Sailing away to your honeymoon using wedding cruise packages is a great way for you and your guests to enjoy a tropical vacation.
How Wedding Cruises Work
Wedding cruise packages work two ways. You can either have the wedding on the actual boat, or get married on land at a port and start your honeymoon on the cruise. Most cruise lines have wedding cruise packages for people who want to get married on the ship. Basic packages include a champagne toast, a ceremony site and music. Some ships have an on-board pastor who will also be included in the package price. Catering, decorations and other additions may cost more money.
Getting married on a cruise ship is nice, but it limits the number of people who will come to your wedding. Not everyone has the financial means or time to go on a cruise. Another downside to wedding cruise packages is that your guests will be with you at the start of your honeymoon. Some couples prefer to be alone at this time. If this doesn't bother you, go ahead with the package. If it does, arrange to have the wedding on the last night of the cruise.
Hot Wedding Cruises
Wedding cruise packages literally go all over the world. But, there are a few destinations that are more popular than others. Caribbean wedding cruises are popular because they're close to the states, they stop at some English speaking ports and they offer lots of excursions. Excursions such as snorkeling, ATV riding and horseback riding on the beach, are great for wedding cruises because they give everyone something to do. Some of your guests will be happy sitting on the dock of the boat while others will want to engage in some kind of tropical adventure. Also, places like Cancun are great "party" stops for the younger crowd. These ports have fabulous bars and clubs.
One downside to having your wedding on a Caribbean cruise is that the Caribbean is a very popular tourist destination. This means the ports you stop at may be rather crowded and overrun with tourists.
Hawaii is one of the most popular wedding and honeymoon destinations in the world. Wedding cruise packages to Hawaii tend to be more expensive than those in the Caribbean, but it's well worth it. Hawaii is known for its beautiful, lush islands and world class snorkeling. One advantage to going on a Hawaiian cruise is that you don't have to worry about bringing along a passport. One disadvantage is that you have to leave for your cruise on a Hawaiian island and flying to Hawaii is rather expensive.
Europe is a great place for a winter wedding cruise because in the winter, the cost of these cruises is significantly reduced. Also, you can your final port in Europe as a launching off point for your honeymoon.
You won't have any trouble finding wedding cruise packages, but you might have a hard time picking just one!
