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Florida Motorcycle Events » --> Motorcycle Rally » High Seas Rally 2024 - Motorcycle Rally on a Cruise Ship

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High Seas is an ALL-INCLUSIVE biker vacation with 7 days of wild parties, rockin’ live music, big-money raffles, kickass theme nights and Caribbean island adventures.

The World’s Only Motorcycle Rally on a Cruise Ship has sailed the high seas since 2003, bringing together motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world for one-of-a-kind adventures at amazing destinations.

2024 marks the 23rd High Seas Rally sailing, each powered by legions of bike enthusiasts who come together for a first-class vacation in celebration of the their love of motorcycles and the freedom of the high seas. For the first time, High Seas Rally is All-INCLUSIVE, with a Royal Caribbean Deluxe Drink Package free to all guests. Here’s a taste of what you’ll experience:

Our fully chartered ship, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas, will be transformed into the ultimate biker rally at sea, with days filled with activities and parties on the pool deck, and the night heated up with concerts, an awesome casino, and over a dozen bars and lounges.

STUNNING PORTS OF CALL

Your bike can’t get you to some of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean—but we can! Whether you want to enjoy an adventurous shore excursion, relax on a beautiful beach, or bring the action ashore with you at one of our port parties, we have a packed itinerary of vacation favorites; Leaving from Tampa, and then sailing to the beautiful Bahama Ports of Bimini, Freepost, Nassau, and Cococay.

ONBOARD PARTIES

It’s not enough to be the World’s Only Motorcycle Rally on a Cruise Ship, we turn the fun up even further with our famous theme nights and parties. The costumes won’t just be out on Halloween this year, they’ll be out for Pirate Takeover Day and Hillbillies on the High Seas!

ROCKIN’ CONCERTS & ENTERTAINMENT

On High Seas Rally, the entertainers don‘t just perform, they sail with us! We’ll keep things amped up all week long with big-name headliners including Lou Gramm, The Kentucky Headhunters, Vixen, Hairball, Gary Michaels - Biker Comedy Hypnotist and more to be announced, all included with your reservation.

It wouldn’t be a rally if you couldn’t check out the latest and greatest toys for you and your bike! A selection of some of the top vendors in the biker world will be onboard to display and sell their gear, clothing and products as well as chat with cruisers about what’s new on the market.

CHARITABLE CAUSES

The commitment to charitable giving sets High Seas Rally apart and we are honored to support two great causes in 2024.High Seas Rally is dedicated to carrying on the legacy of supporting those undergoing dialysis treatment with the High Seas Rally Dialysis Fund, and our mission to support veterans and service members though our partnership with Wounded Warrior Project. The generosity of the High Seas Rally community is extraordinary and will help change the lives of many deserving individuals.  

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• --> Event Category: Motorcycle Rally

By EventMan Jan 7

• EventMan (owner) We are working hard to add all the 2023 Motorcycle Events to our calendar Attending
• WarBucks Maybe Attending

We make every effort to ensure events listed in the CycleFish Motorcycle Event Calendar are accurate at the time of posting.  However, event organizers sometimes make changes to event details, or cancel the event, without notifying us.  If you find information that is incorrect, please Contact Us and let us know.

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THEMED CRUISES

ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE XI 2024

February 22 - 26, 2024

Native American Heritage Association presents Rock Legends Cruise XI 2024! You are invited to a rock and roll voyage on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, sailing from Miami to the beautiful beaches of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We’ll rock our way through the Caribbean to your favorite tunes delivered by an incredible lineup of legendary artists, and this fundraising cruise wouldn’t be complete without the Rock ‘n’ Roll Never Forgets Memorabilia Auction, Signed Guitar Raffle and Band Photo Ops. So come join us on our floating rock festival with a cause and have the best time of your life since you were 18 years old.

To find out more, visit rocklegendscruise.com or call 888-666-1499.

STAR TREK: THE CRUISE VII

February 22 - 29, 2024

Star Trek: The Cruise VII is the ultimate immersive experience shared by a star-studded Crew and the most passionate Star Trek fans in the universe! On The Un-Conventional Voyage, you are more than a passenger ⁠— you will become part of the Crew and part of the magic and majesty that is Star Trek ! Beam up for a 7-day Voyage on the spectacular Mariner of the Seas, as we boldly explore two new exotic and exciting ports of call – Curaçao and Aruba. Enjoy special Star Trek -themed shows, events, activities and parties. Join us and an amazing lineup of actors and personalities on Star Trek: The Cruise VII for the most unique Star Trek experience in the galaxy!

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.startrekthecruise.com

THE 80S CRUISE

february 29 - March 07, 2024

If you love the 80s — the music, the style, the culture, the excitement, the excess — The 80s Cruise delivers non-stop 80s awesomeness and unique, unforgettable moments for The Ultimate 80s Party! Step onboard an 80s time machine and immerse yourself in 7-days of nightly themed parties, unparalleled celebrity interaction, star-studded events and pool parties all for one all-inclusive price (including drinks)! Join 38 Social, Soft Cell, Air Supply, Debbie Gibson (Special Electric Youth 35th Anniversary Show) and more for over 50 concerts and live performances as we visit two exotic and exciting new ports of call in 2024 – Aruba and Curaçao – with the most righteous fans of the greatest decade!

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.the80scruise.com

THE OLD SCHOOL CRUISE 2024

May 3 - 6, 2024

Come be part of making music history. It’s your chance to sail away with Old School Cruise 2024. This is our 5th annual sailing. Our Old School Cruise lineup is always made of Grammy award winner and or your favorite Old School Bands from the 60s, 70s and 80s. This is the music that we dance to and is part of all our lives. We set sail from San Pedro, CA May 3rd - 6th, 2024 and stopping at Ensenada, MX over Cinco de Mayo Weekend aboard Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Navigator of the Seas. She’s the greatest ship on the West Coast. It doesn’t get any better than this. You will have nonstop entertainment while making lifelong memories and friends. So get on board NOW and let’s get the party started.

To find out more, visit www.TheOldSchoolCruise.com or call 888-639-8880.

Super Legends 2024

Sept 13 - 16, 2024

Let’s make music history and sail away with The King of the Accordion, Mr. Ramon Ayala, Los Lobos, WAR, The BAR-Kays, Tierra, MALO, Thee Midniters, Shelly Lares, Sunny Ozuna, Lighter Shade of Brown, Pepe Marquez, Rocky Padilla, David Marez, Cota The Barber, Sophia Maria, Raquel Ramirez, Tarah New, Amoraa, and Texas Funk. The SUPER LEGENDS CRUISE 2024 is simply on another level.

We set sail from San Pedro, CA September 13rd - 16th, 2024 and stopping at Ensenada, MX. It will be 3-day weekend adventure like never before aboard Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Navigator of the Seas.

To find out more, visit SuperLegendsCruise.com or call 888-639-8880. superlegendscruise.com

HIGH SEAS RALLY 2024

october 26 - november 2, 2024

High Seas Rally is the World’s Only Motorcycle on a Cruise ShipTM that brings together a community of bikers for the ultimate motorcycle vacation. This 7-night rally at sea kindles the spirit of adventure and supports two incredible causes – High Seas Rally Dialysis Fund and Wounded Warrior Project. Each day brings a fresh adventure, with legendary theme nights and parties; raffles, auctions and games that support charity; killer concerts and live music from Lou Gramm, The Kentucky Headhunters, Vixen, Hair Ball, Steel Rod and more; top vendors; demos from industry insiders; and bucket list ports of call.

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.highseasrally.com

the 90's cruise 2025

january 31 - february 5, 2025

It’s time to dial up the party and take it back to the 90s – the music, the “Rachel,” the baggy pants – on a 5-day luxury cruise! Onboard The 90s Cruise you will relive the magic of the iconic pop culture, music, fashion, and trends of the edgiest decade ever! Step onboard 5-days nightly theme parties, celeb interaction, plus all out 90s parties, and events and activities. Join Blues Traveler, Collective Soul. Gin Blossoms, Everclear, Lit, Color Me Bad, Lisa Loeb, Fastball C+C Music Factory, Jesus Jones, Digital Underground, and Sophie B. Hawkins for over 25 concerts and live performances! The Freshest 90s Party is Hosted by Downtown Julie Brown, Matt Pinfield, and Lisa Loeb.

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.the90scruise.com

Comic-Con: The Cruise 2025

February 5 - february 9, 2025

Comic-Con: The Cruise is The Ultimate Fan Adventure! Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime and immerse yourself in the world of popular arts like never before. This 4-day adventure at sea celebrates your passions and is full of surprises, with original, one-of-a-kind, entertainment delivered by Comic-Con ® stars and creators who step off the stage and dine, party, and interact with the guests throughout the cruise. This is an entirely new experience that brings together the most passionate fans from across the globe!

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.comicconthecruise.com

THE OLD SCHOOL CRUISE 2025

May 2 - 5, 2025

Come be part of making music history! It’s your chance to sail away with the Old School Cruise 2025. This is our 6th annual sailing. This year you'll be joining the legendary Commodores, S.O.S Band, ZAPP, Sister Sledge, Peaches & Herb, the Original Lakeside, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Bloodstone, Lenny Williams, Mary Jane Girls ft. Maxi & Cheri and many more. This is the music that we dance to and is part of all our lives.  We set sail from San Pedro, CA May 2nd - 5th, 2025 and stopping at Ensenada, MX over Cinco de Mayo Weekend aboard Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Navigator of the Seas. She’s the greatest ship on the West Coast. It doesn’t get any better than this. You will have nonstop entertainment while making lifelong memories and friends. So get on board NOW and let’s get the party started.

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Cycling Cruises

Why opting for a cruise is a smart choice

A Santana Adventures bike cruise uses a chartered ship to provide better cycling through multiple regions with luxurious flexibility. On any day you can ride long, short, or not at all.

If you opt not to ride you can stay aboard for the scenic morning cruise or join Sergio for a guided tour by bus. Either way the ship spends late afternoons docked at a fascinating port before traveling up to 150 miles overnight to reach our following day’s adventure.

Imagine the convenience, security, and comfort of returning to the same 5-star resort after each day’s ride, and the excitement of exploring an entirely new region the following day.

Upcoming Cycling Cruises

2024 & 2025.

What’s a bike cruise?!

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Shore Excursion Details

Advanced mountain bike, sitka, alaska.

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Ride through some of the most beautiful scenery in southeast Alaska on an electric-enhanced bicycle that will make the trip all the more exhilarating and fulfilling. After a brief orientation on how best to maximize the experience, you will pedal off caravan-style and follow a trail that runs through Sitka and along the coast. Although the Trek bike is able to boost your pedal power and reduce the physical demands, the ride will still be challenging. Even so, it will be well worth the effort. Depending on the route that the guide selects, you will ride somewhere between 16 and 22 miles. The trail will begin in Sitka but before long you will head into more rolling and mountainous terrain, much of it presenting sweeping views of the sea. Tongass National Forest provides a backdrop of stunning natural beauty, ensuring that no matter where you look the sights will be spectacular.

• Ride an electric-enhanced bicycle that will boost your pedal power. • Follow an incredibly scenic trail that is typically between 16 and 22 miles long. • Be awed by the majestic wilderness and surrounding natural beauty.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

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Activity Level:

• 3 Challenging

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Bike and Barge Cruise Review (Ship, Cycling, Food and More)

I’ve just disembarked a European river cruise on a 1930s barge that took everything I thought I knew about cruising and turned it on its head.

Our cruise was a week-long and on the cruise schedule was 225km of cycling across the German countryside from Bonn to Saarburg .

I am definitely not a cyclist, so I was very nervous, I didn’t want to let anybody down. To say it was eventful would be an understatement. We had injuries, a heatwave, I smashed my camera, and I saw and did things I never thought were possible on a cruise.

You can check out the Merlijn’s website here: Bike and Barge Cruising

Why Did I Book This Cruise?

Before Coen and Cristina, the owners of the Merlijn invited me to join them on their ship I had no idea that this type of cruise existed. 

My first reaction was ‘cycling? I can’t cycle!’.

At this point it had been a good 5 or more years since I’d been on a bike but I thought either it’ll go well, or it’ll be a great story for me to tell you and here we are. 

I had visions of me being the person who was holding everybody else up, I didn’t know if I would be physically able to cycle that far? What would happen if I couldn’t? I had no idea what staying on a barge would be like, I didn’t know what would the food be like, what would the other guests be like? I had no idea. 

What Was My First Impression of The Ship?

I’ve been cruising on ocean cruises, and the larger river cruise ships for years but when the Merlijn pulled up alongside us in Cologne I had no idea what to expect inside.

When talking about barges the Oxford English Dictionary definition is:

“A long flat-bottomed boat for carrying freight on canals and rivers”

Which doesn’t sound particularly luxurious which might explain why I was so surprised when we first stepped onboard the ship.

When we arrived we were greeted by Coen, Cristina and our guide Lia on the front deck.

The deck area here was beautifully decorated and we would end up spending a lot of time here. 

I Didn’t Know Who The Other Guests Would Be

I knew at this point that the cruise and tours were to be in English but I had no idea where the other guests would be from.

I had to admit I was also quite worried that everybody else would be massively into cycling and would be annoyed by me who up until a couple of months before the cruise, hadn’t cycled for a good 5 years.

We chatted a little to the other guests and I found out that at least half of the people taking the trip were repeat cruisers on the Merlijn, I thought that was a good sign! 

Our Ship Was a 1930s Barge Called The Merlijn

Although the Merlijn was originally built as a traditional barge in the 1930s, I’m happy to say that she was converted to be a passenger barge in the early 2000s.

I did talk to quite a few people ahead of the cruise, who thought that I’d be staying under the water in some sort of industrial bunks with a vending machine in the corner for food. That wasn’t it at all. 

The Merlijn has 12 passenger cabins and 2 crew cabins holding a maximum of 24 guests.

Before this cruise, the smallest cruise ship I’d been on had over 100 guests, so to go from that to the barge was a big change.

What Were My First Impressions of The Cabin?

