Traveling/Cruising

[Epigonos]

I greatly enjoy both cruising and traveling but I don’t consider them remotely the same. I have good friends who take three or four cruises a year. Their ship will dock in a port, let’s say Venice, early in the morning and depart late in the afternoon or early in the evening. During their day in port they will usually take two ship tours and are perfectly satisfied that they have seen all the worthwhile sights. I once spent two weeks in Venice and wasn’t able to see everything of interest. On another occasion I spent three weeks in London and after several return trips still have venues I wish to visit.

 

So do I really enjoy cruising? Absolutely! I have done one major cruise to the South Pacific and several to the Caribbean. The island stops on these cruises were worthy of a day of sightseeing at most. I have been on several Mexican Riviera cruises. On these I don’t even venture into the ports of call anymore. So what do I enjoy about cruising? I enjoy relaxing and being pampered. I don’t have to do any serious pre-cruise studying or preparing, I just go along for the ride. I attend the art auctions, drop in on some of the lounge shows and participate in some of the silly shipboard games. I get up when I want, eat when I want and relax, Relax, RELAX.

 

Both of these forms of vacation are great but they certainly aren’t the same to me. Traveling is for sightseen and learning and Cruising is for relaxing in my book.

[orbital sander]

I went on one cruise with my family when I was in High School in the Mediterranean. It was the last. I know some enjoy a cruise, but I find being confined on a ship very un-relaxing.

[MscleLovr]

Interesting post, Epigonos.

 

I travel very frequently but have never been on a cruise. I enjoy travelling and exploring independently, and I fear that on a cruise I would be forced to be in a group, not of my choosing, and have to make endless small talk at mealtimes. I'm not unsociable and I'm relaxed about my sexuality, but I don't want to discuss it with the various strangers/heterosexuals I might meet on the cruise-ship. Equally, I don't want to go on a gay cruise as I'm much older than the 'party boys' who travel with Atlantis and others.

 

How realistic would you say my fears are? Are there cruise-lines or itineraries you'd recommend for a single traveller, a middle-aged gay man? And do you have any tips for avoiding unwelcome groups on a cruise-ship?

[bigvalboy]

Interesting post, Epigonos.

 

I travel very frequently but have never been on a cruise. I enjoy travelling and exploring independently, and I fear that on a cruise I would be forced to be in a group, not of my choosing, and have to make endless small talk at mealtimes. I'm not unsociable and I'm relaxed about my sexuality, but I don't want to discuss it with the various strangers/heterosexuals I might meet on the cruise-ship. Equally, I don't want to go on a gay cruise as I'm much older than the 'party boys' who travel with Atlantis and others.

 

How realistic would you say my fears are? Are there cruise-lines or itineraries you'd recommend for a single traveller, a middle-aged gay man? And do you have any tips for avoiding unwelcome groups on a cruise-ship?

 

I love cruising. An absolutely wonderful way to travel. You unpack just once and almost everything you need or want to do, someone is right there to help. Going solo on a straight cruise has never been a problem for me. You can be as independent as you want or can be part of a group, it is your choice. I have often traveled with friends, but on a couple of occasions I went alone. I remember on the last one to the Greek Isles, the first night at dinner there was a table of 8 couples, I was alone. When the conversation came to my marital status I simply said that I was single, of course they would not let it go and asked if I was divorced, I said " no, I have never been married" One guy wanted to pursue the line of questions and asked me again, "really you have never been married, how is that possible. I simply said "You know, you seem like a smart guy, I am sure you can figure it out" that brought some laughs to the table, most everyone at the table had already figured it out and that was the end of it. The rest of the time I looked forward to dinner, most people have really interesting lives, and I was asked to join many of them on different occasions for activities. You do have multiple choices in dining, you can dine alone in your cabin or in other areas of the ship, you do not have to go to the dining room. Shore excursions you can be part of a group or go off on your own. I agree, I don't much like the 'gay cruises' a lot of younger guys and I do feel a little left out.

 

Now if exploring a culture indepth is your thing, then you certainly won't get that on a cruise. You usually sail all night and arrive early in the morning to a city and you have one day to explore. For me it was enough. I love being pampered. And since when you book, very often the price includes everything, I even was able to pre-pay the gratuity through my travel agent. hope this helped. If you are unsure, try a short 4-5 day cruise somewhere to see if it is your thing, before you book something more extensive. Good Luck, BVB

[Epigonos]

Mscleovr I agree completely with bigvalboy. He has nailed the difference between the two methods of traveling perfectly.

 

When I cruise I generally do so with two or three straight couples who are very good friends. During port visits we sometimes take tours together and other times not. We have an assigned table for dinner and have much to talk about as we have all been friends for many, many years.

