I WAS so sorry to hear that Cunard are no longer sporting the Red Ensign, as when she first arrived in Southampton the Venturers were proud to meet the Queen Mary and drop our ensign as a salute to a “Queen”, before taking position as escort.

I am, however, rather sceptical that the reason she transferred registration to Bermuda was in order to cash in on the lucrative weddings trade, because captains of Britishregistered ships were not allowed to marry couples because objectors could not be present .

Other cruise lines do not seem to have this problem. Perhaps the real reason is that the registration in Bermuda is for tax purposes, and no EU restrictions on crews or pay.

And I’m not sure but perhaps they could also avoid the green tax on fuel? I recently purchased a ticket in Bermuda for a transatlantic voyage from New York to Southampton for £500.

Had I purchased it in the UK there would have been a substantial green tax.

PHILIP PEARCESMITH, Holbury.