We’re romantics at We 2 R 1 Honeymoons by Allure Quest Travel Experience so we’re celebrating June brides (and grooms) with periodic blogs on destination weddings and honeymoons.

When cruise passengers ask if they can say their “I do’s” in front of the ship’s captain while at sea, the answer is usually “We can’t.”

Alan Whitt

Contrary to popular misconceptions it’s mostly illegal for a captain to marry couples at sea based on laws where the ship is flagged. There simply aren’t many countries that allow it.

Fortunately, that’s changing.

Cruise lines are beginning to re-flag their ships in countries – such as Bermuda and Malta – where it is allowed.

The move is mostly to capitalize on the billion-dollar destination wedding market. Brides usually want to spare little expense to make that special day even more special.

A cruise by nature is romantic. Being wed while sailing is even more so. Having the captain do it … that’s a genuine Memorex moment. Oops! Make that a Facebook moment.

Most of the cruise lines going through the re-flagging rituals are luxury lines. Cunard became the latest when the cruise line scrapped the United Kingdom in favor of a Bermuda flag.

Cunard’s first wedding at sea occurred in April aboard Queen Mary 2. Each ship – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth – can handle one wedding a day on days as sea … with the captain performing the ceremony.

For those with a passion for cruising, this is the ultimate destination wedding. Cunard will assist the bride (and the couple’s pocketbook) to make sure the smallest detail is taken care of.

Other cruise lines that allow weddings at sea performed by the captain are Celebrity, Azamara and P&O Cruises. All are upscale cruises lines who cater to people who want a cruise beyond the ordinary.

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