The magic of white nights:
Your gay cruise through the Baltic Sea in 2026
There is a special magic that fills the Baltic Sea in June. The white nights, when the sun barely sets and twilight bathes the sky in an endless dream of colours. On a cruise from Kiel via Copenhagen, Bornholm and Gdansk in June 2026, you can experience not only the beauty of the north, but also the romance of a natural spectacle that makes time stand still for a moment.
Our programme:
Parties, pool games & unforgettable moments
on your gay cruise in 2026
The Spartacus Cruise is about more than just travelling. It’s about the energy that is created when our community comes together. In addition to the on-board show programme, we have once again planned numerous highlights that are sure to thrill, give you goosebumps and make for unforgettable nights.
In addition to the on-board show programme, there will once again be numerous highlights to thrill you. Our artists include drag icon Tante Gladice, who will not only chill with you by the pool during the day as your hostess, but also guide you through her own programme in the evening.
You can also look forward to a concert by gay pop star John Riot in 2026! John’s sound is unmistakable: a mixture of melancholic lyrics, a raw voice and pure pop club beats with a touch of the 80s.
Of course, we will also be holding our traditional pool games again in 2026. The candidates have to master various sporting challenges and undergo a series of almost G-rated games in order to determine our Mr. Spartacus Cruise at the end.
You can also let loose with karaoke, make new contacts at the singles dinner and cuddle up at our piano evenings in the Blue Room. Are you more in the mood for partying than romance? During our theme parties in the fully glazed Dome Club, our DJs will really get you going. The musical selection on our gay cruise ranges from pop and club sounds to house and techno, provided by our resident DJs Chris Bekker, U-Seven and DJ James, for example.
Numerous artists and DJs will perform on the Spartacus Cruise’s Baltic Sea voyage. The following theme parties are also planned:
- Colors of the Rainbow (Kiel)
- Valhalla (Copenhagen)
- Drag (at sea)
- Fetish (Gdansk)
- White Party (Bornholm)
Also every day 16.00-18.00 Tea Dance at the Lido Pool.
Auntie Gladice
“Kisses, kisses, raise your cups!” is her motto and she certainly lives up to it. As one of the best-known and most popular drag artists in Frankfurt and the surrounding area, Auntie Gladice has been delighting audiences with extravagant costumes, sparkling jewelry, a strong voice and lots of positive energy for over 20 years. Role models like Doris Day, Shirley MacLaine, Meryl Streep, Trude Herr and Helen Vita made Auntie Gladice the likeable, lively power woman we all know and love today. Cheeky, funny and charming, Auntie Gladice never fails to put a smile on her audience’s faces. No matter whether she floats and rages across the stage as a diva, housewife or glam girl; her show makes the audience forget the gray everyday life in an instant. No matter whether she floats and rages across the stage as a diva, housewife or glam girl; As your main hostess of the Cruise, she makes the audience forget the gray everyday life in no time.
John Riot
John Riot is a Berlin artist who brings a powerful voice to the queer community and fights tirelessly for more acceptance and tolerance. John’s sound is unmistakable: a mix of melancholic lyrics, rough voice and pure pop club beats with a touch of the 80s. The deep themes of his songs often stand in stark contrast to the pulsating, danceable beats – a powerful message to his listeners: you can dance and cry, feel joy and pain at the same time. John inspires you to emerge stronger from your own traumas and to create positives from negatives. He became known through the 6th season of “The Voice of Germany”. On our 2026 Cruise, the young singer will give his own concert in the Hollywood Theater.
Nina Queer
Nina Queer, born in 1985 in a small Austrian mountain village, is now one of the most well-known drag queens in Germany. Since moving to Berlin in 2000, she has had a significant impact on the city’s party scene. Early on, she was considered a prodigy of the scene and later became a fixture in German entertainment. Her party series “Irrenhouse” celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022. In recent years, Nina Queer has greatly expanded her career: in 2020, she starred in the feature film The Awakening of the Monsters. That same year, her second novel SHE IS BACK was published. In 2023, she released the book My Most Beautiful Dicks and launched her first perfume called SEX. In 2024, she began her call-in talk show NINA PICKS UP on the channel ALEX. In 2025, her first feature film THE JUICE OF EVIL followed.
