HOW TO PLAN A CRUISE WEDDING?

1. Select Your Dates Based on Cruise Itinerary

In India, cruises usually offer trips for 2 nights, 3 nights, and 5 nights. You can choose to have your wedding celebration on the cruise for either 2, 3, or 5 nights, depending on what the cruise line’s schedule allows. Take a look at your favourite cruise lines’ itineraries and pick the dates that work best for your wedding.

2. Plan Your Guest List

For a cruise wedding, it’s best to have a guest list of 100-250 people as it’s easier to handle. But don’t worry if you have 400-500 guests because cruises can still work well for large weddings. They have many rooms to accommodate big groups. Just remember to check if the cruise you choose has spacious venues to fit everyone comfortably.

3. Custom Itinerary

With a custom itinerary, you can choose the destinations, activities, and duration of the cruise that align perfectly with your wedding celebration. In India, some cruise liners can arrange their sailing schedule to match your wedding dates, especially if you have a large group of more than 500 guests.

4. Plan Your Wedding Venues

When planning your wedding on a cruise in India, you have two venue options: cruise venues and land venues.

You can have all your wedding functions on the sea by selecting from the cruise’s function spaces. They offer various deck options for the ceremony, a theatre for pre-wedding functions, and elegant banquets and ballrooms for receptions. Alternatively, you can choose to have your wedding at the beach or a hotel in the destination where the cruise docks.

5. Popular Cruise Wedding Routes in India

In India, cruise ships operate both domestically and internationally from ports like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Cochin. From Mumbai, you can choose from destinations such as Hi-Seas, Goa, Diu, and Lakshwadeep. Kolkata offers routes to Andaman and Varanasi. Kerala’s port in Kochi connects to Maldives, Singapore, and Lakshwadeep. Additionally, there are other uncommon port routes that begin from Mangalore, Pondicherry, and Chennai.

6. Rooms on Cruise

In India, cruise liners can accommodate a range of passengers, usually between 700 to 2000 people, with 350 to 700 rooms available on board. These rooms come in various categories, offering different sizes and features. The options range from 100 sq feet cabins to more spacious suites ranging from 200 to 300 square feet. It’s advisable to avoid the lowest room category as they can be quite small. Instead, it’s better to opt for the second room category, which often includes amenities like an extra bed, a balcony, and a room size larger than 150 square feet.

7. Boarding and Check-In Process on a Cruise

At every port, there is a spacious terminal where you can board the cruise ship. To ensure a smooth experience for your wedding group, you can request the cruise company to assign dedicated managers and representatives to exclusively look after your guests. By providing the cruise company with guest details and documents ahead of time, the check-in process can be made quicker and more convenient for everyone involved.

8. Food Arrangement on Cruise

On a cruise, food is typically served at large restaurants, which may or may not be exclusive to the wedding group. However, you can request a private venue exclusively for your wedding group, ensuring no outsiders are permitted.

9. Entertainment on Board

Cruise ships offer a variety of entertainment options, including DJs, bands, Bollywood shows, theatrical acts, and children’s performances like magic shows. You can inquire about the onboard acts and hire them exclusively for your function, saving on artist expenses, accommodation, and food costs.

10. Group Booking through a Wedding Planner

Travel agents and wedding planners can get very good rates as compared to individual bookings. They will also be able to customize your package with a variety of supplements and add-ons. Booking the wedding through a professional, such as a wedding planner or travel agent, is advised.

Discounts/Deals on Cruise Weddings

When comparing costs, choosing the best cruise ship for your wedding can be much more affordable than having a land wedding at a 4-star or 5-star property.

1. Consider Booking Early – Based on our experience, booking early offers significant advantages over last-minute bookings. By reserving 6 to 8 months in advance, we’ve saved up to 40% on costs and enjoyed better room options in higher categories.

2. Group Bookings & Wedding Packages – Combining group bookings and wedding packages can lead to significantly better rates. When negotiating room costs, venues, meals, and extra activities together, you can secure massive discounts. Additionally, beyond the wedding ceremony, you’ll also enjoy discounts on activities during port stops, such as snorkeling or exploring port cities. You can even opt for premium add-ons to enhance the dreamy adventure, though they aren’t essential.

3. Hire an Experienced Wedding Planner – Hiring a wedding planner for your cruise wedding not only helps with negotiations for a good deal but also ensures you are aware of crucial aspects in the planning process. They take charge of coordinating your wedding days, relieving you from the stress of managing everything yourself.

Other Important Things to Keep in Mind While Planning

When comparing costs, choosing the best cruise ship for your wedding can be much more affordable than having a land wedding at a 4-star or 5-star property.

1. Consider Booking Early – Based on our experience, booking early offers significant advantages over last-minute bookings. By reserving 6 to 8 months in advance, we’ve saved up to 40% on costs and enjoyed better room options in higher categories.

2. Group Bookings & Wedding Packages – Combining group bookings and wedding packages can lead to significantly better rates. When negotiating room costs, venues, meals, and extra activities together, you can secure massive discounts. Additionally, beyond the wedding ceremony, you’ll also enjoy discounts on activities during port stops, such as snorkeling or exploring port cities. You can even opt for premium add-ons to enhance the dreamy adventure, though they aren’t essential.

3. Hire an Experienced Wedding Planner – Hiring a wedding planner for your cruise wedding not only helps with negotiations for a good deal but also ensures you are aware of crucial aspects in the planning process. They take charge of coordinating your wedding days, relieving you from the stress of managing everything yourself.