Luxury LGBT Cruise to Explore the Southern Caribbean

Mark Thompson READ TIME: 2 MIN.

HOUSTON, Texas - Concierge Travel, the largest gay-owned and operated travel agency and tour operator in the state of Texas, announced that it will offer a cruise to the Southern Caribbean on the luxurious Royal Clipper February 22 - March 1, 2014.

This will be the first time Concierge Travel has chartered the Royal Clipper, which has the proud distinction of being the largest and only five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship built since her predecessor was launched at the beginning of the last century. With a capacity of 227 guests, the Royal Clipper offers an expansive deck, three swimming pools and a four-deck configuration where guests can mingle and explore.

Setting sail from Barbados, the Royal Clipper will be exploring the exotic beauty of the Southern Caribbean. The cruise will call on seven ports including Isla Margarita, Venezuela, a beautiful Caribbean island rarely included on all-gay cruise itineraries. In addition, the ship will call on St. George's, Grenada; Tobagos Cays, Grenadines; Kingston, St. Vincent; Admiralty Bay, Bequia; Marigot Bay and Soufriere, St. Lucia.

This is the first time since 2008 that a gay cruise has chartered the Royal Clipper. "Our customers tell us that they really enjoy the intimate, small ship experience that a clipper ship offers, and we're excited to offer them a new itinerary on a new ship," said Kim Gustavsson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Concierge Travel.

"We'll be visiting some of the most beautiful and charming islands of the Caribbean, and there's no better way to do it than on a romantic clipper ship like the Royal Clipper."

In August 2012, Concierge travel sailed on its first all-gay European sailing ship cruise - to the Greek Isles and Turkey - and in March 2011 it offered a Costa Rica and Panama cruise. Both cruises took place on the Star Flyer, the smaller sister ship of the Royal Clipper.

Founded in 1997, Concierge Travel is a boutique, gay-owned travel agency and tour operator that creates intimate, customized experiences for its LGBT guests on its own exclusive small-ship cruises and land tours. Concierge Travel also believes strongly in supporting the gay and lesbian community, and donates 20 percent of its total net travel revenue annually to important LGBT organizations.

Available staterooms start at $1,395.00 per person plus port and grats based on double occupancy. Airfares, transfers, gratuities, and port fees are additional.

For reservations for the Royal Clipper cruise as well as details on any other Concierge Travel vacations please contact Concierge Travel directly at 877.775.9616.

For more detailed information, please visit the website at www.conciergetravel.cc or keep up to date with Concierge Travel on Facebook at www.facebook.com/conciergetravel


by Mark Thompson , EDGE Style & Travel Editor

A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.

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