Gay Cruises; Chumleys Gay Cruises?? Any Comments

[rocky]

I've cruised NCL for many years now with an escort but I often have thoughts of going out by myself on a gay cruise. I've heard not so good things (bad booking companies, arrangements) to, have a great time. As I was watching "Bear City"; (was hoping someone was out there for me) I saw the thank you to Chumley's Gay Cruises and went on line and checked it out. Well looks nice but never know what it's really like. anyone have experience with Chumley's or others (Atlantis, RSVP). I really appreciate your thoughts.

[tedbear]

It's been years, but I've been on two RSVP cruises and they were about the best vacations I've ever been on (and I've been on some great ones). They bring in their own master of ceremonies, their own entertainment, their own deck-side dance floor, and they play Bingo like it's a blast! The cruise line sent representatives to watch us play Bingo on my last cruise with them because their Bingo take was so incredibly much higher than the normal cruise.

[OneFinger]

I've been on 3 Atlantis cruises and 1 RSVP. They were great and I really enjoyed them. Entertainment was fantastic. But, they are expensive. All shore excursions are "extra" and the bar bill can break the bank.

 

I just returned yesterday from a Viking River Cruise in Europe. While this is not a gay cruise, I think I've found my new love. The price was half of the RSVP and Atlantis costs for a week-long cruise. Wine / beer is included with lunch and dinner at no additional cost. There was at least 1 shore excursion PER PORT included in the trip.

 

Although I was traveling with a gay friend and his 4 straight friends, we met up with another lesbian couple that was on our RSVP cruise. There was at least 1 other gay couple and I suspected a couple more.

 

The crew had no issues with the gay travelers and we were treated great. I even think the food was a notch above the Atlantis and RSVP cruises.

 

The Atlantis and RSVP cruises have so many different events and dances that it's really not a relaxing vacation. The Viking cruise had a great balance between touring and evening events. In addition, the Viking cruise included air fare where that is extra with Atlantis and RSVP.

[rocky]

Thanks very helpful..glad you had a great cruise..

[+ Gar1eth]

I've cruised NCL for many years now with an escort but I often have thoughts of going out by myself on a gay cruise. I've heard not so good things (bad booking companies, arrangements) to, have a great time. As I was watching "Bear City"; (was hoping someone was out there for me) I saw the thank you to Chumley's Gay Cruises and went on line and checked it out. Well looks nice but never know what it's really like. anyone have experience with Chumley's or others (Atlantis, RSVP). I really appreciate your thoughts.

 

 

NCL- Norwegian Cruise Line?

 

Gman

[bigvalboy]

NCL- Norwegian Cruise Line?

 

Gman

 

Yes....

[leeper]

I have not been on any RSVP or other gay cruises, but I have been on many of the major cruise lines. NCL's strategy, and they are not alone in this, is to put a relatively inexpensive fare out there and then "nickel & dime" you to death once you are on the ship. Viking's strategy is to provide value for the money, so while it may look more expensive up-front, by the time all is said and done, the final bill is actually less expensive. Viking recently started ocean cruises and it trying to bring the same experience to those customers. River cruises typically have 200 guests or less and have fewer on-ship entertainment options. For some of us, this is a plus. Not to make this an ad for Viking - other river cruise lines operate similarly.

[bobchitown]

I swear to God the story is true. A friend went of one of the gay cruises. When they arrived in one Caribbean port a grandmotherly type stopped him and asked "is the navy in town?"

[gallahadesquire]

My first was a Windjammer Barefoot cruise, may they rest in peace. (The actual vessel was sunk in a hurricane some years ago). I did a regent cruise. VERY expensive, but excellent food and wine.

 

I'm looking at a "small" cruise line to circumnavigate the Hawaiian islands, and I'm plotting a river cruise for next year.

 

Any suggestions?

[+ Gar1eth]

My first was a Windjammer Barefoot cruise, may they rest in peace. (The actual vessel was sunk in a hurricane some years ago). I did a regent cruise. VERY expensive, but excellent food and wine.

 

I'm looking at a "small" cruise line to circumnavigate the Hawaiian islands, and I'm plotting a river cruise for next year.

 

Any suggestions?

 

I think I saw an article about this company years ago in the Triple A Magazine. I don't know anything else about them.

 

http://www.americancruiselines.com/cruises/mississippi-river-cruises

 

Gman

[bobchitown]

My first was a Windjammer Barefoot cruise, may they rest in peace. (The actual vessel was sunk in a hurricane some years ago). I did a regent cruise. VERY expensive, but excellent food and wine.

 

I'm looking at a "small" cruise line to circumnavigate the Hawaiian islands, and I'm plotting a river cruise for next year.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Not Hawaii, but Windstar - ships range from 148 to 300 pax - has a killer trip around Tahiti.

