The past few years of record cruise industry growth have translated into an equally strong (although transitional) era for the gay and lesbian cruise market. This gay and lesbian cruise market is categorized in one of three ways:
All-gay or lesbian-only charters
Gay affinity groups on mainstream cruises organized by travel agents
Thousands of gays and lesbians who choose to cruise without an official group on just about every regularly scheduled cruise departure
Mainstream cruise lines continue to reach out (in most cases) to court gay and lesbian travelers -- who spend a higher percentage of income on travel than their straight counterparts -- and who are known for being avid cruisers. Indeed, you'll find gay and lesbian travelers on just about any regularly scheduled cruise floating across vast oceans or gliding through scenic river towns.
The biggest growth and changes in the past year have occurred in the gay and lesbian charter market. Companies like Atlantis or Olivia actually charter entire cruise ships and custom-build the entire trip to meet their own specifications; they work closely with the cruise line to develop their own itineraries and always bring aboard their own small army of entertainers, musical guests, D.J.s, etc. to transform the ship into a temporary gay (or lesbian) floating world of frolic and fun on the high seas.
Here, we take a look at major and niche gay charter operators such as Atlantis Events, RSVP (part of Atlantis as of October 2007), Olivia,Travelpride and Romance Voyages to find out what's offered this year in the gay and lesbian cruise market.
Atlantis acquires RSVP. Atlantis Events -- the largest company specializing in all-gay and lesbian cruises -- announced in October 2007 that it acquired its sole major competitor in this market, RSVP Vacations. Both Atlantis and RSVP (credited with pioneering the all-gay cruise vacation) have been chartering large and small cruise ships from major lines such as Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity for all-gay trips during the past sixteen years.
Three years ago, RSVP was acquired by PlanetOut, Inc., the leading gay and lesbian entertainment and publishing company responsible for Out Magazine, The Out Traveler and Gay.com, among other properties. PlanetOut's goal was to leverage its numerous and popular media vehicles in the gay community to help build the RSVP cruise business. Now, with the acquisition of RSVP by Atlantis, the number of cruises RSVP offers is on par with capacity compared to past years. RSVP is offering a full slate of cruises this year in the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska and Europe. Both Atlantis and RSVP, since joining forces, are leaders in the gay and lesbian cruise market.
Atlantis has been successful in building its core business by focusing on chartering the biggest and most glamorous ships afloat; the February 2008 Liberty of the Seas cruise was the largest gay cruise ever. Karen Magee, CEO of PlanetOut, states, "The size of the combined company will allow us to better deliver an unparalleled guest experience, and provide us with the opportunity to offer more unique itineraries at great prices."
According to Atlantis CEO Rich Campbell, the RSVP brand will remain intact and distinct from the Atlantis brand, and all of RSVP's previously scheduled cruises will sail as normal, with the same high-caliber entertainment and onboard activities. RSVP has also announced an Eastern Caribbean cruise and a Mexican Riviera cruise for the first half of 2009.
Ports. Charter companies know their guests' preferences well and conduct extensive research before committing to bringing a ship full of visible (and sometimes raucously fun!) gay and lesbian guests to a foreign destination. In the past, there were well-publicized incidents of gay charters facing local opposition and scattered protests in ports such as Grand Cayman, Jamaica or Kusadasi (Turkey), so the gay charter companies generally steer clear of controversy and head to the "greatest hits" port stops in the Mexican Riviera and the Caribbean. Exceptions to this idea include Atlantis' first-ever full ship charter in Asia in March 2009 and a trip to Alexandria, Egypt aboard the new Celebrity Solstice in August 2009.
New ships and new charters. Atlantis Events, now clearly dominant in the gay charter cruise market with its acquisition of RSVP, has again chartered Royal Caribbean's behemoth Freedom of the Seas for the largest gay cruise in history in January 2009, after the success of its Freedom and Liberty charter in the previous two years. And brand new to fleets in 2008, Holland America's Eurodam and Celebrity Solstice have also been summoned by the charter companies.
