How To Plan Your Dream Cruise Wedding
Set Sail Into Romance With a Cruise Wedding
By Aleisha White | Published on January 20, 2026
A wedding is often described as the biggest day of your life, but for many, it’s a day lived through seating plans and vendor comms. It's easy to get so caught up in the gravity of the event that you forget its purpose: the union of two people in love.
A cruise wedding is a glimmering destination in its own right. It's also a consensus to prioritize the experience. By opting for a signature wedding celebration on a cruise, you're also choosing a hands-off philosophy that doesn't compromise on luxury. That allows you to reclaim the presence lost on so many couples who find the big day eclipsed by logistics.
In this guide, we'll explore types of cruise weddings and package offerings, dreamy coastal destinations and some planning tips to ensure smooth sailing on your special day.
What Is A Cruise Ship Wedding?
A cruise wedding is a marriage ceremony held on board a cruise ship or at the destination. Couples can choose to hold the event during the sailing, fully supported by a wedding coordinator, stunning venue and amenities designed for the occasion. Alternatively, they may sail with the guests to an exotic, far-flung destination and hold the wedding ceremony on arrival. Either way, you're looking at a memorable destination wedding.
Centering your special day around a cruise sailing offers categorical advantages that land-bound weddings often miss. For one, there's the convenience of having cruise wedding packages and a dedicated wedding planner to take care of the details, big and small. This support means the wedding party and guests can relax into the moment and stay fully present.
If you're all about simplicity, but don't want to compromise on the wedding itself, a cruise ship wedding also allows you to combine the ceremony, reception and a honeymoon sailing into the same experience. Even better, there is flexibility for guests who cannot join the sailing. Often, the cruise line offers those guests a day pass to celebrate on board before embarkation.
Symbolic Vs. Legal Cruise Ship Weddings
Now for the legal part — ensuring your union is official back home. As cruises frequently sail in and out of international waters, legally tying the knot works differently at sea. Generally, the ceremony must take place in the region where the ship is docked, so you’ll need to obtain a marriage license from that port's authority. It's worth checking whether the marriage license from your destination will be recognized when you get home.
Many happy couples opt for a symbolic wedding, which is a non-legally binding marriage at sea. It's a romantic experience, still involving vows and rings, but without the legal paperwork. The ceremony takes place, nuptials are exchanged and you can arrange the legalities back home before or after the cruise.
Wedding-Related Events On A Cruise
You don't have to say “I do” just to get the cruise experience. A cruise ship makes for a compelling place to host proposals, bachelor and bachelorette parties and vow renewals. For couples who can't get enough of the cruise life, they're also popular honeymoon vacations, carrying newlyweds to sensational coastal destinations as they step into the future together.
5 Best Cruise Wedding Destinations
The most inviting place for a destination wedding is, first and foremost, a place where you can relax and offer one another your full presence. Below are the top five romantic getaway locations guaranteed to steal your heart.
- 1. Santa Lucia: If you want a backdrop with scale, the two massive Pitons deliver. In Santa Lucia, you can have your first dance enveloped between towering, lush mountains and a pristine, rugged coastline.
- 2. George Town, Grand Cayman: For the duos who vibe with relaxed luxury, the consistent, clean shoreline and warm temperatures in Grand Cayman offer a beautifully understated wedding setting.
- 3. Yucatan, Mexico: When you need more than just pretty, the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico mixes culture and vibrancy into your big day.
- 4. Alaska: Fancy a backdrop of cool whites and blues to complement the dress? Alaska's geometric icescapes and wide blue skies are perfect for wedding photography, especially if you like the idea of extended sunsets in July.
- 5. Kailua Kona, Hawaii: Between volcanic rocks, verdant mountains and gentle tidal rockpools, Kona is a high-contrast location with a raw aesthetic and a relaxed Pacific feel.
Cruise Ship Wedding Packages And Perks
A cruise wedding package simplifies the celebratory planning for the bride and groom, offering curated experiences that seamlessly usher the wedding party and guests throughout the day. Plus, a few exclusive treats are included for the honorees. Royal Caribbean cruise line weddings include three packages to choose from:
The Forever Yours Package
The Forever Yours package allows couples to form a union in an intimate setting with up to 20 guests. Included in the package is full assistance from the onboard wedding coordinator and a pre-cruise wedding specialist, a private ceremony venue with decor, a sound technician to play your preferred music, cake and a champagne toast.
There are also a few extras just for the two of you, including in-room bubbles, breakfast in bed, a couples massage and onboard culinary and beverage experiences. With the Forever Yours package, there's little more to do than show up, lean into the adventure and say “I do.”
The Knot at Sea Package
With the Knot at Sea package, couples gain access to the exclusive benefits of the Forever Yours package, with additional perks and up to 75 guests. Enjoy a dedicated DJ with musical accompaniment to set the tone for the day, a three-tier cake and an assortment of charcuterie for the group.
Couples can also embark on a private guided tour and soak up seamless front-of-line experiences provided by The Key. Think dedicated show seating, priority tenders, exclusive menus and more.
The Love Sets Sail Package
Celebrate your special occasion with a ceremony on boarding day before setting off on your romantic cruise. You can invite up to 100 guests and gain access to a private reception venue for two hours to make the day even bigger. There are also plenty of opportunities for private, intimate experiences included in the package. This option is ideal for a duo that wants to offer guests flexibility and add a little spark to the trip.
Personalize Your Wedding Package
While these packages provide turnkey luxury, there's virtually no limit for those who want to make the experience their own. From flower accents and spa services to a range of food and beverage options, you can work with the onboard wedding planner to ensure your perfect day is everything you've dreamed of. Remember to ask about the professional photography packages to capture romantic and candid moments throughout the event.
How To Plan a Cruise Wedding
When planning your cruise wedding, the best first step is to connect with Royal Caribbean and discuss your ideas. You can do this by calling 1-800-WED-RCCL or visiting the Royal Caribbean weddings page and submitting an inquiry. From there, you can touch base with a cruise wedding specialist and start bringing your ideas to life.
The only decisions left to make are picking your dreamy destination and a wedding package, then handling the legalities (if you're going down the legal cruise wedding route). Below, you'll find considerations to think about as you dream up the big day:
- ● Book well in advance: It's a good idea to secure your wedding cruise early so you can settle into your plans and leave space to make group travel arrangements for your wedding guests.
- ● Legalities: Applying for a marriage license and completing the legal requirements are separate from arranging your cruise wedding. If you're having a legal wedding on board, ensure you organize the required documents early.
- ● Customization: Cruises and their wedding packages provide an ethereal, romantic base, but there are plenty of options to personalize your experience with the cruise line.
- ● Budgeting: Ballpark costs for packages often range from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on your group size, customization options, destinations and the duration of your cruise. For a more accurate idea, it's best to talk with the cruise line directly.
Plan Your Dream Wedding at Sea
Your wedding is just the start of a much bigger story. It makes sense to enter that journey as you mean to go on: with a full heart, fully present and somewhere magical. From exchanging vows beneath crystalline Caribbean skies to toasting to your union against the majestic Alaskan frontier, a cruise ship wedding lets you sail into a new forever, beginning with a clear view of the horizons ahead.
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