When the words "gay cruising" are typed in Google, the first search result is a website that lists various clandestine spots around the world "where men meet up to have sex with other men." That wasn't quite what I was looking for. The next search result, specifically referring to travel companies that specialize in cruise vacations for the gay market, was. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are guys who go on gay cruises to find sex, it's just that for purposes of this article I was interested in locales such as islands in the Caribbean, not parking lots at the local forest preserves.

The gay and lesbian travel market has seen a significant boom during the past decade and one of the fastest growing segments has been cruise vacations. Taking advantage of the fact that gay travelers take a median of five overnight trips per year and incur $6,300 in travel expenses, several GLBT-focused travel companies are making an indelible mark on the lives of many folks.

Atlantis Events (800.628.5268 | www.atlantisevents.com) is the largest gay and lesbian tour operator in the world, hosting some 20,000 guests annually. The company selects the world's top-rated ships and resorts and literally takes them over, producing one of a kind vacations with signature entertainment events and legendary parties. The company (which also owns RSVP) brings together a diverse group of gays and lesbians from around the world, all the while striving to create a friendly, welcoming environment that makes everyone feel comfortable.

For the summer of 2009, Atlantis provides two European sailings. The first is the Grand Baltic Cruise (late July), a 10-nighter that starts and ends in Copenhagen (site of the Out Games) and includes stops in Berlin, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, and Stockholm. Later in the summer their 9-night Mediterranean cruise (late August), has quite a unique itinerary that leaves out of Rome and includes three stops in Greece as well as in Alexandria, Egypt. Other cruises down the line for Atlantis include the popular Los Angeles ­ Mexico trip in the fall (October) and the recently announced Auckland ­ Sydney cruise in February 2010.

RSVP (800.328.7787 | www.rsvpvacations.com), the granddaddy of gay cruising, has a more upscale focus with an upcoming trip to the Mexican Riviera out of Los Angeles (April 18 ­ 25) and a riverboat vacation through the heartland of Europe, beginning in Paris and ending up in Prague (early August). They have another European riverboat cruise down the Danube River later in August and get back to a big cruise ship late that month for an Alaksan adventure in and out of Seattle.

As for the lesbians, while they are welcomed on the Atlantis and RSVP cruises, a more womanly vibe can be found at Olivia Cruises (800.631.6277 | www.olivia.com). Upcoming trips include an Alaskan itinerary out of Vancouver in September and a Caribbean Halloween voyage in late October out of Tampa.

For those who might want their feet firmly on the ground and not on a boat, there are lot of options, including those provided by Chicago-based Zoom Vacations (866.966.6822 | www.zoomvacations.com). Zoom creates vacation experiences that are modern, fun, luxurious, and "value-engineered" with an emphasis on adventure and culture complementing comfort and style. Upcoming vacations include Madrid Gay Pride (July), Copenhagen for the Out Games (July), India (October), and Argentina (November).

Venture Out (888.431.6789 www.Venture-Out.com) is meeting the growing need for a greater selection of upscale, small-group, specialized-theme tours for experienced gay travelers. 2009 itineraries are planned to South Africa (early May), Turkey & Syria (mid-May), Croatia (September), and Morocco (October)

Douglas Easton Travel (800.957.3684 www.DouglasEastonTravel.com) offers exciting and romantic trips to exotic and adventurous destinations, featuring luxury hotels, mouth-watering meals, and special touches aimed at the LGBT market. Destinations in 2009 include Bavaria: Munich & Salzburg (July), Uganda & South Africa (early September), and Croatia (late September).