Lesbian Couples who love cruising

[mithryl]

Welcome Waimea's Mom,

 

We never had an issue being gay on "straight" cruises. We've found most people to be very nice (or at least polite and well mannered). We never try to be anything other than ourselves, we introduce each other as partners. The photographers, for the most part seem to love it. Our dinner table mates have always been interesting and accepting (if not curious). We're generally referred to as "the ladies", which is fine with us. Even in our business dealings at home, our clients often refer to us as "the ladies". I don't think you should have any problems at all.

People on cruises seem to be more pre-occupied with having a good time than with being judgemental. We've met some wonderful hetro. couples that we still stay in contact with (mostly about cruising). We have some hetro friends sailing with us for the first time in October and we've already connected with some other wonderful people on that Roll Call Board (including Carol and Linda - "waunabcruisin" from this thread).

We mainly do the traditional dining, however we are going to try anytime dinning on our March '08 cruise with Princess.

Just relax and have a great time.

[paddy Anne]

welcome Waimea'smom,

 

I whole heartedly agree with the below posters. I don't hide it anywhere. In fact because I am femme and my partner is only butch in her head so people usually think we are sisters. For that reason I usually wear my pride jewelry just to be clear. On the cruise we hold hands, dance together and have never had an issue.

 

If I was at a table where someone was spitting out all their right wing nonsense I would just ask the matre d' to switch tables. Not because I am queer but becuase those guys have their heads so far up their..... that I would be afraid they would explode. :eek:

 

Be who you are on the cruise and enjoy,

cheers,

PA

[shan9700]

Welcome Waimea's Mom,

 

My partner and I have never had a problem with table mates. Same thing with the cruise ship photographers they have all been very nice to us. We have cruised with Carnival many cruises and never had a problem with the other passengers. If you do get stuck with stale table mates just ask for another table or a two top. Missy and I had a two top our last cruise and we had wonderful service and really enjoyed the personal service for the wait staff.

 

Glad you ladies joined the group and we look forward to hearing about your cruises.

 

shan9700:)

[Gator83]

My partner and I have been on 3 Princess cruises and have never had a problem with anyone at our dinner table. In fact, we have met some really nice people and keep in touch with one older couple. A lot of people think we are sisters but we just say we are not. I don't think we have ever really said we are partners but we think people figure it out after a few nights. I agree with the other poster that if you are seated with someone that makes comments just ask to be moved to another table.

 

Hope you have a great trip. Wish I was going back to Alaska.

[Texas_Diver]

Good morning to all,

I have our roll call updated. 26 couples now!!! That is awesome. :D Please reveiw the information and let me know if there are any changes or I left anyone off. I will post it again after this message.

 

We haven't heard from some in quite a while. Maybe they are cruising! ;)

 

Etoile, I don't think you ever answered my question about a comment you made. Why would you feel uncomfortable on Carnival? Just curious....

 

Hope everyone enjoyed the 4th of July. Rained here most of the day but cleared up in time for the firework shows.

 

Annette

[Texas_Diver]

Texas_Divers: Annette 43 Phys. Ed. Teacher, Donna 38 Registered nurse live in Austin

 

funlady: Carra 61 retired teacher,Vicki post office 54 live in San Antonio

 

shan9700: Shannon 37 airline customer service supervisor, Missy 40 blood moblie supervisor live in Indiana

 

Sunnyshine: 27 & 22, Sarah and Savanna

 

mithryl: 54 & 55

 

cruisinJ&C: both 45

 

BlondyX: Juli (paralegal) and Marianne(paramedic) both 43, Phoenix and Toronto

 

etoile: Meredith (26, sign language interpreter) and Anne (38, IT specialist)

 

Pussycat: Phyl & Julie 64 & 68 yrs young, Retired servants to pussy Chloe.

Living in Ontario, Canada 40 yrs together!!!!!

 

Bubski: Bub 54, wife 59 live in British Columbia, Canada

 

RVMamas: Winnie, 57, retired Army Supply Sergeant (92Y E7), and Connie, 57, retired civil service, based out of Broken Arrow (Tulsa), OK, but living where ever the motor home is parked (at a lovely Parish Lake in Ruston, LA this week).

