ViolaSwamp Posted November 20, 2008 #1 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Have any of you done this? Can you please describe it? I'm thinking DH and I might renew our vows onboard as we'll be celebrating 10 years together, and 7 years married. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noblepa Posted November 20, 2008 #2 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Have any of you done this? Can you please describe it? I'm thinking DH and I might renew our vows onboard as we'll be celebrating 10 years together, and 7 years married. We did this on the Oosterdam a couple of years ago, for our thirtieth. It was very nice. It was held in the Oak Room one evening, "at the captain's convenience". There were three other couples when we did it. There was a string quartet playing while all the guests gathered and waited. Hor d'ouevres were served, along with Champagne. The captain arrived and, after a few general remarks, called each couple to the front, seperately, and recited a prepared set of vows (I suppose you could substitute your own). The ship's photographers were there, of course. We received several photos (not just the one promised in the website) and a photo album that was different (and nicer) than the one being sold in the photo gallery. Of course, the dinner in the Pinnacle Grill was great. All in all, we found it simple but tasteful and we were glad we did it. I got a few points with my wife for suggesting it, in the first place (chicks dig stuff like that). Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViolaSwamp Posted November 20, 2008 Author #3 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Thanks for the info, it sounds lovely. :) My only concern is not knowing which night it will be held. We are planning on getting new wedding rings in St. Thomas and would like those to be a part of the ceremony... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noblepa Posted November 20, 2008 #4 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Thanks for the info, it sounds lovely. :) My only concern is not knowing which night it will be held. We are planning on getting new wedding rings in St. Thomas and would like those to be a part of the ceremony... I believe that ours was on Thursday of a Saturday-Saturday Mexican Riviera trip. Surprisingly, it was on a port day (Mazatlan) and not a formal night. I don't think that even calling HAL in Seattle would help, because the schedule is deliberately left to the captain's discretion and convenience. IIRC, when we boarded, there was an invitation to the ceremony, specifying the day. Certainly, you could ask at the purser's desk, but if the captain decides to have it the day BEFORE you visit St. Thomas, you may be out of luck. The captain might be willing to change, but I wouldn't count on it. BTW, take all your paperwork along. We were cruising with my brother, sister and their spouses. I had paid for four guests at the ceremony prior to sailing. When we boarded, they had a record of OUR reservation for the ceremony, but not for the guests. They had to contact Seattle to straighten it out, on Easter Sunday, but it would have been easier if I had the written proof that I had booked and paid for four guests. Good luck, and Happy Anniversary! Paul Noble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
margretha Posted November 23, 2008 #5 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Our renewal was as described by noblepa: one of 3 couples, but ceremony very lovely (flowers, strings, champagne, etc.). We did ours on the Zuiderdam. Last summer were with friends on the Maasdam and their renewal was on one of several days but it was more than a 7 day cruise. Again the flowers, music, captain's nice greetings and an individualized renewal. It was well worth it just for the ceremony alone, never mind the pix and album and add ons. margretha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplc882 Posted November 23, 2008 #6 Share Posted November 23, 2008 We celebrated our 25th anniversary last year on the Maasdam(First cruise also) and renewed our vows. Only one other couple was present and it was their 50th. Held in the Piano Bar with backgroud piano and Capt. Draper arrived with his wife, performed the ceremony separately for both of us and then stayed and we all very much enjoyed the time spent with the Capt. and his wife. The area was decorated and a ships officer was on had prior to let us know the procedure and took care of us while waiting. Overall it was the highlight of our cruise and something we will always remember. The invite was in our room on arrival day and I am am sure it was held on a sea day. You will not be disappointed. Rex & Paula Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViolaSwamp Posted November 24, 2008 Author #7 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Thanks for all the input! It sounds wonderful. I think we will wait to see which night it will be offered and sign up onboard if we can, if it will be after our day at St. Thomas. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimVrhovac Posted November 24, 2008 #8 Share Posted November 24, 2008 I have surprised Ruth with a Renewal of Vows several times and we have always enjoyed it. Consider following it up with dinner in the Pinnacle Grill Ruth & Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djptcp Posted November 25, 2008 #9 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Thanks for the info. DH and I are renewing our vows (31 years) on the Noordam that sails this Thursday (Thanksgiving Day). It's nice to hear everyone's positive remarks. BTW, it was DH's suggestion, too:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted November 26, 2008 #10 Share Posted November 26, 2008 May you have many more happy years together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobed1927 Posted November 29, 2008 #11 Share Posted November 29, 2008 We'll be on the Maasdam next week and I'm going to renew my vow never to go into the casino again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KroozNut Posted February 15, 2017 #12 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Consider following it up with dinner in the Pinnacle Grill Ruth & Jim I realize this is a very old thread, but we're planning on doing this for our Sep 2017 cruise on Oosterdam. These days the package includes dinner for two at the Pinnacle Grill, which makes it even more enticing. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSSF Posted February 15, 2017 #13 Share Posted February 15, 2017 To add to this, our room steward had two kissing swan animals on the bed, & the bed was strewn with rose petals. There was just two of us, so we had our wedding cake delivered to the room to enjoy as we pleased. It was well worth the cost and made a lovely event! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted February 15, 2017 #14 Share Posted February 15, 2017 I realize this is a very old thread, but we're planning on doing this for our Sep 2017 cruise on Oosterdam. These days the package includes dinner for two at the Pinnacle Grill, which makes it even more enticing. ;) Hope you have a wonderful time..We did our ROV on the Noordam in 2010 on a B2B & had 4 of our Friends in Attendance..One of the couples was on the second leg of our trip, so I went to the Front Desk & told them that our Friends were joing the ship later & they arranged for us to have our ROV on the second leg.. If they ask you to go down to the Photographers a few days earlier, be sure to do it.. We did not & the only pic we have is of me in tears..Of course they were happy ones but I would have preferred a smiling pic of me..LOL Our ceremony was lovely & if we ever have a chance to do it again, we would.. Enjoy your ROV..:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avian777 Posted February 15, 2017 #15 Share Posted February 15, 2017 ... Our ceremony was lovely & if we ever have a chance to do it again, we would ... Isn't the ROV offered on all HAL cruises? If so, you can certainly do it again on your next cruise. Smooth sailing ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigianne Posted February 15, 2017 #16 Share Posted February 15, 2017 We did an unplanned vow renewal while on the Westerdam French Polynesia cruise in the spring and it was done on our 49th anniversary day. If you are ever lucky enough to be on a cruise with the port guide Kainoa and want a different kind of vow renewal, he is the one. He is an ordained minister. The ceremony was in Polynesian and English and was very moving, it involved singing, leis and pareos. We had invited 16 of our CC friends to join us and afterwards several of us went to the Pinnacle Grill for dinner. Kainoa gifted us with the pareos and also a very nice framable certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytomatoes Posted February 15, 2017 #17 Share Posted February 15, 2017 We are planning on renewing our vows to celebrate our 25th anniversary on our upcoming 14 day Alaskan Cruise this coming May. We are very excited to hear that the ceremony has been well received by others here! Good tip to bring your paperwork as we have preordered tickets for our kids and my parents, better safe than sorry. I have a few questions which I am hoping someone can answer. How long does the ceremony last? What time does it usually start? Looking forward to it, counting down the days! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSSF Posted February 15, 2017 #18 Share Posted February 15, 2017 The ceremony lasted about 1.5 hours. Time and day is up to the Captain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1of4 Posted February 15, 2017 #19 Share Posted February 15, 2017 We did a renewal of vows for our 15th anniversary after a very challenging year. The cost is minimal for what we received. Our anniversary is December 31 so it was done on the second formal night of our cruise. It starts with flowers in your cabin and printed invitations. We had our two children and another couple. It was held in the crows nest in a curtained off area. We were all fussed over by bartenders, catering and photographers. There was a wedding cake,exotic flowers, champagne and nonalcoholic deverages for our children. We each had a corsage. We were in full formal highland dress so created a bit of a stir. The captain spent at least 30 minutes with us prior to the ceremony. After we had dinner at the Pinnacle Grill. It was beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytomatoes Posted February 15, 2017 #20 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Thank you Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted February 15, 2017 #21 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Isn't the ROV offered on all HAL cruises? If so, you can certainly do it again on your next cruise.Smooth sailing ... Yes it is, but I have no idea when & if we will be cruising again.. :( I'm more concerned at this time with DH's Health.. If we do another cruise, & we have another ROV, I would want to have our Friends with us again.. To get them all together is my next project..:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10th Hole Slice Posted February 15, 2017 #22 Share Posted February 15, 2017 We renewed our vows on a 15 day to Hawaii a few years ago. We were told that it was up to the Captain as to whether he performed them as a group or privately. Ours were all private but there was a group reception held afterwards. It was lovely and I would do it again. Every one of the couples (I believe there were 4 or 5 along with us) said that it was truly special. Ours happened to fall on a formal night but given that it was a longer cruise, we had 6 formal nights, so the odds were good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summer slope Posted February 15, 2017 #23 Share Posted February 15, 2017 We renewed our vows last year and were lucky enough to be the only ones. The captain spent 30 minutes or so chatting with us. My only suggestion is to not eat before. The nibbles were delicious but we were full. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KroozNut Posted February 16, 2017 #24 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. Now I'm looking forward to our Sep cruise even more, if that's even possible! :) I'm going to make this a surprise to DW as long as I can, but it sounds as though as soon as we board and open our cabin door, she'll immediately figure it out. :cool: That's okay though, it'll be a surprise up to that point! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted February 16, 2017 #25 Share Posted February 16, 2017 (edited) Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. Now I'm looking forward to our Sep cruise even more, if that's even possible! :) I'm going to make this a surprise to DW as long as I can, but it sounds as though as soon as we board and open our cabin door, she'll immediately figure it out. :cool: That's okay though, it'll be a surprise up to that point! :D Only problem with a surprise is packing the clothes you are going to wear for your ROV..I took a dress which I wore to our Son's wedding & DH was in his TUX.. Since HAL no longer has formal nights & Gala nights are less dressy would your bride be comfortable in the clothes she packs for the cruise.. If I could have I would have tried to surprise DH but how to get his TUX packed was a concern, so I ended up asking him..He jumped at the chance & packed his TUX.. We had another couple from Manilla, who also did the ROV & had their entire family & more with them..There was about a dozen guests & every one of them including the children & the couple were dressed in white..What a beautiful group it was & a lovely picture.. Now if she has a special dress that she enjoys wearing you could try to sneak them in a suitcase, but don't forget her shoes & Jewelry.. Good luck & know you will have a lovely time..:D Edited February 16, 2017 by serendipity1499 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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