Ever feel like you just want summer to last all year? Not ready for the chilly air of autumn and winter? This November, December and January hop on a cruise into the warm and sultry Caribbean!
Alex Jones of Cruise Planners in Raleigh says there’s loads of favorite gay destinations. If cruising (no, not that kind silly) isn’t your thing, hang out in the very gay Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Key West.

If your itchin’ for some of that Caribbean flare, hop on that boat and head out to sea.

“Anywhere in the Caribbean is nice,” says Jones, but as gay people there are a few places to watch out for and other places where you can be safer.” Just to be clear, Jamaaica is one of those don’t-go getaways!

Below are just a small few of the gay destinations Jones suggests:

U.S. Virgin Islands
Consisting of the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, the U.S. Virgin Islands are prime tourist destinations that offer bountiful opportunities for fun and safety for gay travelers.

Hawaii
Want some Pacific Rim fun? (There you go again — you and your dirty mind! Shame.) Like the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii offers plenty of opportunities for tourism. Attractions such as live volcanos and traditional native foods and celebrations are perfect for any member of the “family.”

Porta Vallarta
Located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, Porta Vallarta proves to be one of the most popular Mexican destination for gay tourists and among Mexico’s safest. With almost 20 gay bars and nightclubs and even more gay-friendly hotels and restaurants, gay folks are more than sure to find a hot guy — uh, I mean — a hot place to party.

Jones reminds his customers that the fall and winter seasons are some of the best times to go on a cruise. The weather is nice and it serves as a great holiday gift or just as an excuse to get out of the normal hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

For more information on cruises, contact Alex Jones at Cruise Planners, Amex Travel Services at 919-933-9802 or at cruisesandtravelbyalex.com.

Gay cruise lines
There are a number of gay and lesbian companies specializing in travel and cruises especially for gay men and lesbians. Try these:
Atlantis, www.atlantisevents.com
David, www.davidtours.com
Olivia, www.olivia.com

Matt Comer previously served as editor from October 2007 through August 2015 and as a staff writer afterward in 2016.