gay cruise 2023 asia

New! Atlantis Asia Cruise from Singapore to Bangkok

Lifestyle - LGBTQ Plus

About this Cruise

Atlantis returns to Asia in a big way in 2023 with an all-new, all-gay cruise from Singapore to Bangkok. In 9 magical nights, you’ll explore five of the world’s enthralling destinations from island paradises to thriving metropolises to fascinating temples. All as we sail the magnificent Norwegian Jewel, recently upgraded in every way and the perfect ship for exploring and enjoying all that Atlantis has to offer. Get onboard this once in a lifetime exotic adventure for 2100 guys from all corners of the planet. There’s never been an Atlantis cruise like this with amazing low fares starting at just $1099 for 9 nights of pure magic.

Sail Date(s):

Saturday, nov 11, 2023.

Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand

Cruise Line:

Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruise Ship:

Norwegian Jewel

Cruise Type:

Private Group Cruise

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The Ultimate Gay Cruise Guide

Atlantis cruises.

LA to Mexico Cruise

October 23 – 30, 2023.

Get ready for the biggest party in the West when Atlantis takes over the massive Navigator of the Seas for a week of non-stop thrills and epic adventures. Sail from LA to Mexico’s best beaches with 3100 guys from around the world. With more incredible places for a party than any other ship, Navigator is the perfect setting for our friendliest and easiest cruise of the year. With fares starting at just $899 it’s the best deal ever in all-gay vacations!

Singapore to Bangkok Cruise

November 11 – 20, 2023.

Atlantis returns to Asia in a big way in 2023 with an all-new, all-gay cruise from Singapore to Bangkok. In 9 magical nights, you’ll explore five of the world’s enthralling destinations from island paradises to thriving metropolises to fascinating temples. All as we sail the magnificent Norwegian Jewel, recently upgraded in every way and the perfect ship for exploring and enjoying all that Atlantis has to offer.

Get onboard this once in a lifetime exotic adventure for 2100 guys from all corners of the planet. There’s never been an Atlantis cruise like this with amazing low fares starting at just $1099 for 9 nights of pure magic.

Oasis Caribbean Cruise

January 21 – 28, 2024.

Get onboard our all-new edition of the most outrageously fun cruise Atlantis has ever created! We’re sailing the fantastic Oasis of the Seas from Miami to four thrilling Caribbean islands to create a star-studded festival of pure excitement unlike anything you’ve ever imagined.   

Join 5200 guys from around the world for seven fabulous nights packed full of awe-inspiring parties, superstar performers, great friends, and endless surprises. There’s nothing like the Atlantis January cruise on sea or land. You have to experience this one for yourself.

Virgin Exotic Southern Caribbean Cruise

March 16 – 23, 2024.

Atlantis charts a new course in 2024 when we set sail on Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages from San Juan to four of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Discover a new way to play with unforgettable experiences everywhere! In seven magical nights you’ll discover jaw-dropping entertainment, fabulously original dining, gorgeous design, spectacular service and so much more on the dazzling new Brilliant Lady. It’s the perfect match of Virgin Voyages design plus Atlantis’ sensational entertainment and fun!

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Cruise itinerary.

• October 23 Los Angeles, CA Depart 4:00 pm
• October 24 Awesome Day at Sea
• October 25 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Arrive 12:00 pm - Depart 6:00 pm
• October 26 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Arrive 11:00 am -
• October 27 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Depart 2:00 am
• October 27 Mazatlán, Mexico Arrive 12:00 pm - Depart 6:00 pm
• October 28 Great Day at Sea
• October 29 Relaxing Day at Sea
• October 30 Los Angeles, CA Arrive 6:00 am
• November 11 Singapore, Singapore Depart 7:00 pm
• November 12 Port Klang (Kuala Lampur), Malaysia Arrive 9:00 am - Depart 7:00 pm
• November 13 Langkawi Island, Malaysia Arrive 11:00 am - Depart 7:00 pm
• November 14 A Relaxing Day At Sea
• November 15 Playful Day at Sea
• November 16 Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam Arrive 8:00 am - Depart 11:59 pm
• November 17 An Indulgent Day at Sea
• November 18 Sihanoukville, Cambodia Arrive 7:00 am - Depart 7:00 pm
• November 19 Ko Samui, Thailand Arrive 8:00 am - Depart 6:00 pm
• November 20 Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand Arrive 6:00 am
• January 21 Miami Depart 4:30 pm
• January 22 Nassau, Bahamas Arrive 8:00 am - Depart 4:00 pm
• January 23 Coco Cay, Bahamas Arrive 7:00 am - Depart 5:00 pm
• January 24 Extraordinary Day at Sea
• January 25 Labadee, Haiti Arrive 8:00 am - Depart 5:00 pm
• January 26 Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Arrive 10:00 am - Depart 6:00 pm
• January 27 Awesome Day at Sea
• January 28 Miami Arrive 7:00 am
• March 16 San Juan, Puerto Rico Depart 8:30 pm
• March 17 Epic Day at Sea
• March 18 Oranjestad, Aruba Arrive 9:00 am - Depart 11:59 pm
• March 19 Willemstad, Curacao Arrive 9:00 am - Depart 11:59 pm
• March 20 Relaxing Day at Sea
• March 21 Martinique Arrive 9:00 am - Depart 7:00 pm
• March 22 Basseterre, St Kitts Arrive 8:00 am - Depart 5:00 pm
• March 23 San Juan, Puerto Rico Arrive 7:00 am
• South Africa

Destinations

Get in touch.

Istanbul to Athens on Oceania Riviera

Small Ship Luxury. Big Ship Excitement.

See it all this summer on the luxurious Oceania Riviera with an all-gay cruise that spans four enthralling countries in seven magical nights. From the pyramids of Egypt to the diverse cultures of Cyprus to the playground of Mykonos, you’ll see more of the Med than ever on a week filled with thrilling Atlantis entertainment and friends. It’s the perfect combination of intimate luxury and big-ship fun for 1200 very lucky guests.

COMING SOON!

Get Ready for The Big One. And More!

Our new 2025 season of all-gay cruises goes on sale in early May, including our all-new sailing on the 5500 guest Allure of the Seas! It’s our 35th anniversary of creating magical vacations for our community, and we have a lot in store for you!

Sign up for our email list today and be the first to know!

All Gay Cruises

Istanbul to Athens Cruise

July 17 - 24, 2024 Oceania Riviera

Explore more than ever with our most exotic new all-gay cruise from Istanbul to Athens on the luxurious Oceania Riviera. Our non-stop adventure takes you to Egypt’s pyramids, Crete's treasures, the fascinating culture of Cyprus, and a day to play in Mykonos. It’s seven days of true sensory overload custom designed for 1200 very lucky guests, ready to be dazzled by Atlantis’ thrilling performers and Oceania’s legendary food and service.

Athens to Barcelona Cruise

August 4 - 13, 2024 Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady

SOLD OUT! Island-hop through five countries next summer with an all-new sailing from Athens to Barcelona on Virgin Voyages sensational new Resilient Lady. In nine action-packed nights you’ll explore Mykonos, Turkey, Malta, Sicily, Corsica, Capri, and Mallorca with 2700 guys from around the world. Sail the Med with the perfect mix of exotic exploration, spectacular entertainment, outrageous parties, and great friends onboard the newest and most welcoming ship in the world. Featuring eye-popping design, incredible fully-included dining, superior service and so much more. All from just $1499 -- our best deal ever to the Med!

Barcelona to London Cruise

August 13 - 23, 2024 Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady

SOLD OUT! Experience more than ever on our all-new Barcelona to London cruise aboard Virgin Voyages sensational new Resilient Lady. Journey between Europe’s gay capitals of Barcelona and London to explore the streets of Seville, Lisbon’s magical harbor, the vineyards of Bordeaux and so much more. All during the height of summer to create the perfect blend of amazing destinations, sensational entertainment, welcoming parties, and great friends. Featuring eye-popping design, incredible fully-included dining, superior service and so much more.

Halloween San Diego to Mexico Cruise

Oct 26 - Nov 2, 2024 Holland America Line MS Koningsdam

SOLD OUT! Halloween sizzles in 2024 when Atlantis returns to San Diego to sail the gorgeous Koningsdam to Mexico’s best beaches including Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan. An epic week of outrageous parties, sizzling entertainment, and nonstop fun awaits our 2500 guys from around the world. It’s our easiest and friendliest cruise of the year, with amazing low fares from just $849!

35th Anniversary Caribbean Cruise

February 3 - 10, 2025 Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

The big one is bigger and better than ever in 2025! Get onboard the world's largest gay cruise when we sail the spectacular Allure of the Seas from Miami to the best of the Caribbean. Join 5500 guys from around the world for an insanely fun week of incredible parties, sensational entertainment, massive outdoor concerts, great friends, and so much more. Seven fabulous nights from just $1299!

All Gay Resorts

Fun in unexpected ways with friends old and new. Always smiling, sometimes silly. It's the way we play.

The best parties on land or sea, with outrageous themes and world-class productions for every musical taste.

Stellar entertainment from our community and beyond. From superstars to soon-to-be-stars.

Awesome experiences in the world's most exciting destinations.

For over 30 years, Atlantis Events has hosted iconic all-gay vacations in some of the most stunning and exotic places on the planet. What started as a “gay week on the beach with friends” has since turned into the largest gay-owned company in the world dedicated to creating unique vacations for LGBTQ travelers. Today, we host more than 20,000 guests a year, but we’re still dedicated to creating a welcoming community of passionate, like-minded people, where travelers can relax, be themselves, have fun, meet new friends, and learn new things.

Each Atlantis cruise or resort offers a carefree experience based around friendship, camaraderie, relaxation, indulgence, adventure, and pure uninhibited fun. Beautiful locations, fantastic entertainment and legendary parties set the the stage for the magic that happens when a diverse group comes together and everyone is free to be themselves.

That’s the way we play, and it’s why our guests return year after year. So what are you waiting for? Experience Atlantis for yourself.

SINGAPORE TO BANGKOK CRUISE 2023

Atlantis returns to Asia in a big way in 2023 with an all-new, all-gay cruise from Singapore to Bangkok. In 9 magical nights, you’ll explore five of the world’s enthralling destinations from island paradises to thriving metropolises to fascinating temples. All as we sail the magnificent Norwegian Jewel, recently upgraded in every way and the perfect ship for exploring and enjoying all that Atlantis has to offer.

Get onboard this once in a lifetime exotic adventure for 2300 guys from all corners of the planet. There’s never been an Atlantis cruise like this with amazing low fares starting at just $999 for 9 nights of pure magic.

• Accomodations

Beyond Your Imagination

Set sail in a new direction with our custom itinerary between two of the world’s most iconic cities, Singapore and Bangkok – both wonders on their own and the perfect endpoints to an extraordinary experience.

Singapore welcomes all. A tiny but mighty nation-city of endless wonder, and innovation. From fascinating iconic architecture to the world’s best shopping to streets packed with history and charm. And then there’s the food! No place on earth has more delectable choices at all levels than Singapore. Except maybe Bangkok!

Nine days later, you’ll arrive in the bustling, multi-layered city of Bangkok, where revered traditions and history blend seamlessly into a pulsing modern city. Thrill at the wonder and majesty of the city’s many temples and palace sights. Lose yourself in the vibrant markets. Take a boat trip down Chao Praya. And discover a world of never-ending delight in Bangkok’s fascinating food scene. We’ll make it easy to explore both cities with pre and post-cruise programs available in late March.

The Contrasts of Malaysia

Our first stop is Port Klang, gateway to Malaysia’ capital city of Kuala Lumpur, one of the worlds’ fastest growing cities dotted with landmarks ranging from skyscrapers to mosques to gleaming parks and fascinating neighborhoods. Don’t miss the iconic twin towers, Batu caves, or incredible Chinatown. Markets abound offering virtually everything you can imagine!

The other side of Malaysia awaits when we visit the serenely beautiful tropical island of Langkawi. This UNESCO Heritage Site is the center of an archipelago of over 90 distinct islands in the Andaman Sea, brimming with life on in a unique natural landscape surrounded by pearl white beaches. From ancient rainforests to warm tropical waters to superb duty-free shopping, there’s no island with so much to offer in all of Asia.

A Taste of Vietnam & Cambodia

After two relaxing days at sea you’ll arrive in Ho Chi Minh city via the nearby port town of Phu My. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh is one of Asia’s most exciting cities. The economic heart of Vietnam has become a vibrant metropolis where old and new Vietnam blend seamlessly together in a city always looking towards the future. Our extended stay allows you plenty of time to explore it like a local. Just watch out for the city’s legendary traffic.

The coastal town of Sihanoukville, Cambodia boasts some of the most pristine beaches in Asia and offers a fascinating glimpse into authentic life on gulf of Thailand. Excellent dive sites and amazing seafood compete with ancient temples to welcome savvy travelers.

