What are the best cruises for LGBTQ+ travellers?

At a glance

• LGBTQ+-friendly cruises span a wide range of styles, from adult-only escapes to expedition voyages and luxury river cruises
• Itineraries range from classic hotspots like Ibiza and Amsterdam to once-in-a-lifetime adventures in Antarctica and the Arctic
• Some travel brands charter ships from mainstream cruise lines to create all-LGBTQ+ sailings
• Prices vary widely, from under £1,000 to over £9,000 for far-flung expeditions

What makes a cruise ‘the best’ for LGBTQ+ travellers?

Travelling as a member of the LGBTQ+ community isn’t always as, well, straightforward as it is for our straight counterparts. Safety remains a legitimate concern, given that there are 64 countries where homosexuality is still criminalised. But beyond that, it’s about something less obvious: feeling genuinely comfortable. Sometimes it’s as simple as holding your partner’s hand at the bar without getting side-eye or uncomfortable comments.

Fortunately, more cruise lines are moving beyond basic tolerance to active inclusivity, celebrating Pride Month and ensuring LGBTQ+ guests, couples and families feel welcome on board all year round. That means more good choices than ever before.

To help you choose between them, we’re steering clear of a one-size-fits-all approach. After all, the LGBTQ+ community isn’t a monolith, and neither are our holidays. Some cruisers want dinner for two under the stars; others prefer an expedition to Antarctica or bonding over cocktails at an onboard LGBTQ+ social. Whatever your vibe, we’ve got expert-approved recommendations to help you choose exactly what suits your style.

Best all-rounder for LGBTQ+ cruisers: Celebrity Cruises

Why Celebrity Cruises?

Celebrity is a mainstream cruise line with a strong track record of welcoming LGBTQ+ guests, couples and families. In 2018, it hosted the first legal same-sex wedding at sea – and it wasn’t just a one-off. Not only does it continue to celebrate same-sex weddings, but it’s also taken a consistent, community-led and head-held-high approach to Pride Month. Guests can enjoy extra special LGBTQ+ entertainment, a flag-raising ceremony, and Celebrity’s signature fleet-wide Pride Party at Sea, which has become the highlight of the LGBTQ+ cruising calendar.

A warm welcome isn’t just limited to Pride Month, either. The line hosts LGBTQ+ Welcome Parties on most sailings, and these informal, open-to-all gatherings mean it’s easy to make friends with members of the community and allies.

What itineraries are available?

As a mainstream cruise line, Celebrity offers plenty of choices, including LGBTQ+-friendly destinations like Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Hawai’i, Spain and the Norwegian fjords.

What should I expect to pay?

At the time of writing, prices for a week in the Med, Caribbean or Alaska start at under £700 per person, excluding flights. Cruises around Australia and New Zealand start from under £1,000 for 10 nights.

Browse offers:Celebrity Cruises

Best adults-only LGBTQ+-friendly cruise: Virgin Voyages

Why Virgin Voyages?

Virgin Voyages has always done things a little differently. Often billed as a cruise line for people who “don’t do cruises,” one of its biggest draws is that all sailings are adults-only. That’s not to say the vibe is sedate, exactly – it’s just more espresso martinis and dancing at midnight than stray cannonballs and naptime meltdowns (well, for the most part, sometimes those transcend age).

But more than that, Virgin’s come-as-you-are philosophy goes deeper than a relaxed dress code. It’s about creating a space where everyone feels comfortable, regardless of sexuality and gender identity, and the brand has backed that up from the beginning. During its inaugural season, Atlantis Events chartered Scarlet Lady for a dedicated LGBTQ+ sailing, and Sir Richard Branson toured New York City in a Virgin Voyages Pride bus to celebrate the collaboration.

Nowadays, you’ll find an inclusive culture is built into the cruise line’s approach. That ranges from Pride-inspired drinks to drag performances, bingo hosted by resident queens and everyday details like gender-neutral bathrooms.

What itineraries are available?

This cruise line covers all the main crowd-pleasers, from the Mediterranean to LA. LGBTQ+-friendly hotspots on the roster include California, Cozumel, Iceland, Ibiza, Amsterdam and Santorini. You’ll also find Christmas and New Year’s sailings, which are great if you want a different way to celebrate.

