We had so many amazing ideas!! It was really difficult to narrow it down to one but we selected one idea that we loved and it captured many other ideas in one theme:

WINNER: JACQUI SUNDQUIST

“AUTHENTIC ALASKA”
Dress as your favorite Alaskan, mammal, landmark, everything Alaska /anything goes

Sarah Palin & Family
Fur Trader
Alaskan King Club
Gold Miner
Wildlife

RUNNER UP:
(we added a runner up as we will have this party too!)
winner gets R Family Alaska Tees for their family/cabin

“DRESS AS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL CHARACTER”
Ivy Stein

We will announce the other theme night as well as evening dress next week!!

I’m a single man in my 30s and I traveled with r family twice now. What a blast! At first I was a bit concerned that I would stand out because I didn’t have kids (and I wasn’t sure I wanted to be around so many children). The funny thing is that most of the time I was on a different schedule than the families, so it was much more like a gay adult cruise rather than a family cruise. I always ate at the late seating, went to the late show and then, to the bar to dance. I met a plenty of single (and normal) guys on the ship. I also had a blast with Susan Powter’s yoga in the morning. I’ve been on all gay men cruises and I enjoyed that too. This is just a more relaxed and a different way of fun. I am going to Alaska! –Jeff, 35, Philadelphia, PA

**Caroline Rhea - Stand-up Comedian and Actress
**R Family Belters Show featuring cast memebers from Wicked, Les Miserables, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chicago, and Xanadu (Seattle’s very own Cheyenne Jackson)
**Emmy-award winner Judy Gold’s “Mommy Queerest”
**Comedians Jessica Kirson (Last Comic Standing) and Seth Rudetsky (Sirius Radio and author)
**Ross Mathews (The Tonight Show, Celebrity Fit Club, and The Insider)
**The entire Broadway cast from “Title of Show”
**Performance from members of GALA choruses from all over the U.S.
**Seattle Gay Men’s Chorus famous “Captain Smarty Pants”
**NYC Piano Bar with Brian Nash and Kate Pazakis
**Original Circuit DJ (and gay dad) David Knapp
**DJ “Cuban Pete
**Cabaret Bar with Julia Murney (Elpheba in Wicked)
**Fitness Guru Susan Powter
**R Mazing Race with Kynt & Vyxsin (The Amazing Race)
**Erin Lee & Marci (r favorite children’s band)
**The Derek & Romaine Show (Sirius Radio)

… plus much, much more!!!

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE AND R FAMILY VACATIONS 
SET SAIL FOR ALASKA ON BOARD NORWEGIAN STAR

Summer Cruise to Alaska Celebrates Freedom, Family and Friendship

MIAMI – March 13, 2009 – Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is continuing its successful partnership with R Family Vacations, the premier family-friendly vacation specialists catering to the gay and lesbian community led by travel entrepreneurs Gregg Kaminsky and Kelli O’Donnell.  This year, R Family Vacations is offering a summer adventure cruise to Alaska aboard the 2,240-passenger Norwegian Star from July 11-18, 2009, roundtrip from Seattle.  This Alaska cruise is the seventh time in five years that NCL has hosted R Family Vacations and their guests on board one of its ships.

“NCL is all about offering guests freedom and flexibility on our ships,” said Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice president of global sales and passenger services.  “With R Family Vacations’ charters, that freedom and flexibility is taken to the next level with their inclusive approach and top-quality entertainment.  We are pleased to welcome R Family Vacations on board Norwegian Star and to show their guests the beauty of Alaska with NCL’s Freestyle Cruising.”

The seven-day Sawyer Glacier cruise departs Seattle on July 11, 2009 and sails to Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.  The cruise is on sale now and can be booked by calling R Family Vacations at 866-732-6822.  More information can be found at www.rfamilyvacations.com.  Cruises are priced from $849 per person, based on double occupancy.

NCL’s Freestyle Cruising provides guests flexibility and freedom with no set dining times, dining partners or dress codes.  With Freestyle Cruising, R Family Vacations’ guests may create each day to satisfy their personal tastes and vacation goals.

