So you’ve been dreaming of an unforgettable wedding, and you keep coming back to one idea: saying “I do” with the ocean all around you, your favorite people on board, and a honeymoon that starts the second the champagne is poured. A cruise ship wedding might just be the best idea you’ve never fully considered, and the answer to your first question is a resounding yes, you absolutely can get married on a cruise ship.
But before you start pinning bridal looks with a nautical theme, there are some important things to know. As a luxury travel advisor who specializes in group cruises and romance travel, I’m here to give you the real talk on how cruise ship weddings work, what they cost, which cruise lines do it best, and how to start planning the whole thing without losing your mind.
So, Can You Actually Get Married on a Cruise Ship?
Yes, and it’s more common than you might think. Cruise weddings have officially arrived as a legitimate category of destination wedding, and the data backs it up. According to Fora Travel’s 2026 Wedding and Honeymoon Trend Report, couples are increasingly embracing ships as the new all-inclusive venue, with luxury cruise lines seeing triple-digit booking increases for wedding-related sailings.
You can get married onboard the ship, at a port of call, or on embarkation day before the ship sets sail. Each option works differently depending on the cruise line and your guest list, so it’s worth understanding all three before you decide.
Is a Cruise Ship Wedding Legal?
This is the question everyone asks first, and the honest answer is: it depends on the cruise line and where the ceremony takes place.
A ship’s captain can only legally perform a marriage if the ship is registered in a country that authorizes captains to do so. Not every cruise line qualifies. For the ones that do, the marriage is legally recognized just like any ceremony performed on land.
For the lines featured in this post, Celebrity Cruises offers both symbolic ceremonies and a “Legal at Sea” option performed by the captain with official marriage paperwork. Royal Caribbean’s at-sea ceremonies are symbolic, but they assist with obtaining a Bahamian marriage license for legally binding ceremonies. Virgin Voyages offers symbolic ceremonies only, keeping things equal for all couples regardless of ship registration laws.
If legal recognition on the day is important to you, this is a conversation worth having early in the planning process. A good travel advisor (hi, that’s me) can walk you through exactly what each line offers and help you figure out the right fit.
One important heads up: all cruise lines require documentation to be submitted well in advance, typically 90 days before your sailing date. This is not something to sort out at the last minute. What most of my couples do is a quick “justice of the peace” wedding at the courthouse prior to the cruise and then have the larger symbolic wedding at sea with their favorite people.
What’s Included in a Cruise Wedding Package?
This varies by cruise line, but most packages include the essentials to make your ceremony feel like a real wedding and not just a box to check. Here’s what you can typically expect:
- A dedicated wedding coordinator (pre-cruise and onboard)
- A ceremony venue on the ship
- An officiant
- A wedding cake
- Champagne or sparkling wine for toasting
- Basic floral arrangements (bouquet and boutonniere)
- A keepsake certificate
Photography is sometimes included at a basic level but is usually an add-on if you want more comprehensive coverage. Receptions and specialty dining are generally priced separately, and that’s where the budget can grow, so it’s smart to get the full picture before you book.
The beauty of cruise wedding packages is that a single point of contact at the cruise line handles the logistics. No juggling five different vendors, no wondering if the florist and the caterer are even talking to each other.
How Much Does a Cruise Ship Wedding Cost?
Here’s where cruise weddings start to look really attractive compared to a traditional venue. Wedding packages on cruise ships start significantly LOWER than most land-based ceremonies, and that’s before you factor in the fact that your guests’ accommodations, meals, and entertainment are already built into the cruise fare.
Here’s a realistic picture by cruise line:
Royal Caribbean packages start around $1,499 for a vow renewal and proposal, $5499 for an intimate ceremony for up to 20 guests and goes up to $9499 for larger celebrations (up to 100 guests.)
Celebrity Cruises packages start at approximately $2595 and up, depending on the package and port of departure. Celebrity offers symbolic ceremonies, Legal at Sea weddings, and Deck Weddings with open-air ocean views. A full-service wedding coordinator is included. Can even get married by the Captain! And have you seen the venues onboard like Eden, Blu, Rooftop Garden?
Virgin Voyages offers three tiers: “You, Me, and the Sea” for $4,000 (just the couple), “Soulmates Set Sail” for $5,000 (up to four guests), and “Wedding on the Waves” for $8,000 (up to 50 guests including a cocktail party – this one is a GREAT deal for all you’re getting). Virgin is perfect for an elevated, adults-only experience, a bit more modern, edgy, and trendy.
Keep in mind these are package prices on top of cruise fare for you and your guests. But when you start adding up what guests would otherwise pay for hotel rooms, separate flights, welcome dinners, and farewell brunches at a resort wedding, the cruise model definitely WINS on total value.
Which Cruise Lines Offer Weddings? (And Which Are Best)
Many major cruise lines have wedding programs. Here’s a closer look at the ones I know best and book most often for my clients:
Royal Caribbean: Best for Larger Groups and Multi-Generational Guests
Royal Caribbean is a great choice when your guest list includes a wide range of ages. The ships are massive, entertainment is built in for everyone, and the wedding program is well-established with a dedicated Royal Weddings team. You can get married on deck, in a venue onboard, on embarkation day with guests who aren’t sailing, or at a port destination. Up to 150 guests can attend, with up to 75 non-sailing guests permitted for embarkation-day ceremonies. You can even get married at Perfect Day at CocoCay!