The gay charter companies are generally sticking to their successful formula of chartering the newer, larger and flashier mega ships like Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas, Celebrity Constellation (Atlantis), NCL's Norwegian Star (RSVP), and Holland America's Oosterdam and Westerdam (Olivia). Olivia's full slate of new cruises is a clear sign that their women-only business is booming, with new trips announced to the Mexican Riviera, big-ship Caribbean (Westerdam), and small-ship Southern Caribbean (Wind Star's Wind Surf). In other small ship news, luxury Paul Gauguin has been chartered by both Olivia and Travelpride for cruises in the South Pacific this year, and Olivia's Rhine river cruise on Avalon Tapestry may be the beginning of a a new trend in the gay and lesbian market.
Loyalty programs.
RSVP's gay and lesbian travel loyalty and frequent traveler program, RSViP, was launched in January 2005 and has proven popular among frequent RSVP cruisers. No news has come from Atlantis about any changes to this program. The RSViP link is still accessible on the RSVP website.
Atlantis Events does have an alumni-only Web site where past cruisers can stay in touch and it does offer select discounts on cruises to past alumni, but at this time it doesn't have a comprehensive and formal loyalty program in place such as RSViP.
Gay/lesbian charters offer more choices than ever -- in every size. The "Big Four" gay and lesbian charter companies (which could now be called the "Big Three," even though RSVP is being run as a distinct company for the time being) -- Atlantis Events, RSVP, Olivia and R Family Vacations -- continue to span the globe from the Caribbean to South America to Mexico with unique, one-of-a-kind, high-seas adventures for gay men and lesbians who love the thrill of arriving at a new port each day and who thrive in a social, flexible vacation environment. The high repeat guest rate and enviable satisfaction measures of these "Big Four" attest to the amazing variety of activities, parties, memorable locales, entertainment options and diversity of fellow passengers available only on these mega-ships.
Cruisers in search of more intimate and low-key vacations now have even more choices this year in the form of a new small-ship cruises from Travelpride and Romance Voyages. These two niche players (catering primarily to gay men), which are focusing on lesser-known Caribbean ports and an Galapagos Islands tour next year, are gaining momentum, as many experienced gay and lesbian cruisers crave a more relaxed travel experience with a more manageable number of fellow passengers (from dozens to a few hundred) and no all-night parties.
Below is a roundup of upcoming gay and lesbian cruise departures through November 2009. This information, with specific dates, is meant more to give you an idea of which company offers what, rather than to act as a comprehensive calendar. Please refer to each company's Web site for any updates or additions. Also, some gay and lesbian cruises sell out very quickly especially one-of-a kind offerings like the Baltics (Atlantis) or Galapagos (Olivia) or small ships like Wind Spirit (TravelPride). If a gay charter company offers the style of trips you like, you'll want to touch base with them directly and find out booking details as soon as possible.
Atlantis Events
Italy, Egypt and Greek Isles Cruise Celebrity Solstice
August 29 - September 7, 2009; roundtrip Rome
The itineraries and the ships offered through Atlantis Events just keep getting better. Complementing the ancient artifacts and ruins you'll see on this nine-night Mediterranean cruise, is the ability to sail on one of the newest ships at sea -- Celebrity Solstice, which just launched in November 2008. This chic ship will transport you to hot destinations under a European summer sun. After settling in on the ship for two days at sea, the first port of call is at Alexandria, Egypt, where tours to the pyramids are a must. Sailing onward, the Greek Island ports of Rhodes, Mykonos and Santorini are up next, and will offer spectacular beaches, authentic cuisine at trademark tavernas and an overnight in Mykonos to enjoy the renowned nightlife there. A final stop in Naples will afford you the opportunity to visit the ruins in the lost city of Pompeii, and Atlantis will be organizing a variety of pre- and post-cruise programs in Rome and Tuscany, should you decide to extend your stay.
LA to Mexico Cruise
Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas
October 18 - 25, 2009, roundtrip Los Angeles
Mariner of the Seas is the perfect ship for Atlantis' most popular cruise of the year. And this custom itinerary will take its passengers to Mexico's most appealing beach towns. Gay-friendly Puerto Vallarta delights with its natural beauty, and guests will have ample time to enjoy the jumping nightlife during an overnight visit. The streets of historic Mazatlan are ideal for an afternoon full of shopping. And Cabo San Lucas, known for its amazing water sport activites, offers diving, fishing and snorkeling in its deep blue waters -- or you can opt to just relax on the tranquil beaches in the area. You'll also have three days at sea to enjoy the endless onboard activities and entertainment that's been planned specially for this all-gay charter cruise.
