Couples will soon be able to combine sun-kissed cruises on British boats with tying the knot under new ‘Brexit dividend’ plans.
The Government wants to abolish rules that allow couples to marry on foreign-flagged vessels, but not on British ships.
According to sources, the proposals could be an excellent post-pandemic boost for both the UK cruise sector and British ports. On-board marriages are big business.
Couples will soon be able to combine sun-kissed cruises on British boats with tying the knot under new ‘Brexit dividend’ plans. Pictured: A P&O cruise seen in Lisbon on January 12, 2022
The rule changes are only possible because the country is no longer a member of the EU.
Weddings on board vessels with UK flag are currently prohibited.
But the Government is now set to consider reviewing that restriction – partly to help a cruise industry hard hit by Covid restrictions, which shrank by 75 per cent in 2020 alone.
All new proposals will be made in the wake of the Law Commission’s review of the Marriage and Partnership Act, which is due to publish July.
It is being proposed that the British Government scraps rules that allowed marriages to be performed aboard British-flagged ship but not on British vessels. Sources say that the proposal would provide a huge boost to the UK’s cruise industry and British ports. On-board marriages are big business.
Government sources said last night that the measure was only possible post-Brexit, and would be a ‘huge boost’ to the UK cruise sector, which supports thousands of jobs.
Last night, a P&O Cruises spokeswoman welcomed the plan.
She said: ‘We would welcome the opportunity to offer weddings on our two British-flagged ships as weddings on our other ships are hugely popular and a wonderful way to celebrate a special day. The ship’s captain officiates and it is a very memorable and romantic occasion.’