 

paddy Anne: Paddy Anne & Mary 43 & 48, Toronto Ontario

 

mlleach: ML 57 and Andrea 54, Gainesville Fl. One Gator and one Hurricane.

 

derlas: 48 and partner 39

 

KL&KR: Kathy, 62, retired, "disabled"; Kristen, 57, librarian. 4 cats and 25 yrs together in Northern California.

 

postalgrrl: Stacie (43), Jennifer (38). We have been together 11 years and we both work for the post office. Jennifer is a mail carrier and I am a clerk.

 

Jen & Kim: Jen 33 and Kim 39 live in Austin

 

jroth31: Jennifer 35, Marketing for Credit Union and Melinda, 44, Project manager/Certified Fabricator for remodeling company. Roseburg, Oregon

 

Professor MA: professor 57, lawyer 55 live in western mass, grown children 28 and 31, together 25+ years, married yea MA

 

waunabcruizin: Carol 65 Retired IT and Linda 59 Nurse from Gig Harbor, WA. We have been together for 20 years so far with many more to come, we hope.

 

OCLadies: I'm Diane (57 & Insurance Agency owner/agent) and my DW Lori (47 & Recovery Rm. RN). We've been together 5 short years and LOVE to Cruise!!

 

JandT314: My name is Jay (35, Paramedic) and my partner is T (32, Respiratory Therapist)

 

Seasickblues: I (Tea) am 47 and my lovely partner "L" is 55. We've been together 15 years

 

dcikon2:

 

tiggr33: Stacey

 

Mo-n-CJ: in our 40's, going on 1st cruise in Sept.

 

Waimea'sMom: I'm Staci, a 33 year old former attorney/aspiring travel agent. My partner is Shannon, a 36 year old police sergeant. We live in Southern California with our three cats (Dakota, Kahlua and Creampuff). In fact, my screen name comes from our kitten Waimea who passed away when only one year old.:(

[shan9700]

Hey Ladies,

 

Has anyone been to Calica?? I was trying to plan a nice day at the beach. Maybe some shopping and a good place to have dinner. Thanks for any information.

 

shan9700:)

[postalgrrl]

Hey Ladies,

 

Has anyone been to Calica?? I was trying to plan a nice day at the beach. Maybe some shopping and a good place to have dinner. Thanks for any information.

 

shan9700:)

 

 

We stopped there, but spent the day at Xcaret. It was fun but I don't think I would go back to Xcaret. I would rather spend the day in Playa del Carmen.

The port is just a big gravel pit. So don't expect vendors and shopping right by the ship like in Cozumel. There is a taxi stand there and they will take you into Playa. I think our taxi to Xcaret was about $15.

[shan9700]

postalgrrl,

 

Thanks for the advise! I think were either going to Playa Del Carmen or to the Omni Puerto Aventuras beach hotel. I'm still not sure which one we're going with.

 

Thanks again,

shan9700:)

[FlaWaterFlirt]

Wow it had been over one year since I was on the boards and back then the G&L section had very little in the way of interesting reading. I am thrilled to have found this board!!

 

I have been cruising for years and have been on all of the main stream lines. I tend to prefer RCCL since I also cruise with my now "13" going on "21" year old daughter. RCCL has been great for cruising with children. She has been in all of the age programs and loved every minute of it.

 

Over the 13 years I had gone many times with my g/f and never, not once, had a bad experience. I firmly believe that the way you carry yourself is based upon the respect you will get back.

 

That being said, as many others have mentioned in this thread, Olivia just seems like too much money just to be in the 100% company of women. In many ways I feel it is taking advantage of the community. Old ships do not warrant the fares they ask for. Again..just in my humble opinion.

 

So.....our next cruise will be on October 26th for my partners birthday. Her 23 year old son and his g/f are coming along with my daughter and a friend of hers. We will be on the SOS leaving from Port Carnival and going to the Bahamas for 4 days. Anyone going to be on this cruise?????

 

After that we will be on the Grander leaving Tampa March 31, 2008 to Mexico for Spring Break.

 

Please email me if a board cruise is planned as we would love to go and meet everyone!!

