The independent LGBTQ+ cruise directoryPowered by

Aquafest Cruises Gay Cruises

16 upcoming sailings

Next departure: October 11, 2026
Current destinations: Antarctica, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Mediterranean, Middle East, Northern Europe, South Pacific, Transatlantic
Current ships: Azamara Onward, Azamara Pursuit, Azamara Quest, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Eclipse, Celestyal Journey, Explora II, MSC Seascape, Queen Mary 2, Scarlet Lady, Scenic Eclipse II, Soleil, VIVA TIARA, VIVA TWO, Wind Star, World Navigator
Published fares: $903–$9,449 USD pp double

About Aquafest Cruises

Aquafest has organized LGBTQ+ group cruises and travel events since 2001, mixing smaller hosted sailings with its larger annual Halloween event. These are groups aboard mixed-clientele ships rather than full-ship charters, so you get private queer programming without waving goodbye to the ship’s regular restaurants, shows, and diversions.

Best for: Gay, lesbian, and LGBTQ+ travelers who want a hosted community, private social events, and a wide choice of mainstream, small-ship, and expedition itineraries.
Trip format: Hosted LGBTQ+ groups and private events aboard mixed-clientele cruises, plus selected land and river programs.
Atmosphere: Social and welcoming, with cocktail parties, group dining, optional excursions, and extra entertainment; the annual Halloween event turns the volume considerably higher.
Typical inclusions: The underlying cruise fare plus an Aquafest host and sailing-specific group programming. Private events, entertainment, dining, gifts, excursions, and perks vary by departure.

Independent comparison

Why compare Aquafest Cruises here?

The official site is the final authority for inventory and terms. Gay Cruise List does a different job: it puts the current sailings, ships, destinations, trip format, and published fares into one comparable view.

Current catalog: 16 upcoming sailings, ordered by departure date.
Format decoded: Hosted LGBTQ+ groups and private events aboard mixed-clientele cruises, plus selected land and river programs.
Source trail: Every listing links to the operator source so you can verify the final cabin, price, and rules before paying.

Compare every gay cruise operator

Cruise updates

Aquafest Cruises cruise updates

When signups are available, alerts watch published price and availability changes on the next 3 listed sailings.

JavaScript checks whether the alert desk is open. If it is, you can request a confirmation email. No account required.

Current directory

16 upcoming Aquafest Cruises cruises

Showing 16 of 16

Representative Transatlantic cruise destination artwork

Pre-Halloween Transatlantic Cruise

Barcelona, Spain → Miami, FL

October 11, 2026 – October 26, 2026Scarlet Lady · 15 nights

Hosted group

Published price$965 USDView details

Representative Caribbean cruise destination artwork

25th Anniversary Western Caribbean Halloween Cruise

Galveston, TX

October 25, 2026 – November 1, 2026MSC Seascape · 7 nights

Hosted group

Published price$909 USDView details

Representative Middle East cruise destination artwork

Ultimate Luxury Egypt Cruise & Tour

Departure port to be confirmed

Program: November 29, 2026 – December 7, 2026Soleil · 8 program nights

Hosted group

Published price$4,799 USDView details

Representative Middle East cruise destination artwork

Ultimate Dubai & Arabian Peninsula Cruise

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

December 14, 2026 – December 21, 2026Explora II · 7 nights

Hosted group

Published price$4,230 USDView details

Representative Middle East cruise destination artwork

Ultimate New Year's Arabian Gulf Cruise

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

December 29, 2026 – January 4, 2027Celestyal Journey · 6 nights

Hosted group

Published price$999 USDView details

Representative Antarctica cruise destination artwork

Antarctica Explorer Cruise

Buenos Aires, Argentina

January 6, 2027 – January 17, 2027Scenic Eclipse II · 11 nights

Sold out

AvailabilitySold outView details

Representative Antarctica cruise destination artwork

Antarctica Voyage

Ushuaia, Argentina

February 14, 2027 – February 25, 2027World Navigator · 11 nights

Hosted group

Published price$9,449 USDView details

Representative Asia cruise destination artwork

Circle Japan Cruise

Kobe, Japan → Tokyo, Japan

April 3, 2027 – April 12, 2027Azamara Pursuit · 9 nights

Sold out

AvailabilitySold outView details

Representative Europe cruise destination artwork

Castles Along the Rhine

Düsseldorf, Germany → Basel, Switzerland

Program: May 10, 2027 – May 17, 2027VIVA TIARA · 7 program nights

Hosted group

Published price$3,395 USDView details

Representative Northern Europe cruise destination artwork

Best of Scandinavia Cruise

Amsterdam, Netherlands

June 19, 2027 – July 1, 2027Celebrity Eclipse · 12 nights

Limited availability

Published price$2,831 USDView details

Representative Mediterranean cruise destination artwork

Circle Mediterranean Cruise

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy → Barcelona, Spain

July 17, 2027 – July 27, 2027Azamara Onward · 10 nights

Limited availability

Published price$1,939 USDView details

Representative Transatlantic cruise destination artwork

Halloween Constellation Transatlantic Cruise

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy → Tampa, FL

October 29, 2027 – November 14, 2027Celebrity Constellation · 16 nights

Hosted group

Published price$903 USDView details

Representative Europe cruise destination artwork

Christmas Markets Along the Danube

Budapest, Hungary → Nuremberg, Germany

Program: November 30, 2027 – December 7, 2027VIVA TWO · 7 program nights

Hosted group

Published price$2,395 USDView details

Representative Europe cruise destination artwork

Portugal, Spain & France Cruise

Lisbon, Portugal → Portsmouth, England

May 9, 2028 – May 20, 2028Azamara Quest · 11 nights

Hosted group

Published price$2,459 USDView details

Representative South Pacific cruise destination artwork

Dreams of Tahiti Cruise

Papeete, Tahiti

September 11, 2028 – September 18, 2028Wind Star · 7 nights

Hosted group

Published price$2,559 USDView details

Representative Northern Europe cruise destination artwork

Norway & Northern Lights Cruise

Southampton, England

November 5, 2028 – November 17, 2028Queen Mary 2 · 12 nights

Hosted group

Published price$2,769 USDView details