Almost every cruise line, from luxury to midrange to mass market, works to attract gay and lesbian travelers. LGBT cocktail parties or meetups are a popular activity onboard various ships. Some cruise lines even cater to the community on land through various partnerships. (For example, Celebrity Cruises sponsored the 2017 Miami Beach Gay Pride festival in April 2017, making it the first cruise line to ever partner with this celebration of the community.)
Passengers will find gay and lesbian travelers on just about any cruise, but some companies offer specialized sailings catering specifically to gay cruisers. All-gay charter companies, such as Atlantis Events (focused on gay men) and Olivia (exclusively for lesbians), charter entire cruise ships -- from large, mainstream ships and smaller luxury ships to riverboats -- and customize the whole trip. The charters work closely with the cruise line to develop itineraries, and they always bring aboard their own group of entertainers, musical guests and speakers. Major cruise lines that frequently host LGBT charter cruises include Celebrity, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Oceania and Azamara.
Here, we introduce you to the main charter companies catering to LGBT cruisers, and provide a preview of upcoming gay and lesbian charter cruises. This information, with specific dates, offers a snapshot of some of the adventures, but it's not meant to serve as a comprehensive calendar. Refer to each company's website for any updates or additions. Be aware that some gay and lesbian cruises sell out very quickly.
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Updated October 10, 2019
LGBT Cruise Companies
Atlantis continues to be the dominant player in the gay cruising industry by chartering the biggest and most glamorous ships afloat -- such as Royal Caribbean's 5,479-passenger Harmony of the Seas, which was used for the largest-ever all-gay cruise in January 2018. Brand g Vacations also has made its way to the forefront, with the widest selection of LGBT river cruises. Olivia recently celebrated its 40th anniversary as a company (with 20+ years in gay travel, specifically). The newest member to the gay charter cruising sector is VACAYA, which kicks off its inaugural cruise in August 2019; it is run by former executives from Atlantis and RSVP Vacations.
Other players in the market offer smaller, more intimate full-ship gay charters -- including Source Events (which also offers partial charters) and r Family Vacations.
Houston-based travel agency Concierge Travel has made a name for itself by expanding the market through high-quality, lively gay-affinity groups aboard regularly scheduled cruises (i.e., partial, not full-ship, charters).
Note: Partial charters are not listed below, but you can find more details on each company's website.
Where You'll Cruise
Gay and lesbian charter companies conduct extensive research before committing to a foreign destination. There have been well-publicized incidents of all-gay charters facing opposition and scattered protests at ports in such countries as Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Turkey, so the gay charter companies generally steer clear of controversy and head to the "greatest hits" port stops, mostly in the Caribbean and Europe. Gay travelers should be aware that, in some ports, they might be faced with different levels of social tolerance.
LGBT Cruises
Atlantis Events
Europe's Largest Gay Cruise
Get the best of both -- sun-kissed beaches and cities rich in history and culture -- on Europe's Largest Gay Cruise hosted by Atlantis. For seven nights, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas will treat more than 5,000 cruisers to an exotic Mediterranean itinerary as well as an array of dance parties, performances by guest acts and other themed activities. Port stops include Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, Florence, Rome and Naples, all round-trip from Barcelona. Fares start at $1,199 for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.
Dates: Aug. 25–Sept. 1, 2019
Oasis 2020 Caribbean Cruise
Atlantis returns to Oasis after the ship's massive makeover for a winter escape to the Caribbean. On the Oasis 2020 Caribbean Cruise, more than 5,500 cruisers can enjoy seven nights in the Eastern Caribbean with three port calls in St. Maarten, San Juan and Royal Caribbean's private beach, Labadee. The cruise sails roundtrip from gay-friendly Miami and features parties with cool DJs, four theaters starring Atlantis' entertainment and new ship amenities, including water slides, a karaoke bar and the Music Hall performance space. Fares start at $1,049 for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.
Dates: Jan. 19–26, 2020
Southern Caribbean Cruise
Gay cruisers looking for a smaller ship experience can opt for Atlantis's Southern Caribbean Cruise aboard Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Summit. Carrying just 2,200 passengers, the ship will sail a weeklong, port-intensive cruise from San Juan, with stops in St. Kitts, Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire with just two days at sea. Expect Atlantis's famous entertainment, with plenty of DJ'd parties and special guests, including big names in the theater and gay cabaret performers and piano acts in smaller lounges. Fares start at $929 for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.
Dates: March 21-28, 2020
Olivia
Anniversary Caribbean Cruise
Soak up some sun, make a splash in crystal-clear waters and immerse yourself in Cuban culture, on Olivia's 30th Anniversary Caribbean Cruise I. The weeklong sailing on Holland America Line's Veendam will take passengers to Key West, Grand Cayman, Roatan (Honduras) and Cozumel, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. Onboard entertainment will include comedians, musicians and speakers hand-picked by Olivia. Fares start at $1,799 for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.
Dates: Jan. 22–29, 2020
Greece, Cyprus and Israel Luxury Cruise
An intimate luxury adventure awaits on this Olivia cruise to Cyprus, Jerusalem and Santorini, round-trip from Athens. Marvel at Cyprus' medieval Limassol Castle, explore local markets and wander the streets of gay-friendly Tel Aviv before returning to Azamara Pursuit for Olivia-tailored entertainment. Passengers also have the option to extend their trip with a pre- or post-cruise land package. Fares start at $3,599 for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.
Dates: Oct. 17–24, 2020
Brand g Vacations
Splendor of India & the Ganges River
Cruisers on the luxurious 28-suite Ganges Voyager can get up close and personal with this unique destination, enjoying visits to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Humayun's Tomb and Qutab Minar; the ancient Mughal capital of Old Delhi; and the Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad, among other landmarks. Various hotel stays and meals -- as well as complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner, onboard the ship -- are included in the cruise package. Fares start at $6,799 per person, based on double occupancy.
Dates: Sept. 30–Oct. 12, 2019
Prague and Danube River Cruise
Relish all the Old World charm and beauty the Danube River has to offer. Passengers on the 162-passenger Amadeus Queen will begin their cruise with a two-night hotel stay in Prague, where they can enjoy a half-day tour and daily buffet breakfast. The seven-night cruise will then depart from Passau toward Budapest, for its cruise through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Fares for this cruise start at $3,599 per person for a Panoramic Window cabin, based on double occupancy.
Dates: Aug. 14–23, 2020
VACAYA
European Christmas Markets River Cruise
Choose between two itineraries -- Amsterdam to Nuremberg or Nuremberg to Budapest -- to enjoy the magical scenery of Europe's Christmas Markets on Emerald Waterways' Emerald Star. Passengers also won't have to worry about paying out of pocket for many extras, as the cruise includes soft and alcoholic beverages, select shore excursions, Wi-Fi, transfers and gratuities. Fares for VACAYA's Christmas Markets River Cruise start at $2,149 per person, based on double occupancy.
Dates: Dec. 5–12 and December 12–19, 2019
Iceland Cruise
VACAYA is going upscale with a bucket-list circumnavigation of Iceland on luxury cruise line Ponant's 184-passenger Le Jacques Cartier. The seven-night Iceland Cruise sails roundtrip from Reykjavik and will take cruisers to see glaciers, fjords, geysers and an array of wildlife, from puffins to whales. Plus, there's plenty of time to explore Iceland's capital city with an overnight in Reykjavik. This sailing is best for travelers who want to combine exploration with luxury, and have a large vacation budget. Fares start at $5,997 per person for a balcony cabin, based on double occupancy.
Dates: Aug. 30–Sept. 6, 2020
