Gay Only Cruise

Baltic Sea

June 9 to 14, 2026

Kiel


Gdansk

Copenhagen


Bornholm

Have lots of fun at the theme parties on your gay cruise.

The magic of white nights
Your gay cruise through the Baltic Sea in 2026

There is a special magic that fills the Baltic Sea in June. The white nights, when the sun barely sets and twilight bathes the sky in an endless dream of colours. On a cruise from Kiel via Copenhagen, Bornholm and Gdansk in June 2026, you can experience not only the beauty of the north, but also the romance of a natural spectacle that makes time stand still for a moment.

our

Itinerary

The route of our Baltic Sea Gay Cruise 2026

The route of our Gay Cruise will take you to the jewels of the Baltic Sea in 2026. We will start in Germany and visit two fascinating countries before returning to Kiel. Each stop on this gay cruise offers a perfect blend of culture, history and queer joie de vivre.

ArrivalDeparture
June 9Kiel (Germany)
Embarkation: 15:00 – 17:00
18:00
June 10Copenhagen (Denmark)8:0020:00
June 11at Sea
June 12Gdansk (Poland)8:0018:00
June 13Bornholm (Denmark)9:0017:00
June 14Kiel (Germany)8:00

(subject to all port permits)

Denmark


Copenhagen

A city of history, enjoyment and diversity

The first destination on our gay cruise is Copenhagen. The capital of Denmark is a fascinating combination of history, modern culture and tolerance. The city on the Baltic Sea coast looks back on centuries of history, which is reflected in its impressive historic buildings. At the same time, it has established itself as a culinary metropolis and a hotspot for the LGBTQ+ community.

Copenhagen’s old town is a true paradise for history enthusiasts. The iconic statue of the Little Mermaid, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, is a symbol of the city and attracts visitors from all over the world. Christiansborg Palace, now the seat of the Danish Parliament, and Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the royal family, offer an insight into the glorious past of the Danish monarchy. A stroll through Nyhavn, the picturesque harbour with its colourful house facades, brings the city’s maritime history to life.

But Copenhagen is not only known for its history, but also for its outstanding gastronomic scene. The city is home to world-famous restaurants such as ‘Noma’, which has been named the best restaurant in the world several times, and ‘Geranium’, which also enjoys international recognition for its innovative menus. Alchemist, known for its avant-garde creations, also attracts gourmets from all over the world. Innovative Nordic cuisine with its regional and seasonal ingredients delights foodies, as do the authentic Danish dishes offered at the charming street markets. Street food markets such as Reffen invite you to enjoy culinary diversity in a relaxed atmosphere.

Copenhagen is also a shining example of tolerance and openness. The city is considered one of the most important LGBTQ+ hotspots in Scandinavia. Events such as Copenhagen Pride attract thousands of people every year. The Vesterbro district offers a lively bar scene.

Poland


Gdansk

The historic old town on the Baltic Sea

Gdańsk, known as Danzig in German, is a port city with an eventful history on the Baltic Sea. Characterised by Hanseatic architecture and German, Polish and Prussian history, it attracts millions of visitors every year. The historic old town is the heart of the city and captivates visitors with its picturesque alleys, magnificent buildings and lively atmosphere.

The Long Market (Długi Targ) with the town hall and Neptune’s Fountain forms the centre. Here, colourful facades and ornate gables line the streets, bearing witness to the city’s heyday in the 16th century. St. Mary’s Church, one of the largest brick churches in the world, towers over the city and offers an impressive panoramic view.

A walk along the Motława River leads to the famous Crane Gate, a symbol of the city. Museums such as the European Solidarity Centre shed light on Gdańsk’s role in world history, from the Hanseatic era to the Solidarity movement. The Old Town combines cultural diversity and history and is a must-see for every traveller.

Denmark


Bornholm

The Danish pearl in the Baltic Sea

enchants visitors with its unique scenic diversity. The island, also known as the ‘Sun Island’, offers a mosaic of unspoilt nature, dramatic cliffs and gentle sandy beaches that amazes visitors.

