Why we don't go on "all gay cruises" anymore

[keithm]

Absolutely not so. Though if you put yourself out there, I am sure you will find some interesting temporary partners. There are always lots of couples. And some of them stay couples the entire cruise. You need to adjust your thinking.

"Some of them stay couples" That's the exact reason we avoid all gay cruises. We do Cunard. It's more formal than most, which suits us fine. We always find plenty of "family"

on board to associate with, but we're not hard core partyers.Watching a cruse come into Ptown one summer was quite a show. It was met with about 5 emergency vehicles to "collect" the morons who drank or crystaled themselve silly. The added cost of an allgay cruise is another reason. A few years back we did a 10day cruis on QM2 for about $1850/person. A 7 day crossing on QM2 with RSVP was nearly twice the price. I e-mailed at least 100 people & told them avoid it like the plague. That cruise was a bomb & cost RSVP tons of money as they couldn't even come close to filling the ship.

[Darrell6t]

You are more than welcome to sail on Cunard. When I saw them throw a deck party in 95 degree heat in the Caribbean that was black tie, I realized they are crazy. No one was having any fun. It was unbearable. Formality has its place, but a party outside in the tropical heat is no time to be wearing formal clothes. I would rather be wearing shorts and a t-shirt enjoying myself than being a snob in such a situation.

[SantaRosaCruiser]

Personally, I have enough integrating with the 'mainstream' the OTHER 51 weeks a year. I am DELIGHTED to be able to meet new people with whom I share MUCH on a very brief week on a cruise. So far, I have been on two RSVP cruises, with two more booked. I have had a great time so far, and have no interest in trading this for more 'quality' time with the breeders and their obnoxious kids.

[soldham]

We've been on multiple gay cruises in the past. All have been with RSVP. Next year have decided to go on a mainstream cruise and have decided to go with HAL since we really like their ships and size of staterooms. Staff has always been great. We want to be able to vary our itinerary and decided on a transatlantic out of Venice. We realize HAL leans toward an older demographic but thats fine with us since we're not exactly young- in's. Don't really see an issue with the passengers since the majority of our friends are straight couples that we hang out with all the time. I have read comments about how the ship closes up early but I tend to go to bed early anyway which works out well cause than hubby can go to the casino as long as he wants. We definately enjoy many aspects of all gay cruises (holding hands, dancing, an occasional peck on the cheek, etc) and will continue to do them, but am hopeful that we will enjoy our TA just as much. There are so many places we'd like to see that the all gay cruises don't go.

 

A cruise to us is an adventure more than a vacation (as you can likely tell from our trips log) and gay cruises seem more about 'on the ship' activities than locations (and I am most certainly NOT being judgemental - to each his or her own.) Add to that the added cost for a shorter trip and as much fun as it sounds (and it does) I just do not see it in my future.

[Scott1975DC]

I've been on two chartered gay cruises in the past, out of 17 total cruises. I was on RSVP about 6 years ago and was not a fan of that one on HAL. We were too young for the cruise, the group of us in our mid-20's. But I went on an Atlantis RCCL cruise last month from L.A. to Mexico and LOVED it. Now in my mid-30's it was a better age group. Yes it cost quite a bit more, but you are paying for the experience of all the parties and events. And BINGO is so much more fun on a gay cruise! :) I will definitely be going on Atlantis in the next couple years again for sure. And it wasn't just all parties, I met some really nice guys in their 60s to 80s and talked to them for hours, and we all had a great time just hanging around.

[RMorningglory]

Hey All...

 

Just got back from a 10 day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Emerald Princess and thought I would give you some feedback from the Gay prespective.

 

First off... This was a "Straight Cruise" until all us gays showed up. (And there were pleanty of us) I would say 40 at least. Some younger with their parents and families, some older and married for 40 years. We found each other all over the boat and even without the LGBT meetings. We are a pretty normal gay couple and it's not tough to figure out I'd say. We were NEVER uncomfortable on this ship. There were many GLBT get togethers sponsored by the ship and that made it even better for chat with our fellow gay cruisers but we picked and chose which to go to as our schedules permitted.

 

Things you might like to know if you are considering a cruise that is not a gay charter... especially on Princess:

 

The cruise ship gets it. They know we're gay, they're cool with it, they have no problem with it and they are happy you're there. They treat you just like anyone else and even seem happy that there is some personality and color in their day.

 

The other passengers, for the most part, don't care. One night at sunset we climed to the very top sun deck to watch the sun go down. WE were being a bit affectionate (Head on shoulder, arms around each othere kind of stuff). I did look back and see one couple kind of watching us... but not in a bad way. I think they were just a little suprised that WE were so comfortable... but we were.

