Who Performs The Ceremony
A ships captain often doesnt have the legal right to perform weddings at sea unless he is also a judge, minister, justice of the peace or a Notary Public.
If you want to get married at sea by the ships captain, there are cruise lines that offer the service Maltese registered Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises for example. Captains on Princess Cruises and Cunard can also marry couples at sea as their ships are registered in Bermuda.
What Are Some Popular Cruise Locations For Weddings
The Caribbean is most popular, but again, be aware of residency requirements before booking. St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and St. Lucia tend to be popular. But dont limit yourself to warm-weather locations! Why not try Alaska? Says Heather: How many people can say they got married on a glacier? There are also U.S.-based cruises, such as ones that sail along the New England and Canadian coastlines during the fall. Or for something completely different, the famed Queen Mary 2 offers weddings as it sails across the Atlantic Ocean!
Things To Know When Planning A Cruise Wedding
Weddings at sea can be the ultimate in romance. Imagine tying the knot under a palm tree on a Caribbean island or being married by a uniformed captain in the middle of the ocean. 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.
On the other hand, planning a cruise wedding involves some logistical challenges that a land-based wedding in your hometown does not. You’ll need to figure out how to get a wedding license in Jamaica or think through a Plan B if bad weather or mechanical troubles cause your ship to call off a port visit on your intended wedding day. Plus, do you really want your mother-in-law on your honeymoon cruise?
If you’re thinking about a wedding onboard or in port, here are some key things to consider before you take the plunge.
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Are Cruise Ship Marriages Legal
If you’d like to have your marriage and honeymoon all in one, you can legally get hitched on many cruises, either aboard ship or at one of your ports of call. … If you want non-sailing family and friends to attend, you can hold the ceremony and reception at your port of embarkation, before the ship leaves.
It Can Be Tricky To Make Sure Your Cruise Wedding Is Legal
Getting married legally while at sea is complicated, so understand all the logistics before signing on, and plan well in advance. Legalizing a wedding in a foreign port can also be tricky, so ask your wedding planner to explain all the details and suggest which cruise port on your itinerary is your best bet for a wedding spot. In some cases, you might need to do the legal paperwork before or after your cruise wedding and have that ceremony be symbolic only.
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Watch Out For Seasonal Surcharges
Weddings have become so popular on some ships that Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean levy surcharges for certain times of the year. These are often Valentine’s Day and other holidays and preferred wedding months, such as May and June. Carnival even tacks on surcharges for weddings on its newest and most popular ships.
Wedding And Romance Cruise Vacation Packages
HideWeddings and Romance Packages
Norwegian Cruise Line makes it easy to get married or renew your vows in paradise. For all the details on comprehensive wedding packages from Royal Ocean Events, email us at:, or call toll free at 888.475.5511 or 604.940.1181.
Start a Honeymoon RegistryVisit our honeymoon registry site. Now you can have the honeymoon getaway youve always dreamed of. Sign up is easy and free.
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Unforgettable Cruise Wedding Packages
Get Married At Sea Wedding Package
Tie the knot on board in a marriage ceremony officiated by the captain of the ship. Walk down the aisle while surrounded by stunning views of the open sea and say I do under the Maltese flag. The nautical nuptials package also includes an onboard event coordinator, a romantic indoor wedding location, flowers, live music, a traditional cake, and an on-site photographer to capture your special day.
Shoreside Wedding Package
If youre looking for the perfect location for a destination wedding, look no further. We travel to over 280 ports around the world, giving you plenty of dreamy options for your wedding ceremony location. Our cruise wedding event managers will help coordinate all of the details, from transportation to and from the venue to finding a romantic wedding location in port, usually at a beach or garden setting.
Shipboard Weddings Package
Exchange vows at an exotic port of call or on embarkation day before your ship sets sail. Shipboard wedding packages make it easy to plan a lovely ceremony on board and include an indoor wedding location, a non-denominational wedding officiant, a wedding day coordinator, recorded music, flowers, a cake, and a keepsake wedding certificate.
What Is A Typical Cruise Ship Captain Salary
Ever wonder what is the typical cruise ship captain salary? According to Payscale, the average salary of a cruise ship captain is $96,000 per year, in a salary range that varies from $48,485 to $180,308.
A captains responsibilities are far broader than just steering the ship. Lets look at the roles and duties of a cruise ship captain and get an in-depth understanding of their salary.
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Which Cruise Lines Offer Wedding Packages
Whether you want to get married on board your favourite ship or tie the knot at a shoreside ceremony, theres a cruise line wedding package for you. Alongside Azamara, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, here are the best cruise line wedding packages:
- Celebrity Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International
How Much Does It Cost To Get Married On A Cruise Ship
The cost of getting married on a cruise ship will vary depending on the port destination where you decide to tie the knot. On our Celebrity Weddings and Events site, you can search all of our wedding port options and find out important information including estimated pricing , marriage licensing requirements, and venue options.