 

When I travel to know a city or country I generally do so alone. I am incredibly selfish in that I know what I want to visit and to see and I am not remotely interested in what others want to visit and to see. I spend a huge amount researching EXACTLY where I want to stay, where I want to eat, and what I want to see. By the time I have dinner in the evening and return to my hotel room the last thing in the world I want to do is converse with someone. I want to go to bed and get ready for the next day. I have traveled in this manner extensively to places like India, Central and South America, the U.K., Venice, Florence, and Rome to mention just a few.

 

It is simply a matter of picking which poison is best for you. I love both!!!

[jjkrkwood]

Cruising (on the water) doesnt agree with me. I took the gay Pillage and Plunder cruise once, and spent much of my time in my room, sick to my stomach... As for vacations in general for ME, I dont like Str8 focus vacations, meaning I dont like to go on tours or package deals with a bunch of str8 people with whom I have very little in common. Yes, its always nice to travel with people you knoe and are comfortable with, but its not always possible. I would imagine thats why guys take escorts along with them on vacations, for companionship, comraderie, and to have a Gay ole time in the sack.... So, basically its land vacays for me.... PS, I HATE flying too !

[KMEM]

Interesting post, Epigonos.

 

I travel very frequently but have never been on a cruise. I enjoy travelling and exploring independently, and I fear that on a cruise I would be forced to be in a group, not of my choosing, and have to make endless small talk at mealtimes. I'm not unsociable and I'm relaxed about my sexuality, but I don't want to discuss it with the various strangers/heterosexuals I might meet on the cruise-ship. Equally, I don't want to go on a gay cruise as I'm much older than the 'party boys' who travel with Atlantis and others.

 

How realistic would you say my fears are? Are there cruise-lines or itineraries you'd recommend for a single traveller, a middle-aged gay man? And do you have any tips for avoiding unwelcome groups on a cruise-ship?

 

As bigvalboy says, there is no reason to be worried about who you might meet and mingle with on a straight cruise. I have done cruises with both straight friends, straight family members and also with a gay friend. All are excellent ways to relax and get around the world. I have sat at a dining table with 8 others and had no problem conversing and also been at an intimate table for 4 with 3 friends. All good.

 

As mentioned before, cruising is an excellent way to unpack once, be pampered and do whatever you wish in accordance with a large schedule offered by the ship. I have also gone on independent shore adventures on my own and have never been uphappy avoiding the cruise ship's iten for same.

 

If you are a people watcher and willing to interact just a little bit with fellow travelers on this planet earth, you should have a very good time. No worries.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[MscleLovr]

Thank you all for taking the time to give your responses to my questions. Your answers are informative and thought-provoking.

[+ nycman]

I've done lots of cruises. Almost all my cruising has been solo. I've done gay, straight, short, long. I've only cruised

around the Caribbean and I rarely leave the ship. I don't need T-shirts, Watches, or Emeralds...so why get off the boat?

Most the ports of call are crappy and if I wanted to see Venice I certainly wouldn't do it on a cruise. The weather

is usually amazing. On a nice cruise line the quality of rooms/food/entertainment is better than most Caribbean resorts.

 

I go to be pampered and to get away from the world. The nice thing about cruising is when you're tired of being alone,

there's a whole boat full of people looking to have fun and talk to you. I'll admit walking up the gangplank to my first

Atlantis cruise took every ounce of courage I had. It's not for everyone, but there are tons of people on Atlantis

who are not self obsessed muscle tweakers. Like most things....it's what you make it.

 

Finally one funny story. I spent 7 days on a straight cruise. It was a straight friends and family trip. Only one dude

on the entire boat caught my eye. Everyday in the gym I did everything possible, short of getting down on all fours

and screaming "fuck me", to catch his eye. He looked right through me for 7 days. Fast forward to disembarkation.

While standing around waiting to get our luggage, the dude starts hitting on me like crazy. My jaw dropped

and I couldn't stop laughing. For 7 days it would have been like shooting fish in a barrel for him. On dry land

after 7 days of lust at sea, I wasn't even remotely interested.

[bigvalboy]

Reading this post reminded me of one the funniest moments in my life. Several years ago three of my friends went on a 10 day cruise. Most everyone on board was VERY straight as far as I could tell. All couples and mostly retired folks. Two nights in, on formal night, one of my friends who was 60 years old, shaved head with tattos and ear-piercing in each ear was late for dinner, everyone was seated and service had begun, moments later he appeared at the upper level of the dining room at the head of the stairs in a full length off the shoulder red gown with red pumps and 'no wig'....within minutes the entire dining room fell silent, you could have heard a pin drop. Me in the corner, knowing he was coming to our table was mortified. I just said to myself " why do these things happen to me" with the dining room in total silence he began to descend the staircase, and then suddenly a straight couple on the far side of the room stood up and began to applaud. The room broke into cheers and applause. For the rest of the cruise, My friend was the star of the ship, he was like a celebrity....So you can never really judge str8 people, some, like on this ship just didn't care about any of that homophobia, they thought that my friend was great....I also learned a lot that night about not being afraid to embrace who you are. My friend used to always say to me "I just don't give a shit", "F em" if they can't take a joke.

