Weddings, Honeymoons and Special Anniversaries

A wedding cruise provides one of the most idyllic settings for getting married and it is a spectacular way to celebrate your wedding, honeymoon or a special anniversary. Getting married on a cruise allows you to combine your ceremony and reception with a cruise honeymoon, and offers the option of your family and friends joining you on the holiday.

A wedding cruise is a blissfully romantic experience and has all the ingredients necessary for sheer indulgence including excellent facilities, fantastic cuisine, five-star service and great entertainment. Plus, you can leave all the planning to the ship’s staff. Getting married on a cruise really is the perfect option.

Honeymoons at sea are growing in popularity, and during a wedding cruise, cruise lines often offer a range of additional extras. If you are getting married on a cruise, the bonuses include a reception hosted by the Captain, commemorative formal photographs, bathrobes to take home, spa treatments, cabin upgrades, champagne and honeymoon cruise certificates.

If you are looking for a wedding cruise then most cruise lines do offer full service weddings. Some cruise lines have chapels on-board where the ceremony can be held, or alternatively, the wedding can be organised ashore at one of the ports of call. The cruise line will sort out all of the "red-tape" and arrange all details such as musicians, cakes, flowers, confetti and even wedding photos so getting married on a cruise is not only romantic, but hassle free.

Honeymoons

Honeymoons at sea are growing in popularity, and cruise lines often offer a range of additional extras. Bonuses include a reception hosted by the Captain, commemorative formal photographs, bathrobes to take home, spa treatments, cabin upgrades, champagne and honeymoon cruise certificates.

Weddings & Vow Renewals

Most cruise lines offer full service weddings. Some cruise lines have chapels onboard where the ceremony can be held, or alternatively, the wedding can be organised ashore at one of the ports of call. The cruise line will sort out all of the "red-tape" and arrange all details such as musicians, cakes, flowers, confetti and even wedding photos.

Whatever you choose, you can be sure that your life’s journey together will begin in luxurious style and you will take home memories that will last a lifetime. Generally a wedding package will include:

• A personalized ceremony
• Wedding coordinator services
• Flowers, cake, champagne, a photo album and a keepsake wedding certificate
• Services such as photography, live music, receptions and pampering appointments can also be added to customize your wedding cruise package

Please Note: Regulations require that the ship has to be either in port, or less than 3 miles from land, for the licence to be valid. Only Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises offer weddings at sea with legal, captain-led wedding ceremonies).

Anniversaries

Whatever the anniversary, cruise lines will do their utmost to help mark the occasion and recreate the romance of the special day. Some cruise lines offer packages to commemorate special anniversaries such as 10 years, silver or golden weddings. Packages include gifts, a cake or champagne to your cabin. or complimentary first class transfers from home to the departure port. These can be booked prior to sailing or when on board.

For more details please contact Emma Taylor, our Weddings specialist on
0844 842 1183 ext 1250 or email emma.taylor@cruise118.com

Azamara Cruises

Azamara Cruises offer in-port wedding ceremonies, on board vow renewals and are one of only a few cruise lines able to offer Captain-officiated legal marriages while sailing at sea due to the Maltese registration of their two ships. A variety of packages are offered that include anything from a private reception in the ship's speciality restaurant to cake, champagne, flowers and more. Guests should book their wedding in advance of sailing in order to allow time for the processing of licenses and other legal documents. Anniversary and honeymoon packages are also available.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival offer a choice of on board Wedding packages in various ports of call with ceremonies conducted in the chapel. These range from an intimate ceremony for the bride and groom followed by champagne toast and cake cutting to a ceremony plus reception with open bar and hors d’oeuvres or an elegant sit down luncheon in the ship's formal restaurant. On shore destination weddings can also be performed in Key West and the Caribbean. Whatever your taste or budget, you'll find the ideal wedding package to suit your needs. Honeymoon, Anniversary and Vow Renewal packages are also available.

