Come sail away

DO you cruise?

Have you ever wanted to try the “cruising life” and felt that other gay-themed cruises are not quite your cup of tea?

If you want to be pampered on your next holiday, relaxing on a tropical beach by day and enjoying the best dining afloat with friends each night, then the second Island Fruits Tropical Cruise is perfect for you.

Don’t expect the usual over-the-top craziness of many other gay cruises, as this one is unique and designed for a broader appeal.

Providing the opportunity to travel with a fun group of like-minded people, the Island Fruits Tropical Cruise is a hosted gay group with your very own personal “cruise director” to look after you and guide you on how to get the most out of your holiday.

Departing Sydney on November 26 on the Celebrity Solstice, guests will cruise the South Pacific for nine days to New Caledonia, visiting a trio of fabulous — and perhaps fruity — islands.

Cruise highlights include visiting the French-Pacific city of Noumea, as well as the famous Isle of Pines and beautiful Lifou. There’s also amazing hospitality venues on the ship including a “molecular” cocktail bar, specialty dining venues, day spas, casino, gym, pools, cabaret lounge, a full production theatre, entertainment and over 100 brands of vodka.

The Island Fruits Topical Cruise is presented by two fabulous gay businesses: Out and About Travel and Points of Difference Events. These companies bring their skills and expertise together to create a unique gay experience. In addition to the scheduled activities on the ship, the producers have also added a special layer of gay fabulousness, which includes activities like a pre-departure soiree in Sydney, exclusive “welcome aboard” themed cocktail party, exclusive group excursions in Noumea that includes lunch and local gay guide, an evening “tropical paradise” themed pool party, daily group catch-ups and dining, an on-board cruise director and host, plus a few surprises.

“I’m so excited to be cruising again and having upgraded our trip to the amazing Celebrity Solstice, this is much more an ‘adults cruise’.” says event organiser and host, Adam Bold from Points of Difference Events.

“Previous cruises have been on family-oriented ships, whereas Celebrity are much more sophisticated and appealing to our gay clientele. I’ve visited the ship a number of times now and I’m very impressed with the quality of the decor and facilities. With our added ‘gay layer’ of special events, the ship really is ‘fit for a queen’.”

Beyond 2015, Adam has advised there are more cruises in the pipeline, with planned itineraries visiting Hawaii and Tahiti, plus a separate cruise to Bali and Singapore via Australia’s top end.

The Island Fruits Topical Cruises are small hosted gay groups travelling together aboard a standard Celebrity cruise. Vacationers get to experience all the quality service of the ship while travelling with a group of like-minded people and the addition of the “gay layer” to scheduled activities.

With winter almost upon us, now is the perfect time to book your summer cruise to have something special to look forward to after the colder months.

Island Fruits Tropical Cruise

When: Thursday, November 26 to Friday, December 4

Where: New Caledonia (departing from and returning to Sydney)

Cost: Prices start from $1,779 per person twin share for nine days, which includes accommodation, meals, entertainment and the special “gay layer” activities

Bookings and details: Click here or call Adam (your cruise director) on 0412 358 249