Our Guide to Getting Married on a Cruise Ship

• Stress-Free Planning: Learn how a dedicated onboard wedding coordinator handles every detail, from floral arrangements and cake design to the legal paperwork.

• Bespoke Venues: Discover the diverse range of settings available, whether you want to exchange vows in a private ivory suite, on a Caribbean beach, or on a helipad at sunset.

• Exceptional Value: Find out why a cruise wedding often costs significantly less than a land-based ceremony by combining the venue, reception, and honeymoon into one seamless package.

Cruise holidays have all the ingredients for a first-class destination wedding; a luxury venue, exceptional food, service and facilities, all with a backdrop of the world’s most captivating destinations.

Whether you wish to get married in the amber glow of a sensational sunset in the Mediterranean, on the pristine white sands of the Caribbean or while journeying through the magnificent Norwegian fjords, cruise lines have a wedding package to offer. And with dining, accommodation and your cruise honeymoon often included, it can work out at great value for money too.

Most of the leading major cruise lines offer wedding packages, including Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises. Each offers a range of different and often customisable packages with unique touches for your special day.

In this guide, we review four of our favourite cruise lines for getting married and detail what is included in some of their wedding packages.

Princess Cruises: The "Love Boat" Specialists

Princess Cruises is arguably the industry leader in romance. They have become one of the most popular options for couples because their ships are registered in Bermuda, meaning the Captain can legally marry you at sea.

Their "Princess Perfect" wedding programme offers three distinct tiers, curated by bridal icon Randy Fenoli.

• The Vibe: Classic romance with modern technology.

• The Packages: Choose from ‘At Sea’ (Captain-led), ‘Harbourside’ (before the ship sails), or ‘Ashore’ (on a beach or glacier).

• What’s Included: Packages are comprehensive, featuring the ceremony, floral arrangements, photography, a wedding cake, sparkling wine, and a dedicated wedding coordinator.

• The Special Touch: Princess offers a Honeymoon Wishes Registry. Instead of a toaster, guests can contribute to your onboard treats, such as a couples' massage in the Lotus Spa, speciality dining, or shore excursions.

P&O Cruises: A British Wedding at Sea

For British couples, P&O Cruises is often the top choice. Not only do you get the comfort of British service (and pricing in Sterling), but their ships are registered in Bermuda, allowing for fully legal Captain-led ceremonies.

• The Vibe: Elegant, understated, and tailored. Whether you choose the family-friendly Arvia or the adult-only Arcadia, the atmosphere is sophisticated.

• The Packages: Their ‘Weddings at Sea’ packages are excellent value. They handle all the legal paperwork for the marriage licence, taking the stress off your shoulders.

• What’s Included: A ceremony conducted by the Captain, a floral bouquet and buttonhole, a traditional wedding cake, Champagne, and the services of an onboard Wedding Coordinator.

• The Special Touch: P&O Cruises offers dedicated spaces for weddings, such as the Ivory Suite on Azura and Ventura, ensuring you have a private, venue-style experience even in the middle of the ocean.

Celebrity Cruises: Modern Luxury

If you want your wedding photos to look like they belong in a glossy magazine, Celebrity Cruises is the answer. Their Edge Series ships offer some of the most photogenic spots at sea, including the Magic Carpet and the Rooftop Garden.

• The Vibe: Chic, contemporary, and stylish.

• The Packages: Celebrity encourages creativity. The Captain can perform both legal and symbolic ceremonies (ships are registered in Malta). You can get married at sea, or let their team arrange a shoreside event in a bucket-list destination like Santorini.

• What’s Included: Live music, photography, cake, Champagne, and an event planner to coordinate it all.

• The Special Touch: For an all-inclusive experience, look at their ‘Celebration Packages’, which can include extras like a welcome reception, a bridesmaids' tea party, or a gentlemen’s cigar and whisky tasting.

Cunard: Timeless Tradition

Cunard brings a wonderfully historic, romantic charm to its weddings. Having hosted royalty and Hollywood stars for decades, a wedding on a Queen is a statement of elegance.

• The Vibe: Formal, grand, and steeped in history.

• The Packages: Ceremonies are performed by the Captain and are available on voyages of seven nights or more on Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and the magnificent Queen Anne.

• What’s Included: A White Star bellman to escort the bride to the ceremonial room, a wedding cake, a couple’s breakfast in bed, and a romantic dinner for two at the Steakhouse at the Verandah.

• The Special Touch: Priority check-in for the wedding couple and their guests (up to 10) ensures that you and your party feel like VIPs from the moment you arrive at the terminal.

Royal Caribbean: The Ultimate Wedding Party

If you want a wedding that feels less like a quiet ceremony and more like an epic celebration, Royal Caribbean provides the perfect blend of excitement and high-energy entertainment.

• The Vibe: High-energy, adventurous, and fun-filled.

• The Packages: Options range from ‘Vows at Sea’ to ‘Destination I Do’, allowing you to customise the level of excitement.

• What’s Included: A wedding cake, recorded music, and Champagne.

• The Special Touch: Because these ships are packed with thrill-seeking features, you can turn your big day into a true party. Why not have a post-wedding surf on the FlowRider, or an unforgettable reception dinner in the whimsical Wonderland restaurant?

• Note: While Royal Caribbean can perform legal weddings at sea (Bahamas registry), the paperwork can be more complex than Bermuda-registered lines. Many couples opt for a symbolic ceremony at sea after a legal signing at home to keep the day focused purely on the fun.

Important: Legal vs. Symbolic Ceremonies

When planning a cruise wedding, it is vital to know the difference:

1. Legal Ceremonies: You are legally married by the Captain, and your marriage certificate is valid in the UK. This is usually possible on ships registered in Bermuda or Malta (e.g., P&O Cruises, Princess, Cunard, Celebrity).

2. Symbolic Ceremonies: You complete the legal paperwork at a registry office in the UK before you travel, and the ship ceremony is a blessing or celebration. This is often required for ships registered in countries that do not permit captains to perform marriages (e.g., MSC Cruises) or to avoid complex foreign paperwork.

Whichever cruise line you choose, availability is strictly limited. Most ships can only perform one wedding per day, so it is critical to plan well in advance to secure your desired date.

Cruise lines have been performing weddings for over twenty years. They know exactly what is needed to create the most magical day for you and your partner, meaning you can be sure that your cruise ship wedding experience is one to treasure for a lifetime.