Complete Guide to Cruise Ship Weddings: Planning, Costs & Tips

In March 2018, my husband David and got married on the Norwegian Breakaway with 40 of our closes friends and family as we exchanged vows in the Manhattan Dining Room with the Atlantic Ocean stretching out behind us. It was, without question, one of the best days of our lives.

But getting to that perfect moment? That took over a year of planning, research, spreadsheets, and navigating the complexities of working with cruise lines, third-party wedding planners, and group bookings. And a lot of lessons learned.

This guide shares everything I wish someone had told me when we were planning our cruise wedding, from realistic costs to choosing the right cruise line to navigating the surprisingly complicated parts.

Is a Cruise Ship Wedding Right for You? [2025 Planning Guide]

Whether you’re just starting to consider a cruise wedding or you’re ready to book or you’re planning your ceremony, this guide will help you decide and plan with confidence.

Let’s start with the basics. A cruise ship wedding combines your ceremony, reception and honeymoon into one experience. You get married on a ship (or at a port during your cruise), your guests are there celebrating with you for the entire sailing, and then everyone continues on vacation together.

Cruise weddings have gotten seriously popular – bookings are up 25% over the past year. The cost ranges anywhere from $1,800 to $25,000+, depending on how elaborate you want to go, but here’s what most cruise line websites won’t tell you clearly: what you’re actually getting for that money.

In this guide:

• Understanding Cruise Ship Wedding Costs
• Best Cruise Lines for Weddings
• Planning Timeline
• Legal Requirements (and the symbolic vs. legal decision)
• Package Comparisons
• Expert Tips

What Cruise Ship Weddings Actually Cost in 2025

Here’s the breakdown nobody gives you upfront:

What’s Actually Included in Those Packages?

This drove me crazy when we were planning—every cruise line lists different things, and it’s hard to compare. Here’s what you can generally expect:

The basics every package includes:

• A wedding coordinator (your lifeline for planning)
• Ceremony venue (usually a deck or dedicated wedding space)
• An officiant who can legally marry you
• Wedding cake and champagne toast
• Basic decorations (flowers, arch, aisle runner)

What costs extra (and you probably want):

• Professional photography (this adds $800-$2,000 but trust me, get it)
• Live music or DJ
• Upgraded flowers
• Private reception space if you want dinner separate from other cruisers
• Better menu options for your reception

The biggest surprise for us? Gratuities and service charges can add 18-20% to your total. Factor that in from the start.

Best Cruise Lines for Weddings: My Honest Take

I researched all of them. Here’s what actually matters:

Royal Caribbean

Starting cost: $2,500
Guest capacity: Up to 150
The vibe: Modern, fun, lots of activities

Royal Caribbean has some of the most unique venues—you can literally get married overlooking an ice rink or near a rock climbing wall. Their ships are massive, which means more venue options but also more cruise guests around. Great if you want adventure and entertainment built into your wedding week.

Best for: Couples who want a fun, activity-packed wedding experience and don’t mind a busy ship.

Carnival

Starting cost: $1,800
Guest capacity: Up to 100
The vibe: Casual, affordable, party-friendly

Carnival has the most budget-friendly packages, and honestly, they’re pretty good for the price. The ships are more casual (think buffet lines and pool parties), which can be perfect if you’re not looking for luxury vibes.

Best for: Budget-conscious couples who want a fun, relaxed celebration without breaking the bank.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Starting cost: $2,900
Guest capacity: Up to 120
The vibe: Flexible, modern, good food

Norwegian’s big selling point is flexibility—fewer formal nights, more dining options, and they’re generally good at customizing packages. Their wedding coordinators were really responsive when we were getting quotes.

Best for: Couples who want options and a more contemporary cruise experience.

Princess Cruises

Starting cost: $2,600
Guest capacity: Up to 125
The vibe: Traditional, romantic, elegant

Princess does the classic, elegant cruise wedding really well. Think traditional ceremonies, beautiful venues, more formal atmosphere. They’re also known for having captains who can perform ceremonies at sea (most cruise lines don’t do this anymore).

Best for: Couples who want a classic, romantic, more formal wedding.

Your Cruise Ship Wedding Planning Timeline

Here’s the timeline that actually worked for our cruise ship wedding (and several other couples I’ve talked to):

12-18 Months Before: Research and Book

• Start researching cruise lines and itineraries
• Decide on your date and destination
• Book your cruise and wedding package
• Tell your family (trust me, do this early—people need time to plan travel)

Real talk: We booked 14 months out and that felt right. Any less and your guests might struggle with the cost and time off work. Any more and you’re planning too far in advance for cruises.

8-12 Months Before: Get Organized

• Send save-the-dates (your guests need time to save money and request vacation)
• Research legal requirements for where you’re getting married
• Set up a room block for guests (cruise lines usually offer group rates)
• Start thinking about ceremony details and customizations

Tip: Create a simple wedding website with all the booking info. Your guests will have questions, and you don’t want to answer the same email 47 times.

4-6 Months Before: Handle the Details

• Get your legal paperwork in order (this takes longer than you think)
• Finalize your guest list
• Book any shore excursions for your group
• Plan reception details with your coordinator

2-3 Months Before: Final Stretch

• Make final payments
• Confirm everything with your coordinator
• Create your day-of timeline
• Figure out embarkation logistics (who’s arriving when, where everyone’s meeting, etc.)

The thing nobody tells you: The two months before are surprisingly chill compared to traditional weddings. Most of the logistics are handled by the cruise line and your coordinator.

