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Yes, we realize that Amtrak is not a cruise line but I think we should all be proud when a large company like Amtrak decides to use a portion of the marketing dollars to support the LGBT community.
What do you think of Amtrak’s new ad campaign? Would you like to see a major cruise line launch this type of campaign? Let us know by adding your comments below.
Sun loungers beware, the cruise police might be coming after you.
Carnival Cruise Lines has announced a new program by which it will get rid of those pesky people who save lounge chairs all day but don’t actually use them. Staff members, called “team monitors,” will be patrolling the decks to make sure those towel-marked chairs actually have bums in them.
Tom Baker just informed me of this cruise of a lifetime and I thought I would share this with all of you. If you are interested, give him a call at: 800-497-8799
RCI Mariner of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has announced the repositioning of two of its Voyager Class vessels to Asia year round. Both Voyager and Mariner of the Seas will set sail to Asia to meet the demands of the growing Asia cruise market in 2012 and 2013.
Mariner of the Seas has been a perennial favorite sailing part of the year in the Caribbean and seasonally in Europe. She currently sails in the Mediterranean but spends November through April sailing from Galveston, Texas to the sunny Western Caribbean.
On April 21, 2013, this 3,500 passenger mega-ship complete with massive ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall, Johnny Rockets, Royal Promenade (mall down the middle of the ship, and oh-so much more sets sail from Galveston for a 41-day cruise to Singapore. This is basically a half-around the world cruise!
This exciting cruise heads across the warm South Atlantic to Barcelona, Egypt, Suez Canal, Jordan (for Petra-one of the 7-Wonders of the World), Dubai, India, Malaysia, and into Singapore.
Cruise devotees get your check books ready! This cruise starts at $2307.00 per person for an inside cabin, and $3,597.00 for a balcony room. All of this is just $56.00 dollars a day!! Who can afford to stay home?
Put this in perspective – a full 90-day World cruise on Queen Mary 2 in 2013 starts at $17,356.00 per person. This cruise is roughly half that length at pennies on the dollar in cost. Unbelievable? No, it is for real.
If you have the time, funds, and ability – take this cruise. Yes, beverages, taxes, tips and excursions are extra but it is still one of the best values I have ever seen.
I am working on a an excursion program for Egypt where my booked guests will have access to private and affordable excursions in Egypt (including overnight stay to maximize the most sightseeing), Luxor and Karnak, and Petra in Jordan-just to name some.
This cruise allows an avid cruiser a great port sampler to add to his “bucket list” and to get halfway around the world at a most affordable price. Hurry though…this is going to sell out and FAST!
Happy Cruising!
Tom Baker
Photo: Paul Gauguin Cruises
In December 2012, a second luxury ship, The Moana, will begin sailing under the Paul Gauguin Cruises banner. Scheduled to undergo a multifaceted renovation to be completed that month, The Moana will accommodate just 90 guests and will reflect the high standard of quality and service already established for the cruise line by the m/s Paul Gauguin.
The Moana (Tahitian for Ocean Traveler) was built in 1998 at the Alstom Leroux in St Malo, France. The ship is 330 ft in length with a 46 ft beam. The renovations include:
The Moana specializes in European, Caribbean, and Latin American destinations, with an emphasis on delivering unique itineraries that larger ships cannot offer and exploring hidden ports throughout these regions. Spacious staterooms, an onboard watersports marina, a choice of two open-seating venues, and extensive spa are among her luxurious attributes. There is simply no better way to experience Europe, the Caribbean, or Latin America than aboard this sleek and sophisticated, intimate ship
RSVP Vacations is being sued by Bel Ami and several of its models for hiring them for a cruise and then dumping them in godforsaken Tunisia.
According to court documents filed in California, nearly a dozen Slavic Bel Ami porn stars were hired by RSVP to “mix and mingle” with passengers on a gay cruise through the Mediterranean. Bel Ami maintains the models were told to keep the fact RSVP hired them on the down-low, “suggesting that the young men should lie and say the cruise was a ‘reward from Bel Ami for their hard work’ if anyone asked.” In exchange for providing the talent, RSVP told Bel Ami it could film the models frolicking non-sexually around the ship.
But rumors started circling before the boat even left port and, when the boys attracted too much attention, RSVP allegedly kicked them off the Nieuw Amsterdam, stranding them in Tunisia.
At the time, Tunisia was in the aftermath of the tumultuous civil uprising that became known as the Arab Spring; an uprising so powerful that it led to the removal of long-time President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The protests constituted the most dramatic wave of social and political unrest in Tunisia in three decades and resulted in scores of deaths and injuries.
With RSVP supposedly holding their passports and belongings hostage, the models had no choice but to comply. Ironically, the Nieuw Amsterdam was just one day away from Italy, an EU member nation that would have allowed them to easily return home to Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Instead they spent a sleepless night in Tunisia, with no contacts, no resources and unable to speak the language.