Liberty Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas
January 17 - 24, 2010, roundtrip Miami
This is the cruise everyone talks about. Atlantis' original, largest, and most popular gay cruise in the world returns to Liberty of the Seas with a brand-new itinerary and more fun than ever for 3,000 plus gay and lesbian guests from around the world. This cruise will feature top gay and lesbian entertainers, a few surprise guests, the best DJs, and whole lot of fun in the sun. From Miami, sail to the private island of Labadee, where this most popular island becomes the Caribbean's only all-gay island for the day. Other ports of call include Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Atlantis' legendary shows feature a unique blend of the best in gay and lesbian talent including laugh-out-loud comedians and a gay hypnotist. In addition to an ice show created specifically for Atlantis, the ship's Studio B doubles as a concert space which will feature music stars such as Deborah Cox and Andy Bell from Erasure.
Summer Grand Baltic Cruise
Holland America's Eurodam
July 22 - August 1, 2009
For members of the gay and lesbian community, this is an experience not to be missed. Sailing for 10 nights, the Summer Grand Baltic Cruise aboard Holland America's newest ship, Eurodam, will visit some of the most gay-progressive and gay-welcoming places in the world. You'll travel roundtrip from friendly Copenhagen to historic Berlin (by way of port city Warnemunde), up and coming Tallin, and spend two full days in St. Petersburg with expert guides and brilliantly planned tours. From there, it's on to Helsinki, Stockholm and Aurhus (Denmark's "second city"). Upon returning to Copenhagen, you'll be granted access to the final events and ceremonies of the OutGames, the largest gay and lesbian event in Europe in 2009. Since you'll be having so much fun and it will be tough to head for home, you may want to consider extending your stay in Copenhagen for a few days longer.
RSVP Vacations
Eurodam Caribbean Cruise
Holland America's Eurodam
February 13 - 20, 2010, roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale
RSVP starts off 2010 with a refreshing Southern Caribbean cruise onboard the elegant Eurodam. You'll sail roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, and visit exotic island destinations like Curacao, Aruba and Half Moon Cay (the line's private island destination). It will be prime time for Carnival in Curaçao, and you'll have a chance to party with the locals during the dazzling nighttime parade. In Aruba, sit back and relax on beautiful beaches and shop at the island's trademark colorful floating markets. And at Half Moon Cay the private island will be all yours. Plus, with three days at sea onboard Holland America's newest ship, you'll find plenty of time to get pampered at the spa and enjoy the line's delicious cuisine. This special sailing has been organized to include performances from unique entertainers and host the famous theme parties that are central to RSVP's commitment to its clientele.
Europe's Heartland Riverboat Cruise Amadeus Waterways' Amalyra
August 7 - 17, 2009; Paris to Nuremburg
RSVP is offering a relaxing journey through Europe's Moselle, Rhine and Main rivers aboard Amadeus Waterways' luxurious Amalyra. Start your vacation with a two-night stay in the City of Lights, and discover the wonders of Paris' many spectacular sights. On the third day you'll take a motorcoach to Trier, Germany, and board your river cruise ship that accommodates a quaint 148 people. Amalyra provides unparalleled personal service and more balconies than any other ship in the Amadeus fleet. For seven-nights, wind eastward along the rivers of the region with stops in Cochem, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Frankfurt, Miltenburg, Wertheim, Wurzburg and Bamberg, where a major theme will be cuisine and wine, especially in the middle of German wine country. If you're not ready to get back to reality, extend your stay for a visit in Prague and visit the many remarkable castles. Some may want to consider combining this river cruise with the Legendary Danube Riverboat Cruise, for a back-to-back river cruise experience and a truly unique tour of the best of Europe.
