Media Contact:
Steve Roth
For Atlantis Events
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Atlantis Charters the World’s Largest Passenger Ship for
Gay and Lesbian Cruise
January 2007 Sailing on Royal Caribbean’s New Freedom of the Seas
Will Be the First Charter Cruise for the 3,700-Passenger Vessel

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 11, 2006 – Atlantis Events, Inc., the world’s largest company specializing in all-gay and lesbian cruises and resort vacations, announced that it has chartered the world’s largest passenger ship – Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas – for an all-gay Caribbean cruise in January 2007. 

Atlantis charters entire cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts for the exclusive use of its gay and lesbian guests.  Since 1991, Atlantis has hosted over 80,000 guests on more than 80 different cruise, resort and tour experiences. 

The Atlantis sailing on Freedom of the Seas will be the first charter cruise on this 3,700-passenger megaship, currently being completed at Aker Finnyards in Turku, Finland.

“Freedom sets a new standard in the cruise industry with innovative settings for unique guest experiences throughout,” said Rich Campbell, Atlantis CEO. “Royal Caribbean has clearly raised the bar in terms of what is possible in cruising today.”

“Atlantis is very proud to be able to partner with Royal Caribbean to bring the excitement of the largest ship in the world to our gay and lesbian guests,” noted Campbell. “We’ll be able to create a spectacular experience for them that fully utilizes this fantastic ship with our signature entertainment and parties.”

At 160,000 tons and with a capacity of 3,700 guests, Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she enters service in June 2006.  By comparison, the Queen Mary 2 displaces approximately 151,000 tons and accommodates up to 2,620 passengers.  Freedom’s length of 1,112 feet is nearly equivalent to four football fields laid end-to-end.

Freedom of the Seas will offer guests a top-deck aqua environment unparalleled in the industry.  It will introduce four innovative new concepts, including: an interactive water park called the H2O Zone; dramatic whirlpools cantilevered off the sides of the ship; a dedicated sports pool; and FlowRider®, the industry’s first-ever shipboard surf park.

Freedom of the Seas will also feature an ice skating rink, the largest shipboard rock-climbing wall anywhere, and the line’s longest Royal Promenade – a 427-foot long interior street packed with endless shopping, dining and entertainment options.  Her 1,817 staterooms will be some of cruising’s largest guest rooms, featuring some of the most spacious balconies in the industry. 

Freedom of the Seas will also be the most digitally advanced cruise ship at sea, offering wireless technology throughout the ship for Internet and cell phone access, as well as first-in-the-industry flat-panel televisions in all staterooms and public areas.

“With all the guest amenities, innovations, and groundbreaking facilities on this spectacular ship, it’s easy to see why Royal Caribbean named her Freedom,” said Campbell.  “Our guests will have the freedom to choose a vacation that fits their own individual taste and style.  And that is what an Atlantis vacation is all about.”

Atlantis’ Caribbean sailing on Freedom of the Seas will depart Miami on January 28, 2007, visiting San Juan, St. Maarten, and the private island of Labadee, before returning to Miami on February 4, 2007.  Staterooms start at $1,049, based on double occupancy.*

Atlantis will offer a record seven all-gay cruises, and two all-gay resorts in 2006, handling more guests than any other gay and lesbian tour operator. Destinations include Europe, Alaska, South America, Hawaii, Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Caribbean Islands, and the Baltic.  In October 2005, Atlantis was voted best-in-category for all-gay cruises and all-gay tours, winning two gold medals in Out Traveler’s prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards.**

Reservations for all Atlantis programs are available through any travel agent or directly from Atlantis at 1-800-6-ATLANTIS.  For detailed information, visit www.atlantisevents.com.

*    Port fees, gratuities and airfare are additional
**  Out Traveler is a leading travel publication for the LGBT community, and is published by LPI Media, a subsidiary of PlanetOut Inc.

About Atlantis
Atlantis Events, Inc., a privately-held company based in West Hollywood, California, is the world’s largest travel company specializing in the gay and lesbian market. In its 15 years, the company has hosted over 80,000 guests on more than 80 different cruise, resort or tour experiences.  In 2006, Atlantis will host approximately 16,000 guests on 10 different events.  Atlantis creates a unique vacation experience for its gay and lesbian guests by chartering entire cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts around the world for the exclusive use of its guests.  Then it completely customizes their experience with unique and diverse entertainment, parties featuring leading DJs, and a team of talented hosts.

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