runner2013

You be safe as well. 

Not for nothing, I feel if you have a wedding onboard, you should be given a ton of loyalty points over and above the ones you normally just get for cruising. After all, you are bringing a bunch of people with you for the week and Royal is reaping the rewards for that😁

Glad to hear you dad liked the ship we're on.  She's actually going into drydock in April and first week of May next year for routine maintenance,( Hopefully they don't find any unexpected serious issues that delay the rest of the sailing for the month) so she will be nice and shiny for us when we get onboard. 

We also talked about doing a first year anniversary cruise to Alaska in 2023. The plan is to research what Royal and Princess both have to offer for sailings in May and if we like Princess we'll book while onboard. If nothing looks too interesting/appealing we'll wait until we're home and book with Royal.  I'm leaning toward Royal mainly because i've been on several of her ships, I like the atmosphere onboard  and i'm only 18 loyalty points away from Diamond status 🤣.   

3 hours ago, thjeepster said:

We are getting married by the Captain of the ship and it is a legal wedding....so you can switch to Royal. lol  When it comes to being legal, as long as it's out to sea and married on the ship it's legal.

 

The at-home-kits make sure for cruising it's the ones that you have to do Facetime with the EMed company and they watch you do everything.

 

Luckily when they changed the ports of calls (originally going to Labedee, Jamaica, and Nassau with the wedding on the 2nd day)....now we are going to Coca Cay, Costa Maya, and Cozumel and the wedding is now on the 3rd day.  Luckily we didn't have any personalized items before that change...that would have sucked!

 

Yeah Royal is doing things right with the pandemic!....right now they are only sailing at 40% and most ships currently really on have about 30% sailing on it....I heard Odyssey last week only had about 650 people on it...compared to 4,800 that they could have!  By the time we go it will probably be at 50-55% capacity, which should be quite enough to social distance!

 

I know masks have to be wore at all inside venues except when eating....and at the pool.

We bought Bride and Groom masks to wear during the day of the wedding....I need to find out about during the ceremony....thanks for reminding me!!!  

I thought I read Royal wouldn't guarantee the Captain would be officiating the ceremony, saying it 'could' be a first officer if something came up. (but that may have been another line, I went through so many at first they started to blend into the same one) I talked to my guy about it and he is so excited I didn't want to risk it🤣

I would hope Royal will let you go without the masks for the actual ceremony and pictures if nothing else. Especially if you and your guests are actually vaccinated. Is your ceremony inside or outside?, that may determine things as well. I would hate to think they expect your fiance' to put on a face full of makeup and then risk ruining it with a mask! 

Our wedding is day 3, the first formal night and full sea day. I'm hoping the salon will do my hair, so my first stop when getting onboard is to go there and confirm and/or make my appointments. I'd like to do a dry run the day before the actual day, i've got lots of curly hair and sometimes people who've never worked with curly hair have a hard time with it.  I'm betting a lot of the 'older' ladies will want to have their hair done for formal night so better safe than sorry. 

My ship, the Caribbean Princess isn't even sailing from Ft. Lauderdale yet, think it starts next month??, so I have no way of knowing what capacity it will be sailing at. Hopefully 8 months from now we  won't be dealing with testing, masks or social distancing at all any more and she will be full. While i'd rather and emptier ship, if a full one means no more extra covid protocols i'd glady deal with the extra folks. 

19 minutes ago, thjeepster said:

Hello Runner2013~

The countdown has begun!  37 more days.....praying it happens.....there are only 5 more sailings before we get on the ship!

 

Are you going thru the wedding group for Princess?  If so, make sure you ask lots of questions and make sure you get things in writing!  We had a wedding planner with the Royal Celebrations (dealt with her for over a year and 5 months) and then within the past 6 months so left the company and had to get a new planner....luckily I saved all the emails from our last one because then I could refer to what she told us and sent it to the new one!

 

We are all checked in for the cruise and have our SetSail pass....but not our luggage tags yet or our documents.....but it's getting closer!

 

Good luck with the planning with yours and if you have any questions please ask! 

Hi ThJeepster,

We are going through the online wedding coordinator for Princess. So far she has been amazing. I'm very lucky, between my travel agent, who specializes in wedding cruises and was actually married on a cruise herself, and my online coordinator, all my questions have been answered which definitely makes me feel better. As you did, i've got copies of all emails and price quotes etc. just in case anything should happen going forward. 

