Cruise Line Welcomes Same-Sex Marriages

August 2, 2017

Luxury cruise brand, Cunard, said they have welcomed their “first booking by a same-sex couple following a recent Supreme Court ruling enabling same-sex marriages in Bermuda, where Cunard’s fleet of ships is registered.”

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“The ruling means that Cunard, which has offered weddings on its ships for the past five years and has married over 250 couples, is one of the first British cruise lines to be able to conduct same-sex wedding ceremonies at sea,” a statement from the company said.

“Wedding ceremonies will be performed by the ship’s Captain and the marriage license will be issued by Bermuda.”

“Cunard is proud to become among the first cruise lines to offer same-sex marriages at sea,” said Josh Leibowitz, senior vice president, Cunard North America.

“Cunard has brought people together through travel for over 175 years, and we’re proud to mark another milestone in our company’s history as we welcome our first gay marriage booking and many other marriages to come.”

Same sex marriage has been legal in Bermuda following a Supreme Court ruling in May 2017, which found that “common law discriminates against same-sex couples by excluding them from marriage and more broadly speaking the institution of marriage.”

MP Wayne Furbert brought a Private Members Bill seeking to make an amendment to define marriage between a male and a female, and in the PLP’s election platform they stated, “we accept that same sex couples should have similar legal benefits as heterosexual couples, save and except for marriage, and will introduce legislation to achieve this aim.”

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Comments (65)

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  1. Quinton Berkley Butterfield says:

    How embarrassing that our country will give this to the couple and then take it away in a few months.

    • wondering says:

      how embarrassing that we (some) in Bermuda are still mesmerised by the spell cast on (some) us during slavery that we still exhibit the same oppressive behaviour on others having been oppressed for so long

    • Onion says:

      Well, we voted PLP so that’s what we get.

      Congratulations!

  2. the truth says:

    This is so beautiful.

  3. Cow Polly says:

    Here come the $$$$$$!

  4. “Cunard has brought people together through travel for over 175 years, and we’re proud to mark another milestone in our company’s history as we welcome our first gay marriage booking and many other marriages to come.”

    We chose to simply call it marriage!

    Well done Cunard and Bermuda.

    • Proud Bermuda Onion says:

      Ditto!

    • Tony Brannon says:

      YES…. well done CUNARD.
      Shame on Wayne Furbert, Maxwell Burgess, Preserve Marriage and other who would demonize marriage equality. You folks are the dinosaurs of the 21st Century. Folks that use religion to beat down others human rights and equality are indeed the antithesis of goodness and love.

      May JUSTICE prevail as ruled by Supreme Court Judge Charles-Etta Simmons on May 5th 2017.
      We can bet Parliament will yet again fail to protect the rights of a minority BUT not other higher officials.
      #lovewins

  5. bdaboy says:

    “will introduce legislation to achieve this aim.”

    That’s great Bermuda, you voted for a party that ran on legalizing discrimination! Check your privilege.

    • PBanks says:

      Honestly, you need to also blame OBA for not taking a stand at all on the issue.

      • Infidelguy says:

        I agree with you.

        Even though I don’t think the OBA had a problem with the concept of same-sex marriage, they never took a decisive stand one way or the other. I think this shows how deep religious conservative thought has infiltrated our political system. Some of our leaders appear to be incapable of rational decision making when it comes to anything relating to religion.

        Now that the PLP is in power, I think religious influence will deepen but at least you know where they stand on this specific issue.

        • Quinton Berkley Butterfield says:

          There are plenty homophobes in the OBA, do be deceived.

          • Onion says:

            The OBA base is in favour of same sex marriage. The PLP base opposes it.

      • bdaboy says:

        “Honestly, you need to also blame OBA for not taking a stand at all on the issue.”

        Of course, the plp are too illiterate and bigoted to actually govern Bermuda…all you can do is blame someone else. Expected and pathetic.

        • PBanks says:

          What nonsense are you spouting? This issue came to the fore during the OBA’s time. They went the non-binding referendum route, their party leader abstained from voting on Furbert’s bill. They were the epitome of ‘wishy washy’. Seemingly afraid of church vote backlash, they hid in the corner instead of standing for something. The PLP didn’t even have to do anything but smile at the OBA’s incompetence on the issue.

          But besides, the PLP weren’t voted in because they were against marriage equality. The reasons for the PLP’s resurgence are listed elsewhere.

          • fu says:

            “What nonsense are you spouting? ”

            I’m ‘spouting’ the truth, you’re spewing ignorance, lies and hatred…so sad.

      • fu says:

        “Honestly, you need to also blame OBA for not taking a stand at all on the issue.”

