Gaycation
Welcome to Gaycation, where we’ve done the legwork on cruising as LGBTQ+. Wondering if you’ll feel welcome onboard? From inclusive atmospheres to allyship in action, we’re here to answer what each line brings to the table for our community. Explore ship life, events, and support networks, so you can set sail knowing you’re not just welcome—you’re embraced.
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Safe Space
Many cruise lines, particularly Celebrity Cruises and Virgin Voyages promote a safe space for all onboard.
Weddings
Some cruise lines offer same sex marriages, this all depends on where the ship is registered. more info below.
Meet Ups
More and more cruise lines host LGBTQ+ meet ups. its a great way to meet friends for the cruise and for life.
Virgin Voyages
Pride themselves on being friendly not just to the LGBTQ+ community, but to all communities regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. You're invited to come as you are!
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrate pride month by hoisting the pride flag and hosting a pride party on each cruise on every ship. No matter the time of year we always feel at home onboard
Cunard
Made an entrance to Sydney's Mardi Gras! They teamed up with drag queens for World Pride too!
Sailawaze Awards
Celebrity Cruises and VIVA Cruises took home awards for inclusiveness. Particularly LGBTQ+ events, cruises and welcoming environments
Royal Caribbean
is dedicated to ensuring that our diverse guests and crew from around the world feel welcomed and included during their journey with us.
VIVA Cruises
Host LGBTQ+ and friends cruise each year. this years sailed into Amsterdam. 2025's will be announced and open for booking soon!
Meet Me Onboard
Traveler's can meet LGBTQ+ peers before their trip, forming friendships and gaining confidence for a great queer adventure on the seas!
Allyship: tried and tested
Celebrity Cruises
- Same Sex Marriage?
- Yes, in fact they're proud to be the first to do so at sea. As their ships are all registered in Malta it is legal for them to conduct same sex ceremonies onboard.
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- Yes, these are daily, check your daily planner for details.
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- Yes, one pride party per cruise is celebrated onboard each ship, fleet wide. The pride flag is also hoisted on the bow for the duration.
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- Yes, They regally sponsor Miami pride and have sponsored others globally. They were the first cruise line to sponsor and event anywhere in the world.
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- Yes, we have done on every celebrity cruise. Both from LGBTQ+ meet ups and in passing whilst about the ship
- Crew Attitude?
- The staff are very inclusive and inclusivity runs through the core of the brand. From the first American female captain at sea, to promoting inclusive photos for vacation marketing, to not assuming two men in a room = two single beds.
Cunard
- Same Sex Marriage?
- No, due to the fact their ships are registered in Bermuda and the UK.
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- Yes, these are daily, check your daily planner for details.
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- No, not that we're aware of, however they change their logo for the month of pride.
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- Yes, They regularly sponsor Southampton pride alongside P&O Cruises. They have made some spectacular entrances into Sydney harbour for their pride events too!
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- Yes, we have done on both our Cunard cruises. Its not uncommon for same sex couples to be ballroom dancing too.
- Crew Attitude?
- lets face it, Cunard are more concerned if you've dressed appropriately for dinner rather than your sexual orientation. We felt welcomed onboard and encouraged to be ourselves.
Fred Olsen
- Same Sex Marriage?
- No, As they only perform vow renewals. These are open to anyone. Fred Olsen has used the language "Partner" rather than Husband/Wife.
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- No, Fred Olsen does not offer any organised meet ups for any groups.
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- No, not that we're aware of.
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- None
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- Yes, we did whilst we were onboard. We are also invited by Fred Olsen to travel, showing their willingness to accommodate LGBTQ+ people onboard. Fred Olsen do cater to an older crowd with more traditional values, however everyone we interacted with treated us like anyone else.
- Crew Attitude?
- The crew couldn't have been friendlier and the fact we were a gay couple made no difference. Our beds were arranged as singles on arrival as you couldn't preference before hand; this was quickly changed by our cabin steward.
Holland America Line
- Same Sex Marriage?
- Yes and No, Same-sex legal weddings are currently offered ashore, in U.S. ports and in ports abroad, where legally permissible. However, symbolic same-sex ceremonies can be performed at sea or at select ports of call.
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- Yes, these are well attended, but not always at the best venues onboard.
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- No, not that we're aware of.
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- Holland America Line marched in Seattle Pride alongside Princess and Seabourn
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- Yes, although only in passing - we were far too busy exploring Alaska!
- Crew Attitude?
- The crew were great, it really didn't matter that we were a same sex couple, we were like anyone else.
