Wedding Cruises

Nothing evokes the sense of indulgence and romance more than the prospect of a wedding at sea. It is just something very special that most people don’t even think of when planning for a wedding.

But having a wedding at sea takes planning and lots of it. Fortunately just about every major cruise line has a wedding planning staff to assist with this process. Often their consulting services will be absolutely free.

First of all, be aware that most ship captains are not authorised to conduct legal weddings. Whether or not they can do this depends on a variety of factors including where the ship is sailing, which nation’s flag it is flying, and the policies of the cruise line. But just because a captain cannot officially conduct a wedding ceremony doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your nuptials while on a cruise. There are other options such as bringing along your own priest (make sure the cruise line will allow him to conduct a wedding onboard), or getting married on shore at a traditional church and then having just the reception onboard. The third option is to have the actual wedding ceremony at home before the cruise, and then simply having a commitment ceremony or vow renewal onboard the ship. Just about every cruise line can accommodate this.

The next thing you need to consider before planning your wedding at sea is just how many people will be able to attend and/or participate. Obviously there are going to be a significant number of family members who will just not be able to make a cruise work for them. Either money or time, or scheduling conflicts, will be an issue. So keep this in mind if you wish to wed on a cruise ship. Using the option of having the official ceremony at home before the cruise allows more family members and friends to share your special day, while still enjoying the ambience of a cruise ship for the honeymoon and commitment ceremony with a more intimate group of family and friends.

Of course, if the captain is authorised to conduct onboard weddings, you can opt to have your entire ceremony and reception on the ship. Usually this will be planned for a day at sea, and the ship will have a well-appointed chapel facility in which to conduct the ceremony. In fact, Princess Cruises goes one step further. They even have a webcam in some of their onboard wedding chapels so that friends and family at home can watch the ceremony as it takes place onboard.

If getting married onboard the ship doesn’t appeal, or if the captain of your cruise liner cannot conduct wedding ceremonies, you can still get married while on your cruise. It just requires a bit more planning. You can make arrangements in one of the ports to have the ceremony there. For example, if the ship is stopping in the U.S. Virgin Islands on the second day of the cruise, you can make arrangements to have your wedding ceremony conducted in a church there. Then you can proceed to the ship for the reception and other festivities. Be aware, however, that there is some risk with this plan. Guests wanting to attend the wedding will have to fly to the island where you plan to have it. If weather or other uncertainties make it necessary for the ship to cancel its stop at that port of call, you’re going to have a lot of disappointed guests who flew out there for nothing. You’re also going to return from your cruise still unmarried. In effect, you will have had a honeymoon, but no wedding – not a good situation.

The first thing to do if you decide a seafaring wedding is for you is to retain the services of a good wedding planner with experience working with the cruise lines. They will know which cruise lines can accommodate weddings and how (on the ship, on land, etc.). They will also know how to ensure you have everything you need – special menus, wedding cake, photographers and videographers, clothing, hairdressing services, etc., right there at your fingertips. They will be able to coordinate these matters with the cruise line so that you only have to worry about looking and feeling your best when the big day comes. If you choose not to work with a wedding planner at home, be aware that most large cruise lines (such as Princess and Royal Caribbean International) have special departments whose sole function is to help you plan and have the wedding of your dreams.

You will also need to decide if your budget (and the budgets of the guests you want to share your special day) can reach to a seafaring wedding. If this is possible then your next big decision will be the type of cruise ship you want to host your wedding and reception. Would you like the intimacy of a small ship, with luxury surroundings, or would you like a big ship event, with all the bells and whistles and glitzy surroundings? The choice is yours and the options are virtually endless.

Your wedding day is truly special. You want it to be an event that will be unforgettable. Nothing ensures that more than having the wedding in a venue of pure luxury that a modern cruise ship provides.