Vacaya Caribbean All-Gay Cruise 2026

February 14–21, 2026
Holland America Nieuw Statendam

7 nights roundtrip from/to Fort Lauderdale, Florida

It’s Valentine’s Day 2026 and there’s NO BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE than with a picture-perfect and musically-inspired sailing from everyone’s favorite starting point – fabulous and super-LGBT-friendly Fort Lauderdale! For nearly a decade, VACAYA has redefined the LGBT+ cruise experience, creating an inclusive haven where adventure, connection, and freedom converge to form unforgettable memories. As we embark on our 2026 Vacaya Caribbean Gay Cruise, we’re turning up the volume with a thrilling new twist where the beats guide the journey, every moment dances with possibility, and the sea becomes your stage for extraordinary discovery.

Welcome to The Rhythm of Freedom as we sail the beautiful 2,678-guest Nieuw Statendam from Holland America at our best South Florida rates in years! Over our seven nights together, we’ll visit Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and our own private island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay. And to top off our island visits, we’ll have two glorious shenanigan-filled Sea Days under the warm Caribbean sun.

Whether at sea or on land, VACAYA blends fresh, exciting music genres with beloved beats that’ll make this voyage UNFORGETTABLE!

Embrace the Rhythm!

As full-ship charter pricing continues to skyrocket, Holland America is one of the only companies keeping their rates somewhat reasonable on their newest ships. And we’re thrilled to be able to offer you this gorgeous ship (if you haven’t seen her pool deck, start there as you explore!) at a great price.

As you know, cruising takes the guess work out of travel. And with all the added VACAYA benefits – from signature entertainment and welcoming parties to endless social activities and non-stop fun – it’s also a great value. With so many inclusions, your precious vacation dollars have never been better spent.

It’s amazing what’s included:
• Seven Nights aboard Nieuw Statendam – an absolute star of Holland America’s newest class of ships!
• Onboard meals with flavors from around the world*
• Impeccable Daily Cabin Care
• In-Room Dining Service
• Fantastic Fitness Center
• All-Star VACAYA Entertainment
• Endless VACAYA social activities
• Warm, friendly parties with beats that connect us and music you love (and can even sing along to!)
• Party themes 120 days out
• Booking Numbers 45 days out
• Abundant, clear, and timely communication via email and our exclusive GET READY page
• VACAYA ReachOUT Philanthropic Service Opportunities

*Holland America’s specialty restaurants have a service charge, but complimentary dining options are abundant.

Stellar Entertainment
Edge media wrote that VACAYA entertainment is “packed with top-tier entertainers – a hallmark of the brand, which has quickly risen to best-in-class for queer travelers.” At VACAYA, we believe onboard entertainment should be plentiful, fresh, diverse, and unpredictable, surrounding you and delighting you with spaces and experiences never seen before!

Activities & Parties
With VACAYA, you’re in complete control of your own schedule. You can hop from one activity to the next or simply relax at the pool. Our activities include meetups, pool games, fitness classes, V-Dances (VACAYA’s twist on the classic T-Dance), welcoming evening parties, and so much more. Part of the fun of each and every VACAYA cruise vacation is our theme parties. And in one of the industry’s leading timelines, you’ll have your party themes 120 days out!

Beats That Connect Us
The power of music lies in its ability to transcend boundaries, with different beats, genres, and vibes setting the tone for each and every moment. A pop anthem can ignite joy and spark unity, pulling us onto the dance floor with its infectious rhythm, while the deep pulses can create an electric atmosphere that binds us in shared euphoria. Each genre brings its own energy – whether it’s the soulful grooves of house music that inspire intimacy or the driving beats of hip-hop that empower self-expression. Together, these rhythms weave a tapestry of connection, transforming individual experiences into collective celebrations. Having access to this wide variety of music in one place is part of the value of every big-ship VACAYA experience.

Modern Room Design
Nieuw Statendam offers incredible spaces for our parties, as well as staterooms that are both modern and state-of-the-art. This seven-night adventure through the Caribbean will keep you busy (or will you simply relax by the sparkling pool the whole time?), and your stateroom will provide an alluring escape from the non-stop action our cruises are known for. From the spectacular sea views to the included amenities, a stay with VACAYA on Nieuw Statendam is the perfect winter escape for LGBT+ travelers.

Yummy Meals
Our ship offers myriad restaurants, bistros, and snack bars with a wide range of flavors to tempt your palate. Craving something late at night? Or a bite between lunch and dinner? From pizza and pasta at the Lido Market to delicious snacks at our favorite hang-out spot, Grand Dutch Café, we’ve got you covered!

Nieuw Statendam - At the Pinnacle of Ship Design

Holland America is known for redefining cruise luxury, and with Nieuw Statendam, they’ve hit a high note! We’re amped to bring you this cutting-edge Pinnacle Class ship, where modern elegance meets next-level excitement. Your VACAYA experience on Nieuw Statendam will be a mix of music festival and cutting-edge signature entertainment – all pulsing with the VACAYA DNA you know and love!

