Caribbean cruise and retreat

Caribbean cruise and retreat

The combined gay and hetero Caribbean Positive Cruise is scheduled for October 10–18, and expects to sell out in early June. There are separate, as well as combined, activities for the two groups. The cruise sails for eight nights, beginning at Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday, October 10, with stops in St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola, and Nassau. Rates begin at $535 per person, plus taxes. The annual cruise, which also serves as a fundraiser for HIV organizations, provides educational forums in addition to social activities, and starts out with a Celebration of Life Ceremony. This year’s speakers include Dr. Michael Wohlfeiler and treatment activist Nelson Vergel (whose photograph graces this issue’s cover). For more information, visitwww.hivcruise.com for the gay group andwww.positivecruise.com for the heterosexual group.

HIV Cruise Raises $6000 for HIV causes

The HIV Cruise Retreat : A Fun Source of Education and Funds for HIV Projects



CONTACT: Paul Stalbaum at Paul@universal-travel.com
800-735-0401 ext 241


Fort Lauderdale, March 21, 2008- A group of 225 HIV positive men and women went sailing away from the worries of the disease while obtaining key health information and raising funds for HIV non profit projects. In this 10th year, the retreat raised $6,000 for Doctor’s Without Borders. Over $30,000.00 has been raised over the past 10 years.

“It is great to have people who have been challenged for years with fears of death enjoy life in the company of others who are on the same boat as they are”, said Nelson Vergel, AIDS activist and lecturer on the cruise. “I am glad our project leader Paul Stalbaum has been able to make this possible for so many people to spend a week sailing the seas at affordable prices while they get key medical information and bond with others” added Vergel.

“As a doctor who treats hundreds of HIV patients, I must say that spending a week with so many people having fun while being helped with medical information is an ideal scenario”, said Dr Michael Wohlfieler, a leading South Florida HIV physician and featured speaker on the cruise.

Sam, a long term survivor from San Francisco and participant of last year’s cruise said: “We remember all too well when the virus was considered more or less a signal that it was time to get one’s affairs in order. Thankfully those days are behind us. A week like the one I had on this cruise reminds me that life is rich and full and when the good times roll it can be downright amazing”. “I will definitely not miss this year’s cruise!” added Sam.

“This year’s cruise promises to be even better with a very exciting itinerary sailing over Halloween from Ft Lauderdale with stops at Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos), St Maarten, St Thomas and Princess Cays”, said cruise organizer Paul Stalbaum. “We will actually have separate fun activities for gay and straight groups with some intermingling ” added Stalbaum.

For more information please call Paul at 800-735-0401 ext 241 or visit his two web sites: http://www.hivcruise.com/ for the gay group and http://www.positivecruise.com/ for the heterosexual group.