When my wife and I got engaged, we started looking at traditional wedding venues like everyone else. It didn’t take long to realize we were about to spend thousands of dollars for a single afternoon. Between the venue, food, decorations, photography, and everything else that comes with planning a wedding, the costs stacked up fast.
We wanted something different.
We wanted our wedding to be more than one day. We wanted an experience our family and friends would actually remember—and we wanted our honeymoon to be part of that experience, not another trip we had to plan afterward.
That’s what led us to a Carnival cruise wedding.
Looking back, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions we made.
As both a Carnival cruiser and a travel advisor, I’ve experienced the process firsthand. This guide isn’t here to repeat Carnival’s brochure—it’s here to share what I learned, what surprised us, what we’d do again, and what I wish someone had told us before we started planning a cruise ship wedding.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Carnival cruise weddings is that they’re incredibly expensive.
They’re really not.
Carnival currently offers wedding packages starting at $1,799, with larger reception packages and destination ceremonies available for couples who want something more elaborate.
Here’s what many people don’t realize: your wedding package is separate from your cruise fare. Your cruise is booked like any other Carnival vacation, while the wedding package covers your ceremony and the services included with that package.
For a lot of couples, that’s an advantage—it lets you build your budget around the experience you actually want, instead of paying for things you may never use.
Here’s probably the biggest piece of advice I can give you:
Don’t get excited about one sailing and immediately book it.
Wedding availability is limited on every Carnival cruise, and certain sailings book out faster than others.
When my wife and I started planning, we didn’t pick one cruise and hope for the best. We made a list of several ships and sailing dates we liked, then ranked them based on itinerary, departure port, ship, and the overall experience we wanted for our wedding and honeymoon.
Once we had our favorites, I called Carnival’s Wedding Department and asked which of those sailings still had wedding availability.
Only after we confirmed availability did we book our cabin.
That one phone call probably saved us from booking a cruise and then finding out the wedding date wasn’t available.
Shipley’s Tip: Have at least three ships and sailing dates picked out before you call Carnival’s Wedding Department. The more flexible you are, the better your odds of getting the wedding you really want.
Carnival currently offers three primary wedding packages, and each one fits a different type of couple and guest list.
The Signature Ceremony is a great option for a smaller, more intimate cruise wedding. It includes up to ten guests (including the couple), a private ceremony venue, a local officiant, ceremony music, a keepsake certificate, a two-tier wedding cake, a champagne toast for adult guests, photography services, decorations, and a honeymoon dinner for the couple.
If you’d like to invite additional guests, they can currently be added for $29 per person plus applicable taxes.
If you want something bigger, It’s a Celebration! starts at $2,899. This package includes everything in the Signature Ceremony and adds a private one-hour reception with hors d'oeuvres plus a premium beverage package.
It requires a minimum of twenty guests, and additional guests are currently $42 per person plus applicable taxes.
If you’ve always pictured getting married on a beach instead of onboard, Carnival’s Love Ashore package starts at $2,659. It includes a destination ceremony, a local coordinator, officiant, wedding cake, champagne toast, transportation for the couple where applicable, photography, and a honeymoon dinner. Depending on the island, guest transportation and additional venue costs may apply.
No matter which package you choose, Carnival’s wedding planners help coordinate the major details so you can focus on being engaged (and excited) instead of buried in logistics.
Something I always tell couples: the wedding package isn’t your total budget.
You’ll still want to plan for your cruise fare, transportation to the cruise port, your marriage license (if you’re doing a legal ceremony), photography upgrades, travel insurance, drink packages, shore excursions, and possibly a hotel the night before your cruise.
Speaking of hotels…
Shipley’s Tip: If you’re flying or driving a long distance to your departure port, arrive the day before your cruise.
One extra hotel night is cheap compared to the stress of delayed flights, traffic, or the nightmare scenario of missing your wedding because something unexpected happened on travel day.
People often ask me if getting married on a cruise ship saves money.
Honestly?
It depends on what kind of wedding you’re comparing it to.
Here’s what happened with us: when my wife and I added everything together—our wedding package, the cost of inviting extra guests, our wedding photos, optional upgrades, and our cruise fare—we realized something surprising.
We had gone all out, and our total cost was about what a very small traditional wedding back home would have cost us.
The difference was huge, though. We didn’t just get one afternoon in a banquet hall.
We got an unforgettable wedding.
We got our honeymoon.
We got an amazing vacation.
And most importantly, we got multiple days making memories with the people we love—rather than saying goodbye after a four-hour reception.
For us, that made every dollar worth it.
One area that causes a lot of confusion is the difference between a legal wedding and a symbolic ceremony.
If you’re planning a legal Carnival wedding, you’ll obtain your marriage license from the state or country where your ceremony takes place. Legal requirements vary by port, and Carnival’s wedding vendors will help guide you through the process.
If you’re considering a Wedding at Sea, it’s important to know that Carnival’s at-sea ceremonies are symbolic only. They are not legally binding, and couples must already be legally married before sailing. These ceremonies are performed by a shipboard officer or member of management and let you enjoy the full wedding experience without extra legal paperwork.
Many couples prefer this option because they can handle the legal side at home, then celebrate with family and friends during the cruise.
Looking back, there are only a few things I’d change.
I would have budgeted even more for photography—because those pictures become more valuable every year.
I would absolutely arrive at the port the day before again.
I would still keep a few backup cruise options ready before calling Carnival’s Wedding Department.
And I wouldn’t change our decision to get married on a Carnival cruise for anything.
If you’re thinking about planning a Carnival cruise wedding, I’d love to help.
I’ve been through the process myself, and now I help other couples navigate it without the guesswork—whether you’re trying to decide between ships, compare itineraries, coordinate family members, or just figure out where to start.
My job isn’t just to book your cruise.
It’s to help you create a wedding you’ll still be talking about years from now.
If that sounds like the kind of experience you’re looking for, let’s start planning your Carnival cruise wedding together.