First time cruising?
Dont worry the choice of cruises is now so vast we're sure you'll find the perfect cruise for you. Read over the cruising guide below to help you decide, still not sure call our consultants who will be able to provide expert cruise advice and answer any queries you might have.
A Cruise for all
Cruising provides one of the most idyllic settings for getting married and it is a spectacular way to celebrate a honeymoon or mark a wedding anniversary.
A cruise has all the elements necessary for sheer indulgence: a blissfully romantic setting, excellent amenities and cuisine, five-star service and great entertainment. Whether you want total privacy or are happy to join in with other passengers, there will always be a cruise to suit your needs.
For the more adventurous a cruise offers the opportunity to travel, in comfort, to lots of different places without having to pack and unpack at every stop. To add to the glamour of a cruise ‘special couples’ might receive special treatment such as cabin upgrades and often free champagne.
Getting married during a cruise means that a couple can enjoy the romance of a honeymoon at sea sailing into the sunset - with, or without, the guests!
Did you know?It is not uncommon for more than 100 honeymooners to travel on one Caribbean cruise at any one time!
Wedding bells
Couples can get married onboard some ships, but the regulations require the ship has to be either in port, or less than three miles from land, for the licence to be valid. Cruise lines can arrange the ‘red-tape’ requirements on behalf of the couple, or the bride and groom can bring their own minister, rabbi or priest to conduct the official ceremony.
Some cruise lines, Carnival and Princess, even have chapels on ships where the ceremony can take place. Alternatively the cruise line can organise a wedding in one of the ports it visits, arranging all the details such as musicians, cakes, flowers, confetti and even a album of wedding photos and limousines.
Cruise lines can also arrange for ‘renewal of vows’ during the cruise and this ceremony can be conducted by the ship’s captain.
Heavenly HoneymoonHoneymoons on the ocean waves are growing in popularity, and cruise lines often offer ‘added extras’.
Bonuses include a reception hosted by the Captain, commemorative photographs and honeymoon cruise certificates. No cruise line yet has a dedicated bridal suite but many of the ships’ top cabins and penthouse suites are exceptional.
Honeymooners have to take a copy of their marriage licence or relevant forms for immigration purposes and in some instances cruise lines will require these licences to ensure all the ‘honeymoon benefits’ are granted.
Did you know?
The only way for British couples to be married by a ship’s captain is aboard the Grand Princess. Princess Cruises can arrange for the Captain to conduct a valid marriage at sea, provided the ship is in international waters from land.
Happy Anniversaries
Whatever the anniversary, cruise lines will do their utmost to help mark the occasion and recreate the romance of the special day. Some cruise lines offer packages to commemorate special anniversaries such as 10 years, silver or golden weddings.
Bonuses of these packages can include gifts and free first class transfers from home to the ports.
Cruise lines without specific packages can also arrange for a gift, cake or champagne to be delivered to a cabin. These can be booked prior to sailing or when aboard.
Where to cruiseWedding and honeymoon packages are available on any number of cruises sailing throughout the world. Some couples will prefer the landscape of Alaska whilst others desire the romance of the Caribbean or the magic of the Mediterranean.
Couples could sail out of and return to ports in the UK, often this offers a longer cruise trip. Alternatively taking a fly-cruise - flying from an airport in the UK to a port to meet the ship - takes cruisers straight to ‘further-afield’ destinations
Cruise companies
COSTA CRUISES offers a range of short four and five-night cruises in the Mediterranean in Spring and Autumn. Departures are from Venice or Genoa and ports of call include Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Cannes, Capri, Corfu and Palma. Some cruises also include an overnight stay in Venice.
FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINES offers a limited number of short cruises each year on Black Watch, Braemar and Black Prince. All these cruises, from 3 to 8 nights, depart from Dover, Southampton, Leith or Greenock and visit ports in France, Spain, Belgium, Channel Islands or Norway.
P&O CRUISES offers a selection of four night short cruises. Arcadia, Aurora and Victoria have four night cruises visiting the Netherlands and the Channel Islands, the special feature being a night in port in Amsterdam.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL will offer its first ever cruises out of Southampton when Splendour of the Seas will sail a number of European itineraries. Short cruises on offer include a four-night Belgium and Netherlands cruise calling at Zeebrugge and Amsterdam, and a three-night France and Channel Islands cruise calling at Brest and St Peter Port.
SEADREAM YACHT CLUB Recognizing that time is a major constraint and to many who have yet to cruise, there is a genuine desire to spend a few days experimenting with being aboard, SeaDream Yacht Club has scheduled a selection of two, three, four and five night sailings aboard SeaDream 1 & 2 in the Mediterranean and Caribbean