Effective immediately, same sex couples can get married on board Celebrity ships while in international waters. The surprise announcement was made today at a travel industry event in Australia by Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. The location of the announcement may not have been a co-incidence with Australia currently embroiled in a debate about allowing same-sex marriage in that country.

Celebrity Cruises becomes the first major cruise line to be able to conduct legal same sex marriages on board their fleet, after the government of Malta, where most of Celebrity’s ships are registered, voted earlier this summer to allow same-sex marriage in a vote of 66-1 in that country’s parliament.

This vote has opened the doors for Celebrity to legally recognize same-sex marriages performed onboard, and have the fleet’s captains officiate the ceremonies.

P&O, Cunard and Princess announced in August that they are taking bookings for same-sex weddings at sea, but the first ceremonies won’t take place until early next year.

"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.” said Lutoff-Perlo,. “I am absolutely thrilled to announce that starting today, we welcome same-sex couples to marry on our ships while in international waters. This is one for the history books!"

The Celebrity Weddings program offers a variety of packages for couples, including onboard wedding ceremonies, shoreside weddings and renewal of vows packages. The Nautical Nuptials at Sea package includes a Captain-led ceremony on board, the services of an Celebrity event coordinator, live music, photography, cake, champagne, bouquet and boutonniere, and additional romantic amenities post-ceremony. Celebrity will also work with the couple to arrange the legal Maltese marriage licenses at a cost of $750 US plus fees.

For more details about the Celebrity Weddings program and packages, visit their website.

Follow @TravelPulseCA