Ultimate New Year's Arabian Gulf Cruise

LGBTQ+ group sailing aboard Celestyal Journey.

Dates: December 29, 2026 – January 4, 2027
Ship: Celestyal Journey · Celestyal Cruises
Published price: $999 USD

Sailing snapshot

This 6-night ocean sailing runs from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and lists 5 distinct stops. It is a hosted LGBTQ+ group within a regular sailing, so the group experience and wider ship run side by side.

Trip overview

Ultimate New Year's Arabian Gulf Cruise is a hosted LGBTQ+ group sailing from Aquafest Cruises aboard Celestyal Journey. It runs December 29, 2026 to January 4, 2027 and follows a route that includes Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sir Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Doha, Qatar. The itinerary starts and ends in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with calls including Sir Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain. As a hosted LGBTQ+ group sailing aboard Celestyal Journey, it offers a built-in social calendar with room to enjoy the wider ship on your own terms. The listing pairs this Middle East route with Celestyal Journey and the Ultimate New Year's Arabian Gulf Cruise program. Current catalog pricing starts at $999 per person; cabin categories and room-by-room rates are listed separately when published. Availability and fares can change, so confirm the cabin category and final terms with the operator.

Editorially rewritten from the operator's published trip details · reviewed August 30, 2026.

Program itinerary

Confirm the current daily itinerary with the operator before planning ashore. Ports and times may change.

Price and availability

Published starting fare$999 · per person, double occupancy · Check current availability

Pricing note: Published starting fare is per person double occupancy and subject to availability; port fees and meals are listed as included, while airfare and transfers may be additional.

Availability note: The official page identifies this as a hosted group cruise. Its heading calls the December 29–January 4 sailing eight nights although those published dates span six nights and the itinerary lists eight days; confirm the exact duration before booking. Cabin inventory was not exposed.

Fares can change and may exclude taxes, fees, airfare, transfers, or single supplements. Confirm the final total with the operator before booking.

Is this sailing a good fit?

Who it tends to suit

Gay, lesbian, and LGBTQ+ travelers who want a hosted community, private social events, and a wide choice of mainstream, small-ship, and expedition itineraries.

What the trip feels like

Social and welcoming, with cocktail parties, group dining, optional excursions, and extra entertainment; the annual Halloween event turns the volume considerably higher.

Operator profile reviewed September 1, 2026 from the Aquafest Cruises official event guide.

About the operator

Aquafest Cruises organizes hosted group sailings for gay men and women across mainstream, small-ship, and expedition routes. Its calendar ranges from warm-water escapes to ambitious bucket-list itineraries, with trip-specific group programming, cabin pricing, and availability published on each sailing page.

Editorially rewritten from the operator's published information · reviewed August 30, 2026.

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