Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    I went on the Holiday of Carnival Cruises in March. My suggestion to
    you is not to get married on this ship. This isn't however a negative
    note about Carnival. I had the time of my life on this ship. It just
    seemed very much geared toward singles (which I am) and not very
    intimate which I assume you would like for a wedding. One interesting
    story though. While I was on the cruise, there was a girl who met a 
    guy while she was on the ship (I think he worked for the cruise lines)
    and married him at one of the ports of call. I bet her parent would be
    really surprised to see what she had brought home from her vacation!
    
    MC

    To the Author of Note 288.
    
    My wife and I tried to arrange a shipboard wedding for MAY91 and ran into
    a plethora of complications. After hearing the discouraging news from
    our regular travel agent, we decided to try several other agents and compare
    notes. This is what we discovered(info acquired in spring of 1991)
    in unison from the others as well.
    
    Cruise lines do not provide on-board chaplins to perform the service. 
    If you want to be married on a ship,  you have to bring and pay for
    your own minister!  Also, ship captains are not legally vested to perform 
    weddings at sea!  Actually, they are legally vested with very little
    other than commanding the ship and adhering to the laws of the seas. 
                              
    As well, the cruise lines do not permit weddings in public areas
    on the ships. We were told by the agents that weddings are
    only permitted in your cabin! 
    
    Also, many complications surround validity of the service. If you
    are married at sea outside of territorial waters, no-one can officiate
    the wedding and vaildate your wedding certificate as an official
    legal representative of the U.S. There are certain areas in the
    Carribean and the Pacific that are legally recognized by the U.S.  It
    is best to check with a U.S. government office to find out who the are 
    the "friends or foes"! A U.S. territorial island wedding might be more 
    feasible.                   
    
    
    Sorry to burst your bubble. It might be wise to have a nice home
    wedding and honeymoon on a cruise ship. Practically speaking, it
    much more achievable.                                     
    
    We ended up with a civil ceremony at the local court house, celebrated
    the event with a fancy lunch and had an evening garden party at
    our home with all our friends and relatives. The next day, we left for 
    our honeymoon. Though we didn't fulfil our dream wedding, our dream of
    a happy, loving life with our "10"'s manifests itself every day when
    we wake up in each others arms. 
    
    Our wedding day was a celebration of the event. Every passing day
    is a celebration of our life together. We never have or will look back with 
    regrets because the shipboard event didn't occur. We have each other
    and thats all that matters! 
    
    Good Luck  nad Hvae A Happy Life!
    
    BD @KAO
    
    

    I just returned from a Cruise on Carnival's Celebration...While we did
    not have a wedding on board; there was one couple who got married on St
    Thomas.  I do not know how they arranged it; but the remainder of the
    cruise was their honeymoon.  Just a thought.
    
    Joe

    
     See note 158.2.  It says that one couple got married on the ship
     before it set sail.  The couple just stayed onboard for their 
     honeymoon.  Not a bad idea if you can work it out with the cruise line
    
    
                             -Rob
    
    

    I was on the Sovereign of the Seas June of '88.  We were in the Viking
    Crown Lounge enjoying a cocktail, waiting for the ship to depart, when
    up on deck comes a brides, groom, best man (in tux with shorts), the
    maid/matron of honor, a JP, and other guests (about 12 in all). 
    Performed the cermony right below us between the two pools!  Turned
    out the newly-married couple was part of our group for the life boat
    drill (pretty funny seeing the bride in a long white gown with a life
    preserver on!).  They told us that they had used one of the small 
    lounges for a mini-reception.  Then the guests left the ship and the
    happy couple stayed on for their honeymoon.
    
    I'm not sure if the cruise lines let guests come on board before
    they sail any more.    My mother- and sister-in-law sailed on the
    Nordic Empress last summer and could not bring any guests on board.
    
    -Karen