Culture hounds can:

• Check out the Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times with over 2,000 books, music listening stations, Internet access, puzzles, and more
• Go on a self-guided iPod® art tour of the ship’s multi-million dollar art and antiques collections
• Attend one of our special enrichment presentations, designed just for RSVP guests and our community
• Learn how to master a new cooking style at our Culinary Arts Center
• Take a computer & technology class offered by Microsoft
• Participate in Country Western Dance Lessons

Fitness fans can:

• Work out in the fully-equipped Fitness Center
• Take a class in low-impact aerobics, spinning, yoga or Pilates
• Play a game of basketball, ping pong, tennis, volleyball
• Power walk around the ship – three laps is a mile!
• Swim in one of two outdoor pools

Hedonists can:

• Rejuvenate at the elegant Greenhouse Spa & Salon with services that include: exotic skin, body, and hair treatments ranging from hot stone massages and pedicures to hair styling and facials
• Take a soothing Jacuzzi
• Relax in the Thermal Suites
• Soak in the Hydro Pool

Shopaholics can:

• Take a self guided tour of the extensive art collection onboard Nieuw Amsterdam
• Go duty-free shopping for brand names such as Lladro®, Swarovski®, Waterford®, Gucci®, Givenchy®

• Go to one of the famous RSVP theme parties
• Experience an RSVP headline entertainer on the main stage
• Thrill at the talents of our newest stars performing in the RSVP Cabaret series
• Take part in a sing along in the RSVP Piano Bar
• Party through the night
• Start or end the evening with drinks in the Ocean Bar
• Try your luck at the blackjack table or roulette wheel
• Take a gaming lesson from a professional card shark
• Watch a first-run movie, or the best of recent gay cinema
• Stop by the Crow's Nest for a highball or two (or three)
• Head to the Explorer's Lounge for an after-dinner drink or espresso, hand dipped chocolates and classical music

Scott Nevins

Scott Nevins is an Award winning Host, TV/Radio Personality, Comedian and Celebrity Interviewer, currently seen on truTV’s hit show “The Smoking Gun Presents.” Scott has Hosted hundreds of live events, performed his acclaimed solo shows to sold-out audience around the Country, worked with some of the industries biggest stars (recently opening for Barry Manilow in Las Vegas) and and has collected an impressive roster of celebrity interviews. Scott also co-produces and Hosts the hugely successful fundraiser “SPARKLE: An All-Star Holiday Concert” in Palm Springs, CA for Desert AIDS Project. Scott has proudly donated his talents to numerous organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, HRC, PFLAG, the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Desert AIDS Project, God’s Love We Deliver, and many more. Scott was awarded an Out There Award and was nominated for a MAC Award, HX Award and Glammy Award. He was chosen by New York Magazine in their “Best of New York” issue and appeared as a Cover Model/Story for Instinct Magazine. Stop by www.ScottNevins.com for more!

Amy Armstrong & Freddy Allen

Amy & Freddy have sailed with RSVP since 1999. Based in Chicago, music and comedy legends Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen have graced stages from coast-to-coast, places large and small, and well over 20 countries with their one-of-a-kind wit and musical prowess. Over the years, they had the pleasure of opening and sharing the spotlight with some familiar (and some not so familiar) names including Kathy Griffin, Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Phyllis Diller, Bea Arthur, Jennifer Holiday and Judy Gold to name a few. They remain dedicated to their community involvement presenting countless charity concerts which have collectively raised over $15 million for LGTB charities worldwide.

Amy & Freddy have produced four successful and unique albums; Amy and Freddy – the debut, Life is a Cabaret, Naturally Flawless and Feeling Good – each recognized and praised nationally by audiences and critics alike – and will be debuting a brand new album this March 2012. They are proud multi-recipients of both the Gay Chicago Magazine "After Dark" and Chicago Free Press "Pressie" awards.

Catch them online at: www.amyfreddy.com.

