Travel agent Jo Brooks’ dream wedding reception on board a Fred Olsen Cruise Lines ship also turned out to be a first for the company.
The couple’s renewal of vows ceremony is believed to be the largest the line has ever held on board.
The line, which has traditionally only held wedding renewal of vow ceremonies for small parties of around five people, pulled out all the stops to accommodate Brooks’ 82 guests.
Brooks, whose maiden name is Farrant, is director of Footsteps Travel in Northampton and booked 43 cabins for her guests on Fred Olsen’s ship Borealis for its two-night repositioning cruise from Southampton to Liverpool last month.
It followed a proposal by then fiancé Andy Brooks on board Fred Olsen’s Bolette cruise ship in October last year.
She said: “We couldn’t think of a better place for our wedding reception and because their ships are so personal it just seemed the ideal place and we knew we’d be in safe hands.”
The pair organised two coaches to drive guests to Southampton from Northampton, where Footsteps Travel is based.
They married at Southampton Register Office before boarding Borealis and enjoying a drinks reception in the observation lounge on deck nine.
The following day the ship hosted a renewal of vows ceremony by the captain on board, Captain Victor Stoica, followed by speeches and a drinks reception and canapies.
She said: “They did an amazing job; they decorated the room and provided us with a huge two tier chocolate cake.
“It was a huge event for them and the captain and crew were amazing hosts and the ceremony was really intimate.”
She added: “We deal with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines as a travel agent and so we did the bookings ourselves and they sorted out everything, like how we were getting items to the ship, and made it almost stress-free for us. They even gave us all complementary champagne after the ceremony.”
Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s hotel manager on board Borealis, Iain Gibson, said: “Captain Victor Stoica led the ceremony with his wonderful sense of humour bringing a real sense of fun to the occasion and ably assisted by our entertainment manager Andy.
“Speeches followed by another champagne reception before everyone readied themselves once again for another sumptuous dinner in our Borealis Restaurant.
“The atmosphere throughout was filled with fun and happiness for the newlyweds and it was a very proud moment for all of us on Borealis.”