VACAYA Sails Inaugural Cruise From New York Harbor

As Celebrity Summit set sail past Lady Liberty and out of New York Harbor on Sunday, history was made. Newly launched LGBTQ vacation company VACAYA had charted the newly refurbished ship for the brand's inaugural sailing, with stops in St. John, Canada; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Provincetown, Massachusetts. At a lavish onboard launch event, Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth was named Godmother of VACAYA and also coronated "Queen of the High Cs."

VACAYA's Ptown cruise is the largest LGBTQ fully chartered vessel ever to sail to Carnival as well as the first to experience the Summit's multi-million dollar refresh.

VACAYA Co-Founder Randle Roper expressed excitement over the historic launch. "This is a very big day for VACAYA, as an exciting new vacation option for LGBT+ travelers becomes a reality." Co-Founder Eric Hodgson added, "We can't wait to share all we've created with the nearly 2,000 guests who are here celebrating this momentous occasion with us." VACAYA Co-Founder Tracy Terrill remarked, "Hailing from 16 different countries, 44 U.S. states, and with a varied mix of gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer travelers, the shipboard community reflects VACAYA's goals of inclusivity."

Co-Founder John Finen spoke of VACAYA's statement art piece, "The rainbow flag art installation on Summit, which celebrates the launch of VACAYA, is a bold and vivid representation of the company's diversity and inclusion – a completely modern and colossal reinterpretation of this iconic symbol of the LGBTQIAPK community."