Odyssey Pride, the first Black, gay men’s luxury cruise, announces details of inaugural event

Odyssey Pride, which is promoting itself as the world’s first cruise event aimed at the Black, gay community, has announced further details of its first event.

The Caribbean cruise will take place aboard Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady. The seven-day cruise will set sail on October 31, 2026, from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The all-inclusive ticket covers unlimited dining, beverages, Wi-Fi, tips, and entertainment. Ticket holders kick off their vacation with an Odyssey Pride Pre-Party in San Juan on October 30.

The voyage features stops in Curaçao, Aruba, Martinique, and St. Kitts & Nevis. Passengers can enjoy on-shore excursions to explore local history, cuisine, and adventure.

In a press statement, Odyssey Pride said entertainment will come from “a Grammy Award–winning R&B legend, drag royalty, celebrity hosts, and international DJs.” There will also be themed events—such as the White Party, Neon Night, and Leather and Lace Ball.

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“Representation at sea matters”

“This isn’t just a cruise—it’s a cultural statement,” said Laban King, CEO and founder of Odyssey Pride. “We’re merging luxury with legacy, joy with purpose. Odyssey Pride exists to celebrate the beauty and brilliance of Black LGBTQ+ travelers who, for too long, have not seen themselves reflected in spaces this grand.”

“Representation at sea matters,” King added. “For years, we’ve been passengers on ships that were never designed for us. Odyssey Pride is the first vessel created by us and for us, honoring who we are with dignity, excitement, and pride.”

There will also be an opportunity to network. Part of the program will include an onboard, “P.R.O.S.P.E.R. Conference (Power, Resources, Opportunity, Strategy, Partnerships, Equity, Results)”, which will bring together “Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders for wealth-building sessions, business panels, and personal-growth workshops—helping travelers leave not only refreshed, but empowered.”

Prices for a single cabin for a solo traveler start at $4,399. Two people sharing a stateroom each pay $4,262. Prices rise for more luxurious rooms or those with sea views.

Other gay cruises coming in 2026

It’s unclear if Odyssey Pride has the whole of Valiant Lady or has reserved a portion of the ship and will be holding its own private parties. We note Virgin Voyages is also separately selling its own tickets for a Halloween cruise on these dates on the Valiant Lady. We have reached out to Odyssey Pride for clarification. If Odyssey is taking over a slice of the ship, that’s a similar business model to fellow cruise agency Big Gay Cruise, which typically sells around 500-550 tickets aboard big cruisers and holds its own private events. Many of its clients prefer the more mixed atmosphere of such vacations. Odyssey Pride says it’s hoping for up to 3,000 passengers.

Besides Big Gay Cruise, other major queer cruise operators include Vacaya, Atlantis, and the women-oriented Olivia. GayCities also reported on the recent unveiling of RU5H, a new kink-oriented cruise for gay men. Details of RU5H’s inaugural outing are expected soon.

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