FREEMASONRY AFLOAT: Over 30 Years of Fraternal Fellowship at Sea
Welcome On Board a Proud Tradition of Unity, Charity, and Discovery
Since its quiet launch in 1994 aboard the beloved Canberra, Freemasonry Afloat has become more than a cherished maritime tradition – it’s a living testament to the Craft’s enduring spirit. Now celebrating its 31st anniversary, the initiative is relaunching with renewed energy after a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic – and it’s making waves once more across the P&O cruise fleet.
The idea is elegantly simple: offer Freemasons at sea a chance to connect, share fellowship, and support charitable causes – wherever the tide may carry them. This initiative, founded by the late Trevor Wellings, has not only strengthened Masonic bonds across oceans, but also raised over £300,000 for charitable causes including the RNLI and the United Grand Lodge of England’s supported charities.
A Tradition Reawakened
After a difficult hiatus imposed by global restrictions, Freemasonry Afloat officially relaunched on 1st January 2022. Thanks to the generous support of P&O Cruises and their on-board events teams, passengers are once again encouraged to rekindle the Masonic flame while at sea.
Each P&O vessel now carries a dedicated Masonic minute book, complete with guidance on how to organise a meeting. All it takes is one Brother’s initiative: visit the reception, request the book, and ask for your meeting to be announced in the ship’s daily newsletter, The Horizon.
These will be informal gatherings of all Freemasons worldwide, accepted and recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England. No formal ritual or forming of Lodge takes place.
While P&O cannot formally organize these gatherings, they actively support those initiated by passengers—often providing space, refreshments, and even assistance from the events team.
Many ships have attained GRAND PATRON status with our Masonic charities in London, reflecting the continued commitment of Freemasons at sea to support worthy causes.
Highlights from the High Seas
One recent example comes from the Norway Fjord Cruise B323 aboard MV Britannia. A notice placed in The Horizon resulted in ten Brethren gathering in the Ivory Suite for an informal reception of cocktails, canapés, and tradition. Officers were appointed for the cruise’s duration, and discussions quickly turned into warm fellowship.
By the end of the voyage, fourteen attendees – including two Masonic widows – had joined. A formal gathering in the Crow’s Nest was made even more special with the attendance of Chief Engineer Tony Wallis and his wife Janet, celebrating his final voyage before retirement. Events Manager Alroy Mendonca was also present, representing the tireless behind-the-scenes support P&O provides.
A small raffle raised £110 and 100 Norwegian Krona, which was donated equally to Teenage Cancer Support and the RNLI. The evening’s joy echoed the purpose of Freemasonry Afloat: integrity, friendship, respect and service.
On another Norwegian cruise, 20 Brethren from across the UK gathered after noticing a discreet Masonic listing in The Horizon. Glynn Walters gave a short talk on the 180-year history of Masonic gatherings at sea, highlighting the tradition’s informal yet meaningful nature. While, on this occasion, time and port stops prevented a formal event, the shared experience inspired attendees to launch a dedicated Facebook group – Freemasonry Afloat – to help future cruising Brethren connect, plan, and organise social events such as cocktail evenings, raffles, or dinners in advance.
To join the group and stay connected, search Facebook for ‘Freemasonry Afloat’ or visit: facebook.com/groups/1486206029418875
As Chris Hayden reflected, “You never know when or where you’ll find a square and compass… even in the middle of the ocean.”
A Global Brotherhood at Sea
Freemasonry Afloat is not limited to P&O Cruises. Informal Masonic meetings are also held on Cunard, Fred Olsen, Tui Marrella, Saga, Viking and Ambassador Cruises (formerly Cruise Maritime), as noted by John Chapman, a lecturer and Masonic host aboard various ships. Chapman recalls three informal gatherings during a 20-day voyage aboard TUI’s Marella Explorer 2 in December 2024, bringing together Brethren from across the UK and Ireland – including one of the most senior Freemasons in the world.
The camaraderie extended beyond the meetings, with tales shared of global travels and duties accompanying members of the Royal Family in official United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) roles.
The Legacy of Trevor Wellings
Warwickshire Freemason Trevor Wellings was the heart and soul behind Freemasonry Afloat, Sailing on Canberra in the early 1980s, it was a suggestion from a fellow Mason that sparked an idea which would grow into an enduring legacy. Over the next decades, Trevor sailed aboard nearly every P&O maiden voyage, often serving as president, treasurer and secretary all at once.
His beloved wife Jacqueline, who supported him in every voyage, sadly passed away in 2018. Though Trevor himself passed in 2022, his work lives on in every Masonic meeting held at sea.
How to Get Involved
If you’re setting sail soon, participating is simple. To request a Masonic gathering on your next P&O cruise, speak with reception upon boarding, or mention it during booking:
- Ask at Reception for the Masonic Minute Book.
- Follow the Guidelines in the book to organize your meeting.
- Request a Notice in the daily Horizon newsletter.
- Plan a Gathering from cocktails to informal chats.
- Support the Ship’s Charity. Funds often go to the onboard cause and the RNLI.
- Record Your Minutes they may be added to the historical collection held at UGLE, Great Queen Street, London.
Remember: Freemasons have been gathering aboard ships for centuries. One of the earliest known examples is the Passby, a schooner built in Salcombe and launched in July 1863. It was built for trading with the Azores, Mediterranean, West Indies, Bahamas, and Newfoundland and flew a Masonic flag proudly at its mast.
So whether you’re sailing the Caribbean, the Norwegian fjords, or the Mediterranean coast there’s always a place for Brotherhood at sea.
Let’s continue to spread the message: Freemasonry Afloat is back – more connected and stronger than ever.