A gay cruise to Iceland

With an explosion in the tourism industry and an estimate of almost 2 million people visiting Iceland in 2017, it was only a matter of time when a gay cruise around Iceland would be offered. This summer, Source Events, which specialise in adventure and luxury tours for the gay community, will embark on their first Voyage around Iceland.

“I always had this dream of going to Iceland; I had seen pictures and more recently heard stories from our travellers and others,” says Craig Smith, founder and president of Source Events, about the upcoming cruise to Iceland.

“Iceland has been on the top of our list for Source Events travel destinations in our guest surveys. Our travelers are looking for adventures and cruises for the mind, body & spirit and especially experiences that connect them with nature. We also know that Iceland is an incredible community, a very gay welcoming island and that at one point you had a gay prime minister. Of course the combination of the spectacular natural beauty and gay friendly community is exciting to our guests,” says Craig Smith, founder and president of Source Events.

“I always had this dream of going to Iceland; I had seen pictures and more recently heard stories from our travelers and others. And everybody raves about spectacular natural beauty, the people, the Icelandic cuisine and the nightlife.

Windstar Cruises has been one of our most popular travel partners, based on their excellent customer service and 5-star luxury ships. We‘ve done many cruises with them and they‘ve just added three luxury ships to their portfolio, all that have been recently renovated. One of them is StarPride, which kinda fits with our theme of pride but that just happens to be the name of the ship and we think it‘s a perfect fit for our first voyage in Iceland!”

StarPride is a yacht of 440 feet with guest capacity of 212. According to Craig, there are still spaces left on the Iceland cruise taking place 17-24 July. “One of the neat things about StarPride is that it‘s all suites. The smallest suit is almost 300 square feet, which is still quite large. All the suites are ocean view and have living room area, bedroom area, large bathrooms with two sinks, and 24 hour room service. There’s a fantastic spa and gym on board and two restaurants. This is the first time we‘re using one of Windstar’s new luxury yachts with all suites, and we know our guests are going to love the ship.”

“… we‘ve just heard that Iceland is an incredible community … and the country has been coming really high up on our customer surveys. So we decided to do it (the cruise) this year.”

The cruise starts and ends in Reykjavík and the trip takes the travellers around Iceland, stopping in Heimaey, Seyðisfjörður, Akureyri, Ísafjörður and Grundarfjörður along the way. “There are going to be different excursions, some will be more active than others so whatever level of fitness someone is in or however active they want to be, they‘ll have that choice. There will also be some cocktail parties and music events on board but you know, on a cruise like this, Iceland is the star and people are going because they want to enjoy the beauty of the island. We‘re going to invite our guests to come at least 2-3 days early to be able to do things like the Blue Lagoon and other activities and just enjoy some of the nightlife of Reykjavík. If they want us to organize some group gatherings there, we can look into that too.”

StarPride is a yacht of 440 feet with guest capacity of 212. There are still spaces left on the Iceland cruise taking place 17-24 July.

Craig says that even though this is the first Voyage Around Iceland, it might very well just be the start of something more. “You know, when we go to a place like Iceland and then people share their photos and stories, because these days people use Facebook and Twitter and so on, usually we find there‘s more requests for that so once we‘ve gone to a place, we tend to put it in our rotation and do it maybe every other year.”

Having founded Source Events in 2001, Craig’s job is now possibly the greatest job in the world. “Yes, my partner and I go on all the cruises, acting as cruise directors and hosts.  WindStar provides the crew, chefs and housekeeping and then we add to the mix with special events, entertainment and excursions.  This last year we did about eight cruises and adventures, this year we‘ll have six. We have just come back from the Caribbean on an Oceania ship; this summer we‘re also going to the French Riviera with the world‘s largest sailing yacht,” says Craig, referring to the Royal Clipper, which has room for 220 guests and 90 crew.

