MIAMI – With today’s couples seeking affordable, hassle-free wedding alternatives, Carnival Cruise Lines’ wedding packages offer not only a memorable way to “tie the knot” but also all the “extras” found in traditional land-based ceremonies – with prices to match any budget.

Because of the convenience and affordability provided by Carnival’s wedding packages, the company expects some 2,200 couples will marry aboard the “Fun Ships” this year – a nearly 60 percent increase from just a decade a ago. 

“‘Destination weddings’ – in which the wedding and honeymoon are held at the same location – are becoming increasingly popular and any one of these all-inclusive packages provide a unique, cost-effective alternative to traditional land-based ceremonies,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Prices for Carnival’s “Just for the Bride & Groom” package start at $750 and includes an official civil ceremony, a champagne toast with keepsake flutes, flowers for both bride and groom, a wedding cake with cake topper, pre-recorded wedding music, a decorated bridal aisle and photographic services.

The “Welcome Aboard” package costs $1,350 and offers all the amenities of “Just for the Bride & Groom” as well as a reception with one-hour open bar and hot-and-cold hors d’oeuvres, a traditional two-tiered wedding cake and coffee service. Couples may also select the “Deluxe Romance” package for $1,450, which includes a one-and-a-half hour reception and an ice carving, as well as all the features of the other programs.

A wide variety of options such as videography services, live music and tuxedo rental are also available at additional cost.

Shipboard ceremonies are available on embarkation day in any of Carnival's continental U.S. ports, as well as in Vancouver during the line’s summer Alaska season. On-island ceremonies combining a variety of all-inclusive amenities with a romantic tropical setting are available, as well.

The nearly 2,200 couples expected to marry aboard the “Fun Ships” this year will be among the tens of thousands of newlyweds who choose to spend their honeymoon on Carnival, which has been cited as a top honeymoon cruise choice in surveys conducted by Bride’s and Modern Bride magazines.

Couples can enjoy numerous amenities during their “Fun Ship” honeymoon cruise, including fine dining, pampering service, spacious accommodations and expansive spa facilities.

Carnival’s wedding packages and honeymoon amenities are available on all of the line’s 22 “Fun Ships,” which operate voyages from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, New England, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe, South America and the Greek Isles.

The line also has three new SuperLiners scheduled to enter service between now and 2011.

For additional information on Carnival’s wedding packages, call the line’s Bon Voyage Department at 1-800-933-4968. Information and reservations on Carnival’s “Fun Ship” cruises can be obtained by contacting any travel agent, calling 1-800-CARNIVAL or visiting the line’s Web site at www.carnival.com.

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Carnival Cruise Lines is a proud member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.