Cruising
Cruising provides one of the most idyllic settings for getting married and it is a spectacular way to celebrate a honeymoon or mark a wedding anniversary.

A cruise has all the elements necessary for sheer indulgence: a blissfully romantic setting, excellent amenities and cuisine, five-star service and great entertainment. Whether you want total privacy or are happy to join in with other passengers, there will always be a cruise to suit your needs.

For the more adventurous a cruise offers the opportunity to travel, in comfort, to lots of different places without having to pack and unpack at every stop. To add to the glamour of a cruise ‘special couples’ might receive special treatment such as cabin upgrades and often free champagne.

Getting married during a cruise means that a couple can enjoy the romance of a honeymoon at sea sailing into the sunset - with, or without, the guests!

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Did you know?
It is not uncommon for more than 100 honeymooners to travel on one Caribbean cruise at any one time!

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Wedding bells
Couples can get married onboard some ships, but the regulations require the ship has to be either in port, or less than three miles from land, for the licence to be valid. Cruise lines can arrange the ‘red-tape’ requirements on behalf of the couple, or the bride and groom can bring their own minister, rabbi or priest to conduct the official ceremony.

Some cruise lines, Carnival and Princess, even have chapels on ships where the ceremony can take place. Alternatively the cruise line can organise a wedding in one of the ports it visits, arranging all the details such as musicians, cakes, flowers, confetti and even a album of wedding photos and limousines.

Cruise lines can also arrange for ‘renewal of vows’ during the cruise and this ceremony can be conducted by the ship’s captain.

For more information on weddings at sea see here

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Heavenly honeymoon
Honeymoons on the ocean waves are growing in popularity, and cruise lines often offer ‘added extras’.

Bonuses include a reception hosted by the Captain, commemorative photographs and honeymoon cruise certificates. No cruise line yet has a dedicated bridal suite but many of the ships’ top cabins and penthouse suites are exceptional.

Honeymooners have to take a copy of their marriage licence or relevant forms for immigration purposes and in some instances cruise lines will require these licences to ensure all the ‘honeymoon benefits’ are granted.

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Did you know?
The only way for British couples to be married by a ship’s captain is aboard the Grand Princess. Princess Cruises can arrange for the Captain to conduct a valid marriage at sea, provided the ship is in international waters from land.
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Happy anniversaries
Whatever the anniversary, cruise lines will do their utmost to help mark the occasion and recreate the romance of the special day. Some cruise lines offer packages to commemorate special anniversaries such as 10 years, silver or golden weddings.

Bonuses of these packages can include gifts and free first class transfers from home to the ports.
Cruise lines without specific packages can also arrange for a gift, cake or champagne to be delivered to a cabin. These can be booked prior to sailing or when aboard.

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Where to cruise
Wedding and honeymoon packages are available on any number of cruises sailing throughout the world. Some couples will prefer the landscape of Alaska whilst others desire the romance of the Caribbean or the magic of the Mediterranean.

Couples could sail out of and return to ports in the UK, often this offers a longer cruise trip. Alternatively taking a fly-cruise - flying from an airport in the UK to a port to meet the ship - takes cruisers straight to ‘further-afield’ destinations

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Cruise lines
SUN CRUISES
Sun Cruises, now part of MyTravel offers a variety of pre- bookable celebration packages ranging from Bronze to Platinum, including sparkling wine, a bouquet of fresh flowers and chocolate covered strawberries or petit fours, with the packages increasing in luxury. They also offer cruise goers the chance to renew their wedding vows onboard.

CARNIVAL CRUISES
Carnival Cruise Lines offers a choice of six wedding packages which include organising all details of a wedding/renewal of vows onboard or in port. These range from limousine transfers, musicians and even providing the dress and bouquet. Wedding bookings must be made direct with Carnival’s Miami office.

CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity Cruises can arrange weddings in one of the ship’s lounges, on deck, on a beach, or in one of the ports on-route. Packages include champagne, wedding cake, limousine transfers and private receptions.

Anniversary and honeymoon packages include a complimentary upgrade (subject to availability) engraved glasses, champagne breakfast and bathrobes.

COSTA CRUISES
Costa Cruises can arrange weddings on Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria during the winter when the ships operate in the Caribbean.

Weddings are conducted on board either in Port Everglades, Florida or St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, before the ships set sail. UK passengers wishing to marry on board are directed to Costa’s Miami-based weddings co-ordinator to make the necessary arrangements.

When it comes to honeymoon’s Costa is one of the most experienced, catering for literally tens of thousands of honeymooning couples every year. A range of Special honeymoon packages are available and l newly-weds are invited to a honeymooners cocktail party on board.

In addition it is possible for married couples to have their vows renewed by the captain, whilst on board the ships.

CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal Cruises can organise events and provide gifts on an individual basis for honeymooners, wedding couples or those celebrating an anniversary. For a very special occasion the Crystal penthouse offers 982 square feet of unabashed luxury, including whirlpool bath with sea view.

CUNARD LINE
Cunard Line offers an anniversary or honeymoon package on the QE2. Couples receive a commemorative picture frame and a free photograph as well as flowers, champagne a cake or chocolates. Throughout the fleet ‘extras’ can be pre-booked and arranged.