Brian Bradley

Brian Bradley is a nationally touring headliner at comedy clubs across the country. He has been seen in over 20 different network sitcoms, most memorably Seinfeld (where fans of the show will remember him as Jerry’s butler). Brian spent four years on Broadway, starring in the revival of Grease with Rosie O’Donnell, Brooke Shields, Jennifer Holiday, and many others.

His career began at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles where he honed his skills as an improviser working with Robin Williams, Jim Carrey and Andy Garcia. Combining standup, improvisation, and audience participation, Brian’s unique style makes every show one of a kind. Fans of “Gay Days” at Disney will recognize Brian from the 7 years he spent at The Comedy Warehouse on Disney’s Pleasure Island in Orlando, where his over the top gay humor won him lots of fans and warning memos from management.

Charles Busch

Charles Busch is the author and star of such plays as The Divine Sister, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, which ran for nearly two years on Broadway and received a Tony nomination for Best Play. He wrote and starred in the film versions of his plays, Psycho Beach Party and Die Mommie Die, the latter of which won him the Best Performance Award at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2003, Mr. Busch received a special Drama Desk Award for career achievement as both performer and playwright.

Ann Hampton Callaway

Ann Hampton Callaway has made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. A born entertainer, her unique singing style blends jazz and traditional pop, making her a mainstay in concert halls, theaters and jazz clubs as well as in the recording studio, on television, and in film. She is best known for Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical Swing! and for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series The Nanny. Callaway is a Platinum Award winning writer whose songs are featured on five of Barbra Streisand's recent CDs.

Callaway’s live performances showcase her warmth, spontaneous wit and passionate delivery of standards, jazz classics and originals. She is one of America’s most gifted improvisers, taking words and phrases from her audiences and creating songs on the spot, whether alone at a piano or with a symphony orchestra. She has sung with more than twenty-five of the world’s top orchestras and big bands, and has performed for President Clinton in Washington, D.C. and at President Gorbachev’s Youth Peace Summit in Moscow. Callaway performed with her sister, Broadway star Liz Callaway, in their award-winning show Sibling Revelry on the 2007 RSVP QM2 Crossing. For more information see www.annhamptoncallaway.com.

Jimmy James

The talented Mr. Jimmy James made numerous appearances on national television shows in the late 80s and through the 90s on: Donohue, Geraldo, Sally, Joan Rivers, CNN, Entertainment Tonight & others. His uncanny and haunting recreation or impersonation of Marilyn Monroe is still to this day considered the best there ever was. By 1998, James reinvented himself as a recording artist with a club single “Who Wants To Be Your Lover.” His relevancy endured by writing and recording “Fashionista” which has since been licensed to The Today Show, America’s Got Talent, So U Think U Can Dance, Bring It On #5 (the movie) and more.

Experience his vocal tributes to some of the most legendary ladies of all time: Cher, Barbra, Liza, Judy, Britney, Eartha, Amy Winehouse, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Bette Davis, Patsy Cline, Diana Ross, Billie Holiday and more! Forever Cher by “Dark Lady (Jimmy James)” is available on import through amazon.com.

www.jimmyjames.com

Paul J. Williams

Paul J. Williams has been making people laugh since a very young age, and had his first RSVP appearance in 2001. His wit, rapid-fire comedy and wacky character work make this multi-talented, Dallas-based actor/comedian/singer in high demand. His humor draws on his family, his experiences as a single male, his Texas residency and his political and social observations of the world around him. On RSVP, Paul J. often appears as one of his alter egos, including Sister Helen Holy of the First Southern Fried Self Satisfied Babatist Church, Maude the diner waitress, or Nelda Pickens, the chain smoking, bee-hived Texas realtor/business woman.