[rocky]

I'm not sure what your question is?

[LBCABob]

Cruise Anyway You Want

 

Like most vacations, you make of cruising what you will. I have been on many gay cruises (several RSVP and 1 Atlantis) and had a fantastic time on every one. Just understand some of the "rules" about straight cruises: e.g. the longer the cruise, the older the crowd; cruises during school breaks will likely have lots of kids. Went thru Panama Canal earlier this year and enjoyed the transit from the Atlantic to the Pacific (but average age of pax must have been in 70's - thank goodness for the hot, young, Greek bartender in the stern patio bar!)

 

Have brought along a paid travel companion twice (once on straight cruise w/family and then on Atlantis). Considered it for the Panama Canal trip but 2 weeks makes it darn expensive. Going on a "quickie" in Feb --- just 4-nights from Miami to Key West and Cancun and back to Miami. Will be solo again (unless maybe someone here wants the upper bunk???).

[+ Gar1eth]

As a chubby overweight guy, I've thought about a gay cruise before. But I bet I would be even more of a fish out of wanter than on a straight retiree cruise. My vision of it as one long circuit party with a large proportion of incredible looking hunky guys. I'm not that fond of dancing- I have no rhythm. And techno music doesn't do a lot for me. I've never been to a circuit party. I figure I get enough rejection on a routine basis- and getting rejected at Sex Central ( ie an Atlantis Cruise or a Circuit Party) would be the pièce de ré·sis·tance of upsetting times. But a guy can dream.

 

Gman

[down_to_business]

Gar1eth- have you ever considered a bear/admirer themed cruise? At least you would find some similar and/or very accepting guys to hang with. Maybe there are people around here that have been to one of these type events that could share details with you.

 

By the way, I don't think an Atlantis cruise would be the right one for me either and have no desire to be part of a 7-day circuit party.

[+ Gar1eth]

Gar1eth- have you ever considered a bear/admirer themed cruise? At least you would find some similar and/or very accepting guys to hang with. Maybe there are people around here that have been to one of these type events that could share details with you.

 

By the way, I don't think an Atlantis cruise would be the right one for me either and have no desire to be part of a 7-day circuit party.

 

Possibly that would work. But while physically I'm a bear- I'm not really that much into the 'stereotypical bear' mentality of leather and raunch . In fact I'm not into that at all( although I do like honey :o). And Usually the types of bears that I am attracted to are I believe called Wolves- the really muscular well built bears.

 

Gman

[Guest]

In my mind, there are three types of vacations, each of which I enjoy for different reasons. The first is one in which I stay for the most part in one place. This is the only way to get to know a certain location well. These may be vacations in which I primarily scuba dive, ski, hike in the mountains, or otherwise get to know a place with lots of scenic sights (New York, Paris, etc.). The second is a road trip. This is the most difficult kind of vacation logistically, since it involves lots of hotels and living out of a suitcase, but is really the only way to explore sights which are not near the sea (or a navigable river in the case of river cruises). A prototypical example would the the Grand Circle of the Southwest, to visit the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Petrified Forest, Bryce Canyon, and Zion NP's. The third is cruising, which has the limitation of visiting places fairly near the sea, but is the most comfortable and care-free way to travel.

I feel that people who don't do all three methods are missing out on something, although I often meet on cruises people who won't travel any other way. It never ceases to amaze me how people will fly in on the day their cruise departs (risky), and fly out the day their cruise comes back! Although I sometimes take gay cruises, most of the time I just go on regular cruises. I prefer selecting tables for dinner with multiple other diners (typically tables of 6), and I'm completely openly gay. I've never had a fellow diner have a problem with my sexual orientation, but if I did, it would be their problem, not mine. I can't imagine why I would want to hide my sexual preference, unless I were married to a clueless wife, or working for some strange employer who would fire me if they found out (Oral Roberts University?). My advice would be to pick a cruise and be yourself.

[adriano46]

Unicorn, I never thought of vacations in the three separate categories you mention, but found myself agreeing completely.

