GLBT Travelers - 2 men arrested for "buggery" on gay cruise in Caribbean

On AP via msnbc: (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46821004/ns/travel-news/)

ROSEAU, Dominica — Two California men on a gay cruise of the Caribbean were arrested Wednesday in Dominica, where sex between two men is illegal.

Police Constable John George said police boarded the cruise ship and arrested the two men on suspicion of indecent exposure and "buggery," a term equivalent to sodomy on the island.....

Where on earth did they commit the "act"? The balcony? :confused:

There were doing what any human should not be doing in pubic(with the exception of dogs) !!! It was on the ships deck.

The were in the room and left the curtains open. Someone from the dock saw them.

Update: They've pleaded guilty; should be released today after paying $900 in fines:
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-world-latinamerica/20120321/CB.Dominica.Gay.Cruise.Arrests/?cid=hero_media

Are these gay cruises like floating orgies? How do people generally behave on them?

"Love, exciting and new
Come Aboard. We're expecting you.
Love, life's sweetest reward.
Let it flow, it floats back to you.
The Love Boat soon will be making another run
Just draw your curtains for everyone!
Set a course for adventure,
Your mind on a new romance.
Love won't hurt anymore
Cept that guy on the dock near the shore!
Yes LOVE! It's LOVE!
Love Boat soon will be making another run
The Love Boat promises something for everyone
Set a course for adventure,
Your mind on a new romance.
Love won't hurt anymore
It's an open smile on a friendly shore.
It's LOVE! It's LOVE! It's LOVE!
It's the Love Boat-ah! It's the Love Boat-oh!

Are these gay cruises like floating orgies? How do people generally behave on them?

Grab whatever you see in sight, and everyone travels with knee pads.

Grab whatever you see in sight, and everyone travels with knee pads.
:D :D

;):D :D

I didn't realize that it was illegal to harm insects in Dominica.

Emily Litella, Carribean Correspondent

Some conflicting reports.... many say they were indeed doing it on the balcony. Which makes more sense, since it would be very hard to see from the dock through a window whether there was actual sodomy going on.

The idiocy here goes all around: to Atlantis for docking in ports where homosexuality is illegal, to the defendants who (1) don't care about having sex in the open and (2) don't pay attention to what country they're in. THey now claim they weren't having sex, and are complaining that the prison conditions were bad because they are gay.
THe prison conditions were bad because holding cells in Dominica are bad, regardless of one's sexual orientation.

20 years ago they would have been in jail in the USA, in less than 20 years we will have partners in the White House.

GDA Rev Wright is working hard, along with Barney

Some conflicting reports.... many say they were indeed doing it on the balcony. Which makes more sense, since it would be very hard to see from the dock through a window whether there was actual sodomy going on.

The idiocy here goes all around: to Atlantis for docking in ports where homosexuality is illegal, to the defendants who (1) don't care about having sex in the open and (2) don't pay attention to what country they're in. THey now claim they weren't having sex, and are complaining that the prison conditions were bad because they are gay.
THe prison conditions were bad because holding cells in Dominica are bad, regardless of one's sexual orientation.

"Your honor, what can we say ...the blue skies, blue water, exotic flowers, those glistening jet black bodies on the doc.....plus our respective " spouses " we're on shore so the urge took over......my friend was leaning over the balcony and I just plain stumbled......:D:D:D

It wasn't these two, was it?
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/extrLhrytuA/0.jpg

Are these gay cruises like floating orgies? How do people generally behave on them?

I have been on several Atlantis Cruises.

Short answer: NO. They are not floating orgies.

There are all sorts of folks on these cruises: Circuit boys (and circuit men), older men, bears, next door types, single, couples, throuples, etc, etc.

Public sex is not common AT ALL

There are a few that will exaggerate on their consumption of alcohol (or any other recreational drug).
BUT, for the most part, people are pretty well behaved.

I have been on several Atlantis Cruises.

Short answer: NO. They are not floating orgies.

There are all sorts of folks on these cruises: Circuit boys (and circuit men), older men, bears, next door types, single, couples, throuples, etc, etc.

Public sex is not common AT ALL

There are a few that will exaggerate on their consumption of alcohol (or any other recreational drug).
BUT, for the most part, people are pretty well behaved.

mmhuh we believe you. ;)

mmhuh we believe you. ;)


and what's the point of your post?

I am just providing my impression of the Atlantis Cruises as helpful info for the readers of this forum.

Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant for this forum.

