Celebrity Cruises has hosted its first legal same sex wedding at sea.
Francisco Vargas and Benjamin Gray were joined by family members for an intimate ceremony on board Celebrity Equinox at 2.30pm (local time) on January 29.
The ship was sailing from Key West, Florida, to Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico, when the historic ceremony officiated by captain Dimitrios Manetas took place.
Celebrity offers its own programme allowing lovers to have both onboard ceremonies or destination weddings.
The Nautical Nuptials at Sea package includes a captain-led ceremony, an event coordinator’s services, live music, photography, cake, a bottle of champagne, plus additional amenities post-ceremony, and more.
Vargas, who works for one of Celebrity’s travel partners, Cruise Planners, said: “Traveling is in my blood.
“When we heard Celebrity Cruises was celebrating equality and embracing our community, we wanted to be a part of it.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our Cruise Planners family and hope our story brings strength for others in the LGBTQ+ community to confidently love whoever they choose.”
Last October, a referendum vote in Malta, where the majority of the Celebrity fleet is registered, opened the door for the line to legally recognise same-sex marriages and have the fleet’s captain’s officiate ceremonies.
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity Cruises’ president and chief executive, said: “Together we are paving the way for couples around the world to know that their love and commitment is to be celebrated equally, and that everyone is welcome on board a Celebrity cruise.”
Since December 21, P&O Cruises has conducted three same sex weddings in international waters.