How much does a cruise ship wedding cost?
How much does a cruise ship wedding cost?
$2,000 – $8,000 average cost (excluding cruise fare)
Average cruise ship wedding cost
A cruise ship wedding costs $2,000 to $8,000 on average for ceremony packages, not including the cost of your cruise fare. This makes cruise weddings one of the most budget-friendly options for couples who want a memorable destination celebration with a built-in honeymoon.
Each cruise line offers different packages, venues, and add-ons. In this guide, we'll break down pricing by cruise line, explain what's included in wedding packages, and help you understand the additional costs so you can plan your perfect wedding at sea.
What's included in cruise wedding packages?
Most cruise wedding packages cover the essentials needed for your ceremony. Standard packages often include:
A non-denominational officiant or captain
An onboard wedding coordinator
A private venue for your ceremony
Basic décor
A wedding cake and champagne toast
Many lines also include extras like dinner for two in a specialty restaurant and chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to your stateroom.
The beauty of these all-inclusive packages is knowing exactly what you're paying up front. Unlike traditional weddings where costs can spiral unexpectedly, cruise weddings bundle the essentials together. You can then customize your experience by adding photography, live music, floral upgrades, or reception packages based on your budget and guest count.
Cruise wedding cost by cruise line
Wedding package pricing varies significantly depending on which cruise line you choose and the level of customization you want. The table below shows a breakdown of what major cruise lines charge for their wedding packages.
| Cruise line | Starting package cost | Guest capacity | Key inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | $1,799 – $2,899+ | 10 – 20 | Officiant, coordinator, cake, champagne, and specialty dinner |
| Royal Caribbean | $1,950 – $6,000+ | Couple only – 50+ guests | Wedding specialist, coordinator, DJ, décor, and cake |
| Disney Cruise Line | $4,500 – $6,000+ | Up to 16 guests (plus couple) | Coordinator, florals, pianist, Palo dinner, and $100 credit |
| Norwegian | $2,099 – $3,599 | Varies by package | Captain officiant, coordinator, ceremony venue, and décor |
| Princess Cruises | $2,995 – $5,995 | 2 – 18 guests | Coordinator, flowers, cake, and photographer service |
| MSC Cruises | $2,495 – $2,995 | Varies by location | Onboard or shoreside options |
| Virgin Voyages | $3,900 – $7,500 | Intimate ceremonies | Captain/officer officiant; adults-only celebration |
Carnival
Carnival offers some of the most affordable cruise wedding options:
Signature Ceremony: From $1,799 for up to 10 guests; includes a 15 to 20 minute ceremony, cake, champagne, and coordinator.
Celebration Package: From $2,899 for 20 guests; extra guests are about $42 per person.
Love Ashore Package: From $2,659; includes round-trip transfers for the couple to a shoreside venue (additional guest transfers cost extra).
Reception packages with hors d'oeuvres and open bar service are available at an added cost.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers several wedding tiers, from intimate vow renewals to full receptions. Packages include everything from pre-cruise wedding specialists to onboard coordinators and can accommodate both sailing and non-sailing guests. Guest capacity for embarkation-day weddings can reach up to 75 non-sailing guests, depending on port and venue.
Wedding packages range from $1,950 to $6,000+ depending on location, guest count, and inclusions.
Vow Renewal packages start at $1,699 for a couples only celebration.
Royal Caribbean lets you enhance your celebration with à la carte options like live musicians for $75 to $300 per hour, photography packages for $999 to $2,999, and various reception styles.
Disney
Disney's "Fairy Tale Weddings at Sea" begin at $4,500 for onboard ceremonies and $5,500 to $6,000+ for ceremonies on Castaway Cay. Packages include:
Ceremony coordinator and officiant
Personal fresh florals
Pianist
Cake and champagne celebration
Palo dinner for two
Ceremony attire steaming
$100 onboard credit
Disney's guest capacity is up to 16 guests plus the couple (18 total). Guests aged 3 and older cost $20 per person.
Norwegian
Norwegian Cruise Line offers versatile wedding options for both symbolic and legal ceremonies.