 

I too divide my own vacations more or less in the same way with a small difference. When I was younger, I did the type of vacations where I would travel the world and pick one or two places for a week to 10 days and really get to know the place (usually picking a single city). For more exotic locations, I would usually stay from 2 to 3 weeks, but for European cities my average was 7-10 days per major city. The cities I most enjoyed were ones I returned to over and over (eg. Amsterdam, Munich, Vienna, Paris, Rome, Budapest) and where I could relax as I had done the circuit of museums and cultural places of interest and could just pick and choose places that helped me relax (and cruise for local guys more successfully).

 

The ocean cruise was for me an eye-opening experience where I did not have to worry about going from place to place, packing and re-packing a suitcase. I was traveling on one of the more expensive decks (thanks to a huge discount given to me to fill a boat), and was pampered constantly but a very sexy and hunky Venezuelan concierge whose pants I would have enjoyed getting into (but he was very married and straight, although the vibe was??) anyway, his wife worked on the same ship. Back to the cruise, I was traveling with a colleague who did not like mixing too much (he is married and also straight, but a friend), and so we ordered ahead of time our own table for 2 -- but as the days went on, we met others and usually mixed with them at tables, which was great. I liked the fact that one could choose dining with others or alone -- as you liked. I hate getting into a tux or formal business suit for dinner (something extra to pack) and so avoided the two formal dinner evenings without a problem.

 

Also, you come to meet peple on a cruise ship that you see in parts of the cruise that interest you too - pool, gym, bars, excursions on land - and I found some people quite interesting. However, I too do not understand those who literally fly in the day the boat leaves and fly out the day it docks -- I suppose they are jaded with the port town/city??

 

Lately I have tried also the idea of long-term rental of a villa and this is fantastic. It is much cheaper than any anything aside from the cruise. You go on line, pick a place, pick a price, and voila' you have your own place for a week or more, and the biggest expense is the car rental (if needed). I enjoyed shopping and preparing my own meals when I wanted them, and the joy of driving to various towns nearby to visit on my own schedule with some friends. We'd park the car, and go off together, or in pairs, or even alone, agreeing to meet back some hours later to return home. Back at the villa our evenings revolved around drinking wine, making enjoyable meals, and enjoying each other's company while we cleaned dishes and relaxed. Each had his own bedroom suite, so you could go off to read, nap, chill out, or sit in the common room and chat, play games, whatever. Ours had an outdoor pool, and magnificent countryside feel as we were in the mountains, but near a big town. It is like the convenience of the cruise of unpacking once in one place, but having the chance to visit other places each day on excursions.

 

IN terms of bringing along an escort, any of these work if the escort himself is enjoyable and enjoys traveling and has interests that somewhat match my own. As some mentioned here, there are a few working guys who are excellent traveling companions because they 1) know languages, and b) know history and culture and so can add to the joy of visiting a place, and c) tuck you in at the end of the day.

[Decatur Guy]

Mscleovr I agree completely with bigvalboy. He has nailed the difference between the two methods of traveling perfectly.

 

When I cruise I generally do so with two or three straight couples who are very good friends. During port visits we sometimes take tours together and other times not. We have an assigned table for dinner and have much to talk about as we have all been friends for many, many years.

 

When I travel to know a city or country I generally do so alone. I am incredibly selfish in that I know what I want to visit and to see and I am not remotely interested in what others want to visit and to see. I spend a huge amount researching EXACTLY where I want to stay, where I want to eat, and what I want to see. By the time I have dinner in the evening and return to my hotel room the last thing in the world I want to do is converse with someone. I want to go to bed and get ready for the next day. I have traveled in this manner extensively to places like India, Central and South America, the U.K., Venice, Florence, and Rome to mention just a few.

 

It is simply a matter of picking which poison is best for you. I love both!!!

 

You actually sound like a great traveling companion to me. I like to travel with independent minded folks. We go and compare notes and see what we want to see. Usually, some interests will be in common and others will diverge. You go your separate ways on the days the interests diverge and see things together when they are the same. I don't like being alone the whole trip and I don't like being with someone the whole trip.

[jjkrkwood]

I find cruising BEST when its "out of water". ;-)

[corndog]

Let me through out there that I love cruising too, and some itineraries I consider "samplers" to help plan out future trips. For example, last fall I went on cruise from Venice which visited Dubrovnik, Croatia, Naples, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Marseille and Barcelona. It was a busy week, and the time in each port was brief, but I got see a little bit of a lot of places, and it gave me enough of a sample to know where I'd like to go back to for a long, extended visit. I enjoyed Dubrovnik, but can't imagine spending more time there, and I learned that if I return to Italy, it'll probably be Florence rather than Rome. But, above all, and a bit to my surprise, I LOVED Barcelona, and I'd love to spend an extended vacation there. Without a cruise, there's no other way that I'd get such a good sampling of so many places.