A cruise ship wedding, St. Thomas-style, gives you something most weddings can’t — a ceremony on a Caribbean hillside, the harbor glittering below, and your ship still waiting in port when the last photo is taken. It sounds impossibly romantic, and with the right plan it’s also surprisingly simple. The trick is understanding how a port-day wedding actually works: the timing, the paperwork, the transportation, and who handles the details while you’re focused on each other. This guide walks through all of it, so you can picture your day from the moment you step off the gangway to the moment you sail away married.

Why St. Thomas Is Made for a Cruise Ship Wedding

St. Thomas is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean, and that’s exactly what makes it such a natural place to marry on a port day. Charlotte Amalie’s harbor is a short ride from a hilltop full of history, stone, and sweeping water views — the kind of backdrop that turns a quick ceremony into something you’ll frame for the rest of your life.

The Mary Anne Boutique Hotel sits at the top of that historic hillside, next to Blackbeard’s Castle and the iconic 99 Steps, overlooking the harbor where your ship is docked. It’s close enough to reach easily and elevated enough to feel a world away from the crowds. For couples who want a real island wedding rather than a rushed courthouse stop, a cruise ship wedding in St. Thomas at a private boutique property is about as good as it gets.

How a Cruise Ship Wedding, St. Thomas-Style, Actually Works

The single biggest question couples ask is whether there’s enough time. In almost every case, the answer is yes — a port day typically gives you seven to nine hours ashore, and an intimate ceremony needs only a fraction of that.

Here’s the shape of a typical day:

• Morning: Your ship docks in Charlotte Amalie. Transportation meets you and brings you up the hillside to The Mary Anne.
• Midday: You settle into a private day-use room to get ready — hair, makeup, a quiet moment before the ceremony.
• Early afternoon: The ceremony itself, led by your officiant, at The Mary Anne or next door at Blackbeard’s Castle.
• After the ceremony: Photos, a sparkling toast, and time to simply enjoy being newlyweds on the island.
• Late afternoon: Transportation returns you to the port with time to spare before all-aboard.

Because the whole day is coordinated around your ship’s schedule, the stress that usually comes with a destination wedding largely disappears. Someone else is watching the clock so you don’t have to.

What’s Included in the Anchored in Love Package

At The Mary Anne, the cruise ship wedding in St. Thomas is built into a package designed specifically for couples arriving by ship. It’s called Anchored in Love, and it exists for one reason: to give you a genuine island wedding without an overnight stay.

What’s included:

• A private day-use room at The Mary Anne for wedding preparations (up to 6 hours)
• Your ceremony at The Mary Anne or next door at historic Blackbeard’s Castle
• A non-denominational officiant to lead the ceremony
• A staff photographer
• A tropical bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere
• A sparkling toast for the two of you after the ceremony
• Full concierge coordination, including transportation from the port to the venue and back

Every piece of that list is chosen to remove logistics from your plate. You don’t have to arrange a car, find a florist, or track down an officiant in an unfamiliar place — it’s all handled as part of the package.

Making the Day Your Own

An intimate ceremony doesn’t have to mean a bare-bones one. Couples planning a cruise ship wedding in St. Thomas often layer in a few touches to make the celebration feel complete without adding much time to the day.

Popular enhancements include floral décor such as a flower arch, a welcome cocktail hour, or a private dinner prepared by a local chef if your ship’s schedule allows. On the beauty side, you can add hair styling, makeup, and even a relaxing massage before the ceremony, plus upgraded photography so you leave with more of the day captured. Think of the base package as the frame and the add-ons as the details that make it unmistakably yours.

The Legal Side: Getting Married in the USVI

The paperwork for a St. Thomas wedding is more straightforward than most couples expect, and it’s the same whether you arrive by plane or by ship. Because St. Thomas is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens don’t need a passport — a valid driver’s license is enough for entry.

To marry legally, you’ll need a USVI marriage license, which costs $200 paid directly to the territory. You can start the application online through the USVI Superior Court before you ever board your cruise, which is the smart move — give yourself a couple of weeks of buffer so the license is ready when your ship reaches port. Your officiant handles filing the signed license after the ceremony, and your certified copies are mailed to you afterward.

One planning note worth flagging early: build in comfortable margin around your ship’s schedule. A cruise ship wedding in St. Thomas runs smoothly precisely because the timeline is respected, so it helps to confirm your all-aboard time the moment you know it.

Tips for Planning a Cruise Ship Wedding, St. Thomas-Style

A few things worth knowing as you plan:

• Book early, especially in peak season. December through April is the busiest window in St. Thomas. The shoulder months of May, June, and November bring lovely weather and better availability.
• Handle the license before you sail. Apply online through the USVI Superior Court ahead of time rather than trying to sort it out on port day.
• Confirm your ship’s schedule. Know your dock time and all-aboard time, and share both with your coordinator so the day is built around them.
• Pack the essentials in your day bag. Rings, IDs, license paperwork, and anything you want in photos should travel with you off the ship, not stay in your cabin.
• Ask about ceremony locations. Your ceremony can take place at The Mary Anne or next door at Blackbeard’s Castle, one of the most photographed spots on the island.

For broader trip planning and things your guests might do before or after, the official Visit USVI tourism site is a helpful resource.

Cruise Wedding or Overnight Stay? How to Decide

Not every couple arriving in St. Thomas is on a cruise, and the right package depends on how you’re traveling. If your visit is a single port day, Anchored in Love is designed for exactly that. If you’d rather wake up on the island the morning of your wedding and linger a few nights, the on-property packages give you that unhurried pace instead.

Still weighing your options? Our complete St. Thomas destination wedding guide walks through timing, costs, and the legal steps for both cruise and stay-over celebrations in more detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cruise ship passengers really get married in St. Thomas on a port day?
Yes. The Anchored in Love package at The Mary Anne is designed specifically for couples arriving by cruise, with a day-use prep room, port transportation, and coordination around your ship’s schedule so you’re back on board in time.

Is there enough time for a cruise ship wedding in St. Thomas?
Almost always. A port day usually gives you seven to nine hours ashore, and an intimate ceremony with photos and a toast fits comfortably within that window when the day is coordinated around your ship.

Do we need a passport to get married in St. Thomas?
No. St. Thomas is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, so U.S. citizens can enter with a valid driver’s license. A passport is only required if you plan to visit the British Virgin Islands during your trip.

How much is the marriage license?
The USVI marriage license is a flat $200, paid directly to the territory and separate from your wedding package. You can apply online through the USVI Superior Court before you travel.

Where does the ceremony take place?
At The Mary Anne or next door at Blackbeard’s Castle, both overlooking Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Your coordinator can arrange either as part of the package.

Start Planning Your Cruise Ship Wedding, St. Thomas-Style

A cruise ship wedding in St. Thomas turns a single day in port into the day you got married — a hilltop ceremony, the harbor below, your ship waiting, and every detail handled so you can simply be present for it. With the officiant, the florals, the photography, the prep room, and the transportation all built into one package, the only thing left for you to do is show up and say “I do.”

Ready to picture yours? View our wedding packages or contact our team to check your sailing date and start planning.