2,000 Lesbians, the Caribbean Seas, and Zero Carbon: That’s Sweet

Thanks to the Sweet Caribbean Cruise, setting sail from New Orleans this fall, philanthropy is now a leisure activity.

Even if travelers don’t choose to volunteer during the Nov. 8-15 cruise, and opt to spend their time lounging by the pool, Sweet co-founder and CEO Shannon Wentworth says they can “feel good just knowing that good is being done.”

Sweet has planned eight community service opportunities to choose from during the cruise–including a beach cleanup, a deep-sea reef restoration, a children’s library project, a pediatric ward cheer-up and park re-beautification. Sweet is also the only lesbian cruise company offering voluntourism opportunities. “The idea is simple,” says Wentworth. “Solve the world’s problems and have fun while you’re doing it.”

Adding to the 100 percent guilt-free cruise experience, Sweet has teamed up with CarbonFund.org to become the biggest carbon-neutral cruise in history–gay or straight.

“By offsetting the carbon produced by a cruise ship this large, Sweet is taking a huge step towards sustainability that few other cruise lines have before,” says Jason Fitzgerald Carbonfund.org’s Partnership Manager. “Carbonfund.org is so pleased to partner with Sweet, and we hope other travel companies follow their lead as we all pursue a clean energy future.”

But what the Sweet Caribbean Cruise is really about is seven days of fun and relaxation in paradise–surrounded by almost 2,000 women, Wentworth said. On board will be the most hilarious lesbian comedians on the circuit, cutting edge singer-songwriters, sizzling lesbian DJs, and the hottest lesbian celebrities. The luxury ship has a full-service spa, a casino, a sports deck, duty-free shopping and a whole host of bars and lounges.

So what about the food? “This is the best food I have ever had on a cruise,” says Wentworth, “and that’s saying something.”

There are 11 dining options, everything from poolside pub fare to a steakhouse and a sushi bar. If dressing up for dinner isn’t your thing, choose among the plethora of delicious dishes at the more casual buffet, which also offers a number of vegetarian options. There’s even a 23-hour dining option, for late-night cravings. After dinner, go to one of the shows or dance the calories away at one of the many parties.

And if you’re thinking you couldn’t possibly afford a cruise right now, Wentworth urges you to think again. Sweet offers a 12-month payment plan with no fees and no interest that starts at $36 per person.

For information, go to www.discoversweet.com/caribbean-spirit-cruise/