Many couples choose to say their wedding vows while on a cruise vacation to Alaska. Cruise lines offer lots of amenities and services to make any trip you take memorable, but a wedding cruise can be the most memorable of all. A couple might decide to get married on board the ship, or take advantage of special opportunities to marry on location during a port call.
Royal Caribbean offers packages that take all the stress out of wedding planning for the bride and groom. Couples can marry on board or at their Alaskan destination. The cruise line offers an officiant for the ceremony plus flowers, music, pictures and a cake. A bottle of champagne is included along with a wedding album. The package allows for a reception and offers a choice of foods. Add-ons include wedding announcements, ice carvings and live music. Vow renewals are also available. Cost of the wedding package as of summer 2010 range from $1,995 for the Duet on-Board package, to $4,595 for the Helicopter Glacier package, both of which are added on to the price of a standard cruise. The extra amenities determine the final cost.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
5901 Sun Blvd.
Suite 100A
St. Petersburg, FL 33715
727-906-0444
royalcarib.com
The Princess Cruise Line wedding deals are referred to as "Tie the Knot" packages. On an Alaskan cruise, the captain of the ship can marry you at sea, or you can choose to have your ceremony in port before departing or in a special location at an Alaskan port-of-call. "Tie the Knot at Sea" is an extravagant package that offers a bridal bouquet of a dozen roses, live music and the use of a wedding chapel. Among the extra amenities are a spa day that includes a wedding hairdo, manicure and pedicure. Post-marriage celebrations are available with reception options ranging from simple refreshments to a full gourmet meal. Cost for the wedding package as of summer 2010 is an add-on to a regular cruise and range from $1,600 to $2,200, but the extras you choose determine the final cost.
Tie the Knot
2600 SW 3rd Ave.
Suite 200
Miami, FL 33129
305-421-1050
princess.com
Carnival's Alaskan wedding cruises depart Seattle, where the bride and groom are married in port before the ship sails. The cruise line offers recorded wedding music, a commemorative set of champagne glasses, the bride's bouquet and the groom's boutonniere among other amenities. You can celebrate after the ceremony with hors d'oeuvres and drinks or go the full route with a seated dinner. A professional photographer will be available at an extra fee for wedding pictures, including a private portrait sitting for the couple. Cost in 2010 for Alaskan wedding cruise package begins at $1,195 for the simple bride-and-groom-only ceremony and ranges up to $1,795 for their Deluxe Romance Package in addition to the regular cruise price. Final cost is determined by the extras you choose.
Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 NW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
800-933-4968
carnival.com
Disney offers a solo pianist for weddings in three locations aboard ship on its Alaskan Wedding Cruise, or couples can opt for an on-shore ceremony. Choose your wedding cake from a menu of cake types and fillings. Floral choices range from roses in your color choice to exotic flowers and calla lilies, with wedding party flowers extra. Sip champagne and toast your marriage. Add extra bottles of champagne to include guests for an additional charge. Photography packages may also be added. In summer of 2010, the cost of an on-board wedding begins at $2,500 in addition to the cruise price. Extra choices determine the final cost.
Disney Cruise Vacations
Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10238
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
800-951-3532
disneycruise.disney.go.com
