PIED PIPER
One of the largest gay cruise operators in the world, Pied Piper Travel has unmatched year-round access to the top global cruise destinations. Trips vary considerably in size, from 15-900 fellow passengers on mixed ships. Staff emphasize that you may freely opt into group activities, or go it alone if you so choose. The company is entering its third decade of facilitating top-notch gay group travel. Every trip includes a welcome cocktail night, reserved dining tables, private shore excursions and an official tour host. With both short and long trips in every month of the year, Pied Piper is your best bet when other cruise calendars don’t match up with your vacation days. www.gaygroupcruises.com
| DATE | DAYS | DESTINATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1/25 – 2/7 | 13 | Australia |
| 2/2 – 2/16 | 14 | Antarctica |
| 2/16 – 3/1 | 10 | Carnival in Rio |
| 2/21 – 3/2 | 10 | Mardi Gras in the Caribbean |
| 3/2 – 3/17 | 15 | Dubai and India |
| 3/14 – 3/28 | 14 | China and S. Korea |
| 4/1 – 4/5 | 4 | Western Europe |
| 4/5 – 4/13 | 8 | Western Europe |
| 4/24 – 5/8 | 14 | Transatlantic |
| 5/11 – 5/21 | 10 | Hawaii |
| 6/13 – 6/27 | 14 | Northern Europe |
| 6/14 – 6/21 | 7 | Transatlantic |
| 6/20 – 7/4 | 14 | Mediterranean Gay Pride |
| 6/28 – 7/5 | 7 | Bermuda |
| 6/29 – 7/6 | 7 | 4th of July in New England |
| 7/17 – 7/27 | 10 | Greece |
| 7/17 – 7/29 | 12 | British Isles |
| 8/2 – 8/16 | 14 | Greenland and Iceland |
| 8/14 – 8/21 | 7 | Alaska |
| 9/5 – 9/19 | 14 | Iceland and Ireland |
| 9/26 – 10/8 | 12 | The Holy Land |
| 10/19 – 10/30 | 11 | Dalmatian Coast |
| 10/30 – 11/13 | 15 | Transatlantic |
| 11/13 – 11/28 | 15 | Panama Canal |
| 11/26 – 12/6 | 7 | Caribbean |
| 12/15 – 12/22 | 7 | Transatlantic |
| 12/22 – 1/3 | 12 | Caribbean |
R FAMILY VACATIONS
This is a company capable of making the whole family happy with a suite of kid-friendly activities available on most cruises. They don’t sacrifice the adult fun, though—you’ll mix and mingle with other guests at cocktail receptions, welcome dinners and a Captain’s Gala. Take advantage of daily chances to venture out, like on a walking tour of Cologne, a visit to the Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or a port side wine tasting. Love theatre but also want to set sail? A special Broadway-themed cruise from New York City to Halifax and back should do the trick. www.rfamilyvacations.com
| DATE | DAYS | DESTINATION |
|---|---|---|
| 3/28 – 4/4 | 8 | Broadway in the Caribbean |
| 10/4 – 10/11 | 7 | Venice |
| 10/10 – 10/14 | 4 | Broadway to Bermuda (With Allan Cumming) |
| 10/20 – 10/26 | 6 | Journey to the Caribbean (with Melissa Ethridge, Tig Notaro, and Tegan and Sara) |