DISNEY CRUISES
Disney Cruises offer couples marrying at Walt Disney World a “stay and cruise” honeymoon. Three, four or seven day stays at the Walt Disney World Resort are followed by a three or four day cruise on Disney Magic.

FRED. OLSTEN CRUISES
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers a wedding anniversary package for couples celebrating their silver, pearl, ruby, golden, emerald or diamond anniversary on board. The package includes flowers or chocolates, a gift, champagne and canapes, and a photo session with our photographer.

HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES
Hebridean Island Cruises can organise events and provide gifts on an individual basis for honeymooners or for those celebrating an anniversary if notified in advance.

HOLLAND AMERICA
Holland America offers anniversary and honeymoon couples a special celebration during the cruise. Passengers can also renew their vows at Holland America Line’s own private island, Half Moon Cay.

MSC CRUISES
MSC offers to organise events and provide gifts on an individual basis for honeymooners, wedding couples or those celebrating an anniversary.

MORWEGIAN COASTAL VOYAGE
Norwegian Coastal Voyage offers a 10% discount to couples celebrating their anniversary whilst on its ‘Classic Round Voyage’ from 1 January to 30 April and from 16 August to December 31. Passengers on a honeymoon or travelling on a different itinerary will receive a complimentary bottle of wine and flowers on arrival.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Norwegian Cruise Line can arrange a bottle of champagne and cake for wedding anniversaries. Honeymooners are welcomed with a host of benefits including spending money in the ships bars or lounges.

ORIENT-EXPRESS
A cruise on board Road To Mandalay will leave happy memories to last a lifetime.
As the Road To Mandalay meanders along the Ayeyarwady River, you can gaze at the surrounding beauty from the canopied Observation Deck, cool off in the on-deck pool or enjoy a cool refreshing drink from the top-deck bar.

For that special occasion, Orient-Express can arrange a romantic hot air balloon flight over Bagan – what better way to celebrate a wedding, honeymoon or anniversary! Guests can also celebrate their special occasion in style by having a private candlelit dinner on the top deck.

Orient-Express’ fleet of five luxury péniche-hotels operate on some of the most beautiful inland waterways of France. Privately charter a luxury peniche-hotel for a week long fully inclusive trip of a lifetime. Guests can celebrate in style with friends and family with their very own floating house party. Couples wanting romance and privacy could book the whole peniche-hotel for themselves as an alternative to a staffed villa holiday.

P&O
P&O Cruises has a “Honeymoon Collection” package featuring chocolates in the cabin, personalised stationery and onboard credit (check price at time of booking). There is also an “Anniversary Collection” with an onboard credit, silver plated photo frame and an invitation to a champagne and cake reception hosted by the captain.

PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Cruises offer a range of wedding, honeymoon and anniversary packages with benefits such as cabin upgrades, champagne, souvenir champagne glasses, framed photographic portrait, towelling robes, complimentary visit to the Spa as well as chocolates and personalised cards from the Captain. Couple can arrange to get married by the Captain onboard the Grand Princess and Renewal of Vows packages are available.

RADISSON SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Guests can celebrate their special occasions in style onboard the Paul Gauguin and on some of the most romantic islands on earth. Honeymooners are offered a bottle of champagne, an exclusive gift, a portrait photo and a special gathering featuring a Polynesian blessing ceremony – a traditional Polynesian ritual dating back to pre-European times. Of course there are other occasions to celebrate on the Paul Gauguin and staff are always on hand to help guests make the most of their occasion.

If you are going to be celebrating any special event or anniversary whilst cruising on any of Radisson Seven Seas ships, allow Radisson Seven Seas Cruises to celebrate with you by informing your travel agent of such events four weeks before departure.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean International’s “Duet Wedding Package” includes a VIP escort to a cabin; onboard wedding co-ordinator and service; the bride’s bouquets, the marriage certificate and wedding cake, plus a private photo session and wedding portrait.

SEABOURN CRUISES
Seabourn Cruise Line gives all its guests a service of the highest standard about one its three ships - each carrying only 200 guests. All-suite accommodation, open-sitting dining, complimentary wines and spirits, inclusive gratuities and a standard of service second to none, makes a special occasion on Seabourn an unforgettable experience.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
Not being organized is one of the pre-requisites of a honeymoon. The combination of luxury private yacht and international boutique resort mean SeaDream has all the luxury facilities today’s informed honeymooners seek. Sailing late on Sundays in the Caribbean and late on Saturday nights in the Mediterranean makes SeaDream 1 & 2 easy to get to. SeaDream offers a range of vow renewal programmes for those celebrating special Anniversaries.

ST HELENA LINE
St Helena Line will arrange private cocktail parties in cabins during the cruise itinerary to mark a celebration, as well as arranging for gifts to be delivered as requested.

SWAN HELLENIC
Swan Hellenic can organise gifts and special service requirements on an individual basis.

THOMSON
Thomson Cruises can arrange weddings in resorts on the Dominican Republic and Florida followed by honeymoon cruise. Thomson Wedding Specialists will organise the ceremony (including marriage licence, certificate and all registrar fees), wedding cake, toast, flowers and decorated location. Additional items such as photographer and music can also be arranged. All honeymoon couples receive a special welcome aboard Thomson cruise ships.

WINDSTAR CRUISES
Windstar Cruises can provide honeymooners with gifts and ‘extras’ on request, such as flowers, champagne or breakfast in your cabin.

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