Earlier, I discussed how an upcoming Atlantis Events cruise (the company organizes cruises aimed at LGBTQ+ travelers) encountered a significant problem on an approaching Virgin Voyages charter, when Turkey announced it wouldn’t permit the ship to dock there, referencing “moral standards” and “family values.”
The fact is, that cruise wasn’t exclusively focused on Turkey; rather, it included Turkey as one of several stops, while the main destination was Greece. Well, OMAAT reader Sisyphus directed my attention to what might be an even more intriguing cruise concept, which is the first-ever gay cruise departing from Saudi Arabia. Hmmm…
VACAYA organizes “exciting” LGBTQ+ Saudi Arabia cruise
VACAYA is a travel company that crafts adults-only experiences for the LGBTQ+ community. The company mainly charters cruises for this concept but also provides some resort experiences.
As you’d anticipate, most of the company’s experiences are in LGBTQ+-friendly destinations, but this isn’t always the case. From March 28 through April 7, 2027, the company will host its “Arabian Nights Cruise,” touted as the company’s “most exciting adventure yet,” allowing participants to “make and live history.”
The voyage takes place on the new Emerald Kaia, which features 64 cabins and suites.
The cruise itinerary includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, and Jordan, with Saudi Arabian stops beginning in Jeddah and a second stop in Yanbu. Jeddah is depicted as a “vibrant port city,” while Yanbu “offers pristine beaches and diving adventures in the azure depths of the Red Sea.”
As you might expect, many individuals may see this and wonder “huh, a gay cruise from Saudi Arabia?!” VACAYA does provide the following message regarding this, which I believe is worth sharing:
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a profound transformation, cautiously entering the global tourism arena and welcoming travelers from around the globe to experience its stunning cultural heritage and natural beauty. For decades, LGBTQ+ travelers could hardly envision stepping foot in the Kingdom. However, as the country aims to diversify its economy and revamp its international image in preparation for hosting the 2034 World Cup, a subtle yet significant shift is taking place: visitors of all identities are being embraced, as long as they respect local customs. While full equality remains a goal, this opening signifies a moment of evolution—an acknowledgment that the world’s travelers come in every color of the rainbow. It is a subtle step, but one filled with diplomacy, hope, and the promise of a more inclusive future.
One of VACAYA’s fundamental beliefs is that the world’s treasures belong to ALL of us, and by engaging our community with one of the most remarkable regions on Earth, we celebrate our right to explore, learn, and connect. This is not merely a vacation. It is a groundbreaking journey of understanding and visibility, where the joy of discovery serves as a bridge between cultures and the hope of progress travels alongside us.
My perspective on this daring Saudi Arabia cruise concept
At least officially, Saudi Arabia asserts that it is welcoming to LGBT visitors, under what I would term a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach. Here’s how the company addresses this on its tourism website:
Are LGBT visitors allowed to visit Saudi Arabia?
Everyone is welcome to visit Saudi Arabia, and travelers are not required to reveal such personal information.
Therefore, I would be interested to know if any explicit permission has been granted for this cruise, or if it’s more a matter of the cruise being organized under the assumption that we can trust Saudi Arabia’s word here.
In the past, I’ve shared my views on traveling as a gay (and married) man, and I’ve also expressed my opinions on flying Gulf carriers, along with the ethics surrounding that. People are, of course, entirely welcome to disagree with me on these points, and I don’t believe there are any definitive right or wrong answers. Frankly, the only perspectives I don’t respect are those from individuals who adopt a self-righteous stance, claiming they’re doing everything correctly, while anyone with a differing opinion is mistaken.
As a gay individual, I would be comfortable traveling to Saudi Arabia, and honestly, I’d probably behave the same as I do anywhere else—being gay isn’t my sole identity, I’m not particularly into PDA in general, etc.
That being said, at this early stage of Saudi Arabia opening up more broadly, I’m uncertain if I would want to embark on a journey specifically for gay individuals. From my viewpoint, VACAYA is walking a fine line here—the company states that everyone is welcome in Saudi Arabia, assuming they respect local customs, and in this instance, those local customs essentially entail not disclosing one’s sexual orientation.
Yet, VACAYA further describes this as a “pioneering voyage of understanding and visibility.” The reality is, this isn’t genuinely about visibility. Saudi Arabia