Norwegian Cruise Line
- Same Sex Marriage?
- NCL Make no reference to same sex couples on their wedding planning pages
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- Yes, NCL host these - check your mailing planner
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- No, not that we're aware of.
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- No, not that we're aware of
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- No, we were with family on this cruise, although we did notice some in passing.
- Crew Attitude?
- Crew were friendly on the most part, except for one incident with a crew member that noticeably treated us differently. Other people who have sailed with them (above) have had a great time!
P&O Cruises
- Same Sex Marriage?
- No, due to the fact their ships are registered in Bermuda and the UK.
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- Yes, these are daily, check your daily planner for details.
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- No, not that we're aware of, but they do change their logo for the month of pride.
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- Yes, They regularly sponsor Southampton pride alongside Cunard
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- Yes, we have done on both our P&O Cruises, including same sex parents.
- Crew Attitude?
- Staff are generally inclusive onboard and many of the crew identify as LGBTQ+. P&O Cruises demographic does tend to have more traditional values; however La Voix a UK drag queen hasperformed onboard.
Princess Cruises
- Same Sex Marriage?
- No, due to the fact their ships are registered in Bermuda, However symbolic ceremonies are available to book and welcomed onboard.
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- Yes, these are daily, check your daily planner for details.
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- No, not that we're aware of, but they do change their logo for the month of pride.
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- Princess marched in LA's pride alongside sister brands Holland America and Seabourn
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- Yes, the LGBTQ+ Meet ups are well attended and we made quite a few friends!
- Crew Attitude?
- Its the original Love Boat and Princess Cruises encourage you to be yourself, this is echoed by the crew members onboard
Silversea
- Same Sex Marriage?
- No, Silversea does not offer any services to anyone
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- No, not on our cruise
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- No
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- No, although its mothership Royal Caribbean Group celebrates and has a presence globally
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- Yes, there were at least 3 other couples onboard
- Crew Attitude?
- Amazing, our butler (yes you read that right!) treated us no different to any other. Our room was made up as a double and the other crew around the ship couldn't have done more for us.
VACAYA
- Although we've never tried VACAYA, we think they're worthy of a mention! They charter cruise ships for inclusive LGBTQ+ vacations - they also do land based too!
- Same Sex Marriage?
- No, However they may be offered by the ships they charter
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- Yes! the whole cruise/vacation is one big LGBTQ+ meet up.
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- Only when a cruise falls over pride month
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- Yes, VACAYA is well represented at pride events
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- As the ships are chartered exclusively for VACAYA, im sure you'll meet other LGBTQ+ people.
- Crew Attitude?
- VACAYA is the first large-scale adults-only vacation company on the earth built for the entire LGTBQIAPK community and their straight ally friends.
VIVA Cruises
- Same Sex Marriage?
- No, VIVA Cruises does not offer any services to anyone
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- No, although VIVA Cruises hosts a yearly LGBTQ+ and friends cruise each year
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- Yes, events are held onboard.
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- Yes, VIVA Cruises has attended pride and is a proud member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- Yes, but as the ships are smaller dont expect this to always be the case.
- Crew Attitude?
- The crew's attitude was great, as were our fellow passengers. Many positions within VIVA Cruises are held by LGBTQ+ both ashore and onboard. We wouldn't hesitate to sail with them again!
Virgin Voyages
- Although we've not voyaged with Virgin (yet), we think they're worthy of a mention!
- Same Sex Marriage?
- Kind of, VV have just launched their wedding program. No ceremony onboard is legally binding, they are symbolic. As their ships are registered in the Bahamas, VV will never be able to offer legal services to same sex couples.
- LGBTQ+ Meet Ups?
- No, a come as you are policy is embraced bow to stern
- Is Pride Month Celebrated?
- Oh Yes! Events are held across all Lady Ships
- Visibility at Pride Events?
- Yes, Virgin have had a presence at many events
- Did you meet other LGBTQ+ People?
- We're yet to loose our Virginity...
- Crew Attitude?
- (Another Sailors view) Virgin doesn’t have ‘LGBT’ meet ups like other cruise lines, simply because they don’t need too! One of their mottos is ‘come as you are’ wear what you want, love who you want & cruise how you want. Plus they have The Diva on every ship, what says gay rights more than a Drag Queen!?
Going Ashore?
While your cruise line may provide a secure environment, it's important to be aware that some countries have more stringent cultural norms and legal regulations when you go ashore. To be on the safe side check out the LGBTQ+ travel guides offered by
