Relationships, togetherness and family have regained their place in the post-pandemic hectic daily life. The ripples of this change have also spread to the wedding industry, with more and more couples seeking heartfelt, intimate and sophisticated celebrations. From backyard soirees and family weddings to celebrations in exotic locations, intimacy is the theme of the season. The vanguard of this trend is the cruise wedding, a luxurious ceremony surrounded by fairy-tale seas, playful dolphins and unparalleled sunsets, where the sounds of laughter and crashing waves celebrate your special day.
Also, check out our guide to luxury international cruise holidays departing from India.
Special Weddings: A Closer Look at Cruise Weddings
Want to avoid routine rituals and make your wedding into one big holiday? Consider booking a cruise for plenty of fun, family time and festivities. Booking as a group can also help you save on shore excursions with friends and family. Speaking of her lavish wedding on an MSC cruise ship, Alyssa Ohana Lima Rego Barros from Brazil said, “A cruise wedding offers a healthy atmosphere of celebration and togetherness, bringing guests closer together and allowing the group to enjoy the entire trip together instead of just one day.”
From wedding photos on the rocking deck or in a luxury suite to an onboard DJ and stand-up comedian, a fun celebration is guaranteed. “You can customize your ceremony and reception. You can keep it simple (ceremony only) or add services that will enhance your experience. For example, we chose and closed off an entire room for our ceremony and reception party. We left the bar open for our guests and hired a musician and DJ to play for four hours. Then we closed the restaurant and enjoyed dinner with our guests. All of this was optional. The wedding officiant arranged by the cruise only spoke a little, so the ceremony was quick. So we had some family members give speeches to make the moment even more special,” says Barros. T+L India.
Most cruises offer flexibility, making planning fun and efficient. First, choose the duration of your cruise – a one-day gala party or a multi-day with land tours, sunset parties, al fresco dining and group adventures. There are plenty of entertainment options on board, including theatre performances, a casino, live music and children’s play areas, so there’s no need to get bored. Pamper your guests further at an onboard spa or salon and host the perfect wedding gala party at a floating hotel.
Of their cruise wedding, Barros fondly recalls, “Everything was perfect. Everyone said it was the most special wedding they’d ever been to. I’ll never forget the sunset. I remember looking at the vast ocean and the orange sky and thinking how lucky I was. It was also very special when everyone on the cruise congratulated us, said kind words, and asked to take photos with the bride.”
Things to consider when planning a cruise wedding
Some important factors to keep in mind when planning a cruise wedding include choosing a mass-market cruise line that has experience hosting weddings, avoiding celebration fees that may occur during high wedding season or Valentine’s Day, and checking in advance the legality of getting married on a particular private island.Popular cruise lines that offer weddings at sea include Cordelia Cruises, Oceania Cruises, MCS Cruises, Princess Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Crystal Cruises.
As for the flip side of a cruise wedding, Barros says, “The biggest problem is that you can’t be with your loved ones during this special moment for a variety of reasons, including cost, duration, little time off, health issues, etc. You’ll probably miss many of them and wish they could have been with you during the trip.”
An iconic wedding on a cruise ship
After a three-day grand celebration in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which was attended by the likes of Bill Gates, B-Town’s top stars and Rihanna, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant took their friends and family on a four-day European cruise for their second pre-wedding celebration in May 2024. The azure bash took place on Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Ascent.
Here’s how you can book an overnight stay on the luxury cruise ship where the Ambanis held their second pre-wedding event.
The 323-metre ship features two-storey Edge Villas, a luxury spa, a martini-shaped hot tub, The Theatre and 32 dining options. The celebration, themed “La Vita E Un Viaggio”, meaning “Life is a Journey”, also featured immersive performances from Pitbull and Katy Perry.
Danube Homes CEO Adele Sajan and Sana Khan were among the celebrities and trendsetters who toasted to love on a luxury cruise ship before the Ambanis. The couple set sail on the luxurious Concordia-class cruise ship Costa Fascinosa with 1,500 of their relatives on board in April 2017. The cruise wedding, which cost over Rs 1,000 crore, called at exotic destinations like Barcelona, Marseille, Cannes and Savona.
(Feature Image Credit: @estudio_oliver, Courtesy of Alyssa Ohana Lima Rego Barros)
RELATED: This popular luxury cruise ship is back with Nobu at sea and a lavish pool deck
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
– What are the main benefits of a cruise wedding?
If you want to avoid the typical celebration sequence and make your wedding a grand holiday with friends and family, consider a cruise wedding. Other benefits include unparalleled scenery, multiple port visits, and otherworldly wedding photos.
– What are the popular destinations for cruise weddings?
Popular destinations for cruise weddings include the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, India and Singapore.
– Which cruise lines are known for offering wedding packages?
Popular cruise ships that offer weddings at sea include Cordelia Cruises, Oceania Cruises, MCS Cruises, Princess Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Crystal Cruises.
– Can I customize my cruise wedding?
Yes, a cruise wedding offers plenty of room to customize the onboard venue, décor, entertainment facilities, indoor and outdoor dining options, and more.
– What does a cruise wedding package usually include?
Depending on the price and duration of your cruise wedding package, you can expect dinner at a specialty restaurant, a bottle of champagne, a local officiant, a pre-cruise wedding planner, a two- or three-tiered cake, couples massages, recorded ceremony music, and more.