Amazing Thailand

Atlantis returns to the land of smiles in a big way, starting with the picture-perfect tropical island of Ko Samui. Thailand’s second largest island is ringed with powder white beaches surrounding dense mountainous rainforest. From magical Buddhist temples to vibrant beach towns, to crystal-clear waters, there are few places like it on earth.

After your glorious island day, we’ll sail on to Bangkok – the thriving heart of Thailand and a city of endless contrasts. Explore the Grand Galace, golden Buddha, and other historical sites with ease. Shop everywhere – from upscale boutiques to thai designers to a cornucopia of intriquing local markets. Take in the city’s famous gay nightlife with special events designed just for Atlantis.

And eat. Everything. Everywhere. All at once. There’s no better food scene in the world with something for all palates, styles, and tastes. You’ll never look at Thai food the same way again!

We’ll make it easy to explore Bangkok with a robust add-on package at top hotels with expert guides. Details will be available in late March.

One Magnificent Ship

You’ll sail with 2300 friends from around the world on the stunning Norwegian Jewel for the ultimate cruise through Asia. Fresh from a multi-million-dollar upgrade, Jewel features a fantastic spacious central pool deck, with incredible open spaces for dancing under the sun and stars. You’ll love her innovative modern look, enticing restaurants, full-service spa, and spectacular performance venues.

While we sail between these amazing ports, there’s plenty to do onboard to keep you entertained, from daytime pool games to our festive afternoon T-dances. Take in an afternoon game of bingo, indulge in a leisurely brunch or a playful game of volleyball, or just find a quiet deck chair. When you’re ready to soothe yourself after a long day of touring, drop into the spectacular spa with every imaginable treatment along with one of the largest and most complete fitness centers at sea.

Dazzling Entertainment

Our three story theater invites you to marvel at Atlantis’ stellar entertainers from around the globe. From Broadway stars to legendary drag acts to our own sizzling production shows there’s nothing like an Atlantis show. Anywhere! We’ll even feature local performers to showcase sone of the region’s rich history and blossoming gay entertainment scene!

Throughout your cruise you’ll find entertainment everywhere you look with top gay comics, cabaret acts, piano bar entertainers and so much more in the inviting Spinnaker lounge and other venues. Get ready to be amazed!

All the Magic from $999 There’s never been a better time to explore Asia and we’re thrilled to offer this amazing cruise at low fares that start at just $999. It’s the perfect mix of exotic destinations and sensational entertainment. Get onboard our all-new Singapore to Bangkok cruise today for an unforgettable adventure with great friends from around the world!

Celebrate Together

There’s no better way to celebrate the joy of our community together than on a dance floor. Imagine dancing under the stars to our diverse and spectacular parties in one of the best settings we’ve ever had for a party. All featuring concert sound, awesome lighting, dazzling lasers, mesmerizing video, and the friendliest crowd yet. The world’s top gay DJs headline our signature themes and wide-ranging musical styles.

In addition to our legendary theme nights, you’ll find musical tributes to Classic Disco, 80s retro, great divas from the 90s, and a plenty of surprises. Regardless of your taste in music, or temperament for a party, we’ll find a way to get you out on the dance floor.

The Pure Joys of Exploring

Atlantis returns to Asia with the perfect mix of exotic destinations and sensational entertainment. All designed for the most diverse group ever assembled on a gay cruise.

Best of all, fares for this once-in-a-lifetime experience start at just $999 for nine magical nights. It’s one of the best values in travel – gay or otherwise – and designed to let everyone join us on the biggest adventure of 2023!

Norwegian Jewel

We know you’ll love the incredible variety of exciting venues and wonderful options onboard the Norwegian  Jewel , fresh from a multi-million-dollar bow-to-stern upgrade. In so many ways, she’s the perfect ship for the Atlantis Singapore to Bangkok Cruise.

So Many Places to Play!

It’s hard to tell which onboard space best represents  Jewel  — they all seem to hint at an amazing experience. Spinnaker Lounge hosts Atlantis comedy shows, our original cabaret performances, a little drag karaoke and even some late, late night dance parties. The two-story Stardust Theater boasts the perfect setting for Atlantis’ signature entertainers and Norwegian’s awesome production shows. Pull up a chair at Shaker’s Martini & Cocktail Bar as Atlantis’ talented piano entertainers take you on a musical journey. Try your luck in the casino or meet friends in our nine inviting bars and lounges. There’s something for every taste and style onboard.

Chill out, unwind, and relax in  Jewel’s  two sparkling pools, six hot tubs, and countless sun lounges. There’s even a water slide for the kid in all of us. Pick up a game of volleyball on the outdoor court. Or let our talented team pamper you in the Mandara Spa. Of course, there’s plenty to keep you active at Body Waves Fitness center, featuring the latest equipment and invigorating classes.

Delicious, Fun, Special, and Never Formal.

With 16 dining options, including a sushi bar, teppanyaki grill, tapas and churrascaria, there’s always something new to try on  Jewel !

From the inviting Azura and Tsar’s Palace main restaurants to the expansive Garden Café, you’ll always find a variety of tempting delights to satisfy you. As with all Atlantis cruises, there’s never a dress code or assigned tables, so you can dine whenever you choose. Our Atlantis team is always there to help you find a table with friends. Dine on American classics at O’Sheehan’s, grab a poolside snack at the Sky High Bar & Grill.

Looking for something casual? Garden Café is open almost 24 hours a day, featuring full breakfast and lunch buffets, plus casual dinner alternatives and a late-night service specially designed for Atlantis. And Sky High poolside grill offers up a variety of delights under the beautiful pacific sunshine.

Of course, the real fun begins at our six incredible specialty restaurants – perfect for a romantic night out or celebration with friends. You’ll find everything from Moderno, an authentic Brazilian steakhouse, to Chin Chin’s Teppenyaki rooms and Asian restaurant. Check out Le Bistro for a fresh take on classic French specialties. Gather a bunch of friends for a rousing Italian dinner at La Cucina. Or enjoy the perfect steak and your favorite cocktail at Cagney’s.

Still hungry after all of that? Room service* is available around the clock including 24/7 pizza delivery!

*An extra charge may apply according to the cruise line policy.

Sip, Watch, Enjoy

Jewel  was built for entertainment, starting with our massive two-story theater and continuing in the fascinating lounges throughout the ship, including Spinnaker, with wrap-around views of the sea. Enjoy a freshly muddled drink at Sugarcane Mojito Bar, or be a winner in the inviting Casino. We’ll present fresh up-and-coming acts in the colorful FYZZ Lounge. Or just settle in for a drink in one of our other inviting bars throughout the ship.

The Finest Staterooms at Sea

Jewel’s  large and comfortable staterooms all sparkle with a fresh modern look, finished in rich cherry wood. Over 70% feature private balconies with floor to-ceiling windows. Thirty-six Haven suites, and an entire deck of mini-suites offer the ultimate in luxury, including private concierge service to handle your every need. Every room is state-of-the-art with coffee makers, color televisions, comfortable duvets, and larger bathrooms than other ships. Room service is available 24 hours a day. And of course, you’ll find a friendly greeting in the morning, ice buckets filled in the afternoon, fresh towels twice a day, and a turned down bed to come home to after a long night.

And The Best Suites Ever

Thirty-six Haven suites, and an entire deck of mini-suites offer the ultimate in luxury, including private concierge service to handle your every need. The Haven’s Villas offer elaborate rooms, a private pool and sundeck, butler service, and a host of other exclusive amenities. There’s even a one-of-a-kind 3-bedroom Garden Villa offering the largest suite at sea.

There are currently no extensions for this cruise.

DAY 1 - NOVEMBER 11: Singapore, Singapore (Depart 7:00 pm)

DAY 2 - NOVEMBER 12: Port Klang (Kuala Lampur), Malaysia (Arrive 9:00 am - Depart 7:00 pm)

DAY 3 - NOVEMBER 13: Langkawi Island, Malaysia (Arrive 11:00 am - Depart 7:00 pm)

DAY 4 - NOVEMBER 14: A Relaxing Day At Sea

DAY 5 - NOVEMBER 15: Playful Day at Sea

DAY 6 - NOVEMBER 16: Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam (Arrive 8:00 am - Depart 11:59 pm)

DAY 7 - NOVEMBER 17: An Indulgent Day at Sea

DAY 8 - NOVEMBER 18: Sihanoukville, Cambodia (Arrive 7:00 am - Depart 7:00 pm)

DAY 9 - NOVEMBER 19: Ko Samui, Thailand (Arrive 8:00 am - Depart 6:00 pm)

DAY 10 - NOVEMBER 20: Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand (Arrive 6:00 am)

Bookings for the  Singapore to Bangkok Cruise 2023 cruise starts $999 Interior Cabins to $16,000 Suites. Please contact us directly at [email protected] or +17132530041 for real-time availability of spaces and for reservations.

Joe and Keith Houston, TX

Joe and Keith

We have been booking with Concierge Travel for many years. They provide access to all of the Gay Travel products available and are able to provide advice on which type of travel or specific trips will meet our needs. Concierge team members often join us on the trip and provide a few little extras to enhance the experience. We would never consider using anyone else.

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Remember… even when our offices are closed, you can book online 24×7 by clicking any of the big pink BOOK NOW buttons for your desired trip. Then, simply follow the prompts. If you already know which trip you’d like to book, start HERE . Over 99% of our guests book using our online reservations system. You’ve got this!

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Vacaya is the first  large-scale adults-only vacation company on earth built for the entire lgbtqiapk community and their straight ally friends.

VACAYA – Gay & LGBT+ Cruises & Resort Vacations Reimagined

VACAYA completely reinvents the all-gay cruise and all-inclusive gay resort concepts by opening up the experience to lesbians, bisexuals, trans persons, queer men/women, those questioning their sexuality, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and polyamorous individuals, as well as gay men who’ve enjoyed the typical gay cruise experience. VACAYA is the only large-scale adults-only vacation company on earth built for the entire LGBTQIAPK community and their straight ally friends. VACAYA offers fun easy vacations with customized itineraries, personalized service, tailored entertainment, welcoming activities, friendly parties, and transformative moments. Shared experiences with like-minded LGBT+ adults and friends give us a new perspective on the world and remind us how lucky we are to be alive. VACAYA charters the entire ship or resort so we have the freedom to express our individuality, make personal connections, celebrate life, rev up, or simply relax… together. Our mission is to fulfill the vacation dreams of all adults who believe “love is love” while giving back to the community and immersing our guests in the cultures and places we visit around the world.

All-Inclusive Resorts – Staying at a VACAYA Oasis all-inclusive resort delivers a truly relaxing and exhilarating vacation because nearly everything is included for one incredible price. Our resorts offer scores of daytime activities, exclusive nightly entertainment, gourmet restaurants, exquisite turquoise waters, and sun-soaked beaches. But that’s only the beginning. These are places where we come together and feel part of a bigger family. With so much included, all that’s left to do is have fun and enjoy the value! Occasionally, we’ll offer something altogether different with VACAYA Oasis and we’ll be sure to list all that’s included/not included on the trip’s VALUE page.

LGBT+ Cruises – Life on the open water is about savoring the good times, finding beauty in the details, appreciating friends, and discovering new ones. Sailing the seven seas is about leaving the ordinary behind. It’s the moments we spend connecting, laughing, and living life to the fullest. Its possibilities are endless and exciting. Sensual. Life changing. These experiences connect us to each other. They open our minds and unify our rhythm.

This is the spirit of VACAYA. open sea. open mind.

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VACAYA Amsterdam Pride Europe River Cruise 2024

Dates: December 9 – 16, 2023 Crystal: Mahler Departure city: Amsterdam, Netherland

Disembark city: Nuremberg, Germany

VACAYA does the Rhine River for a Christmas Market cruise. But in Luxury from Crystal. You start off in one of the world’s gayest cities Amsterdam. You sail the Rhine River to 6 stops in Germany. Includes Cologne, one of the Gayest cities in Germany. Ends in Nuremberg. This all inclusive River Cruise. It includes free flow spirits, wine, beer and non alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise. Plus most excursions. With 104 guests. You really connect with your fellow passengers. Pre and Post add ons available to make the trip even longer.

VACAYA Christmas Market Cruise 2023

Atlantis: singapore to bangkok: malaysia cambodia vietnam cruise.

