Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions. Still need help? Feel free to contact us.

About Out At Sea

what is out at sea?

Out At Sea is a community group of LGBTQ+ Christians, friends, family, and other allies with a collective interest in traveling together on a cruise to share the experience in fellowship and camaraderie.

When is the cruise and where does it go?

The cruise will be June -15, 2025, onboard the Celebrity Beyond with Celebrity Cruises. The 7-night, 8-day cruise will depart from Miami, Florida, making ports of call in San Juan, St. Maarten, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Coco Cay, prior to returning to Florida.

Are family members/allies able to come as part of the group?

Sure! Please check with Celebrity Cruises at time of booking regarding any special pricing or restrictions for little ones, but as with most community organized events, we strive to ensure the event will be a family friendly environment.

If you will be participating in our group with a child aged 12 or younger, please contact us.

Why should I participate with the group instead of just booking on my own and sailing individually?

Why join the Out At Sea group for this cruise? When registering with our group, you not only are able to celebrate LGBTQ diversity and Christian faith with friends and loved ones, but you’ll have access to exciting opportunities and exclusives to make your trip even more memorable.

Will this be an annual thing?

This is our seventh annual event, with future events to come!

If I can’t make it because the departure port is on the other side of the country, will you be moving this around from year to year?

We certainly hope so. It all depends on options and costs, but we’re constantly researching for future opportunities.

About Costs & Booking

How much does it cost?

The group participation fee is $40.00 and is paid separately from your cruise booking fees.

Tickets for the cruise vary based upon cabin type, location, and occupancy. Check out our pricing page for more info.

Can I pay for the cruise ticket over time?

Yep! When booking, you can secure your room and price rate by paying a $500 deposit per cabin.  

You will then be able to make payments at your discretion any time until the final payment deadline of March 3, 2025. If final payment is not received by then, your reservation will be dropped per cruise line cancellation policies.

What will be included?

The group participation fee covers group participation costs and materials, such as group swag, an on-board group photo, on-board group activities, and more. Leftover funds will go towards future group activities and to support the work of our parent organization, OutChristian.

The cost of your main ticket includes your cabin, port fees, dining/meals, entertainment, and most activities offered by the ship while on board. Travel to/from the departure port, activities at the various ports of call, and additional items will be your own responsibility.

DOES OUT AT SEA USE A TRAVEL AGENCY?

We do! We have partnered with Cruise King Travel, a fully licensed franchisee of Cruise Planners, to support our growing annual program. They are an LGBTQ-owned and operated company providing incredible support to Out At Sea and our attendees.

Can I book through my credit card company or a travel agent I know?

Yes, but there is an extra step they will need to do in order to ensure you can link with our group.

External bookings like that don’t automatically get included on-board with our group, which is why we typically recommend you book utilizing our official travel agent. However, we know sometimes there are some great deals available. If this is the case, contact us so we can give you the extra instructions necessary to ensure you’re included in the group with Royal Caribbean.

How does booking work?

Once you have registered with Out At Sea and paid your group participation fee, you will be sent booking information for the cruise, which includes a group reservation phone number and group identification number. (NOTE: This information has changed from previous years!) You will need both in order to book a cabin with our group. Please register ALL participants in your cabin with the group before booking your cabin.

Important: Do not book directly through the Celebrity Cruises website or you won’t be added into our group with the ship.

When booking your cabin, you will need passenger information for all occupants of your cabin, including full legal name as appearing on government identification documents. A deposit of $500 per cabin will be required to hold you room, with final payment being due no later than March 3, 2025.

We STRONGLY encourage you to submit your deposit as soon as possible to take advantage of the best pricing options. The ship is starting to book up quickly, so the sooner you can register, the better!

PLEASE NOTE: Cruise ticket costs are a PER PERSON rate based on cabin type, location, and occupancy. When you book, you will need to know how many people will be in your cabin, along with who they are. You will select your cabin during the booking period based on that information. Any changes after booking, especially when getting closer to the cruise, could impact the ticket cost of everyone staying in the cabin.

What's the cancellation/refund policy?

Refund request for group participation fees will be accepted until March 3, 2025. If you need to cancel, please email your cabin cancellation confirmation from Royal Caribbean to info@outatsea.org in order to receive a refund of your group participation fee. After March 3, 2025, no refunds will be issued for the group participation fee.

For information on cancellation/refunds of your cruise ticket, please refer to the Celebrity Cruises Cancellation and Refund policy.

Will there be scholarships/financial aid available?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any financial aid for the 2025 program.

About Other Things

Will i need a passport?

Yes, a passport is required to participate in this sailing. In addition, we recommend your passport have more than 6 months before expiration at the time of sailing.

Can I bring something for the group organizers on board?

Yep! We love Dr Pepper and chocolate.

I have questions/suggestions. Who can I tell?

We love suggestions! Feel free to contact us and let us know. Or reach out to us through our official Facebook group.