I have no agenda in portraying the cruises like something they are not. Orgies? Sure, in Berlin and tonight in New York. Not at the Atlantis cruises (at least out in the open)

Folks, we've had similar discussions about Atlantis (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/glbt-travelers/1183737-color-me-shocked-major-drug-bust-atlantis-cruise.html) and similar posts by forum members attesting that the questionable behavior was a minority experience.

Obviously, it's a point to be argued (certainly one that's been made more than once) but let's do it without implying that other posters are being dishonest.

I agree, but at the same time, everyone has an opinion about this issue, so who is right and who is wrong is debatable. I suggest putting an end to these types of thread if they are going to escalate to finger pointing.

It's perfectly fine to discuss any issue. Just do it without getting personal. Really, it isn't that difficult. Now if there's more to say on Atlantis, fine, but enough discussing the discussion.

I'll toss my two cents in...

I can't fathom going on a gay cruise. I can't fathom going on a cruise, period. Though, I do have to agree that the blame goes all around.

Why is ATLANTIS patronizing homophobic ports? While having sex in the open might be a thrill, wait till the ship is at sea.

I recognize that misbehavior is not to the excess that it is rumored (or wished) to be, but feh, give me a rental car, two or three friends, and hundreds of miles of scenic roadway to take at our own pace....

I am assuming Atlantis is patronizing these ports because their clients want to go to these ports... if no one wanted to go there and were willing to pay the prices, then Atlantis would not go there.

No different that why many of us go to states/countries that do not accept us... we want to go for the cultural experiences or other reasons.

I'll toss my two cents in...

I can't fathom going on a gay cruise. I can't fathom going on a cruise, period. Though, I do have to agree that the blame goes all around.

Why is ATLANTIS patronizing homophobic ports? While having sex in the open might be a thrill, wait till the ship is at sea.

I recognize that misbehavior is not to the excess that it is rumored (or wished) to be, but feh, give me a rental car, two or three friends, and hundreds of miles of scenic roadway to take at our own pace....

I am assuming Atlantis is patronizing these ports because their clients want to go to these ports... if no one wanted to go there and were willing to pay the prices, then Atlantis would not go there.

No different that why many of us go to states/countries that do not accept us... we want to go for the cultural experiences or other reasons.

I think you're assuming people select Atlantis cruises based on their destinations. I think for most Americans, the Caribbean is the Caribbean. If you want to do a gay cruise, there aren't so many to choose from, so you'll go on the one that has convenient dates

I am assuming Atlantis is patronizing these ports because their clients want to go to these ports... if no one wanted to go there and were willing to pay the prices, then Atlantis would not go there.

No different that why many of us go to states/countries that do not accept us... we want to go for the cultural experiences or other reasons.

Atlantis simply charters the ship for one sailing - not sure if the itinerary is really set by the cruise line or Atlantis (I'm thinking that the cruise line).

Off Topic, but do any straight people do these cruises also? Maybe they get a good deal, the destination is better, or the people are not as fuddy-duddy?

Off Topic, but do any straight people do these cruises also? Maybe they get a good deal, the destination is better, or the people are not as fuddy-duddy?

I would think that would be rare - since they are full boat charters - the sailing would show sold out on the cruiseline itself and any booking would have to go through Atlantis / RSVP. Atlantis (and RSVP) generally charter the ship for one sailing. We've been on 3 (2 RSVP and 1 now defunct TravelPride) riverboat cruises in Europe (which is a lot different from these large "party" type cruises). Usually the fare that RSVP (and presumably Atlantis) charges are at a premium (small) over the usual fare from the cruiseline directly (and some otherwise included items - such as shore excursions on the river cruises are charged extra). Destinations are basically the same (not sure if Atlantis/RSVP actually even has much of a say in it). We'd only do these charters for the river cruises in Europe since the demographics on the "regular" cruises are really quite old (think 70s average).

Surely this kind of behaviour in view of third parties, between even heterosexual couples would be viewed as illegal in most civilised countries?

Usually the fare that RSVP (and presumably Atlantis) charges are at a premium (small) over the usual fare from the cruiseline directly (and some otherwise included items - such as shore excursions on the river cruises are charged extra). Destinations are basically the same (not sure if Atlantis/RSVP actually even has much of a say in it).

I find the 'markup' to be fairly significant. For example, next March, Atlantis has a cruise in Asia on the Celebrity Millennium. For a C3 cabin, the Atlantis rate is $2799, while the same cruise 2 weeks earlier, for the same cabin, is $1899 - that's a 47% markup! Also, the Atlantis cruise will only be 11 nights, while the 'usual' cruise is 14 night (for much less $$), resulting in an even higher markup 'per night'.