“NCL is really the perfect cruise line for our style of cruising.  Our guests love the casual dress and the freedom to dine wherever and whenever they choose.   R Family Vacations is all about freedom.  Our cruises are the most inclusive cruises out there and I can assure you that everyone feels welcome on our vacations.  We are thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with NCL and look forward to offering more destinations aboard this innovative fleet,” said Gregg Kaminsky, R Family Vacations co-founder.

Guests will appreciate Norwegian Star’s deluxe range of choices in staterooms, many with ocean views and balconies, in addition to an array of plush and artfully appointed suites and villas.  The ship features 12 restaurants, nine bars and lounges, a dynamic casino, a spa and fitness center. Among the many on-board activities are two glimmering pools, a basketball court, golf driving net and jogging/walking track.

R Family Vacations is known for their top-tier entertainment and programming.   This year, the entertainment line-up includes:

·        Caroline Rhea, stand-up comedian and actress;

·        R Family’s Belters Show featuring Broadway cast members from Wicked, Les Miserables, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chicago, and Xanadu;

·        Emmy-award winner Judy Gold’s “Mommy Queerest;”

·        Comedians Jessica Kirson (Last Comic Standing) and Seth Rudetsky (Sirius Radio and author);

·        Ross Mathews (The Tonight Show, Celebrity Fit Club, and The Insider);

·        NYC Piano Bar with Brian Nash;

·        “Original Circuit DJ” (and gay father) David Knapp;

·         A performance from members of GALA choruses from all over the U.S., including the Seattle Gay Men’s Chorus famous “Captain Smarty Pants.”

           The Family Equality Council led by Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler is organizing educational workshops and discussions including seminars on gay adoption, surrogacy, gay marriage and a teen panel.  R Family also offers fun-filled themed deck parties, fitness lectures and classes and Rosie’s Broadway Kids, which gives guests the opportunity to learn a Broadway routine and perform it in the ship’s theater.

“As a GLBT parent, our cruises are a perfect way for my kids to spend time with families just like their own.  Also, my straight friends and family also sail with us and find that it’s a vacation that they know everyone feels welcome and they can enjoy entertainment only offered on our cruise.  Of course, kids are not required and our biggest growth has been our GLBT guests who like the mixed atmosphere and not so focused on all-night parties,” said Kelli O’Donnell, R Family Vacations co-founder.

About R Family Vacations

R Family Vacations is the premier GLBT family brand and the first gay cruise company that caters to both the gay and lesbian community.   In 2006, R Family was profiled in HBO’s documentary titled, “All Aboard! Rosie’s Family Cruise,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and garnered two Emmy nominations and a GLAAD award.  Everyone is welcome on R Family Vacations:  Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Older, Young (kids included).   R Family Vacations was originally founded by Rosie and Kelli O’Donnell and travel entrepreneur Gregg Kaminsky.  To reserve your stateroom, call 212-703-2486 or visit www.rfamilyvacations.com.

About NCL

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is the innovator in cruise travel with a 42-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility. 

Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea. 

NCL is presently building Norwegian Epic, a new third generation Freestyle Cruising ship, for delivery in 2010.

High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.com/pressroom.  For further information on NCL, visit www.ncl.com or contact NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (866) 234-0292.   

HEY ALL -

I’m writing my first blog from our AMAZING new office in Times Square!! I LOVE IT!  I am looking at the Waterford Crystal 2009 New Year’s Eve Countdown drop ball with 10,000 energy efficient LED bulbs, which is still up and yards away from my window.  OBAMA’S our President!!!  What could be better?  Well, if our cruise was next week and I got to see all of you… but I’ll be patient.

I want to let you all know that our entertainment for this summer’s cruise will be announced very shortly and we have a HOT, HOT, HOT lineup!  My R family blog is the “Entertainment Blog” and will focus on the incredible entertainment and performances scheduled for the upcoming cruise AND feature a Q+A with a past or future R Family Entertainer.  

Please welcome my first Q+A guest…one of R Family’s favorites, star of WICKED…

JULIA MURNEY!