How much should I expect to spend?

A North American sailing, excluding flights, can start from under £700 at the time of writing. For no-fly cruises departing the UK for destinations like Iceland or Spain, fares typically start at around £1,000 per sailor.

Browse offers:Virgin Voyages

Best for LGBTQ+ women: Olivia Travel

Why Olivia Travel?

An offshoot of the pioneering Olivia Records, Olivia Travel has spent more than 35 years whisking over 350,000 LGBTQ+ women away on incredible adventures.

It’s not a traditional cruise line with its own fleet – instead, Olivia charters entire ships from lines like Windstar Cruises, Holland America Line, Avalon Waterways and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, creating exclusive sailings for lesbian, bisexual and trans women, as well as non-binary travellers.

Best of all, Olivia puts intersectionality front and centre, making space for as many identities as possible. There are coordinators for solo travellers and guests with accessibility requirements, plus meetups for different age groups, including OWLs (older, wiser lesbians).

Whoever you are, you’ll likely get a kick out of the onboard entertainment, which spans DJs, comedians, speakers and even pickleball pros. Past guests have included the likes of Lily Tomlin and Wanda Sykes.

What itineraries are available?

While their range is not as wide as mainstream cruise lines, there is still a considerable variety to choose from, including Galápagos expeditions, luxury sailings around French Polynesia and river cruises on European waterways.

How much should I expect to pay?

Prices vary depending on the destination and level of luxury. At the time of writing, an Alaska cruise starts at around £750 per person, excluding flights, while more premium itineraries, such as Tahiti, can run from around £3,000.

Browse offers:Olivia Travel

Best LGBTQ+-friendly river cruises: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Why Uniworld Boutique River Cruises?

Uniworld is one of the most luxurious names in river cruising, known for its lavish interiors, farm-to-table cuisine and free-flowing fine wines. But beyond the chandeliers and butler service, the brand has also taken active steps to make all guests, including LGBTQ+ travellers, families and friends, feel genuinely welcome onboard.

Most notably, it offers special Out on the Riverssailings. These LGBTQ+-focused cruises are hosted by members of the community and designed to foster a sense of connection and celebration. Programming varies but may include LGBTQ+ entertainers, talks or onboard activities created with queer guests in mind.

Beyond these dedicated itineraries, Uniworld fosters an inclusive culture across its fleet. That includes LGBTQ+ sensitivity training for staff and membership in the IGLTA (the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association), helping ensure guests of all sexualities and gender identities feel comfortable on any sailing.

What itineraries are available?

At the time of writing, Out on the Rivers sailings include routes through France and Germany, including a festive Christmas market itinerary. But Uniworld’s wider range spans much further – think the Ganges in India, the Nile in Egypt or the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia.

What should I expect to pay?

European itineraries can start at around £2,000, while longer-haul or more premium options are priced higher. A Mekong sailing, for example, typically starts at around £6,000.

Browse offers: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Best LGBTQ+-friendly expedition cruises: Aurora Expeditions

Why Aurora Expeditions?

For LGBTQ+ travellers looking to swap poolside lounging for polar plunges, Aurora Expeditions offers something altogether more adventurous. This is a small-ship expedition cruising at its wildest – think zodiac excursions on glacial waters, expert-led missions with marine biologists and photography sessions set against Antarctica’s otherworldly backdrops.

Everything Aurora does is underpinned by a commitment to the planet. It’s a certified B Corp, operates carbon-neutral voyages and won our 2024 Wave Award for Best Sustainability Initiative. The ships are purpose-built to tread lightly, with every itinerary designed to deepen your connection with the natural world.

That same ethos of respect and care extends to people, too. In February 2025, Aurora hosted an Antarctica Pride Cruise, complete with curated events and onboard programming celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. It was a bold, joyful testament to the fact that queer travellers belong everywhere, even at the edge of the world.

What itineraries are available?

Aurora’s expeditions range from eight to 30 days. While it’s best known for polar voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic, the line also explores destinations like Indonesia, Costa Rica and Patagonia.

What should I expect to pay?

At the time of writing, fares start from under £4,500 for a week in Costa Rica. Antarctica sailings typically begin at around £9,000, with longer and more remote expeditions priced higher.

Browse offers: Aurora Expeditions