Once my fiancé and I decided we were going to get married on a cruise ship, we then had to make a BIG decision…which one would we choose. ????????
I thought choosing to be married on a cruise would make by “venue” selection easy, seeing as the EASE of my wedding day worries was the reason we chose to throw the traditional wedding planning to the side in the first place. Well it wasn’t that easy, at first. I had done so much research read articles like the one linked below, created a spreadsheet, etc. etc.
What made the difference was some introspection my fiancé and I had to do. We had to ask ourselves these questions:
- What in the ceremony or reception was important to us? We’re we going to include our kids? We’re we going to add to the ceremony with candle or sand?
- How many people were we wanting to be involved, as part of the party and as guests?
- Would everybody have to sail with us, or could some attend at least the ceremony before we left our home port?
- Which cruise lines sailed out of our home ports? We live close to both San Pedro and Long Beach.
- Were there reasonably priced hotels near the port? Even though we were only 30 mins max away from the ports, I knew I wanted us to stay at a hotel close by overnight.
- Where did we want to go on our honeymoon? Although having a shorter trip would mean more people would be able to travel with us, I had sailed those itineraries already more than once. So we looked at itineraries that went someone we hadn’t been before.
- Along these same lines was trios that sailed when we wanted to get married.
- Amenities. What came in the package and how customizable was it for what we wanted. Do they do cakes? Flower and bouquets? Drinks and of course what about the MUSIC???
- Are children cruising, adults only?
- What types of picture packages do they offer?
Surprising to some, price wasn’t really an issue as all were priced relatively around the same amount. And honestly, you’ll pay for what you want!
If you’ve spent long hours contemplating and looking and researching. Take a moment, breathe, look at your partner, and have a heart to heart. Write it all down. Then find a cruise-line that matches!
Of course if you have questions, I’m here to offer an ear!
This article might be a place to start:
DESTINATIONS & CELEBRATIONS ~ A Lifestyle & Travel Blog by CTP 