Cruise wedding packages bundle a venue, an officiant and a coordinator into one purchase. What is included, and whether the ceremony is legally binding, varies by cruise line, so confirm both in writing before paying a deposit.
If you are still deciding whether to marry afloat, start with our guide on can you get married on a cruise ship, then come back here to compare what each package covers and costs.
How a cruise wedding package works
A wedding package is a priced outline of the basics, and the cruise line builds the rest around it. A Carnival-issued 2016 release describes packages as outlining the basics, with extras such as custom décor or music added on top. The practical result is that two packages with similar headline prices can differ a lot once you add the things you actually want.
The Groove Cruise wedding guide says most cruise lines offer all-inclusive packages that handle officiants, flowers and music. It also notes that some lines perform legal ceremonies onboard while others arrange the legal marriage at a port. That single difference shapes everything that follows: where the ceremony happens, who can attend and what paperwork you need.
What a wedding package includes
Inclusions are the first thing to compare, because they decide how much you will add separately. The packages described by cruise lines and comparison write-ups tend to cover these areas:
- Officiant: On Celestyal’s wedding cruises, a uniformed Master Officer conducts the ceremony on the ship’s bridge, and the couple also get a private guided tour. On Princess, a Captain or other senior officer conducts an at-sea ceremony, and the commemorative certificate lists the ship’s coordinates, according to the Carnival release.
- Coordinator: The Groove Cruise guide says most cruise lines include a dedicated wedding planner or coordinator. Princess’s package lists an onboard coordinator.
- Venue: A 2018 price comparison on a personal wedding-planning blog lists a chapel or library on Princess and a private venue on Carnival’s Intimate Ceremony package.
- Flowers and photos: The same comparison lists two flower arrangements and four 8×10 photos in Princess’s Tie The Knot at Sea package. Celestyal’s Mediterranean packages include professionally arranged bouquets.
- Cake, toast and meals: Celestyal’s packages include a celebratory cake, a champagne toast and a lavish dinner. The comparison blog lists a two-tier cake with Carnival’s Intimate Ceremony and a bistro dinner for two with Norwegian’s Wedding at Sea. Princess lists breakfast and dinner for two.
Treat these as examples of what lines bundle, not a checklist every package meets. A short ceremony-only package can omit photos or a meal entirely, and the cheaper the package, the more you should expect to buy separately. Ask the line for an itemised list and compare packages line by line rather than by name or tier.
Customising is expected rather than exceptional. The Carnival release says packages outline the basics but the options for custom-crafting your experience are wide. Decide your priorities first: if photography matters most, price that add-on before you compare anything else.
Ceremony venues
Chapel, bridge or library
Venue choice changes both the atmosphere and the price. Princess debuted the first-at-sea shipboard wedding chapel on the Grand Princess in 1998, as the Carnival release notes, so a dedicated chapel is a long-established option on some ships. Couples who want something more distinctive can look at Celestyal’s bridge ceremony, which comes with a private guided tour of the bridge. A library suits a quieter, smaller ceremony, and Princess lists it as an alternative to the chapel.
Guests who are not sailing
According to the Groove Cruise guide, non-sailing guests can board for the ceremony while the ship is in port on some cruises. They must leave before departure, and whether this is possible depends on the cruise line and itinerary. If you have relatives who cannot take the whole voyage, ask about this before you pick a sailing date, because it may decide which itinerary works.
Marriage licence and legal status
Whether a ceremony counts as a legal marriage is a question for the cruise line, not an assumption. The Groove Cruise guide says some lines perform legal ceremonies onboard and others arrange the legal marriage at port, and it advises confirming documentation with the cruise line. A 2016 Carnival release said Carnival Cruise Line can arrange legal ceremonies in select ports of call.
The practical rule is to ask which part of the day is the legal marriage and which part is the celebration, and to get the answer in writing. A commemorative certificate showing the ship’s coordinates, as Princess provides for at-sea ceremonies, is a keepsake. Whether you also need a marriage licence or a port ceremony depends on the line’s arrangements, so ask your coordinator rather than relying on the certificate.
Reception and cake
The reception is where package pricing most often stops. The 2018 price comparison found that ceremony prices at Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Princess did not include a reception, which is chosen separately and priced a la carte. Carnival’s Classic package works differently: it carries a minimum guest count, and the guests beyond it are charged per person.
