Can you have a wedding ceremony on a cruise ship?

Most wedding ceremonies on a cruise ship are performed by a notary public in the United States and a non-denominational officiant in international ports. However, if you'd like your ceremony to be officiated by a ship's captain, then you'll need to get married while sailing international waters.



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In almost all cases, a local justice of the peace, notary, or minister must officiate; so even if you choose to hold your ceremony aboard ship, it will have to take place while the ship is in port, not at sea.

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Regardless of the day, your onboard wedding ceremony will always take place before the ship sails, giving you ample time to kick off your reception and then enjoy the sunset and salty sea air. Celebrate your love for one another as you cruise to your next port of call.

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In the event of a different name on the cruise/airline ticket and the guest's photo I.D. as a result of a marriage, divorce or a legal name change, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required (at embarkation), such as a marriage certificate, marriage license or legal name change ...

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For the most part couples working onboard together is encouraged by the cruise line. This is because happy crew members will likely be more loyal to a cruise line and stay with them longer.

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Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

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Some have even outfitted older vessels to offer accommodations for solo travelers. Although they can be pricey, single cruise cabins usually represent some savings versus what you'd pay for a voyage in a cabin meant for two. These are the best types of cabins for solo cruisers to book across the major cruise lines.

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A ship's captain generally does NOT have the legal right to officiate a wedding at sea. In order for a Captain of a ship to perform a marriage at sea, he must also be a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or an officially recognized officiant such as a Notary Public.

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