In 2009, his first television special, ONE NIGHT STAND UP-HOLLYWOOD, premiered on the MTV/LOGO network, and it is still seen in frequent reruns. One of Paul J’s lesser known talents is singing, as he was born into a musical family, studied voice in college and has sung with several major groups in the U.S. including the New York Choral Artists, Orpheus Chamber Singers and the Dallas Symphony. In addition to his regular work with RSVP, Paul J. is also a veteran of the Dallas theater community, and performs comedy at various other GLBT events around the U.S. When not doing any of these incredibly creative things, he works as a secretary at a major law firm in Dallas...which is true, but not really very funny.

www.PaulJWilliams.com

Cashetta

Cashetta has delighted audiences for over 18 years with her outrageous wit, charm and crossover appeal and remains one of America’s most beloved, unique and sought after female impersonators. As a Singer, Comic, Emcee, Magician and Fabulous Psychic Medium, Cashetta is a one of a kind entertainer that is not to be missed!

Her production and cabaret shows have toured internationally and continue to play to packed houses. Venues include the Harmon Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino and the former Debbie Reynolds Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Caroline’s Comedy Club on Broadway, The Duplex in NYC and The Art House and Crown and Anchor in Provincetown, MA. She can also frequently be seen on cruise ships, in Vegas showrooms and at resorts worldwide for every type of audience imaginable!

Her numerous television credits include The Today Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the Outlaugh Festival – Wisecrack on Logo with Margaret Cho. Cashetta has had the honor of opening for Cyndi Lauper and has shared the stage with such legends as Chita Rivera, Charo, Betty Buckley, Jennifer Holiday, Eartha Kitt and Patti LuPone.

Tom Judson

Tom Judson has appeared onstage as a singer, musician, actor, and – in earlier days – as an object of lust and adoration as “Gus Mattox”, GayVN Award-winning adult film star. He has composed music for off-Broadway (“Vampire Lesbians of Sodom”) film (Whit Stillman's “Metropolitan”) television (“Sesame Street”) and has written songs for the likes of Ann Magnuson, Lisa Kron and others too numerous to mention. Lately he has been accompanist and second banana to drag chanteuse Varla Jean Merman. Tom appeared in the Broadway show “Cabaret” and the “42nd Street” National Tour and many off-Broadway and regional productions. His one-man show ”Canned Ham” has been touring the country for the past two years. Also an author and columnist, Tom recently published ”Laid Bare”, a collection of his essays and magazine columns. Available in print and as an eBook through Amazon.com.

Shawn Ryan

Shawn Ryan is an Actor/Singer/Writer/Producer who recently won the Manhattan Association of Cabaret's Award for Best Comedic Performer and can currently be seen as the most popular video on OmGay.tv. His recent television credits include Logo’s "One Night Stand Up", "Life" and "Women's Murder Club" where he played the transgendered Lesbian Drag King, Karen Adams. Shawn was also a Semi-Finalist on the NBC Hit "America's Got Talent" and has Toured to Over 35 Cities International with his Hit Album "Blue Skies" and his One Man Cabaret Show! He is thrilled to be singing for you all on RSVP! www.shawnryanlive.com for More Info!

DJ Robbie Leslie

Widely recognized as one of the top disc jockeys in the country, Robbie Leslie has been performing on the international circuit for 36 years. Robbie started his career on Fire Island. From there he moved on to New York City, where the list of clubs at which he worked reads like a “Who’s Who” of Big Apple nightspots: The Saint and the Saint-At-Large, Studio 54, Underground, Private Eyes, Palladium, the Red Parrot, 12 West, and the Ice Palace. He had the honor of playing the final set at The Saint’s forty-hour closing party. Since leaving New York, he has performed internationally to a broad audience. He has presided over numerous dance events that together have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for AIDS charities. Robbie currently lives in Fort Lauderdale and Maine. He regularly performs in clubs around the country and is a featured artist on Sirius/XM Radio. He is proud to celebrate 17 years as RSVP's popular resident DJ.

www.robbieleslie.com

DJ Randy Bettis

From mega-events of thousands to intimate house parties, DJ/Producer Randy Bettis is among the most sought-after mix masters in the dance-music industry. With 10+ residencies, 11 commercially released compilations, scores of remixes and DJing dozens of major dance events.