Each cabin is the same and I was really surprised by the size. The average size of a river cruise ship cabin is 13.9 metres squares and Merlijn’s come in at a little over 11 metres squared.

It would be easy to forget that you’re on a barge and there were actually a couple of things I massively preferred about this cabin compared to cabins I’ve had on regular river cruise ships, but more about the cabin later. 

We Headed to The Introductory Talk

After we had settled in a little, we went up to the main lounge for an introductory talk from captain Coen & Cristina and a welcome drink.

We each introduced ourselves to the group and it was at this point I realised how different this cruise would be from the cruises that I was used to. 

When you go on a cruise with 5,000 other people, you definitely don’t sit around and introduce yourself to the group. 

Where Were Our Fellow Guests From?

We had 19 guests on our cruise and the majority were from the USA. We also had some Canadians, one Dutch couple and us from England.

I was the youngest person on board at 28, with the next being 30, I’m pretty sure that the oldest person onboard was in their 80s, which is just incredible. 

How Did The Merlijn Launch?

Coen and Cristina bought the Merlijn in 2019, after working on the bigger river cruise ships as captains. They sold their house, quit their jobs and bought the company.

In hindsight, 2019 was probably not the best year to do that but none of us could predict the future but they’re very happy to be sailing again now.

They live on the boat with their dog Sacha, who you can often see onboard. 

The welcome talk did put me at ease a little, as everybody went around and said that they were hoping for a route without too many hills. I hadn’t even let myself think about things like hills, I was more worried about sitting on the saddle every day and whether my legs could keep up with everybody else. 

I knew at this point that a heatwave was headed for most of Europe and the temperatures were expected to hit higher than I’d ever experienced before, and definitely not cycled in.

Coen and Cristina were very reassuring in their welcome talk though and said that we could stay onboard the ship at any point if we wanted to. I did do this later in the cruise and it was a very good decision.

Our First Dinner Was a Surprise! 

After our welcome talk, we headed to the restaurant area of the ship for our first dinner onboard.

The restaurant always looked beautiful, there would be colour coordinated mats and serviettes and it really felt like everybody had made such an effort with the space.

Cristina, who is also 2nd captain and does a million other jobs onboard is the chef for the entire ship. 

I’ve got to be honest I didn’t have particularly high expectations for the food on a bike and barge cruise, I kinda just thought that the food would be fuel and because we were such a small group we wouldn’t have any choice about anything.

I was so wrong.

On our first night, we had sweetcorn soup, Beef bourguignon, and apple strudel.

I had a tofu bourguignon instead because I’m vegetarian and was incredible. One of the best meals I’ve ever had on a cruise, ever. 

The food definitely was a surprise and I hoped that it would be this good for the rest of the trip. 

Our First Evening Was Spent in Cologne

Our ship was docked in Cologne overnight and we went for an explore in the evening. Our ‘all aboard’ time was 5.45 am, so if you did want to spend the night on land out partying, you definitely could.

I knew that we had a day of cycling the next day though and that there was a 45km ride on the schedule. I’d never ever cycled more than 20km in my life, so I went to bed fairly early and was excited, and nervous about the next day.

We Were Given a Detailed Schedule

Pre-cruise we were given a schedule like this which said where we would be cycling each day and how long the route was. It also included some information about each place and a few photos which I thought was lovely.

I’ve never had such a detailed schedule pre-cruise before.

This schedule was produced in advance and so things did occasionally change, I missed one of the changes on day 2 and it could have been an issue but thanks to Coen and the small group we have, it worked out well. 

In each cabin too, there was a binder like this with all the information that we needed in lots of different languages.

It was so helpful for me because I was trying to remember everything and being able to just quickly check here to see it written in black and white, made things so much easier.

The binder also contained important information about the toilet but more about that later.

Breakfast Was 8-9am

Breakfast was 8-9 as it was most mornings, there was a good choice of bread and pastries, eggs, pancakes and fruit or cereal.

I’m really not a breakfast person but I knew I’d need the energy so I did always eat breakfast on this cruise.

The Merlijn was sailing as we had breakfast and we arrived around 10 am in a place called Bonn. 

We Learnt How The Tours Would Work

While we were sailing, our guide Lia showed us the bikes and explained how our cycle tours would work. She explained that we would always have one person at the back with a walkie-talkie who could talk to her when she was at the front.

She also explained that if we needed to turn a corner for any reason the person behind Lia should get off to be a signpost and direct the other bikes.

I did get to be a signpost at one point, but that was the site of one of the worst injuries our group got, it wasn’t my fault though, I promise. More about that later. 

What Were The Bikes Like?

When the boat docked, our bikes were taken to land and we adjusted them to suit us. Pre-cruise we sent in our leg measurements so that we could be matched with the right bike as they 4 frame sizes available onboard.

I don’t know much about bikes but the bikes were by the brand Sensa and they were so much nicer to ride than my bike at home. 

Some people do like to bring their own bikes onboard and Coen told me that it’s okay, as long as they have the space of course. It is better to use your own bikes, but the possibility is there.

Coen is not only the captain of the ship and a host but he’s also the person answering all the emails and handling all of the bookings. 

I attached my camera to the handlebars and it worked well for more of the cruise until it didn’t. Rest in peace camera. 

We Headed Off on Our First Cycle Ride

We started our first cycle and it wasn’t too warm. We cycled along the river, stopped to eat our lunch and refill our water bottles and then stopped for ice cream in the afternoon.

Each day as well as cooking our breakfast and dinner Cristina would make us a little packed lunch in a bag with our name on it.

It would usually be a sandwich, a snack and a carton of juice.

We could of course bring more food or buy more if we wanted to as we had these yellow bags on our bikes.

The yellow bags were provided for us, as were the helmets and our water bottles.

Our journey in total took us around 5 hours and we cycled 45km.

This was over double the distance that I’d ever cycled before so I was very proud of myself and surprised that I didn’t find it more difficult.

I was definitely still getting used to cycling and my balance and control weren’t brilliant but I suppose because we stopped quite often it gave our legs and bums little breaks.

The Next Days Cycle Was Shorter

I knew that on the schedule for the next day was a shorter day so I hoped that I would at least be able to do two days in a row. I don’t think I could have done the same 45km again but I knew that I could see how I felt in the morning, I didn’t ever HAVE to do anything.

I Was Aiming For 150km…

On the schedule in total was 225km of cycling and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do all of that but I hoped that I would manage to do 150km or so, for somebody who had never cycled more than 20 though, that was an ambitious goal! 

We got back to the ship with enough time to have a shower before dinner which was really good.

The Toilet Had a Surprise

The bathroom in our cabins was great and the toilet came with a little surprise.

I understand how weird that last sentence sounds but it’s true. The water in the toilet was river water not freshwater so it would often be a bit of a murky colour.

The Merlijn has to get fresh water from land so they try to preserve water whenever they can.

I think this is the best idea and they should do it everywhere, we don’t need clean water in our toilets. The water in the shower was clean of course, and the water in the tap was always drinkable, it was just the toilet that used river water and no, it didn’t smell. 

Each Day The Menu Was Displayed Ahead of Time

Our second dinner was a beet and cheese starter, roasted guinea fowl main, and an Eton mess for dessert. I had a vegetable risotto which again was fantastic.

The menu for each day was displayed ahead of time on a board by the entrance, if you saw something here you didn’t like you could always speak to Cristina and she would come up with an alternative.

Cristina was already making different dishes for the vegetarians and the people with allergies so it may be that if you didn’t like the meat main, you could have the vegetarian main, for example. 

We Went For an Evening Walk

Our tour guide Lia took us out for a walk in the evening and even though Lia herself wasn’t German she did speak German and knew a LOT about the places that we were visiting. Lia was Dutch.

It was so much more interesting to wander around a town with her than it would have been alone, she pointed out things to us that I would have walked right by. 

I NEARLY Missed Our Cable Car Ride

It was on the next day that I forgot to check for a schedule update and NEARLY missed the included cable car ride.

Our morning started earlier than the first day and we left for our cycle ride at around 9 am. It was on the schedule as a ‘short’ day at only 25km but the temperature was rising.

We stopped to have a drink and to use the toilets in a local cafe. 

My ‘Cool Towel’ Was GREAT! – Thanks For The Recommendations

It was around now that I discovered the wonder of this thing called a cool towel.

Before going on the trip I asked you for any stay cool recommendations and this towel was mentioned, again and again, it was brilliant.

You wet it and through some sort of magical science it gets very very cold, you’ll see it around my neck in most of my photos/videos going forward. 

The towel I have can be found here: UK , USA . (Affiliate links)

We Found Out How to Greet The Merlijn

We saw the Merlijn go by and some of us who were feeling strong greeted the ship in the traditional way. Later in the cruise when I stayed onboard, I got to see this greeting from the Merlijn, a lot of our group were feeling strong this day!

We Did Have a Few Little Accidents (Everybody is Okay)

It wasn’t long after this photo was taken that my friend Rita fell off of her bike when I was being the signpost.

Rita is a proper cyclist and she said she had never fallen off a bike before.

She hurt her wrist, shoulder and knees and Lia our guide had to ride back to the Merlijn with Ritas bike plus her own.

I was just about getting to grips with cycling on one bike, I can’t imagine having to bring along another too, but Lia did it like it was nothing!

Rita got the ferry across to the ship and we cycled the rest of the way. This 25km cycle ride bought my total to 70km. 

We Headed Out For a Walk (By Mistake)

We got back to the ship quite early in the afternoon, so decided to go out for a walk. I thought that our cable car ride was in the evening but the cable car was going to be closed in the evening. so it had moved on the schedule to the afternoon.

The schedule was always displayed on a TV on the Merlijn, so it was totally my fault for not paying attention but I nearly missed the cable car ride. 

Coen phoned me to say that Lia and the group had left to head to the cable car and that if we wanted to we could walk to the cable car and meet them there.

We got there at the perfect time and I think this is one of the major benefits of sailing on a small ship. If I was on a bigger river ship or an ocean ship nobody would have noticed that I wasn’t there, and they definitely wouldn’t have phoned me to try and find me. 

The Cable Car Was so Much Fun (and HOT)

I’m glad we made it to the cable car, even if it was like being inside a greenhouse. We had some amazing views of the river and could see where we had cycled which was cool. 

The cable car ticket was included in our cruise fare as was a wine tasting session and a few other things.

The After Dinner Talk Was Slightly Different…

Dinner was tomato soup, duck breast main and crème brûlée for dessert and after dinner, Lia talked to us about the plan for the next day.

She did this everyday but on this day the tone definitely was different, previously all of the evening talks had been about where we were going and what we would see, this time it was very much about the high temperatures we could expect.

Lia said that it might be a good idea if some people want to stay on the boat tomorrow as it would be reaching 37c (99f) and the schedule was 45km again. 

We decided there that we would skip the day three cycle, partly because of the heat and partly to give our legs and bums a break.

When you’re not used to cycling a lot, sitting on the seat for hours is not the most comfortable thing. We did get used to it though. 

I was interested to see what it would be like spending a day onboard the barge and other guests were staying onboard too. 

What’s it Like Spending The Day on a Barge?

I did not rush to get up in the morning because I was tired and I was loving the beds in the cabins.

They were actually air beds and when I think of air beds I think of the type of beds that leave you halfway to the floor in the middle of the night but these beds were nothing like that, you wouldn’t know that they were airbeds if it wasn’t for the remote control that was in the bedside table.

They were very very comfortable and you could adjust your own firmness.

I had our room set up with the beds pushed together but you could have twins if you wanted to. 

What Was Our Cabin on The Barge Like?

In the cabin there was also a kettle, a safe and 4 European plug sockets which is better than most cruise ship cabins.

There wasn’t much storage, but there was a little area with a few shelves and a hanging section down here, I don’t think anymore storage could really be added though, after all the ship is a barge but I often forget that.

On our cruise, it was just ‘which cycling shirt do I wear today’ so we mostly lived out of our packing cubes and that was totally fine. 

We Headed Through a Few Locks

When I did finally get up, we were heading through a lock which is something that happens a lot on river cruises. The boat goes into a little holding area, the water level rises or falls, and the ship sails on happily.

I’ve been through locks before on bigger ships but it’s something very different to be on a ship this small going through a lock. 

We saw some incredible scenery going by and we spent most of the day sat on the front deck enjoying the sunshine.

The temperatures did get pretty high but there was a breeze that was lovely and we could always go inside whenever we wanted.

The Merlijn has air conditioning everywhere and we definitely used it a lot during this cruise.

During The Day The Bar is Closed

I loved being onboard the barge when almost nobody else was. During the day the bar is closed to give the crew a break but there is still a water machine and tea/coffee machine that can be used anytime.

There was always a bowl of fruit too and biscuits on top of the coffee machine which I loved.

The Merlijn in total had 6 crew members onboard. The owners Coen and Cristina, June, Adam and Steliyan who worked on the ship and Lia who was our guide.

Everybody was fantastic, nothing was ever too much trouble.

It was interesting to see just how many jobs each person did, you’d see Adam in the bar one minute and the next day cleaning something on the front of the boat. A very talented team. 

We docked a little before 1pm and spent the afternoon looking around Cochem.

On a regular cruise, it isn’t unusual to dock at 1pm so even though we had ‘missed’ the cycle, it didn’t feel like we had missed out on anything at all. The other guests didn’t get back until around 4pm and they told us stories on their day.

Their 45km cycle had turned into closer to 55km and they also hiked up to a castle on a hill. All in 37+ degree weather.

They had a great day, but I’m completely sure that I made the right decision to stay onboard. 

I Was Used to Ducks Swimming by…

I was in the cabin when Jono said to me:

“Emma, Look! There are people swimming outside”

I was very used to ducks swimming by our cabin so I assumed he meant this, but nope. Some of our fellow guests went for a swim beside the boat to cool down!

We Had One Dinner on Land

In a seven-day cruise like this, there is one day where everybody has dinner on land and this was the day for us.