One of my biggest fears is leaving paperwork behind. I've already told my guy he will also be carrying copies of all paperwork in his suitcase, and i'm also thinking of mailing a copy to his folks in Florida. For something this important you can never be too prepared right:)

4 minutes ago, thjeepster said:

Thank you Runner2013!

Even thou it's taken almost 18 to finally get married it does seem like it's flown by!  So your time will fly by also!  Planning everything out is the key!  We are finally going to reorder our wedding favors and personalized stuff for this new date now also....we lost over $350 in stuff for the the April 2020 wedding date.

 

We only have 37 more days until the cruise....I am praying everything stays on track!  We just confirmed everything for the wedding package and did final payment for the photo package.

 

Had to buy the test-at-home kits yesterday because of the 2 day turnaround for testing before boarding.

 

Luckily we have an additional couple more people going on the cruise with us....the count went from like 10 down to like 2 and back up to 6.....it's hard for people to keep switching dates.

 

All this stress...I'm hoping it doesn't get canceled again...that would be heartbreaking for my fiancé!

I'm so excited for you to finally have you day! I check out the Princess pages for info on my cruise line an then go over to Royal's page and do the same. I've sailed Royal several times and really like them. Were it not for my fiance' wanting to be legally married by the Captain of a ship, we probably would have gone with Royal too.

 I was thinking of buying the at home test as well. We have a 4 day trip planned in Jan and it seems to be so much easier than trying to find a Cvs or Walgreens with open appointments. 

I know what you mean about the guest count changing. We started with about 25 and it seems as though we may end up with barely half that. Our 'official' invites go out beginning of October so we should have a good idea of the real head count shortly after that. (We just keep telling ourselves as long as the two of us are there that's all that really matters. Any one else is a blessing:).

I'm chomping at the bit to start buying the items for our out of town bags but holding off until things get closer.  We did get a block of rooms for the day before we sail( we leave on a Sat) so i'll have to be satisfied with that for now. 

At this point, I honestly don't feel Royal will cancel any sailings unless it's absolutely necessary. They have been the leaders since cruising was originally shut down as far as making a plan for sailing safe and getting folks back on board. From what i've read, people seem to feel safe sailing with Royal so why give that up now?

I am curious though, did Royal say you have to wear a mask during the wedding ceremony and/or reception or can you all go without?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and sending positive thoughts to you every day😁

Hello Thjeepster, 

I'm so glad to hear things are finally falling into place for you. It seems to me like you've been waiting forever so I can only imagine how you have been feeling. I think keeping a positive attitude is key to keeping your sanity at this point. (We keep telling ourselves, as long as the two of us are on the ship when it sails that's all that really matters). 

Things are coming along for us. Our date isn't until May 30th of 2022 so we've got a ways to go. We're trying to be a proactive as possible when it comes to paperwork, deciding on a location for the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner etc. We want to have as much as possible done ahead of time so when it does get closer and its 'go time' we aren't running around too crazy. As i'm sure you know, getting friends and family all the info they need, (hello wedding website with all the info)l earning how to use the cruise lines app for checking in, worrying about all the changes happening with cruising right now can all be so daunting. It's so stressful  sometimes I have to just stop looking at these boards because I'm overloaded. 

Anyway, I'm excited for you and keeping my fingers crossed, hoping you have a wonderful day and it exceeds all you expectations🤞

Hey Thjeepster, 

Just checking in to see how you're doing. I think you will be the first of us brides to actually get married on a ship since Covid happened and everything shut down? From everything I've read, it appears  Royal has their ducks in a row and they have a method for cruising that seems to be working pretty well.  I excited for you and wish you good luck from now until your sail date😁

On 8/25/2021 at 10:16 AM, PartOfYourWorld said:

Been a long time lurker on the cruise critic board and this is my first post! I felt compelled to really reply to this one since someone else had similar thoughts to us! My fiancé and I are currently booked on a May 2022 cruise to Bermuda through Norwegian and are planning to get married on the island (not booked through Norwegian). It's still 9 months out and I'm already worried about it! It's a pretty small wedding so we're hoping by the time everyone has to pay in full we'll have a little bit more clear direction on where everything is going (though doubt it). I think as a backup we may look at just flying out there instead, but trying to be hopeful on a cruise with our friends and family 🙂. Luckily no save the dates to deal with as we just started a private facebook group with those that were invited. 

