San Francisco Cruisers

[lilghallinsf]

Leaving on celebrity reflection 16 day ta in late April

[bapdallas]

To all of you guys who are heading out on AZ this year - I/we are so jealous!

 

My partner treated me to a Black Sea cruise on Azamara for my 50th. I had wanted a memorable/once in a life time experience - and I/we got that and more! Classy, Classy, CLASSY!

 

Now if you're put off , have issues with, or are not open minded regarding the following, you will need to re-evlauate your choice.

 

1) The age demographic. My partner and I DID feel like "chicken" on board. The average age on our sailing was 65-70. THAT SAID - the "can do" attitude and behavior of these "OLD FOLKS" would put a lot of people half of their age to shame. There was one couple in particular on board that we got to know that was in their early 90's and running laps around people 25 years younger. REALLY.

 

And with the age, the maturity. ENOUGH SAID

 

2) Given the demographic and size of the ship, the entertainment is different. You'll find the stage shows definitely low key, maybe subpar. But if by chance you enjoy classical music - you will have entered paradise! Daily quartets and soloists - and sometimes, these are on the main stage. So if you're expecting to be wowed after dinner, or party till dawn, you've made the wrong choice. When thinking Azamara, think RELAXING

 

3) There were no formal FOD meetings on our sailing (this was 2009 - maybe things have changed). After a while, though, you could pretty much figure out "the family" members though.

 

And depsite the age demographic, ZERO homophobic issues or comments from other passengers. Maybe also due to the fact that the majority of the passengers were Europeans.

 

Also, no "gay" problems that way with the crew, which was also, predominant Euro (Eastern though). CA, BTW, was a Russian woman

 

4) Dining. This is "old style" cruising. While we are trying Norwegian this year though for a change of pace, we enjoy the formal nights and events. You'd better bring your best threads on this cruise - and you'll need to invest in a tux (TUXES) if you don't have one (o more) already.

 

Although formal, Azamara (at least in the past) did not sit you at the same table each night - so at least in the beginning of your sailing, you'll be going through the basics each meal. If that bothers you, just try to meet up with a few nice people at the start (a shout out here to our friends Ellen and Fleming from Copenhagen), then arrange to rendezvous at convenient times in the DR or specialty restaurant.

 

However, despite all of these caveats written - I REALLY hope you don't change your minds. We were on the Quest, and one of my fondest memories at sea is sitting ouside on the back of that small ship and having lunch as we sailed through the Bosporous.

 

Be open minded - and enjoy the choice you have made. You wil have a GREAT experience! :)

[JLA@SF]

Going on Grand Princess SF to Vancouver May 13...Anyone else? My first cruise ever! Do they have meets for us?

[Mermen]

We are headed out on the Celebrity Eclipse September 7, round trip Southampton. Hitting ports of: Gibraltar, Nice, Rome, Florence, Genoa, Malaga & Lisbon. Different Med ports for us and hoping to find family on board.

[bdjam]

Going on Grand Princess SF to Vancouver May 13...Anyone else? My first cruise ever! Do they have meets for us?

 

Yes! Look for Rainbow Get Together in the Patter. The trend lately has been 5:00 at the Wheelhouse, but that might vary.

 

Meantime, I'll be heading out on Grand Princess June 1 round trip to Alaska from Seattle and on October 22, will be sailing Ruby Princess from Quebec to Ft. Lauderdale. Would love to have some of my homies along :)

[kenchuckie]

We are on the Star Princess to Mexico October 25th. Anyone else going?

[BEAV]

Just a heads up to the local GLBT SF Bay Area community about a rare opportunity that I stumbled onto this past week.

 

NCL's Pride of America, which normally sails 7 day cruises around the Hawaiian Islands is headed to San Francisco in March 2016 for dry dock. While the ship will deadhead from Hawaii to SF, the post-dry dock sailing back to Hawaii is open for bookings.

 

As many know, U.S. maritime law (Passenger Vessels Services Act or PVSA) prohibits foreign-flagged ships from sailing this itinerary (one way SF to Honolulu). But because Pride of America is a U.S.-flagged vessel, this presents a unique opportunity to sail an itinerary like this (as opposed to the 15-night round trip cruises Princess operates). And no Ensenada stop required.

 

It's an 11-night cruise SF to Honolulu departing SF on March 15, 2016. 5 sea days, followed by port stops in Kahalui (Maui), Hilo and Kona (Big Island), and overnight on Kauai before ending in Honolulu on March 26.

[JoeAndMichael]

Thanks for the heads up. I hope this isn't too much of a wet-blanket reply, but you'll eventually have to come home, most likely by air (boo!!). Another downer: unless the law and/or the cruise line has changed, there's no gambling onboard. I don't know if that's still true, but I do know that it used to be!

[BEAV]

Thanks for the heads up. I hope this isn't too much of a wet-blanket reply, but you'll eventually have to come home, most likely by air (boo!!). Another downer: unless the law and/or the cruise line has changed, there's no gambling onboard. I don't know if that's still true, but I do know that it used to be!

 

It's definitely a trade off compared to the round trip cruises Princess runs from SF. However we like the idea of a post-cruise stay in the Islands before flying home. While we love sea days, the 15 nighters on Princess only spend 4 days in the Islands.

 

I'm sure you're correct about the casino (or should I say the lack of!).

[Bigmike911]

AirBear, and Aerobear, Why not join me on my west bound TA on QM2 from Hamburg, September Next Year. We can have fun cruising (on the water) again.