A middle aged Italian husband and wife are suing a shipping line after their relaxing holiday turned out to be Italy’s first gay cruise.

The Daily Mail report that the couple who booked the trip using loyalty points from a supermarket, but claim they were not told the holiday was on a gay cruise, have asked for £2,800 compensation.

Despite accusations of homophobia the couple’s lawyer, Antonio Francesconi, denied it was a question of discrimination.

‘It is a question of lost satisfaction because no-one told them their holiday was at the same time as the gay cruise,’ he said. ‘They arrived at the port and saw the ship surrounded by the media. They thought it was because someone famous was on board but it was in fact due to the event – the 1,500 passengers were all gay and there were numerous gay events during the three days.’