Vow renewal - time of day?

[barrywpg]

Thinking of surprising my wife with 25th annivesary vow renewal package.
I searched a lot of threads and know its done at the convenice of the
Captain. Found one thread that, I think, said theirs was done around
7 PM.
That seemed like it could interfere with dining plans - so can anybody
tell me what time of day theirs was done?

Thanks

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You are right -- I have read many threads here where people did the renewal of vows of the ship. And the majority of them have been around 7 PM.

Should you book this package, keep a receipt (ask for an e-mail if you talk to Ship Services personally to arrange this) -- once on the ship you will be notified of the time and place of the event -- should get a note within the first couple of days. If you don't get a note -- go to the front office and ASK!!

[jtl513]

That seemed like it could interfere with dining plans - so can anybody tell me what time of day theirs was done?I know of one case where a table's dining time was started about a 1/2 hour earlier for just one night to accomodate this. In that case there were 3 couples (at a 8-top) that were doing it, and they were at the early seating (5:45 traditional).

[JimVrhovac]

We have done it several times.

I did surprise my wife once.

I set it up on the ship at the front desk and explained it was a surprise so nothing was sent to the room to enlighten her. It took some extra work but it was worth irt. I piked up the coursages at the front desk. We had dinner at the at the Pinnacle sfterwards so the wine was delivered there.

Have a great ceremon.

You can check ou our picture. Note below

Ruth & Jim

[Bill S]

Last year on the Zaandam, two of our tablemates had a renewal-of-vows ceremony, and it was scheduled for 7pm. We had early traditional seating.

They didn't want to have to rush through dinner, so they asked if they could dine with the AYWD passengers that night and were told absolutely not. They did not wish to dine in the Pinnacle Grill either or have a late dinner.

I do not recall if they went to the Lido or had room service, but either way their dining experience was not what they had hoped for on their special evening. They were not very happy about the scheduling of the ceremony and the resulting dining limitations.

[Riverwatcher]

How are you notified of the time and place of the ceremony? I have booked a ROV for our upcoming cruise on the Zuiderdam, but DW thinks that it is only an appointment with the photographer. It is our 40th anniversary and I am hoping to keep it as a surprise until we see the captain.

Riverwatcher

[MadManOfBethesda]

Thinking of surprising my wife with 25th annivesary vow renewal package.
I searched a lot of threads and know its done at the convenice of the
Captain. Found one thread that, I think, said theirs was done around
7 PM.
That seemed like it could interfere with dining plans - so can anybody
tell me what time of day theirs was done?

Thanks

We renewed our vows for our 30th anniversary on the Ryndam in January. If I recall correctly, it was set for 6:30pm and lasted about 45 minutes. We then had dinner in the Pinnacle.

Speaking of dinner, I don't understand the question about it interferring with dinner because dinner in the Pinnacle is part of the package. Once you receive notification of the date and time of the ceremony, you just call the Pinnacle and make your reservations accordingly.

[MadManOfBethesda]

How are you notified of the time and place of the ceremony?

A card inside an envelope is placed outside your stateroom door.

[RuthC]

Speaking of dinner, I don't understand the question about it interferring with dinner because dinner in the Pinnacle is part of the package. Once you receive notification of the date and time of the ceremony, you just call the Pinnacle and make your reservations accordingly.
For various reasons, some people plan to go to the Pinnacle on a different night. In that case, it could become an interference with a fixed dinner time.

[MadManOfBethesda]

For various reasons, some people plan to go to the Pinnacle on a different night. In that case, it could become an interference with a fixed dinner time.

I realize that, but that is not HAL's fault. The renewal of vows package includes dinner at the Pinnacle; therefore, HAL shouldn't be expected to try and plan the ceremony around the other fixed dining times. This isn't a private ceremony for just one couple, and since the ceremony could include couples assigned to both early and late dining, that would eliminate scheduling the ceremony any time between 5:30 - 9:30. Not really practical. Moreover, I don't think a time could be slected that wouldn't interfere with something.

[ore-ee-gun]

We've done ROV twice; the first time we had late seating, but at that time, Oosterdam was experimenting with a flexible dining schedule, and you could be seated anytime between 8-9 for late seating. The ROV ceremony was over by about 8:15, and we went straight into dinner from there. We had AYW dining last time, so there was no problem there at all. We ate at the Pinnacle on a different evening.

I am surprised that there would be a problem at all with being seated with AYW, even if one were assigned to the traditional seating. I'm sure I've read on here somewhere that it was being done.

[Sharon Le]

My DH and I renewed our vows on Half Moon Cay. It's a less formal than renewing on the ship. We had a very delightful Priest that was on board officiate the ceremony. Greg the party planner took care of everything for us. The price was $49.00. It was awesome!!!

[marle7]

I realize that, but that is not HAL's fault. The renewal of vows package includes dinner at the Pinnacle; therefore, HAL shouldn't be expected to try and plan the ceremony around the other fixed dining times. This isn't a private ceremony for just one couple, and since the ceremony could include couples assigned to both early and late dining, that would eliminate scheduling the ceremony any time between 5:30 - 9:30. Not really practical. Moreover, I don't think a time could be slected that wouldn't interfere with something.

We are doing this package. The Pinnacle, while it is included in the package, it is not automatic that the dinner is the same night as the renewal of vows. You get a certificate and you have to book the Pinnacle the same as any other time, and you might not get in the same night, depending on their bookings for that day. We were told it would likely be on a sea day and a formal night, but not told what time.

[MadManOfBethesda]

We were told it would likely be on a sea day and a formal night, but not told what time.

Although our ceremony was held on a sea day, it was not done on a formal night. This was somewhat surprising (and disappointing) to me since the captain had six formal nights from which to choose on our cruise. When we did this 15 years ago on the Statendam, it was on a formal night so I had expected to wear a tuxedo for the ceremony on the Ryndam as well. Fortunately, in addition to the tuxedo and white dinner jacket I had planned to wear for formal nights, I also had packed a sport coat for dining in the Pinnacle on casual nights.

[Travelbug 2]

Never done a renewal of vows with HAL but we have with Princess. It was a magical experience. The assist' purser took care of EVERY detail. She contacted us after boarding and from then on we were under her wing. The ceremony was in the chapel and was timed to be just before our pre booked dinner in the speciality dining room. We felt really special and were looked after incredibly well. For the rest of the cruise any special needs or concerns were taken care of by our "angel", she contacted us every day to check that we were enjoying the cruise.

A wonderful experience full of pleasant memories for our 50th.

[debmkay]

Probably a silly question, but is it customary to renew your vows around your original wedding date or can you do it at any time of the year? We are going on a 14 day southern carib cruise in October but our anniversary is in March. What does everyone think?

[RuthC]

Probably a silly question, but is it customary to renew your vows around your original wedding date or can you do it at any time of the year? We are going on a 14 day southern carib cruise in October but our anniversary is in March. What does everyone think?
I think that if you want to do it, you should do it. Whether or not it is close to your actual anniversary date makes no difference.
You never know if you will ever have another chance---don't pass one up.

[debmkay]

I don't really care what month, I just want to renew our vows whenever it may be,. hoping he will feel the same. He is my love, soulmate, best friend, whatever else there may be, not used to this website guy, all of the above, so please be good to us and we will thank you with whatever you would like.