For the first time in its 171-year history, Cunard Line will be offering passengers an opportunity to get married at sea.
The cruise line says its new shipboard "Weddings" program will begin next spring on all three of its ships – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
In order to allow the weddings, Cunard is re-flagging the entire fleet, moving registration from Southampton to Bermuda because English law does not permit weddings at sea, but Bermuda has no such restriction.
Hamilton will replace Southampton on the hull of the Queen Elizabeth by the end of the month and on the other ships in November. The Red Ensign flag will continue to fly on the ships since Bermuda is a British territory.
Cunard president Peter Shanks said there's pent-up demand from passengers for weddings at sea, with couples particularly looking to tie the knot in the middle of the Atlantic on sailings of the flagship Queen Mary 2.
Shipboard weddings have become "increasingly popular and lucrative" for cruise lines, he said.
The Cunard program will go on sale in December. A variety of wedding packages will be available, including the option of having the ship's captain perform the ceremony.
Sister lines Princess and P&O Cruises have tapped into the weddings at sea market for years, as have other lines including Celebrity.
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