Hi all! Things are full steam ahead with the upcoming Rainbow Readers Cruise and I am excited to share some updates, including some new authors/narrators on board, as well as why we chose the LGBTQ+ friendly Celebrity as our cruise line for this event.
First off, for those unfamiliar with the event, the Rainbow Readers Cruise celebrates the readers and creators of LGBTQ+ fiction and romance. It will be four days and five nights aboard the Celebrity Reflection. The cruise departs from the Port of Fort Lauderdale on August 19, 2024 and returns August 23, 2024, with stops at Key West and Coco Cay (Celebrity’s private island). Along the way, we have planned all kinds of fun events, including the chance to meet and mingle with some of your favorite LGBTQ+ fiction and romance authors and creators, as well as attend panels, meet and greets, small group social activities, and the Signing at Sea. Plus, the cruise itself! Which includes fabulous destinations, food and drinks, entertainment, and more. You can find out more details on our Announcing the Rainbow Readers Cruise post and on the website at https://www.rainbowreaderscruise.com/.
Joel, Rich, and I wanted to share a little more about why we chose Celebrity as the cruise line for this event. Not only is Celebrity Cruises a top notch cruise line that Rich and Joel have a lot of experience with, they are an incredible, LGBTQ+ friendly company! Celebrity Cruises has been embracing the LGBTQ+ community for years, going above and beyond to create an inclusive environment for their employees and customers. In early 2018, Celebrity hosted the first legal same sex marriage at sea and is proud to continue to offer legal same-sex weddings officiated aboard by the ships Captain. There have been hundreds of legal, same-sex weddings onboard Celebrity ships.
As Regional Marketing Manager Alexandra Whitesell, likes to say, “We have walked the walk for a really long time.” From having same-sex marriages on their ships to providing support services to LGBTQ staff members, the company proudly waves its rainbow flag. In 2016, Celebrity Cruises was declared LGBTQ+ Friendly Travel Company of the year by TTG Travel Awards. And for the past four years, Celebrity has won the title of Best Large Ship Cruise Line for LGBTQ+ Passengers at the Cruizie Awards. Based in Miami, the Celebrity brand takes an active role in Miami Beach Pride, sponsoring the large pride event and having been involved for years.
Celebrity hosts a variety of LGBTQ+ events onboard, including popular LGBTQ+ welcome parties open to all guests fleet wide taking place on the first night of almost every cruise. This event is a great ice breaker and opportunity for people to meet. In addition to the welcome party, Celebrity also hosts various LGBTQ+ events and social hours onboard; and each June, Celebrity Cruises hosts an annual Pride Party at Sea. Every ship takes part in the celebration that brings the crew and guests together to honor and celebrate Pride.
Even though we know that attendees of the Rainbow Readers Cruise will be from all walks of life, it was important to us to host the event with a cruise line that clearly aligns with the values that many in the LGBTQ+ community hold dear. Celebrity certainly has proven their colors in this area!
We are also super excited about our incredible lineup of authors and narrators. You can check out the full list on the cruise Authors and Creators page. And today I’m thrilled to announce we have four more additions to our fabulous group. We are so excited to welcome….
Alice Winters
Kirt Graves
Chloe Archer
S Bolanos
We hope to have more author and narrator announcements soon, so keep your eyes open and be sure to check out the Cruise FB Group.
We hope that you can join us next year on this great adventure! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
