An interesting and popular option for your wedding is to have it on a cruise ship. Thanks to Paula Stephens at The Cruise Authority (www.thecruiseauthority.com), I now have a general understanding of this unique option. Paula knows everything about cruise weddings.
We spent a couple of hours together and I was amazed at what I learned. Many couples are choosing to "combine" their wedding and honeymoon into one event. Some go with and some go without guests. A wedding on a cruise ship becomes a wedding event, and not a wedding day. There are various approaches to a wedding aboard a cruise ship. Below are some of the basic things to know and think about if you are considering a wedding "at sea."
The Legalities of Marrying "At Sea"
Well, the "at sea" idea is one of the fist things to know about. You usually don't get married while the ship is sailing. Unless a ship has a special license, a lawful wedding cannot happen in international waters, so the weddings occur on ship, but in port. Princess Cruises can handle weddings while sailing on some of their ships . In general, a legally recognized wedding by the US of A must happen in the United States or a U.S. territory. For example, if you wish to get married on a Caribbean cruise, you'll need to get married at one of the U.S. ports, such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Tampa before the cruise ship sails off to the Islands.
It is also possible to get married in ports such as U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. If you are not concerned about you marriage being recognized in the U.S., you can get married in other ports, but you must abide by those ports laws. For example, you must be in Aruba for 24 hours before they will allow you to get married there. The good news is, you can just call your travel agent and they will help you with all the options. Just make sure they've handled lots of weddings. Some people get married by their local Justice of the Peace and choose any port they want for the "public" ceremony for friends and family. Which leads me to my next point...
Let The Cruise Line Handle The Planning
If you want a great wedding, but do not want to go through the hassles of planning every last detail, a wedding aboard a cruise ship may be something to consider. You won't need to run around finding wedding companies because the cruise line can handle everything. Your choices are simply A, B or C. Many options are determined for you based on the size of your wedding party, date, available space, etc.
This is such a great service because, for example, you don't have to look at five receptions sites, you just need to choose from a menu. You don't have to visit multiple florists, just pick a color for your floral decorations. Most cruise lines offer several packages that include everything from the ceremony, food, flowers, photographer, videographer, cake, entertainment, cocktail parties and so on. Many ships have a beautiful Chapel available for your wedding. There are numerous cakes of all shapes and sizes to choose from. (If you want total control and endless choices over every aspect of the ceremony and reception, a wedding on a cruise ship may not be for you.)
Book The Cruise Wedding 8 to 12 Months in Advance
Although the cruise lines will handle everything for you, you still need to plan as far in advance as possible. In general, the larger the wedding party the further in advance you'll want to plan. You'll want to book space with the cruise line about eight months to a year in advance if you want more choices such as ceremony time, location on ship, cabins and so on. If you have a very small wedding party or it's just the two of you, then timing is not as critical.
All of the cruise lines will provide a wedding coordinator. Initially you will work with your travel agent who will help you find the right cruise line and ship, then handle the booking of all of the cabins. You will be assigned a wedding coordinator from the cruise line who will explain all of the options available and handle all of the wedding details for you (included in package). The agent can work with your guests directly to book their cabins. Often, a form is sent to the guests that they fill out and send in to the travel agent with all of their travel needs.
How Much Does It Cost?
Prices of weddings are affected by the size of the party and the type of reception. One great savings by having a wedding on a cruise ship is that all of the other meals are included in the price of the cruise. So your guests' meals, other than the reception, will be included in the price of their cabin.
A Few More Facts
Following are few more facts that may help you plan your wedding at sea:
- Your wedding party can sail along with you after the wedding OR they can be escorted off the ship after the wedding. Weddings occur in every configuration from just the wedding couple sailing to everyone or a portion of the wedding party staying for the entire cruise.
- Photographers and videographers are available by the cruise lines, however you can choose to have your own photographer instead. One thing to consider is that the ships photographers are very familiar with the best locations for pictures.
- Tuxes can be rented onboard the ship. Measurements are sent in ahead for sizing.
- Ceremonies typically do not occur on deck, but rather a private party room or in the chapel on the ship.
- If you fly to the port, you'll want to arrive one day ahead of time because of possible flight delays or traffic on the wedding day.
- You must obtain your marriage license from the state or island in which it is performed. The cruise lines wedding coordinator will assist you with this.
- Ceremony often performed by a local wedding Officiant.
- Blood test must be complete 10 to 15 days ahead Passport or birth certificate and ID (some cruises require a passport) Marriage license Divorce certificate or death certificate from previous marriage
