Atlantis and Other Amazing Gay Cruises in the Caribbean
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The gay cruise industry took off in the 1970s, amidst the cultural revolutions that encouraged pride and equality for people who did not identify as heterosexual.
We've come a long way since then, with most major cruise lines now being inclusive of all sexualities and genders. But sometimes you want to be nestled in the safety of your community.
For these occasions, we bring you some of the loudest and proudest gay cruises.
4. Olivia Cruises
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Duration: Varies
Destination: Worldwide
Price: Varies
The Experience: Olivia Cruises
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A veteran queer cruise company, Olivia has been organizing cruises for lesbians and non-binary people since 1973. In 2023, the company celebrated 50 years of bringing equality to the sea.
You can expect a personalized, all-inclusive experience, with all meals and gratuities paid for in the ticket. Events vary but usually involve fun group excursions, live concerts and loud parties to attend. The company's cruises vary by year, but take guests all over the world — from Tahiti to Mexico and the Greek isles.
What people most love about Olivia is that it builds a sense of community. First-timers always leave with new friends, which is why people enjoy doing a cruise with them year after year. Partying and traveling are great, but there's nothing like expanding your chosen family.
Book an Olivia Lesbian Cruise.
3. Vacaya Caribbean Gay Cruise
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Duration: 7 nights
Destination: Fort Lauderdale, Puerto Rico, Saint Croix, Antigua
Price: $1,497+
The Experience: Vacaya Caribbean Gay Cruise
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Vacaya is another gay travel company that books cruise ships to take people out of the closet and into the ocean. Here, the emphasis is definitely on partying. The whole cruise is a giant celebration where the days may blur together. If this sounds like exactly the kind of vacation you need, don't hesitate to jump right in.
You'll have a couple of days out at sea where time will be spent at loud pool parties in the morning and giant live-music parties at night. At several points during your seven-night stay, you can also expect costume parties. And to make sure you have a good time, the cruise offers some pretty generous drink packages.
If you can get out of bed in the morning, you'll also have the chance to do off-shore excursions in San Juan, Saint Croix and Antigua.
This Vacaya cruise welcomes anyone from the queer community, as well as allies. After all, the more, the merrier.
Book a Vacaya Caribbean Gay Cruise.
2. Celebrity's Pride Party at Sea
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Duration: 8 nights
Destination: All around the world
Price: $700+
The Experience: Celebrity's Pride Party at Sea
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Celebrity Cruises proudly claims that its annual pride party is the largest in the sea. Rather than one cruise, this celebration happens across the world with different fleets. It kicks off with one cruise, and once that one has ended it "passes on" the party torch to the next ship, and so on for the entire month of June.
This gives you the chance to choose which cruise you want to take. Rest assured, in all of them, you'll get pride-worthy parties, concerts and entertaining events. To balance everything out, you can also do offshore excursions, fitness classes or book treatments at onboard spas.
Book a Celebrity Pride Party at Sea cruise.
1. Atlantis South Caribbean Gay Cruise
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Duration: 7 nights
Destination: Miami, Bahamas, Haiti, Dominican Republic
Price: $1,199+
The Experience: Atlantis South Caribbean Cruise
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If you want your cruise to be loud, messy and so much fun you'll probably question if it was a good idea to board, book the Atlantis South Caribbean cruise.
Atlantis Events is famous for organizing wild cruise parties, and this particular one takes place in Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. The ship is divided into seven "neighborhoods" so you couldn't run out of things to do here if you tried. There is a surf simulator, an ice rink, a theatre that shows Broadway hits, a comedy club, a garden and even zip lines. Two of the seven days will be spent at sea, and you won't even mind. There is simply too much fun to be had.
When you do leave the ship, however, you'll be enjoying time in gorgeous Caribbean islands, including the often-neglected Haiti.
Book an Atlantis Gay Cruise.