Designed with the sleek curves of musical instruments in mind, Nieuw Statendam is a floating masterpiece that feels simultaneously fresh, innovative, and classic – just like the beats you’ll experience on board. From gourmet dining at Rudi’s Sel de Mer and Morimoto by Sea to the electric vibes of the Rolling Stone Lounge and the soulful energy of B.B. King’s Blues Club, every venue pulses with energy. And let’s not forget the show-stopping two-level World Stage, where epic VACAYA performances and immersive visuals will blow you away!

On board Nieuw Statendam, every detail is designed to ignite your senses. Whether you’re chilling in stylish staterooms, soaking up the sun on the open deck, or diving into VACAYA’s one-of-a-kind onboard experiences, this is your playground! With a crew ready to cater to your every whim, endless ocean views, and the perfect mix of relaxation and exhilaration, it’s time to embrace the freedom, the music, and the magic of this VACAYA adventure! Let us show you our favorite parts of the ship…

A New Big-Ship Concept
Holland America’s Pinnacle Class ships redefine the modern cruise experience, offering a seamless blend of timeless elegance and cutting-edge innovation. This is a class of ship that doesn’t just take you to destinations – it transforms your time at sea into a destination of its own.

LGBT+ Friendly Crew
Let’s start with the fact that Nieuw Statendam’s award-winning crew is trained to the highest service standards. They’re outgoing, engaging, and committed to ensuring you have a fabulous time. And they’re extremely LGBT+ friendly. By the end of our cruise, we have no doubt you’ll love each and every officer and crew member!

Next-Level Venues
In the mood to move and groove? Holland America enhances the cruise experience with innovative live music venues like B.B. King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard, and the Rolling Stone Lounge, offering live performances that celebrate diverse genres and iconic hits. Here, we’ll mix VACAYA artists with Holland America’s entertainers to get you on your feet.

Pools with Views
Two big pools? You betcha! The Lido Pool is where VACAYA roars to life, with our ever-changing pool gaymes, V-Dances, and signature parties. If you’re looking to relax, the aft facing Sea View Pool is the perfect place to hang.

Wellness ... Guaranteed
We invite you to explore the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, a serene escape where the soothing sounds of tranquility complement luxurious treatments, calming thermal suites, and a rejuvenating hydrotherapy pool. It’s your oasis for renewal, perfectly in tune with the rhythm of relaxation. At every turn of your sailing, you’ll find ways to fully restore yourself. Emerge renewed, relaxed, and rejuvenated from each spa experience.

Comfy Accommodations
Whether a suite, a verandah stateroom, or an interior oasis, Nieuw Statendam has a stateroom to suit every Vacayan’s needs. Staterooms are built for feel-good comfort, with everything you need within easy reach. After a busy day of sightseeing or activities, there’s no place like your Nieuw Statendam home-away-from-home to recharge.

Sizzling Stage
The biggest names in LGBT+ and straight allied entertainment will appear in this fantastic venue, which features a stunning wrap-around LED screen.

All Day and Night
When you cruise on Nieuw Statendam with VACAYA, your time is your time to do as you please. Fill your sea days with onboard activities. Follow dinner with top-notch LGBT+ entertainment in the state-of-the-art World Stage and then dance under the stars at VACAYA’s theme parties. OR do nothing at all. The choice is entirely yours.

Step Up Your Game
Guests will have an option to join Club Orange (*extra charge) to experience a new level of Holland America luxury and feel like a VIP with an array of thoughtful amenities and insider privileges. A special package of benefits is being curated for VACAYA and we’ll communicate details at a later date.

Dining... An Adventure in Every Bite

Discover culinary highlights from all over the world and let yourself be inspired by varied and high-quality cuisine aboard Nieuw Statendam. With no set meal times and no seating arrangements (other than for the ship’s award-winning fine dining restaurants), you’re free to eat whenever and with whomever you’d like as you explore new culinary territory and experience exclusive gourmet moments.

One of the things we absolutely love about Holland America (along with nearly all cruise lines today) is their goal of eliminating food waste altogether – a mighty task if ever there was. To accomplish this goal, portion sizes have decreased. But no worries… you can always order another portion. To help Holland America meet their objectives, no matter where you dine, we just ask that you eat what you take.

Premium Drinks... In Amazing Venues

Put your feet up and relax and enjoy a cappuccino, toast with a freshly tapped beer, marvel at the diverse cocktail menu, or enjoy a small aperitif with a view of the sea. Nieuw Statendam awaits you and your companions in a wide array of bars and lounges. If you want to feel good, you shouldn’t constantly think about your travel budget. Especially not when it comes to your own personal enjoyment. So… as VACAYA has done since DAY ONE, all of Holland America’s beverage packages will be available for purchase both in advance and on board.