Gay Cruisers Embark on Second Journey to the Caribbean

Over 3,000 gay cruisers are expected to converge on Grand Cayman tomorrow in what has been billed as “The Largest Gay Cruise in History II” by the specialist gay tour operator, Atlantis Events. The Navigator of the Seas cruise begins in Miami on Saturday, 28 January with 3,200 out of the ship´s 3,840 passengers, reported to be gay men and women.

The seven-day journey took guests to Cozumel in Mexico yesterday and is sailing on to Grand Cayman (January 31), Labadee in Hispaniola (February 2) and Miami (February 4).

The Royal Caribbean ship pays bi-weekly calls to the Island; however, gay cruises were halted in 1998 when the Cayman Government bowed to public concerns and said no to 900 gay men and women due to arrive there.

Eight years later, there seems to be a change of heart as officials at the DOT and the Port Authority said that the cruisers are welcome. According to officials at both offices, who wanted to speak anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the gay cruise, Government established a non-discriminatory policy in 2001.

“The Government has no policy of discrimination and will not practice discrimination against anyone,” the spokesperson said.

“All law-abiding visitors are welcome and will be treated in the same manner despite sex, race, religion and culture. We don´t question people´s sexual relationship, we´re only concerned if they don´t comply with our laws and way of life.”

According to the Atlantis Events, it is the largest gay and lesbian tour operator in the world, hosting 15,000 guests annually on its all-gay cruise, resort, and tour vacations.

“We´re the leaders in all-gay charters of fine cruise ships and first-class all-inclusive resorts,” the company said.