Atlas Ocean Voyages performs first legal Antarctica weddings

The first legal weddings have taken place in Antarctica, thanks to luxury cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Atlas performed four weddings and three vow renewals in four days during the nine-night Antarctica expedition cruise of World Navigator, which departed on February 14 – Valentine’s Day.

Known as Happy Ever Atlas, the destination wedding package was free for guests who registered in advance.

The first official wedding on Antarctica was held for Courtnie Dodson and Brody Vermillion who exchanged vows on Danko Island during a 15-minute ceremony.

It was officiated by British Antarctic Territory-registered marriage officer Bryan Clark and witnessed by eight additional guests.

Alberto Aliberti, president of Atlas Ocean Voyages, said: “Happy Ever Atlas is perhaps the most adventurous destination-wedding experience to date. We are glad to make this most unique wedding experience for our guests.”

Each wedded couple received an official UK wedding licence, which is also recognised by the US government.

World Navigator hosted a shipwide wedding reception, as well as separate bachelorette and bachelor group parties.

The package also included a one-tier wedding cake, digital photo package, welcome itinerary and giftbag, nuptial announcements and thank-you cards.

Small expedition ship World Navigator will cruise the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and the Arctic in summer 2022; Central and South America in the autumn; and return to Antarctica for the winter 2022-23 season.

Atlas’ second ship, World Traveller, launches in November 2022, with three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, to join the fleet through 2024.