Ebony Pyramid and Nubian Dreams offer annual cruises for black lesbian and gay cruise devotees who want to spend their time on board with members of their own community.

Whatever your style, you'll find a cruise vacation to float your boat. Below is a roundup of upcoming gay and lesbian cruise departures through July 2009. Be sure to check back next month for newly announced cruises or for any updates.

ATLANTIS (www.atlantisevents.com)

Los Angeles to Los Angeles Mexican Celebration Cruise aboard Serenade of the Seas
Oct. 18-26, 2008
Atlantis' sixth annual Mexican Riviera Cruise, its most popular cruise, pulls up the gangplank in L.A. and sets a course for Mexico's most luscious beach towns. Along with an overnight stay in gay-friendly Puerto Vallarta, legendary soirees, top entertainers, five superstar DJs and all sorts of onboard shenanigans make this the Pacific's premier party. Ports of call include Ixtapa, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

The 2,080 gay and lesbian guests aboard the Serenade of the Seas will enjoy all the amenities of Royal Caribbean's Radiance class ships, such as excellent specialty restaurants, nine-story glass atrium, rock-climbing wall, seven bars and lounges and more. A plethora of dining options feature Atlantis' signature open seating, no dress code and no assigned dining times.

Freedom Caribbean Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas
Miami to Miami
Jan. 25-Feb. 1, 2009

Atlantis' legendary January cruise sets sail aboard the largest and most innovative cruise ship ever built, Royal Caribbean's stunning Freedom of the Seas. More than 3,700 guests will fill this floating paradise of entertainment, spectacular parties and outrageous activities. Just some of the water-borne wonders include surfing FlowRider, climbing a multicourse rock wall and sparring in the boxing ring. An outdoor water park, indoor ice rink, sports pool and full-size volleyball court are available to keep cruisers active. A four-story theater, ice shows, comedy and live music shows and dances on the decks provide social shenanigans. The largest spa at sea and mind-blowing hot tubs that hang off the edge of the ship, 112 feet above the ocean, provide the utmost in relaxation. Oh, and this vast floating party calls at ports including Labadee, href="/travel/destinations/guides/?key=402">San Juan, Puerto Rico and href="/travel/destinations/guides/?key=734">Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

RSVP VACATIONS (www.rsvpvacations.com)

Tahitian Treasure aboard Star Clippers' Star Flyer
Pape'ete, Tahiti to Pape'ete, Tahiti
Nov. 27-Dec. 7, 2008
Ten days, 170 potential new friends and a glamorous luxury sailing yacht to whisk you from one stunning island to the next. Taking in destinations most of us will only ever dream of, this French Polynesian odyssey skims the waves between vanilla- and hibiscus-scented, palm-fronded isles, offering red-hot entertainment, sizzling parties and world-class dining on-board. Destinations include Rangiroa Lagoon, Bora Bora, Raiatea and Moorea.

Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard Holland America's MS Eurodam
Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale
Feb. 21-28, 2009
RSVP sets sail to the Eastern Caribbean on Holland America's newest ship, with stops in Grand Turk, San Juan, St. John and Half Moon Cay.

The new MS Eurodam marks Holland America's next class of vessels and at 2,104 passengers is the largest ever constructed for the premium line. The glamorous ship will combine exciting public spaces, as well as Holland America's much loved plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream beds, deluxe robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat-panel TVs and DVD players.

Mexican Riviera Cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star
Los Angeles to Los Angeles
April 18-25, 2009
The quintessential RSVP Mexican Riviera Cruise is back with a twist -- "Freestyle Cruising." Setting sail from Los Angeles, RSVP's first sailing aboard the spectacular Norwegian Star offers a winning combination of great ports, dining options and entertainment. Opt to go deep-sea fishing in Mazatlan, power shopping in Cabo San Lucas, and to experience the charms of Puerto Vallarta.

Europe's Heartland Cruise on Amadeus Waterways' MS Amalyra
Paris, France to Nuremberg, Germany
Aug. 7-17, 2009
RSVP enhances the popular German Riverboat Cruise with a thrilling two-night stay in Paris, France, one of the world's most exciting cities. From Paris, RSVP takes 150 lucky passengers through the French countryside, via Rheims' famous champagne cellars and cathedral, to board the ship in Trier for a seven-day cruise on the Moselle, Rhine, and Main rivers with stops in Cochem, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Frankfurt, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg and Bamberg before ending the cruise in Nuremberg. From here there is the option to go on to historic Prague. As well as daily doses of dramatic scenery, visits to charming villages and castles and wine tasting, the cruise also offers gay life on board and on land and great shopping opportunities.

