Sail · Cruise lines I book

Find your kind of cruise.

Cruising isn't one-size-fits-all. Adults-only party ships, butler-served suites, ocean-going luxury hotels, all-inclusive river cruises and private yachts each feel completely different. Tell me your vibe and I'll match you to the right ship.

Match me with a ship →Browse Virgin sailings →
Quick match

I want a cruise that's …

Tap the one that sounds like you.

Social & adults onlyA party with great food Suite lifeButlers and a private lounge Ocean luxuryBasically a floating five-star hotel River & expeditionEverything included, no surprises Something for everyoneEasy for a big group Private yachtSmall ship, just our group LGBTQ+ chartersThe whole ship is family Not sure yet?Help me choose →
Contemporary & social

Lively ships, zero stuffiness.

Top 100 First Mate
Virgin Voyages
No kids. No buffets. No dress code.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin threw out the old cruise rules: adults-only ships, more than 20 places to eat with no traditional main dining room, and Wi-Fi, group fitness and entertainment that feels anything but conventional.

It's perfect when you want your vacation social, modern and fun, without the formality people associate with cruising. As a Top 100 First Mate, I've slept in the cabins and partied at Scarlet Night, so I can tell you exactly which room and which ship fit you.

  • Adults only
  • Soda & coffee included
  • Wi-Fi included
  • Every restaurant included
  • Shows included
  • RockStar suites

Best for: Couples, friends, LGBTQ+ travelers, food lovers, celebrations and anyone who isn't convinced they're a "cruise person."

Find my voyage →Ship guides →Current offers →
Freestyle cruising
Norwegian
Your trip, your schedule.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian is built around flexibility: no assigned dining times, no formal dress requirements and a wide range of restaurants and entertainment, on ships designed to give you plenty of ways to spend your day.

With everything from solo studios and family staterooms to The Haven's private luxury enclave, Norwegian works especially well when different people in the same group want different things from their vacation.

  • No set dining times
  • Solo studios
  • The Haven suites
  • Big-ship entertainment

Best for: Families, multigenerational trips, groups of friends, solo travelers and anyone who wants lots of options onboard.

Ask about Norwegian →
Premium & luxury

Spoil yourself. Properly.

When the ship itself is the destination. These are the lines I book for suites, serious food and service that remembers your name. Want something smaller? See my Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection guide, the Four Seasons Yachts guide, or the side-by-side luxury cruise comparison.

Suite life
Celebrity
The Retreat: a ship within a ship.

Celebrity Cruises · The Retreat

Book a suite on Celebrity and you unlock The Retreat, a private world on board. Suite guests get their own lounge and sundeck, exclusive dining at Luminae, butler service and a premium drinks package and Wi-Fi included in the fare.

You get the big-ship energy (theaters, pools, specialty restaurants) when you want it, and a quiet, attentive hideaway when you don't.

  • Butler service
  • Luminae restaurant
  • Private lounge & sundeck
  • Premium drinks included
  • Wi-Fi included

Best for: Couples and friends who want modern luxury, great food and suite perks on a ship with plenty to do.

Quote a Celebrity suite →See Retreat perks →
Ocean luxury
Explora Journeys
All suites. All terraces. All in.

Explora Journeys

Explora feels like a boutique European hotel that happens to sail the Mediterranean and beyond. Every suite is oceanfront with its own terrace, and there are nine culinary experiences to work through.

Your fare covers unlimited drinks including fine wines and premium spirits, a welcome bottle of champagne plus wine and spirits in your suite, Wi-Fi, gratuities, the thermal spa areas and port shuttles where offered. Shore excursions are extra, and I'll help you choose the good ones.

  • Oceanfront terrace suites
  • Nine culinary experiences
  • Unlimited premium drinks
  • Gratuities included
  • Thermal spa access

Best for: Luxury travelers, food and wine lovers, honeymoons and anyone who wants a calm, grown-up ship with everything taken care of.

Plan an Explora journey →Explora guide & perks →
River & expedition
Scenic
Truly all-inclusive.

Scenic River Cruises & Scenic Eclipse

Scenic river cruises are about as close to all-inclusive as travel gets: a butler for every guest, drinks, gratuities and excursions (Scenic Freechoice and Enrich experiences) included in your fare.

Want to go bigger? The Scenic Eclipse discovery yachts head to places like Antarctica and the Arctic with helicopters and a submersible on board for optional add-on adventures.

  • Butler for every guest
  • Drinks included
  • Excursions included
  • Gratuities included
  • Helicopters on Eclipse

Best for: Rivers of Europe, first-time river cruisers, couples who hate surprise bills and bucket-list expedition travelers.

Plan a Scenic cruise →Scenic guide & perks →
Small ships & charters

Go small. Go together.

Private yacht · Croatia

At Ease in the Adriatic

Seven nights with the whole yacht reserved for our group, from Šibenik to Dubrovnik with Lastavica Cruising. Fewer than 40 guests.

See the yacht trip LGBTQ+ charters

VACAYA & Atlantis Events

Full-ship and resort charters where the whole crowd is your crowd. I've worked with both and can help you pick the right sailing.

LGBTQ+ travel
How it works

Booking with me is easy.

Tell me your vibe

Dates, budget, who's coming and what you love. Two minutes on the planning form or one text.

I match the ship

Line, ship, cabin and itinerary, plus Sailor Loot on Virgin and Fora's Virtuoso amenities on luxury lines, like onboard spending money or a shore experience when the sailing offers them.

You pack. I handle it.

Payments, dining, excursions and the curveballs. You just show up and sail.

Start planning →Text Derek →
Book with DerekTop 100 First Mate · Celebrity, Explora, Scenic & more
Find my voyageText Derek