 

We enjoied the dining staff (Shocker... quite a few are gay too.. Waiters from Thiland by day, Superstar drag queens by night in the crew quarters we were told). They were a hoot and couldn't be any cooler along with the staff around us. We actually LOVED the team right next to them, Philipino assistant waitress and Portugese Waiter. Christie and Moises. We sat with them every time we had dinner in the dining room. They were awesome and so much fun. They told us we were their favorite guests on that cruise, it showed. They took excellent care of us and both were totally straight but worked right next to the drag queens and they all got along amazingly well.

 

We went to Chef's table with 5 other couples, Chef and others were totally fine with us, we even all met for dinner again on the last night of the cruise.

 

Many of the entertainers, again... big suprise... were GAY! I'm not saying I found that out the hard way in the steam room or anything ;-) We were invited to sit in the front row for the shows... I'm just saying.

 

Bottom line. We had a great time reconnecting as a couple after a really busy summer on tough schedules. We had Balcony dinner and upscale restaurant dinners, bought into the sanctuary... people there were so nice (Fellow cruisers and Crew). I wouldn't hesitate to tell any gay person to feel free to save some money and go on a straight cruise unless you really want the exclusive environment of an all gay cruise. We live on Cape Cod, are in our early and mid 40's, and we have been to P-Town enough to know why we don't go up there in the summer very often. There is such a thing as, "too much of a good thing". We couldn't get enough of this cruise.

[Kenito]

Excellent post... great sentiments... so glad you shared with us.

 

I want you on our next cruise... I am sure you would be great fun on any cruise!

 

Go Team! :)

[greg_atlanta]

Booking a gay cruise by yourself (roommate match program) is a pretty good deal compared to booking a single cabin by yourself on a normal cruise and paying 200%.

 

That was the selling point for me. Want to meet new people and tired of bugging my friends to go on a cruise with me.

[CruiseWithUs64]

Cruisewithus64: I wish more people in the world were like you! I just wanted to let you know that you made me smile this morning. :)

 

I am glad I made you smile John. But you can believe me that there are plenty of people like me out there. Some just don't know how to show it or are scared to show it.

Unfortunately we still live in a society full of prejudice. This prejudice locks others who are more 'liberal' in such subjects away.

 

It is truly sad because they all possibly lose out on some great friends. While straight I have lots of gay friends and always have a great time with them.

 

But this thread was extremely helpful and a great learning experience. I guess there are a lot of advantages to either way of cruising. I thank you all for that. I had my clients read through this thread and they are now much more comfortable cruising main stream. Though they asked me if I could sail with them.

 

My girl friend and I probably will join them on their cruise to elevate their comfort level. But it will come with a price. They had to promise me that they will come along with us next year to the Fantasy Fest. :D

 

Wish you all smooth seas.

[Boytjie]

Pied Piper and Aquafest would be the first places to look.

They run partial ship gay charters anywhere from 20-900 people on a particular cruise. It is the best of both worlds of an all gay cruise and a mainstream cruise.

 

Technically there is no such thing (a "partial" ship charter): a charter books the whole ship.

[Boytjie]

A cruise to us is an adventure more than a vacation (as you can likely tell from our trips log) and gay cruises seem more about 'on the ship' activities than locations (and I am most certainly NOT being judgemental - to each his or her own.)

 

I don't know what you base that on, but having just returned from our sixth RSVP cruise, I can tell you that is about the on board and on land activities! Yes, there are some people that decide to stay on board in some (and maybe all) ports but from what I have experienced RSVP cruisers do a heck of a lot of excursions.

 

We either had excursions booked in every port in Hawaii, or had a rental car and explored on our own.

 

It is amusing to read the (often very wrong) impressions of gay cruises from those who have never been on one. ;)

Edited November 7, 2010 by Boytjie

[CbusCruiser]

I will be going on my 7th cruise this coming February on the Carnival Liberty. I have never been on a gay cruise. I might choose to in the future but at this time its technically about price in a different way. Here in Columbus Ohio we have for the last 6 years have put together a cruise (yes on a straight cruise) as a fundraiser for a cause or organization. For 4 years the proceeds went to our local "Project Open Hands" organization. These last 3 years we have done the fundraising for my organization that I am a part of: COMIC (Columbus Ohio Midwest Invitational Classic). We throw a bowling tournament every April. In the process of this tournament we donate to our local charities.

