Both lines announced today they had already started taking bookings following the ruling, which enables same sex marriages to take place in Bermuda.

P&O said its first same sex wedding was scheduled to take place on Azura in the Caribbean in January 2018, with the wedding ceremony to be performed by the ship’s captain, and the marriage licence issued by Bermuda.

Paul Ludlow senior vice president of P&O Cruises, said: “I am delighted that following this much-anticipated change in the legalities we are now the first British cruise line to be able to arrange same sex weddings on board.”

Cunard has also welcomed its first booking by a same-sex couple, with the captain also set to officiate.

Simon Palethorpe, senior vice-president of Cunard, added: “This is very welcome news for us and I am delighted that we have become one of the first British cruise lines to take a booking for a same-sex wedding. We look forward to welcoming this couple and many other couples too.”

Meanwhile, Cunard has also been announced as the official sponsors of the 2017 Southampton Pride on August 26.