Weddings by Norwegian Cruise Line: A Guide to Getting Married on an NCL Cruise

Getting married on a Norwegian cruise means choosing more than a ship: it means choosing the kind of day you want. A ceremony in port before you set sail, a legal or symbolic ceremony once you're already at sea, or a ceremony ashore at one of the destination ports.

Each format comes with its own officiant, guest policy, and inclusions, and this guide walks through them all.

NCL Wedding Packages at a Glance

*Prices are in USD and subject to change. Contact The Cruise Web for current pricing and availability.

Closer Look at NCL's Wedding Ceremony Packages

Every NCL wedding package includes a dedicated wedding coordinator, a bridal bouquet with a matching boutonniere, and a wedding cake for the couple. What changes from package to package is where the ceremony happens, who officiates, and how much of the day is built around it.

Embarkation Day Harborside Ceremony

Say your vows, then set sail as newlyweds. Embarkation Day Harborside is the only package built for couples who want the ceremony and the cruise to start on the very same day, held dockside in a private indoor location before the ship pulls away, with non-sailing friends and family welcome to be there for it.

What's Included

• Early check-in for the wedding couple and their sailing guests
• Non-sailing guests are welcome at the ceremony and reception
• Local non-denomination marriage officiant
• Onsite wedding coordinator
• Ceremony vows provided
• Bridal bouquet of 12 ivory roses with matching boutonniere
• 6-inch wedding cake for the couple
• One bottle of sparkling wine from Norwegian's private selection
• Assistance in obtaining a marriage license
• Private indoor ceremony location
• Traditional pre-recorded ceremony music

Good to Know

• Up to 50 non-sailing guests may attend at no additional charge.
• A reception becomes mandatory once the non-sailing guest count reaches 10.
• Embarkation day runs on a tight schedule bounded by customs clearance, so expect the ceremony and reception window to be more structured than other package types. Your coordinator will walk you through timing specifics.

Pricing: Starting at $3,099*

Harborside Ceremony (Other Sailing Days)

For couples who'd rather marry in port without the embarkation-day time crunch. The ceremony takes place while the ship is docked, in a private indoor location, with the same local non-denominational officiant.

What's Included

• Onboard wedding coordinator
• Private ceremony location
• Bridal bouquet with matching boutonniere
• Non-denominational officiant
• Traditional wedding vows
• 6-inch wedding cake
• One bottle of sparkling wine
• Pre-recorded ceremony music

Good to Know

• Non-sailing guests are not permitted for this package.
• Venue is assigned based on guest count and availability.

Pricing: Starting at $3,099*

Legal Ceremony at Sea

The only package officiated by the ship's captain, and the only way to have a legally binding ceremony while underway.

What's Included

• Ceremony performed by the ship's captain
• Wedding coordinator
• Private indoor ceremony location
• Bridal bouquet of 12 roses with matching boutonniere
• Traditional wedding vows
• 6-inch wedding cake
• Champagne toast for the couple
• Chocolate-covered strawberries and canapés delivered to your stateroom
• One bottle each of sparkling wine, prosecco, and house wine
• One hour of basic photography (prints and digital files sold separately)
• Dinner for two at Le Bistro
• Priority debarkation and tendering

Good to Know

• A separate Maritime Wedding License fee of $900 applies on top of the package price.
• Requires at least 75 days advance booking to process licensing paperwork.
• Legal ceremonies at sea are available on select ships in the fleet. Ask your wedding coordinator to confirm eligibility for your sailing.

Pricing: Starting at $3,099, plus the license fee*

Symbolic Ceremony at Sea

All the ceremony, none of the legal paperwork. Officiated by the ship's senior officer, this option suits couples who've handled their legal marriage separately or aren't looking for one.

What's Included

• Ceremony performed by the ship's senior officer
• Wedding coordinator
• Private indoor ceremony location
• Bridal bouquet of 12 roses with matching boutonniere
• Traditional wedding vows
• 6-inch wedding cake
• Champagne toast for the couple
• Chocolate-covered strawberries and canapés delivered to your stateroom
• One bottle of sparkling wine from Norwegian's private selection
• One 8x10 professional photograph in an engraved frame
• Keepsake marriage certificate

Good to Know

• No legal documentation or paperwork is required.

Pricing: Starting at $2,059*

*Please note, prices are subject to change.

Destination Wedding Ceremony

For couples who want to say "I do" ashore. NCL coordinates the ceremony at select beautiful ports all over the world, with round-trip transportation included for the wedding couple.

Popular destination options include ceremonies in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Canada, and more.

What's Included

• Non-denominational officiant
• Pre-cruise wedding planner and onsite coordinator
• Bottle of sparkling wine served at the ceremony site
• Classic or wildflower bridal bouquet with matching boutonniere
• Round-trip transportation to the ceremony site for the couple
• 6-inch wedding cake

Good to Know

• Pricing varies by port. Contact The Cruise Web for details on your destination.
• Select destinations include an hour of photography; others don't. Ask your coordinator what's included for your port.
• Some ports carry an additional site or entrance fee.
• Guest capacity varies by destination. Ask your coordinator for details.
• Non-sailing guests can't participate in onboard events at non-U.S. ports of call due to security restrictions.
• Select destinations do not accommodate legal same-sex marriages. Please ask one of The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts for details.
• A symbolic-only ceremony doesn't require a marriage license.