Legendary Danube Riverboat Cruise Amadeus Waterways' Amalyra
August 14 - 24, 2009; Prague to Budapest
Discover Europe along the Danube River and enjoy the camaraderie and comfort you'll find on Amadeus Waterways' Amalyra. Begin your journey with a two night stay in Prague -- explore the many castles here while savoring the culture of one of Europe's most gay-friendly cities. Transfer to Nuremburg by motorcoach, and embark on a seven-night river cruise that will visit Regensberg, Passau, Linz and Melk. Be prepared to take in a magnificent opera in Vienna, and there will be plenty of time to explore this great city in Austria, since an overnight is scheduled here. Bratislavia, the capital of Slovakia, is up next, and you'll conclude this relaxing and intimate river cruise in Budapest. Some may want to consider combining this river cruise with Europe's Heartland Riverboat Cruise, for a back-to-back river cruise experience. The best part is you'll never encounter the same port twice.
Alaska Adventure Cruise
Holland America's Westerdam
August 23 - 30, 2009; roundtrip Seattle
Cool off from summer and sail into Alaska at the height of the season. Experience the majesty of the mountain vistas and the incredible sights of natural glaciers calving into the water right before your eyes. You'll be accompanied by 2000 gay and lesbian guests that will be just as excited as you are to hike the glaciers and spot the intriguing wildlife in the region.
This amazing Alaska adventure takes place onboard Holland America's Westerdam. Three-quarters of the outside cabins also have balconies and the quarter-mile long promenade on the lido deck will be ideal for gazing at the beautiful scenery floating by. Don't miss a dining experience at the The Pinnacle Grill, one of HAL's very own trademarks, which serves up delicious Pacific Northwest cuisine -- and is highly appropriate for this cruise.
Olivia
Olivia's Western Caribbean Cruise
Holland America's Ryndam
February 28 - March 7, 2010, roundtrip Tampa
Join 1,350 lesbians on a fantastic all-women's trip to celebrate 20 years of Olivia travel. Board the intimate Ryndam for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise and get ready to enjoy sunny ports of call like Cozumel, Belize City and Costa Maya. Plus, Olivia's signature entertainment is on tap for this special sailing. One of Olivia's founding recording artists, Meg Christian; comedians Vickie Shaw and Karen Williams and recently added, Leisha Hailey, from the popular TV show "The L Word" will be onboard for a question and answer session! And that's just onboard! While in port, plan to explore the region's ancient Mayan ruins, snorkel and scuba dive, shop or just relax on the sandy beaches in the company of like-minded people just like you.
Alaska Glaciers and Bays Cruise
Holland America's Veendam
September 20 - 27, 2009; roundtrip Vancouver
You'll have a fantastic opportunity to test your photography skills on this seven-night cruise to Alaska. Snap photos while cruising past the seemingly endless display of greenery onshore and majestic mountains that lie beyond the coastline. In Glacier Bay, which boasts more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anywhere else in the world, you'll get to experience the glacier phenomenon up close. And stay active on this cruise with hiking, kayaking and even dog sledding excursions.
The women of Olivia will accompany you on your Alaska adventure onboard Holland America's Veendam. This ship offers several quiet coves on deck to cozy up in and the line's service and cuisine is sure to satisfy. What makes this trip special is that the onboard entertainment, including concerts and comedy shows, have been selected with Olivia's community in mind.
Caribbean Halloween Cruise
Holland America's Ryndam
October 25 - November 1, 2009; roundtrip Tampa
As the weather begins to cool off in October, heat up for a week on a fun, fall cruise to the Western Caribbean. This exciting new itinerary includes calls in gay and lesbian mecca, Key West, Cozumel, Belize City and Santo Tomas de Castilla in Guatemala. Watch one of Key West signature sunsets -- there are only four evenings each year that cruise ships are allowed to stay in port for views of the sun sinking under the water, and you'll be there for one of them! And experience Fantasy Fest in Key West -- a version of Mardi Gras -- with costumed characters and many fun events involving food, drink, music and fun all over the island. Dive in and discover the world's second-largest barrier reef in Belize and soak up the sun in Cozumel. The best part of the trip is that you'll be surrounded by like-minded people who aim to have fun, and Olivia has planned special entertainment just for this cruise.
