Mark Whearem leaves Australia for a cruise on the Baltic Sea, visiting Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden.

Where did you go and when?

An  eight-day cruise on the Baltic Sea, visiting Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden. July was the month of the cruise; perfect weather followed us everywhere.

Where did you stay?

On the Celebrity Constellation cruise ship, which has been voted the best cruise ship in the world a few times over. We had one of the cheaper cabins close to the waterline, but we did have a window. The cabin was well equipped and the beds big and comfortable. The ship was booked by Atlantis Events, a GLBT cruise and resort company. Once you have paid for the cruise, the only other outlay on board is for drinks and extras such as having one’s shirt pressed for dinner that night.

What did you eat and drink?

On board the ship, every type of food is available. 24-hour room services provides great meals, even at 2:30 in the morning. The main dining room, besides being two stories high, provides a great arrangement of food – you want it they have it. Other dining areas include the stately Ocean Liner Restaurant; you can book a table and enjoy a five-course meal with matching wines from around the world. During the day a massive resturants is situation towards the back of the boat, where you can order exactly what you want.

What did you do?

Besides all the on-board activities – t-dances around the pool, dance parties at night, Joan Crawford Bingo – comedy shows and just sitting around the pool, we did stop over in different counties, such as Estonia, Germany and St Petersburg.

Where did you party?

Around the pool for a welcome celebration and two t-Dances, and the Reflections entertainment room held themed dance parties at night, such as ‘Conquest’ and ‘Kit Kat Club’. It seems most people dress up – the group I was with had some great out fits – but for the sake of their dignity, and my own, no photos of us in the shiny Aladdin outfits have been handed in for this article.

What was the best part of your trip?

All of it! The service on the ship, or even before you arrive, is great; the people you meet form all over the world are great; and the friendliness is great! Being on board a ship with around 1500 Americans and just on 500 people from Canada, England and Europe, I quickly discovered that 1. I do say “G’day” a lot. 2. Its more of a mating call than a greeting on board a cruise like this (big grin!). One fun thing was convincing some of our fellow travellers that chardonnay was in fact invented in the Yarra Valley in Victoria and that the ‘h’ is silent. Americans don’t get our sense of humour, but Canadians and the poms do!

What was the worst part of your trip?

Nothing really – except when I got acid reflux after eating Swedish meat balls. The other bad part would be the time it takes to get there…around 36 hours from Melbourne to the Baltic Sea via Hong Kong and Heathrow. Oh of course coming home was the worst, and hanging around customs at Melbourne airport while the lovely customs official opened every one of the 14 Russian dolls I brought back.

What advice would you give your fellow traveller?

Go on an Atlantis Cruise! Throw your issues, concerns and care out the window and go on what I would call ‘gay Mecca afloat’! It can be as gay as you want or you can hide away from the rest of the people on the ship – it’s that big! It was so relaxing, so lovely, and it can be cheaper than staying at a nice hotel!

Sum up your trip in a nut shell.

Extraordinary, heavenly, fantastic. I want to be there again right now!

For futher information:

http://www.atlantisevents.com/

http://www.celebritycruises.com/