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Most CLIA cruise lines offer highly flexible wedding packages that feature a memorable way to wed or renew vows, which include such perks as candle-lit wedding chapels, photographers, bridal bouquets, wedding cake, champagne toasts with keepsake flutes and much more.

Depending on the cruise line, honeymoon, wedding and vow renewal packages may be conducted on board, with services conducted by a local officiant, or while in port on embarkation day. Friends and family can join the couple for the day or opt to come along for the entire cruise.

Additionally, CLIA cruise lines feature destination wedding packages that enable couples to marry in ports of call around the globe, including Caribbean beachside ceremonies to those atop rooftop villas in Europe to more adventurous venues like the peaks of Alaskan glaciers.

By nature, cruise lines offer intrinsically romantic vacation experiences. Couples can opt to dine on their private balconies while gazing at the ocean or reserve tables for two at intimate, celebrity-designed venues. They can enjoy chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne in their staterooms, strolls under moonlit, star-filled skies along promenade decks, indulge in massages for two at the ship’s spa or revel in al fresco midnight dips in outdoor Jacuzzi spas.

“Cruise vacations are unquestionably proving more and more popular with honeymoon and wedding couples of all ages, including second-marriage couples who sail with blended family and friends,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA. “Because cruises are, by nature, virtually all-inclusive, they offer an incredibly convenient way in which to celebrate a wedding, honeymoon or vow renewal – or simply reconnect and revitalize romantic relationships.”

Following is a roundup of some of the romantic amenities and features available on CLIA member line ships:

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Carnival Cruise Lines offers programs that provide couples with a memorable way to tie the knot - with all the "extras" found in traditional land-based ceremonies - and with prices to match any budget. Carnival also offers destination weddings, vow renewal programs and wedding chapels on select ships, as well as wedding ceremonies at most embarkation ports.

CELEBRITY CRUISES

Celebrity Cruises exclusively features “Deck Weddings,” al fresco events under white wedding canopies adorned with flowing white sheers and fresh flowers. The line also offers customizable wedding programs that let couples express themselves at every turn, and nuptials and vow renewals at sea where the captain serves as officiant.

COSTA CRUISES

Costa Cruises features wedding packages in most Caribbean ports of calls, enabling couples to choose a destination that perfectly suits their needs. They can also opt for ceremonies in romantic shipboard chapels. As an added bonus, they can leave all of the legwork to the ships’ wedding planners and staff.

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CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal Cruises’ package perks include high-end wines and champagnes, portrait photos, couples’ massages in Penthouse Deck accommodations and specialty shore tours such as hot air balloon rides. The line’s pre-reservation service allows guests to pre-reserve special services and requests in advance. Onboard concierges also assist in ensuring seamless romantic experiences.

CUNARD LINE

Cunard Line offers newlyweds the unique opportunity to embark on romantic adventures with voyages between two continents aboard Queen Mary 2’s signature 6-day transatlantic crossings. Honeymooners can luxuriate in Canyon Ranch SpaClub® treatments, toast a life together in the Veuve Clicquot® Champagne Bar, or dance cheek-to-cheek in the largest ballroom at sea.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

Weddings aboard Disney Cruise Line’s two ships are arranged through Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings program, which includes on-site wedding coordinators to assist with ceremonies and receptions. The wedding coordinator can also assist in booking shore excursions and spa appointments for couples. Passengers can also tie the knot on the line’s private island, Castaway Cay.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Whether tying the knot atop Alaskan glaciers, Caribbean islands or on board ships, Holland America Line wedding coordinators help couples’ tailor programs to their specific requests. They can opt for small ceremonies and mini-receptions – or bring family friends along for larger affairs. Packages include personalized ceremonies with a choice of trimmings.