A particular highlight is the Hammershus cliff in the north, where the imposing ruins of a medieval castle tower majestically over the sea. Here, rugged rock formations meet the sparkling blue of the Baltic Sea – a paradise for hikers and photographers. In contrast, the southern coasts attract visitors with endless, fine sandy beaches such as Dueodde. The sand there is so fine that it was once used for hourglasses.

In the interior of the island, a peaceful idyll unfolds with forests, lakes and fields. Almindingen, one of Denmark’s largest forests, is a perfect place for walks and nature exploration. The round churches, nestled in the rolling hills, are architectural gems and witnesses to Bornholm’s eventful history.

With its mix of wild nature, cultural highlights and relaxed lifestyle, Bornholm offers scenic beauty that delights every visitor.

Germany


Hamburg


& Kiel

For our international guests, we recommend travelling via Hamburg Airport (HAM), which offers numerous connections within Europe and to the USA. The KIELIUS airport bus takes approximately 90 minutes to travel directly from the airport to Kiel Central Station. From there, it is only 2 kilometres to the cruise terminal – about five minutes by taxi. The air-conditioned KIELIUS bus requires a reservation. The website is also available in English: kielius-onlinebuchung.de

You can also extend your cruise with a visit to the lively city of Hamburg. Hamburg is home to one of the most open and diverse LGBTQ+ communities in Germany. The heart of the scene is in the St. Georg and St. Pauli districts. The Lange Reihe street in St. Georg is particularly well known for its inviting cafés, stylish bars and rainbow-friendly atmosphere. Hamburg’s cultural openness is not only evident in its nightlife – the city offers numerous queer film screenings, exhibitions and lectures throughout the year. With over 2,500 bridges, Hamburg is also the city with the most bridges in Europe – ahead of Venice, Amsterdam and London.

On the evening before our cruise, we are hosting a welcome party at Club PUMPE in Kiel together with our partner Flamingo!

Entertainment


on board

Our programme:
Parties, pool games & unforgettable moments
on your gay cruise in 2026

The Spartacus Cruise is about more than just travelling. It’s about the energy that is created when our community comes together. In addition to the on-board show programme, we have once again planned numerous highlights that are sure to thrill, give you goosebumps and make for unforgettable nights.

In addition to the on-board show programme, there will once again be numerous highlights to thrill you. Our artists include drag icon Tante Gladice, who will not only chill with you by the pool during the day as your hostess, but also guide you through her own programme in the evening.

You can also look forward to a concert by gay pop star John Riot in 2026! John’s sound is unmistakable: a mixture of melancholic lyrics, a raw voice and pure pop club beats with a touch of the 80s.

Of course, we will also be holding our traditional pool games again in 2026. The candidates have to master various sporting challenges and undergo a series of almost G-rated games in order to determine our Mr. Spartacus Cruise at the end.

You can also let loose with karaoke, make new contacts at the singles dinner and cuddle up at our piano evenings in the Blue Room. Are you more in the mood for partying than romance? During our theme parties in the fully glazed Dome Club, our DJs will really get you going. The musical selection on our gay cruise ranges from pop and club sounds to house and techno, provided by our resident DJs Chris Bekker, U-Seven and DJ James, for example.

Our Party Mottos 2026

June 9Kiel (Germany)Colors of the Rainbow
June 10Copenhagen (Denmark)Valhalla
June 11at SeaDrag
June 12Gdansk (Polen)Fetish
June 13Bornholm (Denmark)White Party

our Ship


Vasco da Gama

Our ship: The VASCO DA GAMA – our home at sea

The environmentally friendly Vasco da Gama, with its manageable guest capacity of less than 1,000 travellers, will once again be available for our gay cruise. The Vasco impresses with its two pools, the larger of which has a retractable glass roof and can therefore be used in any weather.

The Vasco da Gama has four different types of cabins on decks 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. These include 129 interior cabins measuring 16 square metres, 352 exterior cabins measuring 17 square metres, 120 balcony cabins measuring 21 square metres and 28 suites with balconies measuring 34 square metres.

