Want to have an exciting wedding? Why not get married on the sea instead of on land? If this idea intrigues you, a Royal Caribbean wedding just might be the thing you’re looking for. Whether you want an elopement or a grand wedding, a cruise wedding can make your dreams come true.
A cruise ship is like a huge floating resort that offers all the essentials you need in a wedding venue. They offer food, drinks, accommodation, entertainment, and so much more. You might be looking for one single event or multiple events such as a ceremony, reception, cocktail, and others. No matter what you want, it’s all possible on a cruise.
At Royal Caribbean, the cruise staff is trained in hospitality, which means you and your guests will feel like a celebrity when you’re there. Plus they’ve got bakers, photographers, chefs, bartenders, and all kinds of specialists you’d want in your wedding.
And imagine the photographs you’ll have – just the two of you with nothing in view but the ocean for many, many miles. What a perfect backdrop!
Boat or Port Royal Caribbean Wedding?
When you decide to get a Royal Caribbean wedding, you need to decide whether you want to read the vows in the middle of the ocean, at the port, or on the embarkation day.
If you select the embarkation day, you can invite non-sailing guests as well. If your destination wedding budget doesn’t allow you to invite all your friends but you want them to celebrate your special day with you, can select the embarkation day. That way, you won’t have your mother-in-law tagging along on your honeymoon.
Getting married at the sea has its charm. No matter how far you look, there’s water everywhere. You’re floating on top of the ocean, lost in each other. Besides, when you tie the knot at the sea, you don’t have the pressure to complete the ceremony quickly, unlike on the embarkation day.
Another option you get is to celebrate your relationship on a private island belonging to the cruise ship. Or you can select a port from another country. Royal Caribbean will arrange for your transport from the ship to the port and back.
However, getting married at the port means that you cannot control all your surroundings and there might be people around. But if you prefer the sunny beaches of the Caribbean for your nuptials, you can easily plan it on your cruise.
Is a Royal Caribbean Wedding Legal?
Yes, in most cases. However, you need to make sure that the paperwork is complete. The kind of paperwork you need depends on where you plan to tie the knot.
If you get married on the embarkation day at a local port, you can bring your officiant and the rules will be the same as with any land-based venue.
If you want to get married at the sea, the Royal Caribbean will provide an officiant for your wedding. The legalities depend on what waters the ship is on currently. For example, if the ship is sailing through U.S. waters while you tie the knot, it will be registered in the United States.
But you don’t have to worry about that. Royal Caribbean has its own religious officiant or notary who can help you with the wedding.
Regarding marriage licenses, each country has different requirements. Royal Caribbean has a wedding department that will help you get the license.
For example, if you want to read the vows while the ship is sailing in The Bahamas, you need to apply for a marriage license for that country. This can take up to 90 days so you need to apply on time. And if you want to get married in the U.S., you’ll need a marriage license from the right state.
Royal Caribbean visits over 200 ports worldwide but the most popular wedding destinations are the Bahamas, Florida, Bermuda, Grand Cayman, and St. Thomas.
You can get Maritime License for your wedding. You’ll have to pay $900 for the license processing fee.
Royal Caribbean Wedding Packages
Whether you want a formal wedding or fun nuptials, an intimate ceremony, or a grand event, you’ll find the right package by Royal Caribbean.
Here are the four packages to choose from:
Vows at Sea
Celebrate your love in the middle of the ocean. Choose any of the spectacular venues on the ship and tie the knot there. If you’re sailing with friends and family, they can be a part of the ceremony as well. With this package, you’ll get exclusive treats such as a dinner for two, a bottle of Moet, and a mimosas breakfast in bed for the couple, along with the right décor for the event.
This is the most popular package and most couples want to get married at the sea. Here are some package inclusions:
- Non-denominational wedding officiant
- Wedding planner
- Wedding coordinator
- Pre-recorded music for the wedding
- 3-tier wedding cake
- Keepsake wedding certificate
- Stateroom décor
The package cost is $3,850 for up to 50 guests
Embark on Romance
You can read your vows on the embarkation day. If you have guests you want to invite to the wedding but don’t want them to accompany you on the cruise, this is the package for you. There are several venues onboard and you can select any one of them.
With this package, you will get VIP treatment as you sail. This will include a dinner for two at a specialty onboard restaurant, a bottle of Moët & Chandon, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Also, since you’ll get priority check-in, you will board the ship in no time and get ready for the adventure together.
Here are some package inclusions:
- Non-denominational wedding officiant
- Wedding planner
- Wedding coordinator
- Pre-recorded music for the wedding
- 3-tier wedding cake
- Keepsake wedding certificate
- Stateroom décor
- Priority check-in
- Allows up to 75 non-sailing guests
- Pier-to-ship escort for all wedding guests
The package cost is $5,600 for up to 50 guests.
Intimately Yours
This package has everything you need for an intimate celebration. It offers you a choice of venue, a honeymoon dinner at a specialty onboard restaurant, a bottle of Moet & Chandon, breakfast in bed for the couple, and chocolate-covered strawberries. If you have fewer than 10 guests, this is the package for you.
