Renew Your Marriage Vows on a Cruise

Reaffirm your vows at sea

Here we are, just in time for Valentine's Day, an account of a 'Renewal of Marriage Vows' ceremony on Sea Princess.
   At the appointed time a large number of passengers gathered in the atrium. Some were couples ready to participate in the group ceremony; others as onlookers. The atrium was decorated with an archway of greenery and white ribbons and the string quartet and pianist played softly.
  It began with the cruise director, Peter Roberts, speaking about what reconfirming your marriage vows can mean to your partnership. Then a poem about love was read and the musicians played again.
  Captain Mario Ciruzzi then took the microphone and the ceremony proper commenced. The couples were asked to face each other and join hands. As the captain read the vows, the husbands repeated them. Next it was the turn of the wives to repeat their words after the captain. Then all repeated a verse about renewing their promise to each other. With that, the captain pronounced them husband and wife and gave the age-old instruction, "You may kiss your Partner."
   If you're on a Valentine's Day cruise maybe you'd like to do this, if you don't mind the ceremony being very public and in the company of strangers.

Celebrate Valentine's Day on a Cruise

A Valentine's Day Display on a Princess Cruise Ship

Celebrating Valentine's Day at sea involves as much (if not more) chocolate and hearts decorations as you'll see on land. So if you're a chocoholic, don't worry - you won't miss out!
  We were on Sea Princess last year on February 14th. Luscious-looking cakes featured in displays throughout the ship. Each passenger was given a Happy Valentine's Day card from Princess Cruises with the message 'From ocean to ocean... love knows no limits'. With heart-shaped chocolates, of course.
   

A Special Treat 

If you woke up hungry you could have a 'Saint Valentine's Day Champagne Breakfast' (charged for) as a special treat. The menu was for a half bottle of French champagne, breakfast pastries, fresh fruit and berries medley, smoked salmon on a brioche, and Quiche Lorraine.
  I don't know if it was my imagination, but everyone on board seemed extra smiley that day! The spirit of love was in the air!
  In the evening there was a Renewal of Vows ceremony. More on that in my next post.