A cruise ship wedding is one of the most romantic settings any woman can dream of, provided she’s not afraid of water and not prone to seasickness. So if you want to sweep your bride off her feet, propose getting married onboard!

Planning a Cruise Ship Wedding

If you are planning to have the wedding onboard and not in one of the ports of call along the way, most cruise ships will take care of everything for you provided enough notice. The ceremony is usually done by the captain as they have the legal authority to officiate the wedding; however, if you wish a priest or rabbi to perform the ceremony, that too can easily be arranged. Generally a priest and a rabbi travel on all cruises for prayers and Sunday mass.

The reception after the ceremony can be as large or as private as you chose. Cruise ships have banquet halls, party lounges, and suites to meet your requirements. Some brides and grooms even prefer to have the wedding party on the open deck so they can admire the view.

The Advantages of a Cruise Ship Wedding

Cruise lines, as well as travel agents, usually have substantial discounts available for newlyweds and honeymooners that can make this plan a lot more attractive than a wedding on dry land.

Dinner with the captain is sometimes offered, if you choose, as well as many other small details such as free champagne, flowers in the cabin, upgrading your cabin to a suite for free, and chocolates, all little touches which make a cruise ship wedding all the more special. The unmatched attention to pampering that cruise ships boast is unlikely to be found anywhere else.

Helpful Tips for a Successful Cruise Ship Wedding

If you require a special brand of champagne, wine, or liquor let the cruise line know in advance to avoid any disappointment later as there is little that can be done once the ship has sailed.

Appointments at the beauty salon for the bride’s hair do should be done before or as soon as you arrive on board. The salon tends to get overbooked on sea days and formal nights.

Special dinner arrangements, the wedding cake, flowers, and all other personal details should be worked out well before you board the ship. Cruise ships have shops onboard but usually they carry just the essentials and duty-free items like alcohol, watches, jewelry, and cosmetics.

A cruise ship wedding is cost-effective, romantic and unique. You can even repeat the experience next year to celebrate your anniversary or have a second honeymoon. Happy wedding bells, and merry cruising!

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