Yes, you can get married on a cruise, but the ship's country of registry matters more than where the ship is sailing
Most cruise lines offer wedding packages, and ceremonies do happen at sea. However, the marriage is only legal if the ship is registered in a country that recognizes marriages performed aboard. The United States does not — a marriage performed on a U.S.-flagged ship in international waters is not valid in any U.S. state. Most cruise ships are registered in countries like Panama, Bahamas, or Malta, which do recognize shipboard marriages, but you must verify this with both your cruise line and your home state before booking.
The practical reality is that many couples marry on a cruise for the experience and the setting, then have a legal marriage performed on land either before or after the voyage. Some cruise lines make this easier by offering a "renewal of vows" package instead, which requires no legal paperwork and costs less. If you want a legally binding marriage at sea, you need to research your specific ship's registry and your state's or country's marriage laws before you commit to a date.
Key Takeaways
- Marriages performed on U.S.-flagged cruise ships are not legally valid in the United States, even in international waters.
- Ships registered in Panama, Bahamas, Malta, and some other countries can perform legally binding marriages, but you must confirm this with your cruise line and your home state.
- Most couples who marry on a cruise either have a legal ceremony on land before or after the voyage, or choose a renewal of vows package instead.
- Cruise line wedding packages typically include the ceremony, an officiant, flowers, photography, and a small reception, with costs ranging widely depending on the line and package level.
- You will need a valid passport, proof of citizenship, and in many cases a marriage license obtained in advance from your home state or country.
How cruise line wedding packages work
Most major cruise lines — including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian — offer wedding packages that include an onboard ceremony, an officiant, flowers, photography, and a reception space. The packages vary widely in what they cover and what they cost. Some lines charge a flat fee for the ceremony and reception space, then charge separately for flowers, photography, cake, and catering. Others bundle more into a single package price.
The ceremony itself is usually short — 15 to 30 minutes — and takes place in a dedicated chapel, a dining room, or an outdoor deck space depending on the ship and your package level. You can typically invite other passengers and crew members to attend, though some packages limit the guest count. The reception usually happens in a private dining room or a reserved section of the main dining room, and you can choose your menu from the ship's standard options or upgrade to a special menu.
Booking a wedding package requires contacting the cruise line's wedding department directly, not through a travel agent. You will need to provide the names, birthdates, and citizenship information for both partners, and you will need to decide on your ceremony date and ship well in advance — most lines require at least three to six months' notice, and some require much longer during peak wedding seasons.
Legal requirements vary by ship registry and your home location
The single most important factor is where the ship is registered. A ship registered in the United States cannot perform a legally binding marriage, period. Ships registered in Panama, Bahamas, Malta, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands can perform legally binding marriages, but the laws of those countries explore, not the laws of your home state.
Even if your ship is registered in a country that recognizes shipboard marriages, your home state or country may not recognize the marriage as valid. You will need to contact your state's vital records office or your country's equivalent before you book. Some states require you to obtain a marriage license in advance from your home state and bring it aboard; others require you to obtain the license from the ship's registry country. A few states do not recognize shipboard marriages at all, regardless of where the ship is registered.
The cruise line's wedding department can tell you which documents you need and where to obtain them, but they cannot give you legal information about whether the marriage will be recognized in your home state. You should contact your state's vital records office or a family law attorney in your state to confirm before you pay for a wedding package.
The marriage license and documentation process
If you decide to pursue a legally binding marriage at sea, you will typically need to obtain a marriage license before you board. The process depends on your ship's registry country and your home state. Some cruise lines provide a list of required documents and instructions for obtaining them; others leave it to you to figure out.
Common requirements include a valid passport for both partners, proof of citizenship, proof of any previous divorces (a certified copy of the divorce decree), and a marriage license process completed and notarized. Some countries require a blood test or a health certificate. The timeline can be tight — you may need to submit documents weeks in advance, and processing times vary. If documents are missing or incomplete when you board, the cruise line will not perform the ceremony, and you will not receive a refund.
