What last name should a bride use when booking her honeymoon cruise?

[James in SA]

A young couple we know are thinking about a honeymoon cruise right after their wedding, and this question came up. It seems logical that she would have to use her maiden name since her passport and ID would not have been changed yet. Is that what everyone does?

I also seem to recall reading where someone put both names on the booking somehow, but I don't remember how that worked out. Just curious to hear from those who have 'been there' in recent times. Thanks!

[SeaUs]

The name should match whatever is on their documents. Not a new name to confuse everything. Tell them to not use their new last name

[chynnabow]

It has to be her maiden name. Names have match what is on passport and state driver license.

[CruisinEars]

Double post, technical difficulties

[CruisinEars]

She should book in the name that is on her id. When we booked our honeymoon 13 years ago, I had to travel on my maiden name since I didn't have the time to have my name legally changed on my id prior to the wedding. It is hard knowing you have a new married name but still have to go by your old name. But if she doesn't want to be turned away at the airline gate or port, she needs to book with the name on the id.

[Sue L]

MAIDEN NAME, as that is what the passport and ID. don't even consider the married or combo version because she will have absolutely no proof of identity in those names and you could be denied boarding for air and cruise.

[James in SA]

That makes perfect sense. Thanks!

[gatour]

Would it be prudent to bring along the marriage certificate in case there are other issues? I am thinking it would help to prove "next of kin" in case of medical emergencies and decisions that may need to be made.

[SeaUs]

Originally Posted by gatour

Would it be prudent to bring along the marriage certificate in case there are other issues? I am thinking it would help to prove "next of kin" in case of medical emergencies and decisions that may need to be made.

That's what the emergency number that the cruiseline asks for is for. How would a marriage certificate help?

[Sue L]

Originally Posted by gatour

Would it be prudent to bring along the marriage certificate in case there are other issues? I am thinking it would help to prove "next of kin" in case of medical emergencies and decisions that may need to be made.

You do not get the marriage certificate until about 4-6 weeks after marriage, it would not work.

[cruisnpat]

As everyone else has posted she should use your maiden name.

[Bispham Boo]

I guess its different in the UK. You walk away from the ceremony, church or civil, with your marriage certificate and you can order up a new passport in your new name before the wedding, which becomes valid on the day of the wedding. Only potential issue was my US visa, which I couldn't apply for until the wedding day - we had a week at home before the flight to NYC to start our honeymoon, so no problem, and when I applied the response was a matter of seconds. The US visa website helpfully suggests having a friend apply for you if you are going straight to the airport from your wedding reception

[G'ma]

Originally Posted by James in SA

A young couple we know are thinking about a honeymoon cruise right after their wedding, and this question came up. It seems logical that she would have to use her maiden name since her passport and ID would not have been changed yet. Is that what everyone does?

I also seem to recall reading where someone put both names on the booking somehow, but I don't remember how that worked out. Just curious to hear from those who have 'been there' in recent times. Thanks!

She'll use whatever her legal name is and the name on her identification.

[Captain Jake]

My wife used her maiden name to match her passport.She'll change her name on the passport when she renews.Most things she uses her maiden name.Its easier at our ages.We were told she could go by both names as long as its not an attempt to fraud
:cj

[SeaUs]

Originally Posted by G'ma

She'll use whatever her legal name is and the name on her identification.

So explain.
The day after the wedding, her legal name and her passport will not match

[2ndtime20yrslater]

Originally Posted by SeaUs

So explain.
The day after the wedding, her legal name and her passport will not match

Your maiden name is still your legal name until you go thru all the channels/paper work to have it changed. Your name does not automatically change on your wedding day. Many women chose NOT to change their name at all! It is a BIG hassle, especially, if like me, you it is not your first wedding!
Also, if you do change your name, you need to change it on more than just your passport and DL #.. you still have to deal with social security, not to mention every credit card, bank account, employer etc...
It takes awhile.

[miamiyogi]

Originally Posted by SeaUs

That's what the emergency number that the cruiseline asks for is for. How would a marriage certificate help?

As an example, heaven forbid she is injured and hospitalized at a port of call and they need a waiver signed for surgery, the marriage certificate would give the husband the authority to sign the waiver.

Check with your state or county where you got the marriage license. In Florida, you can have the officiant give you the signed copy after the ceremony. You then take that later to the marriage bureau where they court stamp it to make it 'official'.

In my first marriage, I booked her with her married name. We took the certificate as mentioned above (we were flying not cruising) and it was fine. But this was pre 9/11. I agree with everyone here, keep it simple and cruise under maiden name.

Has anyone have experience booking with a hyphenated name? In other words from Miss Smith to Miss Smith-Brown? That could be an option but not sure.

[queenL]

Originally Posted by James in SA

A young couple we know are thinking about a honeymoon cruise right after their wedding, and this question came up. It seems logical that she would have to use her maiden name since her passport and ID would not have been changed yet. Is that what everyone does?

I also seem to recall reading where someone put both names on the booking somehow, but I don't remember how that worked out. Just curious to hear from those who have 'been there' in recent times. Thanks!

I used my maiden name. All of my docs, passport, drivers license etc, could not be changed until I furnished a copy of my marriage license. I wanted to make sure I wasn't denied boarding.

[Mark_K]

Originally Posted by James in SA

A young couple we know are thinking about a honeymoon cruise right after their wedding, and this question came up. It seems logical that she would have to use her maiden name since her passport and ID would not have been changed yet. Is that what everyone does?

I also seem to recall reading where someone put both names on the booking somehow, but I don't remember how that worked out. Just curious to hear from those who have 'been there' in recent times. Thanks!

Getting married doesn't change your name, even though brides often enjoy signing their marriage certificate with the "new" name. Until the paperwork to do it is filed with the government, which is not likely to happen between the marriage and the honeymoon, her name is what it has always been.

[jackdiamond]

As I am certain everyone is aware, she is not required to use the surname of her husband.