DavyB

But did you contribute to mine first?! :D

Actually I did mine, just before seeing yours, to try to convince a friend of mine to cruise Norwegian. You should try it too. I think you would like it John. :p

Hey fam —*just booked my third cruise ever in March. It's with Celebrity, and I've always found the experience to be elegant and LGBT friendly. That said, I've been thinking what line I'd select for the fourth, or if I should stay brand loyal and stick with X.

 

Curious to know, as fellow LGBT-ers, your thoughts on:

 

• What line you enjoy sailing?
  
• Why you enjoy sailing on it?
  
• Any pro-tips or general advice for the LGBT cruise passenger?
  

 

First post on this section of the board as well, so also consider this post as a hello!

UGH, I posted the same type of poll. Had I seen yours, I wouldn't have. I'll see if I can get mine deleted. :-) Happy cruising!!

It is a budget cruise line but unlike Carnival, you get more than you pay for. The staff are always professional, positive and highly motivated, their ships are kept in very good condition and I love the nightly musical review shows. The food is good but if you are a foodie, then pay the bucks and go for the premium cruise lines. I did seven cruises on Norwegian as a straight married guy, one with them as part of a gay partnered couple and will do another with my partner on Celebrity in November with a gay travel agency.

I found no problems holding my partner's hand while strolling the deck on the Norwegian Jade out of Rome last year. No bad stares nor bad actions as everyone there is trying to enjoying their vacation.

Their "Friends of Dorothy" meeting had only five or six gay and lesbian couples at their daily meetings-about a half of the gay couples on the ship.

So there you are. Norwegian if you want your money's worth but gay travel agencies don't seem to book that line that often.

FYI-if you want the best part of your cruise experience, avoid the buffets, go only to the waitered restaurants, go to their nightly shows, spend your time on their sun decks and away from the noise and bustle of the pool area, and try to go to their piano bars. There is nothing more intimate and romantic than sipping champagne while reclining on a soft cushioned chair while listening to an experienced piano player who sings Sinatra, and songs from the fifties, sixties, and seventies, well.

Exactly what Richpontone said. :-) I have noticed that the LGBT/FOD meetings on NCL's newer ships have been very well attended when I've cruised on them. Anywhere from 35-50 folks nightly.

We started out trying Crystal and Regent, but found that we were too young (in our 30s) and felt really out of place and bored. So then we went the NCL route and didn't like all the cigarette smoke, bad food and questionable clientele. So when we came across Celebrity, we realized they were a perfect fit - modern ships, good food, nice crew, like-minded fellow passengers. We started booking strictly with Celebrity and now are at Elite Plus status. Walking onboard always feels like coming home. We tried Azamara last year and also really loved it - smaller ships, no formal night, overnight port stays, unique ports and excellent service. So we now alternate between the two lines.

 

 

 

Michael & Omar

Celebrity has always had a nice product. They were the first cruise line I cruised back in 1994 when I was acting straight. ;-) My favorite class ship is the Solstice Class. Absolutely beautiful ships, with great guests, and delicious food.

I've yet to try Azamara. I like the larger ships but I know I'll end up breaking down and trying the smaller ships eventually. When I do, Azamara is at the top of my list.

My favorite for many years have been a Cunard transatlantic, but lately hubby and I have been branching out. We tried a west coast Princess cruise and it wasn't a good fit for us (we had a very good time and overall like more things than we disliked and would try them again) and we're trying HAL next (yes, we've already found some family on board) on Prinsendam, HAL's smallest ship with around 800 passengers total.

 

QM2 has always had a large gay contingent on transatlantics, and we've met some wonderful fellow pax -- but it's a big world out there and many lines to try.

I've yet to try Cunard but it's definitely in my future. I also haven't been on a transatlantic but feel that most of them across the board are populated a large gay contingent.

Outside of all gay cruises, which cruise line do you prefer to cruise?

Carnival

Celebrity

Carnival

Disney

Norwegian

Royal Caribbean

Other

I'm ready to book a studio T-1 cabin on the Getaway for August. I need to know is the lounge only on deck 10 and a stairwell down from deck 11? Or is there coffee and a wine machine on deck 11 too? It seems that deck 11 is more booked than deck 10. Why?

The lounge is only on deck 10. There is a stairwell from deck 11 down to the lounge.

Deck 11 has more non connecting staterooms, which could be the reason. The connecting staterooms have a small gap at the bottom of the connecting door which allows you to hear things in the stateroom connected to yours.

On another studio note, if you're not an early riser, try to book a studio that is not touching any blank space on the deck plans. This is the crew only areas. You will be able to hear them in the mornings when they are getting their materials together to work.

"Anyone who purchases a Norwegian specialty dining package can enjoy meals at La Cucina, Le Bistro and Cagney's at no additional charge"

 

So, are Modero and Teppanyaki not included in the SDP?

 

We cruise for the first time on Escape in Jan 2016 and I was going to get us the 4 meal SDP ...we were going to do; Le Bistro, Cagney's, Modero and Teppanyaki...if they aren't then I would only buy the 3 meal option eat at Cagney's twice and then eat at Modero and Teppanyaki?

They are included. However, Moderno and Teppenyaki are still set price and not a la carte. If you purchase the 4 meal SDP, you may still eat at any of the restaurants mentioned including Moderno and Teppenyaki.

For me Cruising solo is awesome. It's the easiest way to meet others.

