Anyone ever been on one of these?

What age group is primarily found on board? Are they mostly single or couples? Are the boy cruises like a floating Palm Springs Guest House (I'm trying to avoid the pun extremely "cruisy") or could you have a regular fun vacation time in an open and accepting, but non-sexual environment?

If I'm looking for the latter, should I just take a Princess cruise and hope for the best?

[This message has been edited by robb (edited 03-23-2002).]

Perhaps any cruise you take will be a "princess" cruise? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Remember.. once onboard it is very very difficult to steer clear of anyone else. Hell is other passengers..gay or not.

Yeah, and if you have a "one night stand" with a guy, you're bound to bump into him the next day!

So, in other words, they are floating bathhouses?

I don't mind sexually charged environments (who amongst us doesn't? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif ), but it's still a lot of work to be in that environment, and I don't think I want to do it for 5 whole days. Trqavel should be more relaxing than that.

I'd much rather travel and pick a night or two to go to clubs, knowing that I don't have to worry about it the rest of the time.

Try www.cruisecritic.com, (http://www.cruisecritic.com,) they have a gay and lesbian message board there that might be helpful to you.

My coworker just took that atlantis cruise in January. He had a great time, saw Rosie O'donnell, and totally recommended it.

He implied it wasn't like a floating "charged" ship, but it was as much as you made it. (so if that's what you wanted..no problem, but if you didn't no problem).

I'd like to take one of these cruises too, but would be curious for some other comments from "cruisers" here on flyertalk.

Chris

We're thinking of going on the Atlantis - Europe cruise. Was really wondering about this too. We've been on 3 Radisson cruises.

Just got back from the Atlantis hawaiian island cruise....have sailed on a number of RSVP charters before, but this was my first Atlantis cruise.
We sailed from honolulu to hilo, fanning island, maui and kauai...with 2 days at sea. Activities and entertainment seemed to run non-stop. Even though there were over 2,200 gay men onboard, there was never a sense of crowding, as the ship was huge. My first experience at sea with a 14-story atrium, with glass elevators!
There were 3 afternoon t-dances, 4 late-night dance parties (mardi gras, white party, tropical dance and farewell), one of which continued until daylight. Much of the crew, including dining room and bar staff, participated in the dance parties, something that was not allowed by the cruise lines on the other gay charters. The crew was remarkably friendly...
There were special singles dinners, mixers, lectures, pool games, and gay.com provided a 'personals at sea' service that was clever in a low-tech sort of way.
I suspect that most people who sail on gay cruises expecting a floating bathhouse experience are disappointed....if anything, the experience is very social, with fewer inhibitions than normally encountered on dry land.
I met fellow cruisers on the flight to hawaii, in waikiki (denny's, of all places), at the hotel front desk, in the valet parking line, and at the pier. There was lots of curiousity about where people were from, if this was their first cruise, etc.
The passenger mix seemed to be roughly 60% couples, a wide variety of ages, shapes and sizes...many of which were indeed pleasing to behold!
If nothing else, a gay cruise is a unique experience...definitely worth experiencing, at least once.

I just have to know. Why did you go to Denny's in Waikiki? Don't you know about the restaurant rule? You can't go to a place that you have at home. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by slumgoddess (edited 03-26-2002).]

I've been on two RSVP cruises. If you think you want to go on one, do. They are a lot of fun. Even if you are celibate, they are fun.

One was the Mardi Gras cruise in 2000. Details (12,000 words!) are here: http://www.geocities.com/chip_p/bigtrip.html and pictures can be found at http://www.photoisland.com login:clbs password: rsvp

RSVP people are from Minneapolis and are very conservative. Except for small acts of lewdness at the tea dances (what was that boy wearing under his sarong?) it was mostly fine. Their expectation was that there were people on board with their parents (YES I met some) and that everyone has a cabin, so they should use it.

There were complaints that the steamroom was too much like a steamroom in other settings so folks were asked to "tone it down." Out on the dance floor at night, some people looked tweaked out, but I perceive more drug use at nightclubs here in Salt Lake. I'm excluding alcohol as a drug since it falls as a dear family favorite.

