5 Reasons Adults Only Cruises Are Perfect for LGBTQ+ Women

Maybe you have been dreaming about a cruise but were not sure which experience would feel right. Perhaps you have sailed on a family-focused ship before and know that you want something different next time: fewer pool noodles, more grown-up dining, lively entertainment and the freedom to enjoy the ship on your own terms.

For LGBTQ+ women, that freedom can mean even more. Solo travelers want a welcoming place where meeting people feels natural but spending time alone is still an option. Couples want to hold hands, celebrate and simply be together without feeling as though they have to explain their relationship or scan the room first.

That is where an adults-only cruise becomes especially appealing. Pair the ship's grown-up atmosphere with a hosted Ladies Touch community, and the experience becomes more than a cruise. It becomes an upscale, lively and intentionally connected journey with LGBTQ+ women who are ready to explore, relax and have fun together.

In June 2027, the LT Fam will sail round-trip from Seattle aboard Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady for seven nights of Alaska's glacial fjords and coastal views. We will experience Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord and Prince Rupert from June 17-24, with an optional Seattle Pride extension from June 24-26. Here are five reasons this style of travel works so well for our community.

1 The Ship Is Designed for Adults

There is a difference between a ship that simply does not allow children and one that is designed around adult travelers. Virgin Voyages leans into the latter with stylish spaces, chef-created dining, cocktail bars, entertainment, wellness experiences, fitness classes and late-night energy.

That does not mean every moment has to be a party. You can enjoy a quiet nightcap, book time at the spa, relax in your cabin or find a comfortable corner with an ocean view. The appeal is choice: social when you want it, restorative when you need it and no family programming shaping the rhythm of your vacation.

For an Alaska itinerary, that balance is especially attractive. You can spend the day taking in glaciers, wildlife and harbor towns, then return to a sophisticated ship built for grown-up evenings. Wild by day. Virgin by night.

2 Ladies Touch Brings the Queer Community With You

An adults-only ship creates the atmosphere, but Ladies Touch creates the community. When you book as part of our group, you are not simply purchasing a cabin. You are joining a hosted journey designed for LGBTQ+ women, with a special focus on celebrating and centering women of color. Lesbian, bisexual, queer, cisgender and transgender women are all warmly welcomed.

Traveling with the LT Fam means familiar faces throughout the voyage, pre-trip preparation, group communications, booking support and intentional opportunities to connect. Our Alaska experience is being designed with private cocktail gatherings, coordinated dining and meetups, a group dinner and other Ladies Touch moments woven into the sailing while still leaving room to enjoy the ship and ports your way.

That balance matters. You can explore independently, spend time with your partner or choose your own onboard activities, while knowing that your community is never far away.

3 The Social Energy Makes Connection Easier

Cruises naturally create repeated moments of connection. You see the same women at dinner, meet up after an excursion, laugh together at a show and trade stories after a day in port. Friendships can develop quickly because everyone is sharing the same experience in real time.

Ladies Touch adds structure without making the trip feel overplanned. Our goal is to create at least one meaningful connection point while preserving plenty of freedom. That might be a welcome cocktail reception, game night, an 80s party, a group dinner while cruising Tracy Arm or a farewell gathering before returning to Seattle.

If you are traveling solo, you do not have to arrive already knowing someone. Many LT travelers join on their own and leave with new friends, inside jokes and plans for the next trip. Couples and groups of friends also get the benefit of being part of a wider community without giving up their own time together.

4 More Is Included in the Voyage Fare

Virgin Voyages includes more in its standard fare than many mainstream cruise lines. Dining across the ship's restaurants, Wi-Fi, entertainment, group fitness classes, soda, water, tea, drip coffee and non-pressed juices are included. Alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, shore excursions and certain premium experiences are additional, so travelers can decide what they want to add.

Booking with Ladies Touch adds a different layer of value: the hosted LGBTQ+ women's community, private LT gatherings, coordinated experiences, pre-trip communication, planning support and thoughtful touches that turn individual reservations into one connected journey.

Virgin Voyages provides the ship and its amenities. Ladies Touch brings the people, preparation and community that make the sailing feel like an LT trip. Private Ladies Touch activities are reserved for travelers who book as part of our group.

5 You Can Extend the Adventure With Seattle Pride

Our Brilliant Lady sailing returns to Seattle on June 24, just as Pride weekend is beginning. Travelers who want to keep the celebration going can add the optional Ladies Touch Seattle Pride extension through June 26.

The proposed extension brings the group ashore for an upscale Seattle stay, culturally meaningful experiences and Pride-weekend connection. It is a chance to experience Seattle with women who have already become your cruise crew instead of saying goodbye at the port.

The Alaska cruise and Seattle extension will be priced separately, giving travelers the choice to return home after the sailing or continue into Pride weekend with the LT Fam.