André Vasary
André Vasary the male soprano and runner up of Hungary got Talent, takes you on a journey incorporating songs from a variety of genres including soundtracks, musicals, pop and classical music. His concerts include music from some of the greatest film classics as well as recent popular film hits such as The Godfather or Once Upon a Time in the West. You will also hear world famous and popular songs from Disney movies and musicals. The most beautiful songs included in André‘s performance are the romantic love songs consisting of My way, Caruso and some of the most-well known opera arias. Enjoy this enchanting experience which will transport you to a magical place Beyond the Notes.
Chris Bekker
DJ & Producer Chris Bekker is one of the Berlin export hits of the electronic gay and straight scene worldwide. Since 2013 he has been working together with music pioneer and producer legend Paul van Dyk, on whose label VANDIT Rec his releases appear. He played on the La Demence Cruise for several years. Chris Bekker also runs the worldwide sound agency klang ID berlin. Chris has been a Spartacus Cruise resident DJ since our first trip in 2017!
Nelson Cerqueira
During the 2022 and 2023 cruises, Nelson discovered his love of the stage and the spotlight. Last year he entertained you as a singer and DJ. The Brazilian with a penchant for unusual styles and fashion moderates various events in his adopted home of Berlin and works as a model for LGBT+ campaigns for well-known brands. The style icon with the trademark “headscarf” has also been performing as a DJ for two years, mixing Brazilian funk and pop with disco classics and house music. In 2026 he will play various sets for you at the Lido Pool. When he’s not DJing, he’s drinking tequila with you at the bar.
DJ Juan del Chambo
Juan Del Chambo is a Venezuelan DJ and producer based in Cologne. He loves weaving melodic rhythms, driving bass lines and heavy kick drums to create a sound that will shake up dance floors. In February 2023, he released his highly anticipated debut song „El Diablo“ on Prospect Records in collaboration with Rony Golding. This sizzling release perfectly combines his Venezuelan roots with his love of techno. Juan fascinates his audience by blurring the boundaries between genres in an emotional way. Over the course of his career he has graced the decks of renowned venues, including the Kitkat Club in Berlin, the Artheater and Bootshaus in Cologne and the Radion West in Amsterdam.
DJ James
James is one of the most famous gay DJs in southern Germany and Austria. International appearances have taken him, among other things, to “Bear Week” in Sitges. He is also well-known as a long-time resident DJ at the CSD Munich and at the “Pink Lake” festival on Lake Wörthersee in Austria. With over a decade under its belt, his queer party series “PINK PARADISE” is a real institution in Munich and the longest-running gay party. His musical skills range from circuit house, pop, dance floor and gay classics to party hits.
Rainer Bielfeldt
Rainer Bielfeldt – born in Hamburg in 1964 – lives as a freelance composer, author and producer in Wendland.
After graduating from high school and completing his civilian service, he studied pop music and school music, majoring in piano, at the Hamburg University of Music. He initially worked for several years as a musical director at various theaters. During this time, he not only performed as a solo artist throughout Germany, but also accompanied renowned artists such as Gayle Tufts and Tim Fischer as a composer, pianist and stage partner.
Rainer Bielfeldt has composed hundreds of chansons, including the much-interpreted Rinnsteinprinzessin. As a solo artist, Rainer Bielfeldt has released eight solo albums to date. He also teaches chanson interpretation, including at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin, the Folkwang University of the Arts and the Institute of Music in Osnabrück.
Bielfeldt has lived in Wendland since 2021 and has been married to the Brazilian painter Tiago Bielfeldt since 2014. He openly addresses his homosexuality in his music and is committed to the visibility of queer themes in art.
DJ U-Seven
DJ U-Seven now looks back on a long successful career as a DJ. The core is his activities in the many Berlin clubs such as the Schwuz or the iconic Connection, where he is a resident. Also his trustful cooperation with our hostess Nina Queer goes already over a decade. Her successful parties such as the Irrenhouse and Rose Kennedy are regularly played by U7. He is also one of the club set DJs of the well-known Berlin radio station 98.8 Kiss FM. There you can hear a driving set from him every month. On our cruise he will delight us with the finest pop music of the last 40 years.
