Guest Obsessed in action: Celebrating love at sea

From cherished family traditions to milestone moments shared with loved ones, all of us ship and shore create experiences that stay with our guests long after they leave our ships. These three colleague stories show how our Ceremonies at Sea team help couples celebrate in ways that feel personal, seamless and uniquely theirs.

A wedding years in the making

For shoreside colleague Sharon and her husband Matthew, their wedding was the latest chapter in a story that began more than ten years ago when they met at secondary school. After navigating a long-distance relationship between Hong Kong and the UK and developing a shared love of travel, Arvia became a special part of their journey. After getting engaged on board during a Mediterranean holiday, they returned to celebrate their wedding.

“When it came to planning our wedding, returning to Arvia felt like the perfect choice. Just six months after our engagement, we were able to celebrate with family and friends while sailing through the breathtaking Norwegian Fjords.”

A meaningful part of the day was incorporating a traditional Chinese tea ceremony following their vows, creating a celebration that reflected both their heritage and their life together: “It was important to us that our wedding reflected both our family traditions and the unique experience of celebrating on board, and the team went above and beyond to help us bring this special part of our culture into the celebrations, making the day even more memorable for us and our guests.”

The couple also praised the support they received throughout the planning process and on board: “Planning a wedding usually comes with a lot of preparation and organisation, but the team made the whole experience feel effortless. Everything ran so smoothly that we never had to worry about a thing, allowing us to focus on celebrating with our family and friends and creating memories that will stay with us forever.”

The celebration also introduced several family members to cruising for the first time, with some already considering future holidays at sea. It’s a reminder that these moments can become part of a much bigger holiday experience for everyone involved.

Bringing family and friends together

For fellow shoreside colleague Kristen and partner Abbie, their story began at university in Canterbury. After Kristen moved to Southampton for work, Abbie followed, and after years together the couple became engaged following a Leap Day proposal. When it came to planning their wedding, they wanted to create an experience that allowed them to spend as much time as possible with family and friends.

“As we have family and friends all over, and everyone’s regret from their own weddings is not being able to spend much time with each of their guests, we decided the best option was to trap them on a ship with us for a week!”

The result was a celebration filled with love, laughter and quality time together: “The ceremony was personal, intimate, and fun. Lots of laughter and a few happy tears. We couldn’t have had a better wedding.” 

The couple gave special thanks to Deepak, Events Manager on Arvia, whose support helped bring the day together: “Deepak listened to what we asked for and delivered on all of it. If there were any roadblocks or queries, he was able to overcome them and resolved any issues. Honestly, the day would not have been as spectacular as it was if it wasn’t for him.”

They also recognised the many colleagues across the ship who played a part in making the day special, from photographers and florists to dining and spa teams: “Everyone went above and beyond, not just for us, but for all our wedding party, and for that they should all be recognised.”

From colleagues to life partners

For Yricka and Rene, marrying at sea brought their story full circle. They first met while working on Azura shortly after the pandemic. Despite working different contracts and spending time apart, their paths crossed again, and this year they exchanged vows on board Iona.

Looking back on where it all began, they said:

“What started as a professional relationship between two people working at sea slowly became something much more special. We still remember that first tour of the ship, when we were just getting to know each other, never imagining that one day we would be standing together in front of the Captain, saying our vows.”

Marrying on board made the occasion even more special: “The ship where we worked became the place where our story began. A place filled with memories, adventures, challenges, friendships, and the beginning of our life together. From colleagues, to friends, to life partners… our greatest journey has just begun.”

Guest Obsessed in action

Every story is different, but each one shows the impact we have when we take the time to understand what matters most to our guests.

From honouring family traditions and bringing loved ones together from across the world, to celebrating life’s biggest milestones in unforgettable destinations, these moments become memories that last long after the holiday ends. That’s what being Guest Obsessed is all about: creating experiences that feel personal, meaningful and truly unforgettable