Making a Splash
LGBTQ+ cruises return to the waters in 2022.
LGBTQ+ TOUR OPERATOR VACAYA KICKS OFF ITS 2022 CRUISE SCHEDULE WITH A CARIBBEAN CRUISE IN JANUARY ABOARD CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM.
The cruise industry may have taken a pandemic-induced pause, but LGBTQ+ cruises are back on the waters for 2022, and travelers will find a variety of interesting ways to set sail. Olivia, the company focused on vacations for lesbians and LGBTQ+ women, offers a number of far-flung and decidedly picturesque cruises on its roster for 2022. The year kicks off in January with a seven-night Costa Rica and Panama Canal luxury cruise aboard Windstar Cruises’ 148-passenger Wind Star, followed by a seven-night Tahiti luxury cruise aboard Windstar’s 148-passenger Wind Spirit that departs from Papeete in July. Iceland, Olivia’s featured cruise destination in August, hosts a seven-night cruise departing from Reykjavík aboard Windstar’s 312-passenger Star Pride, while October features Olivia’s seven-night luxury Mediterranean cruise aboard Azamara Cruises’ 686-passenger Azamara Quest, departing from Athens and stopping in Limassol, Jerusalem and Santoríni.
Those looking to be the first to experience a brand-new cruise ship may consider booking with LGBTQ+ tour and event operator Atlantis Events, set to host a Caribbean itinerary in March aboard Scarlet Lady, a new, 850-passenger cruise ship from Virgin Voyages. Departing from Miami, the five-night itinerary includes stops in Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Croix and Bimini, complemented by plenty of onboard entertainment and festivities.
LGBTQ+ tour operator VACAYA, meanwhile, kicks off its 2022 cruise schedule with a Caribbean cruise in January aboard Celebrity Millennium. Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, the seven-night itinerary includes stops in Curaçao and Aruba and also features live entertainment and a 3-D animated dining experience created by Tablemation Studios. VACAYA also has sold-out cruises in the Seychelles, Greece and Antarctica on its 2022 schedule.
LGBTQ+ globetrotters looking to combine the pleasures of a cruise with the excitement of Xlsior Mykonos, a major gay summer festival on the island of Mykonos, may want to reserve a cabin with family-owned Greek cruise line Variety Cruises. Its August itinerary, which departs from Athens and includes stops in Paros, Santoríni, Bodrum and Mykonos, is timed to end just before Xlsior, so cruisers can extend their visit to enjoy the additional event.