Petra, One of the 7 Wonders of the World
January 25th, 2019 10:54 pm
I had the extreme joy of visiting Petra, in the land of Jordan, this past May 2018.  What a WONDER!  I have wanted to see it ever since Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  It is special and the entire tour, from Tel Aviv, was a LONG day, but, so worth it.

View my entire photo album here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10156127637921469&type=1&l=7dbb4dfe00
 
No Fees on Cruises and Tours
April 17th, 2018 5:51 pm
Did you know that travel agents make a living on commission? When you book your Atlantis, RSVP, or ANY gay or straight cruise (or tour) they give us a small commission for bringing you to them .  It NEVER COSTS YOU MORE to book with us than it does to book directly.  All the specials that the cruise lines send you we can use for you as well. 
 
Not only does it cost you the same, but, by using me to help you are spreading around the wealth.  Without me, the cruise company gets richer and richer. With me, The cruise company still gets richer and richer, but, I get to eat and buy clothes.
  
PLUS, when you book with me you get my great service.
PLUS, when you book with me you get the access to hotels, insurance, etc. One stop shop!
PLUS, when you book with me you get 25 years of experience with me personally
PLUS, literally thousands of years experience with TravelEdge our parent agency.
PLUS, I can help you find the best deals available and get you booked as soon as possible.
PLUS, when you book with me I always try and send a little gift as a "thank you".  

You should have a choice in who you book your travels through. Unfortunately, when you book directly with Atlantis or RSVP you cannot use a travel agent anymore (must stop with them for three years to again be able to use an agent). I don't like the policy, but, can't do anything about it but advise you of their policy.  If you want control of your holidays, book with me! 

In this world it can be hard to make a living. I'm very thankful I've been able to enjoy my work and been able to live comfortably.  I always tell people that as a travel agent I'll never get rich, but, there are a lot more important things than money. Loving what I do is worth much more than wealth.

I hope you will think of me when you're ready to take another vacation and keep me from starving. Ha ha. Thanks, again, for 25 years of allowing me the joy of helping you with your travels.
Tom Stephens
714-321-0700
Tom@CruisingWithPride.com
Best Atlantis Cruise Ever
January 29th, 2018 5:55 am
Now, for the very very good news of the cruise...

Coming on board was wonderful. I walked about 5 miles from my hotel. I walk every day and it was easy with the rollers today.
The traffic was aweful, so, on foot was perfect.  Got my exercise out of the way and got there just as they were starting to let us on board. 
As soon as we got on, a few clients that I travel with a lot, went to the buffet lunch in the Windjammer. It's a great buffet.  Always a nice selection and always very clean. 
The restaurants on board are great. Great food in the main dining room. I tried Izumi, Central Park 150, and Wonderland.  Izumi has these lobster rolls that are amazing and we had some noodle soups and other sushis.  For three it was about $75. Well worth it for the experience. Central Park 150 is beautiful. Had some lovely food.  Most memorable though, was Wonderland. A magical dining experience. Well worth the $50 price tag. Here are some pictures to give you an idea, though, no picture can describe the tastes... 


 
Drug Users On Atlantis
January 29th, 2018 5:43 am
I just got off the Atlantis Harmony Caribbean Cruise.  It made the news, sadly, because a "celebrity" overdosed and died on board. http://www.tmz.com/2018/01/25/storm-chasers-joel-taylor-death-investigation-dropped-by-fbi/

It's the most horrible thing when someone loses their life for such a dumb reason. There was a lot of drug use going on. It's not the cruise lines or the tour operators fault. Drug users are just idiots. They overdose all the time. Their friends are idiots, too. I helped two others on the cruise who were overdosing. Their friends just left them alone and went off to party. They were overdosing and their friends left them. That is NOT a friend. That's what happened to this guy. Their friends took him to his room while he was overdosing and left him alone while he died. It's not their fault, but, friends gotta have each others backs. Where is the love today? 
I'm not proud that so many are lost in our community due to drub abuse.  There is help. We don't need to debase ourselves.  Get help. This is where I go www.gaychristian101.com but you might try www.aa.com or call your mom.  Remember this fact, the only drug that never killed anyone is pot. People need to legalize it everywhere and stay alive. The high is best. Drinking is ok, too, but, too much of that kills, too, don't forget. 

Next blog,  the very great part of taking all gay cruises...
Gay Group Cruises. What they are all about.
October 11th, 2017 11:42 pm

The concept behind Gay Group Cruises is to provide LGBT travelers with the company and comfort of other LGBT travelers from throughout North America and the world. These Group Cruises are not all-gay charters like RSVP or Atlantis, etc., which do not always fit into the lifestyle, itinerary or schedule of many gay travelers. The gay group cruises we offer include a variety of itineraries aboard a variety of ships with a variety of accommodations, offering fine service on the major cruise lines. Focus is on VARIETY.  We are a varied community and we deserve a variety of options.

Your gay group cruise vacation can offer all the luxuries of a cruise, with these added amenities:

Special functions: Depending on the cruise and size of the group, enjoy a variety of exclusive events with your fellow gay vacationers such as, private happy hour bar, private games, your own special gay host...
Exclusive welcome aboard cocktail party. Meet and enjoy the company of your fellow gay travelers on the first evening of your cruise. (minimum participation required)
Pre-arranged group dining: We arrange for you to dine in the company of the group.
Hope to see you on a gay group cruise someday soon! 
Tom 714-321-0700
Tom@cruisingwithpride.com


Tom, on a recent gay group cruise...

