Some cruise lines offer the option of having a legally valid wedding on board.
Getting married in exotic destinations at sea is possible thanks to the services offered by many shipping companies.
From a romantic and intimate ceremony sailing the Mediterranean to an exotic wedding on the shores of the Caribbean… More and more couples are choosing to celebrate the most important day of their lives aboard a cruise ship. Cruise lines have taken into account every detail to ensure the newlyweds enjoy their special day and continue their journey with an unforgettable honeymoon.
Cruise lines offer a wide range of options and services for passengers who wish to get married on board. New this year, some offer the possibility of a legally valid wedding officiated by the ship's captain, in addition to the traditional symbolic ceremonies.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which expects to reach 23 million passengers in 2015 and whose member companies offer approximately 1,000 ports of call, invites couples to experience this special moment through the various options offered by the cruise lines. As Alfredo Serrano, director of CLIA Spain, points out, “Cruises are a very versatile product that seeks to satisfy the needs of passengers. Proof of this is the range of services offered by cruise lines for celebrating all kinds of ceremonies on board.”.
MSC Cruises: “surprise” ceremonies
Since 2007, MSC Cruises has hosted an average of one wedding ceremony per year. Couples who choose this cruise line can celebrate their wedding at one of its ports of call, on a beach, or even on the ship itself, whether sailing through Venice or the Fjords, among other destinations. Furthermore, for those wishing to have a legally recognized ceremony, the ship 'MSC Divina' is available.
The cruise line also offers the option of a surprise ceremony aboard any of its ships. Under the guise of inviting one of the couple to a cocktail reception with the captain, they will be surprised with a symbolic celebration while the cruise ship sails through the waters of the Caribbean, South Africa, the Mediterranean, or North Africa, among other destinations.
MSC has prepared three programs (Silver, Gold and Platinum) that include a range of services such as advice from a wedding planner, a special welcome on board, a wedding cake, photographs…
For more information: http://www.msccruceros.es/es_es/El-Mundo-MSC-Cruceros/Ocasiones-Especiales/bodas-a-bordo.aspx
Pullmantur: celebrations in dreamlike settings
Pullmantur Cruises has experienced considerable growth in the number of weddings and celebrations held on board its ships. In recent years, its ships have hosted more than 1,000 wedding-related events.
This season, the company offers 14 itineraries with personalized services for couples who want an exclusive ceremony and a symbolic wedding while cruising the Mediterranean or Atlantic coasts, visiting the Baltic, or enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean. New this summer, Pullmantur Cruises offers the 'Midnight Sun' itinerary, a unique experience for adventurous couples who want to visit the Arctic Circle.
The company organizes ceremonies officiated by the ship's captain, presenting the couple with a marriage certificate. Furthermore, to make this moment even more unforgettable, the entire crew dedicates themselves to the couple, who receive personal assistance from the Cruise Director and the Grand Class Hostess.
Pullmantur Cruises also offers an exclusive bridal bouquet, sparkling wine and canapés, a photo album of the ceremony, a personalized wedding cake, and special decorations in a private area of the ship, among other services. The following day, the newlyweds can enjoy a continental breakfast in their cabin with a surprise gift and receive a bottle of sparkling wine accompanied by sweets.
For more information: https://www.pullmantur.es/experiencia-pullmantur/bodas.html
NCL: Union in the Bahamas
Starting this month, NCL is offering couples the opportunity to have legally valid weddings and obtain a marriage license issued in the Bahamas aboard its ships 'Norwegian Breakaway' and 'Norwegian Getaway'. The 'Norwegian Escape', currently under construction and scheduled to be based in Miami starting this November, will also offer legal weddings.
In addition, NCL offers couples the opportunity to get married in any of its spectacular ports of call: Canada, Mexico, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Bermuda… Couples can decide whether they prefer a ceremony officiated on the ship while it is docked, or on land, at their chosen destination.
NCL has prepared several packages that include various services, most notably the assistance of an expert wedding planner who will provide personalized help to the couple in planning their big day. In addition, it offers honeymooners the benefits of 'Freestyle Cruising,' which includes romantic dinners at exclusive restaurants, spa treatments, and excursions in ports of call.
For more information:http://es.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/wedding-and-romance
DisneyCruise Line: Fairytale Weddings
The shipping company offers couples the opportunity to experience an intimate and charming wedding while sailing through the waters of the Caribbean and the Pacific.
These couples will be able to get married according to their preferences on the deck or in the lounges of these ships, or on the private beach of Castaway Cay (Bahamas).
Disney Cruise Line offers couples the option of having a personal wedding planner to advise them on preparing for this special moment. They also offer a selection of wedding cakes and floral arrangements.
For more information: https://www.disneyweddings.com/cruise/
SeaDreamYacht Club: get married on a luxury yacht
SeaDreamYacht Club offers its passengers the possibility of celebrating their wedding on board either of its two yachts, 'SeaDream I' and 'SeaDream II', sailing towards a Mediterranean, transatlantic or Caribbean destination.
The couple can celebrate their union, symbolically officiated by the yacht's captain, in an intimate, luxurious, and private setting. Furthermore, if they wish to give their wedding a religious and official character, they can have a clergyman officiate.
The company offers the couple a variety of services so that, after their wedding aboard one of its yachts, they can continue enjoying an unforgettable honeymoon. Private dinners with live guitar music, intimate breakfasts on deck, chocolate fountains with fruit and special desserts are just some of the details SeaDream has included to make this trip truly memorable.
For more information: http://www.seadream.com/blog/video/have-your-dream-wedding-or-honeymoon-on-board-seadream