 

I have to say all of our cruises have had anywhere from 6 people (granted we didnt' get to donate that year) to our 64 people that went last year. I can say we truly had a great time.

 

Our 1st year was on Voyager of the Seas. We all went to the show and they were doing Divas music. Well I didn't realize but when I looked around all 46 of us sat together pretty much. The last number was Cher's Believe and we all were into the song and you saw the look on the "gay" dancers see the whole group. We ended up spending every evening with them in the nightclub most of the time. At that time RCL had not been doing LGBT meetings. Luckily one of the female dancers was dating the Cruise Director and they put together one for us. The highlight was the lead singer from the shows came and she sang "Over the Rainbow" for us.

 

We have done 3 Princess Cruises that were very gay friendly. I also like the fact that they send a representative to the gatherings. The last 2 plus our upcoming cruise have been on Carnival where we again have found very gay friendly. This past year we took over the nightclub and the 2nd to the last night we would applaud everyone that would walk in through the revolving door. The officers of the ship were there that night and they were applauding with us before the night was over.

 

Yes, we have been doing these straight cruises because of the price because we get more people to go and the more we have go, the more we get to donate.

 

From my opinion, a straight cruise can be as gay as you want it to be.

[Darrell6t]

"It is amusing to read the (often very wrong) impressions of gay cruises from those who have never been on one."

 

Yes, misinformation is everywhere. I understand the reluctance to spend the extra money, but why bad mouth the all-gay cruises and cruisers too. They are wonderful and so much fun and I am thankful I can afford to go on one every year or so.

[soldham]

I don't know what you base that on, but having just returned from our sixth RSVP cruise, I can tell you that is about the on board and on land activities! Yes, there are some people that decide to stay on board in some (and maybe all) ports but from what I have experienced RSVP cruisers do a heck of a lot of excursions.

 

We either had excursions booked in every port in Hawaii, or had a rental car and explored on our own.

 

It is amusing to read the (often very wrong) impressions of gay cruises from those who have never been on one. ;)

 

Just noting that I have yet to see a gay cruise going to Antarctica, or Patagonia, or Greenland, Indonesia, etc, etc. That is what I meant by adventure.

But you are right that I did make an assumption that people would pay premium to go to places that you can see for half the price on a mainstream cruise and assumed it was for the 'onboard experience'. My bad.

[Boytjie]

Just noting that I have yet to see a gay cruise going to Antarctica, or Patagonia, or Greenland, Indonesia, etc, etc. That is what I meant by adventure.

 

I see, that is different understanding of what you meant by 'adventure'). I am sure there are many gays that would sign up for such cruises, just not sure a charter company could do such a cruise, charging the premium (on top of what is usually an expensive cruise) and still make a profit too. I know my SO would have us booked on a charter to Antarctica in a heart beat.

 

Gay charters also do cruises other than just the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and Europe. The Far East has been done; Polynesia too. The appeal to a transatlantic, for example, may be limited with not enough to fill a large ship and doing it on a smaller (and usually luxury ship) would make it very expensive.

 

Would Alaska count as adventure? That has been done many times.

 

But you are right that I did make an assumption that people would pay premium to go to places that you can see for half the price on a mainstream cruise and assumed it was for the 'onboard experience'. My bad.

 

Uhem, not sure if that was meant sarcastically... we pay premium on charters for the extras onboard and we also venture off the ship to explore ports visited, even adventurous explorations. ;)

Edited November 8, 2010 by Boytjie

[soldham]

Yes - I see your point and you are likely right. They are pricier locations and longer trips as well so you already have a smaller market to choose from.

 

And no - that was not meant to be sarcastic at all. Just trying to understand the motivation.

[Boytjie]

Yes - I see your point and you are likely right. They are pricier locations and longer trips as well so you already have a smaller market to choose from.

 

As an example: when asked about chartering a Fall/Canadian cruise, RSVP responded that charters would be prohibitively expensive - that itinerary is very popular and due to supply and demand cruise fares are quite high on a regular cruise.

 

And no - that was not meant to be sarcastic at all. Just trying to understand the motivation.

 

Understood. Part of the motivation is to sail on a ship where you are the majority and more people are like you that different from you. The entertainment etc is geared towards our community (yet still keeps some regular things such as nakpin folding classes etc ;) )

 

We just returned from 7 days on the Pride of America in Hawaii and had a great time (despite the ship not being that good). The (mostly American) crew were fantastic and the gay crew members had the time of their lives. They too were part of the majority for a change.