Pricing: Varies by port*

Beyond the Ceremony

Not every couple boards a Norwegian ship to say "I do" for the first time. Some come to say it again. Others are celebrating a honeymoon or an anniversary and want a little extra romance built into the voyage.

Private Vow Renewal

Nothing says "I love you" quite like saying it all over again. A vow renewal at sea brings the same ceremony-day feeling, the vows, the setting, the celebration, without any of the legal paperwork, making it one of the most popular ways couples mark an anniversary or milestone.

Why Couples Choose a Vow Renewal at Sea

• No legal paperwork or marriage license required
• Ceremony is built around your vision, from an intimate moment for two to a celebration with guests
• Pairs naturally with any of NCL's romance packages for the rest of the sailing
• Works for any milestone, not just a specific anniversary number

Ready to renew your vows? Contact The Cruise Web to check availability and start building your ceremony. Already booked your sailing and need to schedule the ceremony itself? Reach out to your wedding coordinator directly to get it on the calendar.

Honeymoon Cruise Registry

Skip the traditional gift list. NCL's Honeymoon Cruise Registry lets friends and family contribute toward the honeymoon experiences you actually want, from spa treatments to shore excursion credits to specialty dining packages.

Good to Know

• Registry contents are flexible and built around what you choose.
• Contact The Cruise Web for details on setting up a registry for your sailing.

Romance Packages

Whether you're celebrating a honeymoon, an anniversary, or just because, NCL's romance packages add a little extra to the occasion. Three tiers are available:

Looking for a romance upgrade? The Cruise Web can confirm current pricing and add a romance package to your sailing for you.

Ceremony Venues

No two ceremonies look quite the same, because no two ships set the scene the same way. Your venue depends on your ceremony type, guest count, and what's available for your sail date, and it might turn out to be an elegant restaurant, an intimate lounge, or another private space transformed just for your ceremony.

Good to Know

• Your wedding coordinator typically confirms the venue closer to your sail date.
• Exact rooms and capacity vary by ship.

Making It Yours

The ceremony is just the start. From here, it's all about making the celebration feel like yours: the reception, the music, the photos, the finishing touches.

Reception Options

However you picture the celebration, a lively cocktail hour or a seated luncheon, NCL's wait staff handles the reception with an open bar included. Three types to choose from:

*Prices are subject to change. Contact The Cruise Web for current pricing and availability.

Good to Know

• Both cocktail receptions include hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, with additional passed tray options available as add-ons.
• The sit-down luncheon includes red and white house wine service and a choice between two plated menus.
• Minors ages 6 to 16 have a separate reception rate. Ask your coordinator for current pricing.
• The sit-down luncheon isn't available on embarkation day.
• A 20% gratuity applies to all beverage charges at either reception type.

Entertainment

Want the reception to really come alive? A few entertainment add-ons can set the mood:

• Solo pianist
• Onboard DJ
• Sound or lighting technician
• Microphone setup for readings or toasts

Good to Know

• All entertainment options are subject to an additional tech setup fee.
• Entertainment orders must be booked and paid for at least 45 days before sailing and are non-refundable.
• Availability depends on your ship and venue.

Photography

Every ceremony package includes some photography, and couples can add more through three collection tiers or an à la carte menu.

*Prices are subject to change. Contact The Cruise Web for current pricing and availability.

À la carte options are also available for couples who'd rather build their own package, including additional coverage hours, digital image bundles, canvas prints, and print packages in various sizes. Ask The Cruise Web or your wedding coordinator for the full à la carte menu and current pricing.

Spa Services

Want the whole wedding party polished and camera-ready before the ceremony? NCL's onboard spa has you covered, with blowouts, updos, manicures and pedicures, shaves, and grooming services, all booked once you're onboard.

Good to Know

• Spa services aren't available on embarkation day due to time constraints.
• An 18% service charge is automatically added to spa treatments.
• 24-hour cancellation notice is required to avoid a cancellation fee.

How to Plan and Book Your NCL Wedding

Booking a wedding at sea is more straightforward than it sounds. Here's how the process works:

1. Pick your cruise. Choose two or three sailing dates or ships you're considering, rather than booking before your wedding date is confirmed.
2. Check availability. Weddings are booked first come, first served, with only one wedding permitted per ship per day. Confirm your date is open before booking your cruise, since availability isn't guaranteed.
3. Place a hold. A 72-hour courtesy hold secures your date with no deposit required. If a hold isn't placed, the date remains open for other couples.
4. Sign and pay your deposit. Once your signed contract is received, a non-refundable deposit is processed.
5. Work with your coordinator. A dedicated pre-wedding coordinator is assigned to guide you through planning, from package selections to final details.

