Tennessee GLBT community set to cruise the high seas in February

Sail the high seas with “Out & About Newspaper” and “Inside Out Nashville” on the Costa Mediterranea, Feb. 25 to March 4, 2007.

Ports of Call Sunday Ft. Lauderdale, FL Monday At sea Tuesday San Juan (Puerto Rico) Wednesday St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands) Thursday Catalina Island (Dominican Republic) Friday Casa De Campo (Dominican Republic) Saturday Nassau (Bahamas) Sunday Ft. Lauderdale, FL  

It is the first time two local GLBT publications have teamed up to offer their readers a chance to socialize and cruise together on an exclusive ship.

“O&AN” and “iOut” have teamed up with Richards Entertainment to offer the special package, with prices starting at $820. The seven-day cruise will leave Sunday, Feb. 25 from Fort Lauderdale and travel to San Juan (Puerto Rico), St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands), Catalina Island (Dominican Republic), Casa De Campo (Dominican Republic), and Nassau (Bahamas).

A special “welcome aboard” cocktail party will await “O&AN” and “iOut” readers, offering them complimentary drinks, games and prizes. One night during the cruise a special GLBT disco dance night will await shipmates. Cabin space and dinning space have been reserved exclusively for “O&AN” and “iOut” readers.

“This is not an exclusive gay cruise, however rooms and dinning space have been reserved exclusively for ‘Out & About Newspaper’ and ‘Inside Out Nashville’ readers,” explained Jerry Jones, “O&AN” publisher. “We are excited to be able to team up with our weekly media partner and Richards Entertainment to offer this exceptional cruise.”

If you are a country music fan, for an additional $375, you’ll have the chance to enjoy special performances by Collin Raye, the Bellamy Brothers, Mel Tillis, Scooter Lee, along with Canadian country stars Rick Henry and Peter Myles. The “country cruise” package includes concerts, afternoon dance lessons with instructors from around the United States and Canada, evening dance parties, country karaoke, Country Cruise 2007 T-Shirt, question and answers session with the stars along with a meet and greet and an autograph session.

“Either package [the “O&AN/iOut” or the country cruise) will allow you to enjoy theater shows, contests, special dance events, games, and the luxuries of a first class cruise ship,” explained Kevin Richards, owner of Richards Entertainment. “We’re looking forward to having a very diverse international group onboard the ship.”

The ship, the Costa Mediterranea, has a unique personality inspired by Italy’s 17th and 18th century palazzos and castles. The decks are dedicated to mythology in the Mediterranean Sea, with the Maschera d’Argento Atrium spanning 10 decks high featuring an incredible sculpture of dancers’ suspended mid-air.

“This unique Costa fleet boat is reminiscent of an aristocratic Sicilian palace,” Richards said. “The two-level Degli Argentieri Restaurant is adorned with exquisite objects d'art and frescos. The interior spaces on board this 86,000 ton Costa fleet ship are truly an expression of an inimitable, unique style.”

A $250 deposit is required. Prices are set to increase after Sept. 15, 2006. This special and exclusive package is not available through any travel agent. For more information on pricing, click here. For more information or to book your cruise, call Toll Free 1-888-403-0071.