Spring Cruises

Photo: Getty Images

For most of us, stuck watching winter warm up for snow, sleet and eventually slush, spring seems terribly far away. Planning a big, gay summer cruise can help heat things up and keep hope alive through the cold, but while Caribbean escapes are certainly abounding , another apparent trend for summer 2009 is to go north! Brr..

R Family Vacations
July 11 -- 18, 2009: Alaska
Rosie's cruises, noted for stellar entertainment for the grown-ups as well as considerations for the kids, will take off again in June aboard the Norwegian Star . Departing from Seattle, Washington , the luxury ship will head towards Juneau, Alaskaand forego dropping in on Sarah Palin in favor of chasing massive glacial valleys and unexpected wildlife.

SilverSea Cruises
June -- July, 2009: The Arctic
If, on the other hand, you can't get enough of a good chill -- or untrampled natural splendor -- there are cruises for that, too. SilverSea's Prince Albert II , a comfortably luxurious 132-person vessel combining intimacy and mega-liner amenities, will be touring around Greenland , Norwayand Iceland exploring areas like the Falkanand Svalbard Islands. On board will be a team of geologists, ornithologists, biologists, and historians to make sure no one misses a polar bear or ice-floe.

Atlantis Events
July 22 -- August 1: Grand Baltic Cruise
Bucking the northern trend, if only very slightly, Atlantis is going for big and sweaty this summer, co-ordinating its Grand Baltic Cruise to pull into Copenhagen at the end of the World OutGames 2009 , just in time for the big finale parties. Departing from Copenhagen and circling back after stops in St. Petersburg , Stockholm , and Estonia, the nearly 3,000 guests will be able to see some of Europe's best under-rated gay destinations in one trip. Note: Once reserved exclusively for Atlantis Alumni, tickets are now available for general purchase.

Photo: Getty Images

For most of us, stuck watching winter warm up for snow, sleet and eventually slush, spring seems terribly far away. Planning a big, gay summer cruise can help heat things up and keep hope alive through the cold, but while Caribbean escapes are certainly abounding , another apparent trend for summer 2009 is to go north! Brr..

R Family Vacations
July 11 -- 18, 2009: Alaska
Rosie's cruises, noted for stellar entertainment for the grown-ups as well as considerations for the kids, will take off again in June aboard the Norwegian Star . Departing from Seattle, Washington , the luxury ship will head towards Juneau, Alaskaand forego dropping in on Sarah Palin in favor of chasing massive glacial valleys and unexpected wildlife.

SilverSea Cruises
June -- July, 2009: The Arctic
If, on the other hand, you can't get enough of a good chill -- or untrampled natural splendor -- there are cruises for that, too. SilverSea's Prince Albert II , a comfortably luxurious 132-person vessel combining intimacy and mega-liner amenities, will be touring around Greenland , Norwayand Iceland exploring areas like the Falkanand Svalbard Islands. On board will be a team of geologists, ornithologists, biologists, and historians to make sure no one misses a polar bear or ice-floe.

Atlantis Events
July 22 -- August 1: Grand Baltic Cruise
Bucking the northern trend, if only very slightly, Atlantis is going for big and sweaty this summer, co-ordinating its Grand Baltic Cruise to pull into Copenhagen at the end of the World OutGames 2009 , just in time for the big finale parties. Departing from Copenhagen and circling back after stops in St. Petersburg , Stockholm , and Estonia, the nearly 3,000 guests will be able to see some of Europe's best under-rated gay destinations in one trip. Note: Once reserved exclusively for Atlantis Alumni, tickets are now available for general purchase.