A cruise is in many ways the perfect vacation. Your ship serves as hotel, restaurant, and transportation. It's economical, too, because you get the whole thing for a single prepaid fare (excluding drinks and shore tours). The 2004 (and some 2005) schedules and itineraries for the major gay/lesbian cruise companies are out and available. The three main gay/lesbian cruise companies—RSVP, Atlantis, and Olivia—are offering their old standbys and some new and exotic destinations. In addition, many straight cruise lines have become more gay friendly. So where do you want to go?
Antarctica
The prize for the most unusual gay/lesbian cruise offering goes to Olivia Cruises and Vacations. Olivia is setting sail on Dec. 28, 2004, for the really deep south—the frozen continent of Antarctica. Why December? In the Southern Hemisphere, December is the middle of the summer. The cruise, aboard the 106-passenger expedition ship Orion, features wildlife watching: whales, penguins, and a host of other cold-weather creatures. Space for this sailing is really going fast.
The Blue Caribbean
There are four gay/lesbian cruises to Caribbean ports scheduled so far for 2004:
The first cruise of the year is presented by Atlantis Vacations from Jan. 25, to Feb. 1, 2004, aboard Celebrity's Millennium. You'll start out from Ft. Lauderdale, spend an afternoon and night in San Juan, Puerto Rico, then sail for St. Thomas, Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, and spend a day on a private island before returning to Ft. Lauderdale.
RSVP, the oldest gay cruise operator in the industry, is offering a seven-day Caribbean cruise from Feb. 22-29, 2004, aboard Holland America's Oosterdam. The cruise departs from Ft. Lauderdale and stops in Costa Maya on Mexico's Yucatan coast then heads south into Central America to Santo Tomas de Castillo and Roatan, a wonderful vacation island off Honduras. On the return voyage to Ft. Lauderdale, the ship also stops in Key West. Unfortunately, this cruise is already sold out—an important reminder that it pays to book early on popular gay and lesbian cruises.
Olivia, which offers women-only cruises, has two sailings to the Caribbean in 2004. The first cruise is April 3-10, 2004, aboard Holland America's Zuiderdam. The ship departs from Key West and calls at ports in Belize, Santo Tomas de Castillo, and Cozumel before returning to Key West. A big plus on this cruise is a special night of entertainment by the Indigo Girls.
Olivia's Mayan Caribbean Cruise takes place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 6, 2004, aboard Holland America's Veendam. During stops at Playa del Carmen and Cozumel you can enjoy trips to Mayan ruins and snorkeling on gorgeous coral reefs. Another plus on this cruise is a lesbian film festival.
Mexican Riviera
Olivia heads for the Mexican Riviera from Jan. 16-23, 2004, aboard the Statendam. The cruise goes from and back to San Diego with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.
RSVP offers a similar itinerary for its seven-day Mexican Riviera Cruise from April 25 to May 2, 2004, aboard the Oosterdam.
Hawaiian Islands
Atlantis Vacations has scheduled a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands aboard the Norwegian Star from March 7-14, 2004. The ship departs from and returns to Honolulu, with stops at the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. It also features a stop at Fanning Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Europe and the Mediterranean
Olivia's Spanish Mediterranean Cruise is scheduled for Sept. 19-26, 2004. It sets out from Barcelona on the Wind Surf and stops in Nice, Tarragona, Mahon, and Porquerolles. This is an opportunity for history buffs to soak up Roman and Medieval ruins—along with lots of sun.
RSVP has chartered the Amadeus Symphony, a brand new riverboat that holds 144 guests for a European river cruise from Sept 12-19. The cruise is part of one of two tour packages. The first goes from Sept 9- 19, 2004 (sold Out; waitlist available). The second goes from Sept 9-19, 2004.
The cruise sails along the Danube through Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria with an overnight stay in Vienna aboard the riverboat . This riverboat cruise is different from the RSVP ocean cruises in that it is both a cruise and a tour.
Atlantis has announced that it will also be offering a Mediterranean cruise in 2004.
East Coast Cruise
Olivia has scheduled a Boston to Montreal Cruise from July 3-10, 2004. You'll spend the Fourth celebrating in Provincetown, Mass., then head for Prince Edward Island and French Canada, where those who choose may be legally married.
Other opportunities to cruise
Is your heart set on Alaska or some other destination not on the calendars of the main gay/lesbian cruise operators? Sometimes the cruise companies schedule more destinations as the year goes on. Check with your local gay/lesbian travel agent for new offerings.
Also, you might want to try sailing to your dream spot with a major cruise line. For a truly exotic trip consider a Yangtze River cruise. China's mighty Yangtze River flows through the heart of the land, past villages in which time has stood still for centuries, to the magnificent Three Gorges region—soon to be flooded by a dam under construction. Relax on the deck as the countryside goes by. Take day trips to fascinating places of interest.
There are plenty of cruise opportunities all over the world to suit just about everyone's interests and needs.
Your travel writer: Cynthia A. Marquard is co-owner, with Ted Lally, of Aqua Terra travel, Inc., located at 65 E. Wacker Place, Chicago IL 60601. Cynthia or Ted can be reached at 312-787-2400 or 1-800-44-ENVOY. Visit Aqua Terra Travel's Web page at: www.aquaterratravel.com .
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