Mediterranean Cruise

                                     

A cruise ship is a fun and exciting location for your memorable 
wedding ceremony & marriage renewals.  

Five years ago, there were practically no weddings performed on cruise ships; now there are thousands.   According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise weddings have grown at a phenomenal rate the last few years.  

    

This growth rate is not surprising. Wedding cruise packages are available through almost every major cruise line. What better way to say your vows; have your wedding and then sail off on your honeymoon!  No travel time wasted.  This is such a wonderful way to celebrate the big day and enjoy a vacation with your closest friends and family.

Putting together a cruise wedding can actually be a fairly simple process.  With packages available in over 100 beautiful ports of call, you can choose a destination perfect for you and your guests. 

Most packages vary from cruise line to cruise line. They have their own wedding planners who are very familiar with the special needs of a wedding cruise. Packages may include priority check-in for the bridal couple and their sailing guests, Wedding Coordinator, ceremony, officiant, recorded music, bridal bouquet, boutonniere with a matching bloom, keepsake marriage certificate, wedding cake, champagne, photography and one 8" x 10" wedding photograph. These amenities are flexible to the needs of the wedding couple, but just about everything relevant to a wedding can be included in wedding cruise package.

After the ceremony there is no cleanup for the wedding party. Everyone can all simply enjoy the company of one another and continue cruising. For adventurous couples and guests, a number of cruise ship activities can also booked as a group.  Booking as a group can be a good way to get a discounted price on the activities.  

Exclusive wedding service can be provided Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Windstar and HollandAmerica (Europe), as well as select ports for Carnival Cruise Line.

Good deals can be found with repositioning cruises. Although some ships spend 365 days a year sailing the same itinerary, or in the same region, many relocate a few times a year. For example, depending on the season, they may move from Canada/New England to the Caribbean, or Alaska to Hawaii. 

Instead of sailing the ships empty, the cruise lines will usually sell these one-way routes at a discount. These voyages, known as repositioning cruises will often feature themes on subjects ranging from theater to wine, or are enhanced with enrichment options such as guest lecturers.

These “special” itineraries occur at the beginning or end of a regional cruise season. They will consist of voyages from the Caribbean, Florida, and U.S. East Coast to Europe (or vice versa) with stops in the Canary Islands or Azores along the way. On the West Coast, you'll find repositioning sailings between Alaska and the Southern California homeports, as well as Panama Canal voyages between California and Florida.

To find a repositioning cruise….. Look at regions that have very specific seasons year after year. For example, ships that spend summertime in Alaska have no choice but to relocate in September or October. This gives you an opportunity to find unique itineraries along the California coast, to Hawaii or through the Panama Canal.

In the springtime, look for trans-Atlantic cruises as ships reposition from the East Coast (like New York or Ft. Lauderdale) to Northern Europe for Mediterranean sailings. Other repositioning itineraries will journey to Asia, the Middle East and Africa. . Since South America and Asia are becoming more popular cruise destinations, you might also find repositioning cruises from the USA across the Caribbean to South America or across the Indian or Pacific Oceans.

 

With a maiden voyage of May 2007 and 2974 passenger ship, she alternates between 2 itineraries covering the Mediterranean Sea. Service on the ship was quite fantastic, although nightly Broadway style entertainment was marginal. The dinners were quite superb and restaurant service was exceptional. Having a large movie screen on the Lido deck (pool deck) brought lots of entertainment during the afternoon & late night evenings.

 

Due to the many interesting ports of call, the12 night sailing did not seem long at all. The weather was averaging 89-100 degrees in the month of July; somewhat-humid-to-very humid; no rain; and beautiful sunny days for the entire trip. Below are some highlight locations to know:

 
NOTE: Shoulders & legs must be covered when entering many religious buildings. Italy is known for their delicious Gelato ice cream

- Mt Vesuvius (a volcanic mountain which erupts every 50 years & is late for its last eruption). At a height of 3,000 feet, the mouth of the crater walls can be reached on foot by a a narrow path that zigzags up for approximately 1,000 feet.

Once at the rim of the crater walls, and with an official alpine guide, there are hot spots in the wall. If you scrape a small hole, push some paper into the hole, you may find that it will ignite.

 

            - Pompeii - an ancient Roman town which was completely covered over from an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius back in 79 AD. The town was buried under 20 feet of ash and pumice stone, preserving the entire city. Three quarters of the city has been excavated over a period of 300 years. The walking tour can get strenuous and comfortable shoes are highly recommended.

      

            - Capri – from Sorrento Marina, take a 25 minute jetfoil ride to Capri. A tiny island with an area of 5½ square miles, has a wondrous beauty lined with narrow streets and fun shopping.

           - Sorrento – this delightful town has a wonderful climate and marvelous views of Naples Bay. 

            - AmalfiCoast – enjoy a breathtaking coastal drive of Amalfi Coast.