It has been five months since Cunard announced that its ships were to be re-flagged in Bermuda so that it could offer weddings at sea to a queue of eager couples.
No time was wasted in arranging the change of registration and the name of Hamilton soon replaced Southampton on the sterns of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. So I was rather surprised to discover this week that the first nuptials will not be until April at the earliest.
Wedding packages will start at $2,500 (£1,600) plus $575 (£370) licence fee and include breakfast in bed for the happy couple. Optional extras include the ship’s harpist and – for $200 (£130) an ice sculpture.
No more than one ceremony will be performed by the captain each day – at either 11.00 am or 3.30 pm. Venues include the Winter Garden and the Boardroom on Queen Mary 2; the Admirals Lounge, Garden Lounge and Yacht Club on Elizabeth, and Admirals Lounge, Winter Garden and Hemispheres on Victoria.
The basic wedding package will include the ceremony itself, conducted by the Captain, traditional wedding music, a White Star Bellman escorting the bride, floral arrangements, Veuve Clicquot Champagne and a wedding cake. Couples will have the service of an on-board wedding co-ordinator and as well as priority check-in and luggage delivery, they can expect a pressing service for bridal outfits.
Weddings may only be booked on voyages of seven days or more – it’s fortunate that Transatlantic crossings have been slowed down to save fuel.
With an eye on the convenience of a wedding at sea, Cunard president Peter Shanks points out: “The ships are so much more than simply a setting for the ceremony itself – they are honeymoon destinations too, offering newlyweds a fresh view to wake up to each morning and a trousseau of unforgettable destinations to discover together ashore.”
Full details in the brochure, downloadable here.
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