Along with those traditional vows of “For better or worse, for richer for poorer,” some brides and grooms could utter “in seasickness and in health, come high tide or low.”
Getting married on a cruise ship sure sounds like a memorable way to tie the knot. And why not? After all, planning a shipboard wedding is practically hassle-free. You just show up looking stunning, say “I do,” and sail off into the sunset on your honeymoon.
You can start the ball rolling with nothing more than a phone call. Arrangements can be made directly with the cruise lines, several of which do a booming business in nuptials. (Prices in this story are subject to change.) Or you can contact any of a burgeoning number of wedding consultants who specialize in arranging shipboard weddings.
Despite the romantic notion, ships’ captains don’t legally pronounce anyone man and wife anymore. If they do, it’s merely ceremonial, with the “marriage” lasting only as long as the cruise. To make the marriage ceremony official, a notary or bona fide clergy must perform it (some vessels require you to provide an officiant), and few captains meet this criterion. Most wedding/honeymoon combinations depart from ports in Florida, one of the few states that permits notaries to perform marriages.
Typically, ceremonies are performed aboard ship on the afternoon of departure, most often in a private room. But on some ships, you can marry on the bridge, in the ship’s library or on deck. Non-sailing guests attending your ceremony and reception are issued special passes to come aboard; they must disembark before the ship sails.
Compared with what you might spend on a typically lavish land-based wedding, costs for cruise ship weddings seem rather modest. Smaller, older ships usually offer the lowest prices. Costs also vary depending on options you select. These can range from a simple champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres to a seated luncheon reception for 100 guests.
Because cruise lines have some of their own guidelines and applications to fill out, leave time for planning. Different state and international laws also may apply. Some governments even require blood tests.
If you have your heart set on a ship that doesn’t have a wedding coordinator, you won’t need to go it alone. A number of reliable independent companies can help: Miami Wedding Services (800-555-7175), Story Book Weddings (800-692-3568) and A Wedding for You (800-929-4198).
Some lines also arrange for on-island ceremonies when ships call at certain ports. Imagine marrying in as romantic a setting as St. Thomas’ Megans Bay, which has a heart-shaped beach considered by many as one of the 10 most beautiful in the world.
In the past, it wasn’t always possible to actually tie the knot ashore on most Caribbean islands. Restrictions either barred non-residents from marrying or waiting periods knocked cruise passengers, who visit only briefly, out of the running. Recently, though, some restrictions have been eased, and cruise couples now can wed on their day in port.
For instance, Dutch St. Maarten recently changed a 127-year-old law to allow non-residents to marry there. Call the Office of Civil Registry in Philipsburg (011-599-5-44642 or fax 011-599-5-44641) for information.
Carnival Cruise Lines’ program includes on-island ceremonies in San Juan, offering three all-inclusive shoreside choices for couples sailing on ships that either home-port in San Juan or visit there. Princess Cruises arranges weddings on St. Thomas and Grand Cayman; packages start at $525 for a basic ceremony to $2,500 for the works, including helicopter transportation to a private island for a picnic lunch.
Here’s a look at some other seagoing wedding packages:
– For $490, Carnival arranges a simple shipboard wedding, including the civil ceremony, marriage certificate, small cake for two, bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, photographic services, a champagne toast and engraved champagne flutes. Carnival even will provide the witnesses. A deluxe $1,100 package includes all that, plus a cocktail reception with an open bar for 20 guests, a two-tier wedding cake and, yes, your very own ice carving. For more information, call 800-522-7648.
– Majesty Cruise Line’s packages cost from $375 to $825; Dolphin Cruise Line ceremonies range from $275 to $750. For more information about either, call 800-992-4299, ext. 5538.
– American Hawaii Cruises packages start at $595 and include the minister’s fee, fresh-flower lei and floral headpiece, photo album, bottle of champagne and a wedding cake for two. An additional $295 gets you his-and-hers massages, a private candlelight dinner for two (with Hawaiian serenade) and a convertible car rental on the island of your choice. For more information, call 800-765-7000.
– Commodore Cruise Line conducts ceremonies on the Enchanted Isle every Saturday when the ship is docked at its home port in New Orleans. There is no charge for holding your ceremony on deck; however, an indoor private room costs $50. For more information, call 800-237-5361.
– Royal Caribbean International recently unveiled Royal Romance, the cruise line’s first full-service wedding and vow-renewal program offering six alternatives for customizing your wedding while accommodating your budget. Prices range from $400 to renew your vows aboard ship to $1,200 for a blockbuster shipboard affair. Couples also can opt for an island ceremony at St. Thomas’ Emerald Beach Resort for $975 or an “island” ceremony aboard ship in St. Thomas for $725. Prices do not include the cruise, however. For more information, call Royal Caribbean 888-933-7225.