Donatella Divanese
Donatella Divanese is a permanent fixture on the queer cultural scene in northern Germany – and it is not without reason that she is considered Schleswig-Holstein’s best-known drag queen. With dazzling style, a sharp tongue and a lot of heart, she moves between stage, DJ booth, microphone and spotlight – always with the aim of celebrating queer visibility and creating spaces for empowerment. As a drag queen, DJ, podcaster, influencer, presenter and party organizer, Donatella is a true all-rounder. She regularly organizes queer events in Kiel, Flensburg and Hamburg, where her party series “Flamingo House” has long since become a fixture. She also brings queer dance floors to life with her DJ sets in Copenhagen.
AroundElias
With his high-energy mix of pop, chart hits, and EDM, AroundElias has become a well-established name in the queer party scene. His sets are all about pure dancefloor ecstasy – emotionally charged and always attuned to the vibe of the crowd. As co-organizer of the Hamburg party series Flamingo House, he brings the energy with a keen sense for extraordinary club moments. Beyond the DJ booth, AroundElias also makes waves in the fetish world – as the founder of FairytaleCreations.de, a queer fashion label for playful, expressive, and inclusive clothing.
Mallo Santo
“Baby’s got back!” Brazilian dancer, performer, and fitness instructor Mallo Santo will be joining us on our cruise for the first time in 2026. Every afternoon at the Lido, he and his Spartacus Bunnies will be lighting a fire under our butts and make sure no hip stays unmoved. You can also look forward to his popular “Booty” class at the gym. Whether by the pool, in the gym, or in the evening at our theme parties: Mallo guarantees sweating bodies and sexy moves.
Bork Melms
Bork Melms has been a fixture in Berlin’s party and event scene for over 20 years. In addition to the hot PROPAGANDA PARTY and the legendary GAYWIESN, he has been presenting the entertainment show “PINK DINNER” since summer 2025. In 2026, it will take place as the PINK BOAT DINNER on Lake Tag during the Spartacus Cruise. Thanks to his previous work as manager of two Berlin theater tents and as a cultural presenter on Berlin TV, he has created a sophisticated combination of food and entertainment. The Pink Boat Dinner will enchant guests with a three-course menu, welcome drink, and show program. Selected artists will perform between and after courses. A dinner show to enjoy, to see, and to be seen. Reservations for the limited seats in the grill restaurant can be made on board.
The environmentally friendly Vasco da Gama, with its manageable guest capacity of less than 1,000 travellers, will once again be available for our gay cruise. The Vasco impresses with its two pools, the larger of which has a retractable glass roof and can therefore be used in any weather.
The Vasco da Gama has four different types of cabins on decks 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. These include 129 interior cabins measuring 16 square metres, 352 exterior cabins measuring 17 square metres, 120 balcony cabins measuring 21 square metres and 28 suites with balconies measuring 34 square metres.
The Vasco da Gama also plays in the top league when it comes to gastronomy. It has three à la carte restaurants, including the Asian-inspired ‘Fusion’, which impresses with its attention to detail – simply perfect for our Spartacus Cruise.
Gym, Spa, Pool & Wellness
Wellness is a top priority on the “Vasco da Gama”. The gym next to the spa is open 24 hours a day and has a wide range of equipment. These include 11 spinning bikes, 5 steppers, 7 treadmills, 5 exercise bikes, 14 weight machines, 2 rowing machines and a large selection of free weights. In the spa, dry and steam saunas are included in the cruise price. The jogging trail is located on the top deck.
The Vasco da Gama has two pool areas – one is prominently located at the stern of the ship with spacious sunbathing areas. The other is located amidships and is equipped with a retractable roof, which only a very small number of cruise ships have. There is also a sophisticated wellness area with sauna and steam bath, a large fitness center and sports areas on the outer decks. The “Hollywood’s” show theater extends over two decks and offers first-class evening entertainment.