My dress is currently hanging in the closet just waiting to be altered once it is closer of course!

We are also from Massachusetts btw 🙂

Crossing fingers for everyone here planning to get married!!!

Congratulations on getting married. A wedding in Bermuda sounds beautiful. I'm also getting married in May 2022 on the 30th. What is your date?. 

Time seems to by flying by, I can't believe its only 9 months away now. 😀

1 hour ago, dotty123 said:

Hi both,

 

as you point out it is different staff on each ship so I suppose it is a bit of a gamble as some people may have different experiences!

 

And yes, I know how to book the salon services, I have been speaking with my wedding planner about it, I just wondered what kind of wedding styles people had been able to achieve on board 🙂 my wedding is in 8 weeks so I will let you know how it goes after if you have any qus!

Awesome... I wonder if we have the same person from Princess. Her name is Melanie. So far she has been great to work with. 

P. 

Dotty123, 

I'm assuming you are using the Princess Dream Wedding Planner. (I'm getting married May of 22 on Caribbean Princess and was told every couple has to use them.) When you're on the main page of the planner you'll see a whole bunch of blue tabs with drop down menus. Click on the one that says Additional Requests, and the first thing you'll see is Salon Services.  Put in your request for a day and time in the box provided. Don't know if they guarantee you'll get it, but it can't hurt to have the request in. (I put a request for the day before as a trial run and one for the day of.) 

I'm also going to message the Princess wedding coordinator to make her aware, and when I get on board the first thing i'll do is go directly to the salon and confirm I do have an appointment, or if not, to set something up. Our wedding is the first 'at sea' day and i'm guessing a lot of ladies want their hair done for the formal night pics. 

I'll ask about the make up too, but I'm planning on being able to do that myself if absolutely necessary. i'm concerned with the Covid situation they may not want to touch any one else's makeup products. 

Anyway, good luck with everything, and feel free to share your experience when you get back.

Patty

33 minutes ago, 1965 said:

I believe you can choose the arrival time even if some things are incomplete. Since your cruise doesn't depart until January it will be a while before can choose the arrival time. I'm not able to choose ours yet for our Nov. 3 departure. 

Thank you 1965, that's the info I was looking for. 👍

I know most of his info can be done on my phone, my dilemma is, if his info is not completely filled in, and mine is, will I be allowed to pick a boarding time for both of us, or will I be denied until his is completely done as well?

Hi all, 

I've tried searching on these boards, and watching countless Youtube videos and haven't been able to find an answer, so I figured i'd post my question here in the hopes someone can help me out. 

We have a trip booked end of January, I've got the App downloaded and most of my info filled in, and some of my fiances' as well. ( I know he needs to do certain things on his own phone so that's not the problem.) My question is: when it's time to pick our boarding time, if he does not have all his info input in the app, will I still be able to pick one for us both, or will I be denied because he isn't finished yet? 

Also if he is not done but I am, will it allow me to pick a time individually and he can go in when he is finished and pick his own?. I know we may end up with different times if this happens. 

I have no time to call Princess Customer Service, with my job it's not even remotely possible to sit on hold for any length of time. 

Any advice is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks 

I got the invite as well. 

I'm Emerald level if it makes a difference. 

Thjeepster, 

Congratulations!!! 

I'm so happy you will finally get to have your  wedding. You two have been waiting for for such a long time. I'm excited things are finally falling into place after everything you've been through. 

I still have little over 10 months to wait so we're basically in a holding pattern right now. We've got half the cruise paid off, have a good idea of what we want for cocktails and dinner, the save the dates have gone out and my dress has been ordered. We can't do much more until we know the head count, that should be some time in October when the invites go out. 

We're so excited to get back on the water we booked a 4 day trip for Jan 2022 on a different Princess ship(our wedding isn't until May 30th 2022 and our ship only does 7 day trips) as a trial run to see how things operate. I plan on asking lots of questions while on board 🙂

Mjceditor, 

Thanks for the info, that worked.. 👍

Hi all, 

My fiance' and I have a trip scheduled for Jan 2022, I've been poking around in the app and filling in what I can to get everything ready. Seems pretty straightforward so far, but I've run into a snag trying to input the Emergency Contact info for us. For some reason, even with all the info put in correctly, the gray box never changes to blue for me to save and continue? 

If it makes a difference, I do have the Emergency Airport info listed but not the flights since we haven't booked them yet. 