Legendary Danube River Cruise on Amadeus Waterways' MS Amalyra
Nuremberg, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
Aug. 14-24, 2009
Experience Eastern Europe on an RSVP riverboat cruise with 150 new gay and lesbian friends. Starting off with two days in gorgeous Prague, passengers join the ship in Nuremberg and travel through the Bavarian forests of Germany to Regensberg and Passau, for an optional excursion to Salzburg and then continue along the Danube for two evenings and two full days in Vienna. From there the luxurious ship continues down the Danube to the historic capital Bratislava, Slovakia, before docking in vibrant Budapest, Hungary.

OLIVIA (www.olivia.com)

Music and Sports Mexican Riviera Cruise aboard Holland America's MS Oosterdam
San Diego to San Diego
Oct. 4-11, 2008
With a dream team of celebrity athletes and musical superstars on board, Olivia's Women in Sports cruise sets sails for the sunny south. Heading up the A-team is sports and equal-opportunities champion Billie Jean King. The cruise kicks off with a ceremony honoring King and continues with an All-Star basketball game featuring popular WNBA players and a Breakfast of Champions fundraiser. Stars of the entertainment field are set to include Vickie Shaw, Suede, Rene Hicks, Poppy Champlin and Julie Wolf. The cruise takes in quaint corners of Puerto Vallarta, lagoons, stunning sunsets and powdery beaches of Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas' idyllic waters and amazing rock formations.

The 1,848-capacity MS Oosterdam offers the two-tier Vista dining room, the intimate Pinnacle Grill, the relaxed Lido Restaurant and gourmet demonstration kitchen The Culinary Arts Center. Entertainment is presented in the Vista Show Lounge and the Crow's Nest club. Thermal suites and a hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy pool star in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon.

Amazing Galapagos Adventure cruise aboard Lindblad's MS Islander
Guayaquil, Ecuador to Galapagos, Ecuador
Nov. 15-24, 2008 and Nov. 22-Dec. 1, 2008
The new Lindblad ship MS Islander, with only 24 cabins, is the ideal size for this adventurous and highly educational sailing expedition through the natural and animal wonders of the Galapagos Islands. A sturdy fleet of Zodiac rafts will transport the fortunate Olivia guests on this cruise as they visit some of the major islands in the chain and the awe-inspiring residents -- such as giant tortoises, fur seals, penguins and frigate birds -- plus a few thousand more types of diverse wildlife. With expert guides, this special cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to discover one of nature's unspoiled gems -- under the aegis of Olivia's brand of comfort, education and entertainment. (The last couple of days of the first cruise are on land, hence the overlap.)

35th Birthday Bash Caribbean Cruise aboard Holland America's ms Westerdam
Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale
Nov. 23-30, 2008
Olivia's biggest cruise ever departs from sunny Fort Lauderdale, celebrating 35 years of the company's successful endeavors. Underwater life and nightlife get equal billing on Olivia's enticing Caribbean Cruise. Taking in Grand Turk, the fabulous shopping of St. Thomas and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Maarten and pristine private island Half Moon Cay, this trip visits coral reefs, beach cabanas, magical lagoons and miles of white sand beaches. Highlights of the Turks and Caicos include snorkeling and diving amid tiny seahorses, hawksbill turtles, coral gardens and giant whale sharks, as well as onshore delights in the form of a treasure trove of pastel British colonial architecture.

The cruise also promises Olivia's most impressive entertainment lineup, with names already confirmed including Karen Williams, Vickie Shaw, Suede and Zoe Lewis, with the big-name headliner yet to be announced.

The dazzling MS Westerdam offers spacious staterooms, many with verandas for private dining and sunning. The Greenhouse Spa and Salon is the fleet's largest and most luxurious spa. Passengers can choose to dine poolside or doll themselves up and feast in the ship's two-story Vista Dining Room, Lido or Pinnacle restaurants.