This gives us the chance to try a local restaurant and gives Cristina and Coen a well-deserved evening off! 

Coen and Cristina Own and Run The Merlijn

They both live and breathe the Merlijn and it was so nice for me to get to experience a company that was family run, there isn’t a big team behind the scenes, there’s nobody behind the scenes.

Every booking is made on Merlijns website and Coen is the one who is at the other end.

With the big cruise lines I’m sure they’re happy when they get a booking but you are just another reference number in a list or a mark on a graph, cruising on a small ship like this though it’s more like you’re a person, it’s hard to describe the feeling. 

We ate in a restaurant by the river and I had a veggie burger and fries, not particularly German but it’s what I wanted and after all that cycling (70km so far) I gave my body whatever I wanted. 

We Got Back on The Bike

On the next days schedule was a 40km cycle from Cochem to Zell and I decided to make myself an extra sandwich for lunch which was always allowed.

If you wanted more food at lunch or dinner you could always ask Cristina and everybody was welcome to take a banana or something from breakfast out with them on their cycle ride. 

I hoped that my legs and bum would have recovered enough for another day of cycling.

The temperature was dropping slightly but was still well over 30c+ which is very hot.

Here in the UK we don’t go outside if the weather hits 30c, our country basically shuts down, so us Brits aren’t used to this heat. 

We Often Stopped During Our Cycle Rides

On our cycle ride, we made a stop in a beautiful place called Beilstein and it was only really on the stops when you really felt the heat.

When cycling, you create a breeze and with my cool down around my neck it wasn’t too warm but when we stopped, then you really could feel it. 

My Camera Smashed…

It was on this day that my camera decided to leap to it’s death.

I cycled over a bumpy bridge and somehow my camera mount unscrewed itself and my camera threw itself under Jono’s bike.

My camera stayed perfectly in the mount, and the mount stayed perfectly on the bike but it was just that the two parts unscrewed from each other.

This camera is the main thing I used to film my videos, so of course it was sad, but the camera died for a good cause and the footage it filmed before this point was safe, which was the main thing.

If the memory card had been crushed as badly as the lens, I would have been a lot more upset. 

The Merlijn Has a Resident Boat Dog!

Coming back to the ship we were greeted by the lovely beagle Sacha, she is the sweetest most well-behaved dog ever.

She would occasionally wander through the ship and we would sometimes hear her little feet above our cabin in the evenings which was very cute.

Do Barges Have Entertainment in The Evenings?

There isn’t any sort of entertainment onboard the ship in the evenings but it really isn’t needed.

Most big river cruise ships will have bands play or comedians but that’s because the ship is sailing a lot and everybody is onboard the boat. 

On our cruise we would have dinner, a talk from our guide and a walk around the place where we were docked we usually had a drink or two then went to bed.

I didn’t realise pre-cruise just how long we would spend docked in each place but the ship really just sailed for a couple of hours at a time, or sailed while we were off cycling. 

We Had an Evening Wine Tasting

When we boarded the ship in Zell the boat sailed to a place called ​​Traben Trarbach while we were having dinner.

When we arrived, we went for an evening wine tasting session at the Winery of Storck, which was included in our cruise fare.

We tasted 6 wines and and learnt a little about the history of the winery and how they work with the Merlijn. 

At this point we had a couple more days of cycling to go and I felt as though I had one more cycling day in me.

We decided that it would be better to stay on the next day and then to finish on a cycle ride. 

I’m glad we did it that way around because it was on this day I found out what happens if somebody doesn’t want to carry on cycling.

Captain Coen Invited me to The Wheelhouse

When I woke up I found doughnuts on the bar which is always a good way to start a day.

Captain Coen invited me to the wheelhouse at the back of the ship to see him in his natural habitat and I got to see Sacha the gorgeous beagle having a dream.

I Found Out What Happens When a Guest Can’t Cycle Any Further

It was then that Coen got a call from Lia our guide saying that the winds had picked up and a couple of the passengers wanted to come back to the ship.

We were already sailing at this point but Coen and Lia worked out a good place where we could dock to pick up the other guests.

Of course the boat isn’t like a taxi you can’t just snap your fingers and have it dock wherever you’d like but there is some flexibility there and if Coen can change the schedule to help, he always will. 

Were There E-Bikes Available?

The Merlijn does have e-bikes available and 6 people in our group were on e-bikes.

They described to me like having everything you do boosted, you’ve still got to cycle but if theres a hill or the wind is strong, it takes away that difficult part.

My mini cat Hudson did try out the e-bikes but his paws didn’t reach the peddles. 

The funny thing was that I wasn’t the only person travelling with a toy mascot, I’ve never been on a cruise before where my fellow guests have also brought their toys to dinner but we had a spare table, so decided to set it up for the toys.

By this point we all knew each other very well so it was only right that our toys met too!

The Group Found a Train That Reminded Them of Me

It was while out that the group found a wooden train called Emma!

What a coincidence that I decided to stay on the boat for the morning and they found this.

What Were The Other Guests Like?

I was really nervous about who would be on the cruise before this but I shouldn’t have been. We had such a lovely group and it was great to get to cycle with them or to wander around in the evenings or have dinner together.

Everybody was very encouraging and friendly and I never felt like I was slowing anybody down. 

The people who wanted to do extra cycles would often go off in the evenings, or in the mornings, I’m sure they found our regular cycle rides easy but there was always the opportunity to add more, just in case 45km isn’t enough. 

We Had a Walking Tour With a Local Guide

The next day we had a tour in the morning in Trier with a local guide which was a welcome break from the saddle.

On the schedule was another ‘short’ day at only 25km so I hoped that would be okay. It’s funny how your perceptions change as time goes on, pre-cruise if you’d said a 25km cycle was short, I would have laughed.

Lia Always Managed to Find us Toilets!

During our cycle a couple of us needed the toilet and Lia our fabulous tour guide was always committed to finding us places to go.

She would ask in restaurants if we could use their toilets, or buy drinks in places so that we could use them there.

She somehow managed to find a hotel that was being renovated and we went in there which was cool, I got to use the toilet and also have a look around at the new swimming pool and saunas in the hotel. 

We Cycled to Another Country…

At this point, we were very close to the Luxembourg border and as a group, we decided that we would like to go to Luxembourg. It isn’t a usual thing to get the chance to just pop into another country but we cycled across a bridge and there we were.

That was the great thing about these tours, we could go off schedule a little bit if we wanted to. 

In Luxembourg because of the current high gas/petrol prices all trains, trams and buses are free for everybody all of the time which was amazing and in Germany during the summer it is only €9 to use the train for an entire month.

Here in the UK you’d be lucky to spend 20 minutes on a train for €9. 

We Visited a Harley Davidson Shop (Which Wasn’t on The Schedule)

Our next stop on the cycle ride was a Harley Davidson shop.

A couple of my new friends Rita and Mark loved their Harley Davidson motorcycles and as we were close by we decided that this would be a good place to get a drink.

I don’t think I’ll be swapping my bike for a motorbike anytime soon but it was a great place to buy a Coke and to sit in the shade. 

How Much Did The Cruise Cost?

I really didn’t spend much extra on this cruise, the odd snack or drink on land and I had some drinks in the bar onboard in the evening but I didn’t come off with a huge onboard spend which was good. 

A cruise like this with the Merlijn costs around €250 per person per night, which considering that includes your room, all your food, your trips out every day, I think is pretty good.

Capacity is obviously limited as the Merlijn only has 12 cabins so some itineraries do sell out fast.

If you were to book a similar river cruise with a big cruise line it’d cost as much or more but you wouldn’t get the experience of being in a small group on a family-run ship.

This is the first cruise I’ve ever been on where towards the end of the cruise I didn’t even bother locking my cabin door because I knew and trusted everybody. 

Finishing The Cycle Ride Was an Amazing Feeling

Finishing the cycle ride was amazing, we all high-fived and congratulated each other and I couldn’t believe that not only had I made it, but I really enjoyed it.

It turns out that cycling is actually quite a lot of fun, who knew?

I am planning on cruising on the Merlijn again next year, so if you do fancy it, trust me, if I can do it, anybody can, maybe I’ll see you there. 

To see the trip for yourself, check out this post next:

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The 9 Best Beach Cruisers for Leisurely Rides and Laid-Back Style

Modern-day spins that take the classic bike to a whole new level.

Doll up your next ride. Check our picks for the best bike lights , saddle bags , and bike jerseys .

The Best Beach Cruisers

• Best Overall: Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Brighton 7-Speed Cruiser
• Best with a Rack: SixThreeZero EVRYjourney 7-Speed
• Best Value: Schwinn Mikko
• Best E-Cruiser: Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser
• Best Rustproof: Priority Bicycles Coast

What to Consider

How we selected, our full beach cruiser reviews, what is a beach cruiser bike.

To some, a cruiser is just a singlespeed bicycle with balloon tires, a comfy saddle, a coaster brake, and a wide, sweeping handlebar. You’re not constricted by Lycra or expected to keep pace when you’re on one. There’s a good chance you’re wearing flip-flops—and maybe even a bathing suit. Hopefully, you’re near a beach but you certainly don’t have to be.

A leisurely cruise downtown to grab lunch can be as pleasant as an early-morning roll on a boardwalk . But not every beach cruiser settles for simplicity. Most modern-day models take it to the next level or beyond (with more gears, bigger wheels, cleaner belt drives, internal gearing, mounts for racks, or even motors). Knowing how and where you want to use your new cruiser bike will help you determine what else, if anything, you want from it.

Do I Need More Than One Gear on My Beach Cruiser?

That depends.

For riding the length of a boardwalk or ambling along Main Street, one gear is all you need—and it frees up a hand to hold a soft-serve twist. Singlespeed bikes are cheaper, cut weight, and are, overall, easy to use. They require less maintenance as they have fewer moving parts, but they only go about as fast as you can pedal. Be careful of hills, though, as that one speed also means you’ll have to pedal harder to climb.

But if your rides are a little more challenging than the flat, coastal roads around your favorite seaside town, consider a beach cruiser with multiple gears. Multi-speed bikes can accelerate much faster than single-geared ones and offer a much smoother ride.

Electric Cruisers and E-Assist

Even though the idea of the beach cruiser is to take it easy, there’s nothing wrong with speeding up. Pedal-assist e-bikes can do wonders for your downtime by letting you get to the beach faster, and often without breaking a sweat. Most e-cruisers are class 1, which means they stop helping you pedal once you reach 20 mph, but some go as high as 28 mph (class 3).

We at Bicycling have ridden as many bikes as we can get our hands on to find the best beach cruisers available. For this story’s latest update, we added context for which bikes our testers have spent time on—the Priority Bicycles Coast Beach Cruiser , iZip Simi Step Thru Beach Cruiser , and Specialized Roll Low-Entry Beach Cruiser —linking out to full reviews where we have them. We also added testing notes for the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser , a bike deputy test editor Tara Seplavy rode and evaluated in the last year. We haven’t tested the other bikes but carefully chose them with Seplavy’s help based on specs and and her context from ride testing the other models.

We know from experience what makes a beach cruiser desirable, so we’ve based our list on value, quality of parts (most of which have been tested separately), user reviews, comfort, our positive experience with brands, and overall aesthetics. We recommend these nine beach cruisers for laid-back rides—no matter where you are.

Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Brighton 7-Speed Beach Cruiser

We got our hands on this bike and everyone who hopped on to take it for a spin shared the same first impression: “This is the most comfortable bike I’ve ever been on.” Its super relaxed geometry lets the rider—even one of our testers with particularly long arms and legs—stretch out to avoid bending their elbows or knees when cruising at momentum. Add to that the cushy seat, soft grips, barefoot-friendly pedals, and smooth-rolling balloon tires, and we’re lucky we didn’t doze off mid-ride.

But this bike’s relaxed attitude doesn’t discount it as a capable utilitarian ride. Front and rear-carrier braze-ons let you outfit it with racks and bags to carry essentials to the beach or grab a six-pack and sandwiches on the way home. You also get a bottle -cage mount and internally routed cables. Choose from six refreshing colors (with matching fenders, rims, and a chainguard), including beach-inspired sea glass and matte coral. The Brighton also has a wide gear range for climbing hills, faster acceleration, and comfortable riding.

SixThreeZero EVRYjourney Women’s 7-Speed Beach Cruiser

Available in both men’s and women’s models and in speeds of 1, 3, 7, and 21, plus two electric versions (250- and 500-watt), there’s an EVRYjourney for everyone. The one you’re looking at here—the 7-speed women’s model—gives you an alloy frame and steel fork, Shimano Tourney 7-speed drivetrain with Revo twist shifter, 1.95-inch semi-slick tires on 26-inch rims, fenders, and a rear rack.

Comfort features include soft grips, a cushy seat, and geometry that puts the rider closer to the ground and moves the pedals forward so you still have proper leg extension. Snap-on attachment points let you easily add accessories like racks, baskets , child seats, and more. And a 365-day test ride and lifetime warranty means you can decide now and change your mind later.

Schwinn Mikko Beach Cruiser

This cruiser is as classic as they come: steel frame, 26-inch wheels, rear coaster brake, classic cruiser handlebar, matching fenders and chainguard, and a cushy seat on springs. Both models come in a variety of colors as well as 3- and 7-speed options (in addition to the singlespeed shown here). It’s a prototypical beach cruiser, for better (affordable, low-maintenance, easy to ride) and for worse (rust-prone, heavy, built for flat terrain).

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser Electric Bike

Designed with a classic moto style, Ride1Up’s Cafe Cruiser has a casual ride feel. And it’s also practical, with a built-in rack and light. The zippy 750W motor powers the Cruiser to 28 mph (20 mph using the throttle) with a suspension fork and 3-inch-wide tires to smooth things out when it gets bumpy. Ride the Cafe Cruiser to the bar, along the boardwalk, or to Sunday morning brunch, and add a passenger kit for $125 with a padded seat for the rack, footpegs, and wheel guards.

