With Uniworld operating Out on the Rivers LGBTQ+ sailings, Yolanda Zappaterra asks host Gregg Kaminsky what clients can expect
Gregg Kaminsky, LGBTQ+ cruise host, Uniworld
Q. What’s your background in organising LGBTQ+ trips?
A. I’ve been doing it since the mid ’90s. My career started with Atlantis Events, the largest LGBT operator in the world; then, in 2003 Kelli Carpenter and I started our company, Kelli Gregg Travel. Initially we catered to LGBTQ+ families, before moving into adult-only trips on large cruises, river cruises, land tours and at all-inclusive resorts.
Q. What led to your decision to run LGBTQ+ trips on river cruises?
A. I’ve been on probably 150 large cruises across pretty much all the major cruise lines. Then, about 10 years ago, I went on my first river cruise and it became one of my absolute favourite ways to travel. With fewer guests on board, real friendships are formed. Things like not having loads of restaurants, just a few per ship, add to that intimacy.
Q. How did you come to partner with Uniworld?
A. Kelli and I go to a lot of the big travel shows and meet with all the cruise lines. Uniworld is probably the most LGBTQ+ friendly. A few years ago, their entire crew and staff went through LGBTQ+ sensitivity training, for want of a better phrase. More companies today are looking to reach out to our community because I think our market is very sought-after in the travel world. I think Uniworld goes above and beyond. It’s in little things, like bed configuration, and not assuming that two women who look alike are sisters rather than a married couple. It’s just about learning and being familiar with our community.
Q. What does river cruising have to offer the LGBTQ+ community?
A. I think we all want to travel with like-minded people. We get many travellers who come alone, so for them, one of the great things about our trips is that the second they step on board, they’re instantly part of this whole group and feel connected to the other guests.
Q. What activities are available on Out on the Rivers sailings?
A. We sprinkle some LGBTQ+ programming throughout the cruise. We have entertainers like Broadway singers or LGBTQ+ comedians and pop stars, or themed parties. We also bring a New York City-style piano bar on board, so a few times during the week we do piano bar.
Q. Are shore excursions customised too?
A. Yes. We typically add customised activities, such as an LGBTQ+ night out or bar crawl. These complement the regular activities offered by Uniworld, which on its Brilliant Bordeaux itinerary included yoga in the heart of Blaye fortress and a bike ride through a Médoc vineyard. And because our guests like to sleep in a little more as we tend to stay up later, we try to adjust timings to start a bit later in the day.
PICTURES: Uniworld River Cruises
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