La Démence Cruise 2014, discovery cruise in the Mediterranean

Dec. 03 2013

by misterb&b

From July 19 to 26, La Démence will sail again, for the 4th consecutive year. And just like in July 2012, the European gay cruise sets sail from the port of Marseilles on board the Zenith, a 720 cabin ship, fully renovated during the coming winter

In three editions, the La Démence gay cruise has emerged as one of the major gay events of European summer. It was launched in 2011 by the promoter of La Démence, Europe’s oldest gay party, and it immediately received a very positive echo in the clubbing scene which missed a gay cruise of their taste.

A tea dance in the sun, nightly shows, afternoon pool or jacuzzi, after parties at sunrise, costumed parties under the stars… Get ready for a week of intense holiday, with the sound of the greatest La Démence DJs.

This cruise is also an opportunity to discover new destinations. The highlight of the 2013 edition was the two day stop in Tel Aviv during a vibrant gay pride. In 2014, the cruise offers a new route in the Mediterranean with amazing stops in Italy, France and Spain.

Il will all start on July 19 in Marseille. As 2013 European Capital of Culture, Marseille has changed a lot: renovation of the Old Port, opening of great contemporary buildings such as the magnificent MuCEM , the Museum of Civilization in Europe and the Mediterranean.

There is no real gay neighborhood in Marseille, but you will enjoy the days before departure and visit some of the citiy’s best gay venues such as the Cargo sauna, the New Cancan club or take a ride to rocky Mont Rose beach, the area's main gay beach.

After a day at sea, passengers will first stop in Porto Venere in the Gulf of Genoa on the Riviera di Levante. This beautiful Italian fishing village with tall houses tight against each other, hung along steep slopes, is one of the treasures of the National Park of Cinque Terre, a Unesco World Heritage. Porto Venere and its magnificent views of the Mediterranean is particularly famous for the underwater cave where British poet Lord Byron used to meditate.

The Zenith will then head South-West towards the extreme south of Corsica, with a stop at the foot of the monumental cliffs of Bonifacio. A short distance from Sardinia, perched on white limestone outcrop, the walled city offers breathtaking views of the turquoise sea. The site is really unique.

Then, another day at sea towards the Balearics. The Zenith will dock the next day at noon in Palma, the capital city of the archipelago and main town of the island of Majorca. The eighth largest city in Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the country. Behind the 30 km long bay you will find the old town with its shady streets and the majestic cathedral or the Castell de Bellver.

Majorca has a few gay beaches (Es Trenc and El Mago for example) and a lot of gay venues to be visited by the passengers before the ship's departure in the evening of July 24. Note that one of the island’s gay clubs is called ... La Demence!

Finally the ship will be heading North for a last stop on the island of Menorca, in Port Mahon, the second deepest port in the world after Pearl Harbour. Menorca is the most preserved of the Balearic island and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO since 1993. All European civilizations are here to be found, Romans , Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs, Carthaginians. Along the South of the island, you will find multiple coves and isolated beaches facing transparent waters  under a blue sky washed by  local winds. Menorca has more beaches than Majorca and Ibiza combined. According to a legend, the French invented mayonnaise on the island in the 18th century.

On the evening of  July 25, the ship will set sail and return back to Marseilles.

Here's a summary of the 2013 edition:

And a great one hour film to fully discover this gay event:

Find more information on La Démence Cruise official website

(Updated on January 30, 2020)