Dates: November 11 – 20, 2023 NCL: JEWEL Departure city: Singapore, Singapore Disembark city: Bangkok, Thailand

Atlantis finally returns to Asia 1st time since 2019 with one amazing cruise awaiting you with amazing ports of call to Southeast Asia. Join 2200 of your closest friends and sail 10 days

RSVP Winter Caribbean Cruise

RSVP: Winter Caribbean Cruise All Inclusive Drinks

Dates: March 17- 27, 2023 NCL: Pearl Departure city: Miami, FL Disembark city: Miami, FL

Join RSVP the original gay cruise company on its 38th year of providing gay travel as it returns for 2023 season for this amazing Caribbean Cruise Vacation. In a new exciting way. With All Inclusive Drinks. This 10 night cruise throughout the Caribbean Departs. Friday March 17, 2023. This NCL ship was remodeled in 2017 and you get to explore these amazing places with 2300 new friends, Roatán, Costa Rica, Colon Panama, Cartagena Colombia and Georgetown Grand Cayman with 4 wonderful days at sea. The Pearl has 9 different restaurants on board to explore while you are at sea. So enjoy a true cruise vacation. Arrive before or stay after the cruise and enjoy a weekend in Miami.

VACAYA Christmas Market Cruise

Vacaya: Amsterdam to Nuremberg Dates: December 5 – 12, 2019 Emerald Waterways: Star-Ship Departure city: Amsterdam, Netherlands Disembark city: Nuremberg, Germany

Atlantis Winter Cruise Port Canaveral

Atlantis: Winter Cruise Port Canaveral Pre Cruise Disney World Dates: March 5 –12, 2023 NCL: Prima Departure city: Port Canaveral, FL Disembark city: Port Canaveral, FL

Be the 1st to join Atlantis and 3200 of your newest friends on board the 1st New Leonardo Class ship by NCL. The Prima. One of the most unique upper class ships to come out from NCL EVER. This ship is Gorgeous.

From Water slides, to a car speedway, to a beach club on board. Flying theater simulator and Larger rooms. Plus a Haven experience to be ultra Luxurious with an infinity pool. Did I mention, bars and restaurants galore, and many outdoor spaces.

Brand G: Malaga, Morocco Canary Islands

Brand G: Malaga, Morocco Canary Islands Dates: October 8–15, 2023 Atlas: World Navigator Departure city: Malaga, Spain Disembark city: Santa Cruz, Canary Islands

Brand g, Brings you their 1st Ever Luxury all GAY cruise for the Morocco and Canary Islands. On a Brand New Ship. It departs Malaga for 4 amazing Ports in Morocco. Tangier, Casablanca, Safi (Marrakech) then to Arrecife and Santa Cruz Canary Islands where you depart. This 5 star experience with 5 restaurants on board plus spa and only 196 passengers is the perfect way to explore Morocco. Pre and Post add ons available to make the trip even longer.

Atlantis Winter Caribbean Cruise

Atlantis: 30th Anniversary Caribbean Cruise BIG ONE REMODELED ALL NEW

Dates: January 17–24, 2021 RCCL: Allure of the Seas Departure city: Miami, FL Disembark city: Miami, FL

Prague to Budapest 2023

Dates: August 12–21, 2023 Amadeus: Silver III Departure city: Prague, Czech Republic Disembark city: Budapest, Hungary

Brand g, the leader in All Gay River boat cruises. Returns to the Danube River cruise on this Brand New Ship. You get to enjoy Prague, then we transfer you to Passau. To sail to the Danube River to three beautiful cities in Austria. Linz, Vienna and Melk. Explore where The Sound of Music was made and more. Plus it is not like any other River Cruise. It includes free flow spirits, wine, beer and non alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise. Bikes on board and more to explore the towns you stop off at. With 168 guests. You really connect with your fellow passengers. Pre and Post add ons available to make the trip even longer.

Brand G: Brussels to Amsterdam Rhine Cruise

Dates: July 28 – August 6, 2023 Amadeus: Queen Departure city: Brussels, Belgium Disembark city: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Brand g, the leader in All Gay River boat cruises. Returns to this very unique Rhine River cruise. On this 4 years old ship. Before you set sail you enjoy a few days in Brussels before heading on the Rhine River starting off in Luxenberg, then to Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem, Koblenz, Cologne, Dusseldorf and then Amsterdam. Plus it is not like any other River Cruise. It includes free flow spirits, wine, beer and non alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise. Bikes on board and more to explore the towns you stop off at. With162 guests. You really connect with your fellow passengers. Pre and Post add ons available to make the trip even longer.

VACAYA Polynesia Cruise

Dates: October 12–27, 2023 Ship: Le Boreal by Ponant

Departure city: Honolulu , Hawaii Disembark city: Papeete , Tahiti

Well, here we go again with VACAYA Breaking the Mold on Gay cruise travel. With an all gay cruise of the Hawaii to Tahiti. This ship can stop at many places that larger ships cannot. Besides exploring 3 Islands in Hawaii, you get 3 days in Bora Bora on the ship. This Brand new 5 star ship is very luxurious and what better way to explore these unique places than with 264 new friends. This 15 night cruise has almost everything included. This Brand New Ponant’s explorer Yacht, Le Boreal. Do not miss this 5 Star luxury experience to explore these ports with 244 guests.

VACAYA Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Dates: July 31– August 7, 2023 Ship: Le Dumont by Ponant

Departure city: Bergen, Norway Disembark city: Oslo, Norway

Well, here we go again with VACAYA Breaking the Mold on Gay cruise travel. With an all gay cruise of the Norwegian Fjords. Eight amazing ports of call. Ends in Oslo, Norway. This ship can stop at many places that larger ships cannot. This Brand new 5 star ship is very luxurious and what better way to explore these unique places than with 184 new friends. This 7 night cruise has almost everything included. This Brand New Ponant’s explorer Yacht, Le Dumont. Do not miss this 5 Star luxury experience to explore these ports with 184 guests.

VACAYA Venice Adratic Cruise

Dates: August 13 – 20, 2023 Ship: Le Lyrial by Ponant

Departure city: Venice, Italy Disembark city: Venice, Italy

Well, here we go again with VACAYA Breaking the Mold on Gay cruise travel. With an all gay cruise of the Adriatic Sea with a round trip from Venice, Italy. This ship can stop at many places that larger ships cannot. Such as Sibenik, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Bari, Hvar and San Marino before returning to Venice. This Brand new 5 star ship is very luxurious and what better way to explore these unique places than with 244 new friends. This 7 night cruise has almost everything included. This Brand New Ponant’s explorer Yacht, Le Lyrial. Do not miss this 5 Star luxury experience to explore these ports with 244 guests.

VACAYA Mystic Jungle Cruise

Dates: March 7 – 17 2023 Ship: Le Bellot by Ponant Departure city: Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica Disembark city: Colon, Panama

Well, here we go again with VACAYA Breaking the Mold on Gay cruise travel. With a Central America cruise. You depart and return to Costa Rica. With stops at 3 Countries and plus an overnight in Cartagena , Plus a Panama Canal crossing. A size this ship can stop at many places a larger ship cannot. This Brand new 5 star ship is very luxurious and what a way to explore these unique places than with 184 new friends. This 10 night cruise has almost everything included. This Brand New Ponant’s explorer Yacht, Le Bellot. Do not miss this 5 Star luxury experience to explore these ports with 184 guests.

VACAYA Ancient Wonders Cruise

Dates: April 16 –26, 2023 Ship: Le Jacques Cartier by Ponant Departure city: Aqaba, Jordan Disembark city: Athens, Greece

Well, here we go again with VACAYA Breaking the Mold on Gay cruise travel. With a cruise of the ancient wonders of the world. You depart from Jordan, with stops in Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and Greece. Arrive early and see Petra before boarding this amazing cruise This Brand new 5 star ship is a very luxurious way to explore these ports of call with 184 new friends. This 10 night cruise has almost everything included. This Brand New Ponant’s explorer Yacht is the perfect size of this ship. It can stop places most larger ships cannot. Do not miss this 5 star luxury experience.

Atlantis: Luxury Mediterranean Cruise

Atlantis returns to Oceania, but this time on the Brand New Ship the VISTA. Join 1200 of your closest friends to Explore these amazing ports. From Athens to Venice with an overnight in Istanbul, then Kusadasi, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, and everyone’s favorite Mykonos. Your ship is ported in Trieste, Italy outside Venice. To visit Venice on your last day.

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For almost 40 years, RSVP has created fabulous experiences for our community, bringing people together from all walks of life to celebrate who we are in new and unexpected ways. We have warmly welcomed and entertained over 150,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight-allied guests from around the world. But that’s just part of our story. Our commitment to excellence starts with full-ship charters on the world’s finest ships, big and small. The magic happens when RSVP brings together great friends, legendary service, fantastic parties, and a world of exciting entertainment in a relaxed social environment. In 2023, RSVP returns with new all-inclusive options along with fabulous accommodations, delectable meals, awesome entertainment, thrilling parties, and so much more. We’re dedicated to creating the absolute best value for you in every way. If you’ve been a part of the RSVP family for years, we can’t wait to show you all that’s new. And if you’ve never sailed with us, we make it easier than ever to discover why RSVP is exactly Where You Belong.

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12 top gay cruises you don’t want to miss in 2024 and 2025

There's never been a better time to consider a gay cruise. Itineraries include more remote destinations, and more charter companies are offering a wider variety of cruise experiences to meet the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community. Also, the ships chartered are almost uniformly elevated and luxurious.

No longer are gay and lesbian groups and full-ship charters relegated to older, tired vessels. Full-ship gay charters command big business for the cruise industry, and major cruise lines are responding by offering their newest and most exciting ships. Many charter companies will take over the entire ship, bringing aboard their own dance parties, entertainment, activities and hosts to tailor the vacation experience to their audience.

The magic of a gay cruise lies in the shared experience of traveling with your community. Each sailing fosters an environment where you can be yourself. You can choose whether to blend in with the crowd or stand out and be celebrated for your flair.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Bonds often form more quickly and naturally aboard a ship where you're surrounded by your people, especially on full-ship charters where large mixers kick off each sailing.

Expect welcome parties with themes that go beyond just a name tag, whether that's icebreaker games or an opportunity to dress up in a way that signifies where you're from or how you identify. You'll find more openness throughout the ship compared to a traditional non-themed cruise, especially on the pool deck, as many passengers seek out the experience to expand their social circle.

Don't miss the boat on making lifelong friends during an epic cruise vacation. Here are 12 of the best gay cruises in 2024 and 2025.

R Family Vacations' 2024 Summer Cruise

Date: July 7-13, 2024

Join R Family Vacations for a special group sailing on board Celebrity Beyond . While this is not a full-ship charter, R Family will host many exclusive group activities during the sailing, including performances by Broadway belters, an LGBTQ+ comedy show, dance parties, a theater camp and special R Family dinners.

The ship will depart from Fort Lauderdale, with stops in Perfect Day at CocoCay , Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Bimini, Bahamas.

R Family was the first LGBTQ+ family travel company and has been a leader in the LGBTQ+ family travel market for 20 years, creating the opportunity for queer families to connect and share in the joy of travel. The company has since expanded beyond family travel to include adults-only, small-ship sailings.

Rates for the company's summer cruise start at $920.79 per person, including taxes, fees and gratuities.

How to book: Visit R Family's website for pricing and availability, or call 917-522-0985 to book.

Vacaya's Europe River Cruise 2024

Date: Aug. 3-15, 2024

If you're looking for one of the best Pride celebrations in the world, Vacaya's Europe River Cruise 2024 is the place to be. The cruise begins with the ship docked in the heart of Amsterdam for two nights during its celebrated Pride festival. Catch the one-of-a-kind floating Pride parade that snakes its way through the city as you revel in the party atmosphere.

The travel company's Europe River Cruise will bring LGBTQ+ passengers to many ports in the Netherlands and Belgium on a luxury river ship, the newly revamped Advance by Transcend (the former Crystal Mahler).

The 12-night itinerary begins with two nights in Amsterdam, followed by stops in the Netherlands that include Volendam, Edam, Ultrecht, Nijmegen, Kinderdijk, Schoonhoven, Heusden, Rotterdam and Dordrecht. The journey finishes in Belgium with a stop in Ghent and an overnight in Antwerp. The itinerary finishes in time to make the quick trip down from Antwerp to Belgium for the stunning Flower Carpet Festival.

Rates for available cabins start at $6,997 per person based on double occupancy and do not include port fees, admin fees or gratuities. Fares do include open bar and unlimited internet. There are only a handful of cabins remaining for this summer sailing.

How to book: Check the latest cabin availability and book Vacaya's Europe River Cruise 2024 on Vacaya's website or by calling 718-504-0404.

Source Journeys' Treasures of Venice and Dalmatian Coast

Date: Aug. 17-24, 2024

Source Journeys has been a small-group LGBTQ+ charter company for more than 20 years, hosting a handful of small-ship charters and land-based tours each year. Source prides itself on a shipboard atmosphere of acceptance, where all feel welcome.

Of the company's upcoming trips planned, its summer 2024 Venice and the Dalmatian Coast cruise on Star Clippers' Royal Clipper is a highlight, as it charters the world's largest sailing ship.

The round-trip itinerary from Venice, Italy, includes a stop in Kotor, Montenegro, before hitting up the highlights of Croatia, including Dubrovnik, Zadar, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands and Rovinj.

