Cruise wedding budget

[BrideBree]

A general question for cruise aficionados here and soon-to-be cruise wedding brides like me.

What do you think is a decent range for a cruise budget wedding?

 

[HM]

I'm not sure what you are asking. Are you asking about getting married on the cruise or are you asking about the cost of taking a cruise after the wedding? I imagine a lot is going to depend on the cruise line you want to use (which is it?) and when you are going, and where you are going.

 

[mrgame101]

We had our wedding ceremony/mini reception on a carnival ship back in 2009. The cost for the ceremony light appetizers and open bar and cake for 1.5 hours and for 25 people was $2200. Not everyone has to go on the cruise. Your allowed to have people on board for the ceremony and reception and they disembark before sail.
It was very professional and they handle everything! !

 

[lanejudy]

That's a really tough question because there is so much personal preference involved in both aspects of a cruise wedding. What I consider an acceptable price range for a wedding may be entirely different than the next person, and I know for certain there are different "typical" wedding expenses in various regions of the U.S. Also what one family considers their budget for a cruise vacation with an interior cabin may not be anywhere close the budget of someone who cruises in a verandah stateroom or concierge.

If you are interested in a DCL wedding, they are pricey. I believe it's a minimum $5K, but I don't know what is included and what might be extra. You might try posting on Weddings and Honeymoons board to get an idea of cruise wedding prices.

Congrats on your engagement and enjoy your vacation!

 

[BrideBree]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

@HM- I'm getting married on the cruise. Although we haven't booked yet for our October 2015 wedding, the Disney Dream is already on the top of our list!
@mrgame101-Yes, we're also leaning towards to 20-30 people. Great to know it was seamless given the fact that you didn't spend too much!
@lanejudy- Thanks for the kind words. Our budget is actually around $ 3K (blushes) well actually, around $ 4K given that we could still save up on the months to come.

 

[stsomewhere]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

@HM- I'm getting married on the cruise. Although we haven't booked yet for our October 2015 wedding, the Disney Dream is already on the top of our list!
@mrgame101-Yes, we're also leaning towards to 20-30 people. Great to know it was seamless given the fact that you didn't spend too much!
@lanejudy- Thanks for the kind words. Our budget is actually around $ 3K (blushes) well actually, around $ 4K given that we could still save up on the months to come.

Does your budget include the cost of your cabin, tips, onboard expenses, etc? If so., our budget is too low and you may need to look at another cruise line.

ETA: We looked at doing a vow renewal on DCL, it was $2500.

 

[usd2bmd]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

@HM- I'm getting married on the cruise. Although we haven't booked yet for our October 2015 wedding, the Disney Dream is already on the top of our list!
@mrgame101-Yes, we're also leaning towards to 20-30 people. Great to know it was seamless given the fact that you didn't spend too much!@lanejudy- Thanks for the kind words. Our budget is actually around $ 3K (blushes) well actually, around $ 4K given that we could still save up on the months to come.

Although I haven't done it, you should probably price it out now. Carnival and Disney are not on the same price level. We have cruised Carnival 3 times and love them. We have never cruised on Disney because we are used to sailing n a balcony cabin and the same level cabin on a Disney ship is almost 3 times the price.

I love Disney as much as the next guy but I love my budget more.

Good luck to you. Our last cruise we had 4 weddings, one happened before we left Port Canaveral, one later that night after we left the port, one during the week onboard and one happened in one of the ports.

 

[bumbershoot]

https://www.disneyweddings.com/cruise/


Shows the starting price right there. Start with that budget. Increase it based on what you want. Of course, that doesn't include the clothes, which can cost!

I couldn't even name 20 friends or relatives who would pay to cruise with us for our wedding. We had enough balk at a wedding just 180 miles from where we live. Not to mention, from the above site: "AIf your party size exceeds the first 8 guests included in your ceremony package, a $20-per-person additional guest fee will be assessed. This additional guest fee will cover any additional cake, champagne or sparkling cider needed so that each guest can enjoy a piece of cake and a beverage during your celebratory toast."


https://www.disneyweddings.com/cruise/pricing/

 

[stsomewhere]

Here is the link for Carnival weddings.

http://www.carnival.com/~/media/CCLUS/Images/pdf/Weddingspricelistpdf.ashx

You can get some good cruise deals in October.

 

[BrideBree]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

@stsomewhere- Hopefully, that includes all of those. Thanks for the link, the prices are way cheaper indeed but I'm wishing to have a Disney ship wedding. Seen that the prices start at 3K, it may hit around 4-5K given the number of our guests. Ooh, FI and I would definitely have to sit down and talk!
@usd2bmd- I agree, if our budget couldn't be stretched, Carnival it is. I couldn't complain with how it looks too.
@bumbershoot- Thanks for the tip. Yes, it's for the cruise expenses alone.

 

[robsmom]

Hi. Your reply indicated that you wanted your budget to hopefully include "all of that" meaning the ceremony, the cruise, the tips, on-board etc. The $3000 starting point is only for the ceremony. You will need to cost out the actual cruise and add $12 or so per day for tips plus a budget for extras during the cruise. Extras might be alcoholic beverages during the cruise, a tour in a port, internet fees, photography, laundry, etc. You did not say how long you want to cruise for. The shortest cruise for 3 days, in the cheapest room, is about $1350. With tips and some basic extras you are at a minimum of $1500 for the 3 nights. So minimum ceremony and cruise is probably $4500. Add on extra for your additional people etc and you need at least a $5K budget, probably more.

 

[robsmom]

Hi. Your reply indicated that you wanted your budget to hopefully include "all of that" meaning the ceremony, the cruise, the tips, on-board etc. The $3000 starting point is only for the ceremony. You will need to cost out the actual cruise and add $12 or so per day for tips plus a budget for extras during the cruise. Extras might be alcoholic beverages during the cruise, a tour in a port, internet fees, photography, laundry, etc. You did not say how long you want to cruise for. The shortest cruise for 3 days, in the cheapest room, is about $1350. With tips and some basic extras you are at a minimum of $1500 for the 3 nights. So minimum ceremony and cruise is probably $4500. Add on extra for your additional people etc and you need at least a $5K budget, probably more.