 

~Donna

[Mom and girls]

Hey all,

We are new to this group. We sail Carnival Triumph on 9/22/07 so I was looking beyond the regular roll call board to see who else might be sailing.

 

Anybody?

 

Hey there Kim & Jen - looks like y'all had more sailings (us too) since we met on Rhapsody.

[Pussycat]

"Olivia just seems like too much money just to be in the 100% company of women. In many ways I feel it is taking advantage of the community. Old ships do not warrant the fares they ask for. Again..just in my humble opinion." ~ flawaterflirt

 

I think everyone has to decide for themselves whether they feel Olivia is worth the extra $$ so I truly respect your humble opinion.

 

We have travelled on both regular cruises & Olivia. Although it's true that the latter is more expensive, we haven't sailed with anyone but them since our first in 1998 because we personally feel it worth the money.

 

The extra $'s aren't strictly for the experience of an all female vacation. Olivia travels with a large staff of their own that take care of every little detail or concern. In 50 years of travelling we have never been with a company that provides such excellent service. (Both before & during the trip)

They travel with their own staff who organize activities that are appropriate for we gals. Their entertainers are mostly "family" & their humor and music geared to our tastes. Acts at the beginning of some cruises have included Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Melissa Etheridge and many more.

 

I'd like to clarify too that Olivia does not sail on old ships. In fact they frequent some of HALs newest ships, sail Tahiti in the 6 star Paul Gaugin, sail Costa Rica on the fabulous Windstar, to name a few.

It is true that in their early days, as they were establishing themselves, the ships were less than luxurious.

 

Anyway, each must make their own decisions but don't write them off until you've tried them. Why don't you join us, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

Sincerely

Julie

> ^..^ <

[mithryl]

Welcome Mom and Girls,

 

I lived in both North Richland Hills and Bedford several years ago. I hear the whole area has continued to really grow.

 

Flawaterflirt,

 

My partner lived in Tampa for 15 years.

 

We're in Northern Idaho now. Looks like weather in the south has really been hot.

Good time to take to the sea!

[Mo-n-CJ]

Hey there Mithryl,

 

I am thinking about buying a place in Idaho. A friend from here in Maui is having her place built right now. They are moving there in about a year. Have any suggestions on a good location to move to? hmmm

 

Mo

[gemsm]

Hi -- Haven't been on the boards in a while and then I find this awesome thread.

 

My partner and I are both 39 and we love cruising.

We are from Annapolis, MD and we prefer NCL because of the "Freestyle"

concept.

 

We are getting ready to book our next cruise on the Norwegian Sun to

the Western Carribean in February 2008 to celebrate our 40th birthdays.

[shan9700]

gemsm,

 

Hello and welcome to the thread. We enjoy the western carribean I have to admit the eastern carribean is my favorite. We haven't tried NLC yet though but look forward to one day. We usually focus on Carnival tring to hit Platinium. Woohoo three more and we're there.

Lets us know how the cruise was. We'll be looking forward to hearing the details.

 

shan9700:)

[mithryl]

Hi Mo-n-CJ,

 

Coeur d'Alene is one of the greatest areas in Idaho. Even though it's in the Northern part of the state...two and a half hours from the Canadian border...it's actually warmer on average than southern Idaho. It's protected by wonderful mountains and is convenient to the Spokane Washington International Airport. The lakes in the area are awesome. Coeur d'Alene was voted "Best Place in the USA to Retire Young" by Fortune 500. There's lots to do as far as outdoor activities. Miles of hiking/biking trails, excellent snow skiing in the winter, every kind of water sport, etc.

We find the climate to be perfect forlovers of 4 seasons.

The summers usually aren't too hot (at least not for very long) and the winters don't get that cold either.

This area is really growing in the number of "family". We have several lesbian friends, both couples and singles as well as many straight friends who don't give our sexual orientation a second thought.

Come on over and check it out!

We'll be glad to set aside some time to give you a tour if you're interested.

[mithryl]

Gemsm,

 

Welcome to the board. Congratulations on your upcoming 40th birthdays (and of course..your cruise!) The Western Caribbean is always fun. Like shan9700, we've never been on a NCL cruise.

What do you like best about freestyle cruising?