Resident e-bike expert Seplavy rode the Cafe Cruiser and found it plenty powerful to climb short hills. But, like several wide-tire bikes, it has some handling issues while taking turns. It gives riders a range of about 30 to 50 miles per charge, which is more than plenty for beach rides and casual jaunts.

“Ride1Up’s Cafe Cruiser is a fun and sporty bike for weekend rides around town, rolling on the boardwalk, or hitting up the local coffee shop,” she says. “Weighing in over 73 pounds, this bike is certainly not lightweight, but its zippy rear hub motor (with throttle) quickly gets it up to speed. While the Cafe Cruiser has a wide-range 8-speed cassette, the bike’s portly weight, sweptback bars, and overall size make it challenging to ride up very steep hills.”

Priority Bicycles Coast Beach Cruiser

The salt air is no match for the Coast’s rustproof components, which include stainless-steel spokes, an aluminum frame and fork, and a maintenance-free Gates Carbon Drive belt. Sealed bearings keep out water, and Kenda puncture-resistant tires are hardly fazed by broken glass and clamshells. On boardwalks and level city roads, you’ll likely spend most of your time in the hardest gear, but you’ll be thankful for easier pedaling when the street takes a slight upturn.

A double kickstand keeps the bike from tipping when parked, and the option of grabbing a single-, 3-, or 7-speed is nice. The cruiser-style handlebar also has a 3-speed twist shifter on the right and a front-hand brake on the left (though you can also use the coaster brake). It’s the best beach cruiser for coastal living.

Priority E-Coast Step-Through Beach Cruiser

Beach cruisers are part of the quintessential summer experience. Usually, though, they’re heavy, clunky, rust-prone, and hard to ride anywhere but on the boardwalk. Priority’s E-Coast casts those notions aside.

This bike has everything needed for summer days at the beach or riding around town or the campground. The E-Coast’s aluminum frame and fork won’t rust like steel ones, and the Gates belt drive never needs chain lube. The 26-inch-diameter x 3-inch-wide tires help the bike float over sand and soak up cracked pavement. The 500W rear hub motor gets the E-Coast up to a 28 mph, and hydraulic disc brakes ensure stopping power.

iZip Simi Step Thru Beach Cruiser

This beachy-looking cruiser has a rear-hub motor that lets you zip along at 20 mph and a down tube-mounted battery that will provide enough juice for up to 62 miles in the slowest setting. In the highest pedal-assist mode, that range drops to 15 miles, meaning the Simi is better for slow-speed rolls than fast commutes.

The step-thru frame makes the Simi suitable for everyone, especially those just getting into—or back into—riding. You get quite a few extras with this bike (extras often left off other bikes that cost as much or more), such as a kickstand, fenders, lights, a rear rack, and a bottle-cage mount. With a 7-speed drivetrain and a 12-28 cassette—not to mention the bonus boost you get from the motor—this beach bike can do more than just hit the flat boardwalk for an out-and-back morning jaunt.

In her review of the bike, contributor Riley Missel said its motor is solid, given its price, though the Simi isn’t the smoothest she’s ridden. “It had subtle engagement rather than making me feel like I was constantly accelerating like some e-bikes can do,” she said. “I felt the most consistent assistance and smoothest ride in a lower gear going between 8 and 12 mph. At 250 watt-hours, the battery is what I would consider light-duty—in the lowest assist setting, it can extend the range of your ride substantially; in the highest, it’ll do a good amount of the work for you but for only so long.”

Read Full Review View 34 Images

Specialized Roll 2.0 Low-Entry Beach Cruiser

With one of the lowest step-through frames in the business, the Roll 2.0 Low-Entry is ideal for anyone apprehensive about swinging a leg over a top tube or being able to touch their feet to the ground at the last second. Beefy 650b x 2.3-inch tires roll smoothly on the road but come to your rescue when the pavement gets sketchy or a sandy shortcut starts calling your name.

Its upright geometry puts you in a position that takes strain off your neck and back and lets you take in the sights around you. But that means it isn’t ideal for steep climbs up winding mountains. Nor is the Shimano Altus 7-speed drivetrain, but that’s not what this bike is for. It’s also not for going fast. But for what it is—a $800 cruiser bike with mounts to add a rear rack and a head tube tall enough to hang a pretty deep basket off the BMX-style handlebar—the Roll 2.0 Low-Entry can double as a daily cruiser and around-town grocery-getter.

Test editor Adrienne Donica found the bike slow, though an enjoyable ride. “My riding partner averaged a full 2.5 miles per hour faster without me when I hung back from our usual route one day,” she wrote in her review. “Of course, that’s not scientific, considering she is in better shape than me and was riding a faster-rolling touring bike —but if you like to go fast, look into a more aggressive hybrid model . Tackling hills felt more grueling than with other bikes because of the upright positioning. I was glad to have some flexibility with the wide range of gears, though.”

Read Full Review View 33 Images

Linus Rover 9 Beach Cruiser

A classic cruiser with classic lines, the Rover 9 has a light 6061 aluminum frame and steel fork, hydraulic disc brakes, and a 1x9-speed drivetrain controlled by a Microshift trigger shifter. Moderately grippy, 45mm-wide Kenda Koast tires (with coffee-colored sidewalls) on 27.5-inch alloy rims roll fast and eat potholes in your path. The open, alloy pedals aren’t the most barefoot-friendly compared to rubber-coated pedals, but that’s an easy and inexpensive swap.

The Rover 9 comes in two sizes (medium for 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-9 riders, large for 5-foot-10 and taller), two colors (brushed alloy and matte black), and one frame (there’s no step-through model here). And with nine gears to click through, the Rover 9 crosses over into short-commute territory.

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

Kylee McGuigan is an associate commerce editor for Hearst Magazines’s Enthusiast Group. She works with content for brands such as Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Bicycling, and Runner’s World. Kylee graduated from Penn State in May 2020 with a degree in journalism and a minor in French. During her undergraduate career, she spent a majority of her time writing for, and eventually editing, VALLEY Magazine: Penn State’s only student-run fashion and lifestyle magazine. She has produced content ranging from beauty and health, to lifestyle and self-improvement. After spending four years in the happiest of valleys (State College, PA), she moved back home to South Jersey—otherwise known as the famous “outside of Philly” area. Kylee can be found working out of her local Starbucks with her best friend, an iced chai in hand, and endless hours of music playlists to get her through the day. When she’s not working, she is more than likely on her daily walk in her neighborhood, at Orangetheory, binging Sex and the City or Gossip Girl, checking out local coffee shops, or trying new bars and restaurants in the city with friends and family. 

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Past guest discount.

A Past Guest is anyone who has sailed on any prior High Seas Rally or other Entertainment Cruise Productions (ECP) Cruise. If you qualify for past guest pricing, please enter Promo Code: PAST when completing your reservation. All PAST promo code entries will be confirmed with your cruising history by ECP.

Riding Group Program

The High Seas Rally Riding Group Program offers incredible benefits for groups of all types to come together on a 7-day rally at sea. Join with your family, friends, club or chapter. The bigger the group, the bigger the benefits! Click here to download the 2024 Riding Group Program PDF for more information.

Payment Plans

• Interior/Ocean View $300 per person
• Balcony/Suites $400 per person
• Installments are charged on the 1st of the month unless another payment date has been chosen. Please call our reservation specialists at 844.279.8460 to change your monthly payment date.
• Reservations must be paid in full no later than October 1, 2024.
• Reservations paid in full at the time of booking, and completed 120 days prior to the sailing, will receive a 5% discount.
• Active and Retired US Military and Active Duty First Responders receive a 5% discount. Discount must be applied within 30 days of your deposit.
• Each guest is required to pay port fees, taxes and gratuities of $350 (Suites: $400 per person) which are spread across the selected payment plan.
• Uplift: Uplift to offers affordable and flexible monthly payment plan options that allow you to book now and take up to 24 MONTHS TO PAY. When completing your reservation, simply select Uplift to find an affordable payment plan that works for you!

3rd & 4th Passengers

Certain cabins can accommodate three or four passengers. The cost of the 3rd and 4th passenger vary per cabin type:

• Interior: $600
• Ocean View: $700
• Balcony: $800
• Junior Suites: $1,000
• All Other Suites: $1,500 (with the exception of OT)

Age Restrictions

Passengers must be 21 years of age or older on the date the ship embarks. Passengers who are between the ages of 18-20 are permitted to sail if they are accompanied by an adult 21 years of age and booked in the same or adjoining stateroom. Guests who are 17 and under are not permitted to sail.

Cancellations / Changes

All payments made for a Reservation are non-refundable at the time of payment. By purchasing Travel Insurance, Guests can offset this risk. Additional details on Travel Insurance can be found under the TRAVEL INSURANCE tab below.

All reservation change requests must be made by contacting our office at 844.279.8460 Monday – Thursday 9:00AM CT – 5:00PM CT or Friday 9:00AM CT – 4:00PM CT. Changes made to an existing reservation within 120 days of the embarkation date are subject to a $150 manifest change fee.

• Travel Insurance

Entertainment Cruise Productions strongly encourages the purchase of Travel Insurance. Though insurance may be purchased up to 48 hours prior to sailing, to secure the broadest coverage including pre-existing conditions, Travel Insurance must be purchased within 14 days of the payment of your deposit.

To Learn More, Click Here.

Travel Documentation

Entertainment Cruise Productions strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport with at least six (6) months validity post cruise during their sailing.

Your Price Includes

• Round trip cruise from Tampa, FL
• All performances, interviews, parties and events presented on the cruise (This does not include any special Artist Hosted Events which require sign up and/or a fee)
• All meals (“Included Dining” features breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in the Windjammer Café, breakfast/brunch and dinner in the Reflections Main Dining Room, as well as food in other “Included” dining venues, i.e. Park Café)
• As part of the Included Dining experience, non-bottled beverages (i.e. coffee, juices, tea) are provided without charge
• Recreation facilities, such as Fitness Center, Pools, Hot Tubs, Mini Golf, Rock Climbing Wall, Basketball Court, and Jogging Track
• In-room TV and movies (excluding pay-per-view movies)
• Full-service room cleaning

Your Price Does Not Include

• Air and ground transportation to and from the pier in Tampa, FL
• Ground transportation in ports of call
• Pre and post-cruise lodging
• Dining in Specialty Restaurants
• Personal expenditures and purchases such as photos, souvenirs, excursions, spa services, personal training, alcoholic and carbonated beverages, and specialty coffees
• Pay-per-view
• Any special Artist Hosted Events which may require sign up and/or a fee
• Internet Package
• High Seas Rally is a full-ship charter so the standard Crown and Anchor® rewards do not apply. Guests may still earn credit for days sailed, but rewards and perks are not available during High Seas Rally

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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The 12 Best Cruiser Bikes

For traversing state parks or taking a spin down the boardwalk..

In this article

• Best overall
• Best electric
• Best contemporary
• Best rust-resistant
• Best customizable
• Best for the bar crawl
• Best for island time

Spring cycling season is approaching, and the most fun way to enjoy it is on the wide, comfy seat of a cruiser bike. With their coaster brakes and wide handlebars, beach cruisers are intuitive and enjoyable to ride — designed for leisure more than for commuting. Ideal for farmer’s-market trips and bar crawls, they suit casual or anxious cyclists who don’t want or need to invest in high-maintenance hybrid bikes. Nostalgic in look, they come in endless colors and customization options — but if you don’t love a retro aesthetic, many newer brands tone down the ’50s schtick and add modern conveniences like handbrakes, gears, and pedal assist . (If you’re skeptical that a cruiser could, for example, get someone around New York City, consider that 20,000 of them are currently doing just that as part of the Citi Bike program.) Below, find the best cruiser bikes, according to veterans of boardwalks and beach resorts across the country as well as a few inland enthusiasts. While you’re here, I’ve also written guides to the best bicycle helmets for kids and adults .

What we’re looking for

Beach-cruiser bike frames are typically made from either steel or aluminum, the latter being lighter and more durable, albeit pricier. The difference between the two is weight, says Lee Oldak, owner of Amagansett Beach and Bicycle Company , and the fact that aluminum won’t rust quite as quickly. Whatever they’re made from, the best cruiser bikes have a stretched-out, step-through geometry that allows the rider to assume an upright position, or even lean back as they pedal. “Which is a lot more comfortable for your knees and allows you to touch the ground more easily,” says Chelsea Kulp of Long Beach Island’s Shore Brake Cyclery . She adds that riders who haven’t been on a bike for a long time will feel more confident on cruisers.

A poorly designed cruiser bike will have a cramped frame and cheap parts that rust and rattle. For that reason, the experts I spoke with suggested avoiding mass-produced cruisers from brands like Huffy, which Kulp says have a smaller frame that will provide a less relaxed ride. They’re somewhat disposable, being only “meant to last 30 or 40 miles in their entire lifespan.” Rockaway Beach Cycles co-owner Marjorie Grassini agrees: “Those are the ones people end up putting the most money into. They could have had a beautiful, brand-new bike for the same price.”

Classic beach cruisers are single-speed. While this might mean some occasional huffing and puffing, the trade-off is basically never having to service the bike or think much while riding it. Even so, most manufacturers will now allow you to upgrade their cruisers to either three-speed or seven-speed gear systems. Several experts suggested that a few gears are worth the investment if you don’t live in a totally flat area. “People are not keen on going for a single speed unless they’re really quite young,” says Rocky Wood of Bike Palm Springs . “Three to seven gears go a long way, there’s less resistance, and you can cover more ground. It’s a nice plus.” What you choose will ultimately depend on your lifestyle and budget.

Another trademark of beach cruisers is coaster brakes, which require pedaling backwards to stop. Whether or not you’re down to coast is “definitely a generational thing,” according to Wood. “It comes down to how you learned to ride a bike and whether you grew up with a coaster brake — those people tend to stick to that style.” He personally finds it much safer to have two hand brakes on his cruisers, and most of the cruiser bikes recommended here do offer coaster brakes as standard, with hand brakes available as an upgrade. If you’re looking for anything more advanced, a cruiser might not be for you. And keep in mind that the more moving parts a bike has, the more maintenance and know-how is required — which doesn’t necessarily fit into the beach-bum lifestyle. “Some hybrid bikes will have hydraulic brakes, but typically not cruisers, which are oriented towards people not maintaining them,” Kulp explains.