Booking Windows by Ceremony Type

• Destination or Harborside: 90 days minimum
• Legal at Sea: 75 days minimum
• Symbolic at Sea: 60 days minimum

The Cruise Web Advantage: Planning a cruise wedding involves more moving pieces than booking a typical sailing; availability, licensing, coordinator communication, and timing all need to line up. The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts specialize in wedding cruises and can help confirm availability, place your hold, and manage the details from first inquiry through the ceremony itself.

What to Know Before You Book

A few additional details worth knowing before you commit, some of which apply across every package.

Service and Coordinator Fees

• A 15% service fee applies to your final wedding cost, separate from gratuities, marriage license fees, and applicable taxes.
• For guest counts exceeding 25, an additional coordinator fee of $250 applies for every additional 25 guests. This fee doesn't apply to Legal at Sea or Symbolic at Sea ceremonies.

Ceremony and Reception Timing

• For onboard weddings and receptions held while sailing (Legal at Sea and Symbolic at Sea), events should wrap up by 3 pm to give the ship time to prepare for dinner service and evening activities.
• Embarkation Day ceremonies and receptions run on their own tighter schedule tied to customs clearance. Your coordinator will walk you through timing specifics.

Marriage Licenses

Obtaining a marriage license is the couple's responsibility, not NCL's or The Cruise Web's. Your wedding coordinator can walk you through the requirements for your chosen port or ceremony type. If you're planning a non-legal ceremony at a destination port, a Symbolic Waiver form must be signed at least 30 days before your ceremony.

Start Planning Your Norwegian Cruise Line Wedding Cruise

Whether you're picturing an intimate ceremony before you even set sail, a legal wedding performed by the captain mid-voyage, or a celebration ashore at one of the destination ports, Norwegian Cruise Line builds the format around the day you actually want. And for couples marking a milestone rather than a first "I do," the vow renewal and romance packages carry that same flexibility into any sailing, not just a wedding voyage.

With five ceremony formats, a range of reception and add-on options, and details that shift by port and ship, the right fit comes down to matching a package to your vision, guest list, and timeline.

Why plan with The Cruise Web

• We match the right ship and itinerary to your vision
• We answer questions that go beyond what's on the website
• We coordinate cabins and logistics for larger guest lists
• We advocate for you throughout the whole process and beyond

Ready to start planning your NCL wedding cruise? Call 1-800-377-9383 or visit cruiseweb.com, and one of our Cruise Experts will help you check availability, place your hold, and build your ceremony from there.

Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Norwegian Cruise Line itineraries, inclusions, and prices are subject to change at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wedding packages does Norwegian Cruise Line offer?

NCL offers five wedding formats: Embarkation Day Harborside, Harborside on other sailing days, Legal at Sea, Symbolic at Sea, and Destination weddings ashore. Every package includes a dedicated wedding coordinator, a bridal bouquet with a matching boutonniere, and a wedding cake, with the ceremony location, officiant, and additional inclusions varying by package.

What is the difference between a legal and symbolic ceremony on a Norwegian cruise?

A legal ceremony results in a legally binding marriage and requires a Maritime Wedding License. A symbolic ceremony follows a similar format but carries no legal standing and requires no paperwork. On NCL, Legal at Sea ceremonies are performed by the ship's captain, while Symbolic at Sea ceremonies are performed by the ship's senior officer.

Who officiates an NCL wedding ceremony?

The officiant depends on the package. Legal at Sea ceremonies are performed by the ship's captain. Symbolic at Sea ceremonies are performed by the ship's senior officer. Embarkation Day Harborside, Harborside, and Destination ceremonies are performed by a local non-denominational officiant.

Can we get married on embarkation day, before the ship sails?

Yes. The Embarkation Day Harborside package is designed for couples marrying the same day they board, with the ceremony held dockside before the ship sets sail. It runs on a tighter schedule than other packages due to customs clearance requirements, and non-sailing guests may attend.

Can non-sailing guests attend our wedding?

Non-sailing guests may attend Embarkation Day Harborside ceremonies, up to 50 guests, with a reception required once the non-sailing guest count reaches 10. Harborside ceremonies on other sailing days do not permit non-sailing guests, since the ship is preparing to depart.

Can same-sex couples get married on a Norwegian cruise?

Symbolic ceremonies are available to all couples regardless of gender. Select destinations do not accommodate legal same-sex marriages, so couples planning a legal destination ceremony should confirm eligibility for their specific port before booking.

How far in advance should we book an NCL wedding?

Minimum booking windows vary by ceremony type: 90 days for Destination or Harborside weddings, 75 days for Legal at Sea, and 60 days for Symbolic at Sea.

How much do NCL wedding packages cost?

Starting prices range from $2,059 for a Symbolic at Sea ceremony to $3,099 for Harborside, Embarkation Day Harborside, and Legal at Sea ceremonies, with Legal at Sea carrying an additional $900 Maritime Wedding License fee. Destination wedding pricing varies by port. Prices are subject to change.

Can we renew our vows on a Norwegian cruise?

Yes. NCL offers a private vow renewal ceremony that doesn't require legal paperwork or a marriage license, and it can be booked on any sailing, not just a dedicated wedding voyage.