"Cruising" to a Stress-Free Wedding

   What could be more romantic...

than getting married on a cruise ship, by a waterfall in Jamaica, on a magnificent tropical beach in Hawaii or even on a glacier in Alaska? How about celebrating that special anniversary, renewing your vows or treating yourself to that long-awaited romantic getaway? Every year, thousands of couples are discovering the romance of cruising, and the ease of allowing the cruise line and a travel professional to handle the details of their big event.

Weddings at sea are remarkably easy to arrange…the cruise lines have full-service wedding and vow renewal programs with a variety of alternatives to fit just about any budget.  The many services available as part of the wedding package can include:

• Priority check-in for bride and groom and their guests
• Wedding official
• Marriage Certificate – Official and Keepsake  
• Recorded or live ceremony music
• Professional shipboard photography and video recording of the ceremony
• Flowers
• Wedding cake
• Champagne/wine
• Special discounted fares and amenities tailored to your group

Services can, of course, be customized to accommodate almost any request.

There are basically two options to choose from when planning a cruise wedding.  The first is a wedding conducted at the port of embarkation, where the bride and groom invite non-sailing guests to attend the ceremony and reception.  After saying “I do,” they then say “Bon Voyage” to friends and family at the gangway as they sail off on their honeymoon.  The second option is to conduct the ceremony during the cruise, at one of the exotic ports of call or on one of the many ships permitting shipboard marriages in adherence with maritime law.  Couples may choose to invite a select group of family and friends to join in on the festivities, which begin the moment the wedding party arrives at the ship, and continue as guests are directed to the venue selected for the ceremony. That might be up on the sun deck overlooking the ocean, or in the library or chapel, for those desiring a more intimate setting. Meanwhile, the bride and groom will prepare in their own private staterooms, where ship stylists and manicurists will be on hand to attend to their every need, including pressing the tuxedos for the groom and his groomsmen.

For those selecting a port of call wedding, the cruise line and the travel professional will assist in choosing the venue, making arrangements and providing transportation to ensure guests arrive safely back to the ship in time for departure.  In most cases,local officials at the ports of call will perform marriage and vow renewal ceremonies.  Marriage licenses must be issued in the venue where the wedding will take place rather than from the couple’s home state or country.  A travel professional can assist in acquiring all of the necessary documentation.

A shipboard or destination wedding need not be expensive.  In fact, these intimate affairs can offer the couple and their selected guests an incredible array of services and amenities for basically the same cost as a four-hour “traditional” land-based wedding:

Cruises are also becoming popular for special milestone anniversaries and vow renewal ceremonies, where entire families enjoy a 7- or 10-day cruise as part of the celebration.  No matter what the occasion, the cruise vacation offers couples an extraordinary alternative to the traditional ceremony, with memories that will last a lifetime.  So whether it’s a wedding or honeymoon, a special anniversary or just time for a romantic getaway, celebrate at sea and let the romance sweep you away.