Bars, Lounges, Restaurants
The Vasco da Gama also plays in the top league when it comes to gastronomy. It has three a-la-card restaurants, including the Asian-style “Fusion”, which impresses with its attention to detail. This includes authentic Japanese tables at floor level. The buffet restaurant also stands out conceptually. It is more reminiscent of a food court with different culinary stations. European dishes are served in the “Waterfront” with its 150 seats. The restaurant is designed in an exclusive style. “The Grill” is the specialty restaurant on board and has 66 seats. The “Chefs Table” with its 14 seats can be booked for a larger group for festive occasions such as weddings, silver weddings, birthdays etc. for an additional charge. The Alfresco Grill is the bistro for in-between meals when you return from an excursion or when your appetite strikes by the pool. The pizzas, burgers and hot dogs are all included in the tour price.
For international Travelers (Travelers outside of EU), we recommend travelling via Hamburg Airport (HAM), which offers numerous connections within Europe and to the USA. The KIELIUS airport bus takes approximately 90 minutes to travel directly from the airport to Kiel Central Station. From there, it is only 2 kilometres to the cruise terminal – about five minutes by taxi. The air-conditioned KIELIUS bus requires a reservation. The website is also available in English: kielius-onlinebuchung.de
You can also extend your cruise with a visit to the lively city of Hamburg. Hamburg is home to one of the most open and diverse LGBTQ+ communities in Germany. The heart of the scene is in the St. Georg and St. Pauli districts. The Lange Reihe street in St. Georg is particularly well known for its inviting cafés, stylish bars and rainbow-friendly atmosphere. Hamburg’s cultural openness is not only evident in its nightlife – the city offers numerous queer film screenings, exhibitions and lectures throughout the year. With over 2,500 bridges, Hamburg is also the city with the most bridges in Europe – ahead of Venice, Amsterdam and London.
On the evening before our cruise, we are hosting a welcome party at Club PUMPE in Kiel together with our partner Flamingo!
Copenhagen, Denmark.
A city of history, enjoyment and diversity
The first destination on our gay cruise is Copenhagen. The capital of Denmark is a fascinating combination of history, modern culture and tolerance. The city on the Baltic Sea coast looks back on centuries of history, which is reflected in its impressive historic buildings. At the same time, it has established itself as a culinary metropolis and a hotspot for the LGBTQ+ community.
Copenhagen‘s old town is a true paradise for history enthusiasts. The iconic statue of the Little Mermaid, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, is a symbol of the city and attracts visitors from all over the world. Christiansborg Palace, now the seat of the Danish Parliament, and Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the royal family, offer an insight into the glorious past of the Danish monarchy. A stroll through Nyhavn, the picturesque harbour with its colourful house facades, brings the city’s maritime history to life.
But Copenhagen is not only known for its history, but also for its outstanding gastronomic scene. The city is home to world-famous restaurants such as ‘Noma’, which has been named the best restaurant in the world several times, and ‘Geranium’, which also enjoys international recognition for its innovative menus. Alchemist, known for its avant-garde creations, also attracts gourmets from all over the world. Innovative Nordic cuisine with its regional and seasonal ingredients delights foodies, as do the authentic Danish dishes offered at the charming street markets. Street food markets such as Reffen invite you to enjoy culinary diversity in a relaxed atmosphere.
Copenhagen is also a shining example of tolerance and openness. The city is considered one of the most important LGBTQ+ hotspots in Scandinavia. Events such as Copenhagen Pride attract thousands of people every year. The Vesterbro district offers a lively bar scene.
Gdansk, Poland.
The historic old town on the Baltic Sea
Gdańsk, known as Danzig in German, is a port city with an eventful history on the Baltic Sea. Characterised by Hanseatic architecture and German, Polish and Prussian history, it attracts millions of visitors every year. The historic old town is the heart of the city and captivates visitors with its picturesque alleys, magnificent buildings and lively atmosphere.