Sailing Barbados aboard Windstar's Wind Surf
Bridgetown, Barbados to Bridgetown, Barbados
Jan. 18-25, 2009
Olivia's enticing, intimate Caribbean cruise drops anchor by the beautiful beaches and gingerbread houses of Nevis and the half-Dutch, half-French island of Saint Maarten/St. Martin, on tiny, picture-perfect St. Barts, by Basse-Terre, Guadaloupe, and under the imposing twin towers of the Pitons of St. Lucia, two volcanic peaks rising to more than 2,400 feet. Windstar's luxurious 312-passenger Wind Surf is a stunning sailboat that features state-of-the art amenities, ocean views in every cabin, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, iPod stations, L'Occitane amenities and plush robes.

Sapphire Seas of Tahiti aboard Regent Seven Seas' Paul Gauguin
Papeete to Papeete, Tahiti
March 18-25, 2009
Vanilla and hibiscus fill the air as TravelPride's Tahitian cruise embarks on its adventure through Tahiti. There's a reason that the Society Islands are also known as "Paradise on Earth" and the rugged volcanic islands of Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti are said to be "the sirens of the South Pacific." Balmy days, sultry nights, jagged peaks, emerald rain forests and the company of 329 other pampered guests beckon would-be passengers on board this delectable cruise. During the week, those on board visit deep bays and reefs, multihued lagoons and deserted motu islands, vanilla plantations and craggy mountains. Black pearls and whale and dolphin sightings are other attractions.

Caribbean FUNraiser Cruise aboard MS Westerdam
Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale
March 1-9, 2009
In the first of Olivia's only two major cruises in 2009, island stops in Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, the U.S Virgin Islands and Half Moon Cay are only the tip of the fun iceberg. Olivia's entertainment schedule is always second to none, and so far Rene Hicks and Kate Clinton have been confirmed to bring smiles to the faces of the 1,800 women on board.

The dazzling MS Westerdam offers spacious staterooms, many with verandas for private dining and sunning. The Greenhouse Spa and Salon is the fleet's largest and most luxurious spa. Passengers can choose to dine poolside or doll themselves up and feast in the ship's two-story Vista Dining Room, Lido or Pinnacle restaurants.

Tulips and Chocolate Rhine Riverboat Cruise aboard Avalon Tapestry
Amsterdam to Basel
April 12-19, 2009
This luxurious riverboat cruise glides from the Dutch metropolis past the city's stately homes to Gothic Cologne and onto Strasbourg and medieval towns in the Black Forest. The 2-year-old ship is both gracious and spacious. All staterooms are outside and those on Royal Sapphire Decks have floor to ceiling sliding glass doors. Internet access is available and there's a health center with a hot tub.

Rome to Barcelona Cruise aboard Azamara Journey
Rome to Barcelona
May 16-23, 2009
Highlights of ancient Rome, fabulous shopping in Florence, the cliff-lined cove of Portofino, the gorgeous beaches and casinos of Monte Carlo, the towering 1,400-foot Rock of Gibraltar, and vibrant Barcelona are all on the itinerary for this intimate Olivia spring cruise.

The Azamara Journey offers decadent delights such as butler service, a multitude of verandas, two specialty restaurants, concierge amenities, a Spa and Wellness Center, coffee café, piano bar and wine bar, wine and champagne tastings and the company of almost 700 other women.

R FAMILY VACATIONS (www.rfamilyvacations.com)

Rosie O'Donnell and her spouse, Kelli, along with business partner Gregg Kaminsky, created a public relations smash -- and opened up an entirely new cruise market -- with the successful launch of their R Family Vacations cruise in July 2004, geared toward gay and lesbian parents and their kids of all ages. Two upcoming cruises will satisfy different tastes in the expanding gay and lesbian family travel market -- a small-ship expedition to the fabled Galapagos Islands in November is complemented by a traditional large-ship winter Caribbean cruise.

TRAVELPRIDE (www.travelpride.com)

New Year's Cruise II aboard Windstar's Wind Spirit
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Dec. 27, 2008-Jan. 3, 2009
Leave the crowds, cold weather and 2008 behind! Escape on this thrilling cruise that glides from "America's Paradise" St. Thomas, to the fascinating Barbuda, Anguilla, vibrant San Juan and Vieques in Puerto Rico, before reaching beach havens in St. Croix, and finally docking back at St. Thomas.

Allowing for a more intimate holiday cruise, the Wind Spirit is an exclusive craft, with space for only 150 discerning passengers. The ship boasts a casino, library, pool bar, lounge, veranda restaurant and main restaurant, as well as a saltwater pool and hot tub, water activity marina and fitness center. Spacious cabins feature flat-screen televisions, DVD and CD players, iPod docking stations, wireless internet access, Egyptian cotton linens and duvets and L'Occitane amenities. All cabins are oceanview.

