The gay cruise market is thriving, and every mainstream cruise line has been trying in recent years to make vacations for LGBTQIA+ people as welcoming and inclusive as possible through targeted entertainment offerings. However, a cruise totally designed for the gay community may be ideal for those looking for more entertainment options. For singles, for example, gay cruises can offer more opportunities to meet and get to know other people of one’s sexual orientation without any concerns or prejudices on board.
In this article we will start by describing what a gay cruise offers in general. After that we will select for you the best gay cruises of 2023, also suggesting gay excursions to take between stops.
Continue reading now.
What do gay cruises consist of? We give a brief explanation here
Gay cruises offer unique and unforgettable offshore experiences with a vibrant, lively, sociable, and bright atmosphere: they are designed not only to be havens where you can get away for a few days from the ugly aspects of life ashore (such as homophobia and discrimination), but also to celebrate the unique pride and culture of the LGBT community.
Activities on board a self-respecting gay cruise certainly include the following: disco and gay club nights with DJs, drag queen shows, access to giant saunas, role-playing games, and more, so as to help both singles connect with other people and entertain couples or groups of friends.
There are also gay cruises designed for certain subcultures, such as bears. Most bears cruises include kinky parties or exciting and curious uniform parties in the program, clearly not leaving out pool parties and drag races.
Another positive aspect of gay cruises is that they continue to offer the best value for all-inclusive vacations: in addition to lodging, meals and entertainment are often included in the fares. Last but not least… Gay cruises tend to serve half as much food and twice as much alcohol as traditional cruises… which means the party can go from day to night without a problem!
If, however, you plan to take your children with you, a gay-only cruise is not very suitable. An alternative for gay friendly or rainbow families is an R Family Vacations cruise, a travel company that specializes in organizing vacations for LGBT families.
Below we have selected the best gay cruises 2023. Continue reading to find out more about them.
The best gay cruise 2023
Among the best deals we have found for a gay cruise worthy of the name are the following
Odyssey of the Seas – Atlantis (Aug. 28 – Sept. 6, 2023, from $1699)
For a luxurious, intimate and original experience discovering the best of the Mediterranean, we recommend this gay/straight friendly cruise.
For those traveling alone, there is the option of having a shared cabin: Atlantis will find a roommate for you, at no extra cost (roommate is also assigned based on certain preferences, such as those related to smokers-non-smokers).
From Aug. 28 to Sept. 6, 2023, you will have the chance to experience an unprecedented gay cruise departing from Rome and stopping in these cities on the Italian, French and Spanish Riviera: Naples, Palermo (Sicily), Cagliari (Sardinia), Ibiza (Spain), Marseille (France), Monaco (France), La Spezia (Italy).
More than 4,000 thousand gay people from 60 different nations book this cruise each year thanks, in particular, to the evenings designed specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community where there will be outstanding entertainers, special guest stars and world-renowned DJs.
For more info on this cruise please visit this link: Atlantisevents.com
1st Redefinition Spartacus Cruise (May 13-20, 2023, from 1149 euros)
In 2023, the Redefinition cruise becomes much larger than in past editions. Through a partnership with the Germans from Spartacus, Redefinition has chartered the entire cruise ship for an 8-day/7-night experience dedicated exclusively to the gay market.
Themed parties on board include the following: a “sports” night where sneakers, gym shorts and tight T-shirts are worn; kinky night; sailor uniform parties; and a sea day with drag parties.
Redefinition Spartacus Cruise stops will be Portoferraio (Elba); Rome (Lazio); Livorno (Tuscany); Villefranche sur Mer (French Riviera).
For more info about this cruise please visit this link: Redefinitioncruise.it
Cruise4bear – an all-gay cruise – Big Med (May 13 – May 20, 2023)
An all-gay team (over 250 employed bears, chasers, daddies, and chubs), the ability to do naturism/nudism without any judgment, and most importantly, such a wide range of entertainment designed for the international bear community.
What better to wish for? This all-gay cruise, with unprecedented value for money, will give you a taste of the queer movida (including kinky parties and drag parties) and introduce you to unusual destinations such as Elba Island, Monaco and Corsica, as well as more classic stops such as Rome and Florence.
Prices start at €1099 per person, to which you can add the drinks package that starts at €232 (with unlimited beer, house wine and more).
Visit this page to find out more: cruise4bears.com
Gay day excursions to add to Atlantis cruise
If, among the cruises we offer, you have chosen Atlantis’ incredible Odyssey of the Seas, you have the opportunity to make your experience even more inclusive and gay friendly thanks to the daily shore excursions we have prepared between Rome, Pompeii, Capri, Palermo and La Spezia.
In Rome, for example, our openly gay or gayfriendly guide will take you on an approximately 6-hour excursion to discover the mysterious people of the Etruscans, the ancient people known for being totally free and open to same-sex sex and orientation.
In Cagliari, on the other hand, we will take you to discover the historic center, but we will also give you an unforgettable experience on a sailing boat, leaving you time to dive, sunbathe, and enjoy the clear waters in front of the town and along the bay.