“I’m very grateful to have a dream job, producing these inspirational adventures around the world for our gay community and friends! It all came about because of an invitation to dream.  I was working with a life coach and had been producing special events for the gay community and my coach asked me what my next dream was. I said: If it can be anything, let’s explore this amazing  world and bring guests together in the spirit of adventure, discover and friendship.

All the suites are ocean view and have living room area, bedroom area, large bathrooms with two sinks, and 24 hour room service.

We started small, inviting our friends to our first cruise at a house party.  Over the past 15 years Source Events has grown and we now have thousands of guests from all around the world traveling to 37 countries on 6 continents to some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic destinations.  When we began, I don‘t think I could have imagined all the places I‘ve been to now and really how our community has grown, and I’m so grateful for all of these wonderful experiences.

“I think we‘re all really interested too in learning what is going on with climate change and the environment and what can we do.”

Even though we’ve grown, our cruises and adventures are intimate enough for us to be responsive to the needs of our guests and it’s extraordinary to be part of creating a family of travelers that is having life changing experiences while connecting with new and old friends around the world.”

Craig says that majority of their “family of travelers” comes from North-America, some from Europe and a few from Asia. And that although the core is gay men, more and more friends and family have started coming on the trips too. “It really is a luxury to have all these great facilities on a small yacht, and be able to keep the group small and intimate; it‘s not a monstrous ship, so people get to know each other really fast and there‘s a lot of guys there who have been traveling together for years, have made friends on our tours that they reunite with on the trips and keep coming again and again.”

And what is he looking forward to the most on his first Iceland visit? “For me, I’m looking forward  to the spectacular scenery. I‘ve seen these pictures and wonder, are they all true or are they photoshopped? And then, the light, to be able to be out in the midnight sun and just meeting some local people. Learning more about the gay community there, what life is like there and I think we‘re all really interested too in learning what is going on with climate change and the environment and what can we do; what effect it‘s having on Iceland and the people who live so closely with nature and so on. So I‘m looking forward to both a fun, educational and inspirational adventure in Iceland.”

Á. Óskarsson
Á. Óskarsson

Á. Óskarsson offers a variety of products and services to sports centers, swimming pools, schools, kindergartens, and the general public. The company specializes in sport-related products, activity-focused games, and a wide range of solutions for sports facilities.

Á. Óskarsson has been involved in numerous big projects related to building sports facilities and has made it their benchmark to offer good quality products and equipment since the company was founded.

See links to social media in the upper left-hand corner

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Á. Óskarsson selur fjölbreytt vöruúrval fyrir íþróttahús, sundlaugar, skóla og leikskóla og einnig ýmsar vörur til einkaafnota. Fyrirtækið selur vörur til íþróttaiðkunnar og leikja ásamt því að bjóða upp á ýmsar lausnir fyrir íþróttamannvirki.

Á. Óskarsson hefur komið að fjölda stórra verkefna við byggingu íþróttamannvirkja og hefur frá stofnun kappkostað að bjóða vandaðar og endingargóðar vörur.

Tenglar á samfélagsmiðla eru í efra horninu vinstra megin.

Webpage/vefsetur

Blush

    Blush was founded in 2011 when it started selling high quality sex products. The goal from the beginning was to change the market and take the discussion about sex products to a higher level. Today Blush provides professional services in a pleasant environment that fulfills different needs, both for individuals and couples. Blush respects diversity and wants to set a good example in all of its messaging to target audiences. Sexual health and equality in sex is important and Blush wants to focus on those issues through education and open discussion. Blush works in a socially responsible manner for society, their customers and the environment.

    Check out Blush’s website: https://blush.is/

    Omnom Chocolate
    - award-winning chocolate maker

      Omnom Chocolate is an Icelandic craft chocolate company based in Reykjavík. We produce handcrafted chocolate from organic cacao beans sourced ethically and sustainably. We’ve developed direct relationships to create premium chocolate with fine flavor cacao beans.

