Travel Considerations/Renumeration Questions

[Beancounter]

It's been an educational two years for me trying to navigate the world of male escorts. While some of my adventures have been incredibly positive experiences, others have been abysmal, bordering on just plain miserable. However, I'm confident that this is something I both enjoy and am likely to continue for the foreseeable future to the point that I would like to invite someone to accompany me on a cruise. Obviously, I would only extend an offer to someone I've already met several times and am comfortable with. My question to escorts is this.......What type of expenses are expected of the client and what expenses should be borne by the escort? Items that come to mind include: travel expenses to and from departure port, appropriate escorting fee, onboard amenities, shore excursions, etc.

 

Yes.....I know I should discuss this at length with the individual escort and, in fact, I have discussed this with a guy I've already seen several times. His insights were very enlightening. But, I would like to poll the escort community in general that participate in this forum for their ideas. If there are other threads already dealing with this issue please direct me to them. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Again, thanks for any forthcoming suggestions and information. And if you couldn't already tell.....I'm a newbie.

[mattr]

Remember that on a cruise, if things go south with the escort there are very few options to get away... You can't really call it quits like you could on dry land.

[Guest countryboywny]

Welcome to the forum Beancounter!

 

I'm not an escort, but if you're planning this type of hire the general rule is that you pay for almost everything. This includes:

A. The escort's rate for his time.

B. His travel expenses including travel from his location to the ship, his fare for the cruise, and travel back to his location after the cruise.

C. All of his meals, drinks and entertainment expenses.

 

The only thing that I can think of that you wouldn't necessarily need to pay for would be his merchandise purchases.. however, it's a really nice gesture if you do.

 

I'm being very general here, and if in your pre-trip discussions with the escort other arrangements are made, so be it. But if you're trying to develop a cost estimate for such a trip, I think this is a pretty good guide.

Good Luck!

[down_to_business]

drinks ...

 

 

 

That right there can cost you more than the price of the cruise if you take the wrong companion with you. It's a very dangerous variable! I am not joking, unfortunately on that point. Opt for a cruise with an all you can drink package is included or you will get BURNED!

 

Yes, you pay for everything except his souvenirs.

 

I have taken a few cruises with escorts in the past. None have gone exceptionally. One was downright awful. It is really hard to be confined to a small space like that with anyone for such a long period of time. Don't do it unless you really know this escort well.

[+ DickyF]

So let's say you want to take a companion for a week in Palm Springs CA - what would be a good estimate of that cost?

Airfare and hotel room of course. Rental car. Meals. Shows and stuff.

What would be a range of payment to the escort for a week? $3-5k or so?

[bigvalboy]

Ditto to all the above with a special note to [uSER=5266]@countryboywny[/uSER] He is correct. You will/should incur all costs related to his travel, and as @down_to_business mentions, that includes drinks, and yes that can get very pricey, so yes, opt for the drink package.

Don't forget shore excursions, specialty dining, Photos, and souvenirs when you are ashore. All of these thing add up, and are on your dime.

 

MOST IMPORTANT: @jjkrkwood mentions, make sure you are positive in your selection of an escort, because once on board, if things go south, you are stuck with him, unless you want to incur the cost of flying him home from some distant port.

 

One last comment. I would at the very least, depending on what you want to spend, get a room with a veranda. Being able to step outside or just sit outside is a good way to separate yourself from your companion, or he from you, when you are in a confined space of the cabin. That way when you are just hanging out, you're not right on top of each other.

Good luck...

[+ Lance_Navarro]

I agree with what has already been said, and definitely second the comment about the cost of drinks. You might want to have a discussion with the guy about wanting to keep that tab to a certain limit, but I would think and hope that if you take someone with whom you've been out to dinner or maybe spent a weekend, you'll have a sense that he won't overdue it or take advantage of your genorosity. HELL, it might even be worth taking a guy that is sober. Another thing to consider is alone time for the both of you. You will be spending a lot of time together and I think it's very healthy, and for me essential, to have time with just myself.

[+ Lance_Navarro]

So let's say you want to take a companion for a week in Palm Springs CA - what would a good estimate of that cost?

Airfare and hotel room of course. Rental car. Meals. Shows and stuff.

What would be a range of payment to the escort for a week? $3-5k or so?

 

Most of us charge $2-3k for a weekend, so if you mean 5 days, I would say around $4-5k is pretty accurate, but of course there are guys who will do less and some that may demand more.

[LADoug1]

drinks ...