Getting married on board offers all the benefits of a destination wedding without any of the inconveniences.
Most of our wedding and event packages include essentials such as an indoor or deck venue for ceremonies, reserved indoor area for receptions with food and beverage service, floral arrangements for the couple, cake and champagne, and a photographer.
Once youve decided what kind of wedding you want to have, our event managers will help you choose the right location and package tailored to whats most important to you and your partner, making sure your wedding on a cruise is a stress-free endeavor.
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Choose Privacy Or Socializing
Do you desire an intimate affair with few interruptions from staff members or other passengers? Or do you want to celebrate with your guests and make new friends? Your preference could influence everything from wedding venue to where and how you dine.
Your guest lists length will determine how you book. If you expect a sizable group made up of family and close friends, consider booking as a group. If youre on the hunt for a private experience, youll appreciate the tall ships of Star Clippers Cruises, which carry just 170 or 227 guests.
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Romantic Memories At Sea
Celebrate the most important day of your life on board one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s wonderful ships bound for paradise in the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Hawaii, Alaska or Europe. Every detail from the day you schedule your wedding to your ceremony and champagne toast will be handled for you. We’ve thought of everything, so you can enjoy your big day. Wherever you choose to say, “I do,” we will make sure you do it in style.
View our Wedding Brochure, Vow Renewal Package or Honeymoon Registry.
Whether you want to exchange vows or vow to do it all over again, your wedding plans are a piece of cake with Norwegian Cruise Line’s Wedding Planner. Choose to celebrate your special day with just the two of you, or together with family and friends, followed by a romantic reception package. With Norwegian Cruise Line the choice is yours.
Our services include:
- Coordination with a Wedding Planner for your wedding
- Ideal onboard ceremony locations
- Norwegians private selection sparkling wine
- Beautiful wedding cake choices
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Best Cruise Lines For Couples On The Go
Couples looking for an active vacation can look to Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, which offer action-packed activities and entertainment onboard their biggest ships.
Carnival Cruise Lines fun ships have multiple entertainment venues, as well as hopping bars and night clubs, ensuring a lively onboard atmosphere day and night. Outdoor activities include pools and hot tubs, twisting waterslides, volleyball, mini-golf, and more. Onboard the Carnival Vista and the Carnival Horizon, you can find the SkyCourse, a thrilling ropes challenge perfect for adventurous couples. Another new attraction is BOLT the ultimate roller coaster at sea that will be available onboard Carnivals upcoming new ship, the .
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a long list of activities onboard its newest ships. The Norwegian Bliss, Joy, and Encore all have the Racetrack the first go-kart course at sea, an outdoor laser tag, and thrilling waterslides. The Joy and Encore also have the Galaxy Pavilion, a large arcade with VR games, rides, and race cars. Headline shows include Broadway hits such as Jersey Boys and Kinky Boots, and other entertainment includes a comedy club, and a Beatles cover band. There is no shortage of bars and lounges onboard, ranging from a mojito, wine, and whiskey bar, to a brewpub.
Vow Renewals Engagements & Celebrations
Aside from our cruise wedding packages, there are other ways to celebrate your love at sea. Host a post-wedding reception on board with all of your loved ones. Propose to your sweetheart while surrounded by the ocean. Or mark a special anniversary with an unforgettable vow renewal ceremony on board.
Vow Renewals
Celebrate your next big anniversary with a special vow renewal ceremony on board. Vow renewals can be performed by the captain or a shipboard ceremony officiant and include an onboard location, ceremony flowers, one hour of photography service, and a bottle of champagne and cake for two.
Engagements
Pop the question on board Celebrity Cruises and make memories that will last a lifetime. Our engagement packages help you plan the perfect proposal with a romantic dinner for two at one of our specialty restaurants, photography services to capture the big moment, and chocolate-covered strawberries delivered straight to your stateroom on the night of your engagement.
Celebrations
Host a magical wedding celebration on board with a shipboard celebration package, which includes an indoor event venue, photography service, and an event manager to ensure each detail is taken care of, such as custom food and beverage packages.
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Love & Lavenders Experience
Love & Lavender has cruised with Princess Cruise Lines on several different ships including Diamond Princess, Golden Princess, and Sun Princess. Each cruise was a fantastic experience both onboard and on shore. Weve had great memories from Princess ships that revolve around the wonderful restaurants, entertaining shows at night, and other amenities around the ships.
As a cruise line for weddings Princess is a top pick. Their wedding packages are reasonably priced, service is top notch, and their ships provide an atmosphere that is conducive to either large or small wedding parties.
