of the details and keeping things simple.
SYMBOLIC AT SEA
Deciding where you and your guests are going to sleep and eat is super simple on a cruise. The newlyweds can splurge on the Honeymoon Suite and guests have their choice of cabins — from interior to suite — depending on their budget. Norwegian‘s freestyle dining plan means there’s a huge variety of included restaurants onboard, plus specialty options for romantic dinners for two. We chose our vow renewal to be held the day we were docked in Labadee. We added extra time with the photographer so we had photos done on the island before the ceremony. We had the ceremony itself in the Cloud 9 card room on Deck 14 (which is now the suite lounge).
How far out should I book my wedding date?
Wedding parties with more than 20 guests are limited to the morning slot. Additional cake, flowers and photography services are available for a fee. The marriage license is not included and the fee is one of the highest out there. 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. Alternatively, Princess Cruises' Tie the Knot Ashore package includes a ceremony at a beach or garden (or even at a glacier in Alaska) and transportation for the couple in addition to the standard services of a Tie the Knot ceremony.
Of course, any couple can also opt for a symbolic ceremony, meaning that there is still all the pomp and circumstance of a celebration, without it being legally binding. Before you say "I do" to a cruise ship wedding, take some time to school yourself on the fine print and important decisions you'll need to make. Plus, you'll pay above and beyond the price of whichever wedding package you choose every time you invite more people. Inviting family on a cruise ship for your wedding means they’ll be there on your wedding night and honeymoon. That works great for some families, but others may want more space and privacy. Speaking of receptions, you can book a venue and add bar services, hors d’oeuvres or food stations.
Ilene and Carl had each been on dozens of cruises when they met on a cruise. It felt natural to choose to get married on yet another cruise ship. Because you’ll be embarking on your built-in honeymoon along with your wedding, be sure to choose a ship and itinerary that distinctly suits your style. A notable exception is popular cruise line Viking Cruises, which does not offer cruise weddings. As the date draws nearer and it’s time to send out the official invitations, you can include more information at your discretion.
If you’re considering getting married abroad but can’t decide on a single location for your big day, you may want to consider a cruise wedding. Getting married on a cruise allows you and your guests to visit multiple destinations and easily stay close to one another—plus you can all enjoy the amenities a cruise ship has to offer. MSC weddings allow couples sailing in the Caribbean to legally tie the knot onboard or ashore with its wedding packages. Couples aren't required to be married before the sailing, nor do they have to worry about bringing legal documents onboard. The most basic (and cheapest) package is Norwegian's Symbolic at Sea option, while a Harborside package allows couples to be married onboard at select ports of call.
Our amazing wedding coordinator followed us around, deflating the decorations so we didn’t have ghosts and vampires in our photos then set them all back up again. For those longing to say “I do” with a beautiful ocean backdrop, on a sandy white beach or plush garden setting, we offer idyllic island settings for your special day. If you're considering having a cruise wedding, here is essential info to help you with the cruise wedding process.
Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. We have included third party products to help you navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission. Hashtag your photos #CarnivalCruiseWedding — you may see them right here. For a wedding photo to remember, couples can opt to have their pictures snapped on MSC's dazzling Swarovski crystal-encrusted staircases. "We start with a package and design your ceremony to be just for you," says Bernal.
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. If you’re hosting a cruise wedding, it’s important to think about how you’ll be transporting your valuable items, such as your rings, attire, and more. When it comes to these items, it’s essential to have them close by at all times—do not check valuable items and do not showcase them out in the open.
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