There are many types of gay cruises, and if you’re trying to decide which one to book, it’s important to know what your options are—not just in terms of destinations, but in terms of amenities, activities and events, and destinations.
For those who have never been on a gay cruise before, cruise directors and travel experts generally recommend that the first you pick should be a group gay cruise. So what does that mean? Basically, a group gay cruise is for those who wish to vacation among their peers while still vacationing on a cruise that doesn’t specifically cater to them on the whole. The other option is a cruise in which the entire ship’s catalog of events and activities are geared toward gay culture, and destinations for entertainment, leisure, and relaxation at ports are sure to be enjoyable and worthwhile.
It’s obviously up to the traveler which is a better fit, but gay and lesbian cruises can be a great time and make for the perfect getaway from work and life on land for those looking for events, activities, and destinations that make them the central focus rather than just another group onboard. Oftentimes, this will mean that gay cruises will take travelers to a resort destination for all gay cruise travel groups.
Among some of the most famous gay cruises in the world has to be the MS Volendam of Holland America. This ship goes to various destinations, but in recent history, an all-gay cruise known as the “Legendary Danube” was one for the record books. Some of the port destinations included Nuremburg, Linz, Melk, Vienna, and Budapest, just to name a few. The Volendam is an exceptional ship perfect for gay cruises. It has nearly a 1,500-person capacity, a superior crew and staff, and all-inclusive packages for dining, events, and other amenities.
Atlantis Travel has to be one of, if not the most well known gay travel planners in the world. In 2011, Atlantis will be treating its travelers to all-inclusive gay cruises to the Caribbean on the Serenade of the Sea operated by Royal Caribbean. This seven-day cruise takes you from the port of Puerto Rico to Curacao, Aruba, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and back to San Juan, Puerto Rico with plenty of time at sea in between destinations. Ocean view staterooms are available for as low as $1,299, and other fantastic deals for just $100 to $200 more will put you in a balcony stateroom with a private deck.
Gay cruises booked through Atlantis and other likeminded travel planners offer the best in on-land excursions. In addition, many times cruise packages will come complete with deeply discounted airfare and discounts on other amenities. You may also benefit from all-inclusive deals that offer hotel stays and much more. There’s no reason not to enjoy a cruise—from the Caribbean to Europe and beyond, there’s sure to be a cruise to fit your budget while offering exactly what you’re looking for.
Photo via Andrew_Squirrel
