Bahcruiseyguy78

Hey there Everyone!

I just booked my annual cruise on Carnival (Sept 16 on Conquest) ..... after trying HAL, NCL, and CCL...

What has changed? Any advice ??

Drink Package/Embarkation/Debarkation/Excursions/Dining/etc ....

I'm reading up on quite a bit, but at the risk of being accused of needing to be 'spoon-fed', I just thought I would ask on here and get the real scoop on the poop that keeps me in the loop!

Any advice or thoughts are welcome and appreciated !!

Thanks In Advance!

Been on Destiny, Breeze, Victory, and the Glory ..... LOVED the Glory, the rest were great as well.

Been on HAL, Celebrity, and NCL.. The others were nice, all with pros and cons, but I Hated NCL.

From the staff at check in - they were rude and unwilling to even listen, let alone Help out!

Was on the Epic - an Epic Fail! Room was Tiny, beds were hard, ship was laid out terribly ( there was vomit and urine in the elevators by late night cuz of the lack of public restrooms)... Food was horrible, - at best. Service was slow, if at all! There were staff walking around with hand sanitizer - Barking "HANDS!" like a school nun, and then spraying sticky, stinky crap over your hands. The wifi was crazy expensive and slow or non-existant. They "nickel and dime" you over everything! They did have lots of bacon on the buffet! - and the food in the "paid" restaurants was acceptable, sometimes even Good! - and so was some of the entertainment! - but it was expensive and can quite easily double the cost of your cruise - even without alcohol! The highlight was a guest entertainer in the piano bar, He salvaged the trip entirely! .

I've been on a few cruises - and never had any real issues, to speak of! I've been on NCL, HAL, Celebrity, and Carnival, and felt as comfortable, If not more comfortable on carnival than on the others. We did have an issue one evening with some rude kids - but can't blame Carnival for that, but the CD (Everson something or other) was told about it and blatantly defended the rude kids. - which pissed me off a little!

Interesting story, My Partner and I decided to take a cruise on the Glory, (LOVED IT - btw) It was his first cruise, and really our first trip as a couple...... well, I'm a chatterbox, and he's more reserved, so he was a little apprehensive about the dining situation. Well, the first night, we were seated at a table for 10 ... A straight Puerto Rican couple (mid 50's), A lesbian couple in their early 50's from NY, a 20something gay couple from the midwest, and these two ladies - late70's/early 80's - that looked like they were supposed to get on a Southern Baptist Gaither cruise - complete with floor length skirts and hair buns, and us. Well, conversations started, introductions were made, and it wasn't wonderful, but it wasn't bad either. When we got back to the room, we commented and bounced the idea around of reseating or dining alone - but decided to give it one more shot!

Evening #2 begins and we are seated at the same table, minus the two church ladies! We made brief comment that they must have been uncomfortable or offended - and then turned to nicer conversation and moved on .....

On to #3 ... in line at the dining room, we see the church ladies in line to the side of us. I figured I'd see what was the deal - so, me - never at a loss for words, makes my way up to them, puts my hand on her shoulder, and so sweetly said "Hey Ladies, we missed you last night at dinner!" ... bracing myself for some sermon or a rehearsed excuse ....... the ladies both looked at me in shock, and said "Really???" ... "Of course we did!" I replied! .... after a bit of silence and apprehension, they finally broke the ice and said "Wow! we thought that you all must have not enjoyed our company, and had asked for us to be removed!" I was in disbelief, My heart sank - I felt awful! I explained that I hadn't, and we couldn't figure out anything other than the staff noticed and took it upon themselves ...

Anyway, at dinner, I mentioned the situation, and they all agreed that they hadn't complained or asked for a reseating..... So, in conclusion, we asked for them to be reseated with us! They sat with us the rest of the trip - and we all had a great time!!!

Moral of the story is this - first of all, Never assume or judge a book by it's cover.... but secondly, as a minority, sometimes we tend to have a chip on our shoulder - so to speak, and forget our similarities because we are too focused on the differences!

I've found that being a gay cruiser - with family, alone, or with my partner - a cruise is about relaxing, unwinding, and taking a 7 day course of "Fukitol" and most want to just have a good time!

I've learned that you have to respect, to be respected.... accept, to be accepted, and love to be loved in return! A cruise, like life, is what we make of it, what we focus on, and what we culture and embrace! Some may be better than others, but life's gotta be good if you're on a cruise!!!!!!

Hi there All!

I'm a Foodie, and a FATTIE and wondering what would you guys recommend, and your likes a dislikes when it comes to eating on a ship .... I like good food, but i'm not a food snob! I can enjoy a good burger or pizza, as well as Filet Mignon and Escargot!

Here's my experiences ....

First of all, I'm not an avid cruiser - but would love to be! ... I've been on the Destiny, Breeze, Glory, and the Norwegian Epic

Food on the Carnival ships were ok .. MDR was nice .... buffets were well, Buffets! The Steakhouse was Superb!!

