There's something irresistibly romantic about the open ocean. Maybe it's the sunset views from the deck, the way a ship feels like its own little world, or the fact that you're basically trapped with a hot stranger for days on end (in the best possible way). Whatever the magic ingredient is, cruise ship settings have become a beloved staple in MM romance novels, and honestly? We're here for it.
If you're looking to add some nautical love stories to your TBR pile, you've sailed to the right place. Whether you're craving sweet first kisses under the stars or steamy cabin encounters that'll fog up your e-reader, this list has something for every mood. Let's dive into the best gay romance books set on cruise ships, from wholesome and heartfelt to absolutely scorching.
Why Cruise Ship Romances Hit Different
Before we get to the book recs, let's talk about why this setting works so well for MM romance. Cruise ships offer the ultimate forced proximity scenario, you can't exactly escape when you're in the middle of the ocean. Throw in intimate cabin spaces (hello, "only one bed" trope), romantic ocean views, theme parties, and the general vibe of vacation freedom, and you've got the perfect recipe for falling in love.
Plus, there's something about being away from real life that makes people braver. Characters can explore their feelings, try new things, and take risks they might not take back home. It's the ideal setting for second-chance romances, coming-out stories, and those "what happens on vacation stays on vacation" moments that turn into something real.
Sweet & Emotional: For the Romance Lovers
Not every cruise ship romance needs to be a five-alarm fire. Sometimes you want the slow burn, the emotional connection, the kind of love story that makes your heart squeeze in the best way.
Perfect for: Readers who love gentle pining, emotional journeys, and happy tears
Tropes to expect: Friends-to-lovers, second chances, age-gap sweetness, found family
These stories focus on character development and emotional intimacy. You'll find protagonists who are healing from past heartbreak, rediscovering themselves, or taking a leap of faith on love. The cruise setting becomes a backdrop for personal transformation: think morning coffee on the deck while watching the sunrise, late-night conversations on the balcony, and those quiet moments when two people realize they're falling for each other.
Look for books that emphasize the journey as much as the destination. Maybe it's a widower taking his first vacation in years and meeting someone who makes him believe in love again. Or two colleagues who've been dancing around their attraction finally getting the chance to explore it away from office politics.
Medium Heat: Best of Both Worlds
This is the sweet spot for many readers: books that deliver both emotional depth and chemistry hot enough to steam up the portholes.
Cruise to Cock Island by R.A. Frick is a standout in this category. Two best friends accidentally book themselves on a Pride cruise and end up sharing a cabin (because of course they do). What follows is a low-angst summer read that perfectly balances fun and feelings. The book features the "only one bed" trope executed beautifully, plus playful newlywed games and all the wholesome vacation vibes you could want. But don't let the sweetness fool you: there's plenty of heat when these two finally stop dancing around their feelings.
The Boyfriend Cruise follows Nathan and Josh as their lives get completely turned upside down on a cruise. Reviewers rave about the hot romance and the way the story balances steamy scenes with genuine emotional connection. The cruise setting amplifies everything: the tension, the attraction, and the stakes when they realize this vacation fling might be turning into something more.
Perfect for: Readers who want it all: chemistry, character development, and spicy scenes that serve the story
Tropes to expect: Friends-to-lovers, fake dating on vacation, roommates (or cabin-mates!), "just one week" agreements that go very wrong (or very right)
These MM romance books understand that heat and heart aren't mutually exclusive. You'll get swoon-worthy declarations of love AND scenes that'll make you need to fan yourself. The cruise ship setting enhances both aspects: there's something about ocean air and vacation freedom that makes everything more intense.
Spicy MM Romance: Turn Up the Heat
For readers who like their gay romance novels on the steamier side, cruise ships offer endless possibilities. Private cabins with ocean views, late-night deck encounters, hookups in hidden corners of the ship: the setting practically writes itself.
The Loveboat Experience delivers exactly what the title promises: a forbidden romance between a crew member and a passenger. This is the kind of book that explores the power dynamics and risk that come with that particular pairing. The "we absolutely shouldn't be doing this" tension combined with the intimate cruise ship setting creates maximum heat. Perfect for readers who love stories where the forbidden nature of the relationship is part of the appeal.
Perfect for: Readers who prioritize chemistry and aren't afraid of explicit content
Tropes to expect: Forbidden romance (crew/passenger), vacation hookup that gets complicated, captain/passenger power dynamics, strangers to lovers (very quickly)
These spicy MM romance novels understand that sometimes you want the heat first and the feelings follow. Or maybe the feelings were always there, just buried under layers of attraction and tension. The cruise ship becomes a pressure cooker where desire can't be ignored: especially when you keep running into each other at every turn.
Look for books that lean into the fantasy of it all. Maybe it's a buttoned-up businessman who lets loose for the first time on a gay cruise. Or a jaded crew member who's sworn off passenger romances until that guy walks aboard. The best steamy cruise ship romances use the setting to push characters out of their comfort zones and into each other's arms (and beds, and shower stalls, and private deck areas…).
Tropes That Make Waves
The best MM romance books set on cruise ships know how to use their setting to maximum effect. Here are some fan-favorite tropes that work particularly well on the high seas:
Forced Proximity: You're on a ship. In the middle of the ocean. There's literally nowhere to go when things get awkward (or heated).
Only One Bed/Cabin: Budget booking gone wrong? Last-minute changes? Doesn't matter: sharing tight quarters leads to things.
Vacation Romance: What happens on the cruise stays on the cruise… or does it?
Second Chances: Running into your ex on a gay cruise? Peak angst potential.
Fake Dating: Pretending to be boyfriends for a couples' cruise is a recipe for feelings.
Building Your Nautical TBR
Ready to set sail with some gay romance novels? Here's how to choose your next read:
If you're new to MM romance: Start with the medium-heat options that balance emotion and chemistry. Cruise to Cock Island is a great entry point: fun, low-angst, and genuinely sweet.
If you love emotional journeys: Seek out the sweet category books that focus on personal growth and healing.
If you're here for the spice: The Loveboat Experience and other high-heat options will give you exactly what you're looking for.
If you want variety: Mix it up! Read a sweet one, then a steamy one. Variety is the spice of your TBR life.
At Read with Pride, we celebrate all kinds of LGBTQ+ fiction: from heartfelt to scorching, from emotional to purely fun. The beauty of gay romance books is that there's truly something for everyone, and cruise ship settings prove that a good love story can happen anywhere (but maybe especially on a ship in the middle of the ocean with a hot guy and no escape route).
So grab your e-reader, pack your metaphorical bags, and get ready to fall in love on the high seas. These MM romance books will take you on a journey, literally and emotionally.
Where do you like your cruise ship romances to sail? Sweet and emotional or steamy and intense? Drop a comment and let us know what's on your nautical TBR!
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