        LOL…always looking to blame someone else….you plp bigots are too stupid for words.

        • PBanks says:

          What an idiotic thing to say. Calling out the OBA for their mistakes doesn’t make one a plp supporter.

          Take off your partisan political blinders.

          • fu says:

            “Take off your partisan political blinders.”

            lol…you don’t like it when it’s thrown back at you :)

            Calm down little bigot, you’ll get your way.

            • PBanks says:

              Explain what’s a lie. Tell me that Mr Dunkley didtnt abstain or that the govt didn’t call a referendum. Or show that I hate the OBA.

              I’m for marriage equality, but for Some reason u took my criticism of the OBA as a attack on your beloved party like a typical partisan cheerleader.

              • fu says:

                ” Some reason u took my criticism of the OBA as a attack on your beloved party like a typical partisan cheerleader.”

                You sound like a republican.

      • Tony Brannon says:

        OH YES PBANKS – look no further than the OBA leadership.
        A premier who REFUSED to accept the Petition for Marriage Equality. REFUSED not once, but TWICE.

        “The OBA cannot possibly entertain SAME SEX MARRIAGE during it’s first term. We need to win the next election. What would you rather have Tony, The PLP back in power OR homosexuals holding hands on Front Street”. I WAS FURIOUS.

        Well dare I say I was so pissed off at the arrogance as there should never be ANYTIME when Human Rights are sidelined for ANY REASON.

        The relentless campaign for Equality began in April 2015. By May 5th 2017 SAME SEX MARRIAGE was made legal in Bermuda, in spite of the OBA and PLP, and a group of religious backed folks called Preserve Marriage who collectively failed to protect the rights of a minority. Thank GOD for the Supreme Court of Bermuda.
        As Mark Pettingill argued in the Supreme Court, “I would defend ANY religion whose rights were threatened, but by the same token NO religion has the right to deny others their human right”.
        Charles-Etta Simmons clearly ruled correctly.
        The courts are there to protect the rights of ANY minority from the threats of any group, religious or otherwise.
        Thanks is owed to MARK PETTINGILL, SHAWN CROCKWELL (R.I.P.) GRANT SPURLING and ROD ATTRIDE-STIRLING (lawyer for Human Rights) who argued successfully for marriage equality.

        Liana Hall said it so well in a newspaper article when supporting marriage equality:
        “There are no exceptions to equality. This is what I stand for. This is what I fight for. This is what I write for. What side of history do you want to be on”?

        • PBanks says:

          So instead of doing the right thing, they were gutless. And lost the election anyway (because of pathways and the airport and limited jib growth. Not marriage equality as PM is now claiming). I can see why Tony and other prominent campaigners could be frustrated and flabbergasted.

        • Think about it says:

          The side that doesn’t have 2 men in the same bed!!!!!!!!!!!!OMG

          YUCK

  6. nerema says:

    Now that’s how you preserve marriage.

    • frank says:

      well when Wayne Furbert brings the bill back to the house
      it will be over.

      • nerema says:

        No, it will not be over.

      • Onion says:

        No, it will be litigated. Then marriage equality will win. Then the PLP will use it to push for independence.

        • fu says:

          ” Then the PLP will use it to push for independence.”

          Hope they have the b@lls to remove “dame” and “sir” from themselves as well.

  7. Devonshire Devils Advocate says:

    This is a win for Bermuda.

  8. Smiths says:

    …and then lets see Cunard Line relocate their shipping registry out of Bermuda if the closed minded people vote to reverse the SSM ruling.

    • bdaboy says:

      “…and then lets see Cunard Line relocate their shipping registry out of Bermuda if the closed minded people vote to reverse the SSM ruling.”

      We don’t need no foreigners in Bermuda…we can fish and grow lilies….and if someone would just pay us for sitting on this wall…..

      • Quinton Berkley Butterfield says:

        This is very offensive to me as a Bermudian.

        • fu says:

          I find the plp offensive as well….actively fighting to remove rights from all Bermudians is a disgusting way to exist.

        • Um Um Like says:

          Furburt’s bill is offensive to me, as a HUMAN.

      • Quinton Berkley Butterfield says:

        And as a person of colour, with African ancestry.

  9. LaVerne Furbert says:

    So Bermuda is the first (and apparently only) port in this area that will permit same sex marriages in/on its shores. Interesting!

    • fu says:

      “So Bermuda is the first (and apparently only) port in this area that will permit same sex marriages in/on its shores. Interesting!”

      Nope, but then, you don’t know anything, no point in trying to explain it to you either.

