BayAreaBC

Wow, the talent on Olivia is quite a step above RSVP.

I am also looking to take a gay cruise , by myself with the aspiration to find a good, youngish &fun group to hang with. .. is it too ambitious to have these high hopes?

No, but don't count on youngish. Most cruises cater to an older demographic.

I would check out Atlantis if I were you.

I mentioned this before but just want to make sure that the OP is aware.

The ports are the most important aspect of a cruise. Some ports are incredibly homophobic, particularly the Caribbean, Africa, Russia and to a lesser extent South America.

We cluelessly have gone to countries in Africa which when we entered the customs agents made homophobic remarks about two men traveling together. We could have possibly been arrested. We also went to Fiji and nearly were involved in a serious attack from homophobes. Even in Capetown SA which is relatively gay friendly for Africa we experienced anti-gay remarks.

Gay men actually have been arrested in the Caribbean off of cruise ships (I believe the stop was Jamaica but I may be mistaken).

Anyway, since the purpose of cruising is to see the world and not the ship be aware of the ports of call and potential homophobic issues. I strongly recommend doing a lot of research on the ports of call.

Yes, like I said nearly all reviews are useful information.

The fact that the reviewer made a mistake in their booking should help to prevent people from making the same mistake in the future.

Since an expensive vacation is a large investment for me I check everything in minute detail. This has allowed me to have some really great vacations.

One of the most recent reviews of Celebrity blames the cruiseline for their booking a cabin with a restricted view and the fact that they couldn't change cabins.

I appreciate nearly all reviews since they are good information but complaining about that is completely ridiculous. It's up to you or your travel agent to make sure you book the cabin you want.

I would post a link to the review but I don't want to give it validation that is undeserved.

RSVP also includes the tip in the price. We usually tip anyway but less than on a non-charter.

This is what happens

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line-crossing_ceremony

It's hard to predict the crowd on any cruise and your experience will vary with how well you "click" with the other guests.

One of the best gay group cruises we ever had was "hosted" by an alcoholic who everyone in the group hated. We bonded because of this. Looking back I now feel sorry for the host and we should have been more empathetic. I was young and stupid at the time.

As an added bonus everyone got norovirus. You would think that cruise was a disaster but we'll remember it forever due to the challenges and adventures we experienced.

Any vacation or cruise is what you make of it. Experiences which go awry at the time you live through them can later be some of your most cherished memories.

That cruise was certainly not boring and we will never forget it.

Thanks for the review. It's a shame that people repeatedly complain about the music and noise. Not everyone is looking for a non-stop party. In a ship as large as the Solstice it should be easy for Celebrity to have both quiet relaxing and party areas.

Now I know to stick to the Epernay. There is no way I would pay an extra $300 for an error in the kitchen. IMHO, if they ate the appetizers and desserts a substantial discount would be in order and/or a comp to another night at one of the specialty restaurants.

Preach!

Amen! I take communion every day since I am so devout.

Initially I wasn't going to reply since I was hoping this thread would die on it's own.

However, for ANY minority to express self-hatred against others of that minority status after the tremendous gains made over the last few decades is incredibly disturbing.

Why would anyone think that gay people are less capable of running a business?

Yes, usually one has to pay more for a gay charter but that is true of ANY charter.

It's truly sad that many elderly gay men are still stuck in the mind frame of self hatred from the 60's as demonstrated in the "Boys in the Band".

If you hate yourself and other gay men and businesses, it's YOUR problem not anyone's else.

I will continue spending my money supporting the gay community and not those that oppress us.

I've noticed passengers on cruises who are more concerned about other people behaving "properly" than focusing on relaxing and releasing stress from their everyday lives. They are the people who enjoy being the fashion police and sobriety police more than having fun and being on vacation.

25 Reasons New Zealand Must be on Your Travel Bucket List

http://list25.com/25-reasons-why-new-zealand-must-be-on-your-travel-bucket-list/?view=all

Milford Sound looks amazing. We are spending a couple days in Rotorua before the cruise too.

LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender so if you identify as such or support your friends who are you should be welcome.

However, for some reason gay group cruises are primarily either gay male or lesbian women. I didn't see any bi women or lesbians on the gay group or gay charter cruises I've been on. Thus I suspect that a bi woman looking to meet other women would not have much luck.

Chair hogs don't bug me. However, after I remove their towels on the chairs and sit there I kind of bug them.

The only drawback to an all-gay cruise is that they are more expensive.

I don't think the drug dogs sniff luggage during embarkation but I would be surprised if they don't on the return. You leave you luggage outside your door the last night and pick it up in customs. It is highly likely that they run the dogs through before you pick it up.

The RSVP/Atlantis company literature says they will kick off anyone found using drugs. However, if you have a medical marijuana prescription I doubt they would do this.

All one has to do is to claim that the airline lost your luggage and you can wear whatever you want in the MDR including shorts and flip flops.

Note in some foreign cities 1 liter of liquor from liquor store is $90 or more.

(Norway, Sweden, Auckland, Sydney for example).

Thus, the price can actually be a bargain.

Useful list of all things gay in New Zealand

http://www.gayscout.com/queerguide/c0g76.-1/New-Zealand

I'm an ugly man but I try to compensate by having a pleasant personality.

A good attitude and happy disposition makes my life happier and I've found people respond positively to being pleasant. The opposite is also true.

Does anyone know how easy it is to get to Papamoa Beach in Tauranga?

Supposedly Tauranga has some of the best beaches in New Zealand. I'm sure I can catch a cab to there but I am not sure how easy it would be to get back.

There is a difference between being dressed formally and tastefully.

A funeral director or a Las Vegas showgirl both are dressed formally but not necessarily tastefully.

Maybe diners should be judged by a committee like on Project Runway to see if they will be allowed access to the MDR?

The loser walks the plank.

Cruising over major holidays always have more child passengers on EVERY cruiseline.

Next time plan better.

You can book the Antarctic experience on your own

http://www.iceberg.co.nz

Not on the ship but depending what ports you go to you may.

Many of the Caribbean islands and ports in North Africa are very homophobic.