Romantic cruise weddings
What is the best part of getting married on the MSC Sinfonia or MSC Opera. The romance! You will literally be sailing off into the sunset. And the second best part: Your honeymoon starts the minute you set foot on board!
You can start off your romantic cruise with one of the Touch of Class packages on offer. My personal favourite is the Bon Voyage Deluxe, a chilled bottle of Pongracz with canapés to be enjoyed as the ship leaves the harbour. Afterwards you can dress up in your sassiest outfits for the Gala evening, your first evening on board. The photographers on board are always very busy and they do take excellent photos, be sure to set some money aside for this as you get to have your picture taken with the Captain of the ship!
There are 3 different romantic packages for you to choose from (costs shown excludes cost of cruise):
SILVER Package*
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Priority Boarding for the couple
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Full personal assistance of MSC’s Wedding Planner for the ceremony
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Ceremony on board attended by your guests and Ship’s Officers
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Exclusive booking of specifically decorated lounge with ceremonial music (recorded or live on request, fee applies)
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Personal booklet detailing the ceremony, also available for your guests on request
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Symbolic Wedding certificate signed by the Captain
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Silver Bouquet for the bride and boutonniere for the groom
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Sponge wedding cake filled with fresh fruit and cream, decorated with chocolate hearts as well as the names of the bride and groom
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Bottle of Asti Spumante sparkling wine served with the celebration cake
GOLD Package*
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Priority Boarding for the couple
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Full personal assistance of MSC’s Wedding Planner for the ceremony
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Ceremony on board attended by your guests and Ship’s Officers
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Exclusive booking of specifically decorated lounge with ceremonial music (recorded or live on request, fee applies)
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Personal booklet detailing the ceremony, also available for your guests on request
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Symbolic Wedding certificate signed by the Captain
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Gold Bouquet for the bride and boutonniere for the groom
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St Honore wedding cake with vanilla and chocolate pastry cream profiteroles, decorated with chocolate hearts and the names of the bride and groom
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Bottle of Asti Spumante sparkling wine served with the celebration cake
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Special treatment in cabin (on the evening of arrival): Bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne, two gift MSC Cruises flutes and assorted canapés
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Services of Professional Photographer during the ceremony and in other ship locations chosen by the couple (1 hour)
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Personal choice of Ten 20 x 35cm photographs (10 included - and more available to purchase)
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Deluxe breakfast in cabin the morning after the ceremony (or another location if the couple prefers)
PLATINUM Package*
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Priority Boarding for the couple
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Full personal assistance of MSC’s Wedding Planner for the ceremony
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Ceremony on board attended by your guests and Ship’s Officers
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Exclusive booking of specifically decorated lounge with ceremonial music (recorded or live on request, fee applies)
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Personal booklet detailing the ceremony, also available for your guests on request
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Symbolic Wedding certificate signed by the Captain
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Platinum Bouquet for the bride and boutonniere for the groom
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Two Tier wedding cake filled with white chocolate mousse, decorated with marzipan roses and leaves as well as the names of the bride and groom
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Bottle of Asti Spumante sparkling wine served with the celebration cake
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Special treatment in cabin (on the evening of arrival): Bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne, two gift MSC Cruises flutes and assorted canapes
-
Services of Professional Photographer during the ceremony and in other ship locations chosen by the couple (1 hour)
-
Personal choice of Twenty 20 x 35cm photographs (20 included - and more available to purchase)
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Deluxe breakfast in cabin the morning after the ceremony (or another location if the couple prefers)
The reception includes cake and Asti Spumante for up to 8 participants ( i.e.: couple and 6 guests; ages 3 and older count as guests). A supplement of R40 shall be payable in advance for each participant above the total number of 8.
** If the package is intended as a surprise ceremony, the couple will be invited to attend a Captains’ cocktail as cover.
