Shortly after saying "I do" on the MSC Fantasia cruise ship Traci Catalano and Paul England pose with Traci's daughters, Amanda, 11 (left) and Abbey, 14, (right), who participated in the ceremony at sea..
By Si Liberman
Wedding ceremonies aboard cruise ships are increasing at a surprising rate, according to the Cruise Line International Association, the trade group for 25 major cruise lines.More couples, including same-sex pairings, are going that route, buying packages for weddings or civil unions and getting built-in honeymoons.
Carnival played Cupid last year to more than 2,000 couples who purchased its varied wedding deals. And the line expects that figure to increase by 10 percent this year, spokesman Vance Gulliksen said.
An onboard marriage or civil ceremony can range from as little as $725 to $2,500, depending on the cruise line and package selected.
The $725 package on the Italian MSC cruise line buys the service of a cruise officer, use of a decorated private room, recorded wedding music, a floral bouquet for the bride, a sponge cake decorated with chocolate hearts and the names of the bride and groom, a bottle of sparkling wine, a photographer for one hour and a symbolic wedding certificate.
On Princess vessels, $2,250 (which includes the $450 marriage license fee) covers use of a wedding coordinator, a candlelit ceremony officiated by the ship’s captain in the wedding chapel, live music, floral arrangements plus a rose bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom, a photographer’s services and selection of photographs, a wedding cake, champagne, two glasses and a keepsake wedding certificate.
Aside from the prices, the details of wedding packages are mostly similar on Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships.
If you’re interested in a ceremony at sea or at a port, shop around. And, above all, before sealing the deal with the required advance payment, make sure the wedding will be legal and not just a symbolic exercise.
Los Angeles lawyer Kelly Chang Rickert, who specializes in family law, says that the law in California and other states requires a marriage to be solemnized by a properly licensed individual.
“Select a reputable cruise line,” she suggests, “and conduct research on their procedures.”
Lewis Kapner, a former Florida circuit court judge whose specialty is marital and family law, put it this way: “I believe that the flag of the ship determines the country, so, for example, if someone got married on a Norwegian ship, it would be governed by Norway law. And if the marriage was under Norwegian law, then it would be valid here. It would be as if the parties got married in Norway.”
Many couples nail down arrangements six months to a year in advance.
Most large cruise lines also offer vow renewal ceremonies for married couples. Prices range from Princess’ $205 limited frills deal to Disney’s $1,500 package.
Because of legal limitations, only captains of Azamara, Celebrity and Princess cruise lines are allowed to perform wedding ceremonies. Whether a captain may officiate depends on where the vessel is registered.
A variety of a la carte options are available for a price, such as an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and sit-down dinners for guests.
On Cunard and smaller luxury lines such as Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea, wedding ceremony packages are not offered.
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