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Everything posted by fshepinc
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Just off a two-week cruise on Celebrity. There was an LGBTQ meet-up every night, but after the first few nights no one attended. People just socialized together around the ship.
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Live: Apr 20, 2024 Summit 14 Night Panama Canal Westbound Cruise!
fshepinc replied to mahdnc's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Heads up, fellow travelers! I came home with a little something extra - Covid 19. A passenger at my dining table was ill, and in quarantine for the final two days of the cruise. I started feeling bad last night, and tested positive when I got home today. Very mild case, but I encourage others to get tested if they feel ill. I thought it was just a head cold, and wouldn’t have thought to test if it weren’t for the known exposure. Hope all of you stay well! -
Live: Apr 20, 2024 Summit 14 Night Panama Canal Westbound Cruise!
fshepinc replied to mahdnc's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Thank you for all the information and photos you shared, mahdnc! The disembarkation info was especially helpful, as my cabin steward seemed to take a dislike to me and never brought it to my cabin. (Along with a fair amount of other stuff - first time I’ve ever had to ask for things like soap and laundry…) It was a great cruise, and I met some really nice people! -
Live: Apr 20, 2024 Summit 14 Night Panama Canal Westbound Cruise!
fshepinc replied to mahdnc's topic in Celebrity Cruises
The hot tubs are hot, but not super hot. The “jets” do put out a bit of current, but not enough to make bubbles. The original switches have been removed/capped. -
Live: Apr 20, 2024 Summit 14 Night Panama Canal Westbound Cruise!
fshepinc replied to mahdnc's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Is anyone else having difficulty charging their devices in their cabins? I plugged my iPad in before dinner with 62% charge and left it overnight. In the morning it had 72%! Similar with my phone. Is this just a problem in my cabin, or are others noticing the same thing? -
Live: Apr 20, 2024 Summit 14 Night Panama Canal Westbound Cruise!
fshepinc replied to mahdnc's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I definitely feel bad for both parties. 😢 -
Live: Apr 20, 2024 Summit 14 Night Panama Canal Westbound Cruise!
fshepinc replied to mahdnc's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I met some gentleman from Germany who said their friends who traveled with them from Germany were denied boarding because one had lost a passport. I wonder if they were the same?? -
Live: Apr 20, 2024 Summit 14 Night Panama Canal Westbound Cruise!
fshepinc replied to mahdnc's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I never did find it -
Live: Apr 20, 2024 Summit 14 Night Panama Canal Westbound Cruise!
fshepinc replied to mahdnc's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Safe travels, everyone. I’m heading to the airport tomorrow morning. Dreading the long flight from San Diego, but I will have the cruise to recover from it! -
What is the current status of the ship? Is the power restored? Is water back to normal?
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Reasons Why The Idiom, "Friends of Dorothy" Needs To Be Retired...
fshepinc replied to DenGNNJ's topic in LGBTQIA+ Cruisers
When the Flag of the United States was first created, the plan was to have one star and one stripe for each former colony that became a state. As new states joined a star and stripe were added, but very quickly the shape of the flag became awkward, and then impossible. It was decided to go back to the original, 13 stripes, but keep adding stars as needed. Our community faces a similar dilemma, as we try to be ever more inclusive. The original “everybody is represented“ rainbow flag keeps getting new stripes added with different colors. There is also the new section with the angled stripes. And what is the result? Everybody now has to have their own flag! There are more than 30 different flags to represent all of the different ideas of gender and gender expression and sexuality. How can we possibly unite under such a fragmented system? I long for the good old days when the discussion centered around whether we should say “gay and lesbian,” or “lesbian and gay…” -
Your husband is a lucky man indeed if he has always been 100% free to be his authentic self, never holding back a kiss or a touch, nor feeling unsafe because of other people or his surroundings. That definitely wasn’t the world in which I came of age. A gay cruise is, first and foremost, a cruise. But it is also a week or so of freedom from heteronormativity, its attitudes and constraints.