 

It is hard to describe the feeling sailing past the Napali coast on the last day of the cruise, dancing outside on the upper deck when it started to rain and a rainbow formed from horizon to horizon in front of the ship as we sailed away from Hawaii: everyone went wild. You won't see that on a regular cruise, believe me.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Boytjie

[soldham]

Yes - I think I can appreciate that a bit.

 

Back in the day we used to go to Saugatuck, Michigan for all the major US holidays and it attracted gay people from Detroit, Chicago, Indy, etc. (Still does I imagine.) The whole town was gay for the better part of the summer.

 

There was always a large tea dance in the afternoon on the last day and the energy and pride that was generated was phenomenal. And very emotional.

[Kenito]

Back on October 14th, Rick, the OP, asked the question "why don't we go on all gay cruises...."

Some answered the question posed, but it seems as if a few sensitive types who don't have an answer to the original question would rather defend why they prefer all gay cruises... to the point of being a tad sarcastic toward those who did answer the question.

I haven't really heard much criticism of all gay cruises... only that they are not everyone's cup of tea.

And that seems to be an answer to the question.

[Boytjie]

Back on October 14th, Rick, the OP, asked the question "why don't we go on all gay cruises...."

 

Some answered the question posed, but it seems as if a few sensitive types who don't have an answer to the original question would rather defend why they prefer all gay cruises... to the point of being a tad sarcastic toward those who did answer the question.

 

I haven't really heard much criticism of all gay cruises... only that they are not everyone's cup of tea.

 

And that seems to be an answer to the question.

 

Actually, the OP did not pose a question but posted under the subject Why we don't go on "all gay cruises":

 

Looking forward to comments about the gay versus straight cruise experience.

 

And what I have seen are comments for and against gay cruises. ;)

[keithm]

You are more than welcome to sail on Cunard. When I saw them throw a deck party in 95 degree heat in the Caribbean that was black tie, I realized they are crazy. No one was having any fun. It was unbearable. Formality has its place, but a party outside in the tropical heat is no time to be wearing formal clothes. I would rather be wearing shorts and a t-shirt enjoying myself than being a snob in such a situation.

Being on board when it's been that hot, we never partied on deck in black tie. That doesn't happen until night. If noone was enjoying themselves as you say, then why would they be in black tie?? No one puts a gun to our head & says you have to be outside in your tux at 95. Don't spout off on things you really don't know about.

[Darrell6t]

Being on board when it's been that hot, we never partied on deck in black tie. That doesn't happen until night. If noone was enjoying themselves as you say, then why would they be in black tie?? No one puts a gun to our head & says you have to be outside in your tux at 95. Don't spout off on things you really don't know about.

 

I know what I am talking about. I was there, but on deck for only about 10 minutes. If those snobs were having fun, it was difficult to tell. I didn't see any happy laughter. I can't imagine why they were out there other than it's what was expected of them. FYI, it was the Queen Victoria Inaugural World Cruise on the segment from NYC to LA.

[jared1215]

we have never done a gay cruise either. We also have never encountered any problems or negative reactions on St8 cruises. Gay cruises are way overpriced I agree.

[Wogtopus]

I love both! I try to keep an open mind. Sometimes I enjoy the variety of meeting and travelling with a diverse crowd of passengers. And sometimes it's really nice to be totally open and free (including no kids) on a gay charter.

 

It doesn't have to be one or the other. Just have fun! Just sayin'!

[DougandEric]

We've done 9 RSVP cruises from 1993 thru 1998 and enjoyed them all. We stopped booking all gay cruises for a number of reasons - one, we got older and didn't fit the demographic any more, we didn't go to bars any more and most of the entertainment centered around dance parties, bars, and entertainers we didn't know or care about (regular cruises as well). The cost aside, the itineraries were very limited for where we wanted to go - you can only do the Caribbean so many times. We sailed the Caribbean 7 times, Alaska once and Greece, all with RSVP. The last cruise was on the Maasdam and I was excited to have my husband experience HAL but since all the entertainment is taken over by RSVP, none of the HAL ambiance was there

(hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour, Crows Nest was never used and closed off most of the time:mad:, etc).

 

After RSVP, we tried Pied Piper and did two cruises with them - one very good, one not, so we stopped sailing with them. After that, we just booked regular cruises and have had great times (30+ and counting). We usually join a CruiseCritic roll call and have met some great people, both gay and straight. The price and itineraries on regular cruises make up for anything missing from not booking an all gay cruise. Friends of ours have just completed their 2nd Atlantis cruise and say emphatically that they will NEVER book a regular cruise - we'll see - we felt the same way!

 

Doug