Travel Insurance for Your Next Gay Cruise

Thousands of LGBTQ+ travelers worldwide have weighed in on what they want most from the travel industry, and welcoming destinations and community-centered experiences are leading the pack. So, it is no surprise that cruises have skyrocketed in popularity, with gay cruise packages offering a supporting, inclusive vacation environment for the LGBTQ+ community. 

You might be wondering, if there are specific cruise lines that cater to the LGBTQ+ community. The answer is yes! From Malta, Maui, and Mallorca, look at the top cruise lines and port destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers, complete with helpful travel tips to make the best out of each port city. Plus, discover how travel insurance can help elevate the gay cruise experience.

Why Should You Have Travel Insurance for Your Gay Cruise?

Let’s be honest: Traveling on a cruise ship can be nothing short of unpredictable, even with impeccable planning beforehand. When brainstorming a gay cruise for 2024, travel insurance helps protect your vacation plans from common mishaps like flight delays and lost luggage. It safeguards your travel budget from unforeseen expenses like medical emergencies while already out at sea.

However, you don’t want just any travel insurance to protect your gay cruise. Purchasing a travel insurance plan from a third party rather than a cruise line or vacation planning company is wise. 

Insurance plans powered by travel suppliers often offer lower medical coverage than third-party alternatives, and most lack coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. This means that those embarking with a current medical condition could find themselves without insurance coverage if they need to cancel, interrupt, or seek medical care for the condition at any point during or before the cruise. 

With that said, recent surveys of the LGBTQ+ community indicate that 65% of gay travelers report safety and well-being as a top priority during travel planning, making travel insurance a must-have. Travel insurance serves as a safety net for members of the LGBTQ+ community as they explore cruise ports around the globe, ensuring that any unexpected challenges can be handled swiftly. 

Gay Cruise Companies

Curious how you can find LGBTQ+ inclusive cruise options? You’ve come to the right place! As the travel industry embraces more adult-only cruises, several companies have emerged with colorful itineraries and visibly LGBTQ-friendly accommodations to cater exclusively to gay cruise enthusiasts. Here are three gay cruise package companies that are making waves in 2024.

VACAYA

Dubbed ‘the most inclusive vacation company on the planet,’ VACAYA is the world’s first large-scale adults-only travel company centered around the LGBTQ+ community and their ally friends. VACAYA offers gay cruise packages for ships of all sizes, including a small-ship cruise around the Galápagos Islands and a small river cruise through Europe. There’s also a 2024 trip around the Caribbean on the large-scale Celebrity Apex that’s set to house 2,900 LGBTQ+ members from around the globe.

Atlantis Events

Atlantis Events crafts incredible at-sea experiences for an all-gay audience, catering primarily to gay men. For more than 30 years, Atlantis Events has planned elaborate gay cruises for singles, couples, and those exploring their sexuality. Each gay cruise ship features over a dozen parties and safe spaces for guests to be their most authentic selves. Upcoming Atlantis Events cruises for 2024 include Athens to Barcelona, Barcelona to London, and Oasis 2024, the world’s biggest gay festival at sea.

Brand g Vacations

If oceanside ports and large crowds aren’t what you had in mind for your gay cruise, head over to Brand g Vacations instead. Brand g offers all-LGBTQ+ full-ship cruise charters across some of the world’s most beautiful rivers, including the historic Nile River in Egypt and the picturesque Rhone River in France. With guest counts as low as 80 travelers per ship, Brand g Vacations offers members of the LGBTQ+ community a more tranquil, private experience than the above competitors.

Destinations for Your Next Gay Cruise

Nearly 50% of gay travelers in the U.S. report that being a member of the LGBTQ+ community impacts the destinations they really want to travel to — with another 67% saying they’re more likely to travel to destinations that celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community. So, what are the best gay-friendly cruise destinations? Check out these European, Hawaiian, and Mediterranean cities! 

Europe

Though many countries in Europe have passed anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBTQ+ individuals, it’s vital for travelers to feel safe and welcome while on a gay cruise to enjoy the experience truly. Fortunately, many gay cruise packages center around European port cities that welcome and wholly celebrate gay culture. Browse cruise itineraries that stop through areas like

• Malta, which is ranked as one of the most gay-friendly countries worldwide, offering hundreds of LGBTQ+-focused bars, hotels, and clubs. 
• Belgium ranks as the second-most safest country for gay travelers, where cruisers can take in Middle Ages architecture and a thriving market square.
• Denmark is the third-most gay-friendly country globally, providing charming scenery and endless cruise excursion opportunities. 

Hawaii

Hawaii is known for its gay cruises for singles and couples alike, pairing unrivaled wanderlust for the adventurers with breathtaking greenery and white sand beaches for the romantics. When you add the incredible food, LGBTQ+-friendly nightclubs and bars, and stunning sunsets, there are very few reasons Hawaii shouldn’t be on your gay cruise bucket list. Here’s where to explore:

• Oahu is the most populated island in Hawaii and is known as the safest and most active port city for LGBTQ+ travelers.
• Kauai is referred to as the “Garden Island” of Hawaii and offers lush vegetation and dense forests unlike anywhere else in the world.
• Maui is the most laid-back of the Hawaiian islands, offering an ideal place for LGBTQ+ travelers to kick back and relax. 

Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is one of the most scenic destinations for a gay cruise, but it also packs a ton of nightlife, dancing, and delicious meals. The Mediterranean Sea is bordered by some of the most beautiful countries, including Italy, Greece, and Spain, as well as several islands that are the epitome of luxury. If you’re taking a gay cruise through the Mediterranean, check out these ports:

• Mallorca, Spain, is a popular gay travel destination for all members of the LGBTQ+ community, with all gay-friendly beaches.
• Mykonos, Greece, has been on the map as an LGBTQ+ hotspot for decades, known for its incredible nightlife and friendly crowds. 
• Amalfi Coast, Italy, sprawls across over 30 miles of rugged coastline, with stunning beaches and quaint fishing villages to explore. 

LGBTQ+ Cruise Community

The LGBTQ+ cruise community is far from new, with the first cruise operators that catered to gay and lesbian passengers emerging in the 1980s. However, today’s gay cruises are a far cry from those of the past. With the rise of LGBTQ+-focused travel companies, such as VACAYA and Atlantis Events, gay cruises have become more elaborate. Today, LGBTQ+ travelers can board a cruise ship with 5,000+ other community members without worrying about simply enjoying themselves.

Buying Aegis Travel Insurance for Your Gay Cruise

When it comes time to set sail, you deserve to feel confident — no matter what life throws your way. From baggage delays to missed port of call, travel insurance can protect your gay cruise from unforeseen interruptions and issues that could dampen your trip. With the Go Ready Cruise Plan designed by Aegis, you can protect your travel plans and your peace of mind.

And best of all — all Aegis Plans consider Domestic Partners to be a Family Member for those who haven’t tied the knot yet. 

Between high limits for medical coverage and attractive upgrades for cruise voyages, explore our plan comparison page to find the ideal travel insurance for your gay cruise!