A holiday isn’t a holiday if it makes life more difficult, right? And for many, a cruising trip abroad can feel like a bridge too far.
If you’ve ever gone away and been tutted at or gawked at while enjoying a moment at the bar, you’d probably rather stay home instead.
Well, a number of cruise operators have been thinking about how to make their trips more inclusive and accessible to a wider variety of guests, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Whether it’s gender-neutral toilets or sign language interpreters, we’ve plucked the boats that boast a better experience for everyone from the Sailawaze Excellence Awards (BTW you can win a cruise for two by voting here, we should add…).
Virgin Voyages
After a day of sightseeing, what can be more entertaining than a night of drag performance? It’s par for the course at Virgin Voyages, where all staff are encouraged to express their gender identity freely.
Vote to win a cruise
Do you love cruising? Are you an intrepid traveller? Maybe you just like looking at pictures of luxe ships. No matter which, we want you to vote!
Metro has partnered with the Sailawaze Excellence Awards, highlighting the very best in cruising when it comes to sustainability, wellness, entertainment and beyond.
And we need YOU to simply select what you’ve been most impressed by.
The best bit? By voting you’ll automatically be in with a chance of winning a cruise for two worth £2,500.
Say bon voyage to the more traditional categories of ‘best large ship’ or ‘best luxury cruise line’ and instead ahoy to innovation, food and drink and showstopping performances.
The company prides itself on being a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ passengers with its gender-neutral toilets and hospitable atmosphere.
Founder Richard Branson has a long history of supporting gay rights, beginning with legendary Heaven nightclub in London, and the celebrations on his ships ramp up in June as themed parties are thrown and guests are presented with pride-inspired cocktails and on-deck DJs.
Celebrity Cruises
If you thought cruises were only for the silver-haired, you’d be wrong. Celebrity Cruises are a riot of colour, flying every hue of the LGBTQ+ flag – especially in June, Pride Month.
The operation, which travels to every continent, even hosted the first legal same-sex marriage at sea in 2018 and regularly holds gay weddings.
Celebrity Cruises says it promotes diversity among both staff and guests and throws regular LGBTQ+ welcome events to get the party started.
Family-friendly operators Disney Cruise Line prides itself on making trips accessible to those with additional needs. Guests with disabilities have access to comfortable staterooms and suites, along with a full range of services, facilities, and amenities, including auxiliary aids.
Its liners are also home to specially designed communication staterooms for guests with hearing disabilities, including a vibrating bed shaker under the mattress and an indicating panel with light signals for the doorbell, telephone calls, general alarm and fire alarm.
The ships also provide sign language interpreters for shows and entertainment.
Saga Cruises
If a loud party isn’t for you, over 50s can enjoy a more sedate voyage, with Saga Cruises providing a number of options for guests with mobility issues. A chauffeur service to and from ports is provided as standard on all trips, rooms are equipped with hearing loop systems and hoists are available to help guests in and out of the pools.
Assistance is also provided to those who need help with baggage and large print is provided in the cinema guide and daily paper, alongside Braille playing cards.
A-Rosa Cruises
Meanwhile, A-Rosa Cruises are designed with families and multi-generational groups in mind. Under-15s travel for free and family rooms have been provided so up to five can share a room while they meander along Europe’s rivers, waking up in a different city each day.
Hosts are available to take care of youngsters in the kids club, where children can choose from a variety of activities, including crafting, T-shirt design and face painting while adults can enjoy a relaxing treatment at the spa.
The rest of the nominations
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Virgin Voyages
Aqua Expeditions
TUI River Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Explora Journeys
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
P&O Cruises
Cunard
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Celestyal
WELLNESS
Explora Journeys
Emerald Cruises
Amawaterways
Virgin Voyages
Swan Hellenic
Silversea
Viking
TECHNOLOGY
Scenic
Princess Cruises
MSC Cruises
Royal Caribbean
NCL
SUSTAINABILITY
AE Expeditions
The Majestic Line
Portsmouth International Port
Hurtigruten
MSC Cruises
ENTERTAINMENT
P&O Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean
NCL
Marella Cruises
Princess Cruises
COLLABORATIONS
Ambassador Cruise Line
A-Rosa Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Ponant
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
MSC Cruises
P&O Cruises
EXCURSIONS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Oceania Cruises
Havila Voyages
Pandaw Expeditions
Azamara
Holland America Line
CroisiEurope
Hurtigruten
Uniworld
VIVA Cruises
This year, European river specialist VIVA Cruises launched its inaugural LGBT voyage, which took travellers to Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam where they could visit the world’s largest archive of LGBTQ+ history by day and party at the city’s vibrant gay and lesbian bars by night.
VIVA is a member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, an organisation built to promote equality and safety within LGBTQ+ tourism.
Royal Caribbean
Autistic travellers, those with Down syndrome and other additional needs can benefit from a specially designed holiday with Royal Caribbean. Priority check-in, boarding and departure are available to those who need it and the Autism on the Seas programme offers ‘staffed cruises’ with specialised respite sessions and private activities and sessions.
Guests can choose from Autism-friendly dietary menus and scooters, wheelchairs and walkers are provided for on shore excursions and service animals are welcome on board.
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