The Land Down Under--Wild and Refined--At a price you can afford!
At a Glance
Where?
From Sydney roundtrip to Cairns (the Great Barrier Reef), Port Douglas and Brisbane on the Royal Princess
When?
April 1 – 11 , 2025 (10 nights)
How much?
$1095 (Interior) including all taxes and mandatory fees — $1465 (Balcony) including all taxes and mandatory fees — payment plans are available
How many?
Minimum 20, but typically 50 – 100
What's included?
Double occupancy cabin (pay extra for solo occupancy); onboard entertainment and activities, meals, most beverages, access to private excursions and other Daddy Cruise benefits (see below)
Upgrade to “Princess Plus” for $60/person/day and also get prepaid gratuities, open bar beverage package, premium desserts, fitness classes, two upscale dinners, free room service, juice bar and Wi-Fi package
What else?
We are a gay group (usually 50-100) on a ‘regular cruise’ of 2,000 other guests (so we’re not an ‘all-gay’ cruise)
What about special needs?
Accessible cabins are available; most dietary restrictions are easily accommodated
What if?
Your deposit is refundable until December 25, 2024 (less a $150 cancellation fee). Travel protection insurance is available.
The best cabins go first, book now to get the best!
Royal Princess
Cruiseline, CruiseCritic, Avid Cruiser and other online sites all rate Royal Princess 4 out of 5 stars. CruiseCritic says that even though she’s a large ship, “…the open-plan spaces, multiple elevators, and ample seating make for good passenger flow.” And they appreciate the “mellow-but-fun atmosphere.” She was just refurbished, and US News & World Report ranks her as the third best Princess ship in their fleet.
The Royal features two huge pools and six hot tubs, including a few in the Sanctuary–an extra cost (but well worth it!) adults-only retreat with upscale lounging areas and attendants to bring a chilled towel or light bite to eat. At night we can snuggle up on deck to watch Movies Under the Stars on a huge 300-square-foot screen—complete with free popcorn. She has an extra large casino, an internet café, a library, a spa, gym, and much more. Oh, and there's a self-serve launderette on every floor (so you can save on those valet charges, if you like!).
CruiseCritic summarizes: “the Royal is a nice choice for people who love a traditional cruise's comforts and rituals. It's not trendy, but it's hard to be bored here.”
Itinerary
The fun begins the moment you board the Royal Princess—which has been designed from bow to stern for your fun and enjoyment. As we sail out of Sydney, we’ll gather for a hosted Daddy Cruise® party. Here, you’ll meet your fellow cruisers and start making new friends right away. We’ll sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the famous Sydney Opera house on our way out to sea.
Our first full day is at sea. Relax, unwind and get into vacation mode. Take a nap to get over that jet lag if you like. Lounge on your private balcony or near one of the pools, or maybe even find a quiet nook to settle in with a book. Want to be more active on your day at sea? Play bingo, work out at the gym, watch a movie, dance all night, attend a cooking seminar, soak in a hot tub, watch a sunset (or a sunrise), play trivia games, sing along at the piano bar, do some wine tasting, check your email or surf the internet, grab a snack, watch live entertainment, get lucky in the casino, indulge in a spa treatment, catch the game in the sports bar, and on and on…
One more day at sea to relax, have fun, and connect with others.
Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Archipelago—Australia’s premier summer playground. Pristine fringing reefs, calm lagoon-like waters, and superb beaches. All the stuff you want to do on vacation is right here: snorkeling, nature preserves, swimming, sunning, Segways, walks along the beach, and much more!
Cairns boasts three of Australia's great natural wonders. Just offshore, immense bastions of living coral form the Great Barrier Reef—the largest reef system in the world. Sixteen miles of superb beaches stretch to the north of the city - the famed Marlin Coast. Inland lays the ancient rainforest of Daintree National Park. No matter which direction you go, you’re bound to encounter Mother Nature in a new and exciting way.
In 1877, gold was discovered nearby, igniting the fabled North Queensland Gold Rush. At the height of the boom, Port Douglas boasted 12,000 residents and 27 hotels. Bust inevitably followed boom, and Port Douglas slid into decades of obscurity. Then came a second gold rush in the 1980s as tourists flocked to the North Queensland Coast. Located between the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas provides a perfect gateway to hardy adventurers en route to rainforest and reef. Of course “hardy” can take many forms (including sitting on a scenic rail journey through rainforests, or watching the surfers ride the waves). Your call…
Willis Island is one of several tropical islands sitting beyond the Great Barrier Reef, and is surrounded by thriving reefs where many creatures make their homes. It caters to many species of seabirds, including Masked, Brown and Red-footed Boobies that cry out nearly 24 hours a day, and is an important nesting ground for turtles. Willis Island is only 1/10 square mile, and it is the only inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory. But don’t expect to see thriving neighborhoods on shore, the only structure there is a weather monitoring station complex. Instead, turn your attention to the sea and marvel as our knowledgeable port lecturer points out the significant sites you'll see from onboard.
After all this, you’ll be ready for a full day at sea! Relax, unwind and enjoy vacation mode. Lounge on your private balcony or near one of the pools, or maybe even find a quiet nook to settle in with a book. Want to be more active on your day at sea? Play bingo, work out at the gym, watch a movie, dance all night, attend a cooking seminar, soak in a hot tub, watch a sunset (or a sunrise), play trivia games, sing along at the piano bar, do some wine tasting, check your email or surf the internet, grab a snack, watch live entertainment, get lucky in the casino, indulge in a spa treatment, catch the game in the sports bar, and on and on.
