A leading national cruise line announced plans on Monday for an upcoming theme cruise in the Caribbean that will feature a mass commitment ceremony for same-sex couples, according to USA Today.
The cruise line, called Cruise Planners, and based in Coral Springs, Florida, said that it hopes to have hundreds of same-sex couples participate in the cruise, which it is calling the Sea of Love cruise.
The trip will sail on a new ship that has yet to debut. Norwegian Cruise Line's has a 4,028 passenger ship, the Norwegian Getaway that will begin the seven-night cruise on September 27, 2014 in Miami. The trip will include stops in St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau, Bahamas.
The mass commitment ceremony won't take place on the ship, but rather, on the beach during the cruise ship's call in St. Thomas on October 1, 2014.
Demand for same-sex commitment ceremonies and wedding packages has increased substantially since Cruise Planners launched a wedding program last year, according to Michelle Fee, the CEO. This cruise has been added to next year's itinerary to meet the increased demand.
"We decided to kick it up a notch by doing this once-in-a-lifetime event," Fee said. "Couples can become part of history with a mass commitment."
In addition to the mass commitment ceremony, the trip will include a reception that will include a buffet, open bar, party costumes, champagne toasts, a steel pan band and a photographer.
Cruise Planners has booked a blocked group space for the mass commitment ceremony, though it isn't a full ship charter, so those interested have to book the trip through Cruise Planners website. Fares start at $2,599 per couple taking part in the ceremony and $1,039 per person for guests of the couple.
This is the latest in theme cruises that many companies are trying to get cruise travelers to buy tickets. Other themes being offered include magic and micro brewing, which are just two of the theme cruises offered by Crystal Cruises.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
