Well it is a sad time for Southampton port right now as Cunard cruises confirm that their fleet of vessels will no longer be registered in the UK. This also means that the ships will no longer have the name of their home port, Southampton embalmed on their stern. Replacing “Southampton” is “Hamilton” – the capital of Bermuda.
So why have Cunard decided to make this rather bizarre change? After 171 years of being registered in the UK, they have moved on to Bermuda because…. they want to offer weddings to their guests. British law dictates that ship board weddings are not legal because wedding ceremonies must be held in a “publicly-accessible place”. This is something which a cruise ship is most definitely not. By registering in Bermuda instead, Cunard will for the first time be able to offer proper, legally binding wedding ceremonies on their ships.
Although it’s quite sad for Britain that this change is occurring, it will no doubt be very welcome news to any brides to be who have their hearts set on marrying at sea. What venue could be better than the majestic Queen Mary 2? Very romantic indeed!
The changes will take place in the first quarter of 2012, with wedding ceremonies being bookable from December this year. Come on girls, who is going to be first to marry on a Cunard cruise?
