15 February 2008

Celebrity/Azamara to offer weddings at sea

Captains of Celebrity and Azamara Cruises ships are to start performing wedding ceremonies at sea.

Seven of Celebrity's eight ships have been re-registered in Malta, where Azamara's two ships are also registered, enabling captains to perform legal marriages while at sea.

The cost of wedding packages will start at $2,500 when the ceremonies are introduced on board later this year.

Those wishing to tie the knot on one of the ships will have to book their wedding in advance in order to allow time for the processing of licences and other legal documents.

The marriages at sea will complement existing vow renewals and weddings in port or on cruise excursions offered by the sister cruise companies.

Couples looking to get married on board will be offered a range of packages that include private receptions in speciality restaurants, wedding cakes and Champagne.

The two lines' hotel operations vice-president Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said: 'While many of our guests come on board seeking a once-in-a-lifetime wedding or vow renewal, and we've been happy to provide them with in-port weddings led by a local official, their number one request is for captains to perform the ceremony. Now we're able to fulfil that wish while sailing the open waters of the world.'

Celebrity and Azamara join lines such as P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises in offering weddings at sea.

By April this year there will have been 258 weddings performed by captains of five P&O Cruises' ships in addition to 262 British couples who chose to tie the knot on a Princess ship.

P&O Cruises has 246 weddings planned for 2008-09. This compares with 184 between April 2006 and April 2007, the first year the service became available.

by Phil Davies