PRINCESS CRUISES'  WEDDING CHAPEL AT SEA:

What could be more romantic than standing together on a verandah overlooking a moon-washed ocean, walking hand-in-hand through the quaint streets of a cobblestone, riverside village or sharing a sensuous toast in the darkened corner of a shipboard bistro. Nothing!

One of your basic ho-ho-ho and a bottle of rum seagoing myths is the common misconception that any ship’s captain can legally marry a couple at sea. But the fact is, up until the time Princess Cruises launched its seagoing weddings program in 1998, no such ceremony had been conducted in more than 100 years. In fact, even today, Princess captains—providing the ship they skipper has Bermuda registry—are the only captains authorized for at sea weddings and Princess the only cruise line who offers it.

Today, hundreds of couples are married each year by Princess captains in waters around the globe, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska and numerous destinations, as well as harbor side ceremonies in embarkation ports or weddings ashore in select ports of call.

Every "Tie the Knot" wedding program "At Sea," however, includes live music; champagne; bridal bouquet and groom's matching boutonniere; a photo package with album; a wedding cake; a souvenir wedding certificate and the services of Princess' onboard wedding coordinators to make sure the day runs smoothly.

You can also customize the event with a variety of food and beverage, floral, photography and video choices. You can also choose to add pampering pre-ceremony spa treatments for the bride or take advantage of the ship's tuxedo rental program for the groom, among a host of other options. Reception options further allows you to create the perfect day.

Couples who don’t particularly want to spend their 10-day honeymoon with relatives and friends can choose this Princess exclusive— the cruise industry's first live Wedding Cams located in the onboard chapels. The Wedding Cam beams a live picture from the ship's wedding chapel, accessible from a special link on www.princess.com. The image refreshes once a minute, enabling viewers to follow the proceedings as they happen. The camera is used only when the couple chooses to do so, and makes arrangements prior to their ceremony.

Prices for At Sea weddings begin at $1,800 for the ceremony plus $400 for registration and license fees. Marriages are performed by the captain under the legal authority of the ship's Bermuda registry, and Princess' wedding program assists with all required paperwork.

If you have already done the marrying thing, it may be time to suggest a Vow Renewal or Anniversary package. Here’s a hint: suggest it to the wife (or hubby), first.

The $420 per couple Princess Anniversary Experience includes: one bottle of champagne accompanied by two long-stemmed roses and two Princess engraved souvenir champagne glasses; a framed formal portrait; chocolate dipped strawberries the first evening onboard; personalized anniversary or honeymoon card from the Captain–a commemorative keepsake of your clients’ celebration; champagne breakfast in bed–a half bottle of French champagne delivered with breakfast in your stateroom the morning of your choice. Two Princess terry cloth robes to take home; visit to the Spa–one 30 minute therapeutic massage or facial pp; choice of canapés or petits fours in the stateroom every evening and a personalized invitation from the Captain to visit the bridge while in port.

Starting this month, Princess Cruises, will have eight ships with wedding chapels. Tie the Knot wedding packages can be arranged by calling one of our Vacation Specialist at 1-888-898-3628 or email us at assistance@cmtravelonline.com or visit us at www.cmtravelonline.com. 

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES expects some 2,200 exciting couples will marry aboard the Fun Ships this year—a nearly 60 percent increase from just five years ago. All of these couples will also spend their honeymoon on board since the ceremonies take place either on the ship dockside or at destination locations at a port stop. Carnival does not offer marriage at sea ceremonies.

Prices for Carnival’s Just for the Bride & Groom package start at $750 with an official civil ceremony, a champagne toast with keepsake flutes, flowers for both bride and groom, a wedding cake with cake topper, pre-recorded wedding music, a decorated bridal aisle and photographic services. The Welcome Aboard package runs $1,350 and offers all the amenities of Just for the Bride & Groom plus a reception with one-hour open bar and hot-and-cold hors d’oeuvres, a two-tiered wedding cake and coffee service. The $1,450 Deluxe Romance package adds a 90-minute reception and an ice carving to the features of the other programs.

Shipboard ceremonies are available on embarkation day in any of Carnival’s continental U.S. ports, as well as in Vancouver during the line’s summer Alaska season. On-island ceremonies with all-inclusive amenities and romantic tropical setting are also available.

For additional information on Carnival’s wedding packages, call one of our Vacation Specialist at 1-888-898-3628 or email us at assistance@cmtravelonline.com or visit us at www.cmtravelonline.com. 

Believe it or not, Disney Cruise Line makes fairy tale dreams come true with wedding, vow renewal and romantic honeymoon celebrations. The Romantic Escape at Sea package includes a couples massage, champagne breakfast in bed and a special gift as the couple enjoys a cruise to the Caribbean or to The Bahamas and Castaway Cay, the line’s private island.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES has a host of wedding, vow renewal, honeymoon and anniversary packages on the refurbished  Pride of Aloha, sailing in Hawaii. Packages are filled with special touches such as breakfast in bed, a Bali-press massage for two, sparkling wine and strawberries in the stateroom, and a cozy dinner for two with killer views. For more information, call one of our Vacation Specialist at 1-888-898-3628 or email us at assistance@cmtravelonline.com or visit us at www.cmtravelonline.com.