Pricing for the seven-night cruise starts at $2,899 per person based on double occupancy. The fare does not include port fees, gratuities and pre- and post-cruise packages.

How to book: Reserve your spot on the Treasures of Venice and the Dalmatian Coast cruise via Source Journeys' website or by calling 305-672-9779.

Related: From Asheville to Prague: 11 underrated LGBTQIA+ friendly destinations to visit

Olivia's Majestic Alaska Cruise

Date: Sept. 21-28, 2024

Olivia is the most renowned and popular travel group for lesbians, having hosted more than 300 trips for 350,000-plus women. Among the many trips on the books for the next two years, Olivia will charter its first-ever large-ship Alaska cruise on Holland America 's Eurodam.

Join 2,100 women for a seven-night cruise through Alaska from Seattle. The itinerary includes visits to Juneau, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Several renowned guests and performers will also be on board.

Rates for the remaining available cabins start from $1,499 per person based on double occupancy, not including fees and airfare.

How to book: Reserve your spot on Olivia's website or by calling 800-631-6277.

Related: 15 Alaska cruise mistakes you never want to make

Atlantis Events' Halloween San Diego to Mexico Cruise

Date: Oct. 26-Nov. 2, 2024

Atlantis is the largest gay cruise charter company. When it hosts a sailing, the company takes over some of the largest ships at sea.

If you appreciate partying 'til sunrise, don't miss the chance to sail on Holland America Line's Koningsdam this fall with Atlantis' Halloween San Diego to Mexico Cruise.

Expect a one-of-a-kind fusion of Holland America Line's classic cruising experience (think white glove service and baked Alaska dessert ) with an impressive overlay of high-tech party lights and sound gear to keep the dance parties hopping day and night.

This weeklong itinerary from Los Angeles returns after a successful 2023 cruise, sailing round-trip from San Diego with a stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on its way to an extended stay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, until 2 a.m., followed by a stop in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Make sure to pack accordingly, as this sailing spans Halloween week, and you will want to dress to impress. Every night will bring a different theme, and you can be sure many of the 2,500 guests on board will dress up.

Select cabins for the fall 2024 sailing are still available, with rates from $919 per person based on double occupancy. Prices do not include gratuities, taxes and port fees.

How to book: Pick the cabin you want for the Halloween Cruise on the Atlantis website or by calling 310-859-8800.

Related: Best Caribbean cruise tips to help you make the most of your time aboard and ashore

Out Adventures' Egypt: Nile River Cruise & Cairo

Date: Nov. 8-17, 2024; March 7-16, 2025; Nov. 7-16, 2025

Check the Great Pyramids of Giza off your bucket list, trace Egypt's queer history while exploring the tomb of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, and lose yourself in Cairo's bustling bazaars on Out Adventures' nine-night Egypt tour. The trip features three nights in a hotel in Cairo, followed by a four-night Nile River cruise and two additional nights in Cairo before flying home.

You'll sail with a small group of no more than 20 gay men (and their allies and families) with excursions that'll include visits to Luxor Temple, the Royal Tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Abu Simbel temple complex.

Out Adventures has a number of gay charter cruises, some combined with land tours, planned through 2025. The trips focus on groups no larger than 40 to enable a more tight-knit sense of community and connection. Additionally, the small size allows Out Adventures' groups to travel to more exotic, remote destinations.

There are only a few spaces left for the November 2024 sailing, with more availability for the 2025 sailings. Rates for these sailings start at $5,395 per person based on double occupancy, not including taxes, tips and fees.

How to book: Book your spot on the Nile River cruise on the Out Adventures website or by calling 866-360-1152.

Related: 4 things to consider before booking an LGBTQ cruise

GaySail's Gay Nude Cruising in Tahiti

Date: Nov. 23-30, 2024

Anchors aweigh, and off with your clothes! GaySail's nude sailings offer the rare chance to sail au naturel in the safe confines of a private, full-charter catamaran.

GaySail's upcoming Tahiti cruise will take a small group of up to 14 gay men on a journey to many of the highlights of the South Pacific, including Bora Bora, Maupiti and Moorea.

GaySail has an impressive lineup of small-ship charters scheduled, including both clothing-optional and all-nude sailings. The charter company predominantly caters to European gay men (its headquarters is based in Amsterdam), but men from all around the world are welcome to join.

Pricing for the November 2024 sailing starts at 2,495 euros (about $2,696) per person, including taxes and fees.

How to book: While the experience of sailing naked will be freeing, the experience is not free. Book your reservation on the GaySail website or email [email protected] for more details.

Outbound's Rhine River Christmas Market Cruise

Date: Dec. 14-21, 2024

The best part of a winter river cruise is docking in a port that's a few steps away from the warm glow and transfixing scents of a European Christmas market. The best part of booking that cruise with Outbound, a charter company that focuses on LGBTQ+ travelers, is going to those markets with your newfound group of queer friends.

Outbound will take passengers on the Rhine River this December on Emerald Cruises' Emerald Sun. The itinerary begins in the Netherlands and alights in ports in Germany, France and Switzerland, where guests can sample the local warm chestnuts and mulled wine.

A few cabins are still available for the 2024 cruise, with rates starting at $2,997 per person based on double occupancy. Fares do not include port fees and taxes.

How to book: Reserve your spot on the Outbound website or by calling 916-683-1000.

Vacaya's Caribbean Cruise 2025

Date: Feb. 22-March 1, 2025

Now in its sixth year of large-scale charter cruises and full resort buyouts, Vacaya is changing its annual winter Caribbean itinerary in 2025. Instead of sailing round-trip from southeast Florida, this year's island getaway will depart from New Orleans. The travel operator will be chartering Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas for a sailing taking place the week prior to Mardi Gras (scheduled for March 4, 2025).

The ship will depart from New Orleans and stop in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Yucatan (Progreso), Mexico, with three days at sea.

Vacaya is the first and only large-scale travel group to openly and outwardly welcome the entire LGBTQIAPK (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, polygamous/polyamorous and kink) community and its allies.

The vibe on board is friendly and easygoing, the entertainment is Broadway-caliber and the nightly parties are more about gay anthems than house beats. The company also features an opportunity to give back on each trip with its ReachOut program, where passengers can volunteer with a local project while in port.

Fares for available cabins on the upcoming Caribbean cruise start at $1,147 per person based on double occupancy, not including port taxes, fees and gratuities.

How to book: Get up-to-the-minute availability on the cabins and their locations for the Caribbean Cruise 2025 on Vacaya's website or by calling 718-504-0404.

Related: 11 things I learned on my 1st gay cruise

Pied Piper Travel's Post-Thanksgiving Caribbean cruise

Date: Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 2024

Pied Piper's small gay groups on large-scale ships have sailed on hundreds of cruises since its inception in 1990. With more than 20 group sailings currently scheduled through February 2025, Pied Piper's globe-trotting trips span an impressive variety of destinations and themes, including trips to Alaska, New Zealand and Rio de Janeiro during Carnival.

Of the many cruises scheduled, the company's upcoming 22nd annual post-Thanksgiving cruise on Celebrity Apex is the company's most popular itinerary. Sail on Celebrity Cruises' Edge Class ship as it departs from Fort Lauderdale with stops in Basseterre, St. Kitts; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Sailing with the Pied Piper group includes a special Welcome Aboard cocktail party, private dining tables, an onboard Pied Piper host and invitations to special events and activities. The base rate for cabins available on this cruise is $1,095 per person based on double occupancy, not including taxes, gratuities and additional port fees.

How to book: For more details about Pied Piper Travel's Post-Thanksgiving Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Apex, visit Pied Piper Travel's website . Book your reservation by calling 800-874-7312.

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: Everything you need to know

Brand g Vacations' 2025 Amazon Cruise and Machu Picchu Discovery

Date: March 30-April 11, 2025

Join a small group of 40 other LGBTQ+ travelers for Brand g's four-night cruise on the Amazon River on Delfin III, an all-suite ship owned and operated by Delfin Amazon Cruises. The cruise is part of a 13-day luxury vacation package that will capture many highlights of Peru, most notably with a glass-domed train journey to Machu Picchu.

Brand g is known for its intimate, small-ship charters with a focus on all-inclusive luxury. The tour is priced based on the cruise cabin you select and still has availability in the base rate suites. Trip fares start at $7,699 per person based on double occupancy, not including taxes, tips and fees.

How to book: You can reserve a cabin for this cruise on the Brand g website or by calling 952-405-9309.

Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your 1st cruise go smoothly

Brand g's 2025 Norway, Greenland and Iceland cruise

Date: July 31-Aug. 9, 2025

Brand g continues to expand its full-ship charters for LGBTQ+ travelers and their straight allies with its 2025 Norway, Greenland and Iceland cruise. The travel operator will charter Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Voyager, a luxury expedition ship, as it sails the Arctic waters in the temperate summer months.

The all-inclusive trip includes nearly everything but the guarantee you'll spot a polar bear. You will, however, witness vast and diverse bird colonies on Clavering Island, Greenland.

The nine-night itinerary starts at the top of the world in Longyearbyen in Norway's Svalbard archipelago. Guests will visit additional Svalbard ports including Ny-Alesund and Gashamna, before crossing to Greenland, stopping in Wollaston Foreland/Clavering Island, sailing the Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, and visiting Ittoqqortoormiit and Hurry Inlet, Scoresbysund. The journey ends in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Fares for available cabins on the upcoming Norway, Greenland and Iceland cruise start at $7,999 per person based on double occupancy, not including port taxes, fees and gratuities.

How to book: Check the latest cabin availability and book Brand g's 2025 Norway, Greenland and Iceland on Brand g's website or by calling 952-405-9309.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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Protect Your Trip »

The 9 best gay cruises for 2024 (+ planning tips).

Dance parties, drag queen performances and fun destinations await on these LGBTQ voyages.

The Best Gay Cruises

Courtesy of The Cruise with La Demence

Embark on an all-gay or LGBTQ-friendly cruise for excellent entertainment, food and excursions.

Whether you are looking to hop aboard a Pride Week cruise with a major line or sail away with a smaller company that specializes in LGBTQ voyages, the following cruise operators promise a fun, safe and memorable vacation.

(Note: While many of these cruise lines sail to LGBTQ-friendly ports of call, travelers should research destinations to learn more about cultures, customs and safety in each location and determine what's right for them.)

Virgin Voyages

Atlantis events, brand g vacations, celebrity cruises, royal caribbean international, the cruise with la demence, source journeys.

Gabriel Goldberg | Courtesy of VACAYA

Founded by avid travelers Randle Roper, Patrick Gunn and John Finen, VACAYA bills itself as the first all-LGBT travel company in the full-ship charter/resort buyout sector of the travel industry to launch in more than 25 years.

"[VACAYA] was sparked by our own vacations, where we all had encountered two very different experiences," says Gunn. "The all-gay cruises were liberating, empowering and fun, but limited to a small spectrum of people. And while everyone loves a good time, there's more to a memorable vacation than just parties. Mainstream vacations offered more activities and destinations, and were accessible to a diverse set of people, but didn't always feel like a friendly, judgment-free environment."

As such, VACAYA set out to bring LGBTQ travelers from across the spectrum together in a welcoming, inclusive setting, while offering varied onboard activities and immersive itinerary options. Cruisers will enjoy traveling to ports around the world, in the Caribbean , the Galápagos, Europe , Antarctica and more. You can participate in shipwide events ranging from themed deck parties to performances by LGBTQ entertainers to rejuvenating yoga classes. Note that VACAYA's cruises are for adults only.

Previous cruisers had abundant praise for VACAYA's voyages, highlighting the company's responsiveness when booking and the kindhearted staff, as well as the genuine connections they made with other passengers on board. Many were also impressed by the events and entertainment options throughout their sailings.

In 2024, VACAYA will offer a number of voyages worldwide. The seven-night Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Apex in February will sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, with several fun-filled days at sea in addition to stops in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Antigua. In August, VACAYA has a 12-night river cruise in Northern Europe on board Advance by Transcend Cruises; this sailing includes the Amsterdam Pride event. The 11-night Antarctica expedition on Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Navigator in December 2024 is sold out, but you can join the waitlist.

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

The Virgin brand has long been known for its celebration of the LGBTQ community, and cruise line Virgin Voyages is no different. The strictly adults-only cruise operator aims to provide a unique experience, with onboard tattoo parlors, impressive live entertainment, and dining options that include more than 20 eateries and menus created by Michelin star chefs. This line gets the stamp of approval from previous LGBTQ cruisers, who praise the ships' gender-neutral bathrooms, diverse staff and onboard shows with resident drag queens.

Virgin Voyages offers gay-specific sailings through travel companies like Atlantis Events, but its more mainstream itineraries still offer a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that attracts LGBTQ cruisers year-round. Virgin hosts a number of events during Pride Month each year, including deck parties and interactive social media campaigns.

