LIFE ON THE OPEN SEAS has become an exceedingly welcoming experience for LGBTQ+ travelers as cruise operators of all sizes and specialties devise unique options around the globe.
To stay on top of all the possibilities, Tzell Travel Group, an international agency specializing in upscale and business travel, has a team dedicated to the LGBTQ+ cruise market. Gregg Kaminsky, cofounder, R Family Vacations, a Tzell affiliate focusing on vacations for LGBTQ+ families and their friends, proves an industry guru when it comes to cruising for LGBTQ+ travelers.
“There are two types of LGBT cruises: groups and full-ship charters,” he explained. “Both are really amazing experiences. It’s all about traveling with like-minded people with some great entertainment and programming. The two biggest companies are Atlantis Events — where I was VP for seven years — and Olivia Travel. Atlantis is for gay men, and Olivia is for the lesbian community.”
Those two companies — which include RSVP Vacations, an Atlantis-owned brand — may be the biggest players in the field, but alternatives continue to grow. R Family, for example, will host an LGBTQ+ group cruise aboard the new Celebrity Edge, as well as an Out on the Seine itinerary aboard a Uniworld ship, both in 2019.
Additional options include GaySail, which specializes in sailing cruises for gay men in Europe, Latin America and Asia; and the Katarina Line, a Croatian small-ship cruise line offering seven-day Adriatic gay cruise packages.
Nearly every so-called mainstream cruise line also touts its own LGBTQ+-friendliness. So how can travelers make the right choice? Jeff Rutledge, CEO, AIG Travel, the travel insurance company, offered advice: “Research your cruise line’s LGBTQ-friendliness,” he said. “Most companies will self-promote if this is the case because they likely want to advertise that they are welcoming to all travelers, but outreach to a cruise line’s representative or a travel agent would be a good first step to learn more.” He added travelers should also verify if the planned ports of call are LGBTQ+-friendly. “Even when cruising on a ship with the friendliest, most welcoming environment, ports of call in foreign countries can be a different matter,” he said.
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedMelt into Mediterranean Charm in Barcelona and Costa Brava
Usually regarded for its Modernist architecture, centuries of artistic influence and polarizing football team, Barcelona has come into its own as a growing tech hub. The capital of Catalonia hosts the annual Mobile World Congress each March, and its Poble Nou neighborhood cradles some of the world’s most recognizable startups like TravelPerk and Typeform.
Sponsored Content
IHG Business Edge: A Smarter Way for Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses to Travel
IHG Business Edge is a complimentary travel program designed to help small- and mid-sized businesses manage travel more efficiently while saving on hotel stays. Members enjoy access to guaranteed discounts, loyalty benefits, and partner offers across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio of 7,000-plus hotels in more than 100 countries.
Daily
Sep 21, 2026Ireland’s Dromoland Castle Announces Landmark Transformation
This November, Dromoland Castle is set to close its doors for six months for its largest redevelopment in its 63 years as a hotel. Set to reopen in June 2027, the 16th-century property in County Clare will debut a one-of-a-kind transformation with updates to accommodations, public spaces, wellness facilities, culinary features and more.
Destinations
Sep 21, 20266 Reasons to Put Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with us.
Sponsored Content
Elevate Your Journey with TAP Air Portugal’s New Economy Prime
Exciting news ahead for TAP Air Portugal, as Portugal’s flag carrier prepares for the launch of its brand-new Economy Prime cabin, offering customers more space, additional privacy and a superior travel experience. Flights boasting the new cabin take off June 1; booking for Economy Prime is now available across all TAP channels and travel agents.
Daily
Sep 21, 2026Women’s Retreats Now Available at Six Senses Kyoto, Six Senses Kanuhura
Designed to be a supportive experience for women of all ages, The Yin Way Retreat — The Way of a Woman is a new experience available to guests this year at Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives. It’s available Oct. 1 to 4 in the Maldives, and at Six Senses Kyoto in Japan Dec. 11 to 14.
Seven Seas Prestige to Feature New Spaces
September 2026
Sep 19, 2026Daily
Sep 18, 2026Windstar Unlocks Tower of London After Dark and Other New 2027 Experiences
Explore three different remarkable European destinations in 2027 with Windstar Cruises. The brand’s newest 224-guest, all-suite yacht, Star Explorer, debuts alongside complimentary Destination Discovery Events in Livorno, Dubrovnik and London.
Sponsored Content
Global Traveler Hosted Trip on the Transcend Connect
JOIN GLOBAL TRAVELER ON ITS NEXT TRIP!
September 2026
Sep 17, 2026High-Spirited Hong Kong: The Dynamic Hub Embraces Its Maritime History and Culture
It was known as the “Kai Tak heart attack” — the thrilling, terrifying final approach into Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport. Airliners were required to bank sharply at the last moment, dodging hills and apartment blocks to line up with a runway jutting out into Kowloon Bay. The airport is long gone, but international visitors are arriving at Kai Tak again, albeit more sedately. Their cruise ships dock smoothly at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, a modern gateway designed by Sir Norman Foster.
ShareThis