Anyone else run into this, or have an idea of what I can try?

Thanks in advance

Luvavacation, 

There is a specialty board titled Honeymoon and Wedding cruises. You many want to post this question on that board.(or do a search to see if it's already been asked in the past)  Since it's dedicated to all things cruise wedding related, there may be some good advice on it. I'm planning a wedding and i've found it extremely helpful . 

🤞

SwankieG,

Thanks for the tips. Especially about the photographer. The basic package doesn't really have much to offer and I am being told by the wedding coordinator I 'should' be able to work something out timewise with the photographer once onboard. I'll be sure to remember Crooners bar for pics too. (honestly, the pics are one of the only things we really care about)

If things fall into place we will have the ceremony in Skywalker's lounge(where cocktails will be after the ceremony) or up top on a deck outside depending on weather.  We are also planning on just a dinner afterwards at Crown Grille with everyone. From the feedback we've received from friends and family so far we will probably top out with 18-20 people all total.

One of the reasons we picked a cruise was not wanting to deal with all the stress of making so many decisions around a land wedding. We're ok with a smaller cake and 'simple' flowers for me. We're not having bridesmades or ushers, and welcome the fact we can use their music or bring a few songs of our own. We just want something small and then to be able to spend the week celebrating with family and friends. 

Whether or not its programmed into the OM I would prefer to have a visual indication of who is or isn't vaccinated. Maybe I have a jaded sense of folks, but my first instinct is some people who are not vaccinated won't follow safety protocols if it isn't enforced and/or it's left up to the 'honor system'. Honestly, who really wants to wear a mask or social distance on a cruise? 

I firmly believe to each his own when it comes to the vaccine. Folks don't want it, its their choice and who am I to tell them otherwise? But I'd like to be given the choice to leave more space or try to "avoid" unvaccinated folks if at all possible. (i'm not 'shaming' anyone with this statement so please no comments about being rude)   My concern is you've got an unvaccinated person who unknowingly has the virus, brings it onboard, doesn't follow safety protocols and spreads it to other folks who aren't vaccinated who also are not following protocol.  Next thing you know, a portion of the ship is quarantined and we're headed back to port and our vacation is cut short. 

For me, I say a wristband for the vaccinated folks. My feeling, (again, not criticizing anyone here) is those of us who are vaccinated would be much more forthcoming with our status than those who weren't. 

I'm curious how Princess is going to distinguish who is vaccinated vs. who isn't on board?

Maybe some sort of wrist band for those who are?  I'm thinking most people would be more willing to wear one to show they don't need a mask vs. those who aren't, since they would be expected to follow more safety/health protocals. . 

Oh no Thjeepster,!! 

 I read about the crew members on Odyssey , what a frustrating situation this is for everybody involved. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, once more of Royal's ships start sailing things will fall into place. 

We have our wedding next May  on the Caribbean Princess and the dining option has also changed today to the app. Not like we don't already have enough to worry about. 🤣 

Thjeepster, 

I have been thinking of you these past few weeks.  It looks like cruises will be happening in July or August, so hopefully you will get your wedding at sea after all this time.  Granted you'll have to be vaccinated- (I read today they came out with a statement anyone 12 and older will need their shots)-but at this point I feel it's a small price to pay to finally have it happen. 

Patty

On 4/22/2021 at 11:39 AM, thjeepster said:

Thank you for the well wishes!!

I think the CDC has it out for the Cruise industry!  I mean if they are that worried force the cruiselines to mandate vaccines for everyone!.....Hell at this point I will even wear a mask for everything outside of my cabin and dining room!

I mean they can't stop this forever or cruises will be gone!

I figured if they did start mid-July (test cruises) then by Sept. 1st or the middle of Sept. cruises should have close to 75% to full capacity. 

I will totally understand if they remove some activities on the ship....that's fine. I would be happy to relax in my room/balcony and outside in the open air.

 

Luckily the wedding company/Royal has given us 30% off the wedding package and $200. OBC....plus a couple of extra bottles of champagne for us!

 

Indy is an amazing ship....we were on her like 4 or 5 years ago and loved her.....can't wait to see the upgrades since we were on her last.

 

We are praying it happens in Oct. because that is the last sailing for her before she moves to another port.  In that case we will switch maybe back to Odyssey  in Dec.

 

Thanks again for the well wishes!!!