Rainbow Readers Cruise
Author/Creator
Attendee Information
Thank you for your interest in possibly attending the 2025 Rainbow Readers Cruise as an author!
At the Rainbow Readers Cruise, we welcome authors, narrators, bloggers, editors, and others in the industry to register for the event as creators, which provides promotional experiences to help make lasting connections with your fans and audience.
We are hoping to have many authors to meet and plenty of various events onboard for our fabulous readers - the 2024 Cruise had over 55 individual events/meetups scheduled for readers to meet with their favorite authors, bloggers, and narrators.
Going forward we are hoping to continue to create fun, unique opportunities and in order to do that are asking for some information from interested authors so that we can create the best event mix possible.
In order for us to learn more about you as an author, artist, and person, please fill out the below interest form. We will be reaching out to authors with invitations to the cruise and further details over the next few weeks!
Joel welcomes you to the Rainbow Readers Cruise in this short video!
Registration Levels
There are three levels of Author/Creator registration for the Rainbow Readers Cruise.
Featured Author/Creator - $325 Registration Fee
Supporting Author/Creator - $300 Registration Fee
Attending Author/Creator - $275 Registration Fee
Information on and benefits of each registration level can be found below.
Please indicate on your interest form which level you are interested in!
Creator Registration Requirements:
Creators must have had an integral role in the creation of at least two published LGBT books or audiobooks available for purchase at the time of registration. This does not include stories included in an anthology.
OR
Creators who are bloggers or influencers must be an active part of the LGBTQ+ book community through regular content development. If you question if you should register as a creator - just ask!
What can creators expect aboard the Rainbow Readers Cruise?
Creator Social Hosting Opportunities – Featured and Supporting Creators will have the opportunity to host and sometimes sponsor onboard social events like games, craft activities, and “creator takeovers.” (i.e. hosting readers for an hour at the ship’s onboard Martini Bar, leading a Karaoke activity, or being an “associate guide” on planned excursions.)
Signing at Sea – Featured and Supporting creators will have the opportunity to participate in a Signing at Sea session.
The 2024 cruise featured over 55 events to meet new readers at.
Plenty of social time with new readers and fans on an unforgettable voyage!
Creator Registration Benefits for all levels includes:
Registered Creator listing on www.rainbowreaderscruise.com
Registered Creator profile page on www.rainbowreaderscruise.com. including headshot/logo, biography, links to your social media, newsletter signup, website, and up to four featured titles..
Registered Creator listing in all newsletter email communication to attendees and potential attendees -update section featuring creators within the newsletter.
Registered Creator listing in the Rainbow Readers Cruise Guidebook app
Recognition at events with a “Registered Creator” name tag badge
Opportunity to participate in the Rainbow Readers Cruise Blog Tour on Joyfully Jay (https://joyfullyjay.com) or other LGBT-focused blog
Opportunities to purchase additional promotional experiences such as excursion hosting
Attending Author/Creator registration includes the above in addition to:
The attending author/creator featured meetup party with readers to introduce the Attending Authors/Creators and their work to new readers.
Note: Those registered as Attending Authors/Creators are not eligible for the preorder and do not have a space at the signing. Those registered as Attending Authors/Creators are not permitted to sell books onboard but get to take part in all of the promotional activities listed above.
Supporting Author/Creator Registration includes the above in addition to:
Participation at the Supporting Author/Creator Signing at Sea book signing
Participation in the Rainbow Readers Cruise Preorder where we arrange and send your preorders and book stock ahead to get it aboard the Reflection
Opportunities for possible author hosted tables at dinner
Opportunities for hosting further social events with current and new fans
Featured Author/Creator Registration includes all of the above in addition to:
Participation at the Featured Author/Creator Signing at Sea book signing
Participation on a panel
Creator Expectations:
If a Registered Creator signs up for a promoted activities they will be expected to follow through and participate in that activity. Creators are expected to be good “ambassadors” of the event, sharing about their participation with their audience - after all, you want your folks to come see you!
Refund Policy:
In order to have adequate pre planning time, Creator Registrations can not be refunded after March 1, 2025. Registrations cannot be transferred from one person to another.
Guests Policy:
The Creator Registration Fee covers the cost of one attendee at all conference events, sessions, and the Signing at Sea. Though we welcome you to bring spouses/partners/friends to join in with ship-wide social time, conference events located in the conference center are limited to the registered attendee and non-registered guests may not attend these events. Personal assistants will be required to register as a reader for the events.
Stateroom Booking:
*Creator registration does not include your cruise stateroom booking fee.
All Staterooms for the Rainbow Readers Cruise must be booked through the group by contacting Rich through this website.
The Celebrity Reflection: Our home for the Rainbow Readers Cruise
The Rainbow Readers Cruise is taking place aboard the Celebrity Reflection departing from the Port of Fort Lauderdale on August 11, 2025 and returning on August 15, 2025. All attendees of the conference will be required to also book the cruise. (You can’t be at the conference events if you aren’t onboard!)
Ports of Call are Key West, Florida and Perfect Day at Coco Cay (Celebrity and Royal Caribbean’s Private Island).
In order to ensure the quality of the experience for the Rainbow Readers Cruise, Rich and Joel have been on multiple cruises with Celebrity, and have visited both of these ports. We know you will have a fantastic time!
Your cruise on the Celebrity Reflection features all-inclusive dining at four complimentary restaurants (the Oceanview Cafe, Opus, the Mast Grill, and the Spa Cafe). Specialty restaurants can be booked for an additional charge.
*Excursions and specialty dining are offered at an additional cost.
Stateroom Options
All staterooms booked with the Rainbow Readers Cruise
include meals and shipboard entertianment.
Inside Stateroom
183-200 Sq. ft.
Your escape at sea, Inside Staterooms offer ample living space, including a sitting area and a flat screen TV. Each inside stateroom on board Celebrity Reflection includes world-class amenities.
*stateroom booking does not include conference fee
Ocean View Stateroom
176 Sq. ft.
Expansive views make Ocean View Staterooms on the Celebrity Reflection the ideal place to unwind at sea. These perfectly indulgent spaces come furnished with Celebrity’s eXhale bedding featuring Cashmere™ Mattress.
*stateroom booking does not include conference fee
Veranda Stateroom
192 Sq. ft. Veranda 54 Sq. ft.
Ample indoor and outdoor space come together to create your private sanctuary at sea. Your personal veranda lets you greet the day, soak in breathtaking sunsets, and enjoy fresh sea breezes.
*stateroom booking does not include conference fee