Gay / Lesbians Cruises
CMIC TRAVEL WELCOMES YOU!
Explore the World of Gay Travel. For the ever-growing number of gays and lesbians who have taken or are planning to take a cruise, a voyage on the high seas equals freedom. Cruising is an opportunity for folks to be who they are and just relax among increasingly tolerant and nonjudgmental fellow passengers.
Outward signs of homophobia are rare onboard ships today, as your fellow passengers will be in the same partying, relaxed mood as you. In fact, many gay passengers report making fast friends with their heterosexual counterparts, especially bonding in the showroom and casino! Of course, you can never control who you are cruising with (unless you are on an all-gay charter), and gay cruisers who do encounter any offensive remarks or unfair treatment should report these incidents to the cruise director. The staffs of most ships have usually received some gay sensitivity training, and therefore, won't blink an eye when two men ask for their twin beds to be put together! I will say, however, that holding hands or kissing in public might be looked upon warily, just as in most places in America today.
Balancing the expectations and interests of the majority (straight passengers) and the minority (gay passengers) can be a challenge for the cruise lines at times. The lines that are most successful at attracting -- and re-attracting -- gay and lesbian passengers know that a small portion of their heterosexual guests may feel uncomfortable with outward displays of gay affection and that some of their more low-key gay guests may want to remain in the closet during the voyage. Focusing on offering the best overall cruising experience for everyone is the right formula, since gays and lesbians on a mainstream cruise want quality, and they want to be treated like everyone else.
somewhat important factor for gays and lesbians to consider when choosing a ship is the roster of ports on their particular itinerary. Some, such as Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Bermuda and Turkey, have been reported to be less-than-gay-friendly, with a small but documented number of homophobic incidents onshore (such as all-gay charters being made to feel unwelcome by protests or even being refused the right to dock as in the case of an Atlantis cruise to Grand Cayman). Obviously, the passengers on all-gay charters "scream out" their homosexuality more than the male-male or female-female couples who just blend into the fabric of mainstream ships. But, in any port, it's important to respect the local customs.
The all-gay charter companies (Atlantis and RSVP for gay men and Olivia for lesbians) offer a completely accepting environment, with intense bonding, nightly dance parties, gay-geared entertainment (campy comedians like Kathy Griffin or Broadway divas like Patti LuPone) and overwhelmingly gay-friendly ports. But this fabulous environment generally costs 20 percent more than the same itinerary on a regular cruise, a "gay surcharge" many loyal fans of these cruises are more than willing to pay.
Gay All the Way
If you're of the "I want to be able to hold my lover's hand and kiss openly" mindset -- or just want to party all night with other gays and lesbians -- consider splurging on an all-gay charter. The three players in this huge market are gay male-targeted Atlantis and RSVP (acquired by Atlantis in October 2007) and lesbian-focused Olivia. These companies do much more than charter some of the newest ships from lines like Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Cunard, Azamara and Holland America by packing them with festive gay men and women in the mood for fun and love. They provide a comprehensive and total gay entertainment and lifestyle experience, from beginning to end, with special entertainment and dance parties, onboard seminars on gay-specific topics and instant camaraderie with hundreds or thousands of like-minded individuals.
In fact, many gays and lesbians who don't live in a big metropolis like New York or San Francisco look forward to their one-week escape as perhaps their only opportunity to hold hands, kiss, dance and flirt openly in public with same-sex partners, without any fear or ostracism. Perhaps the biggest surprise among those who haven't taken an all-gay cruise is that the average guest is not a 30-year-old party boy or girl; many older couples and friends book these cruises, leading to a diverse mix of passengers. Because of their popularity and limited number, many all-gay charters sell out well in advance; book at least six months ahead of time to guarantee your spot.
Some specific itineraries with a high gay and lesbian following include glamorous Mediterranean summer cruises that hit gay hotspots like Mykonos or Ibiza, and cultural capitals like Rome, Venice and Barcelona. It may be a stereotype, but pulsating nightlife and fine gourmet dining and arts attractions do hold a lot of appeal for many gay and lesbian cruisers. The Caribbean is perennially popular, especially the very gay-friendly ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao), as well as French-speaking outposts like Martinique and Guadalupe.
Crave variety? Many gays love quick Bahamas or Mexican Riviera getaways or the splendors of New England in the fall, especially on the more upscale Regent and Crystal ships. Gay and lesbian fans of unspoiled nature and dramatic scenery are in love with Alaska (as many travelers are), and some of the smaller ships with eco-tourist itineraries to the Galapagos and Antarctica, such as Celebrity Xpedition, attract substantial numbers of gay clients. Brazil and Argentina appeal to many gay cruisers, who go on Latin American voyages to revel in sexy Carnival samba, relaxed beach culture and cosmopolitan cities like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Asia is now the hottest and most-requested cruise destination for experienced cruisers, and Atlantis travels to exotic ports of call in Vietnam, China, Thailand and other countries in Asia for a culture-rich voyage of discovery.
