Is Carnival Gay Friendly

[Hobie]

Just curious when you last cruised NCL? We not only had a posted FOD party on the Wind but the assistant cruise director hosted it and they provided free food.

 

Free food on a cruise! That's unheard of!!

On my last Princess cruise, the hostess was pouring free champagne at each of the three gatherings. She wasn't stingy either.

[gemsm]

Considering for most "party" type events that are not hosted by the ship you have to "pay" for the food (i.e. there is a catering charge) I just assumed that other than the captains/latitudes party where they give out the nice hors'd'eourves that they normally don't do that for gatherings.

 

I do know if you ever decide to have a cruise conference or private party (we had a reunion) and you want food provided for a private get-together prepare to pay.

 

I would love to try Princess but they are pretty much out of my price budget for vacations.

[Hobie]

Gemsm,

You are absolutely correct. I apologize for the rude tone in my reply to your note. After I posted it, I remembered that humor is not always translated very well in a written note. Now if you could have only seen my face and heard the tone of my voice, it would have been a better joke!

Again, Sorry for sounding so snobish.

Hobie.

[gemsm]

Didn't take it as "Snobbish" Hobie...I actually took it as the joke you meant it to be. I just didn't know if people realized that not all food on a cruise is

<GASP> "free" (Hence the cover charges in some cruise lines restaurants).

 

As for Princess -- It sounds really wonderful. We are planning our "big Alaskan cruise" to hopefully be on Princess :)

[Simru12]

Interesting to hear all the opinions about Carnival. We've only been on one before (Princess) and were treated very well.

 

We're going on the Celebration this Christmas (the parents coerced me) and was worried that with the amount of familes and kids this week, that we probably won't have any FoDs, but I feel better about it now.

 

Not that I'm not expecting to have a good time, I just have to keep telling myself that it's an opprtunity to spend the holidays with family, and try to ignore the multitudes of little tykes and their parents.

 

Besides, there are LOTS of places I can hide where kids aren't allowed. (Bar, Casino, Bar, Sauna, Bar..... I sense a pattern here)

 

David

[Ephraim]

Just curious when you last cruised NCL? We not only had a posted FOD party on the Wind but the assistant cruise director hosted it and they provided free food.

 

We last cruise with NCL in October of 2006. We pointed out the problem to Julie, the cruise director (fancy that name and she isn't even on Princess) and explained the reasoning behind it. We explained it to NCL head office as well. In fact we pointed out a number of problems and ensured that not only the cruise line heard them, but so did the IGLTA and Rosie O'Donnell.

 

Considering that it was a cruise out of New York City it was amazing that the pursers desk absolutely refused to answer when guests asked them what a Friends of Dorothy meeting was.

 

In the last year there have been a number of moves on the part of NCL that seem to suggest that they are changing their position in regards to the G&L community. They cancelled one gay group (the infamous Bear Voyage group with the porn producers that caused the stir on the Mariner) but also cancelled Chumley's despite the fact that they have cruised four years without incident. Rosie's group have also changed from NCL, the next cruise is on a Holland America ship and from what we have heard she is also going to book an RCL ship for next summer.

[gemsm]

Ah -- I was last on NCL in 2003 and no problems. It is a shame they seem

to be changing their attitude towards G&L cruisers because that is my preferred line.

[Michaelthebull13]

We have been on 2 Carnival Elation cruises - the first sailing out of Los Angeles and the 2nd out of Galveston, Texas. First of all, I feel the port where you sail out of has a lot to with the type of people on the ship. There were lots of people from Europe and Canada on our ship when we sailed out of Miami. My least favorite port was Galveston.

 

Next, Carnival is known as the "party ship" for a reason. It attracts a younger crowd than the other cruise ships. I also witnessed a lot more people abnoxiously drunk on the Elation (twice) than other ships. The only problem we experienced was when we had our pictures taken on various occasions by the ship's photographer. He didn't seem to put much effort into taking our picture compared to "straight" couples. He quickly pushed us through.

 

On the positive side, our cabin stewards were wonderful! We are interested in meeting other gay, lesbian, and/or straight couples who enjoy cruising. Perhaps we could go on a cruise sometime. My problem is that I teach and can only get off certain times of the year.

 

Gary

[smg669]

Our cruise was inexpensive and full of foul mouthed breeders.