Here are some package inclusions:
- Non-denominational wedding officiant
- Wedding planner
- Wedding coordinator
- Pre-recorded music for the wedding
- 2-tier wedding cake
- Keepsake wedding certificate
- Stateroom décor
The package cost is $1,950 for up to 10 guests
Destinations I Do
Celebrate with a seaside romance at the destination of your choice or on the ship. Royal Caribbean offers a range of available venues to choose from. No matter which venue you choose, they’ll treat you with a bottle of bubbly and transportation to take you to the venue and back to the ship.
Before you get on the cruise, they’ll inform you about the destinations you can visit. From those places, you can select the right one for your special day. You just have to choose the place and Royal Caribbean will take care of the rest.
Here are some package inclusions:
- Non-denominational wedding officiant
- Wedding planner
- Wedding coordinator
- Bridal bouquet and boutonniere
- Couples wedding cake
- Keepsake wedding certificate
- Transportation for the couple
The package cost is $4,650
Reception and Parties at a Royal Caribbean Wedding
With impeccable services, beautiful onboard spaces, and several gourmet options, you can guarantee a fun wedding party at the Royal Caribbean.
Wedding cake
All wedding packages include a wedding cake. It is made on board with your choice of colors and flavors. There are five designs to choose from and you’ll get a fondant cake masterpiece. The flavor choices include carrot, chocolate, red velvet, and vanilla chiffon. The filling choices include raspberry, Dulce de Leche, cheesecake frosting, and lemon cream cheese.
Photography
Royal Caribbean has onboard wedding photographers who will capture the best moments of your big day. Here are the packages you can get:
Exquisite package
It consists of 2 hours of photography and will cost you $999. You’ll get thirty 8×10 portraits and thirty hi-res digital photos.
Deluxe package
It consists of 4 hours of wedding photography and will cost you $1,999. You’ll get fifty 8×10 portraits and fifty high-res digital images. You’ll also get a 16×20 enlargement of any wedding photo of your choice in a premium finish.
Platinum package
It consists of 5 hours of wedding photography and will cost you $2,999. You’ll get 75 8×10 portraits and all captured high-res digital images. It also includes a post-ceremony private photo session and a premium wall art collection.
Apart from these standard packages, there are several add-ons. An additional hour of photography will cost you $199 and the premium wall art collection will cost $799. There are many other add-ons as well.
Entertainment
If you want live music and entertainment, you can get it at Royal Caribbean. They have several artists onboard who can entertain you and your guests on your special day. As you walk down the drums, enjoy the gentle acoustic strumming or beautiful tunes of a piano.
And if you want, you can have full lights and a music show at your reception. The soloist will charge $120/hour and the two-piece band will cost you $320/hour. The DJ charges are $150/hour and sound and light technology will cost you $75/hour.
Hors D’oeuvres
Select from a range of yummy appetizers. Here are the options:
Tier 1
There are 7 pieces including Smoked Salmon and Guacamole on Crostini, Artichoke & Manchego Cheese Tart, and others. Cost: $15/person.
Tier 2
There are 7 pieces including Asian Shrimp Ceviche with Crispy Wontons, Grilled Sesame Shrimp, and others. Cost: $17/person.
Tier 3
There are 8 pieces including Goat Cheese & Marjoram Cream, Pork Belly & Sprouts Crepes, and others. Cost: $21/person.
Food Stations
Enjoy exquisite treats at the food stations available at the Royal Caribbean wedding. There are three choices. The veggie table costs $10/person and serves delights made of cauliflower, baby carrots, and other vegetables.
The cheese tray costs $14/person and consists of an assortment of artisan and international cheeses with nuts, dry fruits, berries, and a lot more.
The pasta station costs $17/person and includes a range of fettuccini, ravioli, linguini, and other pasta dishes made with the choicest vegetables and meats.
Bar Service
Enjoy a wide selection of drinks at your Royal Caribbean wedding. Soft drinks and juices cost $12.95 per person for an hour.
Beer and wine by the glass will cost you $16.95 per person for an hour.
A full bar with international and domestic beer and house wine will have different charges depending on the drinks you want to include. All premium drinks will cost $25.95 per person for an hour.
When You Should Book a Royal Caribbean Wedding
As a rule, you have to book your wedding slot at least 90 days in advance but it’s always best to book earlier than that. Since many couples want a Royal Caribbean wedding, the slots get filled quickly. You might have to fly to a port for a cruise wedding. The sooner you book, the better flight prices you’ll get.
If you can, try to book the wedding at least four months in advance. This will also give you ample time to arrange the marriage documents.
What You Can Expect From Your Royal Caribbean Wedding
When you’re in international waters, you can ask the captain to perform the wedding. It’s always fun when the captain becomes a part of the ceremony because their captains are generally fun people who love entertainment.
You’ll get a personal wedding planner who can help you and guide you through the process. There’s also a wedding coordinator who will make sure everything goes as planned and you and your guests can have fun.
There are many facilities on the ship that you can enjoy. There’s entertainment, flowers, receptions, a spa and salon, photography, and honeymoon options.
Want to get married in the land? Check out our guides to help you with a St. Thomas wedding, Virgin Islands wedding, or an Amalfi Coast wedding.
