Cruise Planners Team Member Marries in First Legal Same-Sex Wedding at Sea

In a truly historic ceremony hosted on board Celebrity Equinox, Cruise Planners team member, Francisco Vargas married long-time boyfriend Benjamin Gray as they became the first-ever same-sex couple to legally wed at sea on a major cruise line. 

“We have a long-standing tradition of advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and it’s incredible to celebrate an LGBTQ+ milestone achieved by one of our own, Francisco and his now husband, Ben,” said Vicky Garcia, COO of Cruise Planners, which is a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) and the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “This wedding is another example that love is love and the entire Cruise Planners family could not be prouder.” 

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, was the first to share the news with Francisco and Ben that they would be given the opportunity to legally marry on board a Celebrity Cruises ship. “They are paving the way for couples around the world to know that their love and commitment is to be celebrated equally, and they are and will always be welcome on board any Celebrity cruise,” said Lutoff-Perlo.

“There are only so many firsts in life, and we are thrilled to be the first-ever LGBTQ+ couple to marry at sea,” said Gray. “We are humbled to follow the trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community who paved the way for us.”  

As first announced in October 2017, the motion follows a transformative vote in Malta, where a majority of the Celebrity Cruises fleet is registered, to legalize same-sex wedding which passed the country’s parliament 66-1. The long-awaited referendum opened the door for Celebrity Cruises to legally recognize same-sex marriages performed on board while at sea with the fleet’s captains officiating the ceremonies. 

Vargas, who works in Cruise Planners groups department said: “Traveling is in my blood – and when we heard Celebrity Cruises was celebrating equality and embracing our community, we wanted to be a part of it. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our Cruise Planners family and hope our story brings strength for others in the LGBTQ+ community to confidently love whoever they choose.”

Cruise Planners travel agents are destination weddings experts on land and at sea and work closely with our in-house weddings and events team. To learn more about Cruise Planners exclusive Sea of Love Weddings & Events program for any destination wedding, honeymoon, vow renewal ceremony or Celebrity Wedding, contact a Cruise Planners travel advisor.