Best cruiser bike overall

Frame: Aluminum | Gears: Seven-speed | Brakes: Hand brakes

Californian brand Electra kicked off a beach-cruiser movement in the late 1990s when it started manufacturing fat-tire bikes that resembled vintage Schwinns. “They came out with these beautiful bikes, beautifully engineered and painted really nice,” recalls Brad K. Evans, founder of  Bike City Mag  and the weekly bar-crawl ride Denver Cruisers, who became a “cruiser guy” during this era. Oldak explains that the Townie is beloved for its clever foot-forward design that’s easily spotted all over the Hamptons. “Typically on a bike you’d have the seat up far enough that there’s only a slight bend in your legs, and you can’t quite touch the ground,” he says. “On the Townie, the seat is positioned behind the pedals so when you’re resting, your feet are flat on the ground.” More of a contemporary cruiser, Townies come with seven-speed Shimano shift gears, as well as pull brakes on both handlebars. I tried one out at my local bike store and found it was as comfortable to ride as it was cute to look at. Compared to a heavier steel frame, the aluminum fork was lightweight yet sturdy and made the bike feel surprisingly nimble. These quintessentially SoCal bikes are the best overall choice for anyone serious about adopting the (extremely unserious) beach-cruiser lifestyle. (Which might explain why they’re the No. 1 selling cruisers at Amagansett Beach and Bicycle and available to guests at both the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach and Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.)

Best less-expensive cruiser bike

Frame: Steel | Gears: Single-, three-, seven-, and 21- speed | Brakes: Coaster brake

Sixthreezero’s Instagram-ready cruisers are relatively affordable and come recommended by Hayley Shaw, co-owner of Newport Beach Bike Rentals . The store’s entire fleet is made up of these cheap and cheerful cruisers, which look great in vacation photos (hers is teal blue). They “have a fabulous crank,” she says of the bikes, meaning you can go farther. Though not as high-end as Electra cruisers, Shaw’s rental bikes have held up well to daily use on flat (yet sometimes rather sandy) bike paths: “Our first fleet lasted about three years. No maintenance , just some oil on the chain, fill up the tires , and wipe her down.” She adds that the bikes, which can be customized up to 21-speed, are surprisingly rust-resistant.

Best electric cruiser bike

Frame: Steel | Gears: Seven-speed | Brakes: Hand brakes

If you have bad knees or plan on biking off-boardwalk, a pedal-assisted cruiser bike might help. Alix Umen, co-owner of the Starlite Motel in Kerhonkson, New York, fell in love with Retrospec’s Beaumont electric cruiser while on a beach vacation — so she ended up purchasing a fleet for guests to use when exploring state parks and swimming holes. The bike’s battery is discreet, and its aesthetic is still “modern retro” enough to match the motel’s lovingly restored rooms. Plus, the pedal assist comes in handy on rail trails and back roads. Umen was a newbie to electric bikes and says Retrospec’s ones are great for beginners. “There’s not much to it, and the batteries charge in a couple of hours. I’m totally obsessed with them now.” She notes that the bikes have luggage racks that make it easy to haul a suitcase — or packed picnic — around.

Best colorful cruiser bike

Frame: Steel | Gears: Single-speed | Brakes: Coaster brake

Several experts mentioned Retrospec’s relatively affordable nonelectric cruiser bikes. They’re a best seller at Rockaway Beach Cycles, as well as the stars of the store’s rental fleet. Grassini explains that customers are immediately drawn to the brand’s vintage styling and enjoy customizing their rides with baskets , banana seats , and other accessories. “We get people who come in here and fall in love with the color of a bike,” she adds. “Especially one customer who buys everything red — we call him Mr. Red.”

Best fat tyre cruiser bike

Frame: Aluminum | Gears: Single-speed | Brakes: Coaster brake

Retrospec’s attractive beach cruisers are also beloved at Beachside Bike Rental in Redondo Beach, where owner Isaac Huerta says that their good looks always draw in customers. Aesthetics aside, “they’re super comfortable, especially as the seats are wide and cushioned.” He prefers the brand’s upgraded Chatham Plus bike to the entry-level model above, as it comes with wider tires and a lightweight aluminum frame as opposed to heavy steel. He also points out the bike does have stainless-steel spokes, which will hold up best against rust, and praises its no-slip grips and unusually solid kickstand. “The price is great for a very reliable bike,” he says. One note: Huerta has observed that some of Retrospec’s women’s cruiser bikes (notably in the pink colorway) lack a quick-release clamp on their seat posts. This means that you’ll need an Allen key to adjust the seat up and down, which is an inconvenience few riders will want to put up with. Luckily, he says, these quick-release clamps are affordable and easy to install yourself.

Best retro cruiser bike

If you really want to lean into — or rather, lean back into — a vintage aesthetic, Tuesday’s bikes are the cruisers of choice at Bike Palm Springs , where they feature in photos backdropped by retro motels and pools once swum in by Frank Sinatra. “A lot of influencers have reached out to us because of the style of the bikes,” Wood says, adding that he’s noticed that the cruisers are mostly for tourists coming to explore architecture and see the sights. Still, when it comes to any bike, looks aren’t everything — and he’s found that the Tuesdays can withstand “a good amount of wear and tear,” as well as that punishing desert heat.

Best contemporary cruiser bike

Californian brand Linus goes slightly more minimalist with its European-style Dutchi cruisers. While these bikes still have that sloping, step-through frame, their tubes are thinner and sleeker than those of other cruisers. The colors are a little more Pantone. “People see them and just want to ride,” says Matt Wright, general manager of the Skyview Los Alamos , Hotel Ynez Solvang , and the Granada Hotel in San Luis Obispo . Linus bikes are available to rent for guests who want to pedal their way around wine country at all three resorts, where they’re a hit. “People immediately start taking pictures before they go down the hill,” Wright adds. Speaking of hills, these cruisers can be upgraded to three-speed for added efficiency.

Best rust-resistant cruiser bike

Frame: Aluminum | Gears: Three-speed | Brakes: Coaster and hand brake

Constructed from ultralight aluminum with sealed bearings to fend off salty air, the Priority Coast is a preppy cruiser that brings to mind coastal New England. You’ll find a fleet of these three-speed bikes at the White Elephant hotel in Nantucket’s historic downtown, where they’re beloved by staff and guests alike. “They don’t have a chain, they have a belt — so they’re just very easy to maintain with not a lot of parts,” explains the hotel’s managing director Bettina Landt. “I’ve never seen any of them rust, and rust is one of our biggest enemies on the island.” She says guests love the nostalgia of pedaling the bikes around cobbled beach paths at their own pace: “It’s not for the avid biker, necessarily, it’s more that leisurely cruise.”

Best customizable cruiser bike

Frame: Aluminum | Gears: Three- and seven- speed | Brakes: Coaster and hand brake

Vivelo’s La Donna is deliberately eye-catching. Think Miami’s Wynwood Walls but in bike form. Fully customizable, from the fork to the rims, these rainbow-hued bikes are handcrafted in the Florida capital’s art district by a small and dedicated team. Hudson Yards–based influencer Diana Ossers received hers as a gift from her husband, who customized it in her favorite colors and even had the company engrave their anniversary date on the bike’s frame. She says that her cruiser sparks constant compliments and conversations when she takes it down the West Side Highway or pedals to the flower market. “It’s an attention bike. Everyone looks at you.”

Best cruiser bike for the boardwalk

Frame: Steel | Gears: Single speed | Brakes: Coaster brake

During a two-year stint living in Venice Beach, lifestyle blogger Kat Jamieson couldn’t help but notice that all the locals were getting around “on these amazing Solé cruiser bikes,” which feature a Dutch-style step-through frame that’s a little more subtle in its retro stylings. She picked one up for herself to explore her new neighborhood, often encountering the company’s founders (a group of “down-to-earth Californian guys”) when pedaling around. “I was looking for a neutral color, a beach cruiser I could ride on the boardwalk at night and to the beach during the day,” she says. “The style, the quality, the price was right.” Jamieson has since moved to Connecticut, and her Solé bike came too — she recently purchased one for her husband too.

Best cruiser bike for the bar crawl

Evans has quite the collection of single-speed bikes, but he says his favorite is this “old-school” cruiser. He’ll take his out on Thursday-night social rides in Denver, and loves the bike for its combination of functionality and classic, slightly rockabilly good looks. “It’s super retro [with] the arched dual crossbar,” he says. “It’s affordable, really sturdy, and easy to ride — feels like an old bike, but it’s brand-new.” In his past life as a bike-shop owner, he says he sold hundreds of Huntington cruisers “because they’re so slick and cheap.” You can expect your Huntington Beach bike to last a while, and should any maintenance or repairs eventually be required, Evans adds that the cost of parts is reasonable.

Best cruiser bike for island time

Frame: Steel frame | Gears: Single speed | Brakes: Coaster brake

If you’re taking your beach cruiser to, well, the beach, Sun bikes was a brand mentioned by all the boardwalk experts we spoke with. “They’re built for a salt environment,” says Kulp of the “very traditional-style cruiser.” Sun’s cruisers are “really, really well-built bikes,” agrees Rocio Cabas of Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals and Tours on Governors Island. “They just last.” Sun-cruiser bikes are popular in Key West, where Eaton Bikes owner Chris Wild says they are the “mainstay” of his sales. “They come in gear options and lots of colors, a lot of which look and feel very tropical,” he says. “We sold three just today.”

Some Strategist-approved bike helmets we’ve written about

Our experts

• Rocio Cabas, manager, Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals and Tours • Brad K. Evans, founder, Denver Rides and Bike City Mag • Marjorie Grassini, co-owner, Rockaway Beach Cycles • Isaac Huerta, owner, Beachside Bike Rental Redondo Beach • Kat Jamieson, lifestyle blogger and influencer • Chelsea Kulp, co-owner, Shore Brake Cyclery • Bettina Landt, managing director, White Elephant Nantucket • Lee Oldak, owner, Amagansett Beach and Bicycle Company • Diana Ossers, lifestyle blogger and influencer • Hayley Shaw, co-owner, Newport Beach Bike Rentals • Alix Umen, co-owner, Starlite Motel • Chris Wild, owner, Eaton Bikes • Rocky Wood, owner, Bike Palm Springs • Matt Wright, general manager, Skyview Los Alamos , Hotel Ynez Solvang , Granada Hotel San Luis Obispo

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9 Best Beach Cruiser Bikes (with Gears) For Men & Women  

  January 2, 2019

By   Max Shumpert

Check out the Best Cruiser Bikes of 2023 and the buying guide for our top picks for both men and women -- on various price levels.

Originally popular in the ‘30s to ‘50s, cruiser bikes have had a resurgence in the last decade or two. Cruiser bikes helped inspire early mountain bike designs, which is interesting since they have nearly opposite uses.

However, we’ve looked at some of the best cruiser bikes to help you choose the ride that allows you to navigate any terrain and renders smoothness, speed, and above all, comfort-ability.

In a hurry? The test winner after 19 hours of research:

FIRMSTRONG BELLA CLASSIC GIRL'S BEACH CRUISER

Why is it better?

• single speed version
• Simple, durable, and smooth wheelset
• Relaxed seating position

92/100 our score

Our Buying Guide

If you are a wanderer, then you can imagine the joy of riding a cruiser bike. There are a lot of cruiser bike brands available but choosing the perfect one is a tough decision.

At Bikes Reviewed, we are committed to helping you with the best cruiser bikes that are thoroughly examined and tested with genuine customer opinions.

How We Picked

Starting from online research, we searched the manufacturer's website of each product and understood the entire operation of the bike, components, and the material used to build it. With 26 + Cruiser bikes and 20+ hours spent on their research, our team have come across the 10 best cruiser bikes in 2023. 

Researched sources

REviews considered

hours researching

products compared

Last Updated: November 25, 2021

By Max Shumpert: This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding beach bikes available for those who are interested in laid-back cycling experience. The best 6 available have changed, and information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best cruiser bicycles currently available on the market. The FAQ has also been updated.

Best Cruiser Bicycles Comparison Chart 2023

Best cruiser bikes for women.

Women’s cruiser bikes have some slight differences that make them more suited for the shape and size of the female body, along with some minor aesthetic differences as well.

These our are best cruiser bikes for 2021.

1. FIRMSTRONG BELLA CLASSIC GIRL'S CRUISER- OUR tOP pICK

• 20-inch girl's single-speed cruiser bike great for introduction to relaxed riding; ideal for ages 3 to 8
• Sleek cruiser design with elegant thick top tube, plus included front and rear fenders
• White-wall balloon tires for a cushioned ride; easy-to-use coaster brakes

Appraising the life of contemporary women, they have grown affinity for bicycles. With the modes of transportation evolving, bikes have become a humble means of transport that still has a space in your life when one needs to exercise or commute around the town, thus leading to zero carbon footprint.

Now, women don't just ride a bike to commute but also to make a statement. And that's where the Firmstrong Bella Classic Single Speed comes in!

Features of Firmstrong Bella Classic

• The Firmstrong Bella Classic is a functional cruiser that offers an effortless and smooth ride, has one break and one gear, thus making it easy for the rider to operate it. 
• This high-end cruiser includes a lightweight steel frame along with a sturdy structure. This makes the Firmstrong bike one of the lightest and best women's cruiser bikes in the market.
• With 26" Aluminum Wheels and a 15" Steel Frame, the Bella comes with an appealing design.
• It is a versatile and fashionable cruiser bike that weighs around 23 pounds while maintaining durability. In fact, the Firmstrong Bella Classic also allows the rider to update their bike in a 3-speed and 7-speed version from Single Speed.
• This women's beach cruiser bike with gears comes with a coaster brake in order to erase the need for brake levers and cables that need to be managed.

