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Virgin Voyages Adds Official LGBTQ+ Meetups Across the Fleet

Virgin Voyages is now adding official LGBTQ+ meetups to its onboard schedule rolling out across all ships, giving sailors a regular space to connect during the voyage.

Group of friends on a Virgin Voyages cruise celebrate with champagne onboard LGBTQ+ meetups
Virgin Voyages Adds Official LGBTQ+ Meetups Across the Fleet © Photo by Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is now adding official LGBTQ+ meetups to its onboard schedules. These meetups were tested last year and are now rolling out across all ships, giving LGBTQ+ travelers and allies a regular space to connect during the voyage.

How & When

The first meetup usually appears on day 2, with more scheduled every few days. They are often held at The Dock or The Dock House at around 5:30 PM, although locations can shift with weather or ship plans.

The event is described as relaxed and friendly. LGBTQ+ guests and allies are invited to stop by, meet new people, swap stories, and enjoy a low pressure space to hang out. Some events will be hosted by members of The Happenings Cast whilst some are un-hosted.

Meetup details will show up in the onboard schedule closer to sailing, so sailors should check the app once they have boarded. Note: This event may not be offered on all sailings.

Sailor in the Dock House
Sailor in the Dock House© Photo by Virgin Voyages

Why This Is New Onboard

Virgin Voyages has long been considered LGBTQ+ friendly, but most group meetups in the past were started informally by guests. The new listings make it easier for people to find each other without having to rely on third party chats or social posts.

Community feedback helped Virgin Voyages to shape the new event, with the unofficial groups such as the Gay Happenings continuing to exist for sailors. Day two gives people enough time to settle in before meeting others particularly with a stacked first night!

Kara Kature, The Diva
Kara Kature, The Diva© Photo by Kara Kature

Pride Month Will Return at Sea

Virgin Voyages has also confirmed that Pride Month celebrations will continue across the fleet in June. Details are still under wraps. Last year included a partnership with Absolut and a small party linked to a drink token activity. Many expect this year to build on that, but nothing official has been shared yet.

Collectible Cards for Pride Month 2025
Collectible Cards for Pride Month 2025© Photo by Claire Gilligan-Murrell

About the author

Co-Founder and Editor. Blending technical know how from the iOS world with a love for Virgin Voyages with over 25 VV sailings around the world.


8 Comments

  1. Scotty says:

    Loved these on my recent cruise!
    Not surprisingly, gatherings were mostly men. Wish there was a way to make them more appealing to women. Maybe a female member of the Happenings Cast could host once? Other ideas?

  2. Ted says:

    I experienced these on two recent cruises on Resilient Lady:

    1. They are a GREAT addition to all of the social programming Virgin Voyages hosts (e.g. solo meetups)

    2. Unfortunately they timing is very challenging because they are scheduled at the same time as the first dining time for all the restaurants, and more importantly, the same time as solo sailor dinner organization (5:30-5:45). This caused me to have to choose between one or the other. It would be better if VV scheduled these at a different time, say 5:00 pm, so a solo LGBTQ traveler could indulge in all the opportunities.

    3. They could also schedule the first one on the first sailing day, like they do for the solo sailors (again, not at the same time, maybe immediately before)

    Virgin Voyages did not ask about this program on their post-cruise survey – not sure how to get this feedback to them, but if they are reading this, hope this helps them build on what is very appreciated by LGBTQ sailors.

    1. Rob Sammons says:

      Hey Ted, definitely agree with some of these, the issue with the first day and why the second day was chosen is it’s pretty overcrowded already particularly on a Miami sailing where sailaway starts at 4:30, solo into sail away into dinner, Grog and PJ is a lot.

      5pm would definitely be a better time! I would email sailorservices@virginvoyages.com the same feedback then it can filter through to the right people 🙂

  3. Dave P. says:

    VV has been most accepting all along. However, this is a great addition to allow folks to more easily meet and make new friends onboard. We ARE everywhere!

  4. Jamie Carter says:

    That is fantastic news and shows how virgin is ahead of the game with so many gay couples , singles , groups looking to do cruises .

    On the 10th May – Scarlet Lady – Barcelona to Athens via Rome , Amalfi , Sardinia Mykonos

    1. Peter says:

      It’s behind as almost every cruise I have been on with other cruise lines have been doing this for years.

  5. QueenBree says:

    🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵

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