 

 

 

That right there can cost you more than the price of the cruise if you take the wrong companion with you. It's a very dangerous variable! I am not joking, unfortunately on that point. Opt for a cruise with an all you can drink package is included or you will get BURNED!

 

My last cruise didn't include drinks and I bought a drink package. Probably a good idea. Should have bought the internet package as well. Using the internet cost a fortune and service/connection was shitty at best.

[LADoug1]

Most of us charge $2-3k for a weekend, so if you mean 5 days, I would say around $4-5k is pretty accurate, but of course there are guys who will do less and some that may demand more.

So you pay all expenses plus $4-5k for the escort's time? Now that's an expensive extravagance. Hope it works out he does it!

[Kevin Slater]

Beware the cruise.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI3UYeZGgJI

 

Kevin Slater

[jjkrkwood]

drinks ...

 

 

 

That right there can cost you more than the price of the cruise if you take the wrong companion with you. It's a very dangerous variable! I am not joking, unfortunately on that point. Opt for a cruise with an all you can drink package is included or you will get BURNED!

 

Yes, you pay for everything except his souvenirs.

 

I have taken a few cruises with escorts in the past. None have gone exceptionally. One was downright awful. It is really hard to be confined to a small space like that with anyone for such a long period of time. Don't do it unless you really know this escort well.

 

He doesn't need souvenirs, he'll just take your entire wallet as one....

 

[+ DickyF]

FYI what happened with the Palm Springs trip - I told the escort that I was going out there and he said he always wanted to go. I said well I can get you an airline ticket with miles and he said yes. We tried to sort out exactly what the deal would be - I couldn't see him the whole week - but the trip ended up getting canceled.

[Beancounter]

Thanks, guys (and especially the escorts) for your input and suggestions. All of them have validity and are worth taking under advisement. For the curious among you, I have booked a balcony suite which meets my needs and should be acceptable to an escort. Including port fees, taxes, insurance and the suite itself I'm looking at $4,500 so far. Certainly an escort can appreciate my attempts to make sure his room accommodations will be a cut above. As many of you previously mentioned, drink cards are the way to go. I've taken tons of cruises and gone both ways on drink cards. In an escort situation a drink card is like buying liability insurance. LOL. However, I do not expect my traveling companion to wake up at 7 am and start tossing drinks down all day. I enjoy my drink with the best of them but drunks are seldom fun to be around.

 

I fully intend to pay for shore excursions and other incidentals up to a point. That does not include on board cruise pictures, specialty restaurants, gift items or gambling. I also fully expect the escort to be able to set up his own on board credit card account to pay for items like that. That's a built in protection for me. If I'm forking over an estimated $5,000 for a companionship fee then small items mentioned above can be on his nickel.

 

The one escort I have preliminarily discussed these types of issues with indicated to me that a good escort would pay for his own transportation to the nearest city to the port. Transportation fees from that city to the port of departure would be on me. His rationale was that the escort could fly in a couple days early and engage in escort business before the actual cruise date. I thought that was interesting.

 

Finally, I believe someone mentioned "alone time" while on the cruise. That is an absolute must for me. I want to enjoy another man's company but I sure as hell don't want to be joined at the hip for 7 days. Again, thanks guys.

 

Hope other escorts will give me their two cents worth.

[Guest countryboywny]

In an escort situation a drink card is like buying liability insurance. LOL. However, I do not expect my traveling companion to wake up at 7 am and start tossing drinks down all day. I enjoy my drink with the best of them but drunks are seldom fun to be around.

 

This should not be a problem with a professional, considerate escort.

 

I fully intend to pay for shore excursions and other incidentals up to a point. That does not include on board cruise pictures, specialty restaurants, gift items or gambling. I also fully expect the escort to be able to set up his own on board credit card account to pay for items like that. That's a built in protection for me. If I'm forking over an estimated $5,000 for a companionship fee then small items mentioned above can be on his nickel.

 

I guess that if you discuss all of this IN DETAIL with the escort, and he agrees to it, then I don't see a problem. I would never do it that way myself. I just can't see you saying to the escort, "I'm going to dinner at the specialty restaurant, if you'd like to join me you will have to pay for your own. If not enjoy the buffett." or "I'm going to enjoy the casino tonight, I hope you will enjoy watching me gamble, while not drinking too much. Feel free to gamble on your dime if you'd like."

 

The one escort I have preliminarily discussed these types of issues with indicated to me that a good escort would pay for his own transportation to the nearest city to the port. Transportation fees from that city to the port of departure would be on me. His rationale was that the escort could fly in a couple days early and engage in escort business before the actual cruise date.

