Cruise lines to offer same-sex weddings at sea

Same-sex couples can now be legally married on Celebrity Cruises ships sailing in international waters, the Miami-based cruise line announced Wednesday.

The move follows the passage of a marriage equality law this summer in Malta where most of its vessels are registered, Celebrity said.

Malta’s legalization of same-sex marriage, which happened in July in a 66-1 vote by the country’s parliament, also means captains on its ships can now officiate these 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,” Lisa LutoffPerlo, president and CEO, said in a news release. “This is one for the history books!”

Celebrity will begin taking bookings for same-sex weddings effective immediately, spokesman Bradley Norman said in an email after the announcement.