Royal Wedding at Sea

Engaged couples can now experience the romance of being joined at sea by the Captain aboard a Royal Caribbean International ship through the Royal Romance weddings and vow renewal program.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has cleared the cruise line to conduct legal weddings aboard the world’s most innovative cruise ships while they are at sea. A Royal Caribbean ship is an ideal option for a ‘multi-destination’ wedding, able to cater to large parties, attended by family members and friends, to smaller – but still unforgettable – affairs.

Couples wishing to share this special moment with friends and family can enjoy the Sweethearts at Sea promotional offer, inclusive of a ceremony performed by the Captain, photography and more, when booking 12 or more staterooms on a 2013 Royal Caribbean International sailing during the special introductory offer.

“Thanks to the support of the Bahamas, our guests can now be married during the course of their Royal Caribbean cruise and bask in the romance of the sea as they exchange their vows,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.  “Royal Caribbean’s staff and crew will cater the affair with our world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service to help make the day extra special for the couple and their guests.”

“The Bahamas is happy to participate in this venture with Royal Caribbean International,” said Senator Allyson Maynard-Gibson, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Bahamas.  “This premier cruise line has been bringing visitors to our beautiful country for many years, and we know that the Royal Romance weddings and vow renewal program will encourage even more visitors to our beautiful shores.”

The Royal Romance team of wedding specialists are poised to assist couples during this momentous occasion in their lives and are eager to help create a beautifully personalized event that reflects the bride and groom’s desires. From day one, the Royal Romance team assists in wedding planning services, including any legal requirements pre-departure, and once onboard, the Royal Romance Coordinator ensures every last detail is taken care of for the special moment.

Brides and grooms looking to marry onboard a Royal Caribbean ship will be married in a manner that is legally recognized by the Bahamas through the newly passed Marriage Act.  The act allows for marriages while in international waters, which is defined as outside the 12-mile limit of the territorial waters of any nation. The actual location of the ship when the marriage takes place is then recorded in the Marriage Record book of the Bahamas.

Couples have several customizable Royal Romance Package options that celebrate their big day and include all the essentials for creating the perfect wedding. For example, the Royal Romance at Sea package includes: the ceremony performed by the ship’s captain, a groom’s boutonniere, a rose bouquet for the bride, freshly-made cake, recorded music and a live soloist during ceremony, wine at the ceremony, dinner for the bride and groom at an onboard specialty restaurant, photography services, plus champagne and strawberries in the couple’s stateroom.

The Sweethearts at Seas promotion offers couples a complimentary Romance at Sea package when they share their happy memories with family and friends and their wedding party books 12 or more staterooms on a 2013 cruise of five nights or longer.  Those couples booking 25 or more staterooms can enjoy the above, plus a complimentary stateroom upgrade, bar service and an hors d’oeuvres reception.

Royal Romance also offers vow renewal packages, symbolic services and customized proposal packages. Complementing Royal Romance’s packages is Royal Caribbean’s Honeymoon Registry which continues the romance with friends and family contributing to a couple’s ideal Royal Caribbean honeymoon cruise.  Instead of the standard pots and pans, the couple’s family and friends can contribute to a dinner at a specialty restaurant, a couple’s massage, or an excursion.  Couples can add all of the onboard activities they’d like in the registry, where their family and friends can even contribute to the cruise fare and help make the dream of vacationing to far-off places a reality.

The Sweethearts at Seas is now available to be booked for cruises starting January 1, 2013.