Looking for a Gay Group Cruise but not a Circuit Party?

Ed and I have sailed on several of Pied Piper's Gay Group Sailings and thoroughly loved the experience. Pied Piper places mixed groups of gay and lesbians (skews mostly men) onto traditional sailings. Unlike Atlantis, Olivia and RSVP, Pied Piper integrates the groups on to sailings with other people. The experience is relaxed, fun and tends to have an air of feeling a little more exclusive than those taking over the whole boat.

Pied Piper is a Gay Group Travel Agency headquartered in NYC. They have been organizing gay group cruises for 19 years and are a member of IGTLA, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. Their groups range in size from a very intimate 10-15 fraternity to their annual Post-Thanksgiving Caribbean Sailing with over 900 people.

Group services include an on-board "Julie" or Group Host (on sailings with more than 10 people), a "Welcome Aboard" cocktail party, assigned private dining tables for the group, outdoor "Midnight Party" on warmer weather cruises, access to private online Yahoo group to meet other group members before sailing and for larger groups Private Group Shore Excursions and more parties (Poolside Olympics, Dress-up-Sing-a-long Movies like the Sound of Music).

If you are looking for a cruise experience that is fun and friendly but a little more reserved than a non-stop party, Pied Piper delivers. On voyages less than 7-nights long the group age range is from early 30's and up. Voyages of more than 7-nights long tend to be mainly retirees with a few cruisers in their late 40's and 50's (a general age rule for any longer cruise except in summer).

Pied Piper sails on two tiers of ships; Mass; Celebrity, RCCL and Princess, and Luxury; Cunard's QM2 and Queen Victoria. Which ever style of cruising you enjoy, Pied Piper's roster of annual cruises will include a ship and itinerary just for you. Itineraries include Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Europe, Mediterranean, Trans Atlantic and beyond.

Promotional Illustations of RCCL's Enormous Oasis of the Seas

The Oasis of the Seas promises to deliver non-stop dazzles. With balconies that look out to sea as well as balconies that look into the inner neighborhoods of the ship, she's got more balcony space than any ship afloat.

The illustration above illustrates this innovative design feature from RCCL. Oasis will be the widest cruise ship ever (at 151 ft wide- that is the same size as the Statue of Liberty from torch to base), 1,181 ft long (the Titanic was 882 ft long and the QM2 is a little shorter at 1,131 ft long) and soars 213 ft high (about 20 stories high). She will make her Maiden Voyage on December 1st.

Pied Piper Travel is offering an Eastern Caribbean Gay Group Cruise on the Oasis of the Seas departing Ft. Lauderdale on February 13, 2010, just in time for Valentines Day. Perhaps you want to give your honey a wonderful Valentine and join the group.

Lofty Suites on RCCL's Oasis of the Seas

Suite enthusiasts are going to love the new loft suites that will adorn the new Oasis of the Seas launching in December. A little bit SOMA, a little bit SOHO and a lot CB2, these staterooms will provide cruisers with the "suite life"... but don't expect a sweet deal on these staterooms. Prices start at $5,000 per person double occupancy. Standard veranda rooms are substantially more affordable...but perhaps a splurge is line.

Pied Piper Travel is offering an Eastern Caribbean Gay Group Cruise on the Oasis of the Seas departing Ft. Lauderdale on February 13, 2010, just in time for Valentines Day. Perhaps you want to show your "suitey" the high life and join the group. Click on the top photo for more information on the cruise.