Odyssey Pride, an event organizer specializing in experiences for the Black LGBTQ+ community, has announced the launch of what it calls the world’s first cruise tailored specifically for Black gay men. The seven-day, all-inclusive voyage will depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on October 31, 2026, aboard Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady, following a pre-party on October 30. Ports of call include Curaçao, Aruba, Martinique, and St. Kitts & Nevis, offering opportunities for beach excursions and cultural exploration.
This cruise builds on the evolution of LGBTQ+ charter cruises, which have provided safe, celebratory spaces for queer travelers since the 1970s. Early examples include a 1974 charter of the MS Renaissance by New York City’s Islanders Club, which carried nearly 474 passengers—mostly gay men under 35 from California, New York, and Florida—on a discreet Caribbean voyage from Port Everglades. Described in a 1975 New York Times article as a “floating Pride festival,” it emphasized mutual respect and marked a shift post-Stonewall, though passengers prioritized discretion amid widespread societal prejudice.
By 1986, RSVP Vacations, founded by Kevin J. Messier, popularized the concept with its first cruise, “A Cruise to Remember,” aboard the Bermuda Star from New Orleans, hosting 750 guests. RSVP is often credited as the originator of modern gay and lesbian cruises, evolving from discreet sailings to vibrant, open celebrations. Today, companies like Atlantis Events, Olivia Travel, and VACAYA dominate the market, chartering ships from lines such as Virgin Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean for all-LGBTQ+ itineraries.