Cruise veteran sets up LGBTQ group travel specialist agency

A new cruise specialist agency has been set up to sell group travel to the LGBTQ community in the UK.

 

Carl Gibson, who has spent more than 20 years cruising, has joined the Travel Trust Association to launch his agency, called Must Do Travel.

 

He said he will work with the most gay-friendly cruise lines – Celebrity Cruises and Virgin Voyages – saying they have done “wonders in making our community feel accepted and welcomed”.

 

Gibson and his partner of 37 years, Ian, have hosted groups for a US-based gay travel agency for more than 15 years.

 

“There is clearly a gap in the market for a UK-based gay travel agency offering group cruises – with 100% financial protection,” he said.

 

“Cruising is my passion, so setting up as a travel agent and tour operator was an easy choice.

 

“Ours is a boutique agency offering hosted gay group cruises throughout the year, aimed at the LGB+ family, and their friends.

 

“We wanted to break down the stereotype that cruise ship holidays aren’t just for your parents, and that they only attract old fuddy-duddies.”

 

The first group will sail on a transatlantic crossing on Celebrity Xcel from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona in April 2026. It will go on sale next month, along with the website pridecruises.co.uk.

 

Gibson hopes to offer a gay group cruise each month.

 

In the summer, groups will be sailing on Virgin Voyages because it is an adults-only cruise line, which is “especially important in the Med during summer school holidays”, he noted.

 

“We are also planning a big group for next year’s Christmas and holiday season, sailing on Celebrity Infinity from Barcelona on December 20, 2026…to the Canaries and Morocco,” he added.

 

His experience with American-based gay groups has also shown him that cruises which coincide with a gay pride event are the most popular sailings, so he is planning itineraries which include Amsterdam for World Pride 2026 plus pride events in Barcelona, Madrid, Buenos Aires and even Sydney.

 

Group sizes will range from 10 to 150 and marketing will be through social media and publications aimed at the LGB+ community.

 

Gibson’s background is in policy and regulation with trade associations in UK and Australia.

 

“To be honest, the work was pretty dull, so to liven things up I enjoyed holidays on cruise ships,” he said.

 

“New adventures and making new friendships gave us the idea for our new agency as we focus on offering gay group cruises full-time.

 

Gibson and his partner are both dual citizens, holding British and Australian passports. They have been living on cruise ships for the last two years, spending more than 10 months a year on board – and they are currently sailing on Celebrity Solstice from Vancouver to Sydney.

 

Gibson said it was “an easy choice” to partner with the TTA, which is part of The Travel Network Group.

 

He described the TTA as “widely respected, recognised and so supportive”.

 

“Working with the team at TTA, we will have access to some amazing cruise ship deals, making travelling in a group so much cheaper than travelling independently,” he told Travel Weekly.

 

“I think we set a new record in receiving membership approval – from enquiry to approval in just five weeks.”