Celebrity Cruises

Through a long lasting partnership with The Wedding Experience, Celebrity Cruises offer on board vow renewals at sea and in-port wedding ceremonies, and with the recent re-registration of seven of their luxurious ships in Malta, government regulations have changed to allow for captains to perform legal marriages while their ships are sailing - one of only a handful of cruise lines to offer weddings whilst at sea. With Celebrity, you can create a wonderfully memorable wedding in the destination of your choice, whether it's a stunning cliff-top wedding in Greece or an elegant onboard affair with a reception as large or as intimate as you desire. Honeymoon and Anniversary Packages are also available.

Costa Cruises

The Italians invented romance and an elegant Costa cruise ship is the perfect location for your wedding ceremony and honeymoon with packages available in most ports of call. Couples can choose to have their wedding ceremonies in the on board chapel while the ship is docked in port, or ashore at various ports of call including the Caribbean. You can invite your guests to join you on the cruise, or invite them to board for the day as a non-sailing guest to celebrate your wedding. Honeymoon and Anniversary Packages are also available.

Crystal Cruises

Crystal offers captain-led wedding vow renewal ceremonies. Focusing on helping guests plan and enjoy a completely customised honeymoon rather than a pre-packaged program, Crystal offers such romantic options as a candlelight dinner on a suite's verandah, onboard florists, a portrait studio and private shore excursions.

Cunard Line

A Cunard cruise is a celebration in itself, but for those who choose to mark their honeymoon or a special anniversary on board one of their elegant ships, the experience is altogether richer. Cunard offer a Honeymoon and Anniversary packages to mark your special occasion with complimentary extra special touches including champagne and fresh flowers in your stateroom on arrival, a commemorative photograph and a card from the captain. Please advise your Cruise Concierge at the time of booking.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Offers a complimentary package for couples celebrating their silver, pearl, ruby, golden, emerald or diamond wedding on board. The package includes flowers, a gift, champagne and canapés, and a photo session.

Holland America Line

Whether you prefer a simple ceremony and a small, elegant reception or lots of family and friends at a larger celebration, a wedding cruise on one of Holland America's elegant ships will launch a lifetime of memories. Choose to get married on board, under the palms on an exotic Caribbean island beach or on top of a majestic Alaskan glacier. No matter what your preference, Holland America can tailor a wedding package to meet your needs and help you and your loved ones have the ultimate onboard experience. Couples can also renew their wedding vows on board or at HAL's private island, Half Moon Cay. Vow Renewal packages include a corsage for the bride, a photo and photo album and dinner for two in the Pinnacle Grill. Honeymoon and Anniversary Packages are also available.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises provides the perfect setting for your wedding ceremony on board. You can choose from three wedding packages - Silver, Gold or Platinum with each including the services of a wedding co-ordinator and wedding ceremony on board plus a whole host of additional extras depending on the package you choose to enhance that very special day. MSC Cruises can also organise events and provide gifts on an individual basis for honeymooners, wedding couples or those celebrating a special anniversary.

NCL Cruises

Celebrate the most important day of your life on board one of NCL's wonderful ships or choose a larger destination wedding and have your ceremony in a stunning port of call such as New York, the Caribbean or Bermuda and bring your entire family along. Wedding packages range from a small ceremony and intimate reception, to a sit-down lunch, to a five-course meal when a ship is in port and all include a wedding officiant, wedding coordinator at the ceremony, champagne, wedding cake, photography and many other perks. Add-ons such as speciality flowers, videography, tuxedo rental, and reception menus are also available. Every detail will be handled for you. They also offer a number of pre-bookable Romance Packages for honeymooners or those wishing to commemorate a special anniversary or occasion. Please contact to your Cruise Concierge for more details.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises offer a 'Weddings at Sea' package for those wishing to get married or renewing their wedding vows while at sea. Whilst you enjoy your special day, your dedicated wedding planner will take care of all the details, from organising your beautiful wedding ceremony hosted by the ship's Captain to dressing your own private wedding venue with delicate fresh flowers. Other little extras include such British traditions as invitations being delivered to your home address prior to departure and pressing of bridal outfits whilst onboard.