If you wanted to mess around, you could find people to play with, but you could also just walk up to ANYONE and start talking. So many people had interesting stories to tell (like the couple that had been together for 41 years).

Entertainment with Danny Williams as the host was great--Ru Paul had 50% of the audience walk out on her show, but other performers like Elvira Kurt, CeCe Peniston, Sam Harris (star search!) and Paul J Williams were solid.

We were on Carnival for our cruise this year and Norweigian in 2000. NCL had slightly better food, but neither was better than good banquet food. The staff on Carnival did come to some of the parties.

We are still working on our notes from this year's cruise. We are at 27 pages and have yet to fill in 4 of the 10 days.

Yes, there were about 70 girls on both ships (out of 1700 and 2050). I think I can name about 20 from the last one!

Ages: Median age around 38 on my two cruises. Some guys into their 80's, a few boys under 25 (with daddies or maxed out credit cards). If you are looking for a "sponsor" for a future cruise, there were men making offers.

Split: about 60-70% couples and the rest singles on both. Hard to tell how "coupled" people were.

On the Mardi Gras cruise, we stopped in Cozumel one day after leaving New Orleans. As we were leaving the dock, we threw beads (and some earned beads) at the women on the Princess boat docked next to us.

RSVP did some discounting on the Mexico cruise this year, but if you want to go, you should pay full price. I think it is worth it.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by slumgoddess:
I just have to know. Why did you go to Denny's in Waikiki? Don't you know about the restaurant rule? You can't go to a place that you have at home. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif
</font>

We don't have Denny's in Toronto....from the line of cute guys waiting to get into the one in Waikiki, I figured it was a gay bar! So naturally, i got in line! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FlyByNight:
We don't have Denny's in Toronto....from the line of cute guys waiting to get into the one in Waikiki, I figured it was a gay bar! So naturally, i got in line! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

</font>

OK, you are forgiven for going to Denny's!

Robb: You might try checking the PlanetOut web site where there is a section on "Gay Cruise & Resort Vacations".

http://www.planetout.com/travel/features/2000/07/cruises/

I've never done any kind of (boat) cruise and don't plan to (I think I'd go crazy on a boat for an extended amount of time, like over 24 hours). I'd be interested in hearing your opinions if you end up doing this. I have two friends who did a week long cruise on the Club Med 2 ship - they loved it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by blairvanhorn:


I've never done any kind of (boat) cruise and don't plan to QUOTE]

What, not even the cross channel ferry ? Dover - Calais is a prime pick up for all sorts ! Or are you more of a singles night on the Bateau Mouche ?

It used to be the big joke, if you booked an olivia cruise, you would probably break up with the person you were going with before the cruise happened.

Sorry, I cruise enough - dutch harbor to say, kodiak to make a boat, any boat, enjoyable for moi.

lala

There are 3 gay tour operators that focus on cruising, the 1st being slightly aimed at divers.

I've used UnderSea Expeditions for a few gay clients and they LOVE them... most of their trips are on live-aboards and hit exotic places like Belize, Turks / Caicos Islands, Tahiti, Australia, etc.

I highly recommend RSVP's packages... very well put together and these folks are sold.

Atlantis, on the other hand, is my least favorite because they allow client-direct bookings..... and myself as an agent respect RSVP because it requires me to make sure you can go, have the right documentation for your trips, and tell you what to expect...

-nate

GK: Perhaps you will take me on my first cruise to visit the architecture in Chicago (http://www.architecture.org/river.html)? (We may fight over which boat to take, though. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif)

On the RSVP cruises, two friends in Paris who are very difficult to please take a crusie once a year with this operator and love it.



[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 04-03-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by blairvanhorn:
GK: Perhaps you will take me on my first cruise to visit the architecture in Chicago (http://www.architecture.org/river.html)? (We may fight over which boat to take, though. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif)
</font>

I recall reading that you could do the chicago architecture cruise in a kayak, led by an actual architect....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lalala:
It used to be the big joke, if you booked an olivia cruise, you would probably break up with the person you were going with before the cruise happened.
lala</font>

this is why my better fifth won't go on one at all.

i can't blame her, as i really don't think being tinned on a boat for fourteen days sounds romantic so much as a test of our abilities to not do anything stupid. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

On my 2 RSVP cruises there have been several boy #1's who left a boy #2 behind because boy #2 came on the scene after the cruise was booked.

