Love is on deck.
As more couples lean into the destination wedding trend, some are going the all-inclusive route at sea, opting to say their “I do’s” on a cruise ship, Fora travel agency’s new Wedding & Honeymoon Trend Report found.
“With a cruise wedding, you blend the excitement and glamour of a destination celebration without the hassle of scheduling and corralling guests,” Henley Vazquez, co-founder of Fora, told The Post. “A cruise wedding still feels fresh and unexpected — it’s a way for couples to do something memorable that doesn’t feel like everyone else’s wedding.”
In addition to those selling points, the most appealing differences between a traditional getaway wedding and one on a cruise are the multiple-destination factor and the price — for both the couple and guests, she said. With lavish destination weddings costing an arm and a leg these days, cruise weddings allow both the couple and guests to go on a full-blown trip without breaking the bank.
And it doesn’t hurt that ships have become the new all-inclusive venue, complete with onboard wedding planners — and sometimes even a captain to officiate the nuptials.
“There’s also a real appetite right now for celebrations that feel effortless — where the planning is contained, the pricing is all-inclusive, and the host isn’t left guessing at the final bill or shepherding guests,” Vazquez explained.
The average wedding in 2026 has soared to $36,000, according to Zola, though of course it varies widely by couple and their chosen add-ons, with some spending over $100,000 for their special day.
When it comes to cruises, the wedding itself is typically a fraction of that — sometimes with the whole wedding costing less than a venue on land.
On the less expensive end, Carnival Cruises offers a “Signature Ceremony” wedding package starting at $1,799, which includes a 15- to 20-minute ceremony for 10 guests, including the couple getting married.
This lower-tier package also includes a pre-cruise wedding planner, priority embarkation assistance for embarkation day weddings, a private shipboard venue, photography services and a local officiant.
Carnival also includes a two-tier cake, a sparkling wine toast, a honeymoon dinner for the couple, shipboard decorations, a canvas and a keepsake wedding certificate.
Royal Caribbean offers one of the pricier options with its “Love Sets Sail” wedding package for $9,499, which includes a private ceremony venue for up to 100 guests, a bridal bouquet and matching boutonniere, decor for the ceremony, a DJ, a microphone, a three-tier wedding cake and a sparkling wine group toast.
The package features exclusive perks for just the couple, too, like a bottle of Moët & Chandon, dinners for two at a specialty restaurant, breakfast-in-bed with mimosas, chocolate-covered strawberries and a 50-minute couples massage.
However, the wedding packages on any ship are just the cost of the wedding, not the cruise itself. Guests cruising along with the couple are required to pay for that themselves, and prices will depend on the ship and cruise line, time of year, duration, itinerary and destinations, and cabin type.
The base cost of a typical weeklong cruise on a major cruise line in the Caribbean in April 2027 would be $630 to $7,900 per person, while a seven-night Pacific Coast Mexico cruise in October 2026 can range from $560 to $1,580 per person, according to U.S. News.
Aside from the wedding and related events, there’s also the voyage itself, which can vary drastically depending on the couple and what destinations feel right for them.
“Having everyone staying in the same place, but with the flexibility of entertainment that appeals to everyone, creates an experience that feels relaxed rather than coordinated,” Vazquez noted.
Cruise weddings are rising alongside the broader cruise boom, according to the travel expert, with the cruise market itself transforming with the entrance of ultra-luxury yachts to trendy, adults-only ships.
While having a cruise wedding might seem smooth-sailing, couples tend to underestimate some logistical challenges, particularly with their guests.
The biggest issue is the physical space, Vazquez pointed out. With a large guest list, having a private ceremony, private dining and a private party space can be difficult. What can actually be privatized varies by ship — and that exclusivity might not be entirely possible.
Plus, there’s the complexity that comes with cruises in general, such as coordinating boarding times, arranging pre- and post-trip stays, and making sure guests know what to expect.
“It’s not as simple as flying somewhere and checking into a hotel. The couples who have the smoothest experiences are the ones who brought in a travel adviser early who can navigate these challenges and coordinate guests on their behalf,” Vazquez advised.
Of course, there will also be guests who refuse to attend a cruise ship wedding, whether that’s because they can’t commit to the trip or simply because they get seasick, as some pointed out in a Reddit thread on the topic.
“If I’m going to pay for tickets, it’s going to be to see Beyoncé. Not to go somewhere that’ll make me motion sick,” one person commented.
“For one, I can’t just fly in for a weekend and still do my own thing. I’m stuck on the cruise. And sure, it’s cheaper for you… but you’re passing off the costs to your guests,” another noted. “I would not attend, unless it was for a sibling.”
“I HATE cruises and I would have to love you a LOT to pay for and use PTO to do something I hate. At least with a destination wedding I can likely extend the trip to see stuff I want to see, but on a cruise I’m just on a cruise,” someone else wrote.
One person shared that she had a “f–king terrible” experience as maid of honor on a seven-day cruise, where the actual wedding wasn’t until the sixth day.
“The guests were sunburnt, recovering from food poisoning and/or experiencing a day six, unlimited drink package, hang over during the wedding. It was also extremely expensive and we had to use our entire travel budget for the year to go,” she wrote.
Regardless of whether people want to attend, cruise weddings aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, Vazquez told The Post.
“This is a movement, not a moment. Just as we’re seeing the cruise sector grow overall, we’re seeing ship-centered celebrations expand across every type of special life event,” she said. “The extension of cruise into weddings is an obvious continuation of the trend.”
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