Malta’s legalisation of gay marriage earlier this year has had ramifications far beyond the island’s confines and has allowed a US cruise line company to offer same-sex marriages in international waters.

This has been rendered possible because many of the vessels of Celebrity Cruises are registered in Malta.

“We have a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and I cannot think of a more important time in our history to do all we can to support inclusion”, the cruise line company’s CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said.

“We’re thrilled to be the first line to offer legalised same-sex marriage ceremonies, officiated by the Captain, just in time for the new season.”

Happy #NationalComingOutDay!

We’re thrilled to announce: same-sex marriages on our ships are now legal & binding! https://t.co/aLGQfQKIFQ pic.twitter.com/YWqFHmJkRB — Celebrity Cruises (@CelebrityCruise) October 11, 2017

Barbara Whitehall, managing director of The Wedding Experience – which works with the cruise line – said: “The cruise line has already hosted many same-sex weddings in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean, where legal. We are ecstatic that this new Malta ruling opens up marriage equality for anyone and everyone sailing with Celebrity Cruises while in international waters.”

The cruise line made this announcement yesterday to coincide with National Coming Out Day in the US.

Gay marriage was legalised in Malta back in July, in what was the first major law passed by Joseph Muscat’s Labour government after its re-election.

The law passed with 66 MPs voting in favour and only one, Nationalist MP Edwin Vasssallo, voting against.

Would you like to attend a gay wedding at sea?