Barbados has added another feather to its tourism cap, becoming an official destination for beach weddings offered by P&O Cruises’ Caribbean itineraries.
On the heels of the island’s recent global recognition as the region’s leading wedding destination for the second consecutive year, P&O launched Barbados Beach Weddings as part of a package allowing couples sailing aboard Arvia and Britannia to book wedding ceremonies on shore.
The cruise line announced that the package includes a Barbados wedding on one of three beaches: Batts Rock, Needham’s Point or Little Good Shepherd.
Alternatively, passengers can opt for the Fairmont Royal Pavilion’s private beach or garden.
The company already offers legal weddings on its ships, and the ceremonies have now been extended to the shore across the region.
Prices start from £4,999 ($13 478) for the ceremony and £850 ($2 292) to cover legal fees. This is in addition to the cruise fare and does not include guests.
The shipping company disclosed that up to eight guests can join the celebration for £600 ($1 618), which includes transport, reserved seating at the ceremony, champagne to toast the couple and a selection of refreshments.
It noted that passengers will have access to ceremony specialists and wedding coordinators before and during the cruise.
Couples will also be provided with breakfast in bed on the wedding day, transfers to and from the vessel, and a wedding arch with two floral arrangements.
Each spouse will receive a matching bouquet and buttonhole, as well as champagne for a toast.
Barbados was confirmed as the leading destination for weddings in the Caribbean during the World Travel Awards (WTA) Caribbean & North American Gala Ceremony held on 4 October at Sandals Grande in Saint Lucia.
The annual event celebrated excellence across the travel and tourism sectors, drawing leading industry figures and contenders from across the region.
In a release from the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI), the tourism promotion agency hailed the win as a reflection of the island’s ongoing dedication to fostering a world-class wedding industry.
Chief Operations Officer at BTMI, Cheryl Carter, said in the statement: “Barbados is deeply honoured to receive this prestigious recognition as the Caribbean’s Leading Wedding Destination. This award is a testament to the pride our nation feels when welcoming couples to begin their lives together.
“The dedication, flair, creativity and expertise of our many wedding planners ensure that every wedding, regardless of size or style, is truly a memorable occasion. Over the years, Barbados has staged weddings of every description, from intimate to extravagant, drawing on our rich culture, stunning venues and world-class hospitality. With this accolade, we reaffirm our commitment to excellence in delivering exceptional destination weddings.”
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
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