Career highlights include: Saint-at-Large New Years Day Event, The Black Party, Halloween Party, the Heritage of Pride’s Dance on the Pier (NYC), Miami’s White Party & Winter Party, David Flower’s Summer Camp, Fever: A Fire Island Pines event, Dancing on the Bay, Pittsburgh Pride Dancing in the Street, Jeffrey Sanker’s White Party Palm Springs DJ Contest, A Perfect Day 2k (Austin), RSVP Vacations Mexican Riviera, Caribbean, Alaskan & Mediterranean Cruise, GayDays Pool Parties, Riptide @ Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon event and schedule in 2012 for Riptide and Splash Days (Austin, TX).

Randy is a Billboard Panel Member, a member of the Academy of the Recording Arts, founder/co-producer of the annual GayDays Tour and is co-owner of BetBoyz a music production studio based in New York City. Join Randy’s Fan site on Facebook at Fans of DJ/Producer Randy Bettis.

DJ GRIND

DJ GRIND is the winner of the 2011 GayDays National DJ Contest – distinguishing himself from more than 200 of the country’s top DJs for this highly-coveted title. In 2011, he was a featured artist on RSVP Vacations’ Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises, and he headlined events at some of the country’s most popular venues, including GayDays (Orlando), SPLASH (NYC), The Paramount (Provincetown), Ruby Skye (San Francisco), Eleven Lounge (West Hollywood), and White Party Las Vegas. DJ GRIND’s monthly podcast has received more than 750,000 unique downloads world-wide, and ranks as one of the most popular music podcasts on all of iTunes: http://iTunes.djgrind.net

DJ GRIND is thrilled to return to RSVP Vacations as a featured artist on its 2012 Eastern Caribbean Cruise. He’ll also appear at White Party Palm Springs 2012, the country’s largest dance music festival.

When he’s not DJ GRIND, Stephen travels the globe as an AIDS educator. He’s also an avid cyclist and triathlete, and has personally raised over $125,000 for San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

www.djgrind.net

Lex McCauley

This is Lex’s third cruise with RSVP after 2010’s Hawaii trip. He has played piano bar for more years than he cares to admit. Originally from Michigan and now living in Chicago, he has played in venues around the country. He performed in all three Gentry’s in Chicago, Douglas Dunes in Douglas/Saugatuck, Michigan, the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, and the Beverly Hills Hotel with a swing into Karlstad, Sweden.

For the past five years, he’s seen the world as Piano Bar Entertainer on various cruise lines. He has also appeared on both RFamily Vacations and Atlantis cruises.

As an actor, Lex has been onstage since the age of 10 (The Sound of Music, naturally!). He has played many terrific roles including Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman, Rodolfo in La Boheme, Frederick in Pirates in Penzance, L.M. in Pump Boys & Dinettes, Freddie/The American in Chess, and Norma Desmond in Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus’ acclaimed Sidetrack series of concerts.

Ben Prince

Currently based in San Francisco, this pianist, singer, and music director has a degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Ben has played professionally all over the country since he was a teenager. Since 1999, he has established himself as one of San Francisco's top piano players and music directors. He is one of the regular house pianists at Martuni's Piano Bar in the Castro district, and has music-directed countless Bay Area cabaret singers, benefit shows, corporate parties, and musicals. Other highlights have included playing in the 15-piece disco-funk band "Superbooty," producing and engineering a colleague's album of original music, and playing keyboards in the pit for Wicked during its run in San Francisco.

