Cruise weddings offer a unique experience for couples with costs ranging from $7,000 to $20,000, according to GroupTravel.org. Typically hosting up to 150 guests, a cruise wedding can feel more comfortable than a land wedding.
Planning a cruise ship wedding requires ensuring the ceremony is legally allowed onboard, understanding policies for inviting non-sailing guests, and booking well in advance to secure your preferred date and venue.
“Cruise lines that offer weddings include Princess Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Disney Cruises, and Royal Caribbean.”
How Large Can a Cruise Wedding Be?
The largest a cruise wedding can be is around 150 guests.
“According to Princess Cruises, most weddings have fewer than 10 people. Larger weddings average 25 guests, with about two weddings each year having 40 or more guests. Since COVID-19, smaller ceremonies have become popular.”
Marriages at sea by the captain remain the top package. Carnival’s weddings usually have around 40 guests but can be much larger.Celebrity Cruises has also seen more big weddings since the outbreak.
Which Cruise Lines Offer Weddings?
These Cruise lines offer weddings:
- Princess Cruises
- Windstar Cruises
- Disney Cruises
- Royal Caribbean’s
1: Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises offers special marriage packages with all the details needed for a perfect celebration. Couples can enjoy dinner and breakfast on their balcony with stunning sea views, enhancing their honeymoon.
Guests and friends can gift shore excursion credits and enjoy spa treatments and specialty-dining experiences. The fee covers these luxuries, and a convenient registry service is also available. Celebrity Cruises provides the unique experience of having legal weddings at sea, officiated by the captain.
2: Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises’ intimate, yacht-style ships are perfect for couples planning a cruise elopement, whether it’s just the two of them or with a small group of guests.
On deck, couples can enjoy excellent dining and entertainment, such as shows and rock climbing walls. Guests have many activities to choose from, both on board and at port stops.
3: Disney Cruises
Disney Cruise Line offers Fairy Tale Weddings, similar to those at its theme parks. Couples can choose from six venues, both indoor and outdoor, on the ships or at Castaway Cay.
You can have Mickey and Minnie in costume for photos or opt for a unique Dole Whip unity ceremony, as one couple chose.
4: Royal Caribbean’s
Royal Caribbean offers four packages for weddings and private ceremonies for couples. Their ceremonies can include sailing and non-sailing guests.
With options for up to 10 sailing guests, every couple can find the perfect fit. Weddings with Royal Caribbean provide unique experiences while sailing around the world.
How Much Does A Cruise Wedding Cost?
According to GroupTravel.org, the average cost of a cruise ship wedding ranges from $7,000 to $20,000, providing excellent inclusions compared to a traditional land wedding.
Carnival Cruise Line offers wedding package rates starting at $1,499. Cunard’s Royal Ceremony at Sea package costs up to $3,300. MSC Cruises has similar costs.
Is It Legal to Have a Wedding on a Cruise Ship?
“Yes, you can legally have a wedding on a cruise ship. If you get married on embarkation day at ports like Miami, Seattle, New Orleans, or Fort Lauderdale, you can bring your own officiant. During the cruise, a local official or a non-religious officiant will perform the ceremony to make sure your marriage is legal.”
Three of Princess Cruises’ wedding packages include ceremonies. Each ceremony is led by a captain or a local officiant in port, and if an officiant is not available in the Bahamas and Jamaica, wedding planners on the cruise ship can arrange one for you.
“Getting married on a cruise ship can be tricky. The ship sails in international waters but belongs to a specific country. For example, Celebrity Cruises requires a marriage license from Malta. Every cruise line’s wedding package includes a notary public or a religious person for the ceremony.”
Each country has specific rules for weddings. The cruise line’s wedding department helps you get the needed license. For example, in the Bahamas, getting a marriage license takes up to 90 days. For a U.S. port wedding, you just need a state marriage license.
Is It Possible to Invite Guests Who are Not Traveling With Us?
Each cruise line has rules about how many guests can come to your embarkation-day wedding without going on the cruise. For example, Royal Caribbean allows up to 75 guests to visit for the ceremony and then leave before the ship departs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the safety of all guests involves strict adherence to health rules, making it less simple for non-sailing guests to board the ship than it used to be. All attendees must provide recent test results and a valid vaccination card.
Shoreside ceremonies at a port of call on the ship’s itinerary also invite guests who aren’t sailing, but there are limits on how many can attend. The venues available can only hold a certain number of people. This option is more challenging because usually, there is only one day in port.
“Davis observes a growing trend in the Caribbean. “They’ll fly to the island, meet the couple, and stay there for a few days,” he explains. While it’s possible for non-guests to join the ship at ports of call, usually the couple disembarks to get married on the beach.”
When is the Best Time to Book a Wedding Date?
Early bookings give you the best cabin categories on cruise ships. Secure your flights and accommodations in advance. Inform your guests early with all the information about locations and spots.
Send regular mailings to keep everyone updated about the nuptials. Early booking helps with pricing and deals. Also, cruise ships only have a limited number of spots for weddings each week.
“Booking early can be risky because ships might change their routes or stop sailing. So, don’t focus on places like Aruba or a specific ship. Just tell your guests it will be a Caribbean cruise.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It a Good Idea to Get Married on a Cruise?
Getting married on a cruise ship is a fun way to combine your wedding with a honeymoon and a vacation for your guests. Consider if it offers more benefits than drawbacks for your specific needs before deciding.