My First Experience on a Gay Cruise: Here’s How It Went

I used to shy away from gay cruises due to constant partying, unsolicited remarks, and a lack of representation. But then I discovered Vacaya, an inclusive, adults-only travel company dedicated to embracing the entire LGBTQ+ community and our straight allies.

As a chubby Black gay man, I've often felt insecure about my body. If an LGBTQ+ cruise, vacation, or tour doesn't resonate with me, I tend to steer clear. However, when I got the chance to sail with Vacaya, I consulted friends about their experiences, particularly regarding the company’s charters and resort stays. Words like "diverse," "body positive," and "it’s all about your experience" filled me with joy.

I chose to step out of my comfort zone and embark on a seven-day Caribbean adventure aboard the Celebrity Millennium, joining over 1,500 fellow passengers with stops in Aruba and Curaçao.

A Thoughtful Commitment to Inclusion

A few hours into our journey, just before we departed from Port Everglades in Hollywood, Florida, I was pleasantly surprised by the range of passengers. Although most were older, the group represented a vibrant cross-section of the LGBTQ+ community, showcasing various ethnicities and sexual orientations. Even before we set sail, many of my prior assumptions about gay cruises began to dissipate.

This diversity was also reflected in Vacaya's programming and entertainment lineup. Glee star Amber Riley celebrated legendary divas like Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston. Actress Susie Mosher brought humor as the host of a show where bold passengers belted out their favorite songs. The Skivvies dazzled with their clever music mash-ups, comedians Gene Moore and Geneva Joy had us laughing until tears streamed down our faces, actress Marilu Henner shared stories from her Hollywood journey, and drag queen Shangela captivated the audience with a performance that paid tribute to Beyonce.

Throughout the cruise, guests went all out in stunning costumes, showcasing their creativity at themed parties — typically featuring DJs Corey Craig or Susan Morabito. The DJs primarily played electronic dance music (EDM), and some passengers, myself included, hoped for a bit more musical variety.

"The diversity on board was impressive: Black, white, Hispanic, and Asian passengers all mingled. Vacaya might want to consider incorporating some Afrobeat and other musical styles for everyone's enjoyment," shared Samira Alston, an African American bisexual traveler from Brooklyn, New York.

Connecting with people like Alston was a breeze. The ship fostered a strong sense of community, making it easy and relaxed to meet others and exchange cruise cards — a handy way to keep in touch during the voyage.

I encountered a variety of people, including Ken, who traveled 12 hours from Chattanooga, Tennessee, for his first gay cruise; Eric and his partner, Jason, from Tacoma, Washington, who shared stories about their meeting, Jason's coming out journey, and his amicable divorce from his ex-wife; and Oscar, a single passenger from L.A. eager to socialize after his divorce from his ex-husband.

I found that a gay cruise provides the freedom to be ourselves in a respectful atmosphere, allowing for reconnections with old friends from past voyages and the formation of new friendships that extend beyond our week-long adventure.

The Details of Cruising

This wasn’t a standard vacation for me as I had work commitments, so I purchased Celebrity's Xcelerate Stream package for two devices (my phone and laptop). Unfortunately, the unsecured Wi-Fi was inconsistent and slow in my cabin, often forcing me to seek out public areas for a stronger signal. If possible, I suggest skipping the Wi-Fi fee and truly unplugging.

As is common with many cruises, there are separate prepaid options for dining and drinks. I thoroughly enjoyed most of my meals at the Oceanview Cafe, an international buffet offering Mexican, British, Italian, Asian, and other cuisines. I treated myself to a meal at the Tuscan Grille for an extra $45 and was also invited to experience Le Petit Chef, which combines 3D tabletop entertainment with a delightful four-course dinner. Since I don’t drink much, I opted out of the beverage package and paid for cocktails and wine as needed, mostly for the poolside festivities.

The shore excursions in Aruba featured a range of activities, from beach outings to wildlife encounters and immersive experiences. In Curaçao, I had the chance to visit the Dolphin Academy for an up-close interaction with the animals. It's important to mention that this three-hour experience comes with a price tag of $159 (excluding lunch) and involved quite a bit of waiting for the 15-minute dolphin show, which might feel a bit lackluster for some.

Cruise Travel in the Age of a Pandemic

Today, it’s hard to talk about cruise travel without addressing the significant concern: COVID-19. Just a week before my trip, a Royal Caribbean ship (not affiliated with Vacaya) was denied entry to Aruba and Curaçao due to a high number of COVID cases onboard. This left me worried that we might face similar restrictions at those ports.

I made a deliberate choice to embark on a cruise, fully aware of the potential risks involved, even as someone who is fully vaccinated. Every passenger was required to present negative COVID-19 test results taken within 48 hours of our departure. I conducted an at-home test, a rapid antigen test at Reagan National Airport, and purchased a 10-pack of N95 masks. During the poolside theme parties, I opted to enjoy them from the upper balcony to steer clear of the crowds below. Passengers were proactive about following Celebrity's guidelines, wearing masks during all indoor performances and activities.

Bill Onieal and Ryan Focht recognized the necessary precautions to ensure safety on the cruise. Onieal, a nurse with 13 years of emergency department experience, has also worked in palliative care and with special needs pediatrics, while Focht is a chemist in preclinical toxicology research. Hailing from Jersey City, New Jersey, the engaged couple is fully vaccinated, has received their booster shots, and undergoes regular testing due to their professions. Onieal remarked, "There's always a chance we could contract COVID."

"The safety protocols in place were the primary reason we felt secure attending a Vacaya cruise during the pandemic," Focht shared. "Both Celebrity and Vacaya were clear about their contact-tracing measures."

Naturally, even with all precautions taken, the risk of COVID remains. In a post-cruise press release, Vacaya cofounder and CEO Randle Roper stated, "Throughout the week, 27 guests tested positive and were placed in isolation, while 72 others who had been in close contact with a positive case were tested, quarantined for 24 hours, and retested before being cleared and released."

Key Takeaways

Reflecting on my cruise experience, I would definitely choose to go again as a solo traveler. In fact, a few friends and I have already talked about the chance to book Vacaya's fifth-anniversary Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Reflection, set for February 2023. The safety measures from Celebrity, along with Vacaya's meticulous attention to detail, transparency, and welcoming atmosphere, were key reasons that allowed me to fully enjoy my first gay cruise and return home without contracting COVID.