P&O Cruises married 371 couples at sea last year, 32% more than in 2007 and 64% more than in 2006. As a result a dedicated website from P&O has been created to provide all the information couples need to plan their big day at sea. Combining wedding and honeymoon means packages for the bride and groom can cost from little more than £2,000. This compares to UK weddings costing on average £19,200, the line claims.

Weddings at sea packages start at £725, plus £249 for licence fees, including the venue, ceremony conducted by the ship’s captain, VIP treatment including priority boarding on all except Caribbean itineraries, floral arrangements for the ceremony, wedding music, wedding certificate, champagne and on-board wedding coordinator, invitations and thank-you notes.

Optional extras include flowers, cake, photographs/albums, champagne breakfast in bed, reception parties/dinners and spa treatments.

Weddings can be conducted on any itinerary from a minimum of seven nights in duration. Seven night cruises this year start at £521 per person in May based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin on a full board basis.

P&O Cruises’ head of brand marketing Philip Price said: “Our new website means that from the very first stages of planning, couples can find everything they need to know in just one place. “They can find out about P&O Cruises six ships before downloading the complete weddings at sea brochure and a booking form to return to the team of dedicated wedding planners.”