P&O Cruises also offer special occasion packages which are the perfect way to add that special touch to your time away if you are celebrating an anniversary or special occasion whilst on board. Please contact to your Cruise Concierge for more details.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises' offer one of the most extensive celebrations at sea selections of all the cruise lines. Their unique Tie the Knot program combines your wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon into one complete, special package. There are three Wedding Packages to choose from each overseen by an onboard wedding coordinator who will ensure that things run smoothly – Tie the Knot at Sea where you'll be legally married at sea by the ships captain whilst in international waters; Tie the Knot Harbourside which is ideal if you have non-sailing guests and Tie the Knot Ashore if you would prefer to get married on land at one of Princess' exotic destinations. There is an extensive range of extra touches available to help create your perfect wedding such as a pampering pre-ceremony spa treatment. There are then a number of Reception packages to choose from ranging from hors d'oeuvres with open bar to full sit down 5-course gourmet meal in one of the specialty restaurants. Princess also offer two honeymoon/anniversary packages, two Renewal of Vows packages and two special occasion packages.

Regent Seven Seas

Custom-tailored wedding planning services are available for couples wishing to plan a wedding or vow renewal ceremony as part of a Regent Seven Seas cruise. This newly expanded service of The Regent Travel Concierge is made possible through a partnership with cruise destination wedding experts Royal Ocean Events. There is no pre-arranged menu of wedding packages, however couples will be paired with a personal consultant from Royal Ocean Events who will assist them in planning the wedding of their dreams in one of many ports of call worldwide. Weddings typically include an officiant, marriage certificate, wedding cake and champagne. The Regent Travel Concierge can also arrange special celebrations on board for honeymooners and for those wanting to mark their anniversary or other special occasions. A honeymooner package features a letter of congratulations from the captain, Veuve Clicquot Champagne and caviar, in-suite canapés every afternoon, a miniature wedding cake and Leonidas chocolates and more.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Romance is the name of Royal Caribbean’s extensive full-service wedding and vow renewal program. Whether you prefer to have your wedding aboard one of their spectacular ships whilst in port or on the shores of one of their exotic destination, Royal Caribbean offer a range of packages to suit everyone each overseen by your personal Royal Romance Wedding Consultant. There are two different onboard wedding ceremonies to choose from - '"Shipboard Duet" offers a simple, more intimate occasion whilst "Shipboard Harmony" is a slightly larger onboard ceremony. Then there are Shoreside Wedding Cermeonies which are available in most ports of call that Royal Caribbean sail to. In addition to the basic wedding packages, Royal Romance offers a whole host of special touches that you can add to make your celebration even more memorable. After your romantic wedding ceremony, continue the celebration with a reception - from hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails to a full lunch buffet with bar service – the choice is yours. Recently, Royal Caribbean enhanced its wedding program by introducing Explorer Weddings, an extreme wedding program and cruise industry first, that enables active couples to exchange vows in a variety of exciting and dramatic locations at sea and in port such as while climbing the ships’ rock walls or ice-skating or even catching the waves on the shipboard Flowrider.

Royal Romance also offers two Vow Renewal packages, one onboard and the other held on the beach at Royal Caribbean's private Haitian island, Labadee. Royal Caribbean can also arrange special occasion packages such as bar mitzvahs, proposals or quinceañeras created especially for you.

Thomson Cruises

Thomson Cruises can arrange weddings in resort in the Dominican Republic and Florida followed by a honeymoon cruise. Thomson Wedding Specialists will organise the ceremony including marriage licence, certificate and all registrar fees. All honeymoon couples receive a special welcome aboard including a bottle of Moet, a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates all waiting for you in your cabin. What’s more you’ll get a table for two reserved in the restaurant throughout your cruise.