MSC CRUISES

MSC Cruises offers packages that include such amenities as chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to staterooms and breakfast in bed. Couples can also opt for spa packages that include massages for two. The line can also coordinate activities, such as parties and special shore excursions, for couples traveling with friends and family.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Norwegian Cruise Line offers wedding package options in such destinations as New York, Bermuda and the Caribbean, as well as weddings aboard its ships. The line’s planners can handle every detail of the big day for couples and their friends and families – from ceremonies to champagne toasts to wedding announcements.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Princess Cruises, the only line that enables captains to marry couples at sea, also features harbor-side ceremonies in embarkation ports or weddings ashore in select ports. Those guests exchanging vows in shipboard chapels can take advantage of live Wedding Cams to share their special day with family and friends at home.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Couples sailing on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Paul Gauguin Tahiti itineraries can partake in vow renewal ceremonies, which Polynesian blessings performed by Les Gauguines, native women who serve as cultural hosts on board. Options aboard sister ships include helicopter weddings to Alaskan Glaciers, quaint Canadian inns and uninhabited Caribbean cays.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Couples who sign on for “Explorer Wedding,” which debuts later this year, can choose adventurous wedding options that include marrying while atop glaciers, surfing on shipboard FlowRiders or snorkeling in the Caribbean. The line’s more traditional wedding and romance packages include shore-side vow renewals at its private island in Labadee, Haiti.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE

On Seabourn Cruise Line ships, couples can enjoy romantic dinners, served course by course, in their own suites. Late in the evenings, they lounge on deck with champagne and caviar. A word from the bride summons the stewardess, who prepares baths with therapeutic oils, crowning the snowy foam with flower petals.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB

SeaDream Yacht Club features wedding vow renewal ceremony packages accompanied by onboard guitarists and conducted by the captains. On SeaDream yachts, couples enjoy such romantic options as dining alone in nooks and crannies on deck, lolling in double Balinese sun beds and enjoying his and hers massages in the onboard spa.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

Silversea's "Personalized Voyages" lets couples tailor their honeymoon cruise to suit their own tastes by choosing when and where to embark and disembark from more than 200 destinations. On board, they can reserve romantic candlelit tables for two in the restaurant or dine in the privacy of their suites at no additional charge.

WINDSTAR CRUISES

Sailing in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Panama Canal, Mediterranean and Greek Isles, Windstar itineraries are naturally romantic, visiting a host of secluded ports. An array of vow renewal, honeymoon and wedding packages are available, with wedding arrangements coordinated through Windstar’s professional wedding planners who assist with each and every detail.

The best way to learn more about romantic onboard options is to seek the counsel of a CLIA travel professional, considered the consumer’s very best resource when planning a cruise vacation. To locate an agency near you, use the travel agent locator on CLIA’s Web site at www.cruising.org [4].

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About CLIA

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines and travel agents before regulatory and legislative policy makers. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members. CLIA's Associate Member and Executive Partner program includes the industry's leading providers of supplies and services that help cruise lines provide a safe, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable holiday vacation experience for millions of passengers every year. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org [4]. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association's Facebook [5] and Twitter [6] fan pages, and CEO Christine Duffy can be followed @CLIACEO [7] andcruising.org/ceoblog [8].

Source URL: http://www.cruising.org/vacation/content/honeymoon-and-wedding-cruises-gain-popularity-onboard-options-draw-more-couples-ocean

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[3] http://www.cruising.org/news/press_releases/feed

[4] http://www.cruising.org

[5] http://www.facebook.com/CLIAFan

[6] http://twitter.com/#%21/CruiseFacts

[7] https://twitter.com/CLIACEO

[8] http://ceoblog.cruising.org/

Press Contacts:

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Honeymoon and Wedding Cruises Gain Popularity as Onboard Options Draw More Couples to Ocean Voyages

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Home > Pressroom & Research > Press Releases > Honeymoon and Wedding Cruises Gain Popularity as Onboard Options Draw More Couples to Ocean Voyages

Fort Lauderdale, FL — Wednesday, February 14, 2007 —

Increasing numbers of wedding and honeymoon couples are saying “I do” to cruise vacations, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the premier marketing organization for 21 member cruise lines that collectively operate more than 175 ships, and 16,500 North American travel agencies. As the number of honeymoon and wedding travelers continues to grow, CLIA cruise lines are perpetually adding features and amenities that appeal to all types of couples looking for romance, and with all budgets in mind.