Food on the Epic was EPIC FAIL - in my opinion - except for the specialty restaurants and the bacon at breakfast!

Being a Weight Loss surgery Patient, I'm not at all about Quantity! Carnival has really pissed me off a bit on the last few occasions, and thought that I would try a different line - even though I'm still on a Carnival kinda budget ....

I had read review on MSC's Food and it's either a love it or hate it type of deal.

Thinking about a cruise on Celebrity in Late Oct....

So, to bring all of this to a close, What line would you experienced guys recommend?? Tips? secrets? ...

Thanks!

SO true about Nassau ... it is Rich with history ... but, again, an old city with many of the bad things that accompany such ......

As for the Family Islands - very easy! Abaco (MHH) and Eleuthera (ELH) have daily flights on major carriers (American, United, USAirways, And Delta Starting in DEC 2015 ) from 4 FL cities - Orlando, Palm Beach, Miami, and Ft. Lauderdale. Search them on orbitz, travelocity etc ....

Many don't have large hotels, per say.... but most people use rental Villas, Bungalows, etc ..... there are many Property Management Web Sites that handle this.

I am an Abaco boy - born and raised ... so If you should choose Abaco, I'd me more than happy to assist in any way ...

Anyone, Anyone ????

Hi there All,

First of all, yes, Nassau is a bit Ghetto ... we locals call it "Nausea" But, It's an old city - it is what it is .....

P.I. and Atlantis are nice, Food is Good most everywhere - Bahamians know how to cook and eat ....

As with anywhere, exercise caution - stay in designated areas, don't go flaunting your sexuality or your $$$ .... and try to enjoy it ...

It's not something that we as Bahamians are proud of ... but ... it is what it is!

As a gay Bahamian, there are some people that are loud and in your face about their intolerance - as is everywhere - just more pronounced in a small place ..... Believe me, there are LOTS of gays in Nassau ... just turn on your Grindr/Growlr/Scruff app - you will be surprised!

AND as a Bahamian - please don't consider this the real Bahamas !!! Nassau is literally the @$$hole of the Bahamas! ... the Family Islands - Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera, etc ... are some of the most beautiful and friendly places in the Caribbean. Judging the Bahamas by Nassau is the same as judging the US by somewhere like a New York Ghetto or bad areas in Detroit ....

Have fun and stay safe !!!

Good day All! ....

I was getting on this board to post a question - and what i would have said is identical to this thread! ...

I'm thinking about the Divina on the 13th Sept ... but was a little hesitant ... I've never seen such strongly opposing reviews of anything - as I've read about MSC and the Divina! - it's certainly a Love it or Hate it type of thing ...

I'm coming to the conclusion though that no one can answer it .. so, I think that I'm going to take a chance and see for myself .... IT's a cruise, after all, Some are better than others, but ..... for the prices offered, it'll be worth it if i just lay around and eat ! ... LOL! - yeah, I'm a foodie ( and a chef) .....

Guess I'll check out the roll call and hopefully make some friends!

Hey Guys! .... I'm Neil ...

Not booked yet, but seriously thinking about it .... Kinda cautious of the new line/ship/layout/clientele/etc .... But, trying to remember that traveling is all about experiencing different cultures/people/etc ....

I've been on Norwegian ( HATED IT!! ) and a few Carnival Trips ( Mixed feelings- but mostly positive ) .....

My Bf - Steve - has only ever been on one cruise ( carnival ) ...

Anyway, Hopefully will confirm this sometime this week ..

Looking forward to meeting a good group of people and making new Friends!

Anyone ever been on MSC before ???

I find this thread very interesting ... as I'm in the same boat ... Been a few times on Carnival ... was nice .... once on NCL Epic - epic Fail! - never again! - only thing good was the shows! .....

Was planning a Celebrity Cruise last year, but that fell through!

I'm a chef, and was thinking about trying MSC Line ? ... ..... any thoughts???

Hey Guys! .... Looks like we may be the only "Family" on board ....... Looking forward to Meeting you both! ...

I'm Neil, 35 .. and my partner is Steve, 53 ...

Shoot me a private message or email me at albury.neil@gmail.com - if you like to be in contact before we board .... will you guys be in FL on Sat? ....

Interested in being Table Mates ? .....

Gimme a shout!

Stay warm!

Hey All.... Anyone going on the Carnival Glory on 16/2/14 ?

Hey there Guys! ... My very good friend - i guess you can say "Boyfriend" - and I are thinking about jumpin on board .... I've only done carnival and norwegian .... He's never cruised ..... I hate the itinerary, but the scheduling is right, and so is the price ....... Debating ...... What are you're thoughts on this line/ship ?... anyone ???

sounds like a great time! ....

want to send me some more info ?

albury.neil at gmail.com