He is particularly proud of his work as music director and member of the board of directors of San Francisco's premiere community theatre company, (www.rayoflighttheatre.com) Ray of Light Theatre. Productions including Bat Boy: The Musical, Songs for a New World, The Rocky Horror Show, and The Who’s Tommy, have received accolades including Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Music Director for The Who's Tommy. He also music-directed the West Coast premiere of Jerry Springer: The Opera, for which he also received a BATCC nomination.

Mitchell Gold

In 1989, Mitchell Gold and his business partner, Bob Williams, created a furniture company in Taylorsville, NC. Twenty two years later, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (www.mgbwhome.com) has become an internationally recognized brand, with over 600 employees and a growing chain of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Signature Stores nationwide, as well as a hotel division. Offering upholstery, case goods, lighting, accessories, rugs, and a collection of photographs by Tipper Gore, the company is known for championing equality, being environmentally responsible, and providing an onsite education-based daycare center for children of employees and the community.

Mitchell is the author, with Bob Williams, of two books on decorating: Let’s Get Comfortable (Meredith Books, 2007) and The Comfortable Home (Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House, 2009). He and Bob have been guests on NBC’s Today show to share tips on living comfortably and with style.

A passionate, longtime advocate for equality, Mitchell is also the founder of Faith in America (www.faithinamerica.com), a nonprofit dedicated to educating people about the harm religion-based bigotry causes the LGBT community. He is also the editor and a contributor to Youth in Crisis: What Everyone Should Know About Growing Up Gay, published in paperback in September 2011 by Magnus Books. Mitchell has gotten the book, previously published in hardcover as CRISIS, into the hands of many of the country’s leaders in politics, religion, and education. In 2010, Mitchell married his husband, Tim, in Des Moines, IA. He lives in North Carolina.

Gert Crawford

Gert Crawford began performing for RSVP in 2007. Gert is quite the party gal and an exuberant treat in our many spectacular RSVP cruise events. She will surprise you with the performances and impersonations her fans have adored her for. Be ready to see Gert’s most lovable characters; the woman in uniform – look for Captain Gert at the gangway – Nurse Gert, The Andrews Sisters, and her most famous character, Diner Waitress Gert.

Gert is also a superb make up artist in LA. Her extensive line of cosmetics can be purchased at www.danielmcfadden.com. Today, Gert is the creator of "Master Makeup Drag" classes which help people transform and find the best drag character they had always wished to be. In the Spring of 2012, we will see Gert become a web T.V. start in the show "Straight to Drag" when she helps transform straight men into gorgeous gals. See what she’s up to on Facebook (Gert Crawford) or twitter (@thegertcrawford).

Chi Chi Rones

Chi Chi is proud to be sailing again with RSVP Vacations. Recently back from her sold-out engagement in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico...where she brought her raved reviewed show “South of My Border” back to her mother country. She is very excited about performing SOMB for the RSVP guests, as well as her regular duties where she will bend over backwards to please each and every passenger. Please look out for Chi Chi Rones on the big screen in “Girls Will Be Girls 2012.” Chi Chi Rones plays the role of Juanita Velasquez...the matriarch of the family that was killed in a hit and run by has been actress Evie Harris played by Jack Plotnick. Juanita finally gives Evie her comeuppance in a hilarious fight scene not to be missed! Also starring Coco Peru and Varla Jean Merman.

In addition to her acting and singing talents, Chi Chi Rones is also an Emmy Award Winning television writer.

Facebook Chi Chi to find out her latest and greatest exploits at www.facebook.com/chichi.rones.

Sundance Association

The Sundance Association for Country-Western Dancing is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco that promotes country-western dancing for the LGBT community. The Sundance Association produces Sundance Saloon, San Francisco’s LGBT country-western dance club open every Sunday and Thursday, and the Sundance Stompede, an annual four-day country-western dance weekend in October with dance workshops and extravagant parties. DJs and instructors Ingu Yun, Dave Hayes, Randy Pocius and Thom Vindiola from Sundance Saloon are happy to present an expanded offering of country-western dancing and instruction on this cruise.