How To Save $30,000 By Getting Married On A Cruise Ship

For devout cruisers, a ship is a place for love and connection. Many cruisers even take this to the next level and get married or renew their vowels on board.

A cruise ship wedding means taking your vows in your happy place, an ocean backdrop. And when the ceremony ends, you’re already on your honeymoon.

Nearly all major cruise lines offer weddings and vowel renewal for those who want to celebrate their love at sea.

Cruise love stories rarely come as perfectly fated as Paul and Michelle Veal, who recently got married on Pacific Encounter. The couple met in 1992 on a P&O cruise, when Michelle was working on “The Fairstar” as one of the resident entertainers and Paul was called on to be a participant in her show.

305579833 10159740831126187 222821423810322024 n — A perfect cruise love story.

Then many years later they found out they were not only neighbours, but that Paul was teaching Michelle’s daughter karate. Sparks started flying and the flame took them right back to where it started, with the couple tying the knot onboard Pacific Encounter. If it wasn’t enough already, Michelle’s parents also met on a P&O cruise ship, and have now been married more than 50 years.

Mrs Veal said the wedding couldn’t have gone more perfectly.

“Thanks so much P & O for making our wedding a truly special one. Paul & I couldn’t be any happier with how the whole day came to fruition.

“Thank you to all the wonderful crew for making our wedding come to life on the day and for the special care of boarding all of our guests. The wedding truly ran like clockwork and was extremely professional from start to finish.

“We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”

P&O’s wedding planner Natasha says she plans around 50 weddings a year and you can get in touch with her here.

The other kicker for a cruise ship wedding? They can be extremely cheap.

An Easy Weddings survey of 3500+ engaged and recently married Aussie’s found the average wedding spend to be $34715. For comparison, The Veal’s got married for just $2500. This price, which is $32,215 cheaper than the average wedding, include a wedding cake, champagne and photography.

They even upgraded to a suite, which raised the total cost to about $3500. For guests, they could book a cabin for $260 for four nights, or a balcony cabin for about $475, which includes all their meals for the sailing.

This also involved P&O Cruises reserving parts of the ship for the couple and their wedding party, having the ceremony at the rear deck of the ship, before moving to the restaurant for dining and then the disco to celebrate.

The couple had 50 guests onboard with them.

Whether or not you have a story as beautifully entwined with cruise ships as Paul and Michelle’s, a cruise is a beautiful place to get married regardless and here’s what the major cruise lines offer for wedding services.

300442136 10159740831411187 2120320167875584151 n — Celebrating at sea.

Carnival

Carnival offers the chance to get married aboard the ship before leaving port or to get married out at sea. For either option, all guests must be booked on the cruise.

Signature Ceremony – starting at $5342

Includes 10 guests including the couple
Pre-cruise wedding planner •
Priority embarkation assistance (embarkation day weddings only) •
Private shipboard venue
15–20-minute ceremony
Pre-recorded ceremony music
Local officiant
Keepsake wedding certificate
Two-tier cake
Sparkling wine toast 2
Honeymoon dinner for the couple
Photography services
One canvas (16” X 20”) 3
Service charges, gratuity included
Keepsake wedding certificate
Shipboard decorations
Aisle runner
Two pillars with silk floral arrangements

It’s a celebration package – starting at $6729

Minimum of 20 guests including the couple1
Pre-cruise wedding planner
Priority embarkation assistance (embarkation day weddings only)
Private shipboard venue
15–20-minute ceremony
Pre-recorded ceremony music
Local officiant
Photography services
One canvas (16” x 20”) 2
Keepsake wedding certificate
Two-tier cake
Sparkling wine toast
Honeymoon dinner for the couple
Shipboard decorations
Aisle runner
Two pillars with silk floral arrangements

You can also add the Diamond Enhancement Package for $399 which includes

Couple’s continental breakfast including mimosas
Silk flower petals displayed on the cake table
Chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to couple’s stateroom
Carnival Weddings Exclusive Gift Set for the couple
Moet+ Chandon sparkling wine delivered to the couple’s cabin
30-minute couple’s massage
Keepsake silk floral bridal bouquet and boutonniere

There is also a range of spa, entertainment and reception package add-ons, which are detailed here.

Princess Cruises

Princess cruises have recently announced new wedding packages, with the following details.

Perfect Pair Wedding (includes the couple and up to 2 guests)
Symbolic Wedding USD$2,995 / Legal Wedding, includes marriage license USD$3,495

Package Highlights:

Indoor or outdoor ceremony by the ship’s captain
Fresh florals, wedding cake and sparkling wine toast
Dedicated photographer service and memorable prints
Romantic breakfast for the couple
Stateroom gifts and goodies
Pre-cruise and onboard wedding coordinator
Keepsake certificate

Timeless Ceremony at Sea (includes the couple and up to 8 guests)
Symbolic Wedding USD$3,995 ($5991AUD)/ Legal Wedding, includes marriage license USD$4,495 ($6741AUD)

Package Highlights:

Indoor or outdoor ceremony by the ship’s captain
Fresh florals, wedding cake and sparkling wine toast
Solo live musician during the ceremony
Dedicated photographer service
Memorable prints and digital high-res photos
Romantic breakfast for the couple
Stateroom gifts and goodies
Pre-cruise and onboard wedding coordinator
Keepsake certificate

Timeless Wedding at Sea, (includes the couple and up to 18 guests)
Symbolic Wedding USD$5,995 ($8991AUD) / Legal Wedding, includes marriage license USD$6,495 ($9741AUD)

Package Highlights:

Indoor or outdoor ceremony by the ship’s captain
Fresh florals for the couple and the wedding party
Wedding cake and sparkling wine toast
Bridal hair styling & makeup
Solo live musician during the ceremony and reception
Dedicated venue to celebrate after ceremony
Signature welcome cocktails curated by the couple
Dedicated photographer service
Memorable prints and all digital high-res photos
Romantic breakfast for the couple
Premium dining experience for the couple
Stateroom gifts and goodies
Pre-cruise and onboard wedding coordinator
Keepsake certificate

The Love Boat line has also added packages for Princess Proposals at Sea and Vow Renewal Celebrations that include a dedicated event specialist who works closely with couples pre-cruise and on board to tailor their special event.

Renew the Love – Vow Renewal USD$1,595 ($2392AUD)

Package highlights: