Caribbean Princess Vow Renewal Full Review (long) and pictures

[Elationismyship]

View Pictures at: http://community.webshots.com/album/561978605ILrtjo

 

(I previously posted this on the Princess Board but figured it should be in the wedding board too)

 

When we first arrived in our room on Sunday (12/16/07), we were greeted by an envelope with our vow renewal ceremony time and place (you don't get to schedule a time before you arrive). It was the next day at 5:15. We’ve since learned that they do the vow renewals on formal days. Which works out perfectly as all the ships photographers have backdrops set up around the ship.

 

I was so excited because after 15 years of marriage, I was ready to recommit to my husband. I felt like this time was even more special than our “original” ceremony as now I truly knew what it meant to be married.

 

I quickly visited the reservations desk to book a reservation for Sterlings Steakhouse for that evening so that we could have an intimate dinner together. I then stopped down at the passengers services desk (pursers desk) and met Demingos, he was extremely helpful. I asked about ordering a white cake (I couldn’t do this ahead of time), The Wedding Experience “TWE” would not help me unless I was a bride organizing an “actual” wedding. I didn’t let that bother me because Princess had told me I could order a cake when I arrived. And sure enough, I was able to with Demingos at the front desk. $1.50 a slice -- what a deal. Since it was only the 2 of us, I order for 4 slices because I didn’t want the cake to be too small. He asked if I wanted fresh strawberries to accompany the cake and I’m glad I said yes. The cake showed up at Sterlings and was absolutely beautiful. I also placed an order for 3 roses in a vase to be put on our table as I wanted it too look beautiful. The were sitting on the table when we arrived. Dimingo’s did a great job.

 

I booked a manicure for the next morning so my nails would look perfect, the spa was very accommodating and my manicure was a nice touch.

 

I got ready in my room before my husband (I made him leave, I had kept the dress a secret all along so I didn’t want him seeing me for the first time in the dress while he was coming out of the bathroom, etc.). I left the room at 4:30 and he came back in to put on his tux. I told him I would meet him in the library at 5:00 so that the first time he saw me it would be a little more special than just in our room. It wasn’t possible for the first time to be as I walked down the aisle as we hadn’t even met the wedding coordinator yet . . . .etc. I left the room and went to the florist shop . . . .which isn’t actually a florist shop or even a store. It’s a table set up in the corner of desk 7 which wasn’t manned. I was hoping to look at my boquet and add a few flowers if necessary to make it look pretty. I still didn’t have a good idea what it looked like. I waited about 10 minutes at this table thinking someone would show up but that wasn’t the case. So I headed to the library to wait for my husband.

 

I felt very special walking around the ship as you could tell I was a bride from my dress (wasn’t long but white which a champagne beaded sash). I had a crystal headband and a crystal choker necklace. I felt beautiful and people commented about how beautiful I looked . . . .what a boost to the self-esteem 

 

I wait in the library only about 10 minutes and my dashing (and I mean dashing) husband showed up. I quickly did a spin for him and could see his eyes light up as he looked at his bride for the first time. He comment on how beautiful I looked and my heart soared. After a few kisses and hugs we headed the Hearts and Mind chappel on the top deck (by the spa).

 

We were greated by (Kristy) who went over the ceremony quickly. Not too much to it, just “do you want to exchange rings, did you write vows”. We asked her to start the web cam as several people were waiting back home to watch. We called them on Sunday and told them what time because we hadn’t left port yet, we still had cell phone coverage. She had my boquet (Orchid Boquet it says on the website) and it was absolutely beautiful. For those of you doing this, don’t worry about the boquet, it was stunning.

 

A great big thank you to my fellow Cruisecritic passangers because we have met the day before, 6 of them showed up for the ceremony. You were all so nice and it was great having some guest at the ceremony. One, Bill took video with our camera and (Liz) took pictures with a camera.

 

The captian showed up right before the ceremony, the music started and we walked each other down the aisle. After a few short words by the captain, he had us repeat vows . . . .very sentimental (see entire wording below). Then we repeated our own vows to each other that we had written.

 

The ships photographer was snapping pictures all along the was as well as Liz, she took some great photos and Bill (the video is incredible). Then the ceremony was sealed by a kiss and we walked back out of the chappel.

 

The photographer brought us back in for a picture with the captain (he was a man of few words but very nice and cordial just the same). Since it was a formal night, the photo desk wouldn’t allow me to hire the a photographer for an hour or so for pictures around the ship . . . . I really wanted an outdoor shot. But, because I had stopped down at the desk early that day, the photographer mentioned that he thought we wanted outdoor photos . . . .yippee! He went outside on the desk with us (which was literally just outside the door of the chappel) and took some deck shots. People were gazing at us and I felt like royalty.

 

All-in-all the ceremony only took about 10 minutes which pictures afterwards about 15 more so making a reserveration for Sterlings at 6:30 worked out perfectly. We had about 30 minutes to walk around the ship to the other photographers. We stopped at about 4 different stations and had many, many pictures taken. Then off to Sterlings for what was a fabulous dinner.

 

The roses were on the table but with my boquet, they weren’t really needed (but a nice touch nonetheless). We had a beautiful dinner with several courses. When it came time for dessert, we were presented with the cake but we were too full to eat anything more. Sterlings had it sent to our room and we enjoyed it about mid-night that night -- it was delicious.