Great video. Even your Epic video was epic. The two of you looked like you had a blast. The videos also took me back to when I was on both of those ships and the great time I had on them. I'll also be on the Escape inaugural out of Miami. Hope it lives up to the hype.

Curious......how is Getaway better than Breakaway? I wondered if they fine tuned Getaway based on what was learned from the first ship of this class... Breakaway?

Now the big question....will Escape be more of the same or yet another improvement?

By the way....you have an entourage of 14! Is this a fan club or just a bunch of Davy B groupies? Or support group....hair stylist, makeup artist, clothes coordinator, masseuse, manicurist, butler, trainer, food taster?

Inquiring minds want to know all the dirt, I mean facts.:cool:

To be honest, and i don't want to be flamed, I liked the staff and the clientele better on the Getaway than the Breakaway. They were friendlier and a lot less attitude. Don't get me wrong, I had a blast all 3 times I've been on the Breakaway, but my Getaway cruise was definitely in my top 3 cruises.

My entourage of 14…Let's see, my daughter, two of my best friends and their daughter, my sister and her bf, and then some co-workers. My hair stylist keeps telling me to take her, and she would be a blast, but unfortunately, the cruise is sold out. See, nothing too exciting. ;-)

I'm booked on this cruise. Anyone coming along?

I am so red ta go, red ta go, red ta go.

I constantly watch the you tube video Happy taken on the Getaway which gets me all charged up. I enjoy seeing so many crew I had the pleasure to meet, and speak with.

Someone just posted on Facebook that they just got off the Getaway for the second time and booked a cruise on the Escape on the way to their hotel. This tells ma the getaway experience did not slip for them a second time around. More importantly she said 80% of the Getaway crew is moving to the Escape and are very excited about the new ship. I couldn't be happier....happy crew= happy passengers:D

Lets see, cruise paid for....check.

Dinner package purchased.....check

Drink package to be purchased next month.

Excursions????? Considering the champagne catamaran in St Thomas; Tortola to be determined.

I did read that there is a local tour in Nassau that is a food tasting tour stopping at various eaterys to sample local cuisine. Intend to research this tour....never heard of it but it sounds interesting for a lack luster port of call.

Anyone else out there planning excursions?

Sailaway.....sun deck? a balcony? the Vibe?H20?

Davy...4 cruises...good for you. I have 3 booked for next year and am thinking of adding a NCL Spirit in Dec 2016. Damn that Getaway...it recharged my cruising addiction.:D

I just changed my Breakaway cruise to a Getaway cruise. I've done both ships but the Getaway just seems to be a tad better. I can't wait to sail in July!!

The only thing that is paid for so far for the Escape is the drink package but only because i received it with the promotion. LOL Everything else will be paid in August!!

I have a group of 14 traveling with me, yet I'll still do my own thing as if I'm traveling solo. That's my usual cruise agenda. :-)

Just booked this cruise today. Anyone else sailing?

Hope everyone is getting some nice warm weather. Just a little over 6 months to go!!

Both are great ships, so you really can't go wrong with either. However, I feel the Breakaway's evening entertainment is better than the Liberty.

Hotkey -

You're gonna have a blast. I've been on the Grandeur and the Enchantment out of Baltimore and have always met up with other gay men and gay friendly folks. Like others have mentioned, try to attend one of the get togethers. Sometimes they are well attended, other times, not so much.

There also always seems to be a great group of people in the Viking Crown Lounge late nights.

Good Luck and I hope you have a blast on your first cruise.

David

Anyone sailing?

All this bumping going on has me excited about this cruise!! :p

Seriously though, I have 4 cruises booked for next year and I'm looking most forward to this one!!!

The Getaway is my favorite NCL ship. RMS - You're gonna love it!! If you have any questions feel free to ask.

I know some of the prices have dropped. Are you able to upgrade to a C2?

Contact group event as suggested. They will either help you or put you in touch with the appropriate casino person. If you coordinate it with the casino, they sometimes will get you a gift or two (ours was a couple of bottles of wine). At minimum they will coordinate getting you a good machine and give you a hand on board.

Of course you can just show up, but they may have some other activity planned. This way they will make sure your taken care of.

I've also had the good fortune of gifts from the casino when setting up ahead of time. T-shirts, bottles of wine, rum punch for everyone involved. Just some little somethings to add to the experience. The casino managers have always been there to assist with making change and/or splitting the winnings evenly without having to go to the cashier.

I've taken one on every cruise including 2 Epic cruises and never had a problem. That's not saying it will always be this way, but from my experience, I haven't had a problem yet.

8 days until the Jewel. Going to Alaska for the first time. :D

HAHAHA - that is horrible and funny regarding the spa. You poor thing. :D:D:D Unfortunately, the spa on the Getaway is coed. I didn't use it so I can't comment on how crowded it actually gets.

Looking forward to meeting you as well. I'm holding you to that first drink. :p

I'm sure there will be plenty of eye candy so you'll be set. ;) Good Luck with the Vibe pass. I was never on board to get one but had a great time at H2O during the week. The bartenders knew me and my drink. I don't know if that's good or bad. haha They also brought around cool towels and the water falls were nice and refreshing.

I'm thinking about MSC in 2016. You'll have to let me know how it is.

The food in the specialty restaurants is wonderful. The so-so food is in the "complimentary" restaurants. My favorit specialty restaurants are Cagney's, Le Bistro, and La Cucina. I didn't like La Cucina on the Epic but had a completely different experience on the Getaway.

I am a part time travel agent. I'm actually a systems engineer during the day. If the travel agent gig paid more, I would definitely do that full time.