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What you need to know before booking a women’s cruise

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If your queer thoughts have ever drifted toward what an amazing time you could have while afloat a giant steel capsule surrounded by miles of shark-infested waters with an unlimited amount of girls, gays and theys to keep you company as you drift farther and farther out to sea, you’ve stumbled upon the right article. 

The wide world of cruises can seem daunting, especially if you’re planning your first queer cruise. Here’s a cheat sheet.

Which women’s cruise is right for you?

This may seem like an obvious consideration, but with so many options available, it’s undoubtedly the most important. You’ll first want to decide which cruise line will best fit your specific wants and needs. Consider the vibe.

Olivia Travel is a travel company for lesbians and LGBTQ2S+ women that began offering WLW cruises more than 30 years ago. They are intentional about reserving entire ships and resorts to ensure that their attendees, including non-binary and trans guests, are safe to be themselves. Olivia’s cruises are an excellent option for first-time cruise-goers seeking to be immersed in the solidarity of the sapphic community. Their next cruise, San Diego to three Mexican destinations, is April 13 to 20, 2024, and can accommodate 1,400 passengers.

On the other hand, if being surrounded by only this target group for seven to 10 days at sea isn’t your personal ideal, there are other options.

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Founded five years ago, VACAYA offers gender-inclusive cruises that serve the entire queer community, from trans and non-binary people to allies. Their big-ship Caribbean cruise this winter sold out quickly—that’s about 3,400 guests—as did their spring small-ship cruises to South America and to the Galapagos. At press time, they still had spots on their small-ship European river cruise, which hits Amsterdam Pride on its August 3 to 15 itinerary. They have big-ship cruises scheduled for the Caribbean and Alaska in 2025.

For another twist on inclusivity, R Family Vacations, in the process of being rebranded as KelliGregg Travel, curates cruises for LGBTQ2S+ families and their friends. Though you don’t have to have kids to sign up for one of their cruises, kids are welcome at most activities, including the evening entertainment. Their July 7 to 13, 2024, Caribbean cruise aboard Celebrity Beyond, which has a capacity of more than 3,200 passengers, still had spots at press time.

Olivia, VACAYA and R Family Vacations are all great options for solo or single travellers, as they coordinate special activities like dances and mixers for independent guests. Costs vary depending on the season, destination and accommodation selection.

Before you book a women’s cruise

Booking your cruise early can grant you access to better prices, a wider selection of accommodation choices and payment-plan options. These days, many LGBTQ2S+ cruises sell out months ahead of their scheduled departure.

Even if your cruise starts and ends in your home country, you’ll most likely need a passport for your travels. Make sure that it’s up to date, and that your photo matches how you present yourself while travelling.

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Keep in mind that not everything is included in the all-inclusive price. For example, your airfare to and from your cruise port is usually your responsibility, as is the purchase of any boozy drinks on board. 

Make room in your budget for the stops you’ll be making along the way. Off-ship meals, drinks and shopping can add up quickly. 

How to pack for a women’s cruise

A pro tip for travelling in general is to pack light. Pack essentials in your carry-on bag in case of the unfortunate event that your luggage goes astray during flight. You’ll want to ensure that you have medication, important documents and, of course, sunscreen and a swimsuit available at all times. 

Footwear can be tricky. You might be tempted to bring your Doc Martens, Birkenstocks, platform UGG slippers and vegan loafers. But shoes can take up a lot of space in your bag, and on a cruise, you’re most likely not going to need a wide array. A pair each of flip-flops, flats and sneakers will be your go-tos on and off of the boat. Make sure to look into the cruise’s stops to better determine what kind of footwear you’ll want on your land adventures.

In fact, one smart packing strategy is to go through the itinerary, choose which activities you’re likely to do, and pack specifically for each outing, while avoiding including random items that you like but don’t serve a purpose. 

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Space-efficient organization tools like packing cubes, hanging organizers/toiletry bags and magnetic cabin hooks can come in handy. If you’re prone to misplacing things and don’t like the idea of carrying a bag or purse with you everywhere you go, you might want to invest in some lanyards and card holders, to keep important items at the ready while keeping your hands free. 

Cruise ship accommodations are notoriously snug, so if you feel any discomfort being in small, dark spaces for any length of time, bring along a portable fan and a nightlight to make your room more comfy. 

Travel tips and insights for LGBTQ2S+ travellers. In-depth travel guides and inspirational ideas for your next trip.

Pink Ticket is sent out every other week.

Travel tips and insights for LGBTQ2S+ travellers. In-depth travel guides and inspirational ideas for your next trip.

Pink Ticket is sent out every other week.

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