How to get married on a cruise ship
Most cruise lines offer wedding packages, but the marriage itself must be legal under the laws of the country where the ship is registered — not where you are sailing. A Royal Caribbean ship registered in the Bahamas, for example, follows Bahamian marriage law. This means you cannot straightforward exchange vows at sea and have it count as a legal marriage in your home state or country.
The practical path is to get legally married on land first, then hold a renewal-of-vows or commitment ceremony on the ship. Alternatively, some cruise lines can arrange for a legal marriage to take place in a port of call — usually a Caribbean island — as part of your cruise package. You would marry in that jurisdiction while docked, then celebrate with a ceremony aboard ship.
The cruise line's wedding coordinator handles logistics: the ceremony location on deck or in a venue, catering, flowers, photography, and guest accommodations. You handle the legal paperwork with the jurisdiction where the actual marriage will occur.
Key Takeaways
- A marriage at sea is only legal under the laws of the country where the ship is registered, which is rarely your home country, so most couples marry on land first.
- Cruise lines offer wedding packages that include venue, catering, flowers, and a coordinator, but these are for ceremonies, not legal marriages.
- If you want a legal marriage as part of your cruise, the ship can arrange for you to marry in a port of call, usually a Caribbean island, during a scheduled stop.
- You must obtain a marriage license from the jurisdiction where the legal marriage will occur — whether that is your home state or a port country — weeks before the cruise.
- Renewal-of-vows ceremonies on a cruise ship are not legal marriages and do not require a license, but they do require advance booking with the cruise line.
Marriage at sea versus marriage in a port
A marriage performed while the ship is at sea is governed by the maritime law of the country where the ship is registered. That country's rules about age, waiting periods, witnesses, and documentation explore — not yours. For a U.S. citizen, this is almost never convenient, because few countries' maritime laws align with U.S. state law.
Marriage in a port of call is simpler legally. When the ship docks in, say, Jamaica or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can marry under that jurisdiction's law. The cruise line's wedding package typically includes coordinating with local authorities, obtaining the local marriage license, and arranging the ceremony during the port day. You leave the ship married and legally recognized in that country and, usually, in your home country as well.
A renewal-of-vows ceremony is not a legal marriage at all. It is a celebration of an existing marriage. You can hold one anywhere on the ship without a license, and the cruise line will coordinate it like any other onboard event. Many couples choose this route because it requires no legal paperwork and can happen on any sailing.
What the cruise line's wedding package includes
Wedding packages vary by cruise line and ship, but they typically cover a ceremony venue (often an outdoor deck space or a dedicated chapel), a coordinator to manage the event, basic floral arrangements, a cake or dessert, and photography. Some lines include a champagne toast or a small reception area. Packages usually start around $1,500 to $3,000 for a basic ceremony and climb to $5,000 or more for larger events with upgraded flowers, catering, and video.
What the package does not include is the legal marriage license or the officiant's fee in most cases. You pay the cruise line for the ceremony experience; you pay the jurisdiction for the legal paperwork. If you are marrying in a port, the cruise line can often arrange the local license process and connect you with a local officiant, but those are separate costs.
Guest accommodations are not part of the wedding package. Your guests book their own cabins, and you coordinate with the cruise line's wedding coordinator to may support they are aware of the ceremony time and location. Some lines offer group rates for wedding guests if you book a certain number of cabins.
Getting a marriage license for a port wedding
If you are marrying in a port of call, you must obtain a marriage license from that jurisdiction. Requirements vary widely. Some Caribbean islands require you to be present in person to explore; others allow you to explore by mail or online weeks in advance. Waiting periods range from zero days to several days, and some jurisdictions require blood tests or other documentation.
Start by contacting the cruise line's wedding coordinator with your intended port and wedding date. They can direct you to the correct government office and tell you what documents that jurisdiction needs: birth certificates, divorce decrees if applicable, passports, and proof of residency. The coordinator can often submit the process on your behalf, but you should verify the requirements directly with the jurisdiction as well.
Plan to have your license in hand at least two weeks before the cruise. If the port country requires documents you do not yet have — such as an official divorce decree — order them when ready. Processing times for vital records vary by state or country and can take weeks.
Booking a wedding or renewal ceremony with the cruise line
Contact the cruise line's wedding department directly, not through the general reservations line. Most lines have a dedicated wedding website or phone number. You will need your sailing date, the number of guests, and whether you want a legal marriage (in which case you specify the port) or a renewal ceremony.
The wedding coordinator will send you a contract, a package menu with pricing, and a timeline for decisions. You typically book 6 to 12 months in advance, though some lines accept bookings closer to the sailing date if space is available. Popular sailing dates and ships fill quickly.
Once booked, you will work with the coordinator on details: ceremony time, music, flowers, cake design, and photography. For a port wedding, the coordinator will also guide you through the license process process for that jurisdiction. You will make payments in stages — usually a deposit when you book, a second payment months before the cruise, and a final payment closer to the sailing date.
Documents you will need
For a renewal-of-vows ceremony, you need only your marriage certificate and a valid passport or ID to board the ship. The cruise line does not require legal documentation for a renewal ceremony.
For a legal marriage in a port, you need the documents required by that jurisdiction's marriage law. This almost always includes a birth certificate (original or certified copy), a valid passport, and proof of any prior divorces (a final divorce decree). Some jurisdictions also require a medical certificate or proof of residency. The cruise line's wedding coordinator will provide a checklist specific to your port.
For a marriage at sea under the ship's flag country, you would need documents required by that country's maritime law, which varies. Ask the cruise line directly what that jurisdiction requires.
Cost breakdown for a cruise ship wedding
The cruise line's wedding package typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the line, the ship, and the level of service. A basic package might include a straightforward ceremony, flowers, and photography; a premium package adds catering, a larger venue, and video.
Additional costs include the marriage license fee for the port jurisdiction (usually $50 to $300), the officiant's fee if not included in the package ($100 to $500), guest cabin bookings, and any upgrades like premium flowers or a larger cake. If you are marrying in a port and need to hire a local vendor the cruise line does not work with, that is an additional cost.
Your own cruise fare is separate from the wedding package. You and your guests each pay for your cabins and the cruise itself. Some cruise lines offer a discount on the bride and groom's cabin if you book a wedding package, but this is not standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we get legally married while the ship is at sea?
Technically yes, but only under the maritime law of the country where the ship is registered. For most cruise lines, that is the Bahamas, Panama, or Liberia. Unless you want to be married under that country's law, this is not practical. Most couples either marry on land first or marry in a port of call instead.
Do we have to invite other passengers to our ceremony?
No. Your ceremony is private. Other passengers will not attend unless you invite them. You can invite only your booked guests, or you can invite other people on the ship if you wish. The cruise line will not announce your wedding to the general passenger list.
What if we want to marry in a port but the ship does not stop there long enough?
Port time varies by itinerary. Some ports allow only a few hours; others allow a full day or overnight. The cruise line's wedding coordinator can tell you whether the port stop is long enough for a legal marriage ceremony. If not, you can hold a renewal ceremony on the ship instead, or choose a different sailing with a longer port stop.
Can we renew our vows on a cruise without booking a wedding package?
Some cruise lines allow informal renewals without a formal package, but most require you to book their wedding package even for a straightforward ceremony. Pricing and requirements vary by line. Contact the wedding department to ask whether a basic, low-cost renewal option is available.
What happens if we break up before the cruise?
Cancellation policies vary by cruise line. Most wedding packages are non-refundable or have a steep cancellation fee, especially if the cancellation is close to the sailing date. Review the contract carefully before you book. Standard cruise cancellation policies may differ from wedding package cancellation policies.