Many couples find it simpler to have a legal marriage performed on land before the cruise, then have a renewal of vows ceremony aboard ship. This eliminates the legal paperwork and the risk of missing a important date, and it costs significantly less.
Renewal of vows as an alternative to marriage
A renewal of vows ceremony is a non-legal celebration of an existing marriage. It requires no paperwork, no license, and no legal verification. All cruise lines offer renewal of vows packages, and they are much cheaper than wedding packages — typically $200 to $500 instead of $1,500 to $5,000 or more. The ceremony is similar in structure to a wedding: an officiant, flowers, photography, and a small reception.
Renewal of vows is popular with couples who have been married for years and want to celebrate on a special vacation. It is also a practical choice for couples who want the experience of marrying on a ship but do not want to navigate the legal complexity of a shipboard marriage. You can have a legal marriage performed at a courthouse or by a justice of the peace before or after the cruise, then do the renewal ceremony aboard.
What happens if you want to marry but the ship cannot perform a legal marriage
If your ship is U.S.-flagged or if your home state does not recognize shipboard marriages, you have a few options. The first is to have a legal marriage performed on land before the cruise — at a courthouse, by a justice of the peace, or through a small ceremony with a local officiant. This takes the legal requirement off the table and lets you focus on the celebration aboard ship.
The second option is to have the legal marriage performed after the cruise. You can marry aboard ship in a ceremony that is not legally binding, then file the paperwork and have a legal marriage recorded in your home state afterward. This is less common because it requires coordination between the cruise line and your home state's vital records office, but some couples do it.
The third option is to skip the shipboard marriage entirely and have a renewal of vows ceremony instead. This is the simplest path if you are already married or if you want to avoid the legal complexity.
Costs and what is included in wedding packages
Wedding package costs vary widely depending on the cruise line, the ship, the season, and the level of service you choose. A basic package on a budget cruise line might cost $1,500 to $2,500 and include the ceremony, an officiant, basic flowers, and a small reception. A premium package on a luxury cruise line might cost $5,000 to $10,000 or more and include upgraded flowers, professional photography, a multi-course reception dinner, and a private ceremony space.
Additional costs to budget for include flowers beyond what is included in the package, upgraded photography or videography, a special cake or dessert, upgraded menu options for the reception, and gratuities for the officiant and staff. Some cruise lines charge extra for a ceremony on a private deck or a sunset ceremony. If you are inviting guests from outside the ship, they will need to book their own cruise fare, which can be substantial.
Many couples spend $3,000 to $6,000 total on a cruise ship wedding when all costs are included. This is often less than a traditional land-based wedding, but it is not inexpensive, and the costs can add up quickly if you choose premium options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get married on a cruise ship if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes, but the requirements depend on your citizenship and the ship's registry. You will need a valid passport and proof of citizenship, and you may need to obtain a marriage license from your home country or from the ship's registry country. Contact the cruise line's wedding department and your home country's consulate or embassy to confirm what documents you need.
What if one partner is already married or divorced?
You will need to provide proof of divorce or the death certificate of a previous spouse. Most cruise lines require a certified copy of the divorce decree. If you are in the process of divorcing, you will not be able to marry until the divorce is finalized and you have the official paperwork.
Can I have a religious ceremony on a cruise ship?
Some cruise lines allow religious ceremonies performed by a clergy member of your faith, but you will need to arrange this in advance and may need to pay an additional fee. Not all ships have the facilities for certain types of religious ceremonies. Contact the cruise line's wedding department to discuss your specific needs.
What happens if I change my mind about the wedding after I book?
Cancellation policies vary by cruise line. Most require payment in full at the time of booking, and cancellations close to the wedding date may result in little or no refund. Read the cancellation policy carefully before you book, and consider purchasing travel insurance that covers wedding-related cancellations.
Can guests who are not on the cruise attend the ceremony?
No. Only passengers and crew members who are aboard the ship can attend. If you want family or friends to be present, they will need to book a cabin on the same cruise.