At this time the 2022 Pride Cruise from Melbourne has sold out and bookings have closed.
Join the LGBT+ Pride Cruise from Melbourne in 2022
Bon Voyage and cruise well!
Welcome to the second dedicated LGBTQIA+ Pride Cruise, presented by P&O Cruises Australia.
Departing Melbourne on Friday 9th December 2022 onboard the newly refurbished Pacific Explorer. It’s four amazing days and three fun-filled nights, with the gayest party afloat in the South Pacific.
All members of our LGBT+ community are invited to come on board, relax and feel the experience of being surrounded by ‘people like us’. It’s life-changing!
Ready to take your cruising to the next level? Check out the Island Fruits South Pacific Adventure – a hosted Gay Group Cruise from Sydney (with FREE drinks package plus more).
Ready to book now?
Fabulous entertainment is just the start…
Imagine feathers, glitter, sequins, sparkles and seafaring swirls all mixed up into an amazing LGBT+ event, and all, whilst out at sea. Welcome to the Pride Cruise on Pacific Explorer, and like it’s sister launch event out of Sydney the previous month, this trip promises to be a completely unique Australian cruise experience!
Headlining the fun with plenty of feathers, sequins and flamboyance will be international superstar, accordionist and Berlin boy-wonder Hans the German, the award-winning comedy cabaret star from Adelaide. We last saw Hans on board the Pacific Explorer during the 2019 Dark Mofo Community Cruise.
Leading diversity trailblazers will join the cruise including Queensland Rugby League ambassador Meg Ward who is ‘out and proud’, and Simon Dunn, the first openly gay male to represent any country in the sport of bobsled.
They will be joined by an array DJs, drag kings & queens, singers, dancers, entertainers, athletes, and comedians from our wonderful LGBTQIA+ community, with many more to be announced.
Enjoy a playtime, filled with laughs, dancing, swimming, eating, singing, watching, and dare we say cruising?
And, back for this cruise, the “Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival at Sea” will play on the many giant outdoor screens, on the huge indoor cinema, and throughout the in-room TV system. How gay! How fabulous!
Better than Love Boat reruns! ;-)
Meet Pacific Explorer
Enjoy a variety of social programs with group activities, educational events and gatherings onboard Pacific Explorer during the cruise.
Something for Everyone!
We first encountered the Pacific Explorer in 2019 on our fabulous community cruise down to Hobart and Dark Mofo. We quickly found our favourite bar, The Bonded Store, accessed by a secret door and stocked with fabulous Archi Rose produce. The smoking negroni was to die for!
Once onboard, you’ll be able to see why we love Pacific Explorer. You can indulge your inner child and whiz down waterslides by day, and then indulge your other senses in great restaurants, bars and edgy stage shows at night. There’s something for every member of the (LGBT+) family.
When it comes to dining, you are spoilt for choice with 12 dining experiences all included in your cruise fare. Or treat yourself to something special at Luke’s, the amazing celebrity chef restaurant with Luke Mangan. Enjoy a mouth-watering signature burger at lunch or a delicious 3 course la carte dinner with the sunset. Or try the award-winning pizza in 400 Gradi, in partnership with award-winning Melbourne chef, Johnny Di Francesco. It’s seriously the best pizza we’ve had afloat!
P&O’s stylish yet relaxed modern Australian interior designs make Pacific Explorer the perfect place to holiday.
We can’t wait to welcome you onboard.
Onboard Activities
Get splashy and ride the Disco Diver and Super Slider Waterslides as many times as you like, splash out in the interactive waterparks or take a dip in one of the pools or spas.
Challenge your mates or family to a friendly game of Barefoot Bowls. Go on, just roll with it!
Choose your Adventure with P&O Edge. The P&O Edge Adventure Park is your ticket to action and excitement. Try Rock Climbing, The Flying Fox, Walk the Plank and more. Plus there’s a special program designed just for kids.
Head to the Arcade and test your skills with the latest video games.
After Dark, extravagance or intimacy, it’s your choice!
Grab craft and small-batch beers, then relax in the cosy The Explorer Hotel, enjoy a cocktail at The Ocean Bar or head to The Blue Room for some live entertainment with a huge roster of LGBTQIA+ artists over the 3 nights!
Speakeasy? Why not visit The Bonded Store In partnership with Archie Rose Distilling Co. You’ll probably find Frock Hudson here at least once!
Sit, swill and savour the finest liquors and set your tastebuds free in this glamorous speakeasy as our mixologists serve up fantastic cocktails.
Or get inspired during a gin or whisky masterclass – Bring home your own blends!
Check out Black Circus and enjoy new levels of entertainment with exclusive dinner and show packages and a glamorous cabaret-style show, Love Riot. Get ready for a fetish-laced acrobatic feast for the senses. It’s the ultimate night out full of spectacle and outrageous fun.
Want to boogie? Look out for the theme parties (we’re expecting some up on deck) but you can also hit the dance floor and cut some shapes to some funky live tunes in the Blue Room. You’ll catch some homegrown live acts every night.
Stage Shows – It’s Showtime! The quality of these are amazing! All of these original stage shows are developed and choreographed by a leading Australian production company exclusively for Pride Cruise by P&O Australia, so you can’t see them anywhere else. With an exciting program of shows to choose from, you’ll want to catch them all.
Voyage Itinerary
Pride afloat!
Further onboard activities and events will be updated as that information is released.
Note that there is 1 formal night and 2 casual dress nights for dinner. Pack something gorgeous!
| Itinerary | Date | Day | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne, Australia Embarkation starts at 12pm | 09DEC22 | FRI | DEPART 4:00PM |
| Cruising Southern Ocean | 10DEC22 | SAT | At sea |
| Cruising Southern Ocean | 11DEC22 | SUN | At sea |
| Melbourne, Australia Disembarkation starts at 8am | 12DEC22 | MON | ARRIVE 6:30AM |
“Thanks again for the calls and guidance regarding room types and options, you’ve been wonderful…”
Adam S, CanberraReady to book now?
Pride Cruise Fares and Cabins
Pride Cruise Fare Included:
- private accommodation (cabin with ensuite)
- entry into all bars, pubs and nightclubs onboard the ship
- all meals (except for drinks and speciality dining additional charges)
- swimming pools and spas
- fitness centre and spa retreat
- organised ship activities, e.g. karaoke and cooking demonstrations
- party nights and laser light shows
- adults only sit down comedy club
- production shows, cinema, live music and more!
FINAL Pride Cruise Fares
Fares start from just $198 per person*, twin/triple/quad share, including all taxes, fees and port expenses, based on Go Fare.
Places are limited – don’t delay in securing your cabin today.
| Cabin | Quad Share Per person | Triple Share pp | Twin Share pp | Solo pp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Stateroom | from $198 | from $198 | from $198 | from $397 |
| Oceanview / Porthole | from $247 | from $247 | from $247 | from $494 |
| Balcony Staterooms | from $295 | from $295 | from $295 | from $591 |
| Mini Suites | from $775 | from $775 | from $775 | from $1550 |
| Family Suites | POA | POA | POA | POA |
| Suites | from $969 | from $1195 | from $1454 | from $2908 |
| Penthouse Suites | from $1122 | from $1460 | from $1911 | from $3823 |
“POA” – Price On Application, indicates category may be sold out or other restrictions may apply. Ask us for details.