The Vasco da Gama also plays in the top league when it comes to gastronomy. It has three à la carte restaurants, including the Asian-inspired ‘Fusion’, which impresses with its attention to detail – simply perfect for our Spartacus Cruise.

Suite

Suite

Balcony cabin

Window cabin

Window cabin

Interior cabin

FAQ


Frequently asked questions

There are only a few gay cruise operators worldwide, all of which offer very good deals. Atlantis mainly uses very large ships and, as an American company, is not required to disclose final prices. This means that mandatory gratuities and port fees are always added to the cabin prices. Vacaya is also an American company whose ships are medium-sized. They also offer luxury cruises at very high prices. The Cruise, in cooperation with the La Demence party, like Spartacus, only sails in European waters, which makes travel cheaper. The on-board programme is heavily focused on parties until the early hours of the morning.

The Spartacus Cruise has two outdoor whirlpools and one indoor whirlpool, as well as a dry sauna and steam room. The ship has an exclusive nudist deck, which is open day and night and connected to an indoor darkroom by a 

staircase.

Smoking is permitted in designated areas on board. These include seating areas by the two pools and a smoking lounge on deck 12. Bringing alcoholic beverages on board is not permitted. Smoking is permitted in designated areas on board. These include seating areas by the two pools and a smoking lounge on deck 12. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought on board. In addition to the bars, alcohol can be purchased in the on-board duty-free shop. The consumption of drugs may result in expulsion from the ship.

Tea, coffee and water with meals are included in the price of the trip. Several different alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packages can be purchased before departure or on board. The à la carte drinks are very reasonably priced compared to international cruise lines.

Guests on the Spartacus Cruise come from 70 different countries. The languages spoken on board are English and German. All age groups are represented, with the majority of guests over 35 years old. The proportion of women is less than 1%. Through a partnership with cruise4bears, a group of bears travels with us every time, making the Spartacus Cruise a very inclusive gay cruise. 

The dress code on board our gay cruise is informal. It is possible to wear shorts at all meals. For hygiene reasons, swimwear is not permitted in the restaurants. Costumes are welcome at the theme parties, but are not required.

The ship is connected to the modern ‘Starlink’ satellite system. Various WiFi packages can be purchased for a fee. As the cruises mainly take place in the EU, it is cheaper to purchase any SIM card in Europe. These are valid across borders, regardless of where they were purchased.

Our gay cruise offers a large number of single cabins, which can be booked at a surcharge of 20% to 50%. There is also a single match programme, which allows you to share a cabin at no extra charge. Guests are matched according to criteria such as language, sleeping hours and age.

The Spartacus Cruise offers its own cultural programme with international artists and DJs from the scene. Every day there is a different themed party where you can dress up in costume. There are also events such as pool games, karaoke and singles dinners. In addition, there is an extensive excursion programme offered by the shipping company, which is subject to a fee.

The organiser does not provide any information about the required travel documents. Guests must obtain this information themselves based on their nationality and the countries they are visiting. For EU residents, an ID card is usually sufficient. Nevertheless, a passport is recommended, as some ports may not be located in the Schengen area.

It is also recommended to take out travel insurance for a gay cruise, as illness or other unforeseeable events do not entitle you to a free cancellation. Under European law, the travel price paid is 100% protected against the organiser’s insolvency.

A deposit of 20% is charged when booking the trip. The remaining 80% is due four weeks before the trip. nicko Cruises accepts payment by Visa and Mastercard, SEPA direct debit or bank transfer. The Spartacus Cruise is subject to nicko Cruises’ general terms and conditions for promotional trips. These regulate the cancellation fees defined according to the time of cancellation, which are also listed on the Spartacus Cruises website.

English and German are the languages spoken on board the Spartacus Cruise. Guests from 77 countries have travelled on board so far, which is why all announcements, on-board entertainment and menus are bilingual.

Telephone: +49 (0)30 / 443198 -55
Fax: +49 (0)30 / 443198 -77
eMail: service@mcruise.de