As a gay man, you want to spend your holiday in a relaxed atmosphere, be among like-minded people, get to know beautiful places and party hard? Then you should have a closer look at gay cruises. Don’t know them yet? Then it’s time, you’ll find all the important information here.
Holidays on a ship full of gays
There are now numerous tour operators that specialise in the wishes and needs of gays. And offer cruises in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea and even river cruises for gay groups. If you book such a cruise alone or with your partner, you can be sure that you will be surrounded almost exclusively by other men during your hard-earned holiday. Experience shows that the proportion of women on gay cruises is less than 10 per cent. These are usually best friends or family members of fellow travellers who also have the necessary openness towards your way of life and love.
Gay cruises as all-inclusive trips
When researching the topic of gay cruises, you will quickly discover that such trips can usually be booked as an all-inclusive package. This is the rule on cruise ships, as you spend a large part of your time on board. What is usually not included in the price are alcoholic beverages (separate beverage packages are often offered here). And shore excursions, spa stays and treatments (e.g. facial treatments or massages) as well as meals in any speciality restaurants on board. Port charges or the traditional money for the on-board crew’s tip box are also often listed separately on the tour operators’ price pages.
What you should definitely pay attention to when booking is the flight costs. Some gay cruises include arrival and departure by plane, while others require you to book the flights yourself. Here, it is particularly important to book the respective flights in such a way that you do not miss the departure of the ship on the start day. And reach your plane after the end of the gay cruise.
Tailored programme for gay cruises
Whoever books a gay cruise wants a varied programme, especially on board. The organisers provide plenty of fun here. You can take part in the evening pool parties. Which often have a specific theme and give you the freedom to choose your outfits, or enjoy drag queen shows. There are also smaller acts such as readings or quiz events, karaoke, performances by instrumentalists or acrobats. Of course, well-known scene DJs are booked for the pool parties. At many Gay Cruises, the election of a Mr Cruise has become a tradition. To win the title, the candidates face various (almost always adult) challenges.
Packing list for the gay cruise adventure
Bringing all important travel documents is a matter of course. Without a passport and flight ticket you will not be able to board the plane. And without a registration confirmation, you will not be allowed on the ship. A valid credit card and a sufficient amount of cash are also advisable. Depending on the route of the Gay Cruise you have booked, you should pack your suitcase.
Always pack skincare products and sunscreen for your trip. The salty sea air can dry out your skin, so include a good moisturizer. Use sunblock regularly, especially around the pool or at open-air bars, as the breeze can mask sunburn. It’s best to prevent it than to deal with it later.
You should also act according to this motto when it comes to adult fun. Which you will certainly have on a gay cruise. Pack everything you need to protect yourself and others during sex. This primarily includes condoms, but also medication that you may need to take regularly due to an HIV infection. So that you are prepared for everything. You should also pack lubricant in your luggage, as you never know whether and how often you will have sexual contact on a gay cruise.
What always goes in your suitcase on a gay cruise are various outfits. As pleasant as it may be to stroll around the ship all day in sexy swimwear, sometimes you have to wear more. For example, when visiting the ship’s restaurants or on shore excursions. Remember that not every country in the world is liberal, which is why we strongly advise against visiting a mosque in shorts and with your upper body exposed, for example.
Legal requirements
By the way, you should be careful when choosing your suitcase. Although it doesn’t matter how big your suitcase is on the cruise ship, almost all airlines specify dimensions that must not be exceeded. At least for hand luggage. The maximum permitted weight is also prescribed. If your suitcase weighs too much, most airlines will charge you a not inconsiderable additional fee.
If you are a friend of poppers, be careful and find out in advance how they are handled on the plane and in the countries where you land with the aircraft. Or from where you have to take the return flight.
Not everywhere is a rainbow
Safety plays an important role when travelling abroad. Especially for homosexuals, because gays, lesbians or trans people cannot expect acceptance everywhere. You should take this into account when choosing your outfits for country walks, as well as your behaviour. For example, in predominantly Muslim countries, it makes sense to always choose your clothes in such a way that they are not too extravagant and automatically give the locals the idea that you might belong to the LGBTIQ* community. It is also not advisable to stroll through the streets with your partner holding hands or kissing in such countries. For your own safety, adapt your behaviour to that of the local population. However, most cruise organisers choose their routes anyway so that the trip does not take you to countries where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by law.
Gay target group
Have you heard the term “Friends of Dorothy”? In American usage, it is synonymous with gay men. Even the Queen Mary 2, which is better known for straight cruises, has now set up a permanent meeting place for “Friends of Dorothy”, the Commodore Club. Because the shipping company Cunard has recognised that the LGBTIQ* community is a promising target group. More and more shipping companies are paying tribute to this fact, as “Friends of Dorothy” are now also meeting on ships operated by NCL, Holland America, Carnival & Princess Cruises and Crystal & Azamara Club Cruises.
They are not only accepted there, they are increasingly welcome guests on board. This is certainly also due to the fact that members of the LGBTIQ* community are considered a solvent clientele. Admittedly, a gay cruise is not the cheapest of holiday pleasures. However, if you book as early as possible, you can benefit from the many early booking discounts offered by cruise organisers. You can then spend the money you save on activities on board or ashore, for example.
Gay cruises – a completely different kind of holiday
If experience reports are to be believed, a gay cruise is an experience somewhere between cultural exploration, party marathon and sex holiday. Where hundreds or even thousands of gay men are together in a small space, contacts, friendships and perhaps even partnerships are formed. In any case, you will get your money’s worth with the necessary openness. If it doesn’t work out with a (sex) partner, you’ll at least have the pleasure of seeing all sorts of delicious guys who stimulate your imagination.
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