"Each June here at Virgin Voyages, we like to go big for Pride Month with larger-than-life events … all monthlong," the cruise line says in a statement on its website. "It's an important time for us – both internally within our crew and for our sailors – to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ community; who for so long has had to continually fight for equality and the right to be seen, heard and included."

Virgin Voyages sails to a variety of LGBTQ-friendly countries, including New Zealand, Greece and Spain. In June 2024, consider a seven-night sailing aboard Scarlet Lady departing from Barcelona with stops in Marseille and Cannes in France as well as Spain's Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza.

Read: The Best Cruise Lines for the Money

The world's largest gay and lesbian travel brand, Atlantis Events was founded in 1991 and welcomes more than 20,000 travelers annually on LGBTQ vacations. For its all-gay cruises, Atlantis charters megaships from popular lines like Royal Caribbean International , Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages in addition to smaller vessels with companies like Oceania Cruises so cruisers will have a fully immersive experience.

On board, travelers can enjoy all the perks these ships have to offer (think: pools, hot tubs, sports courts and plenty of dining choices), plus special events like drag performances, motivational speakers, LGBTQ movies on demand in each cabin and high-energy circuit parties across the ship.

"As an LGBTQ cruiser, you're looking for a ship with lots of entertainment, including dance parties and events," says Marcos Martinez, founder of Men Who Brunch, a Black gay lifestyle blog. "One of the best cruise [lines] for gay cruising is Atlantis, since you'll be able to meet hundreds of attractive men and party all day and night on the ship."

Atlantis hosts primarily gay men; women make up about 5% to 10% of bookings, according to the Atlantis website. Previous cruisers said the atmosphere on board was fun, friendly and welcoming, though some noted that the company's customer service could be better, especially when it comes to details about the cruise.

Due to the company's popularity, its three 2024 cruises are already sold out.

Read: The Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

Courtesy of Brand G Vacations

Specializing in all-gay river cruises – and now luxury ocean liners – Brand g Vacations was founded in 2011 and explores destinations all over the world. Chartered river cruises typically welcome between 40 and 200 LGBTQ passengers (and their straight allies), which allows cruisers to get to know one another in a smaller setting. Guests tend to skew more mature (think: 40 and older), and the line attracts both men and women.

Onboard entertainment differs slightly from larger ocean voyages: Expect more cabaret-style entertainment than massive all-night dance parties. Cruisers will also enjoy performances by drag queens, gay Broadway stars and more, on top of typical river cruise perks like sightseeing and lavish meals. Past guests recommend choosing Brand g if you're looking for a well-planned, relaxed and luxurious experience over a busier, more party-heavy vacation.

Brand g aims to provide a nearly all-inclusive cruise experience , with Mercedes or small van airport transfers, upscale hotel stays prior to embarkation, and unlimited alcoholic beverages as well as meals included in the fare. As such, prices tend to be on the high end. Plus, cruisers can feel good about their trip knowing that Brand g donates to causes in the U.S. and around the world that assist LGBTQ refugees, AIDS organizations, LGBTQ centers and more.

In 2024, Brand g sails through unique waterways around the world, including the Amazon, the Loire, the Danube, the Mekong, and the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The line's small cruise ship charters also take guests to Iceland, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Croatia and other European destinations.

Read: The Top River Cruise Lines

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Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises sets the scene for an excellent vacation for gay travelers, from its extravagant annual Pride parties to its daily LGBTQ programming throughout the year. The mainstream line has received numerous awards for its inclusivity, receiving accolades from the Cruizie Awards, TTG Travel Awards and Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards for being one of the best cruise lines for LGBTQ passengers.

LGBTQ cruisers can start their vacations off on a high note with a special welcome party on the first night of their voyage to meet other travelers on board. After night one, there are other social events for gay cruisers to party and hang out together. Additionally, Celebrity Cruises was the first cruise line to legally marry a couple at sea in 2018, and it continues to perform same-sex marriages on its ships.

Past cruisers enjoyed their voyages with Celebrity, noting that the line was welcoming, the food was delicious, and there were plenty of areas to hang out as a group with fellow LGBTQ passengers or other companions throughout the ship.

Although all itineraries are gay-friendly, consider booking a sailing during Pride Month in June for an extra special experience. Onboard entertainment during this month includes guest entertainers, a flag raising ceremony, Celebrity's signature Pride Party at Sea and more. The Italian Riviera & France cruise will depart from Barcelona on June 8, 2024, on the new Celebrity Ascent; this 10-night Mediterranean sailing stops at ports in France, Italy and Malta. Private travel companies like VACAYA also charter Celebrity ships for all-gay voyages throughout the year.

Read: Cruise Packing List: The Top Essentials for Any Cruise

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Specifically marketed toward lesbians and LGBTQ women, Olivia has hosted more than 350,000 travelers by land and sea over five decades. Cruisers can choose between river voyages or ocean sailings to destinations around the world. On the lesbian cruises, expect a mix of nostalgic decade-themed dance parties, folk singers, writing workshops, karaoke and other activities. Cruisers can also relax poolside, spend some time in the onboard spa or take it easy in one of the ships' lounges.

Travelers who are looking to connect with others who share similar backgrounds can do so in one of Olivia's specialized programs. There are group and solo traveler meetups, as well as programs like Sisters, which is for LGBTQ women of color; Gen-O, for cruisers 40 and younger; Women in Uniform gatherings, for veterans and those currently in the armed forces; and events for OWLs (which stands for "older, wiser lesbians"). Past cruisers on Olivia's voyages report feeling a true sense of community and belonging on board, resulting in a fun, carefree trip.

In June 2024, set sail with Olivia from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Dublin on Windstar Cruises' Star Legend. Or, visit the islands of Tahiti on the line's Star Breeze in September. Other cruise itineraries include Alaska, the Greek Isles, Mexico and the Panama Canal.

Read: The Best Girls Trip Ideas

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International provides a welcoming and inclusive experience for LGBTQ travelers. The popular cruise line frequently partners with Atlantis Events to offer all-gay voyages throughout the year, but even the standard sailings earn praise.

Highlights of the sailings are the ships' entertainment options (including the Tony Award-winning musical "Mamma Mia!") and attentive staff, according to past cruisers. Itineraries typically include LGBTQ meetups at the beginning of each cruise for gay travelers to meet like-minded passengers. Outside of the sailing experience, Royal Caribbean has also publicly committed to supporting the LGBTQ community throughout the year, and it was the first cruise line to earn the title "Gay Traveler Approved" from GayTravel in 2016.

In 2024, consider a Royal Caribbean voyage that sails to gay-friendly destinations. "Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, [is] full of gay bars, clubs and gay beaches," says Martinez. Hop aboard Navigator of the Seas in May for a seven-night sailing round-trip from Los Angeles that stops in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada, Mexico. Navigator of the Seas also hosts a seven-night itinerary throughout the year that calls on Mazatlan, Mexico, as well.

Ready to plan a cruise? Find the best value sailings on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Courtesy of The Cruise With La Demence

According to past cruisers, if you're looking for one of the best party scenes on the open seas, consider an all-gay cruise with La Demence. Powered by a popular gay nightclub in Brussels with the same name, La Demence – French for "the madness" – primarily caters to a European crowd. Most passengers are male, though women are also welcome.

On board, passengers should expect to dance the night away at massive deck parties that last into the wee hours of the morning. The line prides itself on its top-notch DJs, impressive light setup and electric party atmosphere. Previous cruisers had high praise for the itineraries – which exclusively visit gay-friendly locations – as well as the fruity cocktails, themed nights (costumes strongly encouraged) and glamorous entertainment. Enjoy unique events like drag bingo, high heel runs and more.

La Demence sails every summer to European destinations like Greece, Italy and Malta. The 2023 cruise was chartered on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas. Fares include all food and nonalcoholic beverages, plus access to all parties, shows and the onboard gym.

Read: The Top Party Cruises

Source Journeys has been planning luxury vacations for LGBTQ travelers for more than 20 years. The Miami-based company, with the vision of founder and chief executive officer Craig Smith, offers small group land tours and full-charter cruises for like-minded travelers with a focus on giving back to the communities they visit. The company also supports LGBTQ organizations, such as the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign.

Past guests of their tours say their fellow travelers were as fun and interesting as the destinations. They appreciated the excellent personalized planning for the trips by Smith and his life partner, Rafael Rodriguez.

The company's cruises in 2024 include a seven-night Galápagos sailing in late September on a Relais & Chateau luxury yacht: Ecoventura's new ship, Evolve. The intimate ship accommodates just 20 passengers. Source Journeys is also offering a seven-night river cruise through Burgundy and Provence, France, in June on Avalon Waterways' Avalon Poetry II, as well as a seven-night voyage from Venice along the Dalmatian Coast. This ocean cruise scheduled in August is chartered on Star Clippers' masted sailing ship, Royal Clipper.

Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to gay cruising, gone are the days of discreet "Friends of Dorothy" meetups. The term – a euphemism that dates back to the 1950s – was once used to indicate gay social events on daily cruise line programs, without explicitly calling out members of the community on board. It's a far cry from today's LGBTQ cruising industry, which loudly and proudly celebrates passengers from all walks of life.

According to experts, LGBTQ cruising is a market that will only continue to grow. Travelers can take their pick between cruise operators tailored specifically to queer communities and major cruise lines that offer festive Pride celebrations and inclusive onboard entertainment. As travel on the high seas continues to grow in popularity for vacationers, gay and lesbian travelers should consider setting sail on a fun-filled cruise vacation for their next trip.

When planning a cruise, vacationers should first consider what their ideal sailing looks like.

Gay-friendly vs. all-gay sailings: Cruisers should think about whether they'd like to travel aboard a gay-friendly mainstream line – such as Celebrity Cruises or Virgin Voyages – or opt for an all-gay, full-ship charter with a third-party vacation company.

"Each and every LGBTQIAPK person has a different level of comfortability in their 'outness,' " says Patrick Gunn, co-founder and chief marketing officer of LGBTQ vacation company VACAYA. Of VACAYA's all-gay charters, he adds, "For one magical week, our community gets to be the majority and live life out loud in the blissful utopia VACAYA creates on a gay cruise. That single change from being an always-minority to a sudden majority can have a profoundly positive real-world effect on individuals."

• Travel style: Some cruise operators (think: Atlantis Events and La Demence) are known for their electrifying all-night parties, which may be perfect for gay groups of friends. Meanwhile, other companies like VACAYA and Olivia look to provide a more diverse selection of activities, ranging from tea dances (LGBTQ parties that, historically, included tea service) to philanthropic service activities to immersive onshore experiences.
• Ports of call: Some of the most LGBTQ- and gay-friendly destinations for cruises include: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Sydney; Barcelona, Spain; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; Helsinki; Quebec City; Auckland, New Zealand; Mykonos, Greece; Reykjavik, Iceland; Amsterdam; Tel Aviv, Israel; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and San Francisco. Countries that gay travelers may want to avoid include the Maldives, Jamaica, Morocco, Malaysia and Haiti, as homosexuality is illegal in these destinations.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has visited destinations around the globe on nearly every type of ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels, traditional masted sailing ships and intimate river ships on the Mekong River. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

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OUR GAY CRUISE AND TOUR CALENDAR 2024 AND 2025

Calendar updated 01/08/2024.

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7-Night Bordeaux and Loire Valley Cruise, May 22 to 29, 2024

All Gay Cruise An all-inclusive, France Loire Valley all-gay cruise & 2 pre-cruise nights in Bordeaux. We embark the CroisiEurope Cruises MS Loire Princesse on a cruise on the Royal Loire River whose beauty is legendary. Visit Nantes and The Machines of the Isle of Nantes, a gallery that recreates the imaginary world of the famous writer Jules Verne. Soak up the magical castles of the Loire such as Brissac, the highest castle in France whose monumental facades rise up from its large landscaped park and so much more…

12 Night Cruise to Morocco and Canary Islands, June 1 to 13, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Join us on the luxurious Oceania Marina, as we depart from Civitavecchia (Rome) visiting St. Tropez, France, Barcelona and Seville, Spain, Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco, Lanzarote, Tenerife and La Palma, Canary Islands, Madeira, Portugal and ending in Lisbon, Portugal. There are also two full days at sea.

7 Night Independence Day Cruise, June 29 to July 6, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Come along as we sail with our LGBT group on the magnificent Queen Mary 2 on an Independence Day Cruise. We depart New York City (Brooklyn) on June 29 and sail to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for an overnight stay, then continue on to Boston, Massachusetts, spending the entire day in this great American city, then with another day at sea, we arrive back in New York City on July 6, 2024

10-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise, July 8 to 18, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Join our gay cruise group on the fabulous MSC Orchestra as we travel to the western Mediterranean. We depart Lisbon, Portugal and after a day at sea we visit Alicante and then continue to Mahon, Menorca, Spain, Obia, Italy, Genoa (Portofino), Italy, Provence (Marseilles) France, then after another day at sea we arrive at Malaga, Spain, then Cadiz, Spain, before returning to Lisbon, Portugal.