      Our creative flavors are carefully crafted by meticulous chocolate makers. The cacao beans are roasted, winnowed, ground, and refined into melty-smooth chocolate.

      Omnom’s process is one of constant exploration, invention, and experimentation. If it doesn’t please us, if something isn’t absolutely delicious, there’s no reason to be doing it. So, we always start with our taste buds and follow our instincts. Our team searches for the finest ingredients in the world and new ways to improve chocolate. This obsession with knowing where our ingredients come from has led us around the corner to dairy farms in the Icelandic countryside and all the way to rainforest cacao farms of Nicaragua.

      In only a few short years, we’ve grown from our 50 sq. m. petrol station space and become an award-winning chocolate maker. Now, with our headquarters in 101 Reykjavík, our chocolate is sent out around Iceland and all over the world.

      At the end of the day, our goal is to make chocolate.

       

      Nasdaq

         

        Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

        With over 4,300 employees in 39 offices around the world, at Nasdaq we all contribute to the success of the company and its culture, and each one of us has the ability to make a difference. When it comes to our core mission and values, we embrace the role of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) as a fundamental driver of our corporate growth, workplace culture and market development. We strive to create a culture that embraces the power of different perspectives—a culture where people’s unique backgrounds and different experiences helps us fuel innovation and support our clients around the world.

        Our unique position at the center of the capital markets allows us to see firsthand how these values have redefined corporate culture and success, deepening and accelerating our own commitment to champion inclusive growth and prosperity, as we strive to create more equitable opportunities to help people of all backgrounds reach their full potential. Most notably, we published our diversity statistics for the first time in 2020. These metrics serve as a quantitative assessment of where we are today and help determine what strategies we need to adopt to enhance diversity in the workplace. We recognize that we have much work to do, but we are steadfast in our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture—one that reflects the communities in which we live, allows all employees to be their true, authentic selves and fosters individual growth and achievement.

        As we move forward together, we will continue advancing diverse ideas and perspectives that help fulfill the promise of a more inclusive and prosperous world. We aim to set the pace for rethinking capital markets and economies anywhere and everywhere. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

        Blue Lagoon
        - One of the 25 Wonders of the World

        Named by National Geographic as one of the 25 Wonders of the World, the Blue Lagoon is a shimmering expanse of warmth, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Its unique geothermal seawater
        comes from 2.000 meters within the earth where seawater and freshwater converge in a tectonic realm of porous lava and searing heat. Propelled by extreme pressure, the water ascends to the earth’s surface, emerging enriched with silica, algae, and minerals—the elements that endow Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater with its radiant, healing properties.

        From its humble beginnings in the shadows of a geothermal power plant, Blue Lagoon has evolved into a world of wonder, now encompassing two hotels, three restaurants, three
        geothermal lagoons, a subterranean spa, a renowned line of skin care, a thriving research center, and a wealth of spa and refreshment facilities.

        Achieving harmony with the volcanic landscape, the lagoon and its surrounding architecture embody the unification of the man-made and the natural, and adhere to the highest principles of sustainability.

        The Blue Lagoon. A wonder of the world. A world of wonder.

        Landsbankinn
        - leading financial institution
        Landsbankinn

        Landsbankinn is a leading Icelandic financial institution. It offers a full range of financial services and is the market leader in the Icelandic financial service sector with the largest branch network.

        The present bank was established on 7 October 2008 but the history of its predecessor dates back to 1886. The bank is owned by the National Treasury of Iceland, which holds 98.2% of its share capital, and other shareholders who own 1.8%.

        Landsbankinn’s strategy is to provide comprehensive financial services that meet customer’s needs. It emphasizes providing exemplary service to customers, developing e-banking for their convenience, increasing the efficiency of support functions, modernizing its technology and ensuring effective utilization of its balance sheet.

        The bank’s vision is to be exemplary and its role is to be a trusted financial partner.