      I hope your government does something about education, I’m embarrassed, for Laverne :)

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      I see you missed what the article is saying. What will be more interesting is what the next article will say, if the Furbert Human Right Act Discrimination List Amendment is allowed to pass. Will it have Cunard saying that because of the Bermuda legislature they will no longer be able to offer same sex marriage on its cruises…; will it say that Cunard is looking to move its registry to another jurisdiction that will allow them to continue this service…; will it talk about with the departure of Cunard’s business from Bermuda’s registry, how many other liners are also looking to remove themselves from our registry?

    • Mike Hind says:

      Bermuda is the only port in this area. Period.
      If you expand the range, we hit America, the nearest point of land, which, as we all know, permits same sex marriages on their shores.

      Therefore, your post is completely false and, in fact, not interesting at all.

  10. Daylily says:

    What’s really embarrassing is that narrow-thinking people advocating for SSM think that the black church is the only reason people are against SSM. Persons fighting to preserve the integrity of marriage include members of the LGBT community, people of faith, non religious and every background. The incessant name calling has become old and worn out and so has the insulting slavery comparison.

    Where were the human rights politically correct police when there were Facebook posts with statements about hanging and quartering people or the bush babies comment. Certainly didn’t fight as hard.

    • Mike Hind says:

      As per usually, “Daylily” is spreading misinformation and lies.

      But that’s par for the course.

    • Reuben says:

      wow you really like to lie don’t you. First off with those of us pushing for marriage equality under the law know full well its not just black churches, we never have and never will. We know that it is the actual narrow-thinking close minded people like you and others of PM. The lie by the way is that there is members of the LGBT community against marriage equality because lets face it if PM or you knew of any you would have trotted them out to the front and used them as your spokes person.

      It’s not insulting to compare our fight with that of the fight of slavery. Both are fights for equality and respect under the law, you just don’t like it because it show that you truly don’t have the moral high ground.

      As for the last part of your post we where there with every one else who was outraged with the comments. Wasn’t a hard fight to decide to not tolerate that kind of behavior.

    • fu says:

      dear daylilly, we understand that you have nothing but hate in your cold heart, and that the only way to further your agenda of toxic stupidity and discrimination is to lie through your teeth….your life must be horrible…I feel so sorry for you and your ilk.
      Perhaps prayer might help with the demons in your head?

    • Zevon says:

      Er nobody was being hung and quartered and no one was seriously suggesting it. So apart from hurting the feelings of a few people no actual harm was done. Not that that will stop you from bringing it up for years.

  11. Wayne Furbert et al PLP says:

    This decision that Wayne Furbert seeks to pass will not only affect the Bermudian same-sex couples that have been LEGALLY married but the same-sex foreigners that DID choose to come and get married our our beautiful island. Ever heard of a destination wedding. If they reverse the law are they going to contact every couple world-wide and tell them that there is an issue with their marriage now. No. Couples have been married and all is well with them. If you bible thumpers have an issue with your own marriage that is between you and your spouse; NOT same sex couples.

    Since when did you get to OWN the word? Since when does Christian faith speak for everyone. MY BERMUDA CONSTITUTION says no one can make me abide by THEIR religion. So tell me PLP when you said EQUALITY for ALL you meant straight Bermudians right?…..because you are sure not looking out for the interest of those this legislation seeks to affect.

    Preserve Marriage could give a f@$% about marriage, their ego just got hurt and now all they want to do is to WIN to say they won. This law affects people in a good way. Marriage or not same-sex couples will still exist in Bermuda so don’t give me the crap about morals……you have yours and I have mine. To DESCRIMINATE AGAINST ME IS A BREACH OF THE BERMUDA CONSTITUTION ON THE GROUNDS BASED ON SEX. FEMALE AND MALE ARE SEXES AND YOU ARE TELLING THEM THAT THEY (OF THE same-SEX) CANNOT MARRY.

    MR. PREMIER YOU DISCUSS ME. YOU ARE IMMATURE, NAIVE, COMPLETELY UNEQUIPPED FOR THIS POSITION, AND DO NOT REPRESENT ALL BUT ONLY STRAIGHT BERMUDIANS. SHAME ON YOU! MAY SOMEONE DESCRIMINATE AGAINST YOU LIKE YOU ALLOW YOUR FOLLOWERS TO DO US (LGBTQ).

  12. Mary says:

    This SMM issue is a smoke screen to keep the sheeple occupied and to distract us from PLPs progress on its first 100 days fix schools education crime and road deaths crisis more importantly

  13. fu says:

    “This SMM issue is a smoke screen to keep the sheeple occupied and to distract us from PLPs progress on its first 100 days fix schools education crime and road deaths crisis more importantly”

    The plp created this smokescreen to keep us from seeing their ‘progress’?
    You’re as high as the other meth heads posting here.