Cruising to a Destination Wedding

Destination weddings are an exciting choice for couples who want to tie the knot in a way that’s out of the ordinary. Now, more of them are discovering that a cruise is one of the best and easiest ways to hold a destination wedding.

Cruises offer an incredible variety of locations for a destination wedding, from the islands of the Caribbean to Europe, Alaska, South America, the South Pacific and beyond.

While a few ships are permitted to marry couples while out at sea, legal implications require most ships to host weddings only when in port. Unless you are cruising on a couple of very specific ships, couples should also put aside the romantic notion of being married by the ship’s captain. Instead, the cruise line will arrange for a non-denominational minister, judge or other qualified official to conduct the ceremony.

One fabulous benefit of being married on a cruise is that the cruise line will provide you with the services of a wedding coordinator. The coordinator will help you arrange every detail of your ceremony, from music and flowers to photography, video recording, formal wear and a wedding cake. Food can range from light refreshments to a multi-course, sit-down dinner for you and your wedding guests.

If you want to be married on land, the cruise line’s wedding coordinator will work with on-shore providers to make sure everything is arranged beautifully. Depending on your itinerary, your coordinator may be able to suggest some truly spectacular settings for your vows: perhaps a sunlit beach, a sparkling glacier or a European garden.

Another major benefit of a cruise-based wedding is that the ceremony can blend seamlessly into a memorable honeymoon. You’ll sail to beautiful, interesting ports of call while enjoying the amenities of the ship. Every evening includes great dining, music and entertainment all right outside your stateroom door.

Be aware that the options for wedding flowers, music, food and photography on a cruise ship may not be as extensive as those in your hometown. However, the cruise line will work with you to ensure your ceremony and celebration are suited to your taste and budget. In fact, cruise ship weddings are often less expensive than traditional weddings. For more information about planning a cruise ship wedding, talk with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.