CadillacRon

I was wondering if the wet areas and sauna

are co-ed?

I'm on the Norwegian Escape currently docked in Nassau. The ship is sick with hundreds of people with the Norwalk Virus. Shows have been cancelled (sick performers) and there are barf bags everywhere. Before we left port last Saturday, I saw on Facebook a friend of mine had just debarked. I called him and both he and his friend got sick (projectile vomiting and intestinal explosions). Our embarkation was delayed and the ship left late as workers in hazmat suits tried to sanitize the ship. It didn't work. Despite washing my hands constantly and trying not to touch things, Wednesday night I got violently ill. My brother called the medical center to report it and was told if I wanted to see the doctor it would cost $885. By the next day cases had progressed so much that they finally offered a "free consultation" with the doctor over the PA system. I can't believe they would initially use the outbreak as a revenue opportunity. We were told about 20% of people on board were affected. That would work out to 840 passengers, not counting crew. If NCL lets this ship depart Miami tomorrow, that would be completely irresponsible of them. I didn't really want to spend my vacation with chills and barfing. Also, I'm sure NCL is under-reporting the numbers of sick people since when they were told I was sick, all they told us was the cost to see the doctor. They didn't ask who we were or ask any other information. The CDC should be aware of this. If I had known this was a "sick ship" (as described by one crew member) I would have gotten off and enjoyed my vacation on land. On a bright note, my abs are really tight from all the heaving and diarrhea.

Regent Seven Seas is very upscale but casual. But they wore really nice casual clothes. :)

Years ago I went on a Carnival cruise solo. The beds were pushed together. And even though I didn't request it with my travel agent, one of the hot Italian officers kept ending up in my bed. But it all worked out in the end. ;)

I posted this on another thread about the Getaway:

I went on the Getaway's inaugural sailing out of Miami. To use the wet area (steam, dry sauna, salt room, jacuzzi and heated loungers) there was a fee of $150-$199 for the week. (I can't remember exactly). The wet area was not particularly impressive; it had the feel of an upscale locker room at a health club or hotel. It was a bit spartan. After using the wet areas at some of the wonderful spas in Las Vegas (and some of the other NCL ships) this was disappointing and if I went again, I wouldn't spend the money.

Take a tour on embarkation day and decide for yourself. Also, the wet area is co-ed so you have to wear a swimsuit.

I'm a gym rat and the gym on the Liberty was fantastic. Great equipment, free weights and machines....almost as nice as the gym I go to. I met several of the entertainers on the ship...ice show, acrobats etc all working out. (I waited until they were finished training before I bothered them). The men's locker has a steam and sauna that were good sized. There was a boxing ring but I already know that I don't enjoy getting hit in the head.

I went on the Getaway's inaugural sailing out of Miami. To use the wet area (steam, dry sauna, salt room, jacuzzi and heated loungers) there was a fee of $150-$199 for the week. (I can't remember exactly). The wet area was not particularly impressive; it had the feel of an upscale locker room at a health club or hotel. It was a bit spartan. After using the wet areas at some of the wonderful spas in Las Vegas (and some of the other NCL ships) this was disappointing and if I went again, I wouldn't spend the money.

Take a tour on embarkation day and decide for yourself. Also, the wet area is co-ed so you have to wear a swimsuit.

On the EPIC, the weekly theme party is the White Party. I hear on the Breakaway it's a GLOW Party. Anyone know what the party's theme will be on the Getaway? I'm on the inaugural Miami sailing and don't want to be caught with my pants down...unless that's the theme of the party. :eek:

I enjoy both straight and gay cruises. Every year I go on a mainstream cruise with my straight brother and I've also been on several RSVP and Atlantis cruises. The experiences are completely different and enjoyable for different reasons.