Dining is the area where a ship can help your budget. The Carnival release gives an example of a $25 per person luncheon at an intimate cruise ship specialty restaurant and presents cruise dining as potentially cheaper than a comparable meal ashore. That is one example from 2016, not a promise, but it suggests asking about specialty restaurants before assuming you need a full private event.
Compare what each line puts at the centre of the reception. Celestyal’s packages bundle the cake, toast and dinner. Norwegian’s package lists a dinner for two. If you want a larger gathering, expect to build it from the add-ons.
What cruise wedding packages cost
Prices vary by line, ship and guest count, and the figures available are mostly starting prices. The Groove Cruise guide, dated October 3, 2025, says basic packages can start at around $1,500, while more elaborate celebrations run from $5,000 to $10,000 or more. The table below shows 2018 starting prices for named packages, which are useful for comparing how lines structure their offers, even though current prices will differ.
| Package | Starting price (2018) | Guest limit | Included in the listing | Planning use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Intimate Ceremony | $1,450 | Up to 10 guests | Private venue, officiant, two-tier cake | Suits a very small ceremony with the lowest starting price listed here |
| Norwegian Wedding at Sea | $2,200 | Not listed | Captain-performed ceremony, bistro dinner for two | A mid-priced option that includes a meal for the couple |
| Carnival Classic | $2,400 | 20-guest minimum | Ceremony with a reception for guests, about $40 per person over 20 guests | Better for a group, as the reception cost scales with guest count |
| Princess Tie The Knot at Sea | $3,000 | Not listed | Chapel or library, Captain as officiant, two flower arrangements, four 8×10 photos | Worth comparing if photos and a senior-officer ceremony matter |
| Royal Caribbean Vows at Sea | $3,850 | Up to 50 guests | Ceremony package with a three-tier cake | The highest starting price here, and the one with the largest stated guest allowance |
These starting prices come from a 2018 personal blog price comparison, so use them to compare structures and ask each line for its current pricing.
Two points follow from the table. First, the ceremony price is not the wedding price, because receptions at several lines are extra. Second, the guest count drives cost: the Carnival release says that with enough guests you may qualify for discount fares, though it gives no threshold, so ask the line whether your party would qualify. If keeping spending down is your main aim, it is also worth weighing the ship against land options in The Cheapest Destination Wedding Ideas: Plan A Beautiful, Low‑Cost Celebration in 2026 – Electracruises.
How to book a cruise wedding
Booking is mostly a sequence of questions to the cruise line, asked early. The Carnival release advises starting your planning as far in advance as possible, and it reported that more than 2,600 couples each year say their “I Dos” on Carnival ships alone, so popular dates and ships are in demand.
- Choose the legal route. Ask whether the line performs a legal ceremony onboard or arranges the legal marriage at port, and what documentation it needs from you.
- Request itemised packages. Ask for each package’s inclusions, guest limits and add-on prices, and whether the reception is included or priced separately.
- Book the sailing and staterooms. The Groove Cruise guide recommends booking early for the best staterooms and group packages. If you have a large party, ask about group fares at the same time.
- Confirm who is invited. Check whether non-sailing guests can board in port on your itinerary, since that can change your guest list.
- Customise through your coordinator. Add décor, music or photography through the line’s coordinator, and get each add-on priced in writing.
Couples who are already married and want a symbolic celebration instead can read about a Vow Renewal Ceremony: The Modern Guide To Recommitment, Planning, And Meaningful Rituals (2026) – Electracruises, which follows a similar planning logic without the legal paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
What do cruise wedding packages usually cover?
Typically an officiant, a coordinator and a venue, with flowers, a cake or a meal at some lines. Exact contents differ by line and tier, so compare itemised lists.
Are cruise wedding packages priced per couple or per guest?
Ceremony packages are usually priced as a starting figure with a guest limit. Reception costs can scale with guest count, as in Carnival’s Classic listing, which charges about $40 per person over 20 guests.
Is a ceremony on board legally binding?
It depends on the line. Some perform legal ceremonies onboard and others arrange the legal marriage at port, so confirm this with the cruise line before booking.
When should you book?
As early as you can. The Carnival release recommends planning as far in advance as possible, and the Groove Cruise guide advises early booking for the best staterooms and group packages.
Can friends who are not sailing attend the ceremony?
Sometimes. On some cruises non-sailing guests can board while the ship is in port, but they must leave before departure, and it depends on the line and itinerary.