*** The exact date, time and lounge for the ceremony are confirmed on embarkation day by the onboard Wedding Planner. Bouquets and boutonniere are normally of roses and orchids, though requests for alternatives can be validated at booking time.
** NB! The ceremony is of symbolic value only, with no legal validity( the same applies to the certificate issued at the end of the ceremony).
The times that can be requested are:
either in the morning: 10h00, 10h30, 11h00, 11h30
or in the afternoon: 16h00, 16h30, 17h00, 17h30
Guidelines to the Procedures for weddings:
(Ceremony approximately 15 minutes/ Reception & photo shoot approximately 30 minutes)
The Couple will be met onboard by the wedding planner who will run through a check-list of the plans and procedures for the Exchange of Vows
The groom (with the rings) and guests must be at the location 15 minutes prior to the ceremony
The bride will be escorted from her cabin to the venue by an Officer 5 minutes prior to the wedding
Should the couple have no bridesmaid/best man a hostess stands in to hold the bouquet during the exchange of rings
The couple may provide their own Officiant; however it is their responsibility to ensure he/she has the credentials to perform an Exchange of Vows Ceremony
If the couple requires their own music it is to be provided on their own CD
Bride and groom will enter the location with processional music
The Ships Officers will conduct the ceremony using the ship’s exchange of vows.
The couple will repeat the vows, exchange the rings, toast with the Ships Officers
A brief pause for a photo opportunity
The Ships Officers will cut the cake with the couple and present them their wedding certificate
A ship’s photographer is present during the ceremony and guests are welcome to purchase the photos that they like at the photo shop.
Strictly 45 minutes -1 hour is allocated for each wedding
It can be arranged for the bridal couple and their guests to be seated together for lunch in the restaurant.
The LAST sea day is the day on which the Weddings are performed onboard (as opposed to, for instance, the day the ship is at anchor off Portuguese Island). E.g.: for example on the 4 day cruises (MON - FRI) the weddings will be celebrated on the 4th day (Thurs) which is at sea. On the 3 day cruises (FRI-MON), the weddings will be celebrated on the 3rd day (Sun) which is at sea. You can also arrange for one of the ship's photographers to attend, although the cost of these photos will be extra. It might be a good idea to invite along a friend who is particularly good at taking photos! The backdrop of the ocean and the majestic ship itself will make for some beautifully dramatic photos. I can just picture a delicate bridal veil, gently floating on the breeze with the smell of fresh flowers and the sea breeze mingling together, the heady perfume of romance!
As for the rest of the cruise, well it's 5 star luxury all the way! You can enjoy a sensuous massage for two in the relaxing environment of the Le Terme Spa and indulge in the delicious food and entertainment on offer. You don't have to lift a finger, or even leave your cabin if you like; room service will be at your beck and call. The perfect cabin for a honeymoon would definitely be a balcony suite on the MSC Sinfonia, or a spacious balcony suite with a bath tub on the MSC Opera (balcony cabins which are a bit smaller are also available). As a couple, you will have some privacy and be able to enjoy the fresh ocean air without other people hogging the view! Order a cheeky cocktail and watch the sun set. Of course you will be able to dance the night away to celebrate your commitment to each other and it is a great idea to invite along some friends and family to celebrate with you.
When booking, be sure to add the priority boarding option. You get to skip the massive boarding queue and enjoy the ship before anyone else. It is also advised that you travel to the port of departure the day before, this way you can really get into holiday mode without rushing around the next day. You don't want your honeymoon to be ruined because of a delayed or cancelled flight! When my dearly beloved and I went on a cruise in January, we spent two nights in Durban before the cruise to ease into our holiday since it usually takes a few days to wind down!
You will be sure to take away some wonderful memories that will last a life time! Who knows, you might have such a fabulous time you will want return in a few years time to renew your vows!
For the thrill seekers out there, why don't you consider having your wedding ceremony in a hot air balloon?
Ask our travel consultant your questions here. She would love to assist.
