The inaugural Pride Cruise by P&O Cruises Australia, announced this week by the leading cruise company, will be a celebratory weekend at sea curated for LGBTQIA+ travellers and allies, with gay-owned tourism specialist Planetdwellers enlisted as Preferred Travel Partner and Gay & Lesbian Tourism Australia (GALTA) supporting the Planetdwellers team as exclusive Media Partner.
 
Setting sail from Sydney on 4 November 2022, the Pride Cruise will be a showcase of diversity and inclusion with a packed program of entertainment and plenty of feathers, sequins, flamboyance and fun.
 
On board to entertain and inspire cruise-goers over the 3 night cruise will be Hans the German, an award winning comedy cabaret star who found fame on America’s Got Talent, Simon Dunn, the first openly gay male to represent any country in the sport of bobsled, and out and proud Queensland Rugby League Ambassador Meg Ward.
 
In another first, Queer Screen, organisers of the Mardi Gras Film Festival, will present the Queer Screen @ Sea Film Festival.
 
Planetdwellers Managing Director and co-Founder Mario Paez said he and his team were excited to be partnering with P&O Cruises Australia on the 2022 Pride Cruise.
 
"We are thrilled to be a community and travel partner for the inaugural P&O Pride Cruise, with such an incredible line-up of queer talent and an inclusive appeal to all in the LGBTQIA+ community.
 
"Together with our Media Partner, Gay & Lesbian Tourism Australia (GALTA), we are pulling out all stops to share this great news across the LGBTQIA+ community, encouraging people to sign up for exclusive Planetdwellers options and be the first to find out new cruise announcements, onboard events, pre- and post-packages and even pre-book a cabin ahead of the public release on 7 April."
 
GALTA President Louise Terry said the Pride Cruise signalled a positive shift towards recovery for the tourism sector in Australia, which has faced repeated challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"This exciting announcement from P&O Cruises Australia is such welcome news for tourism in Australia and especially for LGBTQIA+ travel, providing an inclusive and colourful event to look forward to and bringing community together to relax, connect and celebrate."
 
"We're so happy to be partnering with Planetdwellers, a valued and long-standing GALTA member - as are P&O Cruises Australia - to help create awareness and bookings amongst our travel-ready LGBTQIA+ audiences."
 
The inaugural P&O Cruises Australia Pride Cruise runs from Friday 4 to Monday 7 November 2022. To keep up to date and be first in the know register now via Planetdwellers website at planetdwellers.com.au/pride-cruise-sydney-2022.