The Long Market (Długi Targ) with the town hall and Neptune’s Fountain forms the centre. Here, colourful facades and ornate gables line the streets, bearing witness to the city’s heyday in the 16th century. St. Mary’s Church, one of the largest brick churches in the world, towers over the city and offers an impressive panoramic view.
A walk along the Motława River leads to the famous Crane Gate, a symbol of the city. Museums such as the European Solidarity Centre shed light on Gdańsk‘s role in world history, from the Hanseatic era to the Solidarity movement. The Old Town combines cultural diversity and history and is a must-see for every traveller.
Bornholm, Denmark.
The Danish pearl in the Baltic Sea
enchants visitors with its unique scenic diversity. The island, also known as the ‘Sun Island’, offers a mosaic of unspoilt nature, dramatic cliffs and gentle sandy beaches that amazes visitors.
A particular highlight is the Hammershus cliff in the north, where the imposing ruins of a medieval castle tower majestically over the sea. Here, rugged rock formations meet the sparkling blue of the Baltic Sea – a paradise for hikers and photographers. In contrast, the southern coasts attract visitors with endless, fine sandy beaches such as Dueodde. The sand there is so fine that it was once used for hourglasses.
In the interior of the island, a peaceful idyll unfolds with forests, lakes and fields. Almindingen, one of Denmark’s largest forests, is a perfect place for walks and nature exploration. The round churches, nestled in the rolling hills, are architectural gems and witnesses to Bornholm‘s eventful history.
With its mix of wild nature, cultural highlights and relaxed lifestyle, Bornholm offers scenic beauty that delights every visitor.
Bookings for the Spartacus Cruise: Baltic Sea 2026 starts with an early bird special for a limited time. Please see the chart (dated 10/29/2025):
Please contact us directly at [email protected] or (+1)713.661.2117 for real-time availability of staterooms and for reservations.
Also see Beverage package options:
In the case of double occupancy, the packages can only be booked for both cabin guests at any bar on embarkation day. If you want to avoid queuing, you can order the packages when you book your cabin. Subject to change without notice.
Classic
35€ per day & guest
- Open house wines by the glass (white, rose and red)
- Open house sparkling wine by the glass
- Port wine, Madeira wine and sherry
- Draft and bottled beers, non-alcoholic beer (except Guinness and Somersby Cider)
- All non-alcoholic cocktails
- Aperitif (Aperol Spritz/Orange, Campari Soda/Orange)
- All open non-alcoholic drinks (juices and soft drinks)
- Mineral water and still water
- Filter coffee, cappuccino, espresso, hot chocolate and tea, available in the “Dome”, “Capuccino’s”, “Blue Room” and “Ocean Bar”
Premium
55€ per day & guest
- All Classic drinks package services and additionally:
- Crémant in a glass
- Guinness bottle and Somersby Cider bottle)
- All cocktails (with alcohol)
- San Pellegrino mineral water
- Premium mixer (e.g. Fever Tree Tonic Water Elderflower and Tonic 1724)
- Various scotch and whisky (e.g. Chivas Regal 12 Years, Jack DanieI’s Old No. 7)
- Various gin (e.g. Bombay Star, Tanqueray 10 and Hendrick’s)
- Various vodkas (e.g. Stolichnaya, Absolut Citron, Belvedere, Ketel One, Grey Goose)
- Various types of rum (e.g. Havana Club Anejo, Mount Gay, Pyrat XO)
- Reserve and Sagatiba Pura Cachaca)
- Various tequilas (e.g. Jose Cuervo Silver and Gold, Patron Silver and Anejo and Don Julio Anejo)
- Various brandies and cognacs (e.g. Armagnac Cles des Ducs, Calvados. Grappa Alexander Cru and Hennessy VSOP)
- Various fruit brandies (raspberry brandy, cherry brandy, Mirabell, fruit brandy and Williams pear)
- Various liqueurs (e.g. Amaretto, Bailey’s, Frangelico, Galliano, Kahlua and Limoncello)
- Various bitters (Fernet Branca, Jägermeister)
- Various vermouths (e.g. Dubonnet aperitif and Martini Bianco/Rosso)
- Aquavit (Bommerlunder, Loiten’s line)
