August 2026:
We’re going on the Vacaya Total Eclipse Med Cruise on The Celebrity Equinox, which departs from and returns to Barcelona. The ship is chartered by Vacaya and is an all-gay (LGBTQ+) cruise that will include being in A Coruña, Spain on August 12 in the path of totality for the total eclipse of the sun, and Bonnie (Total Eclipse of the Heart) Tyler will be on board. In addition to ~2500 gay men, our friends Wayne & David will will also be on the cruise and about 16 cabins down from ours on deck 10! Port calls include:
- Barcelona, Spain
- Ibiza, Spain (overnight port call)
- Tangier, Morocco
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Porto, Portugal
- A Coruña, Spain (The solar eclipse will be in totality here at this time.)
September 2026:
We’re going on the Oktoberfest & Danube Riverboat BearCruise, which starts with a 3-day pre-cruise stay in The Royal Bavarian Hotel in Munich for sightseeing and Oktoberfest, followed by an all-gay (LGBTQ+) 180-passenger riverboat cruise on the MS Bellejour, on which we have a French Balcony Stateroom. We’ll cruise the Danube, starting in Passau, Germany and ending in Budapest, Hungary.
Our itineraries:
Pre-cruise days in Munich:
- Day 1 – Lunch, exploration, and welcome reception at The Boilerman Bar & Library
- Day 2 – Neuschwanstein Castle and Oberammergau Hamlet
- Day 3 – Oktoberfest
- Day 1 – Munich / Passau, Germany and embark Bellejour
- Day 2 – Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
- Day 3 – Train ride on Majestic Imperator and day in Salzburg, Austria
- Day 4 – Sailing the Scenic Wachau Valley to Vienna
- Day 5 – Vienna, Austria
- Day 6 – Budapest, Hungary City Tour
- Day 7 – Budapest, Hungary Group Sightseeing
- Day 8 – Transfer from Budapest to airport
August 2027:
We’re going on the British Isles 2027 BearCruise, a 10-night cruise on The Norwegian Star with 8 port calls among England, Ireland, and Scotland. This will be an extra exciting trip for us as Bob is of Irish heritage, and neither of us has been to Ireland or Scotland.
Our itinerary:
- Southampton, England – Begin your voyage in this historic maritime gateway, where medieval walls and Tudor houses set the stage for adventure.
- Portland, England – Explore the rugged Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stroll the quaint harbor town of Weymouth.
- Cork (Cobh), Ireland – Discover Ireland’s southern gem, rich with Victorian architecture, vibrant pubs, and the legacy of the Titanic’s last port.
- Liverpool, England – Trace the footsteps of the Fab Four – the lads from Liverpool and explore this historic English town.
- Dublin, Ireland – Dive into Dublin’s literary soul, Georgian elegance, and lively Temple Bar district.
- Belfast, Northern Ireland – Witness the rebirth of a city steeped in history, from Titanic Belfast to the murals of the Peace Walls.
- Inverness, Scotland – Venture into the Scottish Highlands, where Loch Ness and ancient castles await.
- Edinburgh (Newhaven), Scotland – Conclude with the grandeur of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, castle views, and cultural richness.
November 2027: (Waitlisted; #7 on the list)
We are #7 on the waiting list for this Vacaya Antarctica Cruise, which sold out within hours. If we get on it, it’ll complete my bucketlist item to visit all 7 continents, having been to Asia, Africa, North America (of course), Europe, and Australia, this trip would check off South America & Antarctica.
Our itinerary:
- Day 1 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Arrival, hotel check-in, and reception.
- Day 2 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Queer Buenos Aires Highlights City Tour.
- Day 3 – Ushuaia, Argentina – Charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushaia, city exploration.
- Day 4 – Ushaia, Argentina – Exploration and boarding Le Lyrial.
- Day 5 – Sailing the Drake Passage to Antarctica – Expert-led lectures bringing Antarctica’s science, history, and culture to life, deep context for the landscapes and wildlife you’re about to encounter, and guidance on safe, responsible, and sustainable exploration of this fragile environment.
- Day 6 – Sailing the Drake Passage to Antarctica – Dramatic shifts in sea and sky as Antarctica draws near, icebergs emerging on the horizon, from towering giants to scattered shards, a chance to witness rare lenticular clouds—an otherworldly Antarctic spectacle.
- Day 7 – Antarctica – Journey into Antarctica’s awe‑inspiring extremes of endless white horizons, icebergs, and whale‑filled waters, along with unforgettable encounters with vast penguin colonies.
- Day 8 – Antarctica – Unforgettable icy landscapes, blue-and-white vistas, extraordinary wildlife, and more penguins, whales, and seals.
- Day 9 – Antarctica – Captain’s choice day: the ever‑changing Antarctic wilderness, ice‑cruising, landings, and unforgettable scenery, and whale sightings from the deck.
- Day 10 – Antarctica – A chance for a polar plunge, a life-changing rite of passage.
- Day 11 – Antarctica – Take in the wonder and the incredible beauty of this serene and magical place one last time.
- Day 12 – Sailing the Drake Passage to Ushuaia – Relaxing day at sea to reflect, unwind, and enjoy life on board, sea birds trailing the ship as you take in the calm of the open ocean, and a shared Thanksgiving celebration of gratitude for guests from around the world.
- Day 13 – Sailing the Drake Passage to Ushuaia – Savor final moments with the friends who now feel like family, knowing that while this voyage to Antarctica will never repeat itself; its imprint on your heart will travel with you forever.
- Day 14 – Ushuaia, Argentina – Flight from Ushuala to Buenos Aires to begin your travel home.