Paul and Michelle saved $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. 

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. 

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:

• Short, sweet indoor or outdoor ceremony by the ship’s captain
• Fresh florals, celebration cake and sparkling wine toast for the couple
• Dedicated photographer and memorable prints
• Stateroom gifts and goodies
• Pre-cruise and onboard wedding coordinator
• Keepsake certificate

Princess Perfect Proposal USD$795 ($1192AUD) Package Highlights:

• Secret proposal setup in a private indoor or outdoor location
• Proposal rose and rose petal décor
• Dedicated photographer and memorable prints
• Celebration cake
• Stateroom gifts and goodies
• Pre-cruise and onboard coordinator

P&O Cruises Australia

The P&O Australia wedding package is just $2500 and includes

• Priority check-in
• Attractive ceremony venue
• Rose bouquet
• Buttonhole (2)
• Photographer for three house
• Bronze photography collection
• Iced Wedding Cake
• Sparkling wine for toast (3 bottles)
• Commemorative wedding certificate
• Reserved group seating for evening dinner
• Light refreshments in bridal room on arrival
• Spa treatment to the value of AUD170
• Complimentary take home robes (2)

A P&O renewal of vows or commitment package is just $550

• Attractive Ceremony Venue
• Ceremony conducted by the ship’s Captain or Senior Officer
• Rose bouquet
• Buttonhole (1)
• Photographer for 30 minutes
• 8 x 10 photograph
• Sparking wine for toast (1 bottle)
• Commemorative Certificate
• Light refreshments
• Spa treatment to the value of AUD170
• Complimentary take home robes (2)

Royal Caribbean

Intimately yours package for up to 10 guests, starts from USD$1950($2920AUD)

• Non-Denominational Wedding Officiant
• Pre-Cruise Wedding Planner
• Onboard Wedding Coordinator Bottle of Moët & Chandon Champagne
• Pre-recorded Musical Accompaniment
• 2-tier Wedding Cake
• Dinner for Couple at a Specialty Restaurant
• Chocolate-Covered Strawberries for Couple
• Mimosa Breakfast-in-Bed for Couple
• Stateroom Décor for Couple
• Keepsake Wedding Certificate
• Private Wedding Venue

Vows at Sea Package for up to 50 guests, starts from USD$3850($5757AUD)

• Non-Denominational
• Officiant Pre-Cruise Wedding
• Planner Onboard Wedding Coordinator
• Bottle of Moët & Chandon Champagne
• Pre-recorded Musical Accompaniment
• 3-tier Wedding Cake (Up to 50 guests)
• Dinner for Couple at a Specialty Restaurant
• Chocolate-Covered Strawberries for Couple
• Mimosas Breakfast-in-Bed for Couple
• Stateroom Décor for Couple
• Keepsake Wedding Certificate
• Private Wedding Venue

Embark on romance package for up to 50 guests (can be sailing and non-sailing guests), starts from USD$5600 ($8390AUD)

• Non-Denominational Wedding Officiant
• Pre-Cruise Wedding Planner
• Onboard Wedding Coordinator
• Bottle of Moët & Chandon Champagne
• Pre-recorded Musical Accompaniment
• 3-tier Wedding Cake (up to 50 guests)
• Dinner for Couple at a Specialty Restaurant
• Chocolate-Covered Strawberries for Couple
• Mimosa Breakfast-in-Bed for Couple
• Stateroom Décor for Couple
• Keepsake Wedding Certificate
• Private Wedding Venue
• Priority Check-In
• Allows for Non-sailing guests (up to 75)
• Pier-to-Ship Escort for Couple and Guests