122,000 tons; 1,033 feet long; 2,850 capacity

Longer than four 747s, Celebrity’s newest A-lister is so mammoth that its 19 decks literally block out the sun for those in its wake. Luckily, plenty of daylight on the top level keeps this ship’s most unusual feature — a real grass lawn — green and healthy enough for lawn games like bocce and croquet.

Celebrity Eclipse, the third of five vessels in the fleet’s Solstice class, is one of the most beautiful big cruise ships on which we’ve traveled. Its interiors blend sophistication with a bit of whimsy, giving the ship a feeling that it’s a cross between the trendy W Hotel chain, but with softer edges.

Always a line that has emphasized quality dining, Celebrity has upped the ante with Celebrity Eclipse, making some tweaks from the original Solstice that work beautifully. In particular, the concept of the playful Qsine, which debuted on this ship and has since been expanded to others in the fleet, is a stand-out, but so too is the Tuscan Grill Steakhouse for hearty fare.

Another thing gay travellers would enjoy:

The best part of Eclipse — as on other Solstice-class ships — is the Lawn Club, a grassy expanse on a top deck aft, where you can play bocce or miniature golf, enjoy jazz at night under a starry sky, or simply lounge on grass so soft it’s more comfortable than a poolside deck chair. On one afternoon visit, we grabbed a seat and watched as a bartender from the adjacent aft bar tried to entice a visiting bird with a piece of bread. It was a little thing, but cruise ships typically don’t incorporate nature into onboard features (on most vessels even the plants are fake), and for a brief moment we felt as if we were in a lush garden.

Gay Cruise operators like Atlantis are of course a great choice, when you have a good budget and want a 100% gay cruise fellowship. At the same time many gays prefer to travel on gay friendly cruise lines, like Celebrity or Royal Caribbean, both welcoming gay cruise guests like no other cruise lines do.

So have a look for one of the best money quality deals on Gay Cruises 2012: repositioning from 27 of October Southhampton, UK to Fort Lauderdale, USA.

If at times the warmth and character of Eclipse and its excellent crew lent the experience a luxurious overtone, it’s important to note as well that Celebrity is still a mass-market cruise line. The rampant upselling and fee surcharges were a bit of a turnoff, particularly given that the quality of dining in the fee-free restaurants was often significantly less than those with extra charges. Also, the spa felt more like a bustling train station than a serene retreat, and on sea days, the pool deck, beautiful as it is, could feel crowded and chaotic. But none of these downsides is enough to deter us from taking another cruise on this magnificent ship.

See more details of this gay friendly cruise

Meet other gay travellers on Celebrity Eclipse at our Gay Travel group on Facebook

RSVP Celebrates 25 Years with a Brand New Ship and Exciting Caribbean Itinerary. And a gay cruise in the Caribbean is what you want!

It’s RSVP’s 25th anniversary, and to celebrate, we’re throwing a fabulous gay cruise party! Join us as we sail Holland America’s newest ship– the Nieuw Amsterdam– for seven sun-filled, fun-filled, party-filled days through the stunning waters of the Western Caribbean. We’ll begin this gay cruise in one of our favorite ports – Ft. Lauderdale – then sail to Costa Maya, Puerto Cortez, Roatan and Cozumel. Snorkel or scuba the world’s second largest reef, zip-line through the rainforest, whitewater raft, or visit the spectacular ruins of Copan – this is one of our favorite itineraries, offering some of the most exciting and diverse gay cruise experiences in the Caribbean.

You’ve come to expect the best in entertainment, plenty of activities, and our signature theme parties – and this cruise will have them all. By day, soak up the sun by one of two pools, join in our pool games, hit the gym, or just cruise the decks. Show off your costumes at our signature T-Dances before heading off to dinner at one of the excellent dining choices aboard this gay cruise. And as our first day at sea is Valentine’s Day, expect some surprises for this special holiday.

When the sun goes down the gay cruise ship will explode with special guest stars (past cruises featured Rita Moreno, Joan Rivers, Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Holiday, Diane Schuur, Debbie Reynolds and Leslie Jordan…to name just a few), unique cabaret from some of the hottest talent around, our intimate Piano Bar with your favorite show tunes and sing-a-longs and a couple of surprises that will have you screaming for another encore. Then cap your evening at our famous (and sometimes infamous) RSVP gay cruise theme parties, with music by some of our favorite DJs.

Your Gay Cruise Ship – Holland America’s brand new Nieuw Amsterdam

Sleek, sophisticated, and stylish – the Nieuw Amsterdam is the perfect ship to experience the Caribbean with 2100 gay and lesbian friends. Built in the finest Italian shipyard – she will impress you with her modern design, panoramic ocean views, innovative dining options, large and well-appointed staterooms, and unique entertainment venues.

Bearing the original name of the City that Never Sleeps, the Nieuw Amsterdam Gay Cruise updates the elegant tradition of the Holland American Line to reflect the glamour and history of New York. And she’s as big as the Big Apple, with eleven passenger decks, a three-story Broadway-style theater, two pools, and six restaurants and cafes. Try your luck at the casino, meet up with friends at one of the many bars or the wine-tasting lounge, learn a new skill at the Culinary Arts Center, or take in a favorite movie. Shop at the luxury jewelry boutique, or just relax in the three-story atrium. Need to stay connected? Check out Explorations Cafe where you can check email or surf the web, enjoy one of the largest libraries at sea, all while sipping a Cappuccino.

A Gay Cruise of your dreams, isn’t it?

Looking for more relaxing options? Gay Cruise is the right place to it! Pamper yourself at the expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon– featuring thermal suites and a hydro-pool. Lounge by one of the two outdoor pools, or soak in a Jacuzzi under the Caribbean sky. You can also stay in shape in the largest gymnasium ever built for the Holland America Line. To tell you the truth, during my last gay cruise I went to gym everyday, what I dont do at home.

Whether you’re looking for excitement, relaxation or anything in between, the Nieuw Amsterdam is the perfect ship for your RSVP gay cruise.

Want to see more options? See our other page dedicated to gay cruise.