(S) 7-Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier Cruise, July 28 to August 4, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Join MIM Travel on our 20th Anniversary Cruise to Alaska, the last frontier. We sail on the Celebrity Solstice departing from Vancouver, Canada. We cruise the Inside Passage and go through the Icy Strait Point and then cruise through the impressive Hubbard Glacier, then stop in Juneau, the capital city of Alaska, then to Ketchikan as we continue our Inside Passage cruise and ending in Vancouver, Canada

AUGUST 2024

9-Night Greek Isles, Italy and Turkey Cruise, August 6 to 15, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Join us on the beautiful MSC Splendida as we visit the Greek Isles, Italy and Turkey. Our cruise begins in Istanbul, Turkey and after a day at sea we arrive in Corfu, Greece, then continue to Bari, Italy, Trieste, Italy and then another day at sea. We then visit the port of Katakolon, Greece, Piraeus (Athens), Greece, Kusadasi, Turkey and the cruise ends in Istanbul, Turkey

7-Night Alaska Cruise, August 16 to 23, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Come along with our gay cruise group on the Celebrity Edge, as we sail from Seattle to Alaska. We depart Seattle on August 16 and after a day at sea we reach Ketchikan, Alaska, followed by Juneau, Alaska, then we cruise the Inside Passage and after another day at sea we reach the beautiful city of Victoria, British Columbia in Canada while arriving back in Seattle on August 23, 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024

7-Night Mediterranean Cruise, September 6 to 13, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Join our LGBTQ group on the largest and newest ship in the MSC fleet, the World Europa. We depart Barcelona, Spain and visit the ports of Provence (Marseilles), France then continue to Genoa (Portofino) Italy, then to Naples, Italy, Messina, Italy and Valletta, Malta and after a full day at sea we arrive back in Barcelona, Spain

OCTOBER 2024

7-Night Caribbean and Bahamas Cruise, October 20 to 27, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Join our LGBTQ Cruise group on the MSC Meraviglia as we travel from New York City and after one full day at sea, we arrive in Port Canaveral, Florida, then continue to Nassau, Bahamas and the next day we arrive at the private MSC island of MSC Ocean Cay for a day of fun activities. Then two more full days at sea before returning to New York City.

7-Night Halloween San Diego to Mexico Cruise, October 26 to November 2, 2024

All Gay Cruise Come along with Atlantis Events on the biggest party in the West. Our all LGBTQ+ Halloween party cruise departs from San Diego, California and after a fun day at sea we reach Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and then continue to the gay capital of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, departing in the early morning and continue to Mazatlan, Mexico. After two more exciting days at sea celebrating Halloween we return to San Diego, California.

NOVEMBER 2024

7-Night Post Thanksgiving Cruise, November 30 to December 7, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Join us on the Celebrity Apex as we depart from Fort Lauderdale on November 30, 2024 for a seven day Eastern Caribbean cruise. After departing Ft Lauderdale and two days at sea, we reach Basseterre, St. Kitts, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and after one more day at sea we return to Fort Lauderdale on December 7, 2024

DECEMBER 2024

7-Night Westbound Transatlantic Cruise, December 14 to 21, 2024

Gay Group Cruise Join our LGBTQ cruise group on the magnificent Ocean Liner, Cunard's Queen Mary 2, as we cross the Atlantic Ocean from Southampton, UK to New York City.

13-Night Christmas and New Year's Cruise, December 21 to January 3, 2025

Gay Group Cruise Join our LGBTQ cruise group and celebrate the holidays in the Caribbean. Our cruise is on the magnificent Queen Mary 2 and we depart from New York City and after four days at sea we arrive in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, then Roseau, Dominica, Castries, St. Lucia, Bridgetown, Barbados and then after four more days at sea, we arrive back in New York City.

JANUARY 2025

12-Night Australia and New Zealand Cruise, January 10 to 22, 2025

Gay Group Cruise Join us as we travel with our LGBTQ group on the Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth to Australia and New Zealand. We depart from Sydney, Australia and after two days at sea we sail through the Queen Charlotte Sound, then on to New Plymouth, Wellington and Napier, New Zealand and then to the Bay of Islands and after two more days at sea, we return to Sydney, Australia.

FEBRUARY 2025

14-Night Caribbean Cruise, February 16 to March 2, 2025

Gay Group Cruise Join us as we travel with our gay group on the MSC Seaside to the Caribbean. We visit the MSC's Ocean Cay and the ports of Cozumel, Mexico, Belize City, Costa Maya, Mexico, Miami, Florida, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Nassau, Bahamas before returning to Miami, Florida The cruise also includes four fun days at sea.

14-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise, March 14 to 28, 2025

Gay Group Cruise Join our LGBTQ Cruise Group on the beautiful Cunard Line's Queen Victoria on our eastbound transatlantic cruise. We leave Fort Lauderdale, Florida, then to Port Canaveral and after two days at sea we dock at King's Wharf, Bermuda, then after five days at sea we reach Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Portugal. We continue for three more days at sea before reaching our final destination of Southampton, UK

Coming Soon

14-Night British Isles Cruise, May 18 to June 1, 2025

Gay Group Cruise Join our LGBTQ cruise group on the newest Cunard ship, Queen Anne through the British Isles. We leave from Southampton, UK and after a day at sea we arrive at Newhaven (for Edinburgh), Scotland, Invergordon, Scotland, day at sea, then Stornoway, Scotland, Isle of Mull Scenic Cruising, Greenock, Scotland, two more days at sea, then Liverpool, England, Dublin and Cobh, Ireland and after one more day at sea we arrive back in Southampton, UK

NOVEMBER 2025

11-Night Journey into Africa, November 10 to 21, 2025

All Gay Tour Join us on this all LGBTQ 12 day tour to Southern Africa. Our journey begins in Capetown, the Mother City and we spend 4 nights at the luxurious Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. We visit Table Mountain with time at leisure allowing you to take various optional tours and end our day at a wine estate. There are tours to the Cape Peninsula and to see the penguins at Boulders Beach. We also include a full day tour of the Cape Winelands in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Our tour includes a flight to Skukuza to the 5-star Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge for 4 nights and a number of game drives. We continue by air to Victoria Falls with three nights at the Victoria Falls Hotel. Helicopter ride and a dinner cruise on the Zambezi River are also included.

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Virgin voyages mediterranean  cruise, july 7 – 14, 2024 .

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Visit  Barcelona, Marseille, Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza Pre-Cruise Hotel In Barcelona, and a Sitges post-cruise package!

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BearCruisers LOVE our 7 Day Hawaii, Round-trip, Honolulu BearCruise. It’s back my popular demand!

Join your Bear buddies on the only cruise sailing 4 Hawaiian islands  in 7 days! You will love visiting Honolulu,  Maui (overnight), Hilo, Kona, Kauai (overnight) and the Napali Coast with your good Bear Buddies!

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New Orleans Mardi Gras Cruise

8 nights, march 1-9, 2025.

Don’t miss out on this incredible 8-night getaway packed with unforgettable experiences.

Join BearCruise for a memorable adventure sailing from Tampa, Florida, on the Celebrity Constellation to experience the vibrant celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans!

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4-nights, may 14 – 18, 2025.

Our BearCruisers Depart for a 4-Night Getaway!

Fall New England and Canada BearCruise

7 nights from nyc:  sept 28 – oct 5, 2025.

Join BearCruise for a memorable adventure sailing from the vibrant island of Manhattan (yes, that island… New York City !!!) on the Norwegian Getaway to experience the vibrant fall colors of New England and Coastal Canada!

Visit the gorgeous mansions in fabulous Newport, Rhode Island, and enjoy  Bar Harbor with its delicious Maine Lobster, Acadia National Park & Thunder Hole.

In Halifax, Nova Scotia enjoy the shops and the Museum of the Atlantic. At St. John on the Bay of Fundy visit the Reversing Fall Rapids and explore their beautiful coastal village.

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We have traveled with some other tour companies that cater to the gay traveler, and this was our best trip.

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The BearCruise was so much fun. Met so many wonderful people and made some great friendships that will continue.

Very well coordinated cruise vacation. It was my first time booking with Dan Howell and it was glitch-free from start to finish!

The BearCruise part of the experience overall was very good. We were all well informed for what there was to do. It was easy to mingle and get to know each other, and there were lots of activities provided.

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See What the BearCruise Growling is All About!

In the 'gay capital' of Asia, Chinese LGBTQ+ emigres look to build a new life

I n 2019, business was booming for Owen Zhu. He was one year into his new career in real estate, showing Bangkok properties to Chinese investors.

Then the pandemic halted travel and spending. Even now, Chinese buyers are slow to return.

The exception has been one group that has since become Zhu’s specialty: LGBTQ+ clients looking to build a new life for themselves outside China.

“Most of them are buying to live in or to retire in — not like many straight people or friends, who are prioritizing investments,” Zhu, 40, said.

Before the pandemic, Zhu estimates, about one-fourth of his clients were LGBTQ+. Now they make up two-thirds of his customer base.

As China has clamped down on queer representation and advocacy, Bangkok, long the “gay capital” of Asia, has offered visitors a reprieve from the conservative culture back home.

Here, the thriving nightlife of gay bars and clubs draws many potential buyers to look for apartments near the city center, Zhu said.

Zhu, who is also gay and from China, bought an apartment in Bangkok in 2017 for his eventual retirement. As friends started asking his advice on how to make their own purchases, he quit his job in Chinese media to help them find properties full time.

As his clientele has changed, so has Zhu’s marketing on Chinese social media. In between property listings, he now shares updates on efforts to legalize same-sex marriage and surrogacy in Thailand.

With demand growing, Zhu said he hopes to start a housing complex catering to gay Chinese in the next few years.

The growing LGBTQ+ community means Zhu runs across more business opportunities in his daily life in Bangkok.

That’s how he met Danny Dong, 29, who moved from China’s Suzhou province in October 2022.

A year ago, Zhu overheard Dong speaking Chinese at a gay bar and struck up a conversation. Now as Dong makes plans for his next three to five years in Thailand, he’s toured several apartments with Zhu, looking for one he might like to buy.

In May, Zhu took Dong to a luxury complex in the central business district. Between several one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging from $163,000 to $438,000, Dong paid close attention to the balconies, where he liked to stand and look out at the bustling city below. After a few hours, he decided he would keep looking.

Dong moved to Thailand in part because he was depressed at home. He had become a dance instructor — he had started learning ballroom dance at age 8 — but didn’t like teaching much. There was little in the way of activities or entertainment to occupy him, and no LGBTQ+ community.

“I’ve always felt that my hometown is an extremely boring place,” he said.

In Bangkok, he feels that more is possible, with an abundance of choice in food, work and nightlife.

“More options in boyfriends too,” Zhu added.

Dong agreed. He had heard that Bangkok was a hub for queer tourists, but hadn’t sought out the scene during his first visit a few years ago. Nonetheless, at the hotel pool he met another gay Chinese man who eventually introduced Dong to his first boyfriend.

“Thailand has brought me a lot of positive things,” Dong said. “So I trust that it will bring me more positive things in the future.”

Thailand’s famed acceptance of LGBTQ+ visitors stems from the prominence of gay and transgender representation in the country’s popular media and culture since the 1950s.

Those depictions weren’t always positive, and locals still face discrimination and prescriptive gender roles. However, the country’s officials began to embrace its LGBTQ-centric image more strongly in the late 20th century in order to boost tourism and the economy.

Thailand also waived visa requirements for Chinese citizens last year, in a bid to revive a cornerstone of its tourism industry that was heavily curbed by the pandemic. Thailand’s Tourism Authority said it expects 7.3 million visitors from China this year, twice last year’s figures, but far short of the 11 million peak in 2019.

While the country does not collect tourist data on gender or sexual orientation, the authority's deputy governor of tourism products and business, Apichai Chatchalermkit, told Thai media last year that the country should court "high-potential" LGBTQ+ tourists with tours, advertising and events specific to their interests, such as pride parades.

Eleven years ago, the authority adopted the slogan “Go Thai, be free,” to emphasize Thailand's openness towards LGBTQ+ visitors.

For some Chinese visitors, both tourists and those with work and residence visas, that appeal has been heightened by an increasingly oppressive environment for LGBTQ+ people back home.

China has long had a conservative culture that stigmatizes homosexuality, though it was decriminalized in 1997. Gay rights advocates achieved minor successes in the decades that followed, such as workplace protections for LGBTQ+ employees and the ability to register same-sex partners as legal guardians.

But in the past five years, the tide has turned. Under President Xi Jinping, government pressure on activists has ramped up, shutting down gay pride events as well as LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in major cities.