 

I have posed several of the pictures from the ceremony and deck shots at webshots . . . .the link is above.

 

It was a beautiful ceremony and a special touch to our anniversary cruise. I would highly recommend this to anyone, even it it’s just been one year . . . . . It’s nice to hear the words again and recommit yourself to your spouse. I did it up big with a dress, etc. but even if it was in shorts the words are the same and I think you would find it as special as I did. At $205.00 it was well worth it.

 

If you are a bride who got married on shore and then want the vow renewal because you wanted to get married on the ship . . . .I saw a few posts about this . . . . I would caution you. Because you are a vow renewal, you do not get the attention a full wedding would require. You have no options such as an outside wedding and really the chappel can only accomondate 10 sitting with a few standing in the back -- and this would be a tight push . . . . . . I think we were just lucky to have a photographer go outside with us (I think visiting the photo desk they thought I would buy a ton so they told the photographer to do a few more shots). There were several “weddings” that I saw this week and there was a coordinator with them the entire time, getting them access to many places on the ship for photos, etc.

 

 

It was a very special day for both my husband and I . . . . again, I would highly recommend.

 

Actual words of ceremony from the Captain:

 

I would like to welcome you to the Wedding Chapel. We are here to reaffirm your marriage commitments.

 

I ask that you become closer to each other and recommit yourselves to a life together. Life involves sharing love with each other so that when we leave this celebration, we are all better companions going out into the world.

 

As I renew your vows to each other we are all reminded that marriage is a union of two lives and two hearts joined together in equal partnership. A husband and wife will bear each others burdens as well as share each others joys. Your goal in your marriage is to be considerate, loving and tender, supporting each other in your love. The renewal of the vows that you share should be as binding in adversity as in prosperity.

 

As you continue to live together, sharing on another, the gifts of love and striving to become one, in heart and mind. I ask you now to renew the vows, which you first pledged to one another.

 

I, Douglas, renew to you, Maria, the promis of marriage I made to you 15 years ago.

Today I accept you again to myself as the cornerstone of my life.

As I have been true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, so I will cointinue to love and honour you all the days of my life.

 

I, Maria, renew to you, Douglas, the promis of marriage I made to you 15 years ago.

Today I accept you again to myself as the cronerstone of my life.

As I have been true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, so I will continue to love and honour you all the days of my life.

 

Maria, with the ring, I seal my love fo ryou, and the commitment I re-made here today.

Douglas, with this ring, I seal my love for you, and the commitment I re-made here today.

 

As Master of Caribbean Princess, I am happy to witness the renewal of your vows and your renewed commitment to each other. My your love continue to grow stronger in the years that lie ahead.

 

Douglas, you may now kiss your bride of 15 years.

[jbpinkie]

Maria- It sounded like a beautiful day for you. The pictures are beautiful, thanks for sharing. Where did you find your dress it is beautiful!!

[stazcrew]

AWW now I am more excited then ever!! I hope I can find someone to grab my camera and take a pictures for me also, thanks for the tip to do that. We will be renewing our vowel on the Carnival Victory in March.

[jbpinkie]

AWW now I am more excited then ever!! I hope I can find someone to grab my camera and take a pictures for me also, thanks for the tip to do that. We will be renewing our vowel on the Carnival Victory in March.

 

Leslie- I would recommend getting active in your roll call asap. I eloped on the Ruby in November and I asked very casually if anyone would like to come along and be wittness (in lieu of paying strangers $50 pp) and I had an offer for a photographer, a person to take a video, and wittnesses. You will be amazed by the kindness of strangers.

[Elationismyship]

I got the dress at White House Black Market . . . .believe it or not, for $39 . . . it was on clearance at the outlet.

 

The crystal belt was made by buying a champagne colored sash at David's Bridal and they have slide on crystal accents for their sashes . . . .I bought 7 of them and had them sewn on the sash.

[stazcrew]

We are renewing our vows to celebrate my battle with cancer. My Victory on the Victory kinda thing. My gown was on sale also. Thanks I will go to our roll call and ask for volunteers. I will try to post my dress, hope it works.

 

http://www.nexteve.com/shop/cocktail-dresses/sapphireblue-asymmetric-short-dress-F6211.html

[Elationismyship]

Your dress is beautiful and so will be your ceremony!

[stazcrew]

Thank you! I got it today finally and I love it!

[jbpinkie]

I got the dress at White House Black Market . . . .believe it or not, for $39 . . . it was on clearance at the outlet.

 

The crystal belt was made by buying a champagne colored sash at David's Bridal and they have slide on crystal accents for their sashes . . . .I bought 7 of them and had them sewn on the sash.

 

Thanks for the tip about adding the sash. Since we eloped we are planning a party and a dress like yours would be perfect. Again thanks much for the advice!!

[IPA region 30 member]

Nice review, and a very nice time indeed. I am in the process of planning the same thing for my wife and I. We are working on 30 years <G>, and have thought that doing it on a cruise would be great. I am waffling between Princess and Celebrity right now with a lean towards Celebrity. Going to be interesting as to what my research finds on this.

 

regards and here's to a whole lot more happy years.

 

Scott

[Alaskabride]

Thank You for sharing your love story & your photos!! You looked beautiful!! I was married at sea and felt as you did, I truly felt like a Princess for the day.