Viva Cruises has unveiled the entertainment roster for its upcoming 'Viva LGBTQ+ & Friends Cruise', with drag artist Hoax LeBeau confirmed as the headliner. The special river cruise, which departs from Dusseldorf on 29th July, is timed to coincide with World Pride 2026 in Amsterdam, offering guests a unique way to experience the renowned LGBTQ+ celebration.
Hoax LeBeau, a DJ and television personality who started her career during Amsterdam Pride in 2011, will lead a vibrant programme of onboard entertainment. Guests can expect a variety of performances, including drag shows featuring additional artists such as Abby OMG!, Ma’Ma Queen, and The Countess. The lineup also encompasses live singing, comedy theatre shows, music bingo, and DJ-led evenings, alongside more reflective sessions like talks on diversity and inclusion.
The sailing aboard VIVA ONE will call at Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Nijmegen. A significant highlight for passengers will be their presence in the Dutch capital during World Pride, which runs from 25th July to 8th August. This timing means guests will have the opportunity to witness the World Pride Parade, a spectacle that traditionally takes place along Amsterdam's iconic canals.
Michelle Daniels, a manager at Viva Cruises, emphasised that the cruise has been designed to celebrate diversity and the collective joy of travel. She highlighted the opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the World Pride celebrations while enjoying a comprehensive and inclusive entertainment schedule onboard. The cruise, which starts from GBP 2,075 per person, has a capacity for 176 guests and offers an all-inclusive experience.
Beyond the entertainment, the VIVA ONE vessel provides various amenities including the main Riverside restaurant, Viva’s Bistro, a panoramic lounge, sun deck, whirlpool, and a spa area with a steam room and sauna. For those looking to explore ports, rental bikes are also available. The initiative reflects a broader trend within the cruise industry, where companies like Princess and Virgin Voyages regularly host LGBTQ+ meetups, and Celebrity Cruises organises a fleet-wide 'Pride Party at Sea' in June.
For UK audiences, while this specific cruise is not available on mainstream UK streaming platforms, the broader cultural significance of World Pride and the involvement of prominent LGBTQ+ artists like Hoax LeBeau resonate within the UK's vibrant drag and queer performance scene. Many of these artists have garnered recognition and followings through platforms such as RuPaul's Drag Race UK, which is available on BBC iPlayer, and various live performance venues across the UK.