I don't go on the gay charters because I "need" to be "trapped" on a ship with gay people. The sense of community on the gay cruises is amazing. I've maintained friendships with people I've met on the gay cruises and the specialized entertainment is more hit than miss. No I'm not a tweaked out party boy. That stereotype of the typical gay cruiser is really unfair. The premium you pay for a charter goes for the extras that aren't on regular cruises. We went on a Turner Classic Movies cruise and it was even more expensive than RSVP or Atlantis. (FYI, Tippi Hedren, Eva Marie Saint and Ernest Borgnine were the special guests and were amazing.)

On the straight cruises, we don't meet as many of the other cruisers. My brother and I learned the hard way to be careful when booking to avoid school holidays. We did an Easter cruise on an RCCL megaship and heard the following announcement, "we have a record 1200 kids and teens on board this week." And it felt like it. Lots of screaming and crying babies, sullen teens who actually formed rival "gangs", and just too many families and stroller traffic jams for my taste. That said, I love having the gym mostly to myself on the straight cruises and enjoy the corny theater productions. October through the first half of November are a real bargain and most of the kids are in school.

I agree with Absolutboy20. We shouldn't denigrate things we haven't experienced. There is room for both gay and straight cruises and cruisers and we all have our own preferences. We are on this forum because we love going on cruises in whatever form. Let's find out what we have in common rather than what sets us apart.

At Bonsai3s- Whatever gets her in the gym. Go for the eye candy, stay for the exercise! And you both get the benefits!

My glamorous Aunt Barbara told me when I was young, "Darling, always have a passport ready in case someone wants to whisk you off to Paris." I got my first passport when I was in high school just in case. I haven't been whisked off to Paris, but I did get a last minute invite to Madrid that I would have had to turn down had I had to wait for a passport.

While my Mom doesn't travel much, I urged my parents to follow her sister's advice and get passports. Several years later, while traveling in South America, my usually healthy self got very ill and was hospitalized. My mom was packing her bag before she had hung up the phone. This then 40 year old was never so glad to see his mommy. :rolleyes:

Disclaimer: This is just my experience that was written with no judgement for anyone. We all have our own opinions on this topic and I just wanted to weigh in and maybe lighten the tone of this thread.

Happy Journeys to EVERYONE!

Hey Firemedt,

I know this isn't directly related to cruising solo, but your friend who snores probably has sleep apnea. My ex would sleep on the other side of the house because I snored so loud. Turns out a sleep study and a CPAP machine kept me from suffocating. And now I have so much more energy from getting quality sleep. That said, there is something to be said for sailing solo and doing whatever you want whenever you want. Especially if you meet people easily...i still keep up with a group I met a couple of years ago on the Epic.

As a bodybuilder, I tend to book ships based on the gym facilities. After 45+ cruises, I think NCL Epic has the most impressive gym. All the equiptment was new and the layout was great. It's the only cruise ship gym I know of that has a smith machine squat rack and a seated calf raise. I'm going on the Allure this spring so we'll see which one "wins".

I'm a hard gainer so I love being able to eat every 3 hours. I walk past a buffet and grab a chicken breast. On my last cruise my roommate and I would book a specialty restaurant early in the evening when reservations are easy to come by. Then we'd eat again in the main dining room just before they closed. :p If you make smart choices, you can eat really "clean" as well as indulge in the desserts.

I was able to gain 8lbs of muscle in one week on the Epic. I'm 5'6" so I came off the ship feeling like a relaxed suntanned monster. Since I don't drink alcohol my biggest onboard expense is usuallly a massage. I enjoy a steam/sauna after my workout then usually fall asleep on a lounger.

I don't just eat, workout and tan though. I go to the shows, some of the ports, nightclubbing and lose a little in the casino. The Allure this May can't come fast enough.

I know this is a long post, but you did ask.

I tried to insert a photo of the Epic gym but I don't know what the "url" is. Yes I'm a meathead.

My buddy and I just signed up for the Atlantis cruise. I had planned to go to Australia and New Zealand and this cruise is the perfect way to see all the ports. Not having to schlep to the airport numerous times to get to these places is HUGE for me. And I love the gay cruise charters. All my needs will be met. :@) Counting the days.... Ron