United Kingdom
USALGBT cruises can be undertaken across a swathe of amazing cruise lines to a vast array of fantastic destinations. Here are 10 LGBT-friendly cruise holidays.
LGBT cruises can be undertaken across a swathe of amazing cruise lines to a vast array of fantastic destinations. Here are 10 LGBT-friendly cruise holidays.
Starting off, venture onboard one of the newest, most groundbreaking ships in the world, Celebrity Ascent. She heads to the Mediterranean in 2024 with a variety of itineraries including one of my all-time favorites – an 11-night cruise from Rome to Barcelona via Greece, Turkey, Italy and Malta.
Not only does the cruise allow you to absorb the history and culture of the eastern Mediterranean, but you get to visit some of the most sought-after and LGBTQ+ friendly places, including Mykonos and Santorini.
Celebrity Cruises LGBT cruises are done very well – the brand is at the forefront of LGBT travel and actively supports the community. Each June, Celebrity hosts an annual Pride Party at Sea across the whole fleet bringing together crew and guests to honour and celebrate Pride.
Have you ever fancied living out your own real-life White Lotus fantasy on an LGBT cruise? Then join Seabourn Ovation on a 10-day trip harbor hopping through the Mediterranean starting in Monaco and visiting some of the most stunning places in Europe including Capri, Sicily, Malta and St Tropez.
Seabourn is perfect for LGBTQ+ travelers who want to sojourn in the lap of luxury and indulge in the most exclusive places in the Med.
Hopping across the pond, join Celebrity Eclipse on an 11-night Celebrity Cruises sailing to New England with an overnight in Quebec.
I love to visit this part of the world time and time again because of its welcoming atmosphere and inclusive and friendly neighbourhoods – whether that’s exploring the history and open culture of Boston, the scenery of Maine (including the world-famous fall foliage) or the charms of Quebec. And of course, this trip isn’t complete without enjoying a lobster roll or two!
Bring out your inner kid by sailing on Disney Cruise Line – a perfect option for both families and couples after LGBT-friendly cruises.
Take a three- or four-night cruise on Disney Wish from the sunshine state to relax in the Bahamas and visit Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay.
And you must start or end your trip by heading to the most visited place on the planet, Walt Disney World, with special LGBTQ+ days held each year – May 30th to June 3rd in 2024.
Miami is a melting pot of culture and is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly places in the world, especially with its annual Pride festival in April. Mix this with cruising and you have the recipe for an incredible LGBT cruise holiday.
Why not join Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Icon of the Seas on a seven-night cruise to the Caribbean? This next generation of ship – sailing in January 2024 – will feature ground-breaking new entertainment, the largest water park at sea, a four-level suite area and a variety of pool and resort spaces to suit every style of cruiser.
Alaska is a quintessential bucket list destination. Head to Seattle and join Discovery Princess to explore, embrace and experience the sights and sounds of the great outdoors – perfect for LGBTQ+ travelers who want to get away from it all.
Like all the cruise lines listed here, Princess Cruises is another great choice for LGBTQ+ travelers and Seattle is another very inclusive city with a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. If you travel in June, you can top/tail your holiday with Seattle Pride.
Crossing the Pacific Ocean, we head to Australia with Virgin Voyages. Resilient Lady offers itineraries from Sydney and Melbourne ranging from weekend getaways to longer LGBT friendly cruises that explore the beautiful scenery of New Zealand.
Australia consistently ranks among the most queer-friendly destinations in the world, and Sydney is particularly hospitable with the world-famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrations, which take place in February/March.
Where better is there to immerse yourself and truly feed your soul than Asia? Take an immersive voyage onboard Azamara Pursuit from Singapore, sailing to Thailand, China and Japan.
This is a perfect cruise to explore everything Asia has to offer – the cultural experiences, the food and the landscapes – all from the comfort of Azamara’s boutique ships.
Azamara proactively markets itself to the LGBTQ+ traveler, with ships frequently booked for groups plus an infamous LGBTQ+ ‘Happy Hour’ gathering which is a staple that staff, including the Captain and Cruise Director, will regularly attend.
River cruising is the perfect way to experience the historic towns and cities of Europe up close, all set within Viking’s Scandi-inspired contemporary elegance, fine dining and comfort.
On top of this, river cruising should be at the top of your LGBT cruise bucket list as it’s a very social experience, with Viking openly welcoming LGBTQ+ passengers, and regularly hosts LGBTQ+ charters and group booking.
In my opinion, the quintessential river cruise is the Danube River, visiting Germany, Austria and Hungary. Vienna is a particular highlight with its inclusivity, architecture and of course world-famous music and concerts.
There are also a number of specialist charter companies which provide a curated LGBTQ+ experience. You could opt to join the largest party at sea with an Atlantis LGBT cruise.
Alternatively, head back onboard Resilient Lady in August 2024 as she sails to the Greek Isles, Malta, Sicily and Barcelona. Finish off your holiday by going to the gay capital of Europe, Sitges. Or join Windstar Cruises and sail through the Panama Canal to Costa Rica with Olivia (specializing in travel for lesbians and LGBTQ+ women) in 2025.
