It goes without saying that tying the knot is one of the most important events for any two lovebirds. The ceremony requires the utmost attention to detail, with care being taken to ensure the day goes down as a memorable occasion. However, when you consider factors such as the ceremony, reception venue, food and accommodation; the price can soon rise into the thousands. In fact, it is worth noting that the average UK wedding costs in excess of £21,000. Add the factor of transportation - in the event of a couple getting married abroad - and this amount rises further.
Conversely, there is a more cost-effective way to tie the knot abroad, and it can be done either on-shore or within the intimate and luxurious surroundings of a cruise ship. It may sound like a daunting prospect, but in reality, it is little more than a few clicks and a phone call or two away. This week, Cruise Franchise takes a closer look at the benefits of getting married while on a cruise.
Many cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and P&O Cruises all offer wedding packages. Each cruise line offers different experiences and it's worth taking the time to work out which is a perfect fit a particular couple. Cunard will offer traditional and elegant ceremonies, while Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean may offer more family-friendly packages. As stated previously, each cruise line has different rules and regulations with regards to getting married either on board or in port. The ceremony will often be personally conducted by the captain, who will ensure everything is up to scratch.
Upon making the decision to get married during a cruise, the cruise line’s in-house wedding directors will work tirelessly to ensure every detail is to your liking. Couples can choose a base package based on the number of guests and then decide on additional extras including meals, wedding cakes, floral decorations and tuxedo hire. If a couple is looking to invite a larger number of guests, it may be worth liaising with the line with regards to onshore occasions. While this can provide the opportunity to tie the knot to a stunning backdrop, beware of adverse weather and sea conditions that may have an impact on the itinerary. Selected lines even offer the opportunity to tie the knot on the line’s own unique private island.
Each cruise line will have a different range of packages, which are worth looking into when it comes to helping your happy couple on the path on their perfect day. Often the cost of the package will cost between $750 and $4,000, in addition to the price of the cruise. There are options for intimate occasions for the couple alone (no guests) and Princess Cruises even offers webcam facilities that enable you to broadcast the event to friends and family on shore.
Obviously, the larger the event, the more it will cost, but there are some perks that come with booking these. For example, for wedding parties of 16 or more, P&O Cruises will provide the bridal couple with £200 onboard credit, with each other couple receiving £100 each. They will also offer up to three complimentary cabins – one for every 20 guests booked. It is definitely worth doing some research with regards to special offers and perks.
The key to being a successful cruise agent is to know your customer – not just what they want or need. If you take the time to get to know your clients, you will build a strong relationship with them and be able to establish what kind of cruise they may be interested in without even needing to ask. Statistics from CLIA show that cruising is one of the most popular holiday options currently available, and there are more products available within the cruise industry today than ever before.
If you love travel and are looking for a new and exciting business opportunity, Cruise Franchise offers the chance to earn competitive rates of commission while being part of a vibrant and fun industry. Don’t just take our word for it, though – since 2005, our growth has seen more than 60 franchisees take the exciting step of joining the Cruise Franchise.
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