LGBTQ+ resources and events "were like a counter-force to the examples of homophobia and transphobia that would pop up,” said Darius Longarino, senior fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School. “Even though the [current] crackdown hasn’t reached down to all kinds of expression, it’s changed the balance of forces.”

Adisak Wongwaikankha, who opened the gay bar Silver Sand Silom in October 2021, said that 70% of his patrons are foreigners, and about half of those come from China.

He estimates that percentage jumps as high as 90% during major holidays, such as Thai New Year, also known as Songkran Festival, in April, or the Pride Festival in June. Some recent visitors have been Chinese businessmen asking how to open or invest in gay entertainment venues like his.

On a Friday evening, Heath Yu, 38, strolled past Wongwaikankha’s establishment in the heart of Bangkok’s gay bar district, the windows adorned with neon lights and rainbow flags. Yu, who fell in love with Thailand on a vacation, quit his job at a Chinese TV station last year and moved here to pursue a doctorate in education and psychology.

“China is getting tighter on these LGBT, so more of them want to leave and come to Thailand,” Yu said. Feeling liberated in Thailand, Chinese tourists go a bit wild in Bangkok. he said. “As it gets more repressive there, it just gets more crazy here.”

Hawkers called out to Yu and his friend Summer Gao, 38, to come in from the heat for a drink.

Maybe later. Still, Gao quietly nudged Yu, alerting him to another pedestrian who seemed to be checking him out as they walked by.

Yu whipped his head around, and the two joked about chasing the man down. But Yu said he’s less preoccupied with finding a boyfriend than he is with finding work after his studies.

Yu was enticed by the idea of living in Bangkok ever since his first visit 10 years ago, when he encountered the Buddhist culture, the friendliness of locals and the affordability of food and rent.

And even though he rarely visits LGBTQ+-specific spaces, he feels more at ease in Bangkok than in his small hometown, where he has yet to come out to his parents.

He also grew tired of low pay and censorship at the TV station, and worries that the suppression of information could increase hostility towards queer people.

“I really don’t want to go back,” Yu said wistfully. “I’m doing everything I can to stay here.”

With family still in China expecting him back, Gao doesn't have the option to stay after his six-month language program ends. But once he retires, he said, he'll apply for a retirement visa to come back to Thailand.

The first time Yamato Sasuki visited Bangkok a decade ago, he discovered a life that was unimaginable growing up gay in Beijing. Acceptance. Freedom. He returned to the city in 2017, then bought an apartment three years later.

But Chinese citizens cannot naturalize, so the 35-year-old teacher has been considering a move to Japan, where he might eventually marry his Chinese partner.

“I would want to continue to live in Thailand, but it’s just not an immigrant country,” said Sasuki, who has gone by his Japanese name since he left China in 2015 to study in New Zealand.

In Japan this year, two courts ruled same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional, and Sasuki is hopeful that it may be legalized in his lifetime.

Thailand is also on the verge of legalizing same-sex marriage. The lower house of Parliament passed the bill in April, which still needs Senate approval and royal endorsement from the king. Currently, the only places in Asia that recognize same-sex marriage are Taiwan and Nepal.

Drawn by his first boyfriend, a Thai man he met online, Jeffrey Hu first visited Thailand in 2011. He lived and worked there for eight years after.

But in 2020, the 34-year-old freelance translator was ensnared by China’s strict pandemic controls on a visit to see his mother, and unable to leave the country. During that time, he met his current boyfriend Wilfred Wu, 28, in a Chinese LGBTQ+ group chat.

Last August, they moved to Bangkok — Wu's first time setting foot in Thailand. Through friends they found an apartment near the Victory Monument memorial, close to a small park where they like to walk, exercise and feed stray cats and squirrels.

Hu said that a few years ago, he had hoped China would become more open-minded, not just to LGBTQ+ people but in all aspects. As Christians, he and Wu also worried about religious repression in China.

But the government's draconian response to COVID-19 made clear it's not ready to give up its authoritarian ways.

Even if same-sex marriage does become legal in Thailand, Hu and Wu would be ineligible as Chinese citizens. Though the lack of marriage and naturalization prospects means their time in Bangkok will be limited — they dream of someday moving to California — for now they can reflect on the freedom they have found here.

“It made me think, this is the society that I want,” Hu said. “Compared to China, I feel like Thailand gives me a better sense of identity and belonging.”

Special correspondent Yu-chen Lai in Taipei contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .

What Really Happens at a Sex Party? 8 Women Share Their True Stories

By Varuna Srinivasan

Welcome to Doing It , a column where sex educator Varuna Srinivasan explores the deep connections between sex and emotions. This month, we examine the art of the sex party — and what these infamous fêtes really entail.

Sex parties are exactly just that. They are parties, like any social gathering, except the people attending can (oftentimes) have sex. At some point in our lives, most of us have attempted to make out — or even get downright dirty — in the bathroom of a public venue, be it a nightclub, bar, or even an old-fashioned house party. (Plus, let’s be honest, many such locations are not safe places for women or queer folks .) Dancing and flirting are great, but if you’re looking to do more, know this: There are countless curated spaces that don’t just permit but encourage such mingling.

However, sex parties are not a monolith; they differ immensely from place to place, so I want you to forget what you’ve seen in the movies. While all such parties encourage sexual activity to some degree, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what the party will entail — and to ensure that your own intentions, interests, and expectations align — prior to engaging in any activities (or even RSVPing). There are many differences between, say, a swingers orgy hosted at a person’s house versus a play party in a full-time dungeon, and both are quite unlike a warehouse party with beds in the back. My point: While your experience may vary for a number of reasons, the venue itself plays a big role.

Some parties encourage full-on orgies . Some are play parties that focus more on kink and not so much on penetration or heavy sexual activity. But all these events prioritize sex positivity, particularly play parties, also known as kink/BDSM parties.

“Play parties are often diverse and offer a protected outlet to explore diverse desires, specifically in groups beyond couple exchange,” explains Venus Cuffs , a nightlife entrepreneur and play party producer. “Swingers parties are typically, but not always, for couples in the swinger Lifestyle — with a capital L — meaning they like to play as a couple, often to varying degrees. But [they] will arrive and leave the party together and partake in couple-on-couple swaps.”

Cuffs says that people outside the BDSM community are often surprised to learn that most fetish or kink parties actually limit penetration, oral play, and, in some cases, even heavy petting.

What are some tips for a first-time sex party attendee?

It can feel daunting to go to a party where any type of sexual activity is encouraged. To ensure that you have a good time, below are three hot tip recommendations, straight from Venus Cuffs herself.

• Trust the source. Research the promote or group throwing and the party and make sure they prioritize consent and acceptance.
• Safety first. Make sure the people throwing the party have enforceable no-tolerance and policies and consent monitors.
• Communicate. Whether you’re going with a partner or alone, take time to mindfully think through desires, expectations and concerns. Check in with yourself often and prioritize your needs.

So, what are sex parties actually like?

Every experience is different, of course, so I spoke to eight women about their first time attending an event in one of these spaces. Curious to try out a sex party? Maybe you already RSVP’d and are now digging for details to figure out what you should expect. Either way, let their experiences give you a sneak preview on what it might involve.

“When I was 18, I joined a swingers website. I started dating a couple who frequented swinger parties. My first experience was exciting because I went with [them], so we got a lot of attention because we were young, attractive, and all exhibitionists. It got me really into the sensual experience and meeting people who enjoyed it, as well.

“Now, I frequently attend parties, but instead of swinger parties, I tend to find more queer-oriented parties and kink-focused events. A typical event will have a space where people can chat (and not play) and get to know each other, as well as other various stations set up for different scenes to have fun. Consent and rules of engagement are typically involved in good spaces.

“Find a play partner who you can bring to explore with. It's a lot easier when you have a friend to lean on for support. Also, nonsexual munches can be a great place to start and get to know people. Don't be afraid to say no and set boundaries. It's not free for all. If something or someone makes you uncomfortable, let someone know. “

“I had previously attended a few fetish parties in Scotland called Torture Gardens. However, my first sex party was in November 2022.

By Aliza Kelly

By Kara Nesvig

“There was a lot of latex, leather, and lace involved. At around 9 p.m., we proceeded to the dungeon which was across the street from my friend's home. The dungeon was divided into three parts: one had a couch, a wall of dildos, a standing cage, hoists, a spanking bench, and a big bed-like table. The second area featured a [penetrative machine] and a St. Andrew's Cross , along with a bench and multiple impact play toys, ranging from riding crops to floggers made with rubber spikes. The third room was for those who wanted to indulge in [ medical fetishism ]. That room was stocked with equipment needed for sounding, milking, pumping, nitrous gas, speculums, and a [gynecologist] chair with provisions to have multiple restraints.

“It was definitely one of the more enlightening experiences of my life. The amount of aftercare each of us offered [one another] was extraordinary. Snuggles being shared across the rooms, people laughing, people moaning, people crying. Oh yes — crying. I cried. I cried a lot.”

“I discovered the swinging lifestyle after separating from my first husband in 2016. I met someone on Tinder who introduced me to sex clubs, parties, and the lifestyle. My first party was at a sex club in New York City called Checkmate.

“It was a regular-looking apartment building. We took the elevator downstairs, paid the fee, and were welcomed into a bar area. Once ready to play, we went to a locker area where we could take our clothes off and get ‘comfortable.’ We made it to the play areas: a group play room, a semi-private playroom, and the private play rooms. We observed and decided to start the party by playing together. Soon after, we were invited by other couples to join them and engaged in swapping situations. It was hot, a positive experience for sure. The rest is history.”

“My first experience was a prepandemic party in a private loft. This was a performance-based event where the performers sometimes engaged in sex on stage. I saw Vonka and Lydia of the Bluenettes perform a milk-soaked kitten-[themed] act, which was the wildest, hottest thing I had ever seen in porn or real life. I was in the front row, just a couple of feet from two beautiful writhing bodies engaged in sapphic love and pleasure.

"Since then, I’ve been to several different kinds of parties. There are no typical parties, as they all differ depending on who is throwing them. I only frequent parties [organized] by those who prioritize the safety of everyone involved, [which means] having clear consent standards, agreements, and boundaries and [hiring] guardians for attendees to reach out to as a way to reduce harm. Those are the parties that I often recommend.”

“First, to clarify, I am not a member of the swing lifestyle. I am a member of the kink community and a BDSM practitioner. I have never had group sex , nor do I attend swing parties or share partners. I go to BDSM and kink-friendly parties, many of which are sex-positive. I am monogamous when dating and, although I engage in play at parties, it is not always inherently sexual.

“The first event I went to was a BDSM party for 18- to 35-year-olds. There were strict rules: no nudity and no penetrative play. I was really nervous, and my friend left me early on to go play with a friend of theirs, so I mostly spent the night talking to people and getting to know how a party works. There were dungeon monitors to make sure the scenes and people were safe, [as well as] toys you could borrow, a spanking bench, St. Andrew's cross, several hard points for suspension, and a massage table. I ended up meeting a guy who had never been to a party either and we fooled around a bit in a kind of vanilla way. “

“My first time was at the Hacienda in Brooklyn. Hacienda is a house, so it's a very social space —- at least, that has been my experience since I go to smaller parties where there is food prepared by a chef, an outdoor space where people talk, and play areas.

“Even though I knew the etiquette and theory — Playing Well With Others was a big help — I was a bit nervous. People told me I was a natural, but I think that's just because I was very mindful, communicative, and open to new experiences. I had sex with three people separately, [each] on a one-on-one basis and not as a group, and met a ton of sex-positive individuals. It felt like I finally found my people.

“Everyone is nice to each other, everyone takes consent very seriously. I feel extremely safe there. There's people that don't play with anyone and just socialize and there's others having seven-person orgies. You'll find whatever you want there."

“My first experience was very positive. I went with someone who was very experienced in the kink and swinging community. It was a bit of a shock to see people engaging in various sexual acts all in the open — not in a negative way, [I simply hadn’t] been in that environment before.

“[The party featured] good music, lots of sexy people, and really hot scenes — so hot that I stepped out of my comfort zone to openly masturbate in a less-crowded area, [where a woman then] asked to join me. She also asked me if her husband could watch. I was surprisingly okay with it, considering I’m not really into men.”

“I’ve never been to a sex party, but I have been to a number of sex clubs. The first one I ever went to was KitKat in Berlin. I honestly wasn’t shocked by anything happening around me, it was a pretty free and accepting environment. All clubs work differently, but usually they will take your phone or give you a locker [for it] and potentially a place to get towels and things for safe sex. People can be having sex all around you and generally will only engage if you give clear consent.

“I’ve been to a few other clubs of this nature around the world and they have similar vibes. Some are more exclusive than others, some are more queer-focused, but the ethos around it [all] is positivity and enjoyment.”

