DCL Wedding without paying a fee??

[Otimon]

Please don't try to circumvent the rules! If you can't agree with them for whatever reason, plan your events elsewhere and move forward on the cruise with peace of mind.

 

[cadien]

I wonder why their officers aren’t licensed to officiate. Is that an urban legend that all captains can automatically perform weddings? I’m from a state where literally any adult can legally officiate a wedding, without signing up with Universal Life Church, so the details elsewhere are fuzzy.

 

[gotomu212]

I wonder why their officers aren’t licensed to officiate. Is that an urban legend that all captains can automatically perform weddings? I’m from a state where literally any adult can legally officiate a wedding, without signing up with Universal Life Church, so the details elsewhere are fuzzy.

It’s an urban legend. Way WAY back when when you went to sea for months to cross oceans some countries allowed captains to marry people so that you didn’t end getting off a ship 2 months pregnant and unwed..oops. Or someone could meet a nice girl on their travels and want to bring her back to Europe....but that’s long past. The captain needs to have the right to marry based on a different state qualification...like I happen to be a judge and a captain. If your state allows anyone to officiate, than a captain in your state could also marry people (but it’s not because he’s a captain, it’s because he is “anyone”)

 

[coast2coastmickey]

I'd see if you could find a venue in port at one of your stops. Will likely be super cheap and won't have to deal with "circumventing" the rules.

We had put a deposit on a Disney cruise and wedding at Castaway but pulled back for other reasons, but going through the process they seemed like they had a ton of rules and restrictions which ended up not working for us.

 

[belle032]

I got married on a cruise last year (not DCL) with about 40 guests. We were married on embarkation day in Florida so it was a legal ceremony. We planned our wedding through the cruise line and still paid thousands less than we would having a traditional wedding at home. I’d do it again in a second.

With that being said, it is a little annoying that people try to circumvent the rules just to save a few bucks and think it’s no big deal. Especially to someone who has gone through the process “legally.” And yes, I can imagine that a cruise line will stop you if they catch what is going on. You’re taking away what could have been their profit. And out of all the cruise lines, I would absolutely think Disney would be one of the more strict ones.

At the end of the day you can do want you want, but I’ll be honest, it puts a bad taste in my mouth that people try to do this.

Oh and if you join any kind of Cruise Wedding group on another social media site, be prepared to get an earful if you post about what you’re planning on doing.

 

[lorimay]

sorry double post

 

[All about me]

I love DCL and don't want to do anything that would be considered underhanded, at the same time, if I can find a way to save them money for what will be a 15-20 minute ceremony, why not?

I don't see how it could be considered underhanded since you are paying for what you are using: the space. It's not like you are trying to do it for free in a public space like the atrium or on deck where you would be taking up space other passengers have a right to be using and Disney staff would need to be called to cordon it off and police it. Just because others choose to pay for and get all the bells and whistles, unless you want that, there is no reason you should have to pay for them too.

Just My Opinion!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I worked with Disney Banquets & Catering for several years- if they got wind of an event like that trying to circumvent the ‘rules’ they can and have shut them down at the event. It’s a line I wouldn’t dare cross with something that important...

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I don't see how it could be considered underhanded since you are paying for what you are using: the space

Again: It is a private space and Disney can limit the acceptable uses of even a "private space rental." They wouldn't let a Marriott rep have a private timeshare pitch in their space, for instance; cuts into profits. Probably wouldn't allow a naturist gathering. Etc.

Disney have strict rules on a number of things.

 

[bumbershoot]

Will Disney frown upon us finding a "loophole" by booking a private event space on board?

Yes.

It might help them avoid fees if you describe it to DCL as a "vow renewal ceremony"

Dcl does vow renewals. So that won’t help. Actually that’s really all their weddings are, since the formalities are done before you’re on the ship.

The more people try to work around the rules, the more DCL restricts things for everyone else.

YES. Disney has shown us this time and time again.



I would find a wedding or renewal place on land at a port stop and so it there. So much more relaxed than sneaking around on the ship to do it.

 

[Shanti]

I don't see how it could be considered underhanded since you are paying for what you are using: the space. It's not like you are trying to do it for free in a public space like the atrium or on deck where you would be taking up space other passengers have a right to be using and Disney staff would need to be called to cordon it off and police it. Just because others choose to pay for and get all the bells and whistles, unless you want that, there is no reason you should have to pay for them too.

If you really don't see the issue with guests using the space however they please, then why should the guests not be honest with Disney?

Of course there is an issue with secretly using the space in a way that Disney would normally charge big bucks for, but my point still stands.

 

[Travel60]

Just an observation....is cheating on something really how someone would want to start their marriage? Seems like it sets a precedent....

 

[All about me]

A young friend of mine was also interested in the answer to this question as he would also like to marry on a Disney Cruise but is unwilling to pay so much for so little, so I contacted Disney Cruise Line by e-mail and it took six e-mails to get a definite answer (why can they not just answer a question?) but here it is:

Dear (edited)

Thank you for your email to Disney Cruise Line.

It would be my pleasure to further assist you.

While private event space is available onboard our ships, these spaces are unable to be rented for the purpose of hosting a wedding ceremony. This would include the use for a small service without food and beverage, flowers, etc.

