When we first moved to Florida and started planning our wedding 15-odd years ago, we tried to make it as fun as possible for our out-of-town friends and family– and nearly all of our friends and family were coming from at least a thousand miles away. We planned beach excursions, an outdoor wedding in a scenic garden, and even a reception on a riverboat. And while it was beautiful and amazing, if I could do it all over again, I would have gotten married on a cruise ship.
Getting Married in a Cruise Ship Wedding
Think about your dream wedding.
Now think about all of the work that’ll go into that wedding. Choosing flowers, music, a chapel or venue, an officiant, food, beverages, entertainment, linens… the list is seemingly endless. How on earth are you ever going to enjoy your “big day” with all of the effort it’ll take to pull it off?
By getting married on a cruise ship, of course!
Here are my top five reasons you should get married (or renew your vows) on a cruise ship:
1. Enjoy the Ultimate Destination Wedding
Want to say “I do” on top of an Alaskan Glacier? In a seaside chapel? In a rainforest? On a pristine white sand beach?
Depending on your destination, all of these options are available to you when you plan your cruise ship wedding. On most cruise lines, you can get married while at sea or while docked in an exotic locale. In fact, on some cruise lines your wedding can even be officiated by the ship’s captain!
2. Your Guests Will Love Your Wedding (No matter how many you invite)
Want to have guests at your cruise wedding? Cruise lines can offer great group rates when you book eight or more cabins at a time- and a travel agent can help you maximize those group rates and even get your friends and family some sweet perks like onboard credit or room upgrades.
Depending on the cruise line and the wedding package you select, you can have 100 or more guests at your shipboard wedding– but that doesn’t mean you need to invite everyone to join you on your voyage. Many cruise lines will allow you to get married at your embarkation port before the rest of the passengers board– and your guests can join you for the ceremony. Then, when the wedding is over, your guests leave the ship and you and your true love can enjoy your honeymoon (alone).
3. Nautical Nuptials are Very Affordable
According to The Knot, the average U.S. wedding costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $28,000— and by the way, that doesn’t even include the honeymoon. On average, the venue is the highest expense, at well over $10,000.
By comparison, a basic cruise ship wedding package starts at about $1,500. Even the most basic packages typically include a wedding planner, venue, officiant, cake, champagne, a bouquet and a photographer. Of course, you can add on much more, including elaborate décor, live music, a cocktail reception or dinner, or even an ice sculpture!
4. Let Me Say that Again: The Wedding Planner is Included on a Cruise Ship
Let’s look at that list of items included in those wedding packages: venue, officiant, cake, champagne, flowers, photographer, and wedding planner. You won’t waste time hunting for a fancy bakery, choosing flowers, tasting mediocre hors d’oeuvres, or auditioning wedding bands. Your wedding coordinator is standing by, ready to take care of all the details to make your wedding perfect.
5. Most Cruise Ship Weddings are LGBTQIA+ Friendly
Ever since Celebrity Cruises celebrated the first shipboard same-sex union in 2018, cruise weddings have become very popular with same-sex couples. Celebrity has how been joined by Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Cunard, P&O, and the list keeps growing.
One note, however. Same-sex unions aren’t legal in every destination, so depending on local laws, you may not be able to celebrate your wedding in the locale of your dreams. Additionally, depending on where the cruise line is registered, a wedding at sea may not be available. For example, because same-sex marriage isn’t legal in the Bahamas, you wouldn’t be able to get married at sea on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian, which are all Bahamas-based.
Are You Ready to Get Married at Sea?
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