Last month I ventured to the Holy Land on the sophomore voyage of the new Celebrity Silhouette (celebritycruises.com) cruise ship. Over 3000 party-hungry men (and 17 brave women) had christened the ship two weeks prior on its maiden voyage from Italy to Israel and back, in association with Atlantis events. Though I chose to set sail on one of the regularly scheduled itineraries rather than indulging in the Atlantis hype, I found the Celebrity Silhouette exceptionally gay friendly, superbly service-oriented, and sensationally fun.

I’m no stranger to cruising but this was my first Celebrity cruise (I am a Carnival and Princess Cruiselines regular). Immediately, I was blown away by the style and sophistication of the ship. Each of the common rooms impressed me more than the next. The ship has a youthful, whimsical and super stylish feel, with sexy interiors highly reminiscent of my favorite “W” hotels.

The first days of the cruise were spent at sea. “Sea Days” tend to be my favorite days on any cruise, allowing me to relax completely without creating minute- to-minute itineraries for thoroughly exploring a new city or island in just a few hours. Sea days were a time to get to know the ship inside and out. My balcony stateroom was spacious and modern, including an extra large bathroom and a priceless view, as we sailed past Sicily and the Greek Islands. A lover of cocktails, I found the Martini Bar and Crush my favorite space on the ship (and the Raspberry Lemonade Martini arguably my favorite drink in the world!). Feeding off a 28-degree concept of deep glacial whites and blues with its Philippe Stark-style mega chairs and sleek chaise lounges, the oval-shaped bar comfortably seats a few dozen, sporting a counter made of solid ice. The Hideaway, two floors above, functions as an eclectic coffee and chill-out lounge area, where both relaxation and good conversation unfold over avante-garde seating areas resembling bird cages and nests.

The world-class Aqua spa is flanked by the most expansive, state-of-the art full-scale gymnasium I have ever seen on the high seas! Quasar, the ship’s main nightclub across from the shopping arcade (which includes Michael Kors and other retail shops) is a pimped out palladium that puts South Beach’s most popular trendsetters to shame!

Besides the constant eating orgies in the regular dining rooms and all-you-can eat buffets, the ship boasts ten – yes ten – specialty-dining restaurants on board, including the interactive Lawn Club Grill (think: upscale BBQ on the top deck where a Celebrity Chef helps grill your selections and you make your own flatbreads) and traditional fine dining at Celebrity’s most renowned restaurant, Murano.

Indeed, my sea days on the Celebrity Silhouette were long and lazy. I’d sleep in, order breakfast on my balcony and then head to the quiet Solstice deck on level 15 for some intense summer sunbathing. I caught up on my favorite  magazines in the Library lounge and participated in a workshop or two that peaked my interest – like the Riedel Wine Workshop, which demonstrates how the shape and quality of a wine glass affects taste and smell of various wines and the iMovie workshop, so I could finally learn to use this useful application on my Mac!

Lots of eye candy at the gym meant long hours of cardio and pumping iron to work off the colossal portions I had been consuming. I met some great people – both gay and straight – my first nights at the casino and at the “Friends of Dorothy” meeting, a group that proved to be tons of fun throughout the sailing. Throw some casino time in, lots of drinking, even more eating, late night dancing and some special events with the Captain – I probably would have been more than content with 12 “sea days!” But alas, Greece, Italy and Israel were calling; and our ports of call (including Rome, Santorini, and Haifa), were not to be missed.

To be continued next week with, Celebrity Silhouette Sets Sail, Part II: Ports of Call.

And once they’re done building their prospective fortunes, visitors will find plenty of other reasons to celebrate. Greater Fort Lauderdale’s eclectic dining scene, the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, and charming Intracoastal Waterway will make them want to stay no matter what hand they’re dealt. And of course, the destination’s 23 miles of certified Blue Wave beaches will leave visitors saying “pinch me” instead of “hit me.”

“As the only county in Florida that offers Vegas style legalized gaming opportunities, Greater Fort Lauderdale offers a wide variety of gaming options – with more news on the horizon,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Gaming is just another in a long line of activities our beach chic destination has to offer – from high-end shopping and dining, our world-class yachting scene along the Intracoastal Waterway, wonderful scuba diving and the natural wonders of the Everglades.”