[mike carey]

I've never done a gay cruise, but since others are throwing in random cruise comments I'll throw in mine. My one cruise was a 14 day trip from southern Argentina to the Antarctic peninsula. It was an Australian outfit called Aurora Expeditions that used a Russian ice-hardened ship. It was expensive but totally worth it. About 60 pax, food and excursions included, alcohol extra but not expensive. There were two or three excursions ashore every day on zodiacs and being a small group you could go on every one of them (on larger cruise ships pax get to go on a few of the excursions only). The food was Australian/New Zealand country cooking (roasts, steaks chops) served on platters on communal tables. The trip remains one of the highlights of my life. (I still receive Aurora's brochures and I'm always tempted!!)

[+ Gar1eth]

I've never done a gay cruise, but since others are throwing in random cruise comments I'll throw in mine. My one cruise was a 14 day trip from southern Argentina to the Antarctic peninsula. It was an Australian outfit called Aurora Expeditions that used a Russian ice-hardened ship. It was expensive but totally worth it. About 60 pax, food and excursions included, alcohol extra but not expensive. There were two or three excursions ashore every day on zodiacs and being a small group you could go on every one of them (on larger cruise ships pax get to go on a few of the excursions only). The food was Australian/New Zealand country cooking (roasts, steaks chops) served on platters on communal tables. The trip remains one of the highlights of my life. (I still receive Aurora's brochures and I'm always tempted!!)

 

'Pax'= ?

 

Gman

[mike carey]

'Pax'= ?

Pax = Passengers

[bigvalboy]

My first was a Windjammer Barefoot cruise, may they rest in peace. (The actual vessel was sunk in a hurricane some years ago).

 

This is very sad to hear. I don't remember this event. Thanks for posting Gallahad.

 

 

http://www.fortogden.com/fologo-568.gifhttp://www.fortogden.com/2x2.gifhttp://www.fortogden.com/flaglogo4b.gif http://www.fortogden.com/2x2.gif A CORNERED SHIP, 31 MEN AND A DATE WITH DOOM

 

 

By Cynthia Corzo, Curtis Morgan and John Barry Herald Staff Writers

As Published Sunday, November 8, 1998, in the Miami Herald

 

http://www.fortogden.com/x-fant-9.jpg

When the race ended, the ship built for a duke and spurned by a princess had no choice but the fate forshadowed by its 1927 christening: ''Fantome'' -- French for ghost.

 

 

Thirty-one men had run for their lives from Hurricane Mitch for a day and a half. They sailed north, sailed south, then tacked east and west, back and forth in futility, behind a little island of cover. But it left them in a virtual vise, walled in between 50-foot waves and 100-mph winds where sea and sky merged into a vast howling whiteout.

 

To the south and west lay the shoals of Honduras and Belize. To the north and east, more of Mitch. Their young captain tried vainly to thread a needle to safety. But as he clung to the helm two Wednesdays ago, drenched and exhausted, the deck beneath him listing a sickening 40 degrees -- his sense of right, left, up or down was likely lost in the maelstrom of foam and spray.

 

Experienced mariners can tell you what comes next. You want to lie down and go to sleep. When the ship starts falling apart, you are just waiting -- and wanting -- to die.

 

The full story is here...http://www.fortogden.com/fantommiamiherald.html

[leeper]

My very first cruise was also on Windjammer's Fantome. I had always wanted to go back and sail on it again, but the hurricane took care of that. It was a bit rustic, I referred to it as being closer to camping especially when compared to some of the ships I have been on subsequently.

[rocky]

This has been great information. I'm hoping to hear from others who have taken a gay cruise be it Atlantis, RSVP or the Chumley's. I'm comfortable with Norwegian Cruise Line and always bring a "guests" along with me and there's never been an issue from telling the room steward to push the beds together for one bed, to having the bartenders ask if "this was my roommate." But as I age, and I'm aging fast, maybe it's time to breakaway on my own or with someone but in an entirely different environment. You all out there are my heroes and people I turn to so anything you can say to help, thanks!!! I'll be in Fort Lauderdale on 7/26-7/30 and be glad to buy you a beverage!! Staying at Worthington.

[bigvalboy]

I'll be in Fort Lauderdale on 7/26-7/30 and be glad to buy you a beverage!! Staying at Worthington.

 

Hmmmm.....LOL, what kind of beverage? The Worthington is but a mere, hop, skip and a jump from the casa. Kidding aside, NCL is whom I cruise with, and they have always been very gay friendly. I've gotten various comments from friends about gay cruises. Some love them, others not so much. If you have concerns or reservations about going, just do a short one out of Miami to the Bahamas perhaps. Gay cruises are basically like any cruise, they are what you make of them. You can be as involved, or as un-involved as you choose. Good luck.

[+ sf westcoaster]

I know nothing about Chumley's Cruises. However, I have been on at least six cruises with either RSVP or Atlantis, all of which I enjoyed. They are a bit more expensive than a so-called straight cruise, are primarily party cruises and the entertainment is better than the standard cruise fare. For me the down side was that most passengers were there as a group, so traveling alone is not recommended. I also have cruised with Pied Piper, which is a gay travel company that specializes in taking smaller groups of gay men (women also) on regular cruises. I went with them to New Zealand and found that being with an affinity group was nice but at the same time allowed me to avoid the constant party aspect of Atlantis and RSVP.

