| What specifically do these
cruise lines offer honeymooners? |
| |
Here’s a chart that should help:
*Y = Available
*N = Not available
|
| Who performs the ceremony? |
| |
It depends on the cruise line and you.
Some cruise lines (depending on the itinerary) arrange to have an officiate
perform the ceremony. Or, you may arrange your own officiate (or clergyman, rabbi, priest, or other legal
officiate) to
perform the ceremony. Only on Princess (and only on the Grand
Princess, Golden Princess, and Star Princess) does the captain
perform the ceremony! |
| |
Where will the wedding ceremony be
held? |
| |
Some ships have designated wedding
chapels; if not, your cruise line can accommodate your wedding in a
private room, on deck, in the library, or even on the bridge.
Ashore, wedding locations (and prices) vary from traditional
religious venues to informal gardens. |
| |
Should we book our cruise before or
after booking our wedding package?  |
| |
In one word: before. Your first
step is to choose the cruise itinerary or region that interests you
and your fiancé. Second, review the various cruise line
package programs and prices. Find the one that suits your tastes and
budget. Three, make your cruise booking with 7 Blue Seas.
Then four, contact our cruise consultants to confirm the
wedding package.
At every step of the way, 7 Blue Seas is here to help,
both online and by telephone, with detailed information on cruise
line, ship, port, and wedding package information.
|
| |
What kind of cabin is the most
romantic? |
| |
On a cruise ship, any cabin can be
romantic. (There's just something about being out to sea that adds
to that romance factor.) But to pump up the passion a cabin with a
private balcony is a real plus. Picture yourselves alone on your
balcony, the sun setting over the horizon, champagne and caviar
waiting on the table next to you… |
| |
What else can I do to enhance the
romance? |
| |
The list is long, but here are a few:
arrange to have fresh flowers, champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and
maybe a little caviar delivered to the room as a surprise before
dinner. |
| |
What if I’m honeymooning with kids?
|
| |
You can count on having an enjoyable
honeymoon, with or without the kids. Most cruise lines offer
programs that are both fun (tell the kids) and educational (don’t
tell the kids!). |
| |
Who has onboard wedding chapels? |
| |
Three cruise lines offer wedding chapels,
but only on specified ships: Princess Cruises (Grand Princess,
Golden Princess, and Star Princess); Carnival (Carnival Spirit and
Carnival Pride); and Royal Caribbean (Voyager of the Seas, Explorer
of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas). But the list is growing. |
| |
When are ceremonies performed? |
| |
Usually, ceremonies are performed on the
same afternoon as the cruise departure. Non-sailing guests are given
special passes to come onboard for the ceremony. |
| |
Aside from the cruise honeymoon
packages, do newlyweds get special treatment? |
| |
Let 7 Blue Seas know that you’ll be
newlyweds on your cruise and (with your approval) we’ll be sure to
pass it along to the cruise line. It’s not unusual for some lines
to make an extra fuss over you! |
| |
Is a cruise wedding more expensive than
a traditional one?
|
|
Believe it or not, the cost of a cruise
ship wedding is comparable to a traditional wedding on land — and
probably even less. As with all weddings, the basics can be quite
affordable but it’s the “icing” on your wedding plans that can
run up the bill. |
| |
Do cruise lines offer
invitations/announcements? |
| |
Yes, but it depends on the cruise line and
the package you’ve selected. |
| |
Can my fiancée rent a tuxedo onboard? |
| |
It’s very likely he can. Many cruise
lines now offer tuxedo rentals and some even include them in your
wedding package plan. |
| |
Are licensing fees included in the
wedding package? |
| |
Most wedding packages include licensing
fees, however it depends on which cruise and package you choose. |
| |
Do cruises offer honeymoon registries?
|
| |
Some cruises offer the option of having a
honeymoon registry so that your guests can see exactly what you want
— just like a department store registry. This is a relatively new
addition to the package offerings but expect to see it become more
popular. |
| |
Do cruise lines offer wedding
luncheons? |
| |
Yes. Usually the more expensive packages
include luncheon service. |
| |
What is the price range of cruise
wedding packages? |
| |
Refer to the chart above under
“Honeymooners.” Prices range from just over $200 to more than
$1500. All cruise lines offer “the basics” and the prices climb
as more and more extras are added. |
| |
Are there group prices available for
the wedding party? |
| |
If your wedding party is cruising with
you, there may be a group discount available. Most cruise lines will
offer a discounted rate for groups of more than fifteen. Typically,
the sixteenth person cruises for free (or you may split the savings
among all members of your party so that each realizes a savings). |
| |
Does the ship’s Captain pronounce us
man and wife, movie style?
|
| |
Of the eight major cruise lines only
Princess Cruises (on the Grand Princess, Golden Princess, and Star
Princess) boast this extra-special ceremony. |
| |
Do I need to bring my own clergyman? |
| |
A few cruise lines may require you to
bring your own officiate, but most cruise lines now offer this
service in their wedding packages. |
| |
Do cruises offer video/photography
services onboard? |
| |
Yes, most cruise lines offer this service,
and may even include it in your wedding/vow renewal package. On
Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess, Golden Princess, and Star
Princess a new, live camera feature allows your friends and family
at home to watch your wedding live onboard. |
| |
What is the policy on visitors
attending my onboard wedding? |
| |
Most cruise lines have a stringent “no
visitor” policy. This usually means that only cruise passengers
are permitted to embark at each port. However, most cruise lines
have exceptions for prearranged wedding guests. In these cases, your
guests are issued special passes and allowed to come onboard for
your ceremony in port. There will be no additional charge for guests
boarding for the ceremony only, but there may be a per-person fee
for catering services. |
| |
Is there a limit to the number of
guests I bring?
|
| |
Often, basic port packages will
accommodate up to eight guests. If your number of guests exceeds
that, you will probably need to arrange a reception. Receptions will
allow you to have between 20 to 40 guests, depending on the cruise
line and package you choose. |
| |
Can our guests disembark after the
wedding so that we can honeymoon alone? |
| |
If you are having your wedding in port on
the afternoon of embarkation your guests will be given special
passes to see the ceremony and celebrate with you, before leaving
the ship prior to departure. Also, certain cruises allow prearranged
guests to come onboard at a specific port during the voyage to
attend the wedding ceremony. Guests at your wedding (unless
they’re booked on the cruise with you) must disembark before the
ship sails.
|
Many people imagine
the Captain in his white uniform standing
before the happy couple, reciting their vows as the ship sails through the
water. Unfortunately, this romantic ceremony rarely happens - only two
cruise lines actually perform weddings at sea, Princess and Cruise West.
On the Grand Princess, the Golden Princess and the Star Princess, you can
be married in international waters by the ship's Captain. These Princess
ships are registered in Bermuda and the ships' captains have Bermuda
licenses, which allows them to perform these weddings. Cruise West can
perform your wedding at sea as well, with the Captain officiating at the
event, but only within Alaska waterways in the areas surrounding Haines,
Ketchikan, Juneau, LeConte Glacier, Misty Fjords, Petersburg, Skagway,
Sitka, Tracy Arm and Prince William Sound. The Captain can obtain a
temporary permit to officiate your wedding. After this event, the Captain
will send the license to the appropriate courthouse to ensure your
marriage is registered in time.