Symbolic ceremonies start at $2,099 and may be performed onboard or ashore.
Legal "Wedding at Sea" starts at $3,199 and is available on select ships. This option must be booked at least 75 days in advance.
Norwegian offers extensive à la carte options for receptions, including standard cocktail receptions, deluxe packages with expanded hors d'oeuvres selections, and sit-down luncheons for larger groups. Reception pricing starts at around $54 per person for luncheon service with wine.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises recently revamped their wedding packages into three distinct tiers.
The Perfect Pair Wedding at $2,995 is ideal for couples with just two guests.
The Timeless Ceremony at Sea costs $3,995 and accommodates up to 8 guests with a live solo musician.
The Timeless Wedding at Sea includes a dedicated reception space and can host up to 18 people for $5,995.
These prices are for symbolic ceremonies. If you want a legal wedding with a marriage license, costs increase by about $500. Peak season and holiday travel periods may incur additional surcharges.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises offers flexible wedding options for couples who want to tie the knot either onboard or at a beautiful shoreside location. Their wedding packages start from $2,495 to $2,995 depending on the location you choose.
You can exchange vows on the ship in elegant ceremony spaces or opt for a destination wedding at one of MSC's stunning port locations. The cruise line's private island in The Bahamas provides a particularly picturesque backdrop for beach ceremonies.
MSC's specific package inclusions vary based on whether you choose an onboard or shoreside ceremony, so confirm the details when booking your package.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages introduced its wedding program in 2025 with a modern, adults-only approach.
The entry-level package, called "You, Me and the Sea," starts from $3,900 to $4,200 and offers an intimate ceremony with just the couple and a captain or officer serving as the officiant.
Larger celebration packages reach $6,000 to $7,500, depending on the guest count and ship.
Each Virgin Voyages wedding package includes a pre-cruise wedding specialist, onboard coordinator, and an officer or captain as officiant. Optional add-ons include bespoke bouquets, live music options, and spa packages.
The adults-only atmosphere makes Virgin Voyages ideal for couples seeking a sophisticated, party-focused celebration with multiple opportunities to dance and enjoy nightlife throughout the ship.
Wedding cruise cost factors
Several factors affect the final price of a cruise wedding. Some packages cover only the essential ceremony components, while others include extras like receptions, upgraded floral designs, or photography sessions.
Guest count: Packages often include a set number of guests, with an additional per-person cost if that number is exceeded.
Location: Premium spots like private decks or exclusive beaches, such as Disney's Castaway Cay, can increase costs.
Timing: Embarkation day weddings offer convenience and often lower prices. At-sea ceremonies provide true romance but may be symbolic rather than legal. Port-of-call weddings give you beautiful destination photos but require coordination with local officials for legal marriages.
Photography and videography: Many cruise lines offer add-ons for capturing the day, with wedding photography package prices often ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Reception and dining: Including meals or cocktail receptions for guests is generally an add-on that increases overall expenses.
Music: Live music for your ceremony or reception usually costs extra, with solo musicians starting around $75 per hour and wedding bands ranging up to $320 per hour.
Marriage license: Legal weddings require licenses, which may not be included in the package and vary based on ports of call.
Non-sailing guests: If you're inviting non-sailing guests to join you for the ceremony, they'll need day passes to board the ship. Some cruise lines cap non-sailing guest attendance at 50 people, and when you exceed 10 non-sailing guests, some require you to book a reception package.
Symbolic vs. legal cruise wedding
Most ceremonies performed while the ship is at sea are symbolic, meaning they're beautiful and meaningful but don't make you legally married. You'll need to obtain a marriage license from your home state or country before or after the cruise to make your union official.
Legal weddings on cruises require the ship to be docked at a port where the captain or officiant is authorized to perform legally binding ceremonies. These often cost $500 to $1,000 more than symbolic ceremonies because they involve additional paperwork, licensing fees, and coordination with local authorities.
Many couples choose symbolic ceremonies on their cruise and handle the legal paperwork separately through a simple courthouse wedding at home. This approach saves money and simplifies the process while still giving you the romantic cruise wedding experience you desire.
