Celebrity Cruises--Finding/meeting others from the community? Experiences with this line?

[jaldag]

So, after taking a gay cruise (The Cruise by La Demence) in July of 2022, my husband and I are taking our first non-community specific cruise since 2016 in December of 2024 on the Celebrity Eclipse.  Our first cruise on Celebrity.  Our prior cruises were with Norwegian.  They always had "Friend of Dorthy" type events to meet others.  Is something like that done on Celebrity?  I know I've heard in the past that Celebrity was considered a LGBTQ+ friendly cruise line.  Is that still the case?  Any other thoughts/experiences with Celebrity to share?  Thanks. 

Edited June 9 by jaldag
more expansive name in title

[Jared2]

I don't know too much about Celebrity, but you can check the roll calls here. And you can also check out the Meet Me On Board app, it was just relaunched this month.

[SoloAlaska]

Yes celebrity has a lgbtq meet and greet but I could never go since it was at the same time as dinner.

[Dobby36]

Yes, they are gay friendly.  Usually have a meet up every night. You may have to look for it under “guest events” board at front desk if not listed in app/program. Last year we were told they’re taking all the AA meetings, religious events, community-specific things like this off the daily listings and into their own section.  But all the staff were welcoming.  No one batted an eye about two men having the beds made up as one, etc.  very welcoming. 

[Stealthdog]

Celebrity is LGTBQ friendly.  The demographics will probably tilt older than gay only cruises, but you probably won't experience any discrimination from other guests.  Many of the crew will probably be LGTBQ.  The ship will have an evening LGTBQ get together Happy Hour - on celebrity its usually at the Martini Bar (I think).  We have found the participation at these to be hit or miss - sometimes there have been 20+, sometimes we walk by and no one is there - every sailing has been different.  If you are interested in meeting people from the community, I recommend going to the Happy Hour the first night.  The Eclipse was our first cruise together and we loved it.  Hope you have a great time!

 

Edited June 14 by Stealthdog

[Edsny]

I live 2 blocks from Port Everglades.Celebrity is my favorite.Cruise almost every month.Have never had an issue.I am single now,but went frequently with my ex.Will be on Reflection in August.The new 4 day ones.They are also changing with the times.Have met many gay and straight people.I like trivia.The smaller ships still have a sauna.

[TimoL]

My partner and me have been on several regular cruises with Norwegian and Celebrity. We actually prefer Celebrity due to its service and atmosphere on board, Years ago our travel agent described it like this: if you prefer to travel with the Walmart of the seas, then go with Carnival, if instead you prefer Publix the go with Celebrity. Celebrity has a bit of more upscale vibe and we always noticed: less children.

 

The daily meeting place for the LGBTIQ Community for the „Friends of Dorothy“ always at the great Martini Bar and mentioned in the Daly planner.

 

Concerning the staterooms we always book Aqua Class which gives you access to your own restaurant „Blue“ and then to the Persian garden, the wellness area as well.

 

 

Edited July 3 by TimoL

[fshepinc]

I just did a two-week Panama Canal cruise on Celebrity in April/May. There was a meet-up listed every night in the Martini Bar, loosely in the (brief) time between early and late-sitting dinners. More people attended the first few nights, but it didn't matter much, as the ship (Summit) was smaller, and you ran into people throughout the day. Yes, Celebrity tends to skew older than other lines, but the plus in this is that most are very seasoned travelers and much more inclusive and welcoming than the younger families on Carnival. I love the Eclipse, and I think you'll have a wonderful time in December!

[jakebloke]

On the Ascent back in MArch, there was a meet up at 6:00pm every night at the Sunset Bar.  The first night I'd say there was at least 20 guys.  The next night reduced dramatically, but we ended up clicking with a couple and basically hung out with them for the rest of the cruise  Most ships it is at the MArtini bar as stated above and some cruises have a great turn out and others not so much, but definiltly go the first night if you're interested.

[atexsix]

On 8/29/2024 at 11:41 AM, jakebloke said:

On the Ascent back in MArch, there was a meet up at 6:00pm every night at the Sunset Bar.  The first night I'd say there was at least 20 guys.  The next night reduced dramatically, but we ended up clicking with a couple and basically hung out with them for the rest of the cruise  Most ships it is at the MArtini bar as stated above and some cruises have a great turn out and others not so much, but definiltly go the first night if you're interested.

Where was this?   As discussed in the FOD thread, itinerary and embarkation point makes a huge difference with turnout at these meetings, more so than whichever cruise line it happens to be.    

[jakebloke]

This cruise left from Fort Lauderdale and went to Nassau, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.  We didn’t get off the ship.  Having the LGBTQ meet up at the Sunset Bar was a bit problematic because it was in a section that had no cover.  So it was really hot and we were already dressed for dinner.  We much prefer the Martini Bar for the meetup.  

[atexsix]

On 8/31/2024 at 8:31 AM, jakebloke said:

This cruise left from Fort Lauderdale and went to Nassau, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.  We didn’t get off the ship.  Having the LGBTQ meet up at the Sunset Bar was a bit problematic because it was in a section that had no cover.  So it was really hot and we were already dressed for dinner.  We much prefer the Martini Bar for the meetup.  

Agree on that.  I also like out of the way locations which HAL always does in order to give people some privacy and not attract any looky loos which occasionally happens because quite a few people have no idea what FOD means, another reason not to use it.  Although I'm not sure even LGBTQ+ would click for everybody and the only way to figure out what it is is to show up.