Carnival Corporation in the United States are allowing its cruise lines – Princess Cruises, P&O UK and Cunard – to take bookings for same-sex marriages at sea – and the ceremonies could come to Australia soon.
A ruling by the Supreme Court allows any Bermuda-registered cruise ships offering wedding packages to allow its celebrants to perform gay and lesbian marriages.
Currently, only Princess Cruises and Cunard allow same-sex marriages to be performed. But it’s been revealed to Cruise Passenger that Princess is currently working on some packages to help gay and lesbian couples plan their special day.
“Although same sex couple commitment ceremonies are not new to Princess, we are delighted by the ruling and look forward to hosting same sex marriages on our 13 ships which are registered in Bermuda,” said a spokesperson from Princess Cruises.
“We are currently working on developing a range of services and amenities to meet the needs of same sex couple ceremonies and will release full information on these shortly.”
Wedding ceremonies at sea are performed by the ship’s captain or deputy captain with the marriage licenses issued in Bermuda.
P&O Cruises’ senior vice president, Paul Ludlow, told Cruise Critic, “I am delighted that following this much anticipated change in the legalities we are now the first British cruise line to be able to arrange same sex weddings onboard.
“Weddings at sea are very romantic and getting married by the Captain (or deputy captain) in the middle of the ocean is an unforgettable experience.”
Cunard also revealed that it has already taken its first booking for a same-sex wedding. The line’s senior vice president Simon Palethorpe said, “This is very welcome news for us and I am delighted that we have become one of the first British cruise lines to take a booking for a same-sex wedding. We look forward to welcoming this couple and many other couples too.”
Cunard offers Weddings at Sea packages starting from $3,400 on Queen Mary 2 and $2,800 on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.