Celebrity Cruises: Best for the Elevated, Sophisticated Couple
Celebrity is my go-to recommendation for couples who want a more refined, upscale experience. The ships are gorgeous, the food is outstanding, and Celebrity’s “Legal at Sea” program sets them apart for couples who want the captain to make it official. Deck Weddings with open ocean views are a standout option for the couple who wants the most photogenic ceremony possible.
For groups, Celebrity’s adult-friendly atmosphere and included amenities make it easy for guests to enjoy the sailing before and after the ceremony. You can read more about why Celebrity is one of my favorite cruise lines for grown-up group travel Best Adult-Friendly Cruise Line
Virgin Voyages: Best for the Modern, Edgy, Adults-Only, Design-Forward Couple
If your aesthetic is more boutique hotel than traditional cruise ship, Virgin Voyages is worth a serious look. Every ship is adults-only, beautifully designed, and the whole vibe is social and fun. Their wedding packages are newer but polished, and the “Wedding on the Waves” experience with up to 50 guests and a cocktail party is genuinely impressive. Ceremonies are symbolic, which suits many couples just fine.
Fun fact: Sir Richard Branson himself has officiated ceremonies on board, so you never quite know what surprises the experience might include.
Check out my blog article about Virgin Voyages vs Celebrity Cruises
Windstar: Best for an Intimate, Small Ship Experience
If you and your partner would rather have 30 guests and an extraordinary experience than 150 guests and a good one, Windstar is worth a conversation. As one of my specialties, I can tell you that Windstar’s yacht-style ships create an intimacy that’s genuinely hard to replicate on a larger vessel. Their wedding program is more customized and less packaged than the bigger lines, pricing is done individually, and ceremonies can incorporate beaches, ports, and intimate ship venues.
Windstar does not have ordained staff onboard, so a legally binding ceremony requires either bringing a registered officiant with you or incorporating a port-of-call ceremony. This is less complicated than it sounds, and the end result can be incredibly personal and beautiful.
Curious about the difference between Mega Ships and Small Ships? Check out my Free Guide HERE
How Many Guests Can Attend a Cruise Wedding?
This depends heavily on which option you choose and which cruise line you book with.
For an onboard ceremony during the sailing, guests typically need to book a cabin and sail with you. This is actually one of the best parts. Your reception essentially lasts the entire cruise, and your guests get to share the whole experience with you rather than just a few hours at a venue.
For embarkation-day ceremonies, you can invite guests who are not sailing. Royal Caribbean allows up to 75 non-sailing guests to attend an embarkation-day ceremony, making it possible to have a larger celebration without everyone needing to book a cabin.
For port-of-call ceremonies, guests can meet you at the destination, though coordination gets more complex. Personally the logistics of this can be a bit of a nightmare and hard getting guests to that destination. And what if for some reason, the Captain has to change itineraries at the last minute? I don’t recommend this option, unless it’s extremely easy for your clients to get to this destination.
One thing I always tell clients: think carefully about the guest experience. Your guests have committed real time and money to celebrate with you. A cruise wedding done well turns the whole trip into the party, not just the ceremony. This is where working with a travel advisor who specializes in group cruises becomes genuinely valuable. Managing room blocks, group rates, and onboard credits for your guests is a very different skill than booking one cabin.
Cruise Wedding vs. Destination Wedding: What’s the Real Difference?
Honestly, both cruise weddings and all-inclusive resort weddings take a lot of the stress off the couple.
With both options, you’re working with experienced wedding teams that handle the ceremony details, reception planning, and many of the logistics that come with a traditional wedding. You’re not coordinating dozens of separate vendors on your own.
The real difference isn’t necessarily the planning process. It’s the vacation experience you want for yourselves and your guests.
If you’re dreaming of spending your wedding week relaxing in one beautiful location, enjoying the beach, pool, restaurants, and resort atmosphere, an all-inclusive resort may be the perfect fit.
If you love the idea of waking up somewhere new every day while only unpacking once, a cruise wedding might be a better choice.
Another factor to consider is your guests. Sometimes a cruise departing from a U.S. port can be easier and more affordable for guests because they may be able to drive to the ship rather than book international flights. Other times, a Caribbean resort with direct flights may be the simpler option.
One thing many couples don’t realize is that resort wedding teams often don’t begin detailed wedding planning immediately after booking. They’re busy executing weddings happening right now and typically start working more closely with couples as the wedding date gets closer. That’s completely normal and doesn’t mean you’re being forgotten. These teams are professionals who plan weddings every single day.
At the end of the day, neither option is better. The right choice comes down to your travel style, your guests, and the experience you want to create for your wedding week.
For a deeper look at how ocean and river cruising compare as destination wedding backdrops, check out this guide Ocean Cruise vs. River Cruise
Curious about the new trend: Micro Weddings
Ready to Start Planning Your Cruise Wedding?
If any part of this is speaking to you, the best next step is a conversation and not a Google rabbit hole. Cruise wedding programs have a lot of moving parts: legal requirements, guest list structures, package options, and sailing itineraries all factor into which line and which format is the right fit for your vision.
As a luxury travel advisor who specializes in group cruises and romance travel, I help couples think through all of it, from choosing the right ship to making sure every guest has a seamless booking experience. Stress-free honeymoon planning is also my specialty, and I can help you extend the celebration well beyond the ceremony day. Want to start thinking about your Honeymoon as well? As a Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Specialist, I am here to take ALL of that stress off your plate.
The ocean is waiting. Let’s make it official.
Ready to explore cruise wedding options? Contact GG Mack Luxe Travel to start planning your dream wedding at sea.