 

Again, if the escort agrees to this arrangement, fine. Again, I would never do it that way myself.

 

Please don't take this as an insult, Beancounter, but please consider that you're nickel and dime'ing the escort. You're making a difficult situation for both of you. If you hire a good, reputable escort, he will be considerate of your expense, he will do his best to keep your time together stress free and enjoyable, and that includes your pocketbook. Taking an escort on a cruise and doing it the right way does NOT lend itself to your apparent compulsion to budget every dime. (But if you are truly a "beancounter", I understand it.) This is going to be an expensive endeavor for you, prepare yourself for it. Ideally, you should go on this cruise not worrying about the price. Live it up and enjoy yourself.

 

One side note: Cruises can be hard on escorts too. If you approach a good one, with all the stipulations that you want to make, don't be surprised if "he's busy" on your dates. He may misjudge you as being "cheap", similar to you thinking a good escort will eat and drink you to the poor house. This is why it is so important that the two of you develop trust between you before you go.

[jimboivyo]

I've done cruises with a few guys and as long as you truly enjoy his company, you'll be fine

 

if you're not used to spending more than an hour with an escort, I can see how the thought would be foreign

[+ Lance_Navarro]

Thanks, guys (and especially the escorts) for your input and suggestions. All of them have validity and are worth taking under advisement. For the curious among you, I have booked a balcony suite which meets my needs and should be acceptable to an escort. Including port fees, taxes, insurance and the suite itself I'm looking at $4,500 so far. Certainly an escort can appreciate my attempts to make sure his room accommodations will be a cut above. As many of you previously mentioned, drink cards are the way to go. I've taken tons of cruises and gone both ways on drink cards. In an escort situation a drink card is like buying liability insurance. LOL. However, I do not expect my traveling companion to wake up at 7 am and start tossing drinks down all day. I enjoy my drink with the best of them but drunks are seldom fun to be around.

 

I fully intend to pay for shore excursions and other incidentals up to a point. That does not include on board cruise pictures, specialty restaurants, gift items or gambling. I also fully expect the escort to be able to set up his own on board credit card account to pay for items like that. That's a built in protection for me. If I'm forking over an estimated $5,000 for a companionship fee then small items mentioned above can be on his nickel.

 

The one escort I have preliminarily discussed these types of issues with indicated to me that a good escort would pay for his own transportation to the nearest city to the port. Transportation fees from that city to the port of departure would be on me. His rationale was that the escort could fly in a couple days early and engage in escort business before the actual cruise date. I thought that was interesting.

 

Finally, I believe someone mentioned "alone time" while on the cruise. That is an absolute must for me. I want to enjoy another man's company but I sure as hell don't want to be joined at the hip for 7 days. Again, thanks guys.

 

Hope other escorts will give me their two cents worth.

 

That all sounds incredibly reasonable, But agree that excluding specialty restaurants might feel strange, but certainly don't think you should be obligated to pay for gambling or souvenirs. I like that you also appreciate alone time. I have flown myself into places when I've had an overnight or weekend appt and planned to work before or after. However, if I was doing a week long cruise, I don't think I would spend extra days, I'd want to be home, that's just me though.

[Beancounter]

The last thing I would ever do is impose restrictions on an escort traveling with me. I think I need to clarify a couple of things. First, concerning specialty restaurants. My concern would be an escort indicating that we need to eat at the trendy, in-style vegan sushi restaurant or some such thing. I've been on so many cruises now that I suppose I'm jaded and not terribly impressed with cruise line food or restaurants. Certainly, I would entertain eating at specialty restaurants (and pick up the tab) if it was a joint decision. That's not the issue. The issue is being coerced into eating at a restaurant I don't particularly care for just because the escort feels like he HAS to eat there. It should be OUR choice.

 

And for those that think I'm a nickel and dimer type of guy I offer the following in my defense:

1. I'm paying for roundtrip airfare to and from his home base if requested.

2. I'm paying for upgraded suite accommodations.

3. I'm paying for trip insurance.

4. I'm paying for a drink package.

5. I'm paying for all shore excursions.

6. I'm paying his requested companion fee estimated to be $5,000.

 

Maybe that makes me a cheapskate but I still don't think buying him additional gifts or giving him carte blanche at the casino is necessary. When all is said and done and the dust settles I expect both the escort and me to have a great time enjoying all that there is to enjoy on a cruise......sunny weather, onboard entertainment, good food and drink, some cuddle time and some good conversation. And probably most important is that we both want to do it again and we continue to meet up. That's what I hope happens. I think I've beat this horse to death. Sorry for the rant.

