R Family Vacations and Olivia Travel Join Forces to Bring Guests to Puerto Vallarta Kelly Morris - The Seattle Lesbian
January 26, 2016

R Family Vacations has teamed up with Olivia Travel for the first time ever to bring LGBT vacationers and their families together on a cruise to Puerto Vallarta this July.

R Family Vacations, which was founded by Kelli Carpenter and Gregg Kaminsky 11 years ago, is the only travel company that caters to both gays and lesbians, and the only company that involves families with children. They have teamed up with Olivia Travel, the largest lesbian travel company in the world, to provide this experience.

“We are thrilled to partner with R Family Vacations,” President and founder of Olivia, Judy Dlugacz, said in a press release. “Our decision to join forces was so that our two companies can serve a need in our community and bring families together in an environment where they can be completely comfortable.”

The trip will be a week-long vacation at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta in Mexico. Accommodations will include an eight-day and seven-night stay, meals at six restaurants, beverages, and activities. A full children’s program will also be available as well as workshops hosted by Family Equality Council and entertainment from Alec Mapa, Elvira Kurt, Esera Tuaolo, Vickie Shaw, DJ’s Rockaway and David Knapp, Anne Steele, and more.

The pairing of the two companies had been in talks for about three years.

“It’s been a long time in the making,” Carpenter said. “Olivia does wonderful things, they come with a lot of experience and run a fantastic company. It’s time to bring these two brands together for a bigger and better experience.”

Her business partner agrees.

“This partnership seemed like the perfect evolution for both Olivia and R Family,” Kaminsky said in a press release. “We want to offer the biggest fully-chartered resort vacation for the entire LGBT community and their families and friends. Everyone is welcome to travel with us.”

With only a six-week window that all kids in the U.S. are out of school, the companies had to pick a place that could accommodate a large group during the summer.

“Olivia has chartered [Puerto Vallarta] for many years,” Carpenter said. “I have been and fell in love with the resort. They have the right kids programming and availability in the summer and is also very gay-friendly. It just had all the right pieces.”

Packages are currently on sale and begin at $1,499 per adult and $399 per child.

The two are already discussing another vacation next summer.

“Right now we are in discussions with Olivia to do another vacation in 2017,” Carpenter said. “Sales have been fantastic and the product will blow minds.”

Read the original at The Seattle Lesbian.