diknjoe

Greetings! Dick and Joe here from Winter Haven FL. Anyone else on board?

Safe and happy travels to all. We are out of here in a couple hours.

D&J

Oh man, everybody boarding at Terminal B but me

Always look on the bright side of life. You should get on very quickly then. ;O).

We are "B" as well.

D&J

Yes for the LGBT Group then maybe we can a put a note in the bulletin onboard for other LGBT that are not on CC.

 

Guys please suggest for at least the first meeting that we can all go together then we plan our next meeting moving forward onboard.

 

Maybe first meeting right after sailaway party? Just to say hi hello and get to know each other's faces then we decide when is the next meeting etc?

 

Suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks

 

 

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We are hoping the CD staff is watching this. They have begun to schedule the LGBT gatherings and publishing them in the compass, which they didn't do until last year. When they did it was 11pm in a bar with a folk singer and a loud amp. Not the best for conversation. Some "family" approached the CD who changed it to after dinner at "Vintages"(wine bar).

Of course the bulletin board is "free for the public" to post anything we want.

The Compass should be in our Rooms when we arrive . Let's see what the staff decides to do and decide how to respond.

Joe and I will be at the "Solarium" sail away. After muster drill.

D&J

Welcome back Karen! Maybe some are already on holiday mode... we are leaving in 13 days to Madrid.

 

Any suggestions for our first meeting? As to location and time?

 

 

 

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Are we talking about LGBT Meet and Greet on the ship? Joe and I prefer an early time to a late one (like after dinner). Location? Any venue that doesn't have entertainment. Thanks so much for asking!

D&J

Hi everyone!

 

Getting closer! Like most on the other roll call, I booked my shows, completed online check-in but can't print my SetSail pass. Hopefully, that will correct itself.

 

Also splurged for the 5 specialty restaurant package! Hoping we'll find some friends to share a table or two with like we did on the Oasis TA in 2014.

 

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

We were able to print our Set Sail Passes (individual ones this time). So far we haven't been able to book Headliner 2 &3 , but nailed the rest.

Last year on the Serenade TA we were able to do the LGBT gathering after dinner thanks to a proactive Cruise Director. We'd vote for the same this time.

Looking forward to the cruise as well .

D&J

Hi Guys

 

Stephen here from QLD Australia, travelling solo.

 

Currently booked Inside Stateroom guarantee, room hasn't been assigned yet, I think as the cruise is sold out , once final payment is made and some people cancel I will get one of the rooms left over

 

:)

 

Look forward to meeting you all

Welcome Stephen. Glad to have you with us. We did a guaranteed inside on

Serenade last year and it worked out well. Since we are sold out, you might get an upgrade.

D&J

Hi everyone... I was trying to book on this sailing and it is now showing FULLY sold out on the website... I've heard a rumor it was chartered... I figured I would check with you guys to see if you had heard anything... :/

We booked back in April of '15 directly with Royal. It's always possible that some TA's have groups on board, but I doubt "charter" very much.

D&J

According to MMOB,Royal now has a corporate director of Diversity and Inclusion. Maybe now we will see more about LGBT in the Compass? One can hope, anyway!

D&J

Bought the drink package couple weeks ago given the current promotion. I want to go to most of the restaurants but haven't pulled that trigger yet.

 

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We will be doing MDR or Windjammer most of the time.

D&J

Thanks that's great info! will definitely check out those sites! out of interest how safe is it to walk back to a hotel from a club on ocean drive? eg say im out of an evening in that main bit on ocean drive up to about the junction with 13th st but I stay in a hotel around 19th st junction with colins ave then would you say I'd need a taxi or would it be absolutely fine to walk?

Ocean Drive is loaded with friendly tourists, ditto Lincoln Rd. Collins not so much.

D&J

Hi everyone- not checked in for ages but it's getting a bit closer. Like some of the threads I've just read through I have now got my flights booked back from MIA to the UK- Because I booked through an American vacation site I was able to book Choice Air or whatever it's now called and got a really good deal. I need to start looking at hotels in Miami now for a couple of nights- does anyone have any good tips about places to stay? visit and eat in Miami at all? I would be particularly interested if anyone has ever visited Little Havanna and has any tips? Also has anyone ever got the coach from Miami down to Key West and if so is it worthwhile doing or something that should really be done in a hire car? At that point though my friends will have headed back to the UK but I'm staying on for a bit in Miami so was more thinking of the coach due to price really. As for the excursion stops in Europe the one thing I can definitely say is I would NOT recommend the hop on hop off bus in Malaga- it was the most boring trip I've ever been on and as an ex Holiday Rep I've done my fair share of trips lol. This time I think I might look at escaping Malaga to Ronda however if you are staying in Malaga there is excellent tapas in the Mercado Central de Atarazanas and the square by the Cathedral and Bishops Palace is very pretty.

We lived in South Florida up until 10 years ago. Our information is dated, but

google "Hot Spots". its the weekly guide for the area, also S. Florida Gay News. Hot Spots will give current information on "family friendly" clubs restaurants and places to stay.

