"Lower" fares on all-gay Atlantis cruises, good cruise value
Holland America Eurodam, photo courtesy Holland America
A quick look at the “pricing” page for Atlantis Event’s all-gay Copenhagen to Amsterdam Pride cruise tells the story: The itinerary doesn’t seem to be selling well.
While I’m not here to promote any particular cruise, I have to say this sailing, starting from $1,699pp for the cheapest inside cabin, $1,999 for the cheapest oceanview, represents a good value. Here’s why:
- It’s a 10-night itinerary, and priced very closely to what discount agencies and Holland America themselves are offering on similar itineraries (although it is a somewhat customized itinerary).
- From the information on their site, this cruise doesn’t seem to feature over-the-top extra gay entertainment (no mention of big name stars) and there is little emphasis on all-night dance parties, so they’re able to offer the itinerary at a rate more competitive with mainstream cruises. But, you’ll be on a ship where almost all the passengers are gay men, and that can be lots of fun. If you have worries about it, see my Myths of Gay Cruising.
- The cruise ends in Amsterdam on their Pride weekend, so your all-gay fun can continue.
- They’re also offering airfare on British Airways (departing NYC) for $699 plus taxes and fees. Today I find the routing (NYC-Copenhagen, Amsterdam-NYC) on Kayak, using Icelandair, for just over $1,100, so it would be crucial to know what Atlantis’ taxes and fees are. Similar savings are advertised for other US departure cities.
Meanwhile, there is still plenty of space on their and their Athens to Barcelona (with an overnight in Tel Aviv) cruise in late August, and the site has more mention of gay-specific entertainment, yet still decent pricing. The airfare add-on pricing also seems like a decent deal, starting at $599 from NYC.
Mark, 
Brian Legacy, 
Jay and 5 others are discussing.
Joseph 11:53 am on April 24, 2010 Permalink |
I’m a little worried at how hard Atlantis has been finding it to fill up some of these itineraries. The Baltic cruise in 2008 was fantastic. I’d consider going on this one, but we just got back from the North Asia cruise & can’t take another 2 weeks off of work.
Randall Shirley 7:00 pm on April 24, 2010 Permalink |
Europe seems to have soooo many available mainstream itineraries these days, I personally think it may be losing some of its cruise appeal–especially considering the cost associated with airfare, and generally hotels on both ends of the sailing. There are obviously plenty of gays who haven’t yet been, but those who can afford the European itineraries have likely already been. So the market for these cruises may now be much more budget-oriented, and a lot of people in that demographic (including me) may be choosing to sail closer to home for now.
Peter 10:13 pm on April 28, 2010 Permalink |
Yes they do appear to be having their own entertainment – see beloww copied from their website.
Fresh and exciting entertainment abounds, starting with our signature productions in the modern 1000-seat theater. Featuring our hilarious comedians, unique variety entertainers, Broadway stars, massive stage productions, special guests, and much more.
Intimate venues showcase the best in gay and lesbian cabaret talent, including our own unique piano bar singers. Novel cultural options abound, including gues
Randall Shirley 10:25 pm on April 28, 2010 Permalink |
Thanks for clarifying, Peter. However, to my eyes, they don’t seem to be putting the emphasis on entertainment that I’ve seen in the past–no big names are mentioned. In fact, the description doesn’t sound much different than standard cruise fare, and I’ve edited my original post as I now see that they’ve mentioned late night parties. However, it seems they’re downplaying those aspects by lumping them in with the ship’s regular shows, casino, and features.
Don’t get me wrong–I’m not saying Atlantis won’t put on a nice and unique cruise. I’m sure it’ll be loads of fun. I’m just trying to spot places where they might be able to pull their pricing model closer in line with mainstream cruising.
Philipp' 3:22 am on May 2, 2010 Permalink |
Still seems a bit pricey, as we have been on non-specifically-gay cruises. If there is a weak interest from the american market, Atlantis would do well to market to European clientele. We would be able to take a train to the port. While we know the cities, it is always nice to visit them by sea. Local entertainment would cost less (at least, no travel to/from expenses).
DIEGO 11:46 pm on June 18, 2010 Permalink |
Hello, I’m looking for to go to the next tryp trhu copenaghen and amsterdam, I’m single but I heard that if you go by yourself it’s neceseary to page doble amount of the price. That’s true? it’s possible to share?
I will appreciate if some one can inform me
Diego
Jay 11:29 pm on July 11, 2010 Permalink |
Atlantis is not worth the value….. Boring entertainment, 500+ more for the same room on the same ship to the same place…. Last years cruise was a mess to Mexico, and the entertainment was exactly the same…. My friends and I are not going back.
Brian Legacy 1:17 pm on January 18, 2012 Permalink |
I agree Atlantis has been using the same entertainment for years. They think that a drag queen is what the gays want to see. Not everyone is 21 as they show in their ads, and some of us could care less about a man in a dress. It’s always the same, a Drag Queen, a Gay Piano Player, A Gay Singer YIKES how about using your imagination we are much more than that, look around there is great GAY talent out there. If you are going to charge us more for a cruise you had better start giving us more. (I am done with Atlantis and RSVP until I hear better prices and BETTER entertainment.
Mark 2:11 pm on February 4, 2012 Permalink |
I agree, I might be gay but I do NOT want to see a man dressed as a woman. I want a man to act and look like a man. Dump the drag shows.
The double price for a gay cruise as compared to a normal cruise is a concern for many of us who have been on gay cruises from day one. They are having difficulties filling the ships as many gay men are going on normal cruises for 1/2 the price and just traveling in a group. Another thing to consider is they are booking some of the gay cruises on carnival cruise line, the parent company of Costa… where you can be killed for no extra charge. Carnival is well know as the trash of the cruise ship industry. DO NOT BOOK IT. Carnival is not worth the normal rate and it will never be worth the double price of a gay cruise.