Cruise Weddings vs. Resort Weddings: Which Is Right for You?

A cruise wedding and a resort wedding both promise a tropical setting, but they deliver very different guest experiences, price structures, and planning workflows. If you’re weighing the two formats, this side-by-side breakdown from our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists lays out the honest trade-offs.

The Quick Comparison

Category	Cruise Wedding	Resort Wedding
Typical Cost (Couple, All-In)	$5,000 to $12,000	$10,000 to $20,000
Typical Guest Count	15 to 40	50 to 60
Ceremony Location	Onboard chapel, deck, or port destination	Beach, garden, gazebo, terrace
Trip Length for Guests	4 to 7 nights	3 to 5 nights
Guest Activity Options	Ship amenities + multiple ports	Single resort + optional off-property excursions
Wedding Coordination	Cruise line wedding department	Resort on-site wedding coordinator
Vendor Flexibility	Limited to ship’s providers	Outside vendors welcome (fee applies)
Best For	Multi-generational, budget-conscious, adventure-oriented	Traditional beach vibe, flexible planning, larger groups

These averages reflect real spend data from couples who booked their destination wedding with our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists.

Cruise Wedding: The Case For

Lower Total Cost

Cruise weddings often come in below resort weddings on total cost. The ship’s per-person rate already includes lodging, food, drinks, entertainment, and multiple destinations, so the wedding package layers efficiently on top.

Multiple Destinations in One Trip

A 7-day Caribbean cruise typically visits 3 to 5 ports. Your guests experience multiple islands in one trip instead of committing to a single destination. Great for guest groups with varied preferences.

Onboard Entertainment

Cruise ships have Broadway-style shows, casinos, multiple restaurants, kids’ clubs, spas, and nightlife built in. Guests are entertained even when they’re not at wedding events.

Simpler Trip Planning for Guests

One booking covers flights (to the port), lodging, food, and activities. Guests don’t juggle multiple reservations.

Cruise Wedding: The Case Against

Less Aesthetic Flexibility

Onboard ceremony venues are cruise-line-standard chapels and decks. The “beach wedding” aesthetic requires a port stop where you disembark, hold the ceremony, and re-board. That works, but adds logistics.

Limited Vendor Options

Cruise line wedding packages typically use ship-provided photography, floral, and coordination. Bringing outside vendors is difficult or impossible, depending on the cruise line and ceremony format.

Time-Constrained

Port stops last 6 to 10 hours. Ceremonies at ports must fit within that window, which can feel rushed.

Weather Risk

If bad weather forces a port skip, your port-based ceremony has to move to the onboard chapel or shift to a different port.

Resort Wedding: The Case For

Classic Beach Wedding Aesthetic

Beachfront ceremonies, garden receptions, oceanview terraces. The visual template most couples picture when they imagine a destination wedding.

More Time and Flexibility

You’re at the resort for the full trip. Ceremony timing, décor setup, and reception scheduling all have room to breathe.

Vendor Choice

Outside photographers, videographers, floral designers, and entertainment are all options (usually with a modest outside-vendor fee).

Larger Guest Capacity

Resorts easily accommodate 60, 100, or even 200+ guest weddings. Cruise weddings scale less well past 40.

Resort Wedding: The Case Against

Higher Per-Guest Cost

Guests pay separately for flights, resort stay, and any excursions. Total per-guest cost is often higher than a comparable cruise cabin.

Single Destination

You commit to one island or resort area for the whole trip. Guests wanting variety may prefer a cruise itinerary.

More Planning Coordination

Your Certified Destination Wedding Specialists coordinate group flight bookings, resort reservations, and any transportation. It’s smooth, but it has more moving pieces than a cruise’s single-booking model.

Who Should Choose a Cruise Wedding

A cruise wedding is a strong fit if you:

• Have a multi-generational guest group with varied interests.
• Want to see multiple destinations in one trip.
• Are budget-focused and want efficient per-person pricing.
• Have guests who love cruise culture (Broadway shows, casinos, midnight buffets).
• Want the smallest total number of trip bookings for guests.

Who Should Choose a Resort Wedding

A resort wedding is a stronger fit if you:

• Envision a classic beach, garden, or oceanview terrace ceremony.
• Want specific outside vendors (photographer, videographer, etc.).
• Have a larger guest count (60+).
• Prefer relaxed pacing without port-schedule constraints.
• Want to lock in the specific destination that resonates with your vision.

Cruise vs Resort Wedding FAQs

Which is cheaper, a cruise wedding or a resort wedding?

Cruise weddings typically come in lower per couple ($5,000 to $12,000 average) versus resort wedding costs ($10,000 to $20,000). Guest per-person costs also often favor cruises when you compare apples-to-apples.

Can we still have a beach ceremony on a cruise wedding?

Yes. Most cruise lines offer port-based ceremonies where you disembark at a Caribbean or Mexican port, hold the beach ceremony, and re-board the ship. The window is tight (6 to 10 hours), but it works.

Can we bring our own photographer to a cruise wedding?

Usually only for port-based ceremonies. Onboard ceremonies typically use the cruise line’s photography team. Confirm with the specific cruise line before booking.

Is a cruise wedding legally binding?

It depends on the ship’s flag country and the ceremony location. Many cruise wedding ceremonies at sea are symbolic; port-based ceremonies can be legally binding depending on the destination. Most couples handle legal marriage at home and treat the cruise ceremony as symbolic.

Start Planning Your Destination Wedding Today!

Cruise or resort, both formats deliver a real destination wedding experience. The right choice depends on your guest list, aesthetic vision, budget priorities, and how you want the trip to flow. Our Specialists work with both formats and can help you weigh the trade-offs.

Fill out our online wedding planning form, and one of our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists will help you pick the format that fits your vision.