Popular Gay Cruise Vacations

Gay cruise vacations are not new. However, they are recently becoming more mainstream with each new travel season. Gay travel cruises are primarily offered by specialty cruise lines with destinations to trendy fun spots. In fact, it's now very common for gay cruise lines to venture to the same ports preferred by traditional cruise vacationers. Popular destinations now include all the scenic trips to many of the usual sun-drenched beaches. Like all cruise passengers, gay cruise travelers can now also enjoy lively, exciting ports of call. There are also growing numbers of specialty cruise itineraries that mainly target vacation spots of large gay communities.

The hottest gay cruise itineraries are international and include countries like Iceland, Scandinavia, Canada and South America. Of course, traditional gay cruises are still fairly popular for the Caribbean, South Pacific and Europe venues. Cruise vacations are flourishing very rapidly with many new cruise line companies planning to setting up shop during the next few years.

Still, the limited number of gay cruise destinations can make it a little challenging to match the perfect or convenient travel dates with itineraries. At the same time, same-sex or gay couples should not waver in taking a general cruise if it better suits their budget or schedule, or if they just don't want to be stereotyped because of their sexual preferences.

Once onboard a gay cruise liner, gay guests frequently expect and are willing to pay for the special services which are considered of utmost importance to them. Now both traditional and specialty cruise lines provide packages that may offer separate gay and lesbian entertainment activity schedules. For example, gay cruises often include special cocktail parties early in the trip so that passengers to get better acquainted. Moreover, various activities are added throughout the cruise. Further, shore excursions may be organized to visit targeted gay community ports of call. Some cruises also feature onboard seminars about particular gay concerns. Therefore gay cruises are often available at pricing that can be higher than that of more mainstream cruises. Because of the specialized and focused nature of certain services, gay cruises may cost up to 20% more than general consumer cruises.

Two well-known cruise lines are:

Atlantis Gay Cruises Lines remains among the hottest and most popular lines around. This company charters Royal Caribbean's newest vessel, Freedom of the Seas. Contact: 800.6.ATLANTIS (628.5268)

Source Events, a gay travel company, is providing their offerings through Gay Naturists International, a nonprofit social organization. Their luxury staterooms on the cruise start at $3,199, not including airfare and port taxes. Information: Source Events (888) 768-7238.

Bon Voyage!