The Tropical Paradise Luxury Cruise aboard Regent Seven Seas' Paul Gaugin
Papeete to Papeete, Tahiti
June 27-July 4, 2009
Vanilla and hibiscus fill the air as TravelPride's Tahitian cruise embarks on its adventure through Tahiti. There's a reason that the Society Islands are also known as "Paradise on Earth" and the rugged volcanic islands of Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti are said to be "the sirens of the South Pacific." Balmy days, sultry nights, jagged peaks, emerald rain forests and the company of 329 other pampered guests beckon would-be passengers on board this delectable cruise. During the week, those on board visit deep bays and reefs, multihued lagoons and deserted motu islands, vanilla plantations and craggy mountains. Black pearls and whale and dolphin sightings are other attractions.

ROMANCE VOYAGES (www.romancevoyages.com)

Galapagos Islands aboard Celebrity Xpedition
Quito to Quito
May 1-11, 2009
Romance Voyages shares with Travelpride a desire to create more intimate and culturally enriching cruise vacations for gay men. In past years, Romance has chartered ships for specialized itineraries that the big cruises can't go to, such as river cruises on the Rhine and the Yangtze in China. In May 2008, gay ecotourists and fans of small ships can join this luxury Celebrity Xpedition cruise to the awe-inspiring Galapagos Islands -- home to more than 1,900 species of unique plants and animals. This active and educational cruise is the ideal way to experience nature's wonders from the comfortable base of a high-end cruise ship. Pre- and post-cruise stays in Quito, Ecuador, will allow guests to experience the colonial history and architecture of the capital.

Egypt/Nile Adventure aboard Sonesta Star Goddess Cairo/Luxor, Egypt to Luxor/Cairo, Egypt
February 2010, dates to be confirmed
In February 2010, gay ancient history buffs and fans of small ships can join this luxury expedition to take in the wonders of Egypt. Five days on land allow the opportunity to take in Memphis, the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the Sphinx and the only remaining ancient Wonder of the World, the Great Pyramid at Giza, while enjoying accommodations at the luxurious Mena House in Cairo. After these wonders, the group flies to Luxor to embark upon seven days on board the high-end Star Goddess, a 33-unit ship with an outdoor pool, running track, full service spa and dining room, deck bar and lounge. Historical highlights include the Valley of Kings, the Valley of Queens, the Colossi of Memnon, Aswan Dam and numerous other fascinating ports of call. Social highlights include the Captain's Party, an Egyptian Costume Party and a Martini and Disco Night.

VENTURE OUT (www.venture-out.com)

Hawaiian Islands Luxury Yacht Cruise aboard American Safari Cruises¿ Safari Explorer
Maui to Big Island
Feb. 7-14, 2009
Discover Hawaii on a luxury yacht adventure in America's very own tropical isles. Taking in five islands, including Molokai, Lanai, and Molokini, and one tiny islet, there are adventures offered both above and below the waves.

The chic base for all these adventures, at sea and ashore, is American Safari Cruises' new ship, the 145-foot, 36-guest luxury Safari Explorer, now undergoing a multimillion dollar refurbishment. She is equipped with all the equipment -- and expertise -- for kayaking, snorkeling and more. Explore the remote coves, bays and shoreline by kayak, sailboat, mountain bike and motor launch.

NUBIAN DREAMS (www.nubiandreams.com)

Nubian Dreams Cruise aboard Carnival Miracle
New York to New York
Oct. 8-16, 2008
The eight-day Nubian Dreams Cruise treats its 400 guests to a packed schedule of entertainment and educational events that include parties, comedy and music as well as events that emphasize health awareness, voter registration and philanthropy. Ports of call include San Juan, St. Thomas and Tortola.

EBONY PYRAMID (www.ebonypyramidonline.com)

Ninth Annual Black Gay and Lesbian Pride: Caribbean Cruisin' 2008 aboard Carnival Imagination
Miami to Miami
Oct. 9-13, 2008
Promising a "Splash of Excitement," Columbus Day weekend heats up with Ebony Pyramid's hot island cruise. Visiting Nassau and Paradise Island, this Bahamas odyssey features the best entertainers and special events for the BLBGT community. Highlights include a White Attire Reception, parties, seminars, a dance party, bingo, talent shows and a farewell ceremony. Pre-club parties include a sizzling event at Miami club Twist.