Royal Caribbean Weddings & Romance
Celebrate Your Love, Your Way
Honeymoons • Anniversaries • Proposals & Engagements • Vow Renewals • Romantic Getaways


Whether you’re celebrating your honeymoon, anniversary, engagement, vow renewal, or simply escaping together for some much-needed time for two, Royal Caribbean makes it easy to turn an ordinary vacation into something unforgettable.


From romantic dinners and relaxing spa treatments to champagne toasts, breathtaking destinations, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, I’ll help you create a Royal Caribbean getaway centered around the two of you.


Couple exchanging vows during an intimate wedding ceremony aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise
Legal or Symbolic?
Whether You’re Making It Official or Simply Celebrating Your Love, Choose the Ceremony That’s Perfect for Your Story.


Royal Caribbean can accommodate both legal and symbolic wedding experiences, depending on where the ceremony takes place.


Legal Weddings at Sea


Legal weddings performed at sea are conducted by the Captain or Staff Captain once the ship is in international waters. These marriages are legally recognized in The Bahamas, where Royal Caribbean ships are registered. Couples should check with their local government authorities to confirm recognition where they live.


Legal weddings at sea require a Bahamian maritime marriage license. Royal Weddings assists couples with the application process, which requires at least 90 days for processing. Application and licensing fees are additional. Following the cruise, couples must obtain their official marriage certificate through the Bahamas Registrar's Office. Additional certificate fees apply.


Symbolic Weddings


A symbolic ceremony gives couples the romance and celebration of a wedding at sea without creating a new legal marriage through the ceremony itself. Symbolic ceremonies at sea are performed by a non-denominational officiant and can be a wonderful option for couples who prefer to complete the legal paperwork at home, want fewer licensing requirements, or simply want to celebrate their commitment in a meaningful way.


Good to Know: Ceremony requirements vary depending on whether the wedding takes place at sea, in a U.S. port, or in another destination. For marriage licenses outside The Bahamas, the couple is responsible for obtaining the required license and officiant. Royal Weddings will help determine the requirements for the ceremony location you choose. 


Royal Caribbean Wedding FAQs

Everything You Need to Know Before Saying “I Do” at Sea


How do I get a marriage license for a wedding at sea? 


Legal weddings at sea require a Bahamian maritime marriage license. The process requires at least 90 days, and your Royal Weddings Event Specialist will assist with the application and help ensure Bahamian legal requirements are met. Additional licensing fees apply. 


Can we get married any day or night of our cruise?


Wedding dates and times are subject to ceremony venue and officiant availability. Royal Weddings will make every effort to accommodate your preferred date and time, but specific times cannot be guaranteed.


How far in advance should we book our wedding?


Weddings at sea must be booked at least 90 days before sailing, but booking as early as possible is strongly encouraged to give you the best selection of dates, venues, and options.


Can we invite guests to our wedding?


Absolutely. For onboard ceremonies, the number of guests allowed depends on your selected wedding package and the capacity of the venue. Shoreside ceremonies may also accommodate guests, although transportation, entrance, and venue fees may apply.


Can guests attend the wedding without sailing with us?


This may be possible with Royal Caribbean's Love Sets Sail embarkation-day wedding package. Non-sailing guest allowances and requirements are subject to port, security, and package guidelines.


Why do we need to arrive early for an embarkation-day wedding?


Wedding parties receive priority boarding for first-day ceremonies. Royal Caribbean assigns an earlier arrival time to help get the wedding party onboard and prepared before general embarkation becomes busy. Exact arrival requirements vary by port.


What happens if it rains on our wedding day?


If weather conditions make an outdoor ceremony unsuitable, the onboard Wedding Coordinator will make alternate arrangements when necessary.


Are there additional fees for weekends or holidays?


Additional wedding fees apply on some holiday sailings and weddings taking place at Royal Caribbean's private destinations. Your Royal Weddings Sales Coordinator can provide pricing for your specific date and sailing. 


Will Royal Weddings arrange our marriage license?


For a Bahamian marriage license, your Royal Weddings Event Specialist coordinates the application process. For marriage licenses required outside The Bahamas, obtaining the appropriate license is the couple's responsibility.


Can the Captain marry us?


For a legal wedding at sea, the Captain or Staff Captain can perform the ceremony once the ship reaches international waters. The marriage is legally recognized in The Bahamas. Couples should verify recognition and documentation requirements with the appropriate authorities where they live.


Who performs symbolic ceremonies?


Symbolic ceremonies at sea are performed by a non-denominational officiant. In U.S. ports, ceremonies may be performed by a Notary Public or non-denominational officiant. Religious ceremonies are not offered through Royal Weddings.


What is the difference between the Royal Weddings planning team?


You'll have different people helping at different stages:

  • Royal Weddings Sales Coordinator: Helps you select your wedding package.

  • Royal Weddings Event Specialist: Helps complete your contract and plan the details of your celebration.

  • Onboard Wedding Coordinator: Brings those plans to life once you're onboard.

For cruise-related needs outside the wedding event itself, Guest Services can assist once onboard.


What if one of our guests has accessibility needs?


Accessibility varies by ship, venue, and port, including wheelchair access, restrooms, and changing facilities. Discuss accessibility requirements with your Wedding Specialist early so the available venues and arrangements can be reviewed.


Are same-sex weddings available?


Royal Caribbean states that legal same-sex weddings may be offered ashore in U.S. and international ports where legally permitted. Because Royal Caribbean ships are registered in The Bahamas, its materials state that legal same-sex marriages cannot currently be performed at sea. Symbolic same-sex ceremonies may be performed at sea or at select ports of call.


Is music included with our ceremony?


Portable music systems are available for onboard ceremonies. Traditional prerecorded wedding music is provided, or couples may request preferred music. Music isn't automatically provided for shoreside weddings, although arrangements may be available at select locations.


Can we bring our own wedding decorations?



Potentially, but decorations brought onboard require approval. Discuss anything you're planning to bring with your Royal Weddings Event Specialist beforehand.


How do we pay for our wedding package and extras?


Your selected wedding package is applied to your booked cruise reservation, and payment follows the cruise reservation's payment schedule. Wedding enhancements and add-ons are typically selected by 45 days before sailing, with payment due within 24 hours after the charges are added to the reservation. Group reservation payment schedules may differ.


Are all wedding packages available on every Royal Caribbean sailing?


No. Wedding package availability depends on the ship and sailing. Love Sets Sail is available only on ships departing from U.S. ports, while availability of other wedding packages should be confirmed for your selected sailing. 


What happens after we book our wedding?


Once you've selected your sailing and wedding package, you'll work with Royal Weddings to complete the contract, choose your available enhancements, and finalize details such as food, bar service, music, photography, florals, cake, and other celebration options. Once onboard, your Wedding Coordinator takes over to help bring those plans together.


Still have questions?


Every wedding is different, and requirements can vary by ship, sailing, ceremony location, and type of wedding. I’ll help you navigate the cruise portion of your plans and connect all the pieces so you know what to expect before your special day.


Royal Caribbean wedding policies, legal requirements, package availability, fees, and inclusions are subject to change. Legal marriage requirements should always be confirmed for your specific ceremony location and jurisdiction.