*Interviews have been edited for length and clarity. Some names have been changed at the request of sources.

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By Jennifer Hussein

By AnaMaria Glavan

Where it's a crime to be gay: A visual guide to where LGBTQ+ rights are repressed

Uganda enacted one of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world last week, a bill known as the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 . It imposes a life sentence for engaging in "same-sex sexual acts," and the death penalty for gay sex in certain circumstances, such as while infected with an illness like HIV or for having sex with a person with disabilities or a minor. (LGBTQ+ advocates in the U.S. condemn the implication of LGBTQ+ people as groomers or pedophiles.)

It came days before the start of Pride Month, a global event in June that celebrates LGBTQ+ communities around the world. But while the Uganda law has drawn international condemnation and even sparked a fight among a couple of U.S. conservatives , it is not an outlier. The LBGTQ+ community remains heavily criminalized in many parts of the world.

Indeed, around the world, being LGBTQ+ can lead to whippings or other punishments that seem outdated. In Russia, being gay has been legal since 1983, but there are still fines for a lack of "traditional values."

Here's a global overview of where sexual and gender minority rights are threatened:

'Horrific': Biden, Cruz slam Anti-homosexuality Bill in Uganda that includes death penalty

LGBTQ+: Punished in 64 different countries

Of 193 countries in the United Nations, 64 still criminalize same-sex acts, according to a database run by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). "Same-sex acts'' is the phrase used by this and other human rights monitoring organizations.

By region, this criminalization breaks down as follows:

• In Africa, same-sex acts are illegal in 32 out of the continent's 52 countries. The countries where it is illegal: Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• In Asia and the Middle East , same-sex acts are illegal in 20 countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen.
• There are no places in Europe where same-sex acts are illegal.
• In the Americas, same-sex acts are prohibited in Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
• In Oceania, the region made up of Australia and other island nations in the South Pacific Ocean, same-sex acts are not allowed in Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga andTuvalu.

From whippings to fines for a lack of 'traditional values'

Across the world, criminal sentences for same-sex acts, certain forms of sexual orientation and minority gender expression can range from fines or several months in prison to life in jail, from whipping to the death penalty. In some countries, laws are vague and open to interpretation. In others, it's the exact opposite. In Russia, for example, where same-sex acts have been legal since 1993, the government actively targets LGBTQ+ people and communities through discriminatory propaganda and fines for not having "traditional values."

Where there is the death penalty for same-sex acts:

• Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uganda and Yemen.

Prison, fines, or whipping for minority forms of sexual or gender expression:

• Brunei, Kuwait, Malawi, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Tonga, Uganda and United Arab Emirates.

Countries that in recent years decriminalized same-sex relationships:

• Angola (2021), Botswana (2019), India (2018), Mozambique (2015), Singapore (2023).

Same-sex union: Where it's lawful

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to fully legalize same-sex marriage. It did so in 2001. The U.S. was the 17th country to legalize same-sex unions, which it did in 2015.

Same-sex marriage is now legal in 34 places around the world:

• Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, U.K., U.S. and Uruguay.

Where same-sex marriage was legalized in the last year:

• Andorra, Cuba, Slovenia.

Where there are pledges to legalize same-sex marriage in 2023:

• Czech Republic, India, Japan, Philippines.

Countries in Africa where same-sex marriage is legal:

• South Africa.

Places in Asia where same-sex marriage is legal:

Travel: Where to go, where's a no-go

The Spartacus Blog’s Gay Travel Index advises LGBTQ+ vacationers on which countries they can expect to be most safe in, where their rights are most protected, and where to avoid. Among the criteria assessed: anti-discrimination legislation, marriage/civil partnerships, whether adoption is allowed, transgender rights, infrastructure, views on conversion therapy, religious influence, local hostility, and laws surrounding prosecution.

The U.S. came in at 35 out of 199 global destinations.

LGBTQ+-friendly travel destinations in 2023:

• Malta, Canada, Switzerland.

Where not to go as an LGBTQ+ vacationer, according to the index:

• Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan.

The most LGBTQ+-friendly U.S. states in 2023:

• California, New York, Washington, Colorado.

The worst U.S. states to be an LGBTQ+ vacation, per the index:

• Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia. Florida also fared poorly. In late May, the NAACP issued the following travel advisory as a result of Florida governor and U.S. presidential candidate Ron DeSantis's policies: "Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ individuals."

U.S. Christian evangelicals spend big around the world

Human rights campaigners have long complained that U.S. Christian evangelical organizations have pushed policies, laws and public opinion that discriminate against sexual and gender minorities and reproductive rights for people across the world. A 2020 investigation by openDemocracy , for example, found that U.S.-based Family Watch International had, for a decade, been coaching high-ranking African politicians and religious and civic leaders to oppose sexuality education across the continent. Family Watch International also had a hand in shaping Uganda's 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Bill , according to openDemocracy.

Amount spent globally by U.S. groups on anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ influence campaigns since 2008:

• At least $280 million.

Amount spent by U.S. groups on anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ influence campaigns in Africa since 2008:

• At least $54 million.

Amount requested by the Biden administration in 2023 for foreign assistance programs that promote gender equity and equality worldwide for those who face discrimination :

• $2.6 billion.

Still, according to a recent analysis by the Brookings Institution , these programs chiefly focus on "enabling conditions" for women and young girls "to exercise voice and agency in their homes, workplaces, communities and public life." There is comparatively less understanding, according to the Brookings analysis, about how to deploy these funds for international programs that close rights gaps for sexual and gender minorities.

Reactions to Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Ugandan LGBTQ+ rights activists filed a lawsuit in the country's Constitutional Court challenging the bill. The Biden administration said it was considering imposing sanctions and visa restrictions. The European Union urged Uganda to revoke the bill and protect the rights of all Ugandans and said the law would impact Uganda's ties with international partners. A coalition of major companies including Google and Unilever said the law would curb investment flows to Uganda and deter tourism. One Kenyan lawmaker applauded the bill's passage.

• "Creating new crimes like these are a well-known way to engineer a legal basis to throw those with divergent views behind bars. It will push many into self-censorship and silence critical voices as Uganda's governance and human rights crises continue to deteriorate." − Clare Byarugaba, Ugandan rights activist
• "Cry beloved Uganda, cry for this sad day."− Stella Nyanzi, Ugandan human rights advocate
• "The law foresees the application of the death penalty and long prison sentences for consensual acts between adults. This law raises the risk of worsening the violence and persecution already faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Uganda." − Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General
• "Uganda's progress on its HIV response is now in grave jeopardy. The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 will obstruct health education and the outreach that can help end AIDS as a public health threat. The stigma and discrimination associated with the passage of the Act has already led to reduced access to prevention as well as treatment services."− Joint statement from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
• "The enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act is a tragic violation of universal human rights. I join with people around the world − including many in Uganda − in calling for its immediate repeal." − U.S. President Joe Biden
• "The Uganda law is horrific and wrong. Any law criminalizing homosexuality or imposing the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” is grotesque & an abomination. ALL civilized nations should join together in condemning this human rights abuse."− U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
• "With a lot of humility, I thank my colleague Members of Parliament for withstanding all the pressure, in the interest of our Country. By their action, we have lived our motto: For God and our Country."− Ugandan Parliament Speaker Anita Annet Among
• "Wow! What a leader we've in Africa! Congratulations Uganda! Kenya is following you in this endeavor to save humanity … Perversion is treated, not normalized!"− George Kaluma, Kenyan member of Parliament

Sources: ILGA database, Human Rights Watch, Human Dignity Trust , Human Rights Campaign , openDemocracy, U.S. Agency for International Development

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After a quarter century, Thailand’s LGBTQ Pride Parade is seen as a popular and political success

Central Bangkok was turned into a sea of colour Saturday, as tens of thousands of people joined the annual Pride parade. It comes as a bill to legalise marriage equality prepares to pass its final legislative hurdle before becoming law, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. (AP Video: Jerry Harmer)

Participants hold a rainbow flag during the Pride Parade in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Thailand is kicking off its celebration for the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade on Saturday, as the country is on the course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

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Participants wearing costumes take part in the Pride Parade in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Thailand is kicking off its celebration for the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade on Saturday, as the country is on the course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, center, raises his hand during the Pride Parade in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Thailand is kicking off its celebration for the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade on Saturday, as the country is on the course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A drag queen applies makeup on her face before a news conference on the Bangkok Pride in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Thailand is kicking off its celebration for the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade on Saturday, as the country is on the course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

An LGBTQ participant leaves a news conference on the Bangkok Pride in Bangkok, Thailand , Monday, May 20, 2024. Thailand is kicking off its celebration for the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade on Saturday, as the country is on the course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A participant, right, takes a selfie with a drag queen at a news conference on the Bangkok Pride in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Thailand is kicking off its celebration for the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade on Saturday, as the country is on the course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A Thai walks past a display on Bangkok Pride celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Thailand is kicking off its celebration for the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade on Saturday, as the country is on the course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Ann “Waaddao” Chumaporn, an organizer of the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month events, speaks during an interview in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 9, 2024. Thailand is kicking off its celebration for the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade on Saturday, June 1, as the country is on the course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A Thai person walks on the rainbow painted at the Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Thailand is kicking off its celebration for the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade on Saturday, as the country is on the course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand kicked off its celebration of the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month with a parade Saturday, as the country is on course to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality .

The annual Bangkok Pride Parade Can filled one side of a major thoroughfare with a colorful parade for several hours in one of the Thai capital’s busiest commercial districts. Pride Month celebrations have been endorsed by politicians, government agencies and some of the country’s biggest business conglomerates, which have become official partners or sponsors for the celebration.

Ann “Waaddao” Chumaporn, who has been organizing Bangkok Pride since 2022, said in a recent interview with The Associated Press that she hopes the parade can be “a platform that allows everyone to call out for what they want and express who they really are.”

Waaddao thinks Thai society has shifted a lot from a decade ago, and the issue has now become a fashionable social and business trend.

Thanks in part to her work, a marriage equality bill granting full legal, financial and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender could become reality sometime this year.

But the public celebration of gender diversity was not always so popular in Thailand despite its long-standing reputation as an LGBTQ+ friendly country .

The first big celebration for the community in Thailand was held on Halloween weekend in 1999 and called the “Bangkok Gay Festival.” It was organized by Pakorn Pimton, who said that after seeing Pride parades on his overseas travels, he wanted Thailand to have one, too.

It was hard organizing such an event back then, when Thai society was much less open, he said.

“Everyone told me, even my boyfriend, that it would be impossible,” he said in an interview with AP.

Organizing such an event in a public space requires permission from authorities, and it didn’t go that smoothly for Pakorn, yet he eventually pulled it off.

Pakorn said some police officers treated him well, but there were others who gave him dirty looks, or were dismissive. He recalled hearing one officer say, “Why do you even need to do this? These katoey ...”

“Katoey,” whose rough equivalent in English would be “ladyboy,” has generally been used as a slur against transgender women or gay men with feminine appearances, although the word now has been claimed by the community.

After getting the permit, Pakorn, who then was actively working in show business, said he tried contacting television stations for advertising and finding sponsors for his project, but they all rejected him.

“There were no mobile phones, no Facebook, no nothing. There were only posters that I had to put up at gay bars,” he said.

Because of that, Pakorn said, he was bewildered to see thousands of people, not only Thais but many foreigners, take to downtown Bangkok’s streets for that first celebration in colorful and racy costumes, carrying balloons and dancing on fancy floats.

The event got attention from both domestic and international media as both Thailand’s first gay parade and one of the first in Asia. It was described as energetic and chaotic, not least because the police did not completely close it off from traffic, resulting in marchers, dancers and floats weaving their way through moving buses, cars and motorbikes.

Pakorn organized it for several more years but eventually stopped.

Only recently did the political significance behind the term “Pride” gain much importance in the event, said Vitaya Saeng-Aroon, director of an advocacy group Diversity In Thailand.

Previously, there were not a lot of organized LGBTQ+ communities who joined in, “so there were no messages in the parade. It became like a party just for fun,” he said.

Now the parade carries a more political tone because the observance has been organized by people like Waaddao who have long worked to raise awareness on gender equality and diversity.

For her part, Waaddao said she became inspired to organize the parade after taking part in the youth-led pro-democracy protests that sprang up across the country in 2020. She said she had previously been carrying out her advocacy work mostly in conference rooms, but those protests convinced her that street action can also advance a political agenda.

Although the pro-democracy movement lost steam due to the coronavirus pandemic and repression , Waaddao decided to continue the struggle for equal marriage and gender equality , ushering in a new era for Pride activities in 2022.

That was the year that several draft bills for marriage equality or civil partnership were introduced in Parliament. Although none managed to pass during the government then in power, a marriage equality bill sponsored by the current administration is expected to get through second and third readings by the Senate later this month, its last legislative hurdle before getting royal endorsement and becoming law.