The big-ship cruise companies Atlantis, RSVP Vacations, Olivia and R Family Vacations continue to span the globe from the wondrous Galapagos Islands to the best of the Caribbean and the Mediterranean with unique, one-of-a-kind high-seas adventures for gay men and lesbians who love the thrill of arriving at a new port each day and who thrive in a social, flexible vacation environment.

Cruisers in search of more intimate and low-key vacations now have even more options in the form of small-ship cruises from RSVP Vacations, Travelpride and Romance Voyages, among others.

Ebony Pyramid and Nubian Dreams offer annual cruises for black lesbian and gay cruise devotees who want to spend their time on board with members of their own community.

Whatever your style, you'll find a cruise vacation to float your boat. Below is a roundup of upcoming gay and lesbian cruise departures through July 2009. Be sure to check back next month for newly announced cruises or for any updates.

ATLANTIS (www.atlantisevents.com)

Barcelona to Rome Cruise aboard Navigator of the Seas
Barcelona to Rome
July 5-13, 2008
The largest all-gay cruise ever to sail to Europe will leave sunny Barcelona with 3,200 passengers on board the popular Navigator of the Seas: a floating palace with an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, huge promenade and capacious deck space. Atlantis' famed social schedule makes good use of the ship's five-story theater, '50s style diner, casino, cinema, restaurants and bars for everything from cabaret to concerts. Massive outdoor parties and themed tea dances fill decks every night, as the ship sails from Barcelona to Marseilles and Provence, then on to Capri, Santorini and Mykonos. (Sold out!)