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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.
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 has been around for 40+ years (with 20+ years in gay travel, specifically). The newest member to the gay charter cruising sector is VACAYA, which kicked 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
Oasis 2020 Caribbean CruiseAtlantis 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, 2020Southern Caribbean CruiseGay 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, 2020Virgin Caribbean CruiseBe one of the first to sail on Virgin Voyages' adults-only Scarlet Lady with Atlantis'
Virgin Caribbean Cruise
, sailing roundtrip from Miami. Onboard, get a tattoo, enjoy a drag brunch, dance to cutting-edge DJs and even attend a sex-themed talk show. In port, live it up on Virgin's new Bimini Island beach club, and explore ashore in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Fares start at $1,799 for an oceanview cabin, based on double occupancy.Dates: May 31-June 7, 2020Rome to Venice CruiseTour Europe the fun way with this
nine-night Mediterranean cruise
aboard Celebrity Constellation, sailing from Rome to Venice. Atlantis will bring an international passenger-base from Europe, Australia, Brazil and the U.S. Party onboard with shows from Atlantis performers Air-Otic and La Voix, plus new cabaret and piano acts. The ship will overnight in Mykonos for after-hours fun, and passengers can also enjoy the beaches of Santorini, be a VIP in Capri and explore the Roman ruins and cafe culture of Zadar. Fares start at $1,929 for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.Dates: Aug. 8-17, 2020
Olivia
Anniversary Caribbean CruiseSoak 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, 2020Greece, Cyprus and Israel Luxury CruiseAn 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, 2020Australia and Great Barrier Reef Luxury CruiseSail down under aboard Windstar's 312-passenger Star Breeze, for a luxury experience with a casual vibe, on this
Australia and Great Barrier Reef Cruise
. The ship travels from Cairns to Melbourne with visits to destinations in Queensland and New South Wales, such as the Australia Zoo (where you can cuddle a koala), Sydney with its famous Opera House and Bondi Beach, and beautiful spots like Whitehaven Beach and Lake McKenzie. Fares start at $5,899 for a porthole cabin, based on double occupancy.Dates: Nov. 29–Dec. 10, 2020Costa Rica and Panama Canal Luxury CruiseHead to the rainforest in a sailing yacht with this
Costa Rica and Panama Canal cruise
about Windstar's 148-passenger Wind Star. Explore mangrove swamps, jungle forests and beautiful beaches in search of the region's diverse flora and fauna. A private beach barbecue and Panama Canal transit will be highlights. Fares start at $4,199 for an outside cabin, based on double occupancy.Dates: Jan. 16–Dec. 23, 2021
Brand g Vacations
Prague and Danube River CruiseRelish 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, 2020Royal Clipper Mediterranean SailingExperience the romance of a masted sailing ship on this seven-night full-ship charter of Royal Clipper to the Mediterranean.
The trip
begins with two nights on land in Cannes, before the ship sets sail for Italy, Monaco, Corsica and Sardinia. Onboard, climb the mast to a crow's nest lookout or enjoy views from the underwater lounge. Fares for this cruise start at $4,099 per person, based on double occupancy.Dates: Sept. 24–Oct. 3, 2020Paris, Normandy and the Seine RiverSatisfy your passion for history, wine, food and art with a seven-night
Seine River cruise
on 146-passenger Amadeus Diamond. The cruise starts and ends in Paris and takes passengers to the former home of Van Gogh in Conflans, museums and abbeys in Rouen, the Normandy coastline (including the landing beaches) and Giverny, home of Monet. Fares for this cruise start at $3,799 per person, based on double occupancy, for a cabin with a small window; balcony rooms start at $4,599.Dates: May 12–19, 2021
VACAYA
Lisbon Pride CruiseCelebrate Lisbon's Pride festival with a four-night hotel stay followed by a five-night cruise along the Douro River
. Passengers can sample wines in the Douro Valley or take an optional bike tour, as they visit Portugal and Spain aboard CroisiEurope's new Amalia Rodrigues river ship. Most cabin categories have sold out, but balcony staterooms are available from $3,997 per person.Dates: Jun. 26–Jul. 5, 2020Iceland CruiseVACAYA 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, 2020Caribbean CruiseVACAYA is heading to the
Caribbean
for the first time with a seven-night sailing from San Juan to Antigua, Martinique, St. Lucia and Barbados aboard Celebrity Summit. The full-ship charter is also allowing cruisers to purchase beverage packages (something not always available on chartered sailings). Escape the cold and embrace the warmth of an inclusive community representing the entire LGBTQIAPK (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Polygamous/polyamorous, Kink) spectrum. Fares start at $897 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.Dates: Feb. 13-20, 2021Updated February 16, 2021
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