As any bride-to-be can attest, it’s a long journey from that magical engagement moment to the equally magical walk down the aisle. Between catering arrangements, auditioning bands, selecting flowers, and all the other tiny details involved in planning a dream wedding, brides (and grooms) may lose sight of the joy and excitement of the wedding day, and think to themselves, "There’s got to be a better way!"
Actually, there IS a better way! Many cruise ships now offer wedding packages that include everything from professional photography to a tiered cake to an official who performs the ceremony. Following a wedding on board, the bride and groom can sail off into the sunset already relaxed and ready to enjoy their honeymoon.
These cruise lines offer a variety of wedding packages with one thing in common...they all are designed to take the stress out of wedding planning. A professional in charge of planning on-board weddings takes care of all the details, and couples are free to enjoy themselves.
The cruise lines that offer wedding packages include American Hawaii Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. Other lines offer special honeymoon packages for newlyweds, including champagne, flowers, tables for two, and other amenities.
Cruise lines that feature weddings offer a variety of options and prices. Couples can have a small ceremony, with only themselves and a witness, or can choose to invite their friends and family. If the ceremony takes place while the ship is in port, guests disembark after the reception. But some couples actually opt to make their wedding guests cruise vacationers, booking them passage for the entire cruise. There are many choices for the reception, too, from a simple cocktail party to a seated luncheon. Some lines offer tuxedo rental; others cater to casual weddings, where even the bride can come in bare feet, if she so chooses.
Couples may also choose where they’d like to get married--on deck, with a beautiful sunset for a backdrop, or in a special place on board. Some lines offer onshore weddings, often in an exclusive port of call--for instance, on a private island. The ceremonies may be officiated by a member of the clergy or a civil employee who comes aboard specifically for the occasion, and in most cases must be held while the ship is in port.
Actual arrangements vary by cruise lines--but all of the lines that offer weddings or vow renewals employ a wedding coordinator or special services coordinator, who is knowledgeable about all of the legal requirements. As long as they have enough notice, they can take the worry out of wedding planning, and make sure the day goes perfectly.
Following the ceremony, newlyweds are able to enjoy even more special treatment as part of their cruising honeymoon. Most lines offer champagne, flowers and cake, and many go a step beyond that. One example is a honeymoon package that includes rental of a convertible car, his and hers massages, souvenir robes and keepsake champagne flutes.
Other lines offer amenities such as breakfast in bed, chocolate covered strawberries and petits fours delivered to the cabin each night, photographs in keepsake frames and red roses on the pillow. Not to be overlooked are the amenities that are a part of every cruise, such as wonderful food, on-board spas, great entertainment--and cruise personnel dedicated to making sure that every whim is satisfied.
Many cruise lines also offer vow renewal ceremonies and special packages for couples wishing to celebrate an anniversary. Features include flowers in cabin, engraved champagne flutes, certificates signed by the captain and special receptions.
What could be more romantic??? Call or email your travel consultant today ~ and
let someone else handle the details of your dream wedding!!! |
