VACAYA Teams Up With LGBTQ+ Cruise App to Protect and Empower Travelers
A new era of community-centered travel, free from harmful social media platforms, begins with the collaboration between VACAYA and the MeetMeOnBoard LGBTQ+ cruise app.
In a bold move to protect and empower LGBTQIAPK travelers, MeetMeOnboard, the leading platform for connecting LGBT+ cruisers, and VACAYA, the premier provider of all-LGBT+ cruises and vacations, announce a transformative strategic relationship. Both companies – proudly LGBT+ owned and operated – are joining forces to offer travelers a safe, welcoming space to connect and build community beyond the increasingly hostile environments of mainstream social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook and Instagram).
A New Era of Connection for LGBT+ Travelers
Through this collaboration, VACAYA travelers will now have access to MeetMeOnboard’s innovative platform, giving them a safe and inclusive space to connect with one another before their vacations. Instead of relying on social media platforms that have systematically stripped protections for LGBT+ users, MeetMeOnboard offers VACAYA guests a dedicated space free from harassment and harmful rhetoric.
Recent decisions by Meta to rescind protections against hate speech targeting LGBT+ users have drawn widespread criticism from advocacy groups and individuals alike. These changes leave the LGBT+ community vulnerable to increased online harassment and hate, creating unsafe digital spaces. This troubling shift is part of a broader trend among social media giants that prioritize profits and controversial engagement metrics over the well-being and safety of marginalized communities. VACAYA’s decision to offer an alternative, members-only space with controlled access underscores its commitment to protecting and uplifting the community it serves.
“VACAYA is about creating spaces where the LGBT+ community feels celebrated and protected,” said VACAYA CMO Patrick Gunn. VACAYA CEO Randle Roper adds: “With the continuing assault on our community on platforms like X and Meta, we knew it was time to rethink how we help our guests connect. MeetMeOnboard helps us achieve those goals, providing a focused, secure, and inclusive space where our guests can build meaningful connections before their trips even begin.”
About MeetMeOnBoard
With MeetMeOnBoard, cruisers can effortlessly discover fellow LGBTQ+ companions aboard their chosen cruise, fostering connections long before setting sail. Available for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play, MeetMeOnBoard empowers users to navigate the seas of queer travel with confidence and community.
Tailored for the queer community, MeetMeOnBoard elevates the cruise experience to new heights. Offering customizable profiles, users can authentically express themselves while connecting with like-minded individuals. With access to comprehensive LGBTQ+ resources, travelers can gain invaluable insights into cruise brands committed to fostering inclusive environments and can get updates on trending cruise information that will help them make informed decisions about their future travel plans.
Enhanced search functionalities powered by Cruise Planners’ award winning technology enable LGBTQ+ travelers to discover queer-friendly cruises with ease, while intuitive tracking features streamline voyage management. App users have the ability to create custom events, which can take place before or throughout the duration of their cruise. They also have the option to ask and answer specific questions about their cruise in the community forums. Or they can communicate directly with one another using the personal contact info located in their profile. With the MeetMeOnBoard app, it’s never been easier to connect with other LGBTQ+ passengers on a cruise.
MeetMeOnBoard was founded in 2008 by Mark den Hartog and Dale McCurdy and acquired in 2022 by Adam Martindale, a cruise veteran with over 30 years of experience in the travel industry. Martindale has spent the past year transforming MeetMeOnBoard into the app being unveiled today. “We are thrilled to unveil MeetMeOnBoard, a platform dedicated to enhancing LGBTQ+ cruise experiences,” remarks Martindale. “Our app represents a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ travelers, offering unprecedented connectivity and community. Join us as we embark on this transformative journey together!”
Martindale adds, “MeetMeOnBoard is thrilled to provide queer travelers a way to book cruises, coordinate trips and connect with each other before, during and after their cruise. We hope it will become their go-to LGBTQ+ resource for all of their future cruises and we can’t wait to meet them on board soon!“
A Move Rooted in Shared Values
The collaboration between VACAYA and MeetMeOnboard reflects both companies’ commitment to protecting LGBT+ travelers from the rising tide of anti-LGBT+ sentiment washing across the globe at alarming speed. With MeetMeOnboard’s private, user-friendly platform, VACAYA guests can now meet others, plan excursions, and build friendships well before stepping aboard a cruise ship or checking into a resort.
“As a gay owned and operated company, we’ve always prioritized community and safety,” said MeetMeOnboard CEO Adam Martindale. “Teaming up with VACAYA allows us to expand our mission and offer their guests a harassment-free space to connect. Together, we’re building something truly special – far removed from the toxic environments that many social media platforms have become.”
What This Means for LGBT+ Travelers
Pre-Trip Connections: Travelers can meet fellow guests, plan group activities, and start building friendships in a safe, welcoming environment.
Freedom from Harassment: By moving away from mainstream platforms, VACAYA and MeetMeOnboard prioritize user safety and mental well-being.
Stronger Community Bonds: This collaboration encourages deeper connections and shared experiences that begin well before the vacation.
This new initiative between VACAYA and MeetMeOnboard officially launches on VACAYA’s February 22-March 1, 2025 Caribbean Cruise departing from New Orleans.
MeetMeOnboard CEO Adam Martindale will be onboard Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, where he will assist VACAYA guests with downloading the app, setting up their profiles, and navigating the app’s features to ensure a seamless experience.
Together, VACAYA and MeetMeOnboard are ushering in a new era of LGBT+ travel – one where connection, community, and safety take center stage.
Download the MeetMeOnBoard app in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. Visit the MeetMeOnBoard website for additional information.
For information on VACAYA, go to VACAYA.com, on Facebook, on Instagram, on YouTube, and on TikTok.