Gay cruises are in my past as I now have specific destinations that I want to see. For example, last year I sailed on Oceania for a fall foliage tour and then crossed the Atlantic to Ireland. I was traveling with two other friends and at the Friends of Dorothy cocktail party met number of other gay men. This year I am booked on Silversea for an Arctic Cruise and then in the fall it is another Oceania Cruise in the Far East. Next year I plan on doing a Budapest to the Black Sea river cruise.

Bottom line, if you primarily want a party cruise then I can highly recommend either RSVP or Atlantis, but if you want to see more of the world then take something else.

[OneFinger]

...Bottom line, if you primarily want a party cruise then I can highly recommend either RSVP or Atlantis, but if you want to see more of the world then take something else.

I totally agree with you on this point. You've summed it up very well. And, the cost of Atlantis / RSVP vs other options is an eye-opener. My Viking cruise was half the cost of RSVP or Atlantis and more enjoyable.

[josh282282]

This has been great information. I'm hoping to hear from others who have taken a gay cruise be it Atlantis, RSVP or the Chumley's. I'm comfortable with Norwegian Cruise Line and always bring a "guests" along with me and there's never been an issue from telling the room steward to push the beds together for one bed, to having the bartenders ask if "this was my roommate." But as I age, and I'm aging fast, maybe it's time to breakaway on my own or with someone but in an entirely different environment. You all out there are my heroes and people I turn to so anything you can say to help, thanks!!! I'll be in Fort Lauderdale on 7/26-7/30 and be glad to buy you a beverage!! Staying at Worthington.

 

Rocky,

 

I have been on many Atlantis cruises. I'm a seasoned verteran, and I have had the time of my life. BUT hear me now, believe me later: DO NOT GO SOLO ON AN ATLANTIS CRUISE.

 

I know they advertise that solos are welcome, but they arent. I have always gone with large groups and LOVED the Atlantis cruises. BUT I kept my eyes open and watched what other passengers did. I ALWAYS observed that solo travelers seemed ...lonely. They just weren't having as good a time as the rest of us in groups. And mostly everyone is in groups. Few travel on Atlantis solo. Solos sometimes ate alone. Had to do excursions alone. Always having to try to socially (but non-sexually) join other groups. FYI: this information only applies to Atlantis and it's sister commpany, RSVP. I've never done any other cruise.

 

There are two exceptions to my observations:

1) the young Hot guy. Everyone wants to hang with him. He does fine as a solo cruiser. But let's be honest. Cruises are mostly older people (who can afford cruises). Most of us aren't this hot, even if young.

2) the unusually gregarious, funny, personable, out going, extroverted, interesting life-of-the-party type of guy. When you talk to him, you feel like you know him. He makes you feel like you are his good friend. Everyone likes this guy. This type of guy does ok, too. Honesty again here: most of us aren't this guy either. But in this ageist society (I'm not saying this is good or even that I'm like this, just stating a fact) older solo cruisers will struggle.

 

So unless you are DEFINITELY one of the two exceptions listed (and I don't mean somewhat, partially, or usually), don't do an Atlantis cruise alone. I love Atlantis, but with groups.

 

And please be leery of guys coming on this thread refuting my observations. There are exceptions to every rule, but an exception doesn't discount the rule.

 

Best advice: do an Atlantis cruis with 3 other good friends. You will have a blast.

Good luck and come back with stories!

[+ FreshFluff]

It's interesting that so many people enjoy cruises. The idea of being confined to a relatively small space with the same people for days, let alone weeks, sounds like torture to me. The worst part would be re-confining yourself to the cruise ship after roaming free for a day in some exotic port city.

 

A few years ago, I took a dinner cruises in Istanbul. I can hang out at a restaurant or a random hotel for hours, but after an hour of cruising, I was itching to be on land again. Maybe alcohol is required to enjoy these things, hence the name booze cruise.

[bigvalboy]

It's interesting that so many people enjoy cruises. The idea of being confined to a relatively small space with the same people for days, let alone weeks, sounds like torture to me. The worst part would be re-confining yourself to the cruise ship after roaming free for a day in some exotic port city.

 

A few years ago, I took a dinner cruises in Istanbul. I can hang out at a restaurant or a random hotel for hours, but after an hour of cruising, I was itching to be on land again. Maybe alcohol is required to enjoy these things, hence the name booze cruise.

 

In all fairness kitten, these ships are not like a dinner cruise... You can literally get lost on some of these ships, they are anything but confining. They are actually like small cities, with constant entertainment, activities, spa, gym, pools, lounges, restaurants, shopping, art sales, pools, jacuzzis, and the shore excursions alone, depending on your destination, are often worth the price of entry, and if one so desires, dozens of places to just get away and quietly reflect and just let the world slip by. However...I get it, it is clearly not for everyone, but you should try it at least once. AND if a large ship is, well too large, you can book on ships ranging from a few hundred to several thousand.