blog post

Cunard's flagship QUEEN MARY 2

You have guys who love cars, real gearheads, others who are into motorcycles, and still others are passionate about jets and airplanes. I, on the other hand have had a decades long fascination with passenger ships. From the great ocean liners of the turn of the 20th century to todays modern cruise ships and even military ones.

 I love reading about them, their history, what eventually happened to them when their service days were over. I enjoy photographing them when I get a chance for a ship inspection or go on a cruise vacation. One particular cruise line has intrigued me, Cunard. Just the name evokes a picture of glamor, sophistication, and history. In my mind I see the original "Queens" MARY and ELIZABETH pressed into war-time service loaded down with G.I.'s en-route to the battlefields of Europe during World War II. I think about QUEEN ELIZABETH 2's over 4 decades of service. In short, I think of tradition. Certain things just don't change and wouldn't be "right". Cunard currently operates three ships, QUEEN MARY 2, QUEEN ELIZABETH, and QUEEN VICTORIA.

 According to an article in the Financial Times, Cunard is considering a change in their ships registry from the U.K. to possibly Bermuda or Maltese flagged. This, in part is to allow their captains to perform marriage ceremonies at sea. Current U.K. law does not recognize marriages performed by captains.

 By changing the registrations, it would give Cunard an opportunity to profit financially like their sister lines, P&O and Princess who perform a large number every year. Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks was quoted as saying "It's no secret that weddings at sea are now very big business. However, this business is currently denied to us as our fleet is registered in the UK, and we have for some time been examining our options". He also states that at the moment, no decision has been made.

I can understand why the company might consider this option, but I'm not sure I'd like to see it happen, unless I wanted to be married on one of their ships. What do those who have sailed Cunard over the years think of this idea?