Calling all Caribbean Queens, Kings, and Allies; VACAYA is offering a tropical adventure on the Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas. This 2025 Caribbean Cruise will sail seven magical nights roundtrip from The Big Easy, returning to New Orleans just in time for the biggest party in the world – Mardi Gras! Guests getting off the cruise can enjoy a four-night post-cruise stay in the Crescent City. The four-night experience includes everything you could ever want from a Mardi Gras trip – grandstand seating for the best parades (Endymion, Bacchus, Zulu, and Rex), delicious food, bayou fun, transfers everywhere you will need them, and VIP Tables at the Orpheus Ball. VACAYA is changing the LGBTQ+ & Gay Cruise scene in very innovative ways.
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview VACAYA CEO Randle Roper who connected with me from his home in Oslo, Norway to talk about his company and this Mardi Gras cruise. This cruise has a special place in his heart being a local NOLA boy who is returning to his roots and brings the best New Orleans traditions and entertainment to the global LGBT+ community who are guests on this cruise.
Before we get into the fabulous post New Orleans experience, let us talk about the cruise itself. Unlike many other companies in the LGBTQ= cruise market, VACAYA differs in many unique ways. Dubbing themselves as the most inclusive vacation company on the planet, VACAYA is the first large-scale adults-only vacation company created for the entire LGBTQ+ community and their straight ally friends.
One of the major selling points for the cruise is the world class entertainment. Headlining on their main stage will be fellow New Orleanian and Season Six Ru Paul Drag Queen Winner Bianca del Rio, Cheyenne Jackson, Jennifer Holiday. Iniko, and Ru Paul UK Season 6 People’s Champion Winner La Voix. In addition to these performers, there will be other DJ’s, drag queens, comedians, and singers throughout the other areas on the boat.
Roper said, “when pulling together our company and cruises, we surveyed a wide variety of people through multi generations to find out what works and what they would like to see on a cruise. And I believe we have come up with a vacation offering that works well.”
Guests get a lot for their money in this cruise package for seven nights aboard Brilliance of the Seas such as onboard meals with flavors from around the world, 24×7 Stateroom Service, World-Class Fitness Center, All-Star VACAYA Entertainment, Endless Royal Caribbean and VACAYA social activities and warm, friendly parties with music you love and can even sing along to. This is a very affordable value considering all the amenities included.
There is so much on this cruise that appeals to everyone including dance parties, cabaret and drag shows, The areas of the ship have been divided into five neighborhoods of New Orleans such as Lafitte’s Landing, Jackson Square and Saints and Sinners/Red Light District which is a play area.
And there are still spaces available for the cruise and the NOLA excursion which includes tickets to the Orpheus Ball for which he has a special link with this organization. Many years ago, he was in a production of Oliver at Le Petit Theatre directed by Sonny Borey who is the Captain of the Krewe of Orpheus.
To find out more information or buy tickets for this memorable vacation, go to Caribbean Cruise 2025 | VACAYA.