Legal Requirements: The Confusing Part Made Simple

Okay, this is where cruise line weddings get a little complicated, but I’ll break it down.

Getting legally married on a cruise ship depends on several things:

• Where the ship is registered (most are registered in the Bahamas or other countries)
• Where the ship is when you get married (at sea vs. in port)
• Where you’re departing from
• What your home state/country requires

Here’s what you’ll typically need:

• Valid passports (required for the cruise anyway)
• Birth certificates
• Photo ID
• Marriage license (you might get this at your departure port or at a port during the cruise)
• Divorce or death certificates if you were previously married

My advice: Talk to your cruise line’s wedding department early about this. They deal with it constantly and can tell you exactly what you need for your specific situation. Don’t try to figure this out on your own from random internet forums.

Some couples choose to get legally married at home before or after the cruise and just do a ceremony on the ship. That’s totally valid and sometimes easier.

Managing Your Guests (Without Losing Your Mind)

Having your wedding guests with you for an entire week is either amazing or terrifying depending on your family. Here’s how to make it work:

Group Booking Benefits

When you book a group (usually 8+ cabins), you typically get:

• Lower deposits
• Complimentary cabin upgrades or amenities
• Priority boarding
• Onboard credits you can use for extras
• A dedicated group coordinator

Communication Is Everything

Create a wedding website (we used The Knot, but there are tons of free options) with:

• How to book (specific booking code for your group)
• All required documents (passport info, etc.)
• Payment deadlines
• What to pack (formal nights, excursion clothes, etc.)
• Ship activities and excursions you’re planning
• Your wedding day schedule

Send this link early and often. People will still ask you questions that are answered on the site, but at least you can just send them the link again.

Expert Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Us

Timing Your Ceremony

We got married at sunset and it was gorgeous, but here’s what I learned:

• Early morning ceremonies get beautiful soft light and the deck isn’t crowded with cruisers
• Late afternoon/sunset is romantic but weather-dependent
• Avoid embarkation day unless you want stressed guests who just boarded
• Check port schedules—you don’t want to get married while the ship is maneuvering into a port

Budget for the Hidden Cruise Ship Wedding Costs

Your package price isn’t your final price. Also budget for:

• Gratuities (18-20% of package cost)
• Upgrades you’ll want (better flowers, private reception space)
• Your own cabin upgrade (you’re the couple—splurge a little)
• Guest activities and excursions
• Travel to the departure port

Weather Happens

We got lucky with relatively good weather, but have a backup plan:

• Book a package with an indoor backup venue included
• Get travel insurance that covers weather cancellations
• Understand the cruise line’s weather policies
• Be flexible—a wedding in the indoor atrium can still be beautiful

Work With Your Coordinator

Your cruise line wedding coordinator is your secret weapon. Ours was amazing. She knew exactly what worked on that ship, what didn’t, and how to solve problems before they happened.

Be responsive when they reach out, give them clear preferences, and trust their advice—they’ve done hundreds of weddings on that ship.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

What is a cruise ship wedding? A cruise ship wedding is a ceremony held onboard a cruise ship or at a port during your cruise, combining your wedding, reception, and honeymoon into one experience.

How much does a cruise ship wedding really cost? For most couples, plan on $5,000-$10,000 for the wedding package and your cabin. That doesn’t include guest cabins (they pay their own way) or your travel to the port. Basic packages start at $1,800, but you’ll want some upgrades.

Which cruise line is actually the best for weddings? There’s no single “best”—it depends on what you want. Carnival if you’re budget-focused, Royal Caribbean if you want modern amenities and activities, Princess if you want traditional elegance, Norwegian if you want flexibility.

Can we have guests who aren’t sailing on the cruise? Yes! Most cruise lines allow non-sailing guests for embarkation day weddings. They can attend your ceremony and early reception, then leave before the ship sails. Policies vary by cruise line, so ask specifically about this.

How far in advance do we really need to book? 12-18 months is ideal. It gives your guests time to save and plan, and ensures you get your preferred date and ship. We booked 14 months out and I’m glad we did—several guests needed that much time to save and request vacation.

What about seasickness? Modern cruise ships are huge and surprisingly stable. We were worried about this too, but even guests who get motion sickness were fine. Bring seasickness medication just in case, and choose an itinerary without rough seas if you’re really concerned.

Ready to Start Planning?

Ready to plan your cruise ship wedding? Here’s what to do next:

1. Decide on your priorities: Budget? Guest experience? Destination? Knowing what matters most helps you choose the right cruise line.
2. Get quotes from 2-3 cruise lines: Don’t just look at websites—actually call or email their wedding departments. Ask specific questions about what’s included.
3. Run the numbers: Add up package cost + gratuities + your cabin + travel. Make sure it works with your budget before you fall in love with a specific plan.
4. Talk to your must-have guests: Before you book, make sure your parents/siblings/best friends can actually make it. Nothing worse than booking and then finding out your maid of honor can’t get the time off work.
5. Book it: Once you’ve made your decision, book your cruise and wedding package. Then take a deep breath—the hardest part is over.

Planning our cruise wedding ended up being so much easier than planning a traditional wedding. Yes, there were logistics to figure out, but we didn’t have to find and book 15 different vendors, manage a complicated day-of timeline, or stress about weather ruining our outdoor ceremony.

Instead, we got married at sunset with the ocean behind us, had an incredible reception dinner with our favorite people, and then spent the next week celebrating and relaxing. No exits to make, no vendors to pay, no cleanup. Just a week of being newlyweds with everyone we love.

That’s the magic of a cruise wedding.