A SOUTHAMPTON-BASED cruise ship company is set to offer same-sex couples the chance to get married on board.

Celebrity Cruises says it can now perform legally-recognised services after Malta's parliament - where the majority of the company's fleet is registered - voted 66 to one to legalise same-sex marriages.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, said: "Celebrity Cruises has a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and I cannot think of a more important time in our history than right now to do all we can to support inclusion.

"I am absolutely thrilled to announce that starting today, we welcome same-sex couples to marry on our ships while in international waters.

"We are ecstatic that this new Malta ruling opens up marriage equality for anyone and everyone sailing with Celebrity Cruises while in international waters."