Gay Friendly Getaways at Sea
In today's cruise market, there are plenty of options for gay and lesbian passengers to choose from. It's no longer a question of "will I be able to find a cruise I'm comfortable on?" and more an issue of whittling down the numerous choices to a cruise that best suits your style. One of the first steps is to decide whether you would prefer a gay cruise or a gay-friendly cruise.

Gay cruises are very popular with singles and couples looking to relax, let their hair down and enjoy a social, party-like atmosphere. Companies such as Atlantis and Olivia frequently charter ships from major cruise lines to offer these sailings. (Parents may want to consider Rosie O'Donnell's R Family Vacations for kid-friendly cruising). Part of the charm of a charter cruise is that everything from the entertainment to the itinerary is tailored towards gay passengers. Special entertainment guests are booked, couples' massages are offered at the spa, and you'll even find gay friendly movies playing in the staterooms. Additionally, gay and lesbian charter cruises always stop at gay-friendly ports.

For those looking to sail on a mainstream, but gay-friendly cruise line, rest assured that all major cruise lines promote an atmosphere of tolerance and diversity. Most ships offer "Friends of Dorothy" meetings, and if they aren't already scheduled when you board your ship, you can request that that the cruise director set one up.