Advertisement
The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource Follow Us Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Download Our App
Professionals >> Visit The Body PROThe Body en Espanol
Home Page for TheBody.com, the Complete HIV/AIDS Resource What's New About HIV Ask the Experts About HIV HIV/AIDS Blogs Connect With Others About HIV Just Diagnosed With HIV HIV Treatment HIV Prevention Living With HIV Personal Stories of People With HIV
HIV/AIDS Blog Central

Sailing on the 2011 HIV Cruise Retreat


A Video Blog

By Mark S. King

November 15, 2011

It was my distinct privilege to serve as host and M.C. for a second time on The HIV Cruise Retreat, the labor of love by openly HIV positive travel agent Paul Stalbaum of Cruise Designs Travel. Paul has become the go-to man for gay travel groups -- in addition to the HIV cruise he organizes a gay cruise and even a gay bear cruise -- and he says without question that the HIV cruise is nearest and dearest to him.

As Paul and his hosts planned the onboard cruise events over the last few months, I was amazed by the level of detail and care with which Paul approached the task. Then again, he's been actively involved in the HIV community since setting up and facilitating the earliest support groups in Ft Lauderdale nearly 30 years ago. His heart is in this.



It may seem curious that so many people living with HIV would spend their vacation time and their money on an vacation alongside over 200 others living with the disease. But our common issue is inspiring and even a source of humor and fun. The happy vacationers come from all walks of life and across the country, and many of them hail from smaller cities where they don't have this type of fun social outlet as people with HIV. It's pure pleasure being in their company.

After an opening cocktail reception (Princess Cruise Lines accommodated our large group by giving us exclusive use of various venues around the ship), hosts Nate Klarfeld and Grover Lawlis moderated an AIDS 101 presentation for the sprinkling of cruisers who were fairly newly diagnosed.

But on to the parties! This year there were two bashes: The Mad Hatter Party, where guests were invited to get creative with their headgear (I wore a crown made entirely of flip-flops), and The Blue Party, which asked the revelers to interpret the color in any way they chose. The creativity at both did not disappoint.

Mark and Jim Akers, hat party.

My alter ego Anita Mann made her Cruise Retreat debut this year, hosting The Blue Party and sealing my fate to never get a date with anyone on the ship, once they got a load of Anita in all her outrageous glory.

All sorts of fun events sprang up throughout the week, such as an improv class led by host Jonathan Goldman, who also provided mud masks for our day on the Aruba beach, which was a sight in itself. Paul also arranged our own excursions in each of the ports, so we could snorkel or tour bat caves as a group.

We had so much fun with our own events and yet the ship itself offered nonstop entertainment -- a casino, live shows, games on deck, and one of our group members even won the highly coveted Karaoke contest!

On our last day at sea I facilitated "Mark's Poz Time Machine," a multi-media review of the last 30 years of HIV. It featured images and video clips along the timeline, but relied on audience members who fleshed out the years by sharing their experiences. Thanks to their recollections and candid memories, it was a bittersweet and enlightening event. I believe so strongly in the power and importance of telling our stories and sharing our history living with this pandemic. I'm so grateful for the contributions of the attendees.

I realize how fortunate I am. So many of us are not able to take the time or devote the money for a cruise like this. It's my hope that this video blog will inspire you to seek community, in whatever way you can, and never forget that a sense of humor sure does help the journey.

After all, you don't really need a cruise ship as an occasion to wear flip-flops on your head.

As always, my friends, please be well.
Mark

Send Mark an e-mail.

Get e-mail notifications every time Mark's blog is updated.

Visit Mark's live blog at www.MyFabulousDisease.com.




See Also
My Fabulous Disease
No comments have been made.
 

Add Your Comment:
(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in
Internet search results. Be careful when providing personal information! Before
adding your comment, please read TheBody.com's Comment Policy.)

Your Name:


Your Location:

(ex: San Francisco, CA)

Your Comment:

Characters remaining:
VIDEO BLOG:
My Fabulous Disease

Mark S. King has been an active AIDS activist, writer and community organization leader since the early 1980s in Los Angeles. He has been an outspoken advocate for prevention education and for issues important to those living with HIV.

Diagnosed in 1985, Mark has held positions with the Los Angeles Shanti Foundation, AID Atlanta and AIDS Survival Project, and is an award-winning writer. He continues his volunteer work as an AIDS educator and speaker for conferences and events.

Speaking engagements: Mark King is available to speak to groups. Contact Mark about speaking at your organization or event!


More About Mark:
Profile


Subscribe to Mark's Blog:

Subscribe by RSSBy RSS ?

Subscribe by Email


Recent Posts:

April 3, 2013 - Revisiting My Sad and Trivial Night With Rock Hudson

February 27, 2013 - HIV and Gay Media: The Vanishing Virus

January 16, 2013 - Treating My Facial Wasting With Artefill: A Video Blog by Mark S. King

December 13, 2012 - The Night Don Lemon Hugged Me: A Blog Entry by Mark S. King

November 7, 2012 - On Board the 2012 HIV Cruise Retreat: A Blog Entry by Mark S. King

View All Posts


A Place Like This by Mark King

View an excerpt of Mark's book

To read PDF, click here


Interviews With Mark:

Mark King Looks Back at the AIDS Epidemic's Darkest Hour in the U.S. (May 14, 2008)

This Month in HIV: Crystal Methamphetamine and HIV (August 2007)


Articles by Mark:

Meth Burial (May 2008)

Once, When We Were Heroes (June 2006)

Outliving My Father (May 22, 2001)
Mark recounts how years of caring for friends dying of AIDS prepared him for taking care of his dying father
From The Advocate

AIDS Always Benefits from What We Don't Talk About (April 2001)


For the rest of Mark's articles, click here.


A Brief Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself.
Advertisement