Bel Ami and the models are suing RSVP and Holland America cruise line for breach of contract, fraud, intentional interference with contract, negligence, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
This isn’t the first trouble RSVP has had in the Muslim world: Just a few weeks ago, a planned excursion to Morocco was canceled for reasons that remain unclear.
Source: GayPornGossip.com (NSFW). Photos QueerMeNow (NSFW)
If completely true as stated in this article, it does not surprised me about RSVP – which BTW is part of Atlantis Events; both fairly recently have been engaged in practices of which is NOT exactly what could be called “above board”, and/or using common sense.
Its my understanding they were having public sex and thats why they were thrown off.
John, could you inform us as to where or what source your information comes from regarding “they were having public sex and that’s why they were thrown off”?
There is a news link regarding this Bel Ami/RSVP situation that states all that is apparently known regarding this case, and without all the risque photos that so many websites seem intent on splashing all over and around this news event – and that is “The Courthouse News”.
I hope the news media – major or otherwise – will continue follow-ups regarding this unfortunate situation with Bel Ami … unfortunate indeed for those young men from Bel Ami.
As for RSVP, assuming that they did hire members of the Bel Ami team to be on board that particular cruise – and I don’t see any reason not to assume that – then RSVP had an obligation to those young Bel Ami men in the same sense that they had to any other cruise passenger on board that same cruise.
With this incident regarding the actions taken by RSVP, and not too long ago another incident of a “sexual nature” on board a Gay Cruise with Atlantis Events, I am more than ready to try something different for my next cruise.
Dave
Public sex on a Gay cruise..OMG. If this article is completely true and even if there was sex going on in the public areas. I hope that RSVP and Atlantis events gets sued and loses big time in court. There is just no excuse why they couldn’t consel them, giving them a chance, or at least kick them off in another EU country like Italy. They should have also given the poor guys their belongings and their passports. I hope they do lose because that is what I feel this company deserves. Rick D. San Diego.
Btw I’ve been on about 12 gay cruises, 2 with RSVP and 9 with Atlantis Events and I can tell you..I have seen lots of public sex! Big deal. Rick D, San Diego.
Totally in agreement with Dallin’s point of view and sentiments. Putting those guys off the ship where they were without passports or their belongings is pure spitefulness and bad juju. Shame on RSVP!
I’ve been on one Atlantis cruise but have not traveled with RSVP. To have these young porn stars on their ship just doesn’t fit their ‘brand’. I’m sure there was enough eye candy on the boat already without hiring young twinks. I’ll hold judgement on this until all the facts come out.
Believe me, some of the ‘eye candy’ is hired and that is specifically the reason they were ‘invited’ to join the cruise, from my understanding–for the photographer to do a photo shoot and in which company’s branding and promotional products do you think the shots were to appear? Photo’s of the eternally youthful men, “RSVP told Bel Ami it could film the models frolicking non-sexually around the ship”, certainly not meant to be for the exclusive use of Bel Ami.
I agree with Rick and Matthew. I have been on the cruises and worked for a cruise line. Would it not be illegal for them to hold their passports? Passports normally belong to the country that issues them so I think the cruise line and RSVP have a made an error. Usually if you are thrown off a ship your passport and belongings should be landed to the local port authority. Bad business….
Cruise ships always hold the passport of employees.
Just another one of RSVP/Atlantis’ antics to keep their rates as high as possible, not even bothering to put “on sale at a discount” the cabins that do not sell for on a cruise for which they could have had new or loyal clientele filling those unsold spaces.
Instead they, or their entertainment manager, “stage” the unsold cabins with lousy entertainers or, in this case, very young ‘models’ for the main purpose of doing a photo shoot specifically designed to prolong their brand’s lure of promoting sex, youth, and beauty to their ideal target audience; not necessarily to their most loyal cruisers.
So first of all lets talk about why RSVP felt so lame about their trip which resulted in the uh i’ll say STUPID idea to hire live props. imean come on its a cruise its a GAY cruise do we really need a bunch of hired help from the Czech rRep. to help us have a good time? I say NO !!! and kdos for the boys for filing claim against both RSVP and Holland American.. Dude just cruise and be Cruised and be happy about that. My feeling go out to thosde Boys thown off the ship in such horrible conditions and ya know what somebody need be held resposible
“godforsaken Tunisia”? As an attorney, I understand the need for the plaintiffs’ attorney to hype up the “damages”, but I feel a lot of reaction shared online about this incident has a tinge of Islamophobia that doesn’t help examine the RSVP/Holland America/Ami boys issue. Do you really think Holland America would come near that port if there was imminent danger? Did the rest of the RSVP guests stay aboard or did they continue on excursions that day?
The overturn of the Tunisian government was by far the least violent of the ensuing “Arab spring” events and many tourists continued to travel there in April after the uprising which was really a winter event. Angelina Jolie went there the first week of April, 2011. Tunisia is a beautiful country and the ruins of Carthage along the sea are spectacular and among the favorite port calls I’ve ever made.
Here is a quote from a TripAdvisor forum re: the safety of coming to Tunisia that spring:
(note they were no longer concerned about Tunisia but about trouble in neighboring Libya)
“Re: Will Libya unrest cause problems for Djerba travel?