What do you see (if anything) as the disadvantages?

How would you compare them to your RCCL cruises?

We saw the Pride of Aloha while we were in Hawaii this year and she looked a bit dated from the outside. Not many balcony cabins at all.

Anxious to hear your opinions and experiences.

[GillCC]

hi

can i hop onto this thread - my name is Gill and following a nasty split with my partner of 9 years (a year ago) I will be cruising with my (straight) mum on RCCL.

 

It would be really nice to meet up with other lesbians - for some younger company lol. Do RCCL have FOD meets? Does anyone actually go to them? Do women go to them?

[Mom and girls]

Welcome Mom and Girls,

 

I lived in both North Richland Hills and Bedford several years ago. I hear the whole area has continued to really grow.

 

 

Yes, the area has grown a lot. Especially north of the NRH and Bedford area - Keller & Colleyville.

Idaho sounds beautiful. I like the idea of having 4 seasons. So, how bad do the winters really get?

[shan9700]

GillCC,

 

Welcome to the thread! Sorry to hear about your break up. But your going to have a great time on your cruise. My mother and I took a short four day cruise on RLC last summer and they had FOD meetings. There were several women there and serveral men too. When My partner and I cruise we always end up meeting ( family ) on cruises whether were on the lido deck hanging out or having having lunch in the dinning area.

 

Check ou the roll call for your sailing and post here what ship and the date maybe one of us on this thread we'll be sailing with you. Any way I'm sure you'll meet some really nive folks on your cruise. We'll be looking forward to hearing about your cruise when you get back.

 

shan9700:)

[arb711]

GillCC - when and where are you going? I'm on Radiance of the Seas NB to Alaska, 8/24/07 (6 weeks and 3 days, but who's counting....). 51, traveling solo.

 

Anyone??

[mithryl]

Welcome GillCC,

 

I've sailed on RCCL (with my partner and my Mom). You'll have a great time. They do have FOD meetings and yes, women do attend, but just keep your "gaydar" up and you'll meet people. Sorry to hear about your breakup. A cruise is good therapy ( I actually know a therapist that recommends it!)

RCCL is a good line.

Where do you live?

Perhaps there are others on the boards that are in you area.

Thanks for joining in. Let us know how we can support you.

Do you want to share any other details? (age, occupation, etc.)

Sounds like arb711 is looking to meet other single cruisers.

[mithryl]

Winters don't get too bad. A typical winter starts with some snow in late October or early November. (The first year I lived here, it didn't snow at all until Christmas Eve day). There is a normally a pattern of snow...then melting...then snow, so it never gets very deep and it is beautiful because it is so often fresh snow instead of "dirty snow". I lived in the mid-west most of my younger life and this is nothing like what I experienced as a child in Wisconsin and Illinois.

[gemsm]

Gemsm,

 

Welcome to the board. Congratulations on your upcoming 40th birthdays (and of course..your cruise!) The Western Caribbean is always fun. Like shan9700, we've never been on a NCL cruise.

What do you like best about freestyle cruising?

What do you see (if anything) as the disadvantages?

How would you compare them to your RCCL cruises?

We saw the Pride of Aloha while we were in Hawaii this year and she looked a bit dated from the outside. Not many balcony cabins at all.

Anxious to hear your opinions and experiences.

 

 

Don't Judge NCL by NCLA (Hawaiian Ships) as they are older ships in the fleet.

The absolute best thing about freestyle cruising is getting to eat when you want instead of on someone elses schedule. You aren't constrained by the 6:00 or 8:00 seating to eat in the dining room. On other lines (RCCL, Carnival) if you didn't want to eat at your assigned seating time you have no choice but the buffet. The disadvantage is that the service is not quite as good as RCCL in the dining rooms and you actually have to think on the cruise as to what you want to eat and when etc....

 

I also love the resort casual attire. I don't have to dress up at all if I don't want to and if I do want to that is AOK too. I personally have found RCCL a bit more "stuffy" than NCL IMHO but it is just that -- My opinion.

 

You should try it and see if you like it. Freestyle is not for everyone but I very much enjoy it over traditional cruises.

 

By the way -- Thanks for the board welcome from all of you guys.