 

Does that mean we've finally achieved equality when the hurling of epithets goes both ways instead of just one?

[cruise pup]

We last cruise with NCL in October of 2006. We pointed out the problem to Julie, the cruise director (fancy that name and she isn't even on Princess) and explained the reasoning behind it. We explained it to NCL head office as well. In fact we pointed out a number of problems and ensured that not only the cruise line heard them, but so did the IGLTA and Rosie O'Donnell.

 

Considering that it was a cruise out of New York City it was amazing that the pursers desk absolutely refused to answer when guests asked them what a Friends of Dorothy meeting was.

 

In the last year there have been a number of moves on the part of NCL that seem to suggest that they are changing their position in regards to the G&L community. They cancelled one gay group (the infamous Bear Voyage group with the porn producers that caused the stir on the Mariner) but also cancelled Chumley's despite the fact that they have cruised four years without incident. Rosie's group have also changed from NCL, the next cruise is on a Holland America ship and from what we have heard she is also going to book an RCL ship for next summer.

 

Interesting. I was on the x-mas cruise on Norwegain Dawn this past holiday and there was an FOD meeting every evening. You'd think if they were avoiding FOD meetings it would be during a family-oriented holiday sailing. The first evening we were greeted by the Concierge who popped in a few times. Some other crew members occasionally came by too.

 

Carnival's FOD meetings have never been very interesting. I found the locker room at the spa more congenial (and believe it or not, I'm not talking about cruising). Guys would sit around and talk (chairs are set up for people waiting for spa treatments and it just became, pardon the expression, the hang-out; it's separate from the changing area).

[Horizon Bound]

Does that mean we've finally achieved equality when the hurling of epithets goes both ways instead of just one?

 

Touche, smg669. We should all walk the talk. Wha'ts good for the goose.....

 

Haven't seen much said about cruisng with Crystal vis a vis gay friendly. I realize they have only two ships, the Serenity & the Symphony, and each only hold about 1,000 pax, so perhaps it's not a large enough ship for groups. Anyway, our only cruise on Crystal last October was very accomodating. No attitude, from staff OR pax. And there was a lot of diversity be it race, age, point of origin, etc. Never saw any FOD meetings, but this cruise was a port intensive, and I don't think we had much free time. For us, it's all about the sites off the ship, unless it's a sea day. Highly recommend Crystal - albeit a bit more expensive, the service is exemplary. They do have more dress up days though - a bit more formal.

[BillnBobbi]

The best all round cruises I've been on were Celebrity ships. They really do it well. I don't recall any FOD parties though. I'm getting second thoughts about doing Carnival alone in August though. So much for the Love Boat!

 

Actually The Love Boat is Princess (even in the show). Carnival bill themselves as "The Fun Ships".

 

But Carnival owns the Princess line.

 

BnB

[RobertGT]

Interesting. I was on the x-mas cruise on Norwegain Dawn this past holiday and there was an FOD meeting every evening. You'd think if they were avoiding FOD meetings it would be during a family-oriented holiday sailing. The first evening we were greeted by the Concierge who popped in a few times. Some other crew members occasionally came by too.

 

Carnival's FOD meetings have never been very interesting. I found the locker room at the spa more congenial (and believe it or not, I'm not talking about cruising). Guys would sit around and talk (chairs are set up for people waiting for spa treatments and it just became, pardon the expression, the hang-out; it's separate from the changing area).

 

Good to hear that we wouldn't be the only ones using the spa treatments. Really wnat to try them out and wondered if we would be the only guys.

[dcikon2]

NCL is still advertising in Out Traveler and Out as well as other gay publications. I believe they are still reaching out to the gay community. I will let you know after our cruise next week.

 

Gary

[Barrycsi]

I totally agree with you. My partner and I are Diamond member with rccl and elite with celebrity.

We have never had an issue with any line. We have left out of Galveston TX once and will never leave from there again. To us that was the only cruise that we did not enjoy our fellow cruisers. It seemed to us that for the most part, that this was the first and last cruise for most of those people. By the second day we were calling it the Hee Haw cruise. The crew didn't seem to be enjoy the passengers and told us so. They much perfer to leave out of south Fl.

[dcikon2]

I totally agree about Galveston. I will never sail out of Galveston again. Totally different type of people than other ships.

