Step aboard the Celebrity Apex and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of VACAYA: the biggest LGBTQ+ cruise offering top-tier destinations, extravagant onboard facilities, free entertainment, and a celebration of inclusivity that welcomes all. Get ready for themed parties, fabulous shows, and 3,000 new friends as you embark on this marvellous journey of community and connection.
When is a gay cruise not a gay cruise? When it’s VACAYA! Renowned as the world’s biggest and most vibrant LGBTQ+ cruise. We jetted into Miami on Norse Atlantic’s low-cost flight to embark on this marvellous journey from Fort Lauderdale, often dubbed a gay Mecca in its own right. Honestly, why not add a couple of days there to soak in the vibes? Over seven days, we hit top-tier spots like Puerto Rico—think quaint Spanish town vibes—La Croix, a tiny Caribbean island perfect for adventure, and Antigua. Yet, the onboard antics were so fun that some of us barely set foot off the ship!
Imagine a 14-storey floating palace, aka the Celebrity Apex. It’s more like a swanky five-star hotel merged with a buzzing small town. Picture multiple restaurants, a theatre, nightclubs, martini bars (with grand pianos!), casinos, cafes, spas, indoor pools, boutiques, and—of course—a buffet that will knock your rainbow socks off with diverse cuisine options, including vegan and gluten-free delights.
Oh, and did we mention that almost everything—from the food and shows to seminars on tantric sex and lip fillers—is absolutely free? Drinks? Simply go à la carte or opt for an unlimited drinks package. We Brits sure love our martinis, so we got the package and enjoyed performances from Alan Cumming, drag queen La Voix, and even Vanessa Williams, who’ll be dazzling West End audiences soon in Elton John’s new musical, The Devil Wears Prada.
Inclusivity is the heart of VACAYA. While the crowd skews towards older gay men, every body type is welcome and celebrated. So, forget sucking in your belly; it’s all about being you, fabulously and unapologetically!
Born out of a desire for a more inclusive experience, VACAYA welcomes the entire LGBTQ+ community. There are dedicated spaces for women, trans, and non-binary folks, and even meetups for singles and international guests. We bumped into a young, married male/female couple happily diving into the festivities together, proof that VACAYA is truly for everyone.
Themed parties are another highlight. Think pirates, messy hair curlers, and glitzy majorettes—outrageous is the norm! And they give you ample time to pull together your most fabulous costumes. Partying aside, community and connection are the essence of this experience. As Lilli, the onboard medium, wisely declared, “Your community knows how to have fun with each other.”
So, if 3,000 new friends, epic parties, and a haven of inclusivity sound like your thing, VACAYA is the cruise of your wildest, most fabulous dreams. Just don’t forget that towel!
TOP EVENTS
TOP EVENTS