Atlantis vs. RSVP All Gay Cruises
July 12th, 2017 10:29 pm
Having been on lots and lots of both RSVP and Atlantis cruises, there really are some big differences.  This is a quick reference guide when thinking about which you choose.  As always, each cruise has a different personality, and they vary by degree, but, here's what I've found are the most common differences:

1. Party time
    Atlantis tends to go later, often to 4am, (and then for those who haven't danced enough, with an after hours club).
    RSVP only goes to about 2am.  

2. Party types
    Atlantis tends to have more of the "Circuit Party" types, muscle men, twinks.  Average age is actually mid 40's. Caribbean and
    Mexico cruises skew a little younger, Europe, Asia, Australia, So. America tend to skew a little older.
    RSVP tends to have more bears, daddies, mature men. Average age is mid-50's.
    Of course, there are always a wide range of ages and types on board and, generally speaking, most everyone is friendly.

3. Party themes
    RSVP always has their big costume party toward the end of the cruise, and Atlantis always has their big White Party.
    Atlantis always does a Disco T-dance, Military welcome party and then other themes vary.  RSVP always has a "where you      
    from" welcome party, leather party and then other various themes.  Again, the Atlantis parties are higher energy than the RSVP
    parties. On either one, though, the music is always great, with top name D.J.'s, lights, and always some fun surprises.

4. Singles vs. couples
    Both RSVP and Atlantis have about an equal amount of singles and couples.  They make every effort for singles to meet other 
    singles, with fun dinners, pre-dinner cocktail gatherings, etc.  Couples experience a freedom not found in the real world.      
    Walking around holding hands, stealing a kiss, checking out hot guys, and enjoying life, free from hostility from the rest of the
    world is a wonderful experience. 
 
5. Women are always welcome on RSVP and Atlantis.  They both have very few women, with RSVP maybe having a little more.
     You won't usually find more than 5% of women on either.

Other than these differences, the biggest difference will be the ship, destination and itinerary.  These, of course, vary greatly with RSVP doing Alaska every two or three years, Atlantis doing Australia/New Zealand, Asia, South America every two or three years.   They both always have one or two Caribbean cruises and Atlantis does big ships to Europe in the summer while RSVP usually does a few Small Ship River Cruises.  

As always, with any vacation, it's all what you make it.  Atlantis and RSVP do all they can to make sure you have a great trip and I will do everything I can to make your journey before the vacation as hassle free as possible.
I hope when you book your all gay cruise you'll book with me.
Thanks! 
Tom Stephens
tom@cruisingwithpride.com
714-321-0700
See the entire RSVP and Atlantis Gay Cruise Calendar here http://cruisingwithpride.com/all_gay_cruises.html

RSVP GUESTS

 Atlantis Events Guests
It's Crystal Clear
May 31st, 2017 4:26 am
After more than 100 cruises and counting, I've finally sailed on Crystal Cruises. I had the pleasure of sailing on the Crystal Serenity in May and it is WORTH IT. I've sailed on Celebrity, Disney, Cunard, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, Carnival, Windjammer, and Amadeus and they all pale in comparison. No better service. No better cuisine. No better inclusions. INCLUDEDS: All meals, including 2 nights in their specialty restaurants, all drinks, fine wine, champagne, top shelf, martinis, soda, coffees, afternoon teas. Room service. TIPS INCLUDED! Booking with our agency usually gets you a few hundred dollars in on board credits. I got a massage and it was one of the best ever on a cruise.  They call it "All Exclusive".  
The only draw backs, I'd say, is that the shops are VERY expensive and there's not even a sundry shop, which I found odd. Of course, if you need anything, they have it on board and would probably give it to you.

Highlights: Amadeus Afternoon High Tea, with special music and delicious delights.  
Spa: Quiet. Included. Dry sauna and steam room, separate from women's side.  Almost nobody ever in there.  
Great entertainment: One of the original members of The 5th Dimension was our special guest entertainer.  
FOOD:  ALL OF IT. Most Amazing meals in Prego and Nobu's Silk Road and the dining room meals were best ever. And even their buffets were perfect.  
Staff: Best staff. Attentive, friendly, courteous.  

Honestly, I cannot wait to go on another Crystal Cruise!  Who wants to join me!?
Tom Stephens
Cruising With Pride
tom@cruisingwithpride.com
714-321-0700
Most Wonderful Time of the Year
November 29th, 2016 1:52 am
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hannukah and Blessed Festivus!

​I love this time of year! People are shopping and feasting and partying and praising Jesus and looking forward to Santa and giving gifts to each other to show how much they care for each other. I love, especially, and am thankful daily, for being born and raised in Southern California. I stay home for the winter. It's in the mid-60's, which is cold to me, but, not to most folks in America and the world. 
​So, if you're in a colder climate and want to thaw out a little, be sure to contact me. I can help you with cruises, tours, packages, hotels.  And when you book these things there is NEVER A FEE. 
​Hope you enjoy your holidays, at home or away, knowing that you are loved.
​Tom Stephens
Cruising With Pride
​714-321-0700
​800-477-1088
​Always thankful for Santa's little helpers