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Thanks for the rec for Pied Piper. Always good to find another option. 🙂
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Hi Everyone, I'm joining a group of theatre lovers on a trip that includes the westbound crossing on the Queen Mary 2 on October 17. I hope there will be others aboard that week!
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Single trans female going on Carnival, what will it REALLY be like?
fshepinc replied to ToriOKC's topic in LGBTQIA+ Cruisers
So glad you had a good time, ToriOKC! I sailed the Glory out of Galveston a few years back, and while I enjoyed the ship and ports, some of may fellow passengers were, well... a bit of a shock! First (and likely last) time I was the Body Beautiful by the pool! Never saw so many mobility scooters and smokers in my life. Despite a lot of cultural and political differences I found people were friendly and respectful -but I imagine it's always easier for a cis man in those situations. I hope you'll enjoy another cruise soon! -
Cruise Line Suggestion that is LGBT+ Friendly
fshepinc replied to ScottC4746's topic in LGBTQIA+ Cruisers
I recently saw a review of Celebrity that said the company was reversing its position on solo cruisers -going back to more reasonable single supplements. That's a huge relief for me, as Celebrity has been my favorite line. I think most lines today are pretty LGBTQ-friendly, though it can vary a bit from ship to ship (like everything else). My only bad experience as a gay cruiser in recent years was aboard NCL. I find it gets harder to find a good cruise, as I am over Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean. I don't like big ships and whole floating-amusement-park mentality. Food and service on all three of those lines have gone down significantly in the last few years. Just booked my first TA on QM2 -very much looking forward to that! -
I've done Atlantis, RSVP, and a couple of gay-group cruises. I much prefer the all-gay ones -and I am not at all a partier. I don't even drink. What makes the all-gay cruise is the ambiance and camaraderie. Everyone gets to be themselves without fear or worries. And there are no children running about... I did feel very much like a third wheel in the gay-group cruises, as I was almost the only one not in a couple or traveling with a close friend. On the all-gay cruises usually a third to half of the passengers are single. Yes there are parties every afternoon and evening, but nothing says you have to attend them. I usually go to bed by 11 and never hear a thing (though I do see some interesting sights on my way to breakfast in the morning). The afternoon "t-dances" only last for about 90 minutes, and you can easily get away from them (though the people-watching can be amazing). The only way to really know is to take the plunge and try one. Look for a ship or itinerary that really interests you.
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Puerto Vallarta is a safe and welcoming city for LGBTQ people. I've been there a dozen or more times -most recently in October. A visit to the Zona Romantica will reveal gay bars, clubs, restaurants, shops and even a few resorts. There are gay baths, along with several men's spas that offer legitimate services at very reasonable prices. On the negative side, unless you're on a gay cruise you'll likely miss out on most of the PV scene, as ships typically sail at 5:00, and many of the livelier places don't open until later. Fortunately the malecón and the beaches are beautiful, with lots of great food and places to hang out. You'll have a wonderful time!
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Reasons Why The Idiom, "Friends of Dorothy" Needs To Be Retired...
fshepinc replied to DenGNNJ's topic in LGBTQIA+ Cruisers
Sadly, I very much fear we could be going backwards, what with all the hatred, violence, and new criminalizations around the world (and at home). 😞 -
Or maybe Barry Manilow?
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I've looked around the internet and can't find anything about a "towel code." Not doubting the info -but it's odd that I can't find anything.
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I would have thought that the way you tie your towel was mostly a function of whether you are left- or right-handed? Seems like if this were a real thing a lot of mistakes would be made...
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Okay -I've heard about the pineapples, but what is with the "towel code"??
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HAL Koningsdam: Repositioning on Oct 24 (Going Solo)
fshepinc replied to tlc1972's topic in LGBTQIA+ Roll Calls
Did you decide to go? I've done the Konigsdam as a solo gay cruiser and had a great time. The Konigsdam has a small (single sex) sauna with a great