R Family Vacations was founded in 2003 by travel veterans Gregg Kaminsky and Kelli Carpenter as the first company to create vacations specifically for LGBTQ families and friends. The company has since expanded to offer many adult-only trips, including river cruise charters, tours, resort vacations and large group cruises. Demographics tend to be evenly split between genders, and everyone is openly welcomed.
As travel continues to rebound, the company is hosting a full ship charter in Venice, Italy aboard Uniworld’s SS La Venezia this month. For summer, they are offering a cruise sailing to Alaska aboard the Celebrity Solstice, and in the fall they will explore Ireland with an all-LGBTQ tour co-partnered with Brendan Vacations. Next year’s line up includes a trip around Thailand, another Uniworld charter in France, a family cruise on the brand new Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas, and an adult-only group on Virgin Voyages.
Travel Industry Today caught up with Gregg to find out more about R Family Vacations.
What are some of the key destinations that you foresee your travellers heading to this year and beyond, both the top favourites, along with any new and emerging destinations?
We are hosting our first tour of Ireland this Fall, then heading back to Thailand in early 2023. I think that people are ready to travel again. Our next trip is to Venice, and I think this might be the best year ever to visit there given there won’t be the usual crowds. Our guests are always looking for that “trip of a lifetime” destination. We have some exciting options coming soon, including Israel and a private yacht in Croatia!
What are some of the key factors you look for when exploring a new destination offering?
Key factors in exploring a new destination are what can we do that you may not be able to create on your own. We want our guests to experience something unique to that destination, such as an interesting food tour or something that the locals do that really gives you a taste of what it’s like to live there.
What are you most recent tour additions to your portfolio?
Ireland, Thailand, Israel, Croatia and Egypt
What are some of the things that make your tours unique and different to other LGBTQ+ tour operators worldwide?
What makes us unique is that we really welcome the entire LGBTQ+ community. It’s a real mix. Most other LGBTQ trips are either mostly men or all women. Our guests love the diversity they find when they travel with us. Also, many straight friends and family join our trips and they absolutely love it!
As a company who has succeeded in their mandate, what are some of the key principles that you have followed since day one, and what have been some of your biggest challenges?
Our goal is always to create community and to offer trips that everyone feels welcome. Solo travellers are instantly part of the group when they arrive. Our biggest challenges include spreading the word to more people! It’s not easy for small companies like ours, but we do know that once you travel with us, you will keep coming back.
Can you tell us about some your green initiatives and/or giving back locally protocols?
We have done various charity projects on our vacations and always seek ways to support the local communities that we visit.
You’ve been doing this for quite some time now, can you tell us about some of your most memorable experiences that either yourself, or your clients have experienced?
Seeing the friendships that are formed on our trips is our greatest joy. We love to see guests together with each other after meeting on our vacations. I will never forget bathing elephants in Thailand. It’s one of the most amazing things we’ve ever done on our trips. That and the “French Fry” tour in Belgium (where French Fries are really from) – the yummiest excursion ever!!
From a personal perspective, what is your favourite go-to destination, whether it’s part of your company offering or entirely separate, and why?
I love big cities. My go-to destinations include Paris and London. One day I hope to do a short-term rental to really pretend that I live there.
Where in the world haven’t you been yet, but is on your bucket list, and why?
I haven’t been to Norway, Sweden or Finland… yet! (Minus a quick layover on Finnair en route to Thailand) Also, I’ve always dreamed about visiting Japan (and I do have Tokyo scheduled for next year!)
What’s one of your favourite Canadian destinations, and why?
It’s hard to pick my favourite spots in Canada because I just love it there. My husband Dan’s family is from Nova Scotia, and I’ve been fortunate to travel there a few times. Cape Breton Island in the Fall is truly the most beautiful foliage I’ve ever seen. Before COVID, I spent a couple of weeks in Chester (NS). I just loved my time there. Such kind people. We have another wedding to attend in October so I can’t wait to return!
Visit www.rfamilyvacations.com for more info or email info@rfamilyvacations.com to reserve.