For All Gay Cruise departing in 2011, 2012 and 2013, please call: CMIC travel: 1-800-654-9681
Explore the World of Gay Travel. For the ever-growing number of gays and lesbians who have taken or are planning to take a cruise, a voyage on the high seas equals freedom. Cruising is an opportunity for folks to be who they are and just relax among increasingly tolerant and nonjudgmental fellow passengers.
Outward signs of homophobia are rare onboard ships today, as your fellow passengers will be in the same partying, relaxed mood as you. In fact, many gay passengers report making fast friends with their heterosexual counterparts, especially bonding in the showroom and casino! Of course, you can never control who you are cruising with (unless you are on an all-gay charter), and gay cruisers who do encounter any offensive remarks or unfair treatment should report these incidents to the cruise director. The staffs of most ships have usually received some gay sensitivity training, and therefore, won't blink an eye when two men ask for their twin beds to be put together! I will say, however, that holding hands or kissing in public might be looked upon warily, just as in most places in America today.
Balancing the expectations and interests of the majority (straight passengers) and the minority (gay passengers) can be a challenge for the cruise lines at times. The lines that are most successful at attracting -- and re-attracting -- gay and lesbian passengers know that a small portion of their heterosexual guests may feel uncomfortable with outward displays of gay affection and that some of their more low-key gay guests may want to remain in the closet during the voyage. Focusing on offering the best overall cruising experience for everyone is the right formula, since gays and lesbians on a mainstream cruise want quality, and they want to be treated like everyone else.
somewhat important factor for gays and lesbians to consider when choosing a ship is the roster of ports on their particular itinerary. Some, such as Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Bermuda and Turkey, have been reported to be less-than-gay-friendly, with a small but documented number of homophobic incidents onshore (such as all-gay charters being made to feel unwelcome by protests or even being refused the right to dock as in the case of an Atlantis cruise to Grand Cayman). Obviously, the passengers on all-gay charters "scream out" their homosexuality more than the male-male or female-female couples who just blend into the fabric of mainstream ships. But, in any port, it's important to respect the local customs.
The all-gay charter companies (Atlantis and RSVP for gay men and Olivia for lesbians) offer a completely accepting environment, with intense bonding, nightly dance parties, gay-geared entertainment (campy comedians like Kathy Griffin or Broadway divas like Patti LuPone) and overwhelmingly gay-friendly ports. But this fabulous environment generally costs 20 percent more than the same itinerary on a regular cruise, a "gay surcharge" many loyal fans of these cruises are more than willing to pay.
Gay All the Way
If you're of the "I want to be able to hold my lover's hand and kiss openly" mindset -- or just want to party all night with other gays and lesbians -- consider splurging on an all-gay charter. The three players in this huge market are gay male-targeted Atlantis and RSVP (acquired by Atlantis in October 2007) and lesbian-focused Olivia. These companies do much more than charter some of the newest ships from lines like Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Cunard, Azamara and Holland America by packing them with festive gay men and women in the mood for fun and love. They provide a comprehensive and total gay entertainment and lifestyle experience, from beginning to end, with special entertainment and dance parties, onboard seminars on gay-specific topics and instant camaraderie with hundreds or thousands of like-minded individuals.
In fact, many gays and lesbians who don't live in a big metropolis like New York or San Francisco look forward to their one-week escape as perhaps their only opportunity to hold hands, kiss, dance and flirt openly in public with same-sex partners, without any fear or ostracism. Perhaps the biggest surprise among those who haven't taken an all-gay cruise is that the average guest is not a 30-year-old party boy or girl; many older couples and friends book these cruises, leading to a diverse mix of passengers. Because of their popularity and limited number, many all-gay charters sell out well in advance; book at least six months ahead of time to guarantee your spot.
Some specific itineraries with a high gay and lesbian following include glamorous Mediterranean summer cruises that hit gay hotspots like Mykonos or Ibiza, and cultural capitals like Rome, Venice and Barcelona. It may be a stereotype, but pulsating nightlife and fine gourmet dining and arts attractions do hold a lot of appeal for many gay and lesbian cruisers. The Caribbean is perennially popular, especially the very gay-friendly ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao), as well as French-speaking outposts like Martinique and Guadalupe.
Crave variety? Many gays love quick Bahamas or Mexican Riviera getaways or the splendors of New England in the fall, especially on the more upscale Regent and Crystal ships. Gay and lesbian fans of unspoiled nature and dramatic scenery are in love with Alaska (as many travelers are), and some of the smaller ships with eco-tourist itineraries to the Galapagos and Antarctica, such as Celebrity Xpedition, attract substantial numbers of gay clients. Brazil and Argentina appeal to many gay cruisers, who go on Latin American voyages to revel in sexy Carnival samba, relaxed beach culture and cosmopolitan cities like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Asia is now the hottest and most-requested cruise destination for experienced cruisers, and Atlantis travels to exotic ports of call in Vietnam, China, Thailand and other countries in Asia for a culture-rich voyage of discovery.
For All Gay Cruise departing in 2011, 2012 and 2013, please call: CMIC travel: 1-800-654-9681
