Can I get legally married in the Bahamas while on a cruise?

Yes. Be in Bahamian waters for at least 24 hours, apply for a marriage licence in Nassau/Freeport, and have a licensed marriage officer perform your ceremony on shore (or aboard while docked).

Do I need to stay overnight to get the licence?

No. A 24-hour presence in Bahamian waters counts. Many couples arrive day one and marry the next, coordinated around the ship’s schedule.

Is a shipboard ceremony legal?

Often it’s symbolic unless the ship’s registry and licence permit the captain or an authorized officer to legally marry you. The surest route is a shore-based legal ceremony with a Bahamas marriage officer.

What documents are required?

Valid passports, birth certificates, divorce decree absolute or death certificate if previously married, and a ship’s letter confirming time in Bahamian waters.

How fast can I receive my marriage certificate?

You receive a certified Bahamas marriage certificate after the ceremony. Apostille processing and courier can be arranged within 7–10 business days.

Can we get married the same day we dock in Nassau?

Only if you have already satisfied the 24-hour rule in Bahamian waters. Most couples dock, apply for the license that morning, and marry the following day or later the same day if timing allows.

Will a Bahamas marriage be recognized in the US, Canada, or UK?

Yes. Your certified Bahamas marriage certificate is legally recognized; if your country needs one, we can add an apostille for international use.

Do we need witnesses for a Bahamas cruise wedding?

Yes—two witnesses aged 18+. If you’re eloping, I can provide witnesses for you.

What if our cruise skips Nassau due to weather?

We build buffers and can pivot times or approved locations quickly. If your ship misses port entirely, we help rebook the legal ceremony date.

Where is Nuptial Beach and how far is it from the port?

Nuptial Beach is my preferred semi-private Nassau beach venue, about 20 minutes from the cruise port and ideal for ceremonies and photos for up to 100 guests.

Bahamas Cruise Wedding in Nassau (2026)

Glenn S. Ferguson — Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer & Wedding Planner

On this page

Legal vs. Symbolic: What’s Recognized
Licence & Document Checklist
Cruise-Optimized Timeline
Nuptial Beach — My Preferred Nassau Beach
Other Cruise-Friendly Locations
Cruise Line Rules at a Glance
Cruise Wedding Packages
Vow Renewal Packages
FAQs

Legal vs. Symbolic — Know the Difference

Direct answer: The surest way to be legally married on a cruise stop is a shore-based ceremony in Nassau with a Bahamas Marriage Officer after the 24-hour rule is met.

The simplest path to a fully recognized marriage is a shore-based legal ceremony with a licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer. Shipboard ceremonies are often symbolic unless the ship’s registry and licence allow legal marriages at sea.

Type	Legally Recognized	Who Officiates	Where	Best For
On-Shore Legal Wedding	✅ Yes	Bahamas Marriage Officer	Nassau / Paradise Island / Freeport	Legal certificate + photos
At-Sea Ceremony	⚠️ Sometimes	Captain/Authorized Officer	International waters	Symbolic experience
Hybrid	✅ Yes	Marriage Officer + Ship Venue	Shore + on deck (docked)	Legal + onboard celebration

More guides: Marriage License in the Bahamas • Requirements to Get Married • Licence vs Certificate

Licence & Document Checklist

What you’ll bring

Valid passports (both partners)
Birth certificates
Divorce decree absolute / death certificate (if applicable)
Ship’s letter confirming time in Bahamian waters
Two witnesses aged 18+ (I can provide)

Helpful: How to Get Married in the Bahamas • How Long Does it Take?

Rules to note

24-hour rule: Be in Bahamian territory for at least 24 hours before applying for the licence.
Both parties must be present to apply.
Licence fee: ~USD $100 (plus certified copy).
Ceremony held before two witnesses.

Need it recognized back home? See Marriage Certificate Apostille.

I’ll pre-fill paperwork, book your licence window, supply witnesses, and coordinate with your ship’s schedule—so your wedding fits your port call with time to spare.

Cruise-Optimized Timeline

Step	Task	Time Needed
Day 1	Cruise enters Bahamian waters — 24-hour clock starts	—
Day 2 (AM)	Dock & apply for marriage licence (Registrar General)	~1–2 hours
Day 3 (early PM)	Ceremony (shore or onboard while docked)	~1 hour
Post-trip	Certified certificate; optional apostille & courier	~7–10 business days

Short on time? Explore Short-Notice Bahamas Weddings.

Nuptial Beach, Nassau — Glenn’s semi-private cruise wedding beach (20 minutes from port)

🌺 Nuptial Beach — My Preferred Nassau Beach for Cruise Weddings

Direct answer: Nuptial Beach is my semi-private Nassau venue, ~20 minutes from the port, with room for up to 100 guests—perfect for ceremony and photos within a cruise timetable.

This is my signature, semi-private beach venue—20 minutes from the Nassau Cruise Port, ideal for ceremony and pictures, and spacious enough for up to 100 guests.

20 min from the Nassau Cruise Port (smooth round-trip transfer)

Up to 100 guests (elopements to full parties)

Semi-private reserved beach access for my couples

All-in-one ceremony + portraits + toast on site

Legal-ready approved for licensed ceremonies

Powder-white sand, calm turquoise water, and space for a beautiful arch, seating, and a champagne moment before sail-away. See the full Nassau Nuptial Beach Wedding Guide.

Reserve Nuptial Beach Glenn-exclusive

Sample Day Plan (Nuptial Beach)

9:00 AM	Ship docks • Meet & transfer
9:30 AM	Marriage licence at Registrar General
1:00 PM	Ceremony at Nuptial Beach (setup ready)
2:00 PM	Champagne toast & pro photography
3:30 PM	Back aboard with time to spare

Prefer Paradise Island? See The Cloisters or Atlantis Venues.

Romantic portraits with turquoise water backdrop

Close-up of rings and bouquet on white sand

Other Cruise-Friendly Locations

Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island

Iconic turquoise backdrop and sweeping sands. Perfect for large groups or a post-ceremony photo walk.

The Cloisters, Versailles Gardens

Historic stone arches and manicured gardens—elegant, timeless, and spectacular at golden hour.

Junkanoo Beach

Vibrant and close to the pier—great for fun, colorful images and ultra-quick turnarounds.

Half Moon Cay

Private-island feel for Carnival guests. Typically symbolic—handle legal paperwork in Nassau.

Princess Cays / CocoCay

Ideal for vow renewals or symbolic blessings when ship schedules are tight.

Explore: Wedding Venues in the Bahamas • Nassau Wedding Venues

Cruise Line Rules at a Glance

Cruise Line	Legal in Bahamas?	Notes
Royal Caribbean	Symbolic unless Bahamas licence process is pre-filed	Plan 90+ days ahead for legalities; the simplest path is a shore-based legal ceremony in Nassau.
Carnival	Symbolic at Half Moon Cay	Do the legal ceremony in Nassau; celebrate on the island.
Disney Cruise Line	Usually symbolic	Can coordinate Nassau beach ceremonies via local planner.
Norwegian (NCL)	Legal via Nassau marriage officer	Need 24-hour rule + shore application.
Celebrity / MSC / Virgin	Typically symbolic	Confirm registry rules; shore legal is simplest.

Destination Wedding in The Bahamas — cruise-friendly

Cruise Wedding Packages (Nassau • Nuptial Beach Ready)

All packages are cruise-optimized for timing in port. Each includes priority licence support and a licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer. Affidavits of singlehood are $95 each. Apostille (if required) is additional. ** Government and online charges may adjust final totals. Compare Island Nuptial Packages (2026).