Gay cruise cancelled

A seven-night cruise which was set to shake up the party calendar in Australia next year with what had been dubbed the country’s largest LGBTI “festival at sea” has been cancelled.

Liberati, which officially launched in August, was to set sail for the South Pacific from Sydney on October 5, 2013 and visit the Isle of Pines and Noumea in New Caledonia.

Liberati entertainment producer Spencer McLaren said people who had already bought tickets would be refunded.

“Due to logistical issues beyond our control, Unity Events are sad to announce that we will be unable to proceed with the sailing of Liberati in 2013,” he said.

“We will do our best over the coming months to rectify these issues, with the aim of rescheduling Liberati to a later date of 2014.

“We are very sorry for the inconvenience this may cause our loyal customers who will of course be offered a full refund in the interim.

“To activate that they can simply contact their travel agent with whom they booked.”

Star Observer understands that advertising was pulled from media outlets that were promoting the cruise this morning, though its official website appears to still be taking bookings.

Organisers Unity Events were hoping up to 2,400 gay and lesbian guests would holiday on the cruise, which had enlisted the likes of Trevor Ashley, DJ Pornstar and Bob Downe, as well as singers, cabaret artists, DJs, and comedians to perform throughout the journey. The Famous Spiegeltent was also set to be brought onboard.

It’s understood Unity Events director Sarina Bogdanov is currently overseas.

Liberati was booked to take place on Royal Caribbean’s 11-deck Rhapsody of the Seas.