Table Of Content
If you want to get married at sea by the captain, you're limited to only a handful of cruise lines, due to legal limitations that are based on ships' countries of registry. On the "can officiate" list are Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, whose ships are registered in Malta; Norwegian Cruise Line, through the Bahamas; and Princess Cruises and Cunard, with ships in Bermuda. “The Caribbean’s hurricane season is from June 1 through November 30, so I would avoid booking during this time period as to not have to deal with any unpredicted storms.
When to book a cruise wedding?
Cruise lines such as Princess Cruises offer wedding packages that include a legal ceremony, either conducted by the ship’s captain or a local officiant in port. The line's at-sea wedding package is one of the pricier base rates on this list, starting at $3,300. What matters most on your wedding day is that you’ll be spending it with the person of your dreams.
Coolest Perk of a Norwegian Cruise Wedding:
For example, if you marry on a cruise ship in a port in Florida, you'll need to obtain a marriage license according to the state of Florida guidelines. 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. Since wedding planning is notorious for involving a lot of work and decision-making, some people find themselves pleasantly surprised when they start browsing cruise wedding packages.
More Royal Caribbean
Avoid emphasizing specific locations in your initial communications. Instead, focus on informing guests about the general sailing and the unique experience of a cruise wedding. Princess Cruises reports that 75% of its weddings are conducted at sea. But remember, these weddings often need to be held indoors due to factors like wind, rain, or limited deck space. Plus, the timing for venue rental might be restricted due to other events on board, such as other weddings.
On the flip side, an at-sea wedding during the cruise offers a serene and uninterrupted celebration. There’s no rush of embarkation day, no missing out on fun activities or beach time at port stops. For example, marrying in the Bahamas necessitates obtaining a Bahamian marriage license, a process that can take up to 90 days. Conversely, for weddings in U.S. ports, a state-issued marriage license suffices.
Passengers in an 'uproar' after P&O cruise ship turned away from New Zealand, ruining couple's wedding - ABC News
Passengers in an 'uproar' after P&O cruise ship turned away from New Zealand, ruining couple's wedding.
Posted: Sat, 25 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
An embarkation-day wedding might be a solution, allowing for a more private honeymoon experience. While shoreline events offer their unique charm, they may lack the panoramic ocean views that onboard ceremonies provide. For those seeking a hassle-free wedding where most details are taken care of, a cruise wedding is ideal. It offers a compact, manageable event with the cruise line handling the major aspects. Cruise weddings are perfect for couples preferring a smaller, more controlled guest list, ensuring an intimate celebration. Moving up the scale, Celebrity Cruises offers shipboard wedding packages starting from USD 1,495.
For example, if you want to get married while the ship is in the Bahamas, you need to first obtain a marriage license from that country, a process that can take up to 90 days. To get married in a U.S. port, you only need a marriage license from that state. The final option is to get married at a cruise line's private island or during a port stop in another country. For local flavor, you might be able to weave in reggae music in the background while in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, or gift guests leis in Honolulu. The drawback is that you can't control all of your surroundings; for example, the ceremony might be on a public beach. However, there’s a catch when it comes to non-sailing guests – those who wish to celebrate with you but not embark on the cruise itself.
Most cruise lines offer several packages, which vary in pricing and inclusions, but they cost far less than what you'd pay to plan a wedding back home. From what we've seen, most mainstream lines charge less than $6,000 for even the most expensive packages. There are options that cost even less, but there are also infinite extras that can be added to drive up the cost.
Marriage certificates will be issued by the Bahamas (additional fee). 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. This package includes the same services above and covers up to 50 people, but adds priority check-in and a pier-to-ship escort for the couple and their guests. Note that there is a $250 surcharge for every additional 25 guests as well as other related charges (see our caveat below).
Beyond that, an additional surcharge applies to weddings and vow renewals scheduled in May, June, September and October. Holidays -- such as New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve -- are also subject to higher rates. Princess is a prime choice for cruise weddings because, of all the lines offering shipboard nuptials, it provides one of the best combinations of features, services and facilities. Princess' Tie the Knot packages are available on all ships, and most ships have dedicated wedding chapels. Each cruise line has a dedicated wedding coordinator to help plan the absolute best cruise weddings. Typically, there are a variety of packages on offer, much like at any banquet hall or more traditional wedding venue.
We had the ceremony itself in the Cloud 9 card room on Deck 14 (which is now the suite lounge). If you get married onboard the ship, your marriage will be legal in the Bahamas as that is where the ship is registered. Same goes for any port of call you choose to have your ceremony in. Many cruise lines and companies can accommodate weddings, including Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, among others.
Alaska cruises have a particular set of dates when they allow cruises.” Frank notes that holidays and the family vacation season (summer) can be quite expensive and crowded and might not be the best for a cruise wedding. If you’re planning on combining your wedding with a honeymoon, a five to seven-day cruise will likely be ideal. “If the wedding party can sail along with the couple, then the party continues for the entire cruise and that could also be a very memorable event for all,” says Frank. The Ashore package comes in a wide range of price points depending on your destination of choice.
Cruise weddings also can be ideal for couples who don’t want any guests at all, and who want to combine their wedding or elopement with a unique honeymoon experience. Carnival cruise weddings appeal to younger couples thanks to the line's famous amenities and spirited, party-friendly atmosphere. It's also one of the least expensive cruise wedding options on this list. Disney Cruise's Fairy Tale Weddings are available on all of the line’s ships.
No comments:
Post a Comment