If you’re
thinking about a sweet honeymoon cruise, consider taking it a step further – to
actually getting married while on a cruise. You can combine a beautiful
ceremony and a fabulous vacation into one memorable travel experience!
There are
several options for saying “I do” while on a cruise, so you’ll have some
important decisions to make. And, the process can be a bit complex, which is
why several cruise lines offer assistance in the form of dedicated wedding
coordinators. These coordinators can also arrange special touches for you –
think relaxing, pre-ceremony massages – plus flowers, photography, cake and
champagne.
If you
picture yourselves being married on the ship by the captain, know that you’ll
be limited to just a few cruise lines and even to certain sailings on those
lines, which include Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland
America and Royal Caribbean. The ability to be married on a cruise ship while
at sea is a legal matter, dependent on the ship’s country of registry and the
availability of marriage licenses. (However, if you’re already married, many
cruise lines will accommodate your wish for a symbolic ceremony onboard.)
Another
option is to marry on the ship before it embarks from its home port. You can
bring your choice of clergy aboard, as well as family and friends. Check with
your preferred cruise line for specific details, but you may be able to hold the
ceremony before general boarding begins. That will give you and your guests
time to celebrate before they have to disembark. Of course, if your guests are
coming along on the cruise, they’ll simply stay onboard!
You could
also be married on shore during a port call, although this can be get
complicated due to the availability of marriage licenses and the legality of
the marriage in your home country. This is where a cruise line wedding planner
can be extremely helpful, as he or she can explain all the details and suggest
a port that will be wedding-friendly.
Most cruise
lines charge a fee for legal or symbolic weddings; however, you may find that
the fee is far less than you would spend on a wedding and reception in your
hometown. Your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert can help you consider all
the options and estimate the costs. Talk with Anita, your cruise expert soon, and
happy planning!
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