This follows a vote in Malta, where a majority of the Celebrity fleet is registered, which passed the country’s parliament 66-1. The long-awaited referendum opens the door for Celebrity to legally recognize same-sex marriages performed at sea, and have the fleet’s captains officiate the ceremonies.
'Celebrity Cruises has a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and I cannot think of a more important time in our history than right now to do all we can to support inclusion,' president and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said. 'I am absolutely thrilled to announce that starting today, we welcome same-sex couples to marry on our ships while in international waters.
She added: 'This is one for the history books.'
Celebrity's weddings program has already hosted many same-sex marriages in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean, where legal. 'We are ecstatic that this new Malta ruling opens up marriage equality for anyone and everyone sailing with Celebrity Cruises while in international waters,' said Barbara Whitehall, managing director, The Wedding Experience.
Celebrity offers shipboard ceremonies and destination weddings. The 'Nautical Nuptials at Sea' package includes a captain-led ceremony, an event coordinator's services, live music, one hour of photography, cake for two, bottle of Champagne, a bouquet and boutonniere, plus romantic turndown amenities post-ceremony.
Details are here.
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