Gay Only Cruise
Baltic Sea
June 9 to 14, 2026
Kiel
Gdansk
Copenhagen
Bornholm
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 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.
Arrival | Departure | ||
June 9 | Kiel (Germany) Embarkation: 15:00 – 17:00 | 18:00 | |
June 10 | Copenhagen (Denmark) | 8:00 | 20:00 |
June 11 | at Sea | ||
June 12 | Gdansk (Poland) | 8:00 | 18:00 |
June 13 | Bornholm (Denmark) | 9:00 | 17:00 |
June 14 | Kiel (Germany) | 8:00 |
(subject to all port permits)
Denmark
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
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
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
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
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.
June 9 | Kiel (Germany) | Colors of the Rainbow |
June 10 | Copenhagen (Denmark) | Valhalla |
June 11 | at Sea | Drag |
June 12 | Gdansk (Polen) | Fetish |
June 13 | Bornholm (Denmark) | White Party |
our Ship
Vasco da Gama
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.