Following is an overview of gaming opportunities in Greater Fort Lauderdale:

New and Improved: Gulfstream Park Horse Racing & Casino. Gulf-stream Park in Hallandale has undergone a massive renovation project that has dramatically enhanced the facility. The state-of-the-art racetrack now features spectacular restaurants, luxury suites and private accommodations for top players. In addition, an on-site casino opened in November 2006 featuring more than 500 slot machines, and plans to add 700 more in the near future. (800) 771-TURF; www.gulfstreampark.com

Lots of New Slots: In Pompano Beach, the isle casino & racing at pompano park, is completing a $170 million racino development with a contemporary style that incorporates the water culture of Greater Fort Lauderdale in the design and décor including a water feature made from more than 4,000 sheets of cut glass. Additional attributes include Bragozzo Osteria Wine Bar, developed with celebrity chef Luke Palladino; Farraddays’, the company’s signature steakhouse; Fling, a feature bar with high-action imagery and multiple video displays; Myron’s, a full-service New York-style delicatessen named after comedian Myron Cohen; and the Isle Buffet, featuring more than 150 feet of hot and cold items and up to five display and exhibition cooking stations. In addition, 1,500 Vegas-style slots, a 34-table poker room, high-tech sports bar, wagering area over-looking the track and a new Winner’s Circle round out the additions.

Top-ranked trotters and award-winning harness drivers are featured. (954) 972-2000; www.theislepompanopark.com

See Spot Run: Dog Racing. Visitors to Greater Fort Lauderdale are also privy to some of Florida’s best greyhound racing at Mardi Gras Racetrack and Gaming Center, formerly Hollywood Greyhound Track. Live dog racing, simulcast horse racing, and a poker room featuring multi-player buy-in tournaments combine with casual dining and a fun flea market to bring a little bit of New Orleans to Greater Fort Lauderdale. Recent additions include more than 1,100 new slot machines. (954-924-3200; www.playmardigras.com

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood was an instant hit upon opening in spring of 2004. An 86-acre resort on Greater Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful Seminole Native American reservation, the Hard Rock features a colossal 130,000-square-foot casino offering more than 2,000 slot and video poker machines, and a 40-table poker room featuring everything from Seven-Card Stud to Texas Hold ‘em. Outside the casino, visitors will enjoy the “Seminole Paradise,” a 300,000-square-foot dining, shopping and entertainment district, a tropical pool lagoon area with water slides, a Contour Spa and, of course, a legendary Hard Rock Café. (954) 327-7625; www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com

The Seminole Coconut Creek Casino will debut its $32 million facelift this month, the first phase of plans to transform the gaming site into a destination resort. Open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek features over 1,100 gaming machines, live and tournament poker action plus a full bar and café. (954) 977-6700; www.seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com.

Ride a Wave of Success with Gaming Cruises: Offering daily daytime and evening departures from port Everglades, SeaEscape® Cruises can entertain up to 900 passengers aboard a fully air conditioned, eight-deck cruise vessel, the SeaEscape M/V Island Adventure. The ship’s outstanding casino features table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Mini-Baccarat as well as against-the-house poker games such as Let It Ride, Caribbean Poker, Three-Card Poker, and Pai Gow Poker. The casino holds more than 300 slot and video poker machines, and offers bingo. Live entertainment includes the Castaways Show Lounge, dancing at La Parranda Dance Club and Sky Views Disco. A la carte dining is available at the Verandah Dining Room & Bar. Admission starts at $27.95; cruises last 5-6 hours. (877) 732-3722; www.seaescape.com.

Discovery Cruise Line® sails daily from Port Everglades to Grand Bahama Island. Discovery offers one-day tours, which depart before 8 am and return at 10 pm, giving passengers ample time to explore Grand Bahama Island, as well as “Cruise n’ Stay” package that allows passengers to overnight on the island and return whenever they wish. The casino features table games such as blackjack, roulette and craps, as well as three-card poker and oasis stud poker. More than 125 slot machines are also offered. Discovery cruises also feature three lounge areas for drinks and dancing, three restaurants and a pool. Rates start at $125. (800) 937-4477; www.discoverycruise.com

That’s the Way the Ball Bounces – Jai-Alai: Looking for some even faster action while in Greater Fort Lauderdale? Try Dania Jai-Alai in Dania Beach. A thrilling, high-speed game played with a hardball traveling at speeds up to 180 mph, Jai-Alai is known as the “world’s fastest ballgame” by the Guinness Book of World Records. At Dania Jai-Alai, visitors can place bets on the outcomes of these exciting matches. The facility also features live simulcast horse racing and a poker room with games like Seven Card Stud and Texas Hold ‘em. Dania Jai-Alai is undergoing a major renovation and is expected to open its new casino complex in 2008. www.dania-jai-alai.com.