        Special emphasis is placed on promoting a performance-oriented culture in the bank. To follow up on the implementation of this strategy, the bank has defined key goals which are measured regularly to determine progress. These goals include, for example, customer satisfaction and loyalty, profitability, cost efficiency and the correlation between risk appetite and employee satisfaction.

        Landsbankinn wishes to lead the development of a sustainable society in Iceland by integrating economic, social and environmental concerns in its operations. The Bank aims to ensure that both its owners and society at large benefit from its activities.

        It intends to achieve this aim by building solid infrastructure and a strong team of 1.100 employees, by listening to its customers and by respecting and encouraging its employees to actively participate in their community. Landsbankinn was a founding member of Festa, a Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, and is a member of the UN Global Compact.

        Landsbankinn has been a proud sponsor of the Reykjavik Pride since it was first celebrated in Iceland.

        Dohop
        - get inspired
        Dohop

        Dohop allows people to find the cheapest flights available with just one click. Founded in Reykjavik in 2004, it is the only Icelandic company of its kind and quickly became the go-to tool for finding cheap flights among the locals. Dohop finds the best deals among hundreds of different airlines and online travel agencies, to make sure that the user is getting the cheapest price. Dohop also offers hotel and car rental search engines, so users can make all of their travel bookings from a single website.

        Dohop‘s specialty is finding so-called “self-connect” flight options, which can save travelers money by booking a ticket through two or more different airlines. The ability to look for these self-connect option is what sets Dohop apart from its competition, as it can save people hundreds of dollars on certain routes.

        More recently, Dohop has developed a unique product called Dohop Go!, which allows users to check for the cheapest available flights from their home airport. This tool is perfect for those who are looking for travel inspiration but are not willing to overpay for their flight ticket. Dohop Go! is now available in the Dohop Flights App, both for Android and iOS, along with its traditional flight, hotel, and car search engines. “

        VSÓ Ráðgjöf

           

          VSÓ Ráðgjöf er alhliða ráðgjafar- og verkfræðifyrirtæki sem leggur áherslu á trausta og faglega þjónustu sem tryggir viðskiptavinum hagkvæmustu lausnir hverju sinni, skilar raunverulegum árangri og stuðlar að samkeppnisforskoti.  Á skrifstofum VSÓ í Reykjavík og í Noregi starfar yfir 80 manna samhentur hópur verkfræðinga og annarra tæknimenntaðra starfsmanna.

          Macland
          - for all your Apple needs
          Macland

          From starting out as a proper startup with only a good idea and the need to change things, to becoming an established company with 6 employees. Starting from scratch and expanding organically has allowed us to love our expansion and take our customers on the ride with us.

          Macland is located at Laugavegur 23 (101, Downtown Reykjavik)
          For all your Apple needs. We are here.

          Ísey skyr
          - once tasted never forgotten

          Our Story
          Once upon a time, 1,100 years ago in fact, Nordic settlers began arriving in Iceland. They brought with them the skills and knowledge for producing skyr. As time passed, the know-how and recipe for this nutritious food slowly faded out elsewhere in the Nordic region. Luckily, the Icelandic skyr-making tradition continued.

          For centuries, Icelandic skyr formed a cornerstone of the national diet, helping to keep people strong in living conditions that were often harsh. On family farms countrywide, it was the women who nurtured this dairy and passing on both the recipe and the original Icelandic skyr cultures from mother to daughter.

          Ísey skyr builds on this remarkable legacy. It was some of those very same women, the recipients of their mothers’ expertise, who, around 90 years ago, taught Icelandic dairy scientists the art of skyr-making. The production process is more high-tech these days, and the quality standards more rigorous. However, the basic recipe and the use of original cultures to ferment the skimmed milk remain the same. Protein rich, fat-free, creamy and delicious – Ísey skyr is as relevant to consumers now as it was all those centuries ago.
          This is our secret and you are in on it

          You can read more about Ísey skyr on our website.

          Contact Us


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