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P&O Cruises and Cunard to offer same-sex weddings at sea

P&O Cruises and Cunard will hold same-sex weddings at sea from next year.

They claim to be the first British cruise lines to be able to hold the ceremonies.

The first will be conducted on P&O Cruises’ Azura in the Caribbean in January 2018, while Cunard will host its first ceremony in November next year.

This follows a recent Supreme Court ruling enabling same-sex marriages in Bermuda, where all the ships, except P&O ship Britannia, are registered.

The wedding ceremonies will be performed by the ship’s captain or deputy captain and the marriage licence will be issued by Bermuda.

Same sex couples can purchase P&O Cruises Weddings at Sea packages from £1,200. Cunard prices start from £2,800 on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

P&O Cruises senior vice-president Paul Ludlow said: “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 on board.

“Weddings at sea are very romantic and getting married by the captain in the middle of the ocean is an unforgettable experience.”

The weddings will be available on seven of P&O Cruises’ eight ships and all three Cunard ships

Simon Palethorpe, Cunard senior vice-president, said: “This is very welcome news 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 is the main sponsor of Southampton Pride this year and we are delighted that we are now able to offer same-sex marriages at sea across our fleet of world famous liners – Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

“What finer background to a wedding than the world’s most iconic and glamorous ships.”

Wedding packages include:
• A ceremony at sea conducted by the captain
• Wedding ceremony venue with floral arrangements
• Traditional wedding music
• Services of an on-board wedding co-ordinator
• Attendance of a professional photographer at the ceremony
• Commemorative wedding certificate
• An official copy of the marriage certificate
• The cost of the licence fees
• A bottle of Champagne in the cabin on arrival
• Champagne for a toast after the ceremony
• Invitations and thank you notes
• An additional 5kg luggage allowance for the couple if travelling on a P&O Cruises fly-cruise holiday
• Wedding outfit pressing service

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