[+ Lance_Navarro]

The last thing I would ever do is impose restrictions on an escort traveling with me. I think I need to clarify a couple of things. First, concerning specialty restaurants. My concern would be an escort indicating that we need to eat at the trendy, in-style vegan sushi restaurant or some such thing. I've been on so many cruises now that I suppose I'm jaded and not terribly impressed with cruise line food or restaurants. Certainly, I would entertain eating at specialty restaurants (and pick up the tab) if it was a joint decision. That's not the issue. The issue is being coerced into eating at a restaurant I don't particularly care for just because the escort feels like he HAS to eat there. It should be OUR choice.

 

And for those that think I'm a nickel and dimer type of guy I offer the following in my defense:

1. I'm paying for roundtrip airfare to and from his home base if requested.

2. I'm paying for upgraded suite accommodations.

3. I'm paying for trip insurance.

4. I'm paying for a drink package.

5. I'm paying for all shore excursions.

6. I'm paying his requested companion fee estimated to be $5,000.

 

Maybe that makes me a cheapskate but I still don't think buying him additional gifts or giving him carte blanche at the casino is necessary. When all is said and done and the dust settles I expect both the escort and me to have a great time enjoying all that there is to enjoy on a cruise......sunny weather, onboard entertainment, good food and drink, some cuddle time and some good conversation. And probably most important is that we both want to do it again and we continue to meet up. That's what I hope happens. I think I've beat this horse to death. Sorry for the rant.

 

I don't think you are nickel and diming in the least. Sounds like a wonderful treat for the both of you! Enjoy! Where is the cruise going to?

[Beancounter]

Thanks, Lance! It's a 7-day cruise Caribbean cruise out of Houston/Galveston. Ports of call are Jamaica (yuk), Grand Cayman and Cozumel. No exotic ports of call but it'll be a relaxing time nonetheless.

[bigvalboy]

The last thing I would ever do is impose restrictions on an escort traveling with me. I think I need to clarify a couple of things. First, concerning specialty restaurants. My concern would be an escort indicating that we need to eat at the trendy, in-style vegan sushi restaurant or some such thing. I've been on so many cruises now that I suppose I'm jaded and not terribly impressed with cruise line food or restaurants. Certainly, I would entertain eating at specialty restaurants (and pick up the tab) if it was a joint decision. That's not the issue. The issue is being coerced into eating at a restaurant I don't particularly care for just because the escort feels like he HAS to eat there. It should be OUR choice.

 

And for those that think I'm a nickel and dimer type of guy I offer the following in my defense:

1. I'm paying for roundtrip airfare to and from his home base if requested.

2. I'm paying for upgraded suite accommodations.

3. I'm paying for trip insurance.

4. I'm paying for a drink package.

5. I'm paying for all shore excursions.

6. I'm paying his requested companion fee estimated to be $5,000.

 

Maybe that makes me a cheapskate but I still don't think buying him additional gifts or giving him carte blanche at the casino is necessary. When all is said and done and the dust settles I expect both the escort and me to have a great time enjoying all that there is to enjoy on a cruise......sunny weather, onboard entertainment, good food and drink, some cuddle time and some good conversation. And probably most important is that we both want to do it again and we continue to meet up. That's what I hope happens. I think I've beat this horse to death. Sorry for the rant.

 

Well Since you are a seasoned cruiser, this sounds to me like you have already worked it all out in your head. I think you are on track to have a good time. The upgraded accommodations, drink package, shore excursions are all good ideas, and you are correct, eat where you want to. I happen to like the specialty restaurants, only because they are quieter and you can have a more relaxing dinner, but...lol...it's basically all the same crap. I always joke that what they serve in the specialty restaurants on Monday get recycled to the main dining room on Tuesday. Your ports of call are not exotic, but you already know that, but they are still fun and can be exciting, or just chill, depending on what activities you choose. I think you'll have a great time...

 

Good luck...

[LADoug1]

Maybe that makes me a cheapskate but I still don't think buying him additional gifts

 

In your situation a professional and appreciative escort will buy YOU a gift. The cost of it is irrelevant.

[LADoug1]

I think you and the escort can discuss what the appointment includes ahead of time. And considering the expense, a trip to a specialty restaurant (which is usually fun and a welcome change) is small change. Do what You want to do taking the escort's enjoyment/interests into consideration. Communicate.