General FAQs

What sets VACAYA apart from other LGBT travel companies?
It all starts with award-winning leadership. Vacayans are real people – people who care, who listen, who do the right thing, and who act as your travel savvy companion. At VACAYA, we understand what’s important to you – fun, friends, adventure, and clear timely communication, all cornerstones of any great vacation. We believe in a traveler’s right to actually plan their vacation, so we’ll release our trips well over a year in advance and you’ll know party themes and entertainment many months before we ever set sail. We strive to provide you with all the tools you’ll need to have a great time. After all, this is your vacation and it should be a stress-free experience. No worries. No concerns. Just ease and fun at every turn.

Is VACAYA right for me?
We at VACAYA believe life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. So we create a warm environment where ALL who believe “love is love” are welcome. You don’t have to be the son of Zeus coming down from Mt. Olympus to travel with us (but of course, those guys are welcome, too). At VACAYA, we are all mere mortals and we celebrate the great diversity within our community. Traveling with VACAYA is all about being completely comfortable in your own skin. No matter where you fall on the LGBT+ spectrum, and no matter whether you’re single, coupled, black, white, skinny, thick, or even straight, you’ll easily find a welcoming tribe within the VACAYA universe.

Is VACAYA a good value?
Value is completely relative and altogether personal, of course, but you won’t find a more all-encompassing and multi-layered experience at this price anywhere on the planet. With first-class accommodations, stellar entertainment, fun friendly parties, and above all, world-class guest service, the VACAYA value simply can’t be beat.

What makes VACAYA so special?
VACAYA is about savoring the good times, building lifelong memories, appreciating great friends while making new ones, and giving back to the communities we visit. VACAYA is about discovering magical textures, tastes, smells, sites, and sounds of lands near and far… together. Sailing the seven seas or enjoying a resort that’s all ours is about the moments we spend connecting, laughing, and living life to the fullest. Its possibilities are endless and exciting. Sensual. Life changing. These experiences open our minds, unify our rhythm, and bond us for life. This is the spirit of VACAYA.

Is VACAYA for adults only?
Yes. The minimum age for our guests is 18. Guests over 18 but below 21 years must travel with a companion over the age of 25, staying in the same room.

Is there any advantage to booking early?
Booking early provides you with a greater choice of accommodations on the cruises or at the resorts. Booking early also allows you to take advantage of our Early Booking pricing.

What do the rates include?
Unless specified, rates are per person, in U.S. dollars, and based on double occupancy. Rates include room, all standard meals (not including premium dining experiences), entertainment, many activities and sports, and VACAYA staff assistance. At VACAYA all-inclusive resorts, all your drinks are included as well! Rates may be impacted by promotional offers. Rates and fees are subject to change without notice. Please see individual vacation descriptions for additional details.

What’s not included in the rate?
Each VACAYA adventure is slightly different. But typically, rates do not include airfare, port charges, gratuities, optional specialty restaurant fees, optional shore excursions, specialty sports, spa services, phone calls, shop purchases, and personal expenditures. There are exceptions, though... like our all-inclusive Oasis resorts and Luxe cruises. Please see individual vacation descriptions for specific information and additional disclaimers.

Can I pay for my VACAYA trip with cash or a personal check?
A credit card is required for purchase. Using a Visa-, MasterCard-, or AMEX-logo'd debit card is also an option. When using a debit card, the funds are immediately transferred from your designated bank account, making your transaction "same as cash." Personal checks are not accepted.

Does VACAYA take over the entire cruise ship/resort?
You betcha. They’re all ours! And having that exclusive access allows us to craft a fully-immersive experience from start to finish tailored perfectly to our community’s needs.

What if I have special needs?
VACAYA strives to accommodate guests with special needs. However, the following conditions apply: Any physical disability or mental condition that requires special treatment or attention should be made known to a VACAYA Vacation Planner soon after your reservation is made. Although it’s always viewed as an absolute last resort, VACAYA has the right to refuse or revoke passage/participation to anyone who, in its judgment, is in a physical or mental condition that makes them unfit for travel or who may require care beyond what VACAYA can provide. To preserve your wellbeing, certain activities may be unavailable based on current or pre-existing conditions. All guests with disabilities must be self-sufficient or travel with a guest who is capable of providing any necessary assistance during the trip or in the event of an emergency. While nearly all large ships and resorts are easily navigable for guests in wheelchairs, certain areas may be inaccessible. A Special Note to wheelchair-bound guests considering international river cruising: given the reality of cobblestoned streets, wheelchair-unfriendly buses, and a dearth of accessible staterooms, river cruising is a difficult vacation option for wheelchair-bound travelers. In general, only collapsible wheelchairs can be accommodated and all passengers must be able to walk on/off the ship without assistance.

What is it like to travel solo with VACAYA?
We highly recommend it! We organize special activities such as dinners, mixers, and meetups designed to bring people together. We also match solo travelers with others in all dining rooms on the spot so you never eat alone, unless you wish to, of course. VACAYA’s “Solo Traveling with Ease Program” (STEP) provides an economical option for traveling solo with us.

Will there be 12-step program meetings onboard/at the resorts?
We provide daily meetings for members of all 12-step programs.

Should I purchase travel insurance?
Yes! We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance to protect against the unforeseen. Great travel insurance ensures that if you need to cancel, you’re protected. It also offers 24-hour emergency assistance and protects your valuables while on vacation. Ultimately, travel insurance gives you peace of mind.

Do I need a Passport and Visa?
All documentation is your responsibility, so please make sure everything is in order well before your departure. With rare exceptions, a valid passport is required for nearly all VACAYA travel. Your passport should be valid for 6+ months following your trip. And to avoid any potential problems, you should have multiple blank pages. Certain ports or resort locations require a visa, so check individual visa requirements with the relevant embassies of all countries to be visited. If you’ll be covered by a “blanket visa” as part of our group, we’ll certainly let you know in advance.

Is the Vacaya experience like one big endless circuit party?
Simply put, no. The Vacayans love a great party, including the occasional Circuit Party, sure. And we will have parties, yes... and some may even go all night. But there won't be all-night ragers every night of your cruise or resort holiday with us. We truly view the VACAYA experience as a vacation; we're not a dance-till-you-drop marathon. We believe in balance - giving you the chance to party with your friends and explore the fascinating regions we visit and occasionally sleep. If you're looking for a cruise that's more focused on the Circuit Party scene, we recommend Atlantis Events. They create dance-till-dawn-every-night-of-the-week extravaganzas built around that unmistakable Circuit Party thump of tribal and hard house music. If that's what you're looking for, you'll love Atlantis.

What if my name is misspelled on my reservation?
Before completing your online booking, be sure to check the spelling of your full legal name. Your name must match your passport/proof of citizenship exactly. If you’ve made a mistake, our Vacation Planners will be happy to help you correct it free of charge. However, that correction needs to be requested BEFORE the manifest for your trip is generated (approximately 120 days out). Once the official cruise line’s/resort’s manifest has been generated, a name correction fee of $100 will be charged.