1) Which cruise(s) did or will you be attending?

I was on the inaugural cruise to the Bahamas in ‘04, the summer cruise to Alaska in ‘06 and the spring cruise to Mexico in ‘08 and am hoping to go to Alaska again this summer, schedule permitting.

2) What was the ONE thing you HAD to bring with you on the ship?

My friend Jen!

3) What was your favorite memory or touching moment onboard the ship?

Towards the end of the first cruise, I was walking through the cafeteria and was suddenly struck by all these beautiful families and how joyous our alternate reality on the ship had become and I realized that I didn’t want to leave.

4) What is the one event on the ship that you would NEVER miss?

I love the theme nights-some of my favorites were pirate night (dancing to YMCA next to the pool-which I am probably too snobby to do in real life, yet on the ship all bets are off), and the superhero night when all the kids-and many of the adults-went all out -all hail the hero sandwich!

5) Did you bring any family or friends with you? If so, what was their reaction?

I have brought my dear friend Jen with me every time (or my faux lesbian lover, as some like to call her) and last year also took my friend Charley and my sister Caitlin.  The reaction is always to the fog of love that seems to envelop the ship…at first you’re amazed and then you know it’s so very true and then you realize you have to go home and not everyone understands where you’ve been.

6) What was your worst or most embarrassing on stage moment?

I have had my share-one of the most amusing/disconcerting was on the Alaska cruise when we hit some rough seas and by the time I got up to perform, Seth Rudetsky had disappeared from behind the piano and was in a heap just off stage.  Needless to say, that was the end of that show

7) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was little, I thought being a waitress was really cool.  Little did I know how bad I would be at it!

Is there anything else that you would like to do add to the blog regarding what is new in your life?

I am about to play a mean nurse on “One Life to Live” for a few episodes so that should be fun! They are super nice over there.  Besides that I’m just looking forward to springtime with my dog and my family and friends and am looking forward to what’s next…whatever that brings! 

Now, go and watch this amazing video of Julia performing at my birthday cabaret celebration in NYC last July.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxP18E-kTEM&feature=channel_page

I can’t wait to see you all this summer!  For our repeat passengers, it has been too long and for our new guests, I can’t wait to party with you for a week and welcome you to R FAMILY!!

PEACE OUT!

Colin Sheehan

R Family Vacations

Entertainment Coordinator

“BOUNCE IN OUR STEP”

Alright Cruisers!  Yes, our cruise is a nonjudgmental, comfortable environment where we all accept and embrace each other as a family.  That said, we all want to look and feel our best on the pool deck, right?  We have less than 5 months before sail date for Alaska.  So let’s get fitness focused!

My first call of action: Let’s put a BOUNCE IN OUR STEP.  Get excited!  Just motivating your day with energy and enthusiasm will start you on your fitness path.  Do you have chores around the house?  Let’s try lunges and squats in between picking up those toys.  How about a dirty kitchen?  Let’s see how quickly we can clean up that mess.  Let’s do some calf raises while folding laundry.  We can play with the kids outside, like doing some jumping jacks.  How about walking your kids to school and jogging or speed walking back home listening to some of your favorite tunes?  Do you have stairs?  Climb them.  What about while watching some evening T.V.? Try stretching, or doing some couch sitting squats.  Turn your regular day into a fitness day.   

Stay tuned for my video blog showing you exactly how to do all of these and more using proper alignment and technique. These will include: Office workouts, fun family fitness options, nutrition tips for you and your family, stretching tips, and weights.  You name it, I will be discussing it. STAY TUNED. 

Craig Ramsay – is a Los Angeles Fitness Programmer, Personal Trainer, Fitness Model, Trainer to Broadway Stars and Creator/Host of Fitness DVDs.  He will be on this upcoming cruise teaching group adult “At- Home Focused” fitness classes that you will be able to take back home with you!   Plus, there will be fitness classes specifically designed for your growing teenagers.  He will also be hosting a seminar on “Gym and Fitness issues effecting Gay men”.

Go to:

www.craigramsayfitness.com

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=733065083&ref=name