The 7 Best Cruises For Weddings
Fran Golden
Cruise lines make it easy to get married on board most have onboard wedding planners who can see to the details, no matter if you are looking for an intimate affair or a more elaborate event on the ship or even in port. Plus, getting married while on a cruise also means that your honeymoon has already started even before you say “I do.” Here are our seven favorite ships for weddings, and exactly which itineraries to choose.
1. Harmony of the SeasMake a statement by getting married on Royal Caribbean‘s largest ship in the world. Say “I do” while your ship is docked in Fort Lauderdale, where even your guests who won’t be cruising can come on board for the ceremony. As you leave the port, the horns and cheers from locals on shore can be part of your celebration, and the sail-away makes a great “just married” photo op. Best of all, you’ll spend the rest of the week on a Caribbean honeymoon: The ship does year-round, one-week Western Caribbean sailings.
2. Celebrity ReflectionBook a Mediterranean cruise on Celebrity Reflection for your nuptials and you can have your ceremony during a 10-day cruise from Rome to the Greek isles. The captain will officiate, and the ceremony can be done on board. The prime spot is the Lawn Club on the top deck, where you can exchange vows while standing on the real grass under a billowing white wedding canopy.
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Requirements To Become A Cruise Ship Captain
Cruise ship captains generally must have a high school diploma, post-secondary education, and optionally a Masters Degree in Marine Engineering or Marine Science, preferably from a maritime academy or college. A marine transportation degree teaches naval science, physics, mathematics, and specialized sea training.
While graduating from a reputable maritime academy or college is an advantage, work experience plays a vital role in becoming a cruise ship captain. After graduation, prospective cruise ship captains typically obtain entry-level positions as a deck officer or third mate on a seafaring vessel and work their way up.
Most maritime academies help students secure maritime jobs. Excellent placements for building experience include the Coast Guard Reserve and Navy response.
Certifications and the passing of a Captain Licensure Exam are required to become a captain. The certification requirements vary by country, but most ships require a Merchant Mariner Credential and Transportation Worker Identification Credential. To obtain the necessary certifications, prospective captains will be required to undergo a physical examination, vision test, and drug test.
The final step in becoming a cruise ship captain is passing the Captain Licensure Exam. The exam, offered by the U.S. Coast Guard, requires ten years of experience from applicants. Upon passing the exam, the student can officially apply for a ship captain position.
A Honeymoon And Wedding In One
One of the best things about wedding cruises is being able to combine your wedding and honeymoon into one blissful journey. Honeymoons at sea are growing in popularity, with many cruise lines offering couples special honeymoon cruise certificates.
What could be more blissful than a wedding day of indulgent celebrations flowing straight into a honeymoon that takes in your dream ports of call? The pristine beaches of the Caribbean and serene atmosphere of Asia are just a few of our favourite honeymoon destinations.
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The 6 Best Cruise Line Wedding Packages
Little can compare to sailing into the sunset as a newlywed, so heres all you need to know for your special day at sea.
Posted on
23 Feb 2017
Valentines Day has just passed and there are bound to be many couples celebrating their new found engagement, already planning and looking forward to their wedding. . So what can you do to make your day extra special? If youre seeking something to make your wedding stand out from the crowd, then have you considered tying the knot aboard a world-renowned cruise ship? Not only is everything for your big day catered for, but you can do it in any destination of your choice a ceremony aboard a cruise ship will ensure that your wedding day will be plain sailing.
The only decisions that remain will be choosing something old, new, borrowed and blue. So why dont you let us help you plan your dream wedding or vow renewal at sea? Here are the 6 Best Cruise Line Wedding Packages
Can You Get Married In The Caribbean
You need to apply for a marriage license when getting married in the Caribbean. In most cases, you can do this upon arrival, but sometimes you must do it ahead of time. St. Maarten and Bonaire require special permission from the lieutenant governor, which must be obtained two months prior to your wedding date.
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What Is The Best Cruise To Get Married On
The best cruise to get married on all depends on what you want for your wedding ceremony and reception. Whether you want to tie the knot in Italy while on a cruise around Europe, or get hitched on board with the captain as your officiant, we offer plenty of unforgettable experiences and over 200 destinations that are sure to appeal to any couple.
Choose a romantic cruise itinerary that includes a stop in one or several honeymoon hotspots such as Hawaii, the Bahamas, or the French Riviera.
Onboard, you and your loved one can experience wine tastings, award-winning shows, and cozy picnics in the Lawn Club.
Book A Ship With A Bridal Room
Accommodations are notoriously small on some cruise ships. Imagine trying to prepare for your big day in a room the size of a shoebox! Such conditions are bound to rattle even the calmest brides and grooms.
Instead, prepare in style alongside your bridesmaids in a bridal room youll feel perfectly relaxed as you make priceless memories with those you love most.
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