Queer travellers seeking aquatic adventures don’t automatically have to start thinking about ocean cruises. Consider something cooler, more human scaled and often more exclusive: a river cruise.
Yes, next to the bigger and more amenity-packed ocean cruises, river cruises may seem like they have fewer bells and whistles. Ocean liners, after all, feature giant entertainment venues, huge decks and thousands of passengers, while river cruises deliver a cottage-style experience with fewer guests and a cozier vibe. Yet river cruises have something for everyone; gourmet experiences, adventure, history, socializing and relaxation.
As most river cruise ships carry between 100 and 250 passengers, every minute onboard can be personalized, enabling guests to build more meaningful relationships with fellow travellers.
Research what each queer river cruise offers—and what passengers have said about it
The right cruise can make a world of difference. Josh Rimer, a Canadian travel content creator who has been on both river and ocean cruises, says there are lots of river cruises out there, sold by many different travel agencies and at lots of different price points. It’s a matter of finding the right cruise for you.
“Make sure you’re booking with a reputable company and owner,” says Rimer. “Do some Google searching, so you can see what others have said and any issues that have been reported. Beyond that, it can be worth considering how many previous river cruises the company you’re booking with has done.”
More agencies are organizing river cruises catered specifically to LGBTQ+ travellers. Rather than having to fill a giant ship with people who might have only their sexual orientation in kind, these cruises curate a cohort of passengers who might have more in common. Brand g Vacations offers high-end European river cruises, as does John Heath Travel. Los Angeles-based Uniworld, a mainstream cruise company, offers LGBTQ+-focused OUT on the Rivers cruises hosted by Kelli Gregg Travel. Vancouver-based Detours Travel, which as been focused mostly on adventurous travel for gay men, recently added river cruises to its programming.
Queer river cruises are as much about the friendships as seeing attractions
Because river cruises tend to host smaller, more tight-knit communities, they’re excellent for socializing and forging lasting connections. Heath encourages travellers to embrace this experience fully. His cruises include themed nights and entertainment. While river cruise entertainment may be less extravagant than what’s found on ocean liners—there’s not as much space for Broadway-style shows— travellers can take advantage of the intimate atmosphere to mingle with artists and other passengers.
“We did a river cruise recently that was probably one of my favourite trips that we’ve ever done, because everybody was just there and present and wanting to hang out and talk to one another and enjoy each other’s company,” says Brandon Folkes, brand and marketing manager for Detours Travel. “It’s not this environment where you feel you’re inundated by tons of people, like on a mainstream cruise where you’ll never meet everybody. It felt like this cultivated environment where we were floating down the river from one small village in Germany to another in the Netherlands, and we were able to really enjoy our time and connect with one another on a deeper level.”
Rimer agrees that river-cruise passengers tend to be very open about meeting and getting to know each other. “You’re able to get to know other people on board better because you have more opportunities to see and talk to the same people,” says Rimer. Even introverts or people who don’t make new friends easily may find themselves doing so on these smaller cruises.
At the same time—there is programming. “We had a 1980s theme on our last one,” says Folkes. “It got very extravagant for the big dance party. It’s not always that way on board. We’ll also do themes tied to our excursions. When we went to Cologne, it was Bear Pride. We all got tickets to the event, so we could experience some of the local LGBTQ+ culture.”
Queer river cruises allow for efficient exploration
On ocean cruises, disembarkation can be a long process and the dock a significant distance from the things you want to see. River cruises disembark quickly and usually dock in or close to city centres, allowing for effortless exploration of each destination, often through curated excursions. “Excursions have all been included on the river cruises that I’ve been on, whereas they typically cost extra on ocean cruises,” says Rimer. With fewer passengers on board, guided tours and excursions are usually more intimate and immersive. Travellers can expect to visit more landmarks and museums, giving themselves a richer taste of a local scene without logistical headaches.
Queer river cruise meal times are definitely not about buffet lineups
Ocean liners boast about the number of restaurants and types of cuisine they have. Often, though, it can feel like quantity over quality. River cruises, on the other hand, serve up gourmet meals inspired by the destinations they pass, creating an authentic culinary experience. There may not be the huge variety you’d find on larger vessels, but there are still well-thought-out choices.
“On our cruises, every meal is an incredible five-course meal where you actually have a menu and can select what you want as your starter, your main, your dessert and the selection of wines you’d like to try with the meal,” says Folkes. “For lack of a better term, it’s a luxurious dining experience rather than having to line up with your tray.” Detours’ river cruises, as well as many others on offer, include food and drinks on board, which contrasts with ocean cruises where drinks—whether purchased individually or through a pre-purchased drinks package—can add a lot to the final cost of the trip.
Queer river cruises provide more opportunities for relaxation
Free of the rapid-fire pace of ocean cruises, river cruises tend to be more relaxing experiences. No lineups, no massive groups of people who aren’t in your demographic. A more streamlined selection of activities.
“From gourmet dining to scenic sun decks, river cruises are designed for relaxation, so allow yourself to unwind and soak in the journey,” says John Heath. Whether you’re a solo traveller looking to make more friends or a couple searching for a romantic retreat (or a third), a river cruise will provide a laidback escape. And don’t worry. If it’s an LGBTQ+-themed cruise, there are sure to be drag queens.
With files from Paul Gallant