Once considered the "country cousin" among Australian cities, today Brisbane is the nation's third largest metropolis and one of the most desirable places to live in the country. Lying on the banks of the meandering Brisbane River, this cosmopolitan city boasts elegant 19th-century sandstone buildings, a lively cultural scene and superb parklands. Brisbane is also your gateway to uniquely Australian adventures, be it the theme parks of the Gold Coast or Queensland's dazzling beaches; big city culture or a koala sanctuary. Brisbane has something for everyone.
Your last chance to relax at sea before we arrive in Sydney tomorrow (and hopefully you join our post-cruise tour of this exciting city!). Relax, unwind and enjoy your vacation mode. Lounge on your private balcony or near one of the pools, or maybe even find a quiet nook to settle in with a book. Want to be more active on your day at sea? Play bingo, work out at the gym, watch a movie, dance all night, attend a cooking seminar, soak in a hot tub, watch a sunset (or a sunrise), play trivia games, sing along at the piano bar, do some wine tasting, check your email or surf the internet, grab a snack, watch live entertainment, get lucky in the casino, indulge in a spa treatment, catch the game in the sports bar, and on and on.
Welcome back to Sydney—enriched and inspired, and full of memories that will last a lifetime! Now join us for a post-cruise extension tour to see Australia’s great city.
Why Sail with Us?
Happy hour is happier with your Daddys!
You’ll never have to feel lost with us there to answer questions, take care of problems, and even facilitate you meeting other guys on board
From Zoom calls to a private group Facebook page to pre-cruise dinner in our host city, you’ll feel like you’re boarding the ship with old friends already
Introverts and shy guys love feeling welcome and included as much (or as little) as is comfortable for them. No pressure here to engage!
You’ll be with a group of LGBTQ people + allies, on a regular cruise with all walks of life. This keeps costs down, and allows for discretion, broader entertainment options, and activities that don’t just get going after bedtime!
From our standing group dinner reservation, to our daily happy hour; from our private activities on board to our private excursions in port—you’ll always have a seat waiting for you (if you want it).
We’ll help you experience fewer unexpected expenses, fewer unpleasant surprises, and fewer travel missteps.
You’ll feel safe with our large LGBTQ group both on board, and in port. Our host ship is welcoming, and our private tours are sensitive to the special needs of the LGBTQ traveler.
Travel Risk Free (or pretty close to it!)
Travel protection insurance is available
Deposits are refundable (less $150/person) until December 25, 2024
We promise your Daddy Cruise® experience will far exceed what the cruise line delivers without us. If not, we'll make it up to you.
The cost of the cruise covers your cabin, tons of food and beverages (excluding alcohol and soft drinks; you’ll pay extra for those), all the Daddy Cruise benefits, entertainment on board and so much more. There are additional things you’ll want to budget for: travel protection insurance (I never travel without it); excursions (you’re free to disembark in each port, but the experience is much better if you join an organized outing with us or the cruise line); transportation to/from the ship (flights, ground transfers); gratuities of $16/person/day (for crew staff: housekeepers, waiters, etc.), and pre-cruise hotel (the ship will not wait for you if your flight is late for whatever reason, so I always recommend you arrive at least one day before).
A:
Cruise lines typically advertise cruise prices at half of what a cabin actually costs. They assume that two will share the cabin (called “double occupancy”) and each pay that fare. If you sail solo, they will charge roughly double that advertised rate to cover the full cost of the cabin.
A:
Of course! While we cater to the LGBTQ community, our allies are always welcome!
A:
You're always welcome to participate as much, or as little as you like. No pressure from us to engage, no hassle if you opt to sit anything out! We'll be there to welcome and encourage you at whatever level of engagement feels right for you.
A:
Enjoy it! We will offer plenty of opportunities to connect with the rest of us, but nothing is required. Dine with us, or on your own, or with a friend, or even in your own cabin (room service is free!). Join one of our private excursions, or go with one offered by the cruise line, or explore a port on your own, or stay on board. It's your vacation—spend it however you like!
A:
Ships are designed to minimize this, and there are several ways you can minimize that risk even more: from patches you wear, to pills you take, to even the location of your cabin on the ship (which can make a difference—ask us for guidance!). Those who do get seasick experience minor discomfort and find bed rest (while maybe catching up on a movie in your room?) helps.
A:
Absolutely not! Large, all-gay cruises have a reputation for this, but we'll be on a regular ship with a thousand other guests of all persuasions. You're certainly welcome to hook up with others if you want to, discreetly of course.
A:
Typically, most of our guests are middle aged or senior gay men, but a lot of younger guys join us as well. All races are represented, as are all genders and those of varying physical abilities. Allies (non-LGBTQ people) are always welcome.
Who says three's a crowd?
Daddy Cruises® Exclusive Extras
Daddys on Segways!
Welcome Aboard Party (with free drinks!)—come meet your fellow Daddies and friends in a warm, welcoming, and casual atmosphere. Play our fun mingling/get-to-know-you activity, and start forging friendships that will last a lifetime.
Free Welcome Aboard Gifts include a lanyard for your sailing card… and then some other surprises!
Access to exclusive excursions just for us (additional fee applies).
Special Daddy Cruise® group activities on board (card games, trivia contests, happy hours, parties, etc.)
Special discounted rates at our host hotel in Sydney before the cruise.
Click here to see what other guys have said about our cruises