You will find a lot more going on in Ft Lauderdale than Miami. If you're looking for good Cuban food, little Havana is the place to go. It's a good 4-5 hours one way , to Key West from Miami but a beautiful drive if you have the time.

Good Luck

D&J

Our favorite hotel in Barcelona is the Hotel Continental right on Las Ramblas. It's tacky chic with free food, wine, beer and soft drinks plus free wifi. We are booked but will have to cancel since we booked the 3-day from Rome to Barcelona.

I think we may have cruised with you before. Good to see you again. We booked The Continental as well. CYA on board.

D&J

Happy new year everyone haven't checked in a while! Hopefully the year passes quickly and I can meet you all for a cocktail by the pool bar soon [emoji483][emoji483][emoji483]

(Forgive my spelling) "Aye- a wee dokin doris, befor we gang awa!"

o; D&J

Smooth seas, fair winds, lot's of sunshine. Happy and safe holidays for you and the special people in your lives.

D&J

Hello,

Been a while since I posted. We booked our flights on American Oct 19 with miles. Still need to find a hotel for Oct 20-23. Very excited and looking at excursion options. Anyone interested in planning non-RCL excursions?

 

Dale and Mark

Welcome to our happy crew. Dick and Joe here from Winter Haven. Good to have you with us!

D&J

Agreed. Love the cruise-specific chatter but most everything else is noise, unfortunately.

 

We have a South American booked for January so planning for that now. However, I hear Alhambra is a must-see.

Alhambra should not be missed. It's a bit of a " Schlep" from Malaga, and the closest city, Grenada is nice as well.

D&J

It is nice to see that this thread is so active, considering it is a G&L Roll Call and that the cruise is still so far out.

 

I am not sure if I have the time to devote to the regular roll call for this cruise...anyone else checked in yet over on that one?

 

diknjoe and MisterMom, look forward to talking to you about the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area...perhaps there will be some people that we all know!

 

Has anyone planned excursions yet? Perhaps I should peak at the regular roll call and see.

 

Don

Good luck with that, it's 3,000 posts and counting. At least 90% are not specifically related to the ship, cruise, hotels or air. Mostly folks getting to know each other. Only a couple of excursions so far.

Joe and I have been to Barcelona 3 times, and Malaga twice. We usually just wander around after a bit of research and see what we want to see.

DD&J

Hi All,

 

We are the friends saffikins (Karen & Antoinette) mentioned earlier in this thread. We are Don & Greg from Durham, NC. Just thought we would pop in and say "hi".

 

We should definitely get together early on in the trip and talk...that is the best thing about transatlantics...there is a huge opportunity to meet and get to know people fairly well (at least compared to other types of cruises). Also, I can't imagine us getting bored with so many different things to do onboard.

 

Looking forward to planning this cruise with everyone!

 

Don & Greg

Don and Greg:

Good to have you with us! Dick's son is a cop in Durham.

D&J

Anyone started booking dinner or tours?

 

 

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You will usually find us at early dining in the MDR.

As for tours, we aren't much for that either. I'm just beginning to research each city ;deciding what we want to see and how to get around. For us that is mostly walking or public transit. with the occasional HO HO.

D&J

Hey Guys

Yeah I was looking at choiceair ( or whatever they are calling it now).

Yeah looking at a hotel close to Las Ramblas too. I guess I should hang with you guys seen you are Barcelona veterans, have only been there twice

You're more than welcome. We will probably be there only one night, Here's my e-mail dikc1946atyahoodotcom.

D&J

It will be our first time in Barcelona so will ask more details as we get closer... c",)

 

We are booked to this apartment which can accommodate 4 people ... Not sure about how good the location is but we relied on reviews that it is close to some major areas...

 

 

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Super! Placa Cataluna is a major hub for metro and all the HO HO routes. You picked a winner for sure. You are right on Las Ramblas too. Great location.

The metro is easy to use as well.

D&J

Good Morning all

Just got back from the Liberty of the Seas sailing. Had an awesome cruise.

Was actually looking at airfare yesterday, havent book my hotel as yet but will soon. Where is everybody staying?

Liberty is a great ship. Welcome back.

Looks like we can book our air

close to Thanksgiving, At that point we'll know how many nights we'll need to stay, We are hoping somewhere close to the port/ Las Ramblas? Preferably for just one night. We are Barcelona veterans, but enjoy it.

D&J

Good to have you with us, Cruiseguy.

D&J

On our last cruise, we have the LGBT informal meet up in one of the bar every night before dinner... Then we have one formal meet up arrange led by the crew director assistant for meet and greet.... So we I am sure we can set a place for regular meet up. Or just go there and say hi anytime during sea days.

 

 

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We just returned from a TA on Serenade. After no response for a posting here for Serenade, we were surprised to find 20 other guys on board. They approached the cruise director and arranged LGBT in "Vintages" at 7 PM. It was well attended and caught everyone either before or after dinner. We are fine with an earlier time as well. The only large ship crossing for us was on Liberty, where they stuck with the 11 pm time in an entertainment venue where no one showed up . We are for whatever works, but earlier is better.

Welcome to Spyke5 and Oskar95 and any other newbies we might have missed.

D&J