Gay Caribbean Cruise – RSVP’s 25th Anniversary

We celebrated E’s significant birthday and a romantic Valentine’s Day by taking a gay cruise with RSVP Vacations. We sailed on Holland America's newest ship– the Nieuw Amsterdam– for seven days through the Western Caribbean. The cruise set sail from Ft. Lauderdale and included the ports Costa Maya, Puerto Cortez, Roatan and Cozumel. The first and last days were at sea.

This was the first time we’ve been on a larger gay cruise. It was a blast to spend the week in the company of 2100 other gay men. In the past, we have done 3 smaller cruises. (Read previous cruise trips here: 1, 2, 3) We both feel that unless there is a compelling reason, it is highly unlikely we would do a straight cruise.

We found the gay cruise to be relaxing, entertaining, fun and completely enjoyable. In fact, we signed up to do the RSVP cruise the same week next year when sails a different itinerary in the Eastern Caribbean.

We chose early on not to do any of the shore excursions. Our plan was to relax around the ship’s pool reading trashy gay novels and looking at guys during the day. Late afternoons and evenings would be spent going to the many dances and entertainment shows.

Others on board choose to do the daytime excursions that included touring Mayan ruins, snorkeling, scuba diving, nature hikes, zip-line adventure trips and beach outings. Other options on the ship included a day spa, workout gym, computer lab, private cabanas, culinary arts center, piano bar and shops and casino (when at sea). There was much to choose from.

The entertainers that RSVP Vacations brought on the cruise were outstanding. The headline act was Debbie Gibson. To be honest, we were not familiar with her late 80’s/early 90’s hits or career but she won us over with a dynamite show of her pop hits and Broadway covers. The three male backup dancers she brought were also a sensation. They socialized with everyone on the ship for the rest of the week. Other entertainers we enjoyed were lesbian comic Sabrina Matthews, two comic hosts: Danny Williams and Paul J. Williams, club/dance and cabaret singer Pamela Stanley, Chicago cabaret team of Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen and NYC favorites Michael Holland & Karen Mack (aka Gashole).

RSVP hosted 10 parties and events. We participated and attended most of them. The fun started with a Bon Voyage Party where all wore a T-Shirt from one’s hometown. Throughout the week there were different themed afternoon tea dances and late night dances: 80’s Let’s Get Physical T-dance, Boxers or Briefs Underwear party, anything goes costume dance party, bear dance party, leather/uniform party, and an orange colored outfit theme party. For these dances, we packed outfits we put together prior to the cruise. While our outfits were appropriate and simple, others brought the most elaborate and detailed costumes imaginable. Additional events that we didn’t participate in included: a drag swimsuit pageant, “The Sound of Music” Sing-a-Long, and country dancing lessons.

Gay cruises are a great way to feel part of a diverse community. Next year we hope we can talk some of our local friend to travel with us and meet our cruising buddies.