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Updated Mar 06, 2025How Much Does a Cruise Ship Wedding Cost?
Sail off into the sunset.
Photo: Danevski | Shutterstock
If you've ever dreamed of sailing off into the sunset happily ever after, then getting married on a cruise may be the move for you. But how much does a cruise ship wedding cost? It can be pretty economical compared to the average wedding cost, but it really varies from cruise line to the package you choose, and whether you want to exchange vows ashore or on board. As you decide how to plan a boat wedding, you'll want to budget and keep track of cost factors along the way with The Knot Budget Tool.
Keep in mind, though, that "when you're on a cruise, sometimes you're limited in options," according to Natalie Benett, a wedding planner and advisor at FindMyBridesmaid. "So adapting and compromising to have a more unique wedding is expected." We've put together a guide to cruise wedding costs to help you figure it all out.
In this article:
Cruise Ship Wedding Cost
So, how much does a wedding on a cruise ship cost? While it depends on the cruise line, most offer several packages catering to different budgets that start around $3,000, says Benett. They typically cover "essentials like the ceremony, a cake, a bouquet and maybe a little steel drum music if you're lucky," she says. The cost of the cruise is usually separate.
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You can typically select add-on packages like photography or bar service, depending on your wedding needs. "But beware of the upgrades; it's easy to get carried away, and if you're dreaming of live musicians, gourmet hors d'oeuvres or a private beach reception, those extras can add up quickly," she says. "I always tell my clients to set a clear budget before diving into all the options."
It's important to note that many of the wedding packages cruises offer are symbolic (especially if you're tying the knot while you're literally out at sea)—you often have to pay extra for a marriage license, the requirement for which depends on the port. Here's how much it costs to tie the knot on some of the most popular cruise lines.
Carnival
Whether you want to get married the day you embark, at sea or at the port, Carnival can make it happen. For a shipboard celebration, choose between its Signature Ceremony—$1,799 for 10 guests—and the Celebration package—$2,899 for a minimum of 20 guests. Both options offer 15–20 minute ceremonies and you can add guests for an extra cost. But if you want to say "I do" with your feet in the sand and the shoreline lapping behind you, you might want to spring for the Love Ashore package. It starts at $2,659 and includes a round-trip transfer to the wedding location for the couple. If you want a little extra, add on the Diamond Enhancement package, which includes a continental breakfast and a couple's massage, among other things.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean cruise ship wedding costs depend on which of the cruise line's three packages you choose. If you want to keep things intimate and costs low, the Intimately Low package starts at $1,950 and includes up to 10 guests. Vows at Sea starts at $3,850 for up to 50 guests, and Embark on Romance starts at $5,600 for up to 50 guests, as well as additional non-sailing guests. You can build out your dream cruise wedding from there, with options for several add-ons: photography ($999–$2,999), entertainment ($75 an hour for a light tech to $320 an hour for a two-piece band), hors d'oeuvres ($15–$21 per person), food stations ($10 per person for a veggie table and $14 per person for a cheese tray) and bar service ($12.95 per person to $25.95 per person).
Disney
If you're dreaming of a Disney wedding, it doesn't have to be at Magic Kingdom—you can have an equally enchanting celebration on one of its cruises. You can choose from two packages: a $4,000 one with ceremony locations on a rear deck outside, cocktail lounge or secluded patio, depending on the ship; and a $5,000 one with larger ceremony locations in an art-deco-inspired atrium, a pier on Disney's private port of call, Castaway Cay or on the sandy shores of Castaway Cay itself. Each package includes up to 16 guests, with additional guests at $20 per person. You can also enhance your experience with food and beverage, floral and entertainment options.
Princess
Princess Cruises released a new wedding package line-up just last year with three tiers. Perfect Pair Wedding, at $2,995, is ideal for the couple who only wants to bring two guests and includes a ceremony, fresh flowers, cake, photographer service, wedding coordinator and a romantic breakfast. Timeless Ceremony at Sea increases the guest limit to 8 and adds on a live solo musician during the ceremony for $3,995. Timeless Wedding at Sea includes all of that, plus a dedicated space for a reception, bridal hair and makeup and signature cocktails. This is perfect if you have more guests, as it can accommodate up to 18 people for a total cost of $5,995. The prices for all of these are for symbolic weddings—the starting costs increase to $3,495–$6,495 if you want a legal wedding with a marriage license.
MSC
With MSC, you can tie the knot on board or on its private island in The Bahamas. Onboard celebrations begin at $1,199 for a symbolic ceremony with a pre-cruise wedding planner and onboard wedding coordinator, two-tier cake and hourlong photography service, among other offerings. You can upgrade the Classic package to the Romantic package for $1,782, which adds on a morning breakfast and dinner for two and expands the cake to three tiers and photography to two hours. The Deluxe package, at $3,289, brings in grooming services—hair styling and manicures. But if you want to get married on land with the Caribbean Sea behind you, spring $2,349 for the Ocean Cay package.
Celebrity
Whether you want to exchange vows sailing the seas, at the port of call or shoreside, Celebrity Cruises has a package for that. The Nautical Nuptials at Sea package includes a legal marriage by the captain under a Maltese flag for $2,995. You can opt for the Shipboard Package to tie the knot in one of Celebrity's many ports of call around the world, from sunny Aruba to artistic Florence, Italy. You can also get married ashore in one of these amazing destinations with the Shoreside Package. Cruise ship wedding costs for these packages start at $2,495 and $2,995, respectively, depending on the location.
Why Do Cruise Ship Wedding Costs Vary?
"I often remind my clients that where you go, when you sail and which cruise line you pick will play big roles in the final price," says Bennett. "You could have a small, intimate affair with just a few close guests on a three-day cruise or go full-out with a week-long celebration and endless activities onboard." But she adds that the magic of cruise weddings is that they can sometimes be far less expensive than a traditional wedding.
Cruise Wedding Cost Factors
Some elements included in one wedding cruise package may not be included in another. The offerings in each typically impact the total cost—and some may only be offered as a separate package, hiking up your total bill. Here are the popular factors you should keep in mind.
Planner
A planner on board is sometimes included in the wedding package, Bennett says but can run you around $500 if they're not. Think about whether you want planning help beforehand or during the wedding—some cruise lines only offer pre-cruise wedding planners, while some also offer day-of coordinators.
Cake
"For a simple one-tier, you're looking at about $100, but if you want the five-layer masterpiece with all the bells and whistles, that can go up to $500," Bennett says. If the cake is included in a wedding package, it typically goes up in size as the pricing goes up.
Bouquets and Boutonnieres
Basic florals can be included in a wedding package, but you'll often have the option to pay more for an upgrade or an add-on. You won't need a ton of decor for a cruise wedding, so you'll want to think about your personal flowers. Bouquets and boutonnieres can run anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on your flower choices, says Bennett.
Dinner and Drinks
Sometimes, higher-tier packages will include a romantic dinner for the newlyweds. But if you're planning to have a ceremony and a reception with guests, you'll likely have to shell out extra for dinner and bar service. The cost for this can range widely but usually runs per person.
Photographers
You'll need some stunning photos to cherish forever (and post to your grid with fun cruise captions!), so really weigh your photography options. "Packages can start around $300, but if you want the works, getting ready shots, sunset portraits, even photos at every port of call, then you'll need to pay extra," Bennett says. "The photographer is certainly worth the investment to capture all of the best moments, in my opinion."