May 17, 2011, 3:12 PM
I am in Djerba right now and I can reassure you it’s so peaceful and relaxing here, no trouble whatsoever. In fact I was more aware of the worldly troubles back home in England than i am here. They call is the isle of forgetfulness and it really is. I was anxious too before my visit and now I realise I had no reason to be at all. Relax and look forward to your holiday, you have nothing to worry about 
”
I am glad this site included the link to the actual legal complaint so I could gain more insight into this matter. For those who did not read it carefully, they were NOT kicked off without their passports. There was a brief hold of their passports for processing. After they agreed to leave the ship at the next port, albeit under duress, their passports were returned to them. I have been on several cruises during which cruise lines took the passports for processing so that is not uncommon. Hotels abroad also hold them at times – so this in itself is perfectly legal and customary in some settings.
I don’t think the boys were given a fair shake – but it doesn’t sound to me like they were thrown off in “horrible conditions” – esp. not in comparison to the couple put into a Dominican prison cell with a crowd of hostile homophobic tormentors surrounding them. There is not one shred of evidence given in the RSVP/Ami complaint about the conditions they were subjected to other than customary legal hyperbole. I do NOT think this was handled properly – but please don’t make Tunisia circa April 2011 into some horrendous war zone when that was not the case.
Going on a cruise soon? Given that the majority of cruise lines (and a few resorts) have gone to a “cashless” system, you can leave your dollars at the shore. But experts warn not to abandon your sense, too.
An onboard cashless payment system means that cruise companies, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, permit guests to keep a running tab of drinks, services, shore excursions, gratuities and souvenirs with the swipe of a key card so cruisers don’t have to open their wallet for cash for each transaction.
Read the entire story here >>>>
Costs can add up quickly when having a good time, but just because you do not have to open your wallet does not mean that you forget how to budget. First time cruisers should be especially careful, but it is important to remember that great memories do not have to cost a lot of money.
This year’s summer has brought the cruise industry to some all-time low pricing due to the possibility of yet another recession and the doom-and-gloom realities of the Greek economy and euro. No question, business is down and it is a buyers’ market except for the airline industry. Air rates remain high to Europe and even for domestic travel.
While pricing is down with Alaska Cruises on Holland America starting at $449pp, Disney Cruise lines is offering upgrades from ocean view to balcony (Disney never offers sales like this), and many cruise lines traveling to Europe including airfare (bundling this component into their pricing) to add value and get the customer to buy, there is one deal I found that stands out and was quite amazing!
Norwegian Cruise Line’s remarkable Norwegian Jade has three November and December 10-Day Mediterranean Cruises sailing from from Rome to Greece, Egypt, and Turkey from a remarkably low $499 per person. That’s $50 a day for a European Cruise including meals and entertainment. For you cruise buffs, you also know this is likely one of the finest ships sailing in Europe. One cannot go to Rome and have a pizza and bottle of house wine in a trattoria for $50. On top of this, there is a special added value by CruiseCenter offering a $50 onboard spending credit …now…’That’s Amore!’
IS IT SAFE TO GO TO EUROPE?
Yes. The media is killing not only the worldwide economy with doom-and-gloom but making certain places in Europe sound like they are imploding on themselves. The protests have stopped in Greece and it is “business as usual” . I have just returned from Athens and the Greek Islands this year-all without any incident whatsoever. I have personally traveled to Spain, Greece, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland and Europe is welcoming travelers with open arms. I was surprised while in Barcelona with news of 25% unemployment that this city seemed to be a total “boom” town. I can tell you assuredly – life is quite good for travelers in Europe. If you can, go now. The deals for cruise vacations are remarkable!
Organizers of an all-gay cruise on Saturday blamed Moroccan officials for the cancellation of what would have been the first visit of its kind to a Muslim country, but the tourism minister denied the ship was banned and said its passengers were welcome.
Cruise liner Holland America Line and trip organiser RSVP Vacations told the 2,100 holiday-makers aboard the MS Nieuw Amsterdam ship that the July 1 visit to Casablanca had been cancelled.
MeetMeOnBoard member Eric Potter recently sat down with us for a Skype interview. Eric has been a singer/entertainer onboard cruise ships for the last two years and will soon be heading back to Europe to join the Grand Princess.
Photo: Viking River Cruises
In Europe, where waterways were the roadways of the pre-automobile past, major cities from Amsterdam to Vienna reside on rivers. Centuries after those rivers were supplanted by railways and highways as main thoroughfares, there is renewed interest in traveling on them: at least 11 new river cruise ships are launching this year, and a similar number is expected next year. Over the last five years, many lines have doubled their capacity.
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Tad, 
Dave Cantrall, 
Lance and 7 others are discussing. 
Robert is discussing.
James Gordon 5:34 pm on August 6, 2012 Permalink |
I would appreciate the full itinerary for this 41-Day cruise and any suggestions for the Singapore-San Francisco flight.
Thanks.