Also to clarrify, yes Atlantis DOES have control over the itinerary. Using this same cruise as an example, the ports of call are very different, and for Atlantis much more focused on Vietnam. Maybe the carribean cruises aren't that customized, but Atlantis does have some influence over the entire week's programming (port of calls included).

Surely this kind of behaviour in view of third parties, between even heterosexual couples would be viewed as illegal in most civilised countries?

^ ^ ^

Surely this kind of behaviour in view of third parties, between even heterosexual couples would be viewed as illegal in most civilised countries?

Well, looks like the jig is up. Of course someone has taken pics and posted them on queerty.com (I would link, but not sure if I can post NSFW links here) And sure enough, the couple in question are clearly humping away like bunnies in heat in full view.

There were doing what any human should not be doing in pubic(with the exception of dogs) !!! It was on the ships deck.


There are two questions to me:

Would they have been arrested as well if they were a heterosexual couple?

And would they have been arrested doing it in a harbour in Spain, Italy or Greece (I am not asking about the US, UK or Saudi Arabia)?

Well, looks like the jig is up. Of course someone has taken pics and posted them on queerty.com (I would link, but not sure if I can post NSFW links here) And sure enough, the couple in question are clearly humping away like bunnies in heat in full view.

Thank you - you did exactly right with this post!!

There are two questions to me:

Would they have been arrested as well if they were a heterosexual couple?

And would they have been arrested doing it in a harbour in Spain, Italy or Greece (I am not asking about the US, UK or Saudi Arabia)?

What does it matter Spain, Italy, or Greece vs. any other country? These guys used very poor judgement. They showed a complete disrespect and disregard to the cultural norms of the country they were visiting and exhibited no sensitivity whatsoever. They got off easy with a night in jail and $4000 fine. I'm not preaching from a holier than thou standpoint, all I am saying is if you travel to foreign countries understand the local laws and the repercussions if you break them, whether or not you agree with them or not. In Thailand, you can be jailed for insulting the King. In the past 5 years there was a highly publicized case of a British heterosexual couple jailed in Dubai for having sex on the beach at night, so I don't believe it's a heterosexual vs. same sex couple issue.

This is your friendly moderator.

Actually beyond poor taste. Borderline homophobic. It's a touchy subject, let's not flame it up more with misplaced jokes.

[Edit by peteropny] The OP of the "poor taste" post has deleted, so I deleted that post along with the following post that quoted it - note so that this comment by my co-mod makes some sense.

I've seen the pics, if they did that in port they deserved what they got.

comments removed

There was a post on the Dallas Voice site this afternoon that I thought added additional information:

http://www.dallasvoice.com/dallas-couple-questions-atlantis-actions-10105797.html

That looks like a large distance from the boat out on the water, to any people on the island. Looks like they had a reasonable expectation of privacy (would need binoculars to see it).

To be on the safe side all such activities should be conducted in the privacy of their cabin and this situation should not have arisen.

If i wanted to have sex on the balcony of my cabin, which i am going on the NCL Epic Mediterranean out of Barcelona on May 13th by the way, I would have done it in the middle of the freakin' ocean where there are no other ships or lands to be found. But then again, the passengers above, below, to the right and left of my cabin, can probably see/hear what I am doing on my balcony.

These two guys did it in port. They got what they deserved. Yes, i am being harsh.

I find the 'markup' to be fairly significant. For example, next March, Atlantis has a cruise in Asia on the Celebrity Millennium. For a C3 cabin, the Atlantis rate is $2799, while the same cruise 2 weeks earlier, for the same cabin, is $1899 - that's a 47% markup! Also, the Atlantis cruise will only be 11 nights, while the 'usual' cruise is 14 night (for much less $$), resulting in an even higher markup 'per night'.

Also to clarrify, yes Atlantis DOES have control over the itinerary. Using this same cruise as an example, the ports of call are very different, and for Atlantis much more focused on Vietnam. Maybe the carribean cruises aren't that customized, but Atlantis does have some influence over the entire week's programming (port of calls included).

Totally agreed on the 'markup' price.

I went on the Atlantis Hawaii cruise 5 years ago in May or June. I paid over $1000 for a BASIC inside cabin. The EXACT same cruise, cruise line and itinerary, two weeks later was.......$499.

NO. I can't justified paying DOUBLE just to be on a gay cruise.

Apparently when they got arrested at first they were afraid they were petrified. But they will survive. :D

Apparently when they got arrested at first they were afraid they were petrified. But they will survive. :D
:D :D

Apparently when they got arrested at first they were afraid they were petrified. But they will survive. :D

And so they did, and then all the islanders danced them back to port while doing the mambo!!! :D:D:D