Seven nights aboard Holland America's Ryndam will prove to be just what you need when October rolls around. This classy ship offers fantastic views of warm Caribbean sunsets and its moderate size makes for lots of cozy attributes that will make you feel right at home. Be sure to check out the Explorations Cafe, a library with books, music and Internet access, to keep the mind busy.
Amazing Galapagos Adventure Lindblad's Islander
November 14 - 23, 2009; Guayaquil, Ecuador to Quito, Ecuador
The new Islander (only 24 cabins) is the ideal size for this adventurous and highly educational sailing through the natural and animal wonders of the Galapagos Islands. A sturdy fleet of Zodiac rafts will transport the fortunate Olivia guests on this cruise as they visit some of the major islands in the chain and the awe-inspiring residents such as giant tortoises, fur seals, penguins and frigate birds, plus thousands of other plants and animals. With expert guides and onboard naturalists, this special cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to discover one of nature's unspoiled gems under the aegis of Olivia's brand of comfort, education, and entertainment. Note: The last couple of days of the first cruise are on land, hence the overlap.
Travelpride
New Year's Costa Rica Cruise
Windstar Cruises' Wind Star
December 26, 2009 - January 2, 2010; roundtrip San Jose, Costa Rica
If you're looking for a unique way to ring in 2010, consider this all-gay charter cruise in Central America. Sail aboard tall ship, Wind Star, with only 150 other guests like you looking for a haven to retreat to. Since the ship is on the smaller side, you'll be able to dock in ports that are decidedly off the beaten path. Places like Isla Coiba, an island off the coast of Panama, and Quepos, Jaco, Playas del Coco and Isla Tortuga, all found in the lush and lovely Costa Rica. You can relax knowing that your New Year's trip will be filled with visits to a collection of quaint towns surrounded by beautiful scenery, and assuredly peaceful while you enjoy the remoteness of the chosen destinations.
--by Stan Wu. In addition to writing about cruising trends in the burgeoning gay and lesbian market for Cruise Critic, Los Angeles-based Stan Wu is also the travel editor of westhollywood.com and Metrosource Magazine.
The past few years of record cruise industry growth have translated into an equally strong (although transitional) era for the gay and lesbian cruise market. This gay and lesbian cruise market is categorized in one of three ways:
All-gay or lesbian-only charters 
According to Atlantis CEO Rich Campbell, the RSVP brand will remain intact and distinct from the Atlantis brand, and all of RSVP's previously scheduled cruises will sail as normal, with the same high-caliber entertainment and onboard activities. RSVP has also announced an Eastern Caribbean cruise and a Mexican Riviera cruise for the first half of 2009.
Italy, Egypt and Greek Isles Cruise
The itineraries and the ships offered through Atlantis Events just keep getting better. Complementing the ancient artifacts and ruins you'll see on this nine-night Mediterranean cruise, is the ability to sail on one of the newest ships at sea -- Celebrity Solstice, which just launched in November 2008. This chic ship will transport you to hot destinations under a European summer sun. After settling in on the ship for two days at sea, the first port of call is at Alexandria, Egypt, where tours to the pyramids are a must. Sailing onward, the Greek Island ports of Rhodes, Mykonos and Santorini are up next, and will offer spectacular beaches, authentic cuisine at trademark tavernas and an overnight in Mykonos to enjoy the renowned nightlife there. A final stop in Naples will afford you the opportunity to visit the ruins in the lost city of Pompeii, and Atlantis will be organizing a variety of pre- and post-cruise programs in Rome and Tuscany, should you decide to extend your stay.
RSVP starts off 2010 with a refreshing Southern Caribbean cruise onboard the elegant Eurodam. You'll sail roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, and visit exotic island destinations like Curacao, Aruba and Half Moon Cay (the line's private island destination). It will be prime time for Carnival in Curaçao, and you'll have a chance to party with the locals during the dazzling nighttime parade. In Aruba, sit back and relax on beautiful beaches and shop at the island's trademark colorful floating markets. And at Half Moon Cay the private island will be all yours. Plus, with three days at sea onboard Holland America's newest ship, you'll find plenty of time to get pampered at the spa and enjoy the line's delicious cuisine. This special sailing has been organized to include performances from unique entertainers and host the famous theme parties that are central to RSVP's commitment to its clientele.