Why Alaska and Why Now

Alaska in June brings long daylight hours, dramatic mountain scenery, coastal wildlife and unforgettable views from both the ship and shore. It is a destination that feels adventurous without requiring every day to be physically demanding.

Our seven-night voyage departs Seattle on June 17, 2027, and visits Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord and Prince Rupert before returning on June 24. Guests can then choose the optional Seattle Pride extension through June 26.

This experience is for LGBTQ+ women who want the ease of an adults-only cruise, the beauty of Alaska and the connection of a hosted Ladies Touch journey—all without giving up the freedom to enjoy the destination their own way.

Ready to Join the LT Fam at Sea

The Alaska Cruise and optional Seattle Pride extension are launching soon. Travelers on our First Access List will receive pricing, cabin details and booking information before the general public.

Want in early? Join the First Access List for the Alaska Cruise and be among the first to know when booking opens.

Looking for another destination? Explore all upcoming LGBTQ+ women’s trips and see what else is on the calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does adults only mean on a cruise? Adults-only cruise lines restrict guests by age. Virgin Voyages generally welcomes sailors age 18 and older, creating an onboard experience centered on adult dining, entertainment, nightlife, wellness and relaxation.

Is the Alaska cruise only for solo travelers? No. You can join solo, travel with your partner or come with friends. Many Ladies Touch travelers arrive without knowing anyone, and our hosted gatherings make it easier to connect naturally.

Who is welcome on a Ladies Touch trip? Our trips are created for LGBTQ+ women, including lesbian, bisexual, queer, cisgender and transgender, with a special focus on celebrating and centering women of color.

What is included with Virgin Voyages? Virgin Voyages includes dining, Wi-Fi, entertainment, group fitness classes and essential nonalcoholic drinks such as soda, water, tea and drip coffee. Alcohol, spa treatments, shore excursions and some premium experiences cost extra.

What does Ladies Touch add to the cruise? Ladies Touch adds a hosted LGBTQ+ women’s community, pre-trip preparation, booking support, private gatherings, coordinated dining and meetups, group experiences and thoughtful LT touches. Private Ladies Touch activities are available to travelers booked through our group.

When is the Ladies Touch Alaska cruise? The seven-night Brilliant Lady voyage sails round-trip from Seattle from June 17-24, 2027, with stops in Ketchikan, Sitka and Prince Rupert plus scenic cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord.

Is Seattle Pride included? Seattle Pride is an optional post-cruise extension from June 24-26, 2027. It is not automatically included in the base cruise package and will have separate pricing.

Is the trip open for booking? The trip is launching soon. Join the First Access List to receive pricing, cabin categories and booking information before the general public.

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Ladies Touch Events & Travel has curated LGBTQ+ women’s group travel experiences since 2016. Our journeys combine upscale stays, cultural exploration, fun and community in welcoming spaces where queer women can travel confidently and connect authentically.

It’s PRIDE Season!

Haaaaappy Pride! It’s been an amazing few weeks celebrating Pride in different cities and it’s just the beginning with still so many cities that have upcoming Pride celebrations. We kicked things off at Puerto Vallarta Lesbian Pride over Memorial Day Weekend and it was a blast! Puerto Vallarta is one of the most gay friendly cities in Mexico but it’s always been more dominated by gay men. This year we collaborated with the local lgbtq women’s businesses in Vallarta to bring a womxn’s week!

Puerto Vallarta Pride Parade

We started the week with the Pride Parade and the streets were filled with people in the community and supporters! I was impressed with the turnout and expect the parade will grow over the next few years for sure. From that we kicked off with Lesbian Owned Elixir Mixology Bar for the welcome party, then a Taco Tour with Vallarta Local Tours ( I even learned some new things about the food history in Vallarta which was fascinating), lastly our weekend parties. It was beautiful to see many women from all different backgrounds- Mexicans, Americans, Canadians, Europeans, even Asian just enjoying the music and vibe. I watched everyone with delight as I know the importance of having a safe space and that we had all week, it was worth all the work!

Sapphire Beach Club Party

Why is this important? It’s important because as mentioned for years gay men have dominated the Pride celebrations in PV. Don’t get me wrong I love the boys but truthfully it’s just a different energy when there’s more of them than us so we are hopeful to keep growing year after year and have more “L” visibility for Pride in Vallarta. Even the parade only had one float representing womxn so we hope to change that soon. Pride in Vallarta is typically the last week of May so mark your calendar to be in town next year. Vallarta has so much to offer- culture, beaches, nightlife, gastronomy, and more so make sure you don’t miss out next year as it will be a week to remember!

Details to book your Puerto Vallarta Pride Vacation will be available in the next few weeks so stay in TOUCH…