[CrusingJoe]

Like the previous poster, I'm very str8 acting, looking, etc (ex pro athlete). Hard to take a chance on a cruise. Normally I travel with family or friends, but am taking the Carnival Conquest this August on my own. I'm not sure how it will work out. Sure would love to find a great guy .. but have no clue how or where to look. Was hoping someone else online was going but it doesnt look good. I've been on over 40 cruises and cant really say I've seen any gay friendly programs. Maybe it will be different in the future. I'm sure they want out spending money.

 

Most cruises offer a FOD get together, either posted in their daily or on their board. You should find something. If not ask at the information desk.

[nckvilledudes]

We did our first cruise on the Carnival Legend in Novemeber of 2006. We had no problems at all. Had a great time celebrating 20yrs together. We found everyone very friendly. Had such a good time we are now booked on the Carnival Liberty for December 8th for 8 days. Carnival has FOD gatherings posted in the Capers.

Dan and Miguel

[ohfortuna]

My lesbian sister and I (also gay) were on the Glory last September. The CD scheduled 3 FOD meetings. They were poorly attended but the fact they were scheduled was appreciated. We are not a couple but feel comfortable on Carnival. We are on the 9/9 Liberty sailing.

[deweydjb]

My partner and I have sailed a few times on Princess and have had no problems at all, and they had FOD meetings on every cruise. We chose carnival this year mainly for financial reasons (the cheaper the better and I really NEEDED a cruise) so we will see how it goes. We have a 7 day on the Triumph on Nov. 24. A good week to cruise because there usually are not too many kids. We are not big drinkers so we don't usually hang out in the clubs late at night.. I am happier on my balcony with a book so I am sure I will have a good time. I am going to have a good time! But I will let you all know!

[palmtree16]

I've sailed once before with my family on the Fascination back in 2004...

 

...and me and my boyfriend just booked for the 9/24 sailing of Fascination.

 

So it's my second time cruising and his first and we're looking to have a good time. We're young (21 and 22) and didn't have a lot of money to spend (it was sort of my gift to him for his graduation) and reading the mixed responses have made me feel better.

 

Believe it or not (at this age) we aren't the PDA type either. We paid just as much as everyone else, I'm not going to worry about what other people think...we're gonna dance at the disco, get our pictures taken and act like all the other couples that are there.

 

My only real concern is dinner. Do you think it's better to get a table for 2? Or is it really a good experience to sit with other people...

[FLSailor]

My partner, as well as another gay couple just finished with the Spirit cruise to AK. Absolutely no problems with staff or passengers. Had a self-proclaimed redneck and his sons share a table with us and were very nice about everything. One of the entertainers told some jokes that could be considered offensive, but that is the case anywhere you go with poor quality entertainment, they always go for the fag jokes to get a laugh. Have been on two CCL, will probably do more.

As an afterthought FOD meets were scheduled (on the third, fourth, and fifth night) but we had to remind the pursers desk. Only one other couple attended the first night, none after that.

[SapphicSailor]

I have sailed Carnival once with my wife and plan on sailing again this Fall. Our experience was fairly good. Or perhaps a better word would be indifferent. No one seemed to care and we didn't care what anyone thought either. But I don't think one can truly feel free unless they were on a gay/lesbian cruise. Then you would never have that nagging in the back of your mind.

 

Funny though, we were sat at a table full of 20-something single women. The first night we just waived "hi, we are actually partners". And ended up dining every night. However it is different for women...

[deweydjb]

Palmtree, I have only sailed on Princess so far, this will be my first carnival cruise but I have had good experiences meeting new people at dinner and I like talking to different types of people so it was fun. On the last cruise I had a wonderful older english couple who were very nice and very fun to eat with. We also had a mother and son who ate the first night and then we never saw them again. Not sure why. Could be anything. I do like to get a table for two for breakfast. Not very talkative in the morning. But I think the more people that can see us out and about the more accepting we will be as a whole.

[Girlfiend]

We are taking our first cruise on Carnival next year. (Yes, out of Galveston! :eek:) So far the posts on this board have been pretty encouraging. We are hoping for gay-friendly tablemates and to make some new friends (gay or straight) on the ship. But if not--we'll just shrug it off and have a great time anyway. :D