Cruising: A Destination Wedding Alternative!

Mayan Riviera? Jamaica? Dominican Republic? All of these are popular choices when newly engaged couples start planning a destination wedding, but what if you want to do something a little different? Or maybe you want to experience the Caribbean, but simply can’t decide on one location? Planning a cruise could be exactly the alternative you’re looking for.

Picture yourself for a moment, standing with the love of your life on the deck of a luxurious cruise ship. With a spectacular view of the harbour in the background, the two of you stand with your hands clasped together as you gaze into each other’s eyes and declare your love and commitment to each other. Close friends and family stand nearby to share this special moment with the two you. What could be more romantic?

Contrary to popular belief, most cruise ship weddings take place in port, either on the ship or at a separate nearby location. Princess Cruises is the exception, with their ships’ captains being able to marry couples in international waters while the ship is at sea. All other cruise lines are restricted to port weddings while the ship is docked. There are countless location options available to couples wanting to wed. They have to follow the legal requirements of the territory, but weddings can be arranged on board the ship, at breathtaking beaches, historical sites in town, or even at a white-washed chapel on one of the cruise line’s private islands. The options are endless. New ships launched by Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, and Carnival even feature dedicated wedding chapels, located on the top deck of their ships to allow sunlight to stream in during the day. Princess has taken the extra step of adding webcams in their chapels so that family and friends who were unable to attend can still tune for the ceremony using their home computer.

There are a number of advantages to making the decision to cruise. First of all, it’s the original all-inclusive vacation, with accommodation, gourmet meals, and a variety of entertainment and activities all part of the price. Especially when booked early, cruising offers great value to potential consumers, especially when compared to land only vacations.

Another big incentive for travellers is that cruises allow them to visit and explore various ports of call. With numerous stops during their vacation, cruisers can actually get a taste for an area with a variety of routes offered by the various cruise lines. While the most popular destinations are in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Alaska follow closely behind as other popular cruise destinations.

Perhaps one of the best advantages to cruising is the service that guests receive while on board. Whether it is the wait staff, the bartenders, or the cabin stewards, the cruise ship staff is there solely to cater to your needs and make your entire experience on board an enjoyable one. You truly feel pampered while on board!

When planning a destination wedding, it is important to note that most cruise lines outsource their wedding planning to an outside agency. Make sure you know which company they are going to use, or find a destination wedding specialist who can look after the details for you. One couple I worked with saved themselves over $3,000.00 by looking after the details themselves instead of going through the cruise lines to book their wedding. This left them with extra money they were able to use to upgrade their ceremony, extend their vacation, and take advantage of some of the spa treatments on board the ship.

For more information, contact us at Creative Weddings and Occasions to check out if a cruise ship destination wedding is right for you!