My life is better because of Olivia. Before I had ever heard of Olivia, I felt like a minority in a world with few places for someone like me to feel like I was part of something. My first Olivia cruise was a life changing experience that I will never forget. Never before had I felt being such a part of something bigger than myself, such solidarity, and so much strength. I felt like I was on another planet, MY planet... HOME. I felt at ease, free, and deeply relaxed. Olivia is just addicting. I went on a trip every 6 months... my 5th is in 2 weeks! Olivia is my home away from home. No where else will you have such a large group of lesbians like yourself together in one place, enjoying all the luxuries of life as well as the simplicity of making new connections. No where else will you have such a selection of women from whom to make lifetime friendships. No where else will you be able to travel, while being completey yourself - without being stared at, whispered about, pointed at. No where else will you be able to travel on a full vacation while seeing the world, and be treated with such respect. Olivia provides the best entertainment, geared just for the lesbian community. Every Olivia vacation has a large selection of entertainers provided exclusively by Olivia... Women whom we admire and idolize. What other cruise ship can say they had Melissa Etheridge perform??? What other cruise ship can say they had the cast of the L Word... or ANY tv show for that matter?? Where else could you have the opportunity to be an extra on your favorite tv show, just by taking a vacation?? As I have gotten to know the Olivia staff and it's "regular" entertainers, I find myself looking forward to the trips just so I can reconnect with these old friends and catch up. The Olivia entertainers are part of the whole cruise experience just like any other passenger... where else can you sit next to Suzanne Westenhoeffer while eating your breakfast? Where else can you sunbathe next to the pool while chatting with Billie Jean King?? In addition to the amazing entertainment and the always accomodating and professional staff which is ever present, the ladies who travel Olivia are what makes these vacations extra special. Whether you like to do things alone, or in large groups, you are safely and reassuredly surrounded by other women just like you. You can also be very assured that the cruise ship staff are the utmost professionals. Never have I felt disrespected by anyone on the cruise staff, from waiters to the Captain, the cruise ship staff is always kind, respectful and fun! On two occasions I have seen a waiter join in on the YMCA dance in the disco!!! Another thing I love so much about Oliva cruises and resorts is that all the activities are created by the Olivia staff, not the cruise ship staff, so you know that these trips are unlike any other you have ever been on... Beach olympics, oldywed-newlywed game, solos speed dating, lesbian commediennes, women musical entertainment. You get what you pay for with Olivia, a once in a lifetime experience - and more than once when you become an Olivia Addict like myself!! I tell EVERYONE about Olivia, I want Olivia to be strong and successful and go on forever... I want them to succeed so that I can know that in 30 years, I will have a place to go that I know will be everything I have known it to be and more. As you leave to go home from Olivia vacation, you will look around you and see the world differently. You will realize you are not alone, that you are strong, you are worthy, you are important, you are someone to be wreckoned with. Your self worth will grow, your self esteem will increase, you may even realize that you are a leader. You are a WOMAN OF OLIVIA!!!!!