You may think that having a wedding on a cruise ship would be expensive for your guests to attend, but wait, they don't have to go on the cruise if you have your ceremony on the ship before it departs! On Carnival Cruise Line ships, for example, up to 50 non-cruise guests can attend your wedding. This gives your guests a nice option to be included in your wedding festivities without bearing the expense of the cruise. Furthermore, those guests that do go on the cruise with you can celebrate with you for the duration of the cruise.
Of course, you'll still have your private time, but there is absolutely nothing like taking a cruise with people you know and care about. I'm a huge advocate of group cruising. It is so much fun! There are always things to do on the ship, and the ships are large enough to find your own special place, too. You can dance the night away to live music under the stars, go to one of the disco clubs, or take in a show. Food and drink is plentiful, too, so no one will go hungry, no matter what time it is.
The cruise lines supply a wedding coordinator to help you with every detail of your special day. You and your guests will receive priority boarding if your ceremony is on the ship prior to departure. You need to book early, as cruise lines only allow a certain number of wedding groups per cruise. Your wedding coordinator will be assigned to you only after you have booked your cruise.
The other options available to you are weddings at sea, and destination weddings at a port of call. These are a bit more complex to arrange and therefore will take more time to plan, but can be as exquisite as you desire. Not all cruise lines perform at sea weddings, so be sure to check before you set your heart on a particular cruise itinerary or cruise line. At this time, Azamara, Celebrity, and Princess cruise lines are the only ones that perform at sea weddings with the captain of the ship performing the ceremony.
Those guests that join you on the cruise will get a great price too, as they will be booked at group rates which are significantly lower than individual rates. A "group", for most cruise lines is 10 people, so this accommodates most wedding parties quite well. Though any size group can be accommodated if booked far enough in advance, cruise weddings are ideal for smaller groups. Let me give you an example. I have a client right now that is planning a wedding with approximately 30 guests; just close friends and family. It is a second wedding for both bride and groom, so they didn't want a huge wedding like they each had before. The wedding ceremony performed by a local wedding Officiant, and an hour and a half reception that includes wedding cake, champagne toast, open bar, and hot and cold hors d'oeuvres will cost them in the neighborhood of $2000. That price does not include the cost of the cruise, of course, as that is their honeymoon, but it does include the bridal bouquet and groom's boutonniere, a two-tier wedding cake, sparkling wine and chocolate covered strawberries in the couple's stateroom, wedding music, a photographer, and 2 champagne flutes. Upgrades are available, as well. For this couple, the cruise wedding is ideal, and will be a very memorable experience not only for them, but their guests, as well.
So close your eyes and let your mind create pictures of your cruise wedding. What do you see? If you find yourself smiling while thinking about it, you're probably on the right track! Your wedding day is probably one of the most important days of your life. It can be everything you ever dreamed of and even more! Consider having your wedding on a cruise ship. You'll have the time of your life, and so will your guests!
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