For LGBTQ+ travelers, safety and acceptance can be a top priority. While cruise lines can’t guarantee that all destinations are LGBTQ-friendly, cruises are a great way to travel in a safe and welcoming environment with other like-minded travelers.
There are cruises for every type of traveler, but knowing which cruises will provide the most welcoming and accepting environments for those in the LGBTQ+ community. Read on to discover a curated list of the best LGBTQ-friendly cruises perfect for any type of travel, be it for leisure, adventure, or celebration.
1. Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is well known for its LGBTQ+-focused cruises. Each June, the cruise line hosts their annual Pride Party at Sea, with a flag-raising ceremony, daily LGBTQ+ activities and social hours. In 2018, Celebrity Cruises became the first major cruise line to marry a same-sex couple legally. Since 2017, all same-sex marriages performed on board the ships by the Captain are legally recognized, making it a great cruise line for couples.
Celebrity Cruises strives to provide guests with top-tier cruise experiences, offering world-class cuisine, all-inclusive drink packages and various guest entertainment options. With 300 ports located around the world, guests can explore unique destinations while enjoying the comfort of a welcoming community onboard.
2. Royal Caribbean
As one of the largest cruise lines in the world, Royal Caribbean has also become a top choice for LGBTQ+ travelers. It was also the first cruise line awarded the “Gay Travel Approved” by GayTravel.com, a popular online LGBTQ+ resource page. Royal Caribbean is also a member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association.
The cruise itineraries are also known to include LGBTQ+ welcome meetups at the beginning of each trip for community members to meet.
Sail across the world aboard one of the 24 cruise ships in the fleet to visit over 300 destinations. While onboard, enjoy innovative activities such as surf simulators, enjoy delicious gourmet cuisine and dance your heart out on the dance floors.
3. Azamara Cruises
Azamara Cruises is a proud partner of Meet Me Onboard, a large LGBT+ cruising community online and actively shares passenger cruise experiences on their Destination Immersion® Experiences Blog. The cruise line often offers LGBTQ+ activities onboard, like welcome meetups.
Azamara is ideal for those who prefer a more intimate cruising experience, with smaller ships that hold around 700 passengers. With Azamara, passengers can visit over 150 destinations across the world. Uniquely, you can embark on a 155-day-long World Voyage with Amazara and visit at least 35 countries during the trip.
4. Princess Cruises
Known for its sentimental history with the 1970s show "The Love Boat," Princess Cruises also extends its love to its LGBTQ+ passengers. The cruise line frequently hosts LGBTQ+ get-togethers onboard and travels to many LGBTQ-friendly international destinations, such as Barcelona, Spain and Sydney, Australia. Princess ships are also often chartered for gay and lesbian cruises.
Princess Cruises is an excellent choice for adult travelers, offering world-class entertainment, luxurious spa treatments and gourmet dining options. For LGBTQ+ travelers preferring U.S. destinations, Princess Cruises is a top choice, particularly for Alaskan cruises.
5. Cunard Cruise Line
Since 1840, the Cunard Line has been renowned for its regal elegance and sophistication, providing passengers with an experience to cherish. During the day, guests can savor a pint at the pub and by night, they can indulge in the ship's casino, adorned in their finest attire.
The Cunard Line is a luxury cruise line that’s renowned for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The cruise group scored a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign, which advocates on behalf of LGBTQ+ Americans and actively implements LGBT employment practices. Onboard, LGBTQ+ members are welcomed, with meetup groups to join and meet other like-minded people.
6. Seabourn Cruise Line
Seabourn's smaller cruise ships are ideal for those seeking a more personalized cruising experience, accommodating no more than 600 passengers. As part of the Carnival Corporation, the Seabourn Line has also received a perfect score of 100 by the Human Rights Campaign.
Seabourn is fully all-inclusive and offers high-quality amenities and services to its passengers, including Wi-Fi, gratuities and drinks. Seabourn offers a variety of unique itineraries, including the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.
7. Holland America Cruise Line
Holland America Cruise Line, as part of the Carnival Corporation umbrella, has also received a perfect score of 100 from the HRC. With over 140 years of cruising experience, Holland America offers top-of-the-line service across its 11-ship fleet. Guests can indulge in pure relaxation with a yoga session on the sun deck, savor a diverse array of dishes at the cruise specialty restaurants and enjoy various other fun activities onboard.
How To Know if a Cruise Line Is LGBTQ-Friendly
There are a few ways to know if the cruise line you’re interested in booking is LGBTQ-friendly. Look for the following:
- Inclusive policies: Nearly every major cruise line has a nondiscrimination policy that typically includes sexual orientation. These policies should be readily available on the cruise line’s homepage.
- Events and entertainment options: Most major cruise lines include LGBTQ+ meet and greets within the itinerary. If not, you can check online to see if there are any informal meet-and-greet events planned for your cruise booking. There may also be entertainment events that include LGBTQ+ performers within the itinerary.
- Awards: Check if the cruise line has received awards or recognition from reputable LGBTQ+ organizations. Advocacy groups such as HRC often award companies for their commitment to respecting groups of various backgrounds.
- Reviews: Read reviews and testimonials online on LGBTQ+ community blogs and travel forums from previous cruise travelers sharing their experiences aboard the cruise lines. These can offer valuable insights into the cruise environment and its friendliness towards LGBTQ+ travelers.
You can also contact the cruise line's customer support for more details on LGBTQ+ representation and programs offered on the cruise.
Book an LGBTQ-Friendly Cruise Vacation With AAA
LGBTQ-friendly cruises can offer a welcoming and inclusive experience for all travelers. Make planning a trip a breeze by booking your cruise with AAA. With an AAA Membership, you can enjoy exclusive perks on and off-board the cruise, including onboard spending credits and select discounts.