Onboard vs. destination
Cruise lines offer diverse wedding venue options that affect your overall cost:
Onboard ceremonies take place in elegant spaces like cocktail lounges, dedicated wedding areas, or outdoor deck locations with ocean views. These typically cost less than destination weddings and can happen on embarkation day, at sea, or while docked at a port.
Destination weddings at private islands or exotic ports create stunning backdrops but usually mean higher prices. Popular locations include Disney's Castaway Cay, Carnival's private islands, and picturesque spots in the Caribbean, Alaska, or Mediterranean. Some cruise lines even offer unique venues like glacier ceremonies in Alaska or beach weddings in tropical paradises.
Additional costs
Beyond the base wedding package, several extra expenses can add to your total cruise wedding cost. The table below shows a breakdown of common additional expenses you should budget for when planning your cruise wedding.
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Attire or wedding dress cost | $500 – $3,000 |
| Wedding hair and makeup cost | $180 – $600 |
| Wedding photographer cost | $175 – $500 per hour |
| Wedding videographer cost | $125 – $350 per hour |
| Live music (solo musician) | $75 – $150+ per hour |
| Live wedding band cost | $200 – $320+ per hour |
| Wedding flowers cost | $500 – $3,500 |
| Marriage license fees | $50 – $200 |
| Coordinator/officiant gratuities | $100 – $300 |
| Reception packages | $50 – $100+ per person |
| Non-sailing guest day passes | $50 – $150 per person |
Cruise ship wedding FAQs
Does the cruise wedding cost include the cruise fare?
No, cruise wedding packages do not include the cost of your actual cruise fare. The wedding package covers only ceremony-related services like the officiant, coordinator, venue, décor, cake, and champagne. You'll need to book and pay for cruise staterooms separately for yourself and any sailing guests.
Can you get legally married on a cruise ship?
Yes, but it depends on the cruise line and where the ship is located during your ceremony. Some cruise lines offer legal weddings when docked at specific ports where their captains are authorized to perform binding ceremonies. Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises offer legal wedding options on select ships and itineraries.
How far in advance should you book a cruise wedding?
Most cruise lines require booking weddings at least 60 to 90 days before your sailing date, though some require more notice. Norwegian's Wedding at Sea package, for example, must be booked 75 days in advance.
Booking 6 to 12 months ahead gives you the best selection of sailing dates, stateroom categories, and ceremony time slots, and helps your guests secure better cabin and airfare rates.
How many guests can attend a cruise ship wedding?
Guest capacity varies by cruise line and package. Basic packages accommodate 10 to 20 guests, while upgraded packages can host 50 or more sailing guests. Most cruise lines also allow non-sailing guests to attend embarkation day ceremonies, usually capping attendance around 50 total non-sailing visitors.
If you want a larger wedding, you'll likely need to book a reception package and potentially an additional coordinator.
How to find the best wedding planner near you
When planning your cruise wedding, the following guidelines will help you find an experienced wedding planner who can make the process smooth and stress-free:
Search for planners with specific cruise wedding experience and relationships with major cruise lines.
Check out reviews on Fash and Google. Look for reviews from couples who planned cruise weddings specifically.
Ask for references from past clients who got married on your preferred cruise line.
Verify the planner is familiar with legal requirements for different ports and destinations.
Look for planners who offer both local consultations and remote planning services.
Consider planners certified by cruise line wedding programs or destination wedding associations.
Questions to ask a wedding planner
Before hiring a wedding planner for your cruise wedding, ask these important questions to ensure they're the right fit:
How many cruise weddings have you planned, and with which cruise lines?
What is your process for coordinating with the cruise line's onboard wedding team?
Do you have relationships with cruise line wedding departments that might benefit my planning?
What services do you provide before, during, and after the cruise?
How do you handle changes to cruise itineraries or wedding packages?
Can you assist with guest group bookings and stateroom blocks?
What are your fees, and what services are included versus à la carte?
How do you communicate with me once we're onboard the ship?
Can you help coordinate additional events like rehearsal dinners or day-after brunches?
What happens if we need to cancel or reschedule our cruise wedding?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.