If your friends are wanting to host a wedding onboard, they would need to reserve a wedding package.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further assistance with any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Darlene
Email Communications Agent
Disney Cruise Line

So yes, it will matter and no, you can't.

 

[lorimay]

A young friend of mine was also interested in the answer to this question as he would also like to marry on a Disney Cruise but is unwilling to pay so much for so little, so I contacted Disney Cruise Line by e-mail and it took six e-mails to get a definite answer (why can they not just answer a question?) but here it is:

Dear (edited)

Thank you for your email to Disney Cruise Line.

It would be my pleasure to further assist you.

While private event space is available onboard our ships, these spaces are unable to be rented for the purpose of hosting a wedding ceremony. This would include the use for a small service without food and beverage, flowers, etc.

If your friends are wanting to host a wedding onboard, they would need to reserve a wedding package.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further assistance with any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Darlene
Email Communications Agent
Disney Cruise Line

So yes, it will matter and no, you can't.

Thank you for posting this, maybe now people will understand that you cannot book a venue and throw a "low-key" wedding.

I believe Disney employees read here and they are now aware of the plan the original poster spoke about, they will be either getting in touch with her or waiting for them to board to let them know a wedding cannot happen unless they go through DFTW

 

[Dug720]

I don't see how it could be considered underhanded since you are paying for what you are using: the space. It's not like you are trying to do it for free in a public space like the atrium or on deck where you would be taking up space other passengers have a right to be using and Disney staff would need to be called to cordon it off and police it. Just because others choose to pay for and get all the bells and whistles, unless you want that, there is no reason you should have to pay for them too.

A young friend of mine was also interested in the answer to this question as he would also like to marry on a Disney Cruise but is unwilling to pay so much for so little, so I contacted Disney Cruise Line by e-mail and it took six e-mails to get a definite answer (why can they not just answer a question?) but here it is:

Dear (edited)

Thank you for your email to Disney Cruise Line.

It would be my pleasure to further assist you.

While private event space is available onboard our ships, these spaces are unable to be rented for the purpose of hosting a wedding ceremony. This would include the use for a small service without food and beverage, flowers, etc.

If your friends are wanting to host a wedding onboard, they would need to reserve a wedding package.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further assistance with any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Darlene
Email Communications Agent
Disney Cruise Line

So yes, it will matter and no, you can't.

So just clarifying - you emailed them after posting the first quote and so are recanting that now that you have proof from DCL that it is not allowed?

Just a little confused since the second quote I've put completely contradicts the first one.

 

[FigmentSpark]

If the OP was going Concierge, say cat T or R, could they hold the ceremony in their cabin? Is it only prohibited in the public spaces?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Hey All!!

We will be sailing in September on the Dream. This will be my 8th cruise, however, this will be our friends 1st cruise! There are 30 of us going in total. Our friends have decided that they would like to get "married" while on the cruise. I use quotes because all the formal paperwork will be done prior to leaving port. I was able to get Outlook Lounge booked for a private event, however, I didn't specify it was for a wedding. Another of our friends attending will be the ones marrying them.

My question is, Has anyone ever gotten married on the ship without paying the minimum $3000 for the bells and whistles? Will Disney frown upon us finding a "loophole" by booking a private event space on board? Or will it not even matter because we aren't using any of their services, ie. Minister, Pianist, Wedding Coordinator, etc.

I love DCL and don't want to do anything that would be considered underhanded, at the same time, if I can find a way to save them money for what will be a 15-20 minute ceremony, why not?

No, it is not allowed. And there is no way to get away with it because there are DCL cast members in the room. Plain and simple.

 

[Shanti]

If the OP was going Concierge, say cat T or R, could they hold the ceremony in their cabin? Is it only prohibited in the public spaces?

My guess would be no. I think that's the point of the DCL letter above. All weddings need to be DCL packages. Now if you secretly smuggled a preacher & 2 witnesses into your stateroom, DCL probably would be none the wiser, but I'm sure it isn't allowed.

 

[All about me]

So just clarifying - you emailed them after posting the first quote...

I have been e-mailing Disney Cruise Line since the question came up two days ago (which is how there was time to exchange six e-mails).

...and so are recanting that now that you have proof from DCL that it is not allowed?

No, I am not recanting. My Post #27 is my opinion (which I will edit to add since it apparently was not obvious) and I stand by it. If a person pays for a private event space on a Disney Cruise Line they should be allowed to use it for a wedding.

However, I like to deal in facts which is why I was exchanging e-mails with Disney instead of going off of opinions here. And the fact is Disney does not allow weddings which are not planned thru them to take place in their private event space. Just because I don't agree with their policy and think it is ungenerous not make it any less fact.

I hope that clarifies things for you.

If the OP was going Concierge, say cat T or R, could they hold the ceremony in their cabin? Is it only prohibited in the public spaces?

I will start e-mailing them.

 

[CM Dad]

If the OP was going Concierge, say cat T or R, could they hold the ceremony in their cabin? Is it only prohibited in the public spaces?

I would think that it would be crowded even in the Cat R for 30 people.