This might be a relationship terminating event for some, but others "don't ask and don't tell" until boy #2 goes on a cruise with boy #1 later and then discovers what may have happened.

I've never been on a cruise, but was wondering what the main stream cruises (ie. Princess, Celebrity, Norweigen, etc.) are like? Are they primarily geared for straight Honeymooners or Old Folks (cholesterol-reducing workshops, basket weaving seminars, tacky tourist shows, etc)?

Do they have anything to offer us (ie. single, late 20's/early 30's, gay, healthy professionals, etc.) or should we wait for the next RSVP or Atlantis cruise? Willing to party for a night or 2, but not looking for a bathhouse-type environment.

Any thoughts?

Received this message via email today:

Would you like to spend quality time with your parents, enjoy some incredible scenery, AND meet new gay and lesbian friends on your next trip? Gay-group cruises are a perfect way to fit it all in. Check out URL Removed

EDIT: Remvoved URL - This is one of those judgement call things, but I'm editing this as a commercial post. Based on your post it doesn't sound like a recommendation, but reposting an unsolicited email you got. Please repost it if you really do mean to recommend it and you aren't affiliated wih the company. Thanks - Rob

[This message has been edited by robb (edited 04-15-2002).]

I just received the new Atlantis brochure today, and thought I'll just bring this thread again.

Any thoughts or experiences that anyone would like to share? Atlantis vs R.S.V.P. cruises?

I've been on a regular Alaskan cruise (with old folks) and had a miserable time. My friend and I were the ONLY 2 young passengers who weren't newlyweds. I basically oscillated between the aerobics classes/gym(empty all the time) and the buffet table.

Atlantis cruises tend to be floating orgies... you get alot of younger types since Atlantis does more direct marketing.

RSVP cruises have always been a bit more professional attracting a "more traveled" crowd, as they do some direct marketing, but mainly via travel agencies (and gay ones!). It's like comparing Holland America with Carnival I guess.... both focus on different aspects of cruising.

the other plus for RSVP is they don't offer the cruise for sale to the public.. whereas if Atlantis can't fill it, they release the inventory to the cruise line to sell....

-nate

Second hand reports say that Atlantis has fewer lesbians than RSVP. Also the Atlantis crowd might be a bit younger and wilder than RSVP. RSVP is run from Minneapolis and is somewhat conservative.

I've heard the same..some of my friends are going on the Atlantis Europe cruise, which sounds like it would be a lot of fun. I just wish many of these trips weren't so pricey. I think the Europe one is around 2k.

Chris

as a veteran of many cruises, the following are (to me, at least) the most important criteria in deciding on a cruise:

gay or straight? about as close to a no-brainer as you'll get...full-ship charter is a lot more fun than a small gay group travelling on a straight cruise...
destination/itinerary/price: at some point, you'll be getting off the ship, and you'll need enough $ left after paying for the cruise to cover your bar tab, shopping and shore excursions...
cruise line/ship: of the gay charters to date, holland america is the most posh, followed by norwegian and royal carribean. we're not even going to mention carnival, right?
rsvp or atlantis: don't agree with the 'bathhouse at sea' description often attributed to atlantis....more like a floating cicuit party! crowd is younger, but the focus is clearly on the dances/parties. with either, you're free to do your own thing, and will have plenty of opportunities to meet other people...

the fact that so many (50-70%) of those aboard are repeat passengers should give you a pretty good idea of their appeal, once experienced!


[This message has been edited by FlyByNight (edited 06-11-2002).]

Hmm...and how much are bar tabs running on a typical trip?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by catwood:
Hmm...and how much are bar tabs running on a typical trip?</font>

the night before disembarkation, they slide an invoice showing all on-board charges under your stateroom door....in many, many cases, they have to feed the sheets thru individually, since the whole thing won't fit! there have been ugly rumors that in a few instances, the bar tab exceeded the cost of the cruise itself!

$956 was the highest bar tab a client of mine has had on a cruise ship. That was JUST alcohol.

After shore excursions, he could have bought a small european country.

-nate