Specs of Firmstrong Bella Classic

• Size of steel frame: 15"; 26" Wheels
• Foam grips: Synthetic leather grips for a comfortable hold
• Adjustable Handlebars: Classic Cruiser Steel
• Rear brake: Easy-to-use steel Coaster Brake
• Suggested rider height: Fits most girls & women of 5' - 6' Tall
• Maximum Payload Capacity: 300 Pounds

The Firmstrong Lady is a formidable cruiser bike that has an alluring, classic look, and performs on a level rarely matched by other bikes. The numerous size, color, accessories , and wheel options help to really push into the top level of cruiser bikes. It’s by far the best cruiser bike for 2019, and will likely be next year as well.

If you want to find out why we selected this as our No.1 cruiser bike , then read our in-depth Firmstrong Bella Classic review. We go over what makes the bike so good, and how surprised we were when felt how LIGHT it was.

2. SIXTHREEZERO EVRYJOURNEY - Best For Tall Riders

• 26-inch wheels with 2-inch semi-slick tires provide excellent roll and a cushioned, stable ride
• Lightweight aluminum frame for easy maneuvering
• Includes matching fender and rear rack for optional baskets

The epitome of style, the EVRYjourney women’s bike from sixthreezero is a versatile hybrid cruiser that brings a classic to the modern day. Perfect for cruising, leisurely rides, and even commutes, it’s an all-around winner.

• Aesthetically it screams hip, with a stylish and gentle curvature to the frame, which serves the purpose of looking great and keeping your posture tight. 

However, comfort is the priority when it comes to cruising by the beach. Hence, the Sixthreezero is equipped with exciting attributes for optimizing comfort while you enjoy the ride.

Features Of EVRYjourney 

• By combining a rear-leaning saddle with a high and wide handle frame, it allows for an upright riding style that sweeps back and shoulders comfortably.
• It also comes in 1-speed, 3-speed, 7-speed and 21-speed, giving you great flexibility to choose the bike that best suits your needs.
• It's available in three colors and three different colorways, giving you a total of nine styles to choose the best from.
• As the name suggests, the EVRYjourney is designed as an all-in-one bike for women, which is why having a rear rack is so desirable for longer journeys.
• The tires themselves are 1.95-inch wide, much thinner than you would find on freestyle bikes, but thicker than on the road or even many commuter bikes. 
• This thickness allows comfort, stability, and ease to ride, and because they are semi-slick, it doesn't sacrifice speed.
• At 26-inch in diameter, these frames give you plenty of height for a comfortable and safe ride, especially if you are commuting alongside traffic.

Specs Of EVRYjourney

Item package dimensions (l x w x h): ‎44.5 x 27.4 x 14.2 inches.

• Weight: 38.1lbs
• Frame: Lightweight aluminum frame
• Breaks: Front and rear V brakes
• Suitable rider height: 5'- 6'4" tall
• Rim and Tires: 1.95-inch wide / 26-inch wheels with 2-inch semi-slick tires

According to many reviewers what they love most about the design of the bike is the frame structure which allows for a comfortable riding position, comfortable pedaling and safe standing. By shifting the seat backward on a tilted frame, the EJ has a forward pedaling design so that you can reach full leg extension without having to bend your back at all. This style of riding is far more comfortable than traditional commuter or road bikes . Similarly, you’ll find that you can safely put both feet on the ground while still sat on the bike. With most bikes, this is impossible and would require you to tilt the bike slightly, but because of the shifted seat and forward pedaling design, it’s safer and more convenient.

Overall, the EVRYjourney is a bike that lives up to its name, making it the perfect choice for women who are in the market for a bike that is as versatile and strong as they are.

3. SIXTHREEZERO WOMEN'S 26-INCH - Electric Hybrid Cruiser Bike

SIXTHREEZERO WOMEN'S 26-INCH - Electric Hybrid Cruiser Bike

• 250-watt motor functions in pedal-assist or full-electric mode
• Top speed of 15 mph in full-electric mode and 28 mph in pedal-assist mode
• Front- and rear-disc hand brakes for easy and prompt stopping

A cruiser bike's main priorities should always be comfort, ease, and style. Leave off any one of those, and you're doing a disservice to any potential riders.

The STZ beach cruiser bike is a great example of combining style and sophistication with a high level of functionality , resulting in one of the best riding experiences you can find with a cruiser.

The bike's relaxed feel and smooth handling make it a great option for leisurely rides around the beach, neighborhood, or really anywhere else you'd like to have a fun, laid-back ride. The bike offers a classic look, with plenty of subtle detailing to help it stand out as well.

Features Of sixthreezero Around The Block

• A sturdy frame of steel comprises the heart of the bike. The frame's classic double tubing includes alluring curves and a front fork that sweeps slightly forward. 
• When fully assembled, the entire bike weighs around 38 pounds. The lower weight gives the bike a more nimble feel without sacrificing its stability.
• The cruiser's handlebars are extended slightly, which helps create a more relaxed riding position and lets the rider sit in a fully straight position while pedaling and steering.
• A simple, single-speed beach drivetrain is used on the base model, which includes an ideal gearing ratio that is best for maintaining low to intermediate speeds while seated. 
• For riders, it needs more speed options; there are 3 speed and seven-speed versions available.
• The wheel-set of this cruiser is one of our favorite aspects. Thick, wide-set balloon-style tires give the bike an added measure of shock absorption. A smooth tread with a slight texture provides the bike with added grip on pavement and smooth dirt surfaces as well.

Specs Of sixthreezero Around The Block

• Wheel size: 26 Inches
• Special feature: Rear rack, steel frame, aluminum wheels
• Suspension type: Rigid
• 17-inch durable steel frame
• Size: 26" / 1-speed

Alloy wheels with the high number of spokes helps provide added strength and durability to the wheel set. The alloy rims come in various colors, depending on which color scheme you go with, giving the bike a more unique and custom look. So if you looking for custom cruiser bikes for beach then this is for you.

The bike saddle includes plenty of cushioning, while also providing wider coverage. Over-sized springs under the rear of the saddle help to make it even more plush. Matching handlebar grips help to give the bike a more cohesive aesthetic.

Overall, STZ Beach Cruiser offers incredible value and style with a high level of craftsmanship and top-tier components. All of this goes into creating a riding experience that is smooth, relaxed, and most of all, delightful - just as a cruiser should be. It's hard to go wrong with this bike.

Have a look at our  SixThreeZero Women's 26-Inch Review  where we take a deeper look into the durability, stability and other core features of this Cruiser bike.

4. sixthreezero Around The Block - Best-rated cruiser bike

It's no surprise to see another bike from STZ on this list.

The company is well known for putting out very high-quality cruiser bikes that are also very affordable while offering a more modern spin on a classic cruiser design.

The Around the Block Cruiser is made to cater to those with a lower budget for a cruiser but still want a great bike, with the potential for upgrades and extra accessories down the line.

This bike focuses on the main stuff first, and leaves it up to you to add anything on.

Features Of Sixthreezero Around The Block

• The bike starts with a frame made of steel cruiser design that has more of a contemporary look to it. 
• The frame includes a matching chain guard with a very stable luggage rack mounted at the rear. 
• An extra tubing piece located in between the top and bottom tubes gives the bike some added stability.
• The Around the Block Cruiser has a total weight of around 38 pounds, giving it a similar weight to the higher-level cruisers currently available. 
• The bike is only available in a single-speed version that helps give it more of a classic cruiser feel. 
• The gearing ratio is very appropriate for its use, allowing for a quick burst of speed from a standstill, and also providing the best bike pedal efficiency from a seated position.
• 26-inch balloon-style wide tires give the bike plenty of shock absorption and help keep the ride smooth. The tires feature a slight tread pattern that is suitable for both pavement and smooth dirt and grass surfaces.

Specs Of Sixthreezero Around the Block

• Aluminum frame
• Number of speeds: 1

Although this bike doesn't come with any extra accessories, riders can easily add features such as bike bags, baskets, and cup holders if they’d like.

The STZ Around the Block Cruiser Bike is a simple, modern cruiser that focuses on offering excellent riding performance at a lower price. Its versatility and design helps it stand out among the inferior cruiser bikes.

5.  Schwinn Discover Cruiser Bike - Best Cruiser Bikes For Beginners

Schwinn discover hybrid bike

SCHWINN DISCOVER CRUISER BIKE

• Schwinn suspension fork. Schwinn alloy crank, City rise adjustable stem with back sweep handlebar.
•  21-speed SRAM grip shifter and speed Shimano rear derailleur mean that pedaling up a hill is easier. 
• Alloy twist shifter compatible 4 finger brake levers"Promax alloy linear pull brakes; gear carrier. 

A cruiser bike's design is intended to be as simplistic and functional as possible while giving extra attention to comfort.

The Schwinn beach cruisers avoid the mistakes some companies tend to make with modern cruisers.

This bike takes a true ' less is more ' approach, opting for simplicity, added comfort, and overall ride quality, but not at the expense of style.

Features Of Schwinn Discover

• The bike utilizes a lightweight aluminum bike frame and a comfortable seat, making it suitable for different mountain biking riders.
• The Schwinn suspension fork is crafted from a shock-absorbent material which makes the Schwinn cruiser bike beat other competitors in terms of shock absorption to give a smoother ride.
• The Schwinns handlebar design discards the more traditional curved style and replaces it with a similar design to BMX handlebars. 
• The 21-speed SRAM shifter and Shimano rear derailleur make pedaling easier on hills.
• The handlebars are higher than the regular bikes, which allow the rider to sit virtually upright to provide a comfortable position for longer rides. 
• Unlike other cruisers that use pedal coaster brakes, this bike uses Promax alloy linear-pull brakes that offer effective stoppages.
• The bike comes in 2 color schemes, all of which include matching saddle and handlebar grips.

Specs Of Schwinn Discover

• Suspension type : Front
• Number of speeds: 21
• Size: 17-inch frame
• Frame: Aluminum
• Brake: Promax alloy linear-pull brakes
• Weight: 46 pounds
• Rear gear carrier
• Foam padded handlebars
• Whitewall tires
• Metal spoke wheel design

In terms of simplicity and overall ride quality, this bike provides an excellent value for those wanting a cruiser bike but don't want to spend too much on it.

6. sixthreezero EVRYjourney - bEST ELECTRIC bEACH cRUISER bIKE

STZ Electric Around The Block Cruiser

sixthreezero EVRYjourney CRUISER BICYCLE

• Patented Flat Foot Technology® ensures a relaxed, comfortable ride.
• Shimano Revo shifter and rear derailleur provide smooth shifting through all 7 gears.
• Hydrive system provides confidence and control through 3 modes of power support with a 250W rear hub motor backed by a 309Wh battery.

The Sixthreezero Cruiser takes a fresh approach to a cruiser's classic design. The EVRYjourney is an electric bike at an attainable price.

Features Of Sixthreezero EVRYjourney

• The EVRYjourney features a simplified version of a standard cruiser frame crafted from aluminum material. This gives it an updated, simplified look while still providing needed strength and stability.
• The drivetrain is quite efficient and gives you plenty of go from a complete stop. 
• Its 500W rear hub motor can go to around 18 to 40 mph in fully electric mode and 20 to 60 mph in paddle assist mode, which controls ride on different types of terrains.
• The front and rear disc brakes help keep things as simple as possible and provide easy and powerful stopping.
• Balloon tires measuring 26 x 2.125-inch wheels give the bike a lot of ground cover and go a long way in ensuring a smoother ride, even when encountering bumps and small drops from time to time.
• A minimalist tread pattern provides solid traction on smooth surfaces.

Specs Of Sixthreezero EVRYjourney

• 26 x 2.125-inch wheels
• 500W rear hub motor

The Sixthreezero EVRYjourney cruiser gives riders an affordable cruiser bike option that does things a little differently, but without betraying the most important core aspects of what a cruiser should be. With its edgy styling and efficient performance, this aluminum frame cruiser bicycle is a great choice for buyers wanting to stand out, and save some money.

Best Cruiser Bikes For Men

When it comes to shopping for cruiser bikes, guys have a seemingly endless amount to choose from. These 5 best cruiser bikes for men for 2023 have been covered here.

1.  SCHWINN MIKKO & HURON  -  Best simple men’s cruiser bike

• Cruiser bicycle is perfect for leisurely neighborhood rides, at the beach, or through town, with a frame designed to accommodate riders 5'4" to...
• Single-speed drivetrain beach hybrid cruiser bikes that are perfect for flat and easygoing trail rides, with front and rear fenders to provide...
• Rear coaster brake allows you to stop by simply pedaling backward, provides effortless and straightforward stopping power

Cruiser bikes are already easy enough to ride. Add in a forward pedaling design, and they're even more relaxed.

The Schwinn Huron Beach Cruiser Bike offers riders a different approach to a classic cruiser design and gives the bike a unique look and feel in the process.

The result is a cruiser bike that perfectly captures the more relaxed vibe that the bikes were intended for in the first place.

Features Of Schwinn MIKKO & HURON

• Huron cruiser bikes have an extended frame size of 17 inches, combined with the forward placement of the crankset , allowing the rider to sit back and pedal from a more relaxed position and still provide plenty of efficiency in terms of speed and power.
• The bike is available in a single-speed, 3 Speed and seven-speed beach configuration. 
• It has a dual spring padded cruiser seat and classic cruiser handlebars helping it retain a more traditional look and feel. 
• Riders can expect to reach speeds of around 15 mph without too much effort, thanks to both the gearing ratio and the crankset placement.
• In the single speed, the only brake option is a reverse pedal rear coaster brake setup, including retro-style full front and rear fenders, which keeps the bike more traditional, and without any complicated components that need maintenance.
•  Matching fenders are included to contain any puddles that may come your way as well, keeping you clean and dry.
• The bike's saddle is very soft and wide enough to provide increased comfort during longer rides.

Specs Of Schwinn MIKKO & HURON

• Wheel Size: 26 inches
• Size: 17-inch/ Medium
• Brake type: Coaster
• Frame material: Steel

The Schwinn bikes are a great cruiser for those that want to keep things simple, while adding an improved sense of comfort and pedal efficiency from the forward setup. Throw in the unique looks, stunning color options, and pre-installed fenders , and you've got yourself a superior cruiser for around $280.

2. Sixthreezero Around The Block - bEST FOR hEAVY rIDERS

• BEACH CRUISER BIKE FOR MEN: Classic, curvy men's beach cruiser bicycle with 19-inch durable steel frame; ideal for casual, comfortable riding...
• COMFORTABLE AND ERGONOMIC: Beach cruiser bike features an upright riding style which keeps your back and shoulders comfortable while on the move;...
• SINGLE-SPEED DESIGN: Single speed beach cruiser bike is great for cruising on flat terrain; pedal-backwards coaster brakes for easy stopping

Part of the allure with cruiser beach bikes is their simplicity, and the incredibly smooth ride they offer.

The STZ Around the Block Men's Cruiser captures the essence of what a beach cruiser is supposed to be.

Strategic design and quality components come together to form an efficient and comfortable cruise r that is perfect for casual riding.

• The Around the Block's frame is hand-crafted from quality steel, improving the bike's overall stability, and giving it suitable shock absorption for any bumps in your path. 
• The 40-pound total weight is right on the cusp of an ideal cruiser bike weight; not too light, not too heavy.
• The base model of the Around the Block Cruiser comes with a single-speed drivetrain that contributes to the bike's overall smooth ride.
• A 7-speed version is available for anyone that needs multiple gears to handle inclines and city riding better.
• The bike's classic handlebar design allows the rider to remain upright while pedaling and steering. 
• A full-cushioned, spring-supported saddle offers a higher level of comfort when seated, making even all-day rides easier on the body.
• Extra-wide whitewall tires feature a waffle tread that adds a better sense of traction to the bike. 
• The wheelset's double-walled rims protect the tube inside from being punctured by the spokes and give the wheels better durability.

Specs Of Sixthreezero Around The Block

• Wheel size: 24"/ 26"
• Number of gears: 1, 3, 7, 21
• Weight: 35.0 lbs
• Brake type: Coaster, V-Brake
• Tire: 2" semi-slick cruiser tires
• Handle Bar Grip:  Synthetic leather grips

The Around the Block Cruiser does include a luggage rack in the rear, and can easily be upgraded with a number of features and accessories like fenders, to baskets and cup holders. It is currently available in only one color, but the matte black is easily one of our favorites.

Overall, the STZ Around the Block Cruiser defines what a true cruiser should be, ensuring a smooth ride with plenty of comfort, and a heightened sense of style as well. For just around $300 , that’s a great deal, and places the bike towards the top of the heap.

You can learn more about the versatility of this bike in our  Sixthreezero Around The Block Men’s Cruiser In-depth Review.  

3. Firmstrong Bruiser - Best Cruiser Bikes For Seniors

• 26-inch men's three-speed cruiser bike shifts quickly and easily while riding hills; thick top tube design for a beefier look
• 19-inch extended steel frame creates more space between rider and handlebars
• Balloon tires for a cushioned ride; easy-to-use coaster brakes

For those that are looking for a beefier-looking cruiser, the Firmstrong Bruiser is a great choice.

The bike has a more aggressive aesthetic but doesn't betray all of the characteristics that create a comfortable, smooth-riding beach cruiser bicycle that's great for leisure and casual use.

Features Of Firmstrong Bruiser

• The Bruiser's steel frame is an extended 19-inch size, giving you two more inches of clearance to the handlebars than you get with the more common 17-inch frame size.
• Despite the bigger size, the Bruiser still weighs around 38 pounds, which is the ideal weight range on a cruiser.
• The bigger size lets riders extend their arms for an even more swept-back ride without decreasing any steering ability. 
• A wide-set, heavily-cushioned saddle provides the perfect sitting surface to compliment the bike's feel.
• The base model of the Bruiser uses a one-speed setup and gives the bike the needed power to easily attain speeds of up to 15 mph without too much effort. 
• 3-speed and 7-speed gear setups are available as well, giving the Bruiser added speed and versatility.
• A coaster brake system accompanies the one-speed models, keeping your stopping/slowing simple and easy. Multi-gear Bruiser models use tier one or two caliper hand-operated brakes instead.
• Wide balloon-style tires give the Bruiser most of its shock absorption ability while increasing traction thanks to an understated tread design.

Specs Of Firmstrong Bruiser

• Size: 19 inch / Large
• Frame material: Steel/Aluminum
• Wheel size: 26"
• Number of gears: 1, 3, 7

In our  Critical Cycles Chatham review  we take a better look at some of the various different features and style elements of this bike, such as its BMX-like handlebars.

The Bruiser offers all of these features for a reasonable price. The bike allows riders to have a more aggressive design, extended sizing, and the smooth and easy ride that every cruiser should offer. If most other cruisers seem a little too feeble for your tastes, the Bruiser is the answer.

Why You Should Choose Your  Best Cruiser Bike Carefully

Unlike mountain bikes or road bikes, you won’t find any precision sizes and setups for cruiser bikes, but that doesn’t make just any cruiser well-suited to your needs.

When a cruiser bike is intended for light riding, it probably comes with limited features and may not be long-lasting. If you’re someone who enjoys short rides around the neighborhood or boardwalk, this may not be an issue. However, if you wish to use the bike frequently and along multiple terrains, it probably will be.

So, while it may be tempting just to go out and get the cruiser you are attracted to, or you can buy with the best deal, it’s always a good idea to first analyze your riding needs and then focus on your personal preferences as well.

This way, you can be sure of purchasing a bike that can hold up to your riding environment while being comfortable and having any certain features that may improve your riding experience.

Things To Consider When Shopping A Best Beach Cruiser Bike

To ensure that you get the right cruiser bike, you’ll need to consider everything from your specific riding uses to what kind of components you’ll be needing.

Some of the factors that you must consider when choosing a cruiser bike:

• Research if the bike is equipped with single-speed or multi-speed. The number of gears available on the bike allows you to either limit yourself on a smooth surface or go off-road. 
• While frames made of steel are sturdy but need more maintenance, aluminum frames are lightweight and far less stressful during commuting. 
• The type of brake - coaster brake or handbrake.
• Check for front and rear fenders since they help keep the sand, water, or dust from spraying on the rider.
• The seat is something that you should never compromise on. Padded with sufficient spring action, a wide seat offers an upright-seated position for the rider, which also renders comfortability.
• And, of course, your budget.

If you read our complete guide to cruiser bikes, you would understand that these bikes were actually the inspiration and imagination behind what would eventually become a mountain bike. But that’s it.

While a cruiser is versatile, they are not as adaptable as a road bike, or a mountain bike is. Road bikes have several key characteristics that make them great for fast and long-distance riding. 

So, if you plan on riding your cruiser for miles each day, you may want to look at the hybrid bike reviews instead.

People Also Ask

What cruiser bikes are really for.

Cruiser bikes capture the true essence of biking.

They don’t require any special skills or gear, and practically anyone that knows how to ride a bike can effectively ride a cruiser for a longer distance.

They are by far the most casual type of bike there is. Cruiser bikes are perfect for everything from a stroll with the family around the neighborhood to coasting down a beach-side boardwalk to riding the sidewalks around your town or in a park.

What Are Cruiser Bikes Good For?

Cruiser bikes with long handlebars, wider wheel size, and wider tires make cruiser bikes stable on sand and gravel paths. Its well-cushioned seat gives the rider a perfectly upright position.

Which Beach Cruiser Bike Is Best?

• Firmstrong Urban
• Sixthreezero Around the Block
• Firmstrong Bruiser
• Huffy Nel Lusso
• Schwinn Cruiser bikes

What Are The Best Cruiser Bike Brands?

In my opinion, the Schwinn, Huffy bikes, and sixthreezero are popular among different cruiser bikes brands.

Are Cruiser Bikes Good For Hills?

The cruiser bikes are suitable for flat terrain and can offer a comfortable ride, but usually, they come without gears, and thus steep hill climbing can be challenging. But if it is equipped with three or seven-speed gearing, then you can climb up easily.

Are Cruiser Bikes Good For Exercises?

Studies say that cycling at a moderate speed up to 13.9 miles per hour can help you lose calories in half an hour, and all cruiser bikes can afford that. A single-speed model can be a good choice for low-impact exercises, and multi-speed is good to let you climb up hills.

Are Cruiser Bikes Good For Commuting?

Cruiser bikes consist of rear coaster brakes, low seat height, and simple gear shifting, making it easier for commuting.

Can Cruiser Bikes Go On Trails?

Cruiser bikes are difficult for off-road riding and on trails because they tend to be slow and heavy and thus not suitable for trails.

Part of the allure with cruiser beach bikes is their simplicity and the incredibly smooth ride they offer.

Whether you intend on getting a single speed for leisure commuting or multiple speed for Sunday adventures, these bikes mentioned above from each category offer the best that cruisers have to offer and appeal to a variety of different budgets and preferences.

Whichever bike you choose, you can be confident of getting an excellent beach cruiser bicycle that will provide you with miles of relaxed, leisurely enjoyment.

Happy Riding!

FIRMSTRONG URBAN LADY BEACH CRUISER

• 3-speed and seven speed versions

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1-24 of 277 results for "Complete Cruiser Bikes"

Schwinn Perla Adult Beach Cruiser Bike, Men and Women, 18-Inch Step-Through Steel Frame, 26-Inch Wheels, 7-Speed Twist Shifters, Rear Rack, Front and Rear Fenders

Viribus Beach Cruiser Bike for Women, 24 26 inch Womens Cruiser Bike, Womens Bike with Basket 1 Speed, Beach Cruiser Bike for Short Women with Rack, Step Through Bike, Commute Bicycle Women Adults

Firmstrong Urban Man

Around The Block Men's Beach Cruiser Bike, Single Speed Step-Through Touring Hybrid Bicycle with Rear Rack, 26 Inch Wheels, Matte Black

sixthreezero Around The Block Women's Beach Cruiser Bike

Schwinn Meridian Tricycle for Adult Men Women, 24 or 26-Inch 3-Wheel Bike, Multiple Speed Options, Low Step-Through Frame with Large Cruiser Seat, and Rear Folding Basket

sixthreezero EVRYjourney Womens Bike

Schwinn Huron Adult Beach Cruiser Bike, 17-18-Inch Steel Frame, Wide Wheels for Stability, Rear Coaster Brakes, Multiple Speed Options

Schwinn Sanctuary 7 Comfort Beach Cruiser Bike for Adult Women Men, 7-Speed Drivetrain in Retro-Styled Steel Step-Through or Step-Over Frame, 26-Inch Wheels, With Front & Rear Fenders, Rear Cargo Rack

Hiku Cruiser Beach Bike, Men and Women, Boys and Girls, 24 or 26-Inch Wheels, Single-Speed, Stylish Steel Step-Thru or Step-Over Frame, Suggested Rider Height 4'8" to 6'2" Tall

Huffy Fairmont

26 Inch Beach Cruiser Bike for Women, Hybrid Cruiser Bike with 7 Speed, Adjustable Seat, Lightweight Women Beach Cruiser Bike with Anti-Skid Tires, V-Brakes, Pink & Blue

sixthreezero Around The Block Men Beach Cruiser Bike, 1/3/7/21 Speed Bicycles, 26"/24" Wheels, Multiple Colors

Salty Dog Gravity Aluminum Beach Cruiser Single Speed Bicycle (White, Ladies)

Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser Bicycle

Womens Beach Cruiser Bike 26 Inch Bicycles for Women Adjustable Seat, 7 Speed Commute Bike for Women Adults, Womens Bicycle

Lakona Youth and Adult Beach Cruiser Bike, Men and Women, 20-26-Inch Wheel Options, Step-Through or Step-Over Frames, Single or 7-Speed, Coaster or Linear Pull Brakes

Beach Cruiser Bike,Stylish 26-Inch Women's Bike,Classic Paint,Streamlined Design,Ladies' Bike with Front Basket & 7-Speed,Lightweight for Commuting,Fitness,and Vacation

Womens Beach Cruiser Bike 26 Inch Bicycles for Women Adjustable Seat Bike, 7 Speed Commute Bike for Women Adults, Complete Cruiser Bikes Womens Bicycle

YITAHOME 24 & 26 Inch Beach Cruiser Bike for Women, 1 & 7 Speed Commute Bike for Adults, Womens Bicycle with Adjustable Seat, Multiple Color

Taha Hybrid Beach Cruiser 7 Speed Steel Frame Men's Bicycle with 26 Inch Whitewall Tires, Wide Grip, and Soft Tower Seat, Matte Grey

Hannahcos 26" Beach Cruiser Bike for Men &Women, Cruiser Bicycle with 7 Speed | Fix Gear, Smooth Riding Adult Cruiser Bike, Multiple Colors

(US Stock) 26 Inch Women's Bike Ladys Bike Beach Cruiser Bike for Women/Girls/Men/Adults，Leather Saddle,City Hybrid Bike 7 Speeds Adult Bicycle Commuter Bike for Women Men, Multiple Colors

ACEGER 26 Inch Women Beach Cruiser Bike, Single Speed and 7 Speed, Adult and Youth Hybrid Bike Commuter Bicycle, Hi-Ten Steel Frame with Adjustable Handlebar and Saddle, Multiple Colors

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• Cruiser Bikes

Top 10 Cruiser Bikes

47 cruiser bikes.

Harley-Davidson X440

Royal Enfield Classic 350

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Keeway v302c.

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Benelli Imperiale 400

Jawa Standard

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QJ Motor SRV 300

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Ducati Diavel 1260

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Benelli 502C

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QJ Motor SRC 250

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Embark on an all-gay or LGBTQ-friendly cruise for excellent entertainment, food and excursions.

Whether you are looking to hop aboard a Pride Week cruise with a major line or sail away with a smaller company that specializes in LGBTQ voyages, the following cruise operators promise a fun, safe and memorable vacation.

(Note: While many of these cruise lines sail to LGBTQ-friendly ports of call, travelers should research destinations to learn more about cultures, customs and safety in each location and determine what's right for them.)

Virgin Voyages

Atlantis events, brand g vacations, celebrity cruises, royal caribbean international, the cruise with la demence, source journeys.

Gabriel Goldberg | Courtesy of VACAYA

Founded by avid travelers Randle Roper, Patrick Gunn and John Finen, VACAYA bills itself as the first all-LGBT travel company in the full-ship charter/resort buyout sector of the travel industry to launch in more than 25 years.

"[VACAYA] was sparked by our own vacations, where we all had encountered two very different experiences," says Gunn. "The all-gay cruises were liberating, empowering and fun, but limited to a small spectrum of people. And while everyone loves a good time, there's more to a memorable vacation than just parties. Mainstream vacations offered more activities and destinations, and were accessible to a diverse set of people, but didn't always feel like a friendly, judgment-free environment."

As such, VACAYA set out to bring LGBTQ travelers from across the spectrum together in a welcoming, inclusive setting, while offering varied onboard activities and immersive itinerary options. Cruisers will enjoy traveling to ports around the world, in the Caribbean , the Galápagos, Europe , Antarctica and more. You can participate in shipwide events ranging from themed deck parties to performances by LGBTQ entertainers to rejuvenating yoga classes. Note that VACAYA's cruises are for adults only.

Previous cruisers had abundant praise for VACAYA's voyages, highlighting the company's responsiveness when booking and the kindhearted staff, as well as the genuine connections they made with other passengers on board. Many were also impressed by the events and entertainment options throughout their sailings.

In 2024, VACAYA will offer a number of voyages worldwide. The seven-night Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Apex in February will sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, with several fun-filled days at sea in addition to stops in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Antigua. In August, VACAYA has a 12-night river cruise in Northern Europe on board Advance by Transcend Cruises; this sailing includes the Amsterdam Pride event. The 11-night Antarctica expedition on Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Navigator in December 2024 is sold out, but you can join the waitlist.

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

The Virgin brand has long been known for its celebration of the LGBTQ community, and cruise line Virgin Voyages is no different. The strictly adults-only cruise operator aims to provide a unique experience, with onboard tattoo parlors, impressive live entertainment, and dining options that include more than 20 eateries and menus created by Michelin star chefs. This line gets the stamp of approval from previous LGBTQ cruisers, who praise the ships' gender-neutral bathrooms, diverse staff and onboard shows with resident drag queens.

Virgin Voyages offers gay-specific sailings through travel companies like Atlantis Events, but its more mainstream itineraries still offer a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that attracts LGBTQ cruisers year-round. Virgin hosts a number of events during Pride Month each year, including deck parties and interactive social media campaigns.

"Each June here at Virgin Voyages, we like to go big for Pride Month with larger-than-life events … all monthlong," the cruise line says in a statement on its website. "It's an important time for us – both internally within our crew and for our sailors – to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ community; who for so long has had to continually fight for equality and the right to be seen, heard and included."

Virgin Voyages sails to a variety of LGBTQ-friendly countries, including New Zealand, Greece and Spain. In June 2024, consider a seven-night sailing aboard Scarlet Lady departing from Barcelona with stops in Marseille and Cannes in France as well as Spain's Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza.

Read: The Best Cruise Lines for the Money

The world's largest gay and lesbian travel brand, Atlantis Events was founded in 1991 and welcomes more than 20,000 travelers annually on LGBTQ vacations. For its all-gay cruises, Atlantis charters megaships from popular lines like Royal Caribbean International , Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages in addition to smaller vessels with companies like Oceania Cruises so cruisers will have a fully immersive experience.

On board, travelers can enjoy all the perks these ships have to offer (think: pools, hot tubs, sports courts and plenty of dining choices), plus special events like drag performances, motivational speakers, LGBTQ movies on demand in each cabin and high-energy circuit parties across the ship.

"As an LGBTQ cruiser, you're looking for a ship with lots of entertainment, including dance parties and events," says Marcos Martinez, founder of Men Who Brunch, a Black gay lifestyle blog. "One of the best cruise [lines] for gay cruising is Atlantis, since you'll be able to meet hundreds of attractive men and party all day and night on the ship."

Atlantis hosts primarily gay men; women make up about 5% to 10% of bookings, according to the Atlantis website. Previous cruisers said the atmosphere on board was fun, friendly and welcoming, though some noted that the company's customer service could be better, especially when it comes to details about the cruise.

Due to the company's popularity, its three 2024 cruises are already sold out.

Read: The Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

Courtesy of Brand G Vacations

Specializing in all-gay river cruises – and now luxury ocean liners – Brand g Vacations was founded in 2011 and explores destinations all over the world. Chartered river cruises typically welcome between 40 and 200 LGBTQ passengers (and their straight allies), which allows cruisers to get to know one another in a smaller setting. Guests tend to skew more mature (think: 40 and older), and the line attracts both men and women.

Onboard entertainment differs slightly from larger ocean voyages: Expect more cabaret-style entertainment than massive all-night dance parties. Cruisers will also enjoy performances by drag queens, gay Broadway stars and more, on top of typical river cruise perks like sightseeing and lavish meals. Past guests recommend choosing Brand g if you're looking for a well-planned, relaxed and luxurious experience over a busier, more party-heavy vacation.

Brand g aims to provide a nearly all-inclusive cruise experience , with Mercedes or small van airport transfers, upscale hotel stays prior to embarkation, and unlimited alcoholic beverages as well as meals included in the fare. As such, prices tend to be on the high end. Plus, cruisers can feel good about their trip knowing that Brand g donates to causes in the U.S. and around the world that assist LGBTQ refugees, AIDS organizations, LGBTQ centers and more.

In 2024, Brand g sails through unique waterways around the world, including the Amazon, the Loire, the Danube, the Mekong, and the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The line's small cruise ship charters also take guests to Iceland, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Croatia and other European destinations.

Read: The Top River Cruise Lines

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Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises sets the scene for an excellent vacation for gay travelers, from its extravagant annual Pride parties to its daily LGBTQ programming throughout the year. The mainstream line has received numerous awards for its inclusivity, receiving accolades from the Cruizie Awards, TTG Travel Awards and Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards for being one of the best cruise lines for LGBTQ passengers.

LGBTQ cruisers can start their vacations off on a high note with a special welcome party on the first night of their voyage to meet other travelers on board. After night one, there are other social events for gay cruisers to party and hang out together. Additionally, Celebrity Cruises was the first cruise line to legally marry a couple at sea in 2018, and it continues to perform same-sex marriages on its ships.

Past cruisers enjoyed their voyages with Celebrity, noting that the line was welcoming, the food was delicious, and there were plenty of areas to hang out as a group with fellow LGBTQ passengers or other companions throughout the ship.

Although all itineraries are gay-friendly, consider booking a sailing during Pride Month in June for an extra special experience. Onboard entertainment during this month includes guest entertainers, a flag raising ceremony, Celebrity's signature Pride Party at Sea and more. The Italian Riviera & France cruise will depart from Barcelona on June 8, 2024, on the new Celebrity Ascent; this 10-night Mediterranean sailing stops at ports in France, Italy and Malta. Private travel companies like VACAYA also charter Celebrity ships for all-gay voyages throughout the year.

Read: Cruise Packing List: The Top Essentials for Any Cruise

Getty Images

Specifically marketed toward lesbians and LGBTQ women, Olivia has hosted more than 350,000 travelers by land and sea over five decades. Cruisers can choose between river voyages or ocean sailings to destinations around the world. On the lesbian cruises, expect a mix of nostalgic decade-themed dance parties, folk singers, writing workshops, karaoke and other activities. Cruisers can also relax poolside, spend some time in the onboard spa or take it easy in one of the ships' lounges.

Travelers who are looking to connect with others who share similar backgrounds can do so in one of Olivia's specialized programs. There are group and solo traveler meetups, as well as programs like Sisters, which is for LGBTQ women of color; Gen-O, for cruisers 40 and younger; Women in Uniform gatherings, for veterans and those currently in the armed forces; and events for OWLs (which stands for "older, wiser lesbians"). Past cruisers on Olivia's voyages report feeling a true sense of community and belonging on board, resulting in a fun, carefree trip.

In June 2024, set sail with Olivia from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Dublin on Windstar Cruises' Star Legend. Or, visit the islands of Tahiti on the line's Star Breeze in September. Other cruise itineraries include Alaska, the Greek Isles, Mexico and the Panama Canal.

Read: The Best Girls Trip Ideas

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International provides a welcoming and inclusive experience for LGBTQ travelers. The popular cruise line frequently partners with Atlantis Events to offer all-gay voyages throughout the year, but even the standard sailings earn praise.

Highlights of the sailings are the ships' entertainment options (including the Tony Award-winning musical "Mamma Mia!") and attentive staff, according to past cruisers. Itineraries typically include LGBTQ meetups at the beginning of each cruise for gay travelers to meet like-minded passengers. Outside of the sailing experience, Royal Caribbean has also publicly committed to supporting the LGBTQ community throughout the year, and it was the first cruise line to earn the title "Gay Traveler Approved" from GayTravel in 2016.

In 2024, consider a Royal Caribbean voyage that sails to gay-friendly destinations. "Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, [is] full of gay bars, clubs and gay beaches," says Martinez. Hop aboard Navigator of the Seas in May for a seven-night sailing round-trip from Los Angeles that stops in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada, Mexico. Navigator of the Seas also hosts a seven-night itinerary throughout the year that calls on Mazatlan, Mexico, as well.

Ready to plan a cruise? Find the best value sailings on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Courtesy of The Cruise With La Demence

According to past cruisers, if you're looking for one of the best party scenes on the open seas, consider an all-gay cruise with La Demence. Powered by a popular gay nightclub in Brussels with the same name, La Demence – French for "the madness" – primarily caters to a European crowd. Most passengers are male, though women are also welcome.

On board, passengers should expect to dance the night away at massive deck parties that last into the wee hours of the morning. The line prides itself on its top-notch DJs, impressive light setup and electric party atmosphere. Previous cruisers had high praise for the itineraries – which exclusively visit gay-friendly locations – as well as the fruity cocktails, themed nights (costumes strongly encouraged) and glamorous entertainment. Enjoy unique events like drag bingo, high heel runs and more.

La Demence sails every summer to European destinations like Greece, Italy and Malta. The 2023 cruise was chartered on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas. Fares include all food and nonalcoholic beverages, plus access to all parties, shows and the onboard gym.

Read: The Top Party Cruises

Source Journeys has been planning luxury vacations for LGBTQ travelers for more than 20 years. The Miami-based company, with the vision of founder and chief executive officer Craig Smith, offers small group land tours and full-charter cruises for like-minded travelers with a focus on giving back to the communities they visit. The company also supports LGBTQ organizations, such as the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign.

Past guests of their tours say their fellow travelers were as fun and interesting as the destinations. They appreciated the excellent personalized planning for the trips by Smith and his life partner, Rafael Rodriguez.

The company's cruises in 2024 include a seven-night Galápagos sailing in late September on a Relais & Chateau luxury yacht: Ecoventura's new ship, Evolve. The intimate ship accommodates just 20 passengers. Source Journeys is also offering a seven-night river cruise through Burgundy and Provence, France, in June on Avalon Waterways' Avalon Poetry II, as well as a seven-night voyage from Venice along the Dalmatian Coast. This ocean cruise scheduled in August is chartered on Star Clippers' masted sailing ship, Royal Clipper.

Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to gay cruising, gone are the days of discreet "Friends of Dorothy" meetups. The term – a euphemism that dates back to the 1950s – was once used to indicate gay social events on daily cruise line programs, without explicitly calling out members of the community on board. It's a far cry from today's LGBTQ cruising industry, which loudly and proudly celebrates passengers from all walks of life.

According to experts, LGBTQ cruising is a market that will only continue to grow. Travelers can take their pick between cruise operators tailored specifically to queer communities and major cruise lines that offer festive Pride celebrations and inclusive onboard entertainment. As travel on the high seas continues to grow in popularity for vacationers, gay and lesbian travelers should consider setting sail on a fun-filled cruise vacation for their next trip.

When planning a cruise, vacationers should first consider what their ideal sailing looks like.

Gay-friendly vs. all-gay sailings: Cruisers should think about whether they'd like to travel aboard a gay-friendly mainstream line – such as Celebrity Cruises or Virgin Voyages – or opt for an all-gay, full-ship charter with a third-party vacation company.

"Each and every LGBTQIAPK person has a different level of comfortability in their 'outness,' " says Patrick Gunn, co-founder and chief marketing officer of LGBTQ vacation company VACAYA. Of VACAYA's all-gay charters, he adds, "For one magical week, our community gets to be the majority and live life out loud in the blissful utopia VACAYA creates on a gay cruise. That single change from being an always-minority to a sudden majority can have a profoundly positive real-world effect on individuals."

• Travel style: Some cruise operators (think: Atlantis Events and La Demence) are known for their electrifying all-night parties, which may be perfect for gay groups of friends. Meanwhile, other companies like VACAYA and Olivia look to provide a more diverse selection of activities, ranging from tea dances (LGBTQ parties that, historically, included tea service) to philanthropic service activities to immersive onshore experiences.
• Ports of call: Some of the most LGBTQ- and gay-friendly destinations for cruises include: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Sydney; Barcelona, Spain; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; Helsinki; Quebec City; Auckland, New Zealand; Mykonos, Greece; Reykjavik, Iceland; Amsterdam; Tel Aviv, Israel; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and San Francisco. Countries that gay travelers may want to avoid include the Maldives, Jamaica, Morocco, Malaysia and Haiti, as homosexuality is illegal in these destinations.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has visited destinations around the globe on nearly every type of ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels, traditional masted sailing ships and intimate river ships on the Mekong River. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines
• The Top Solo Cruises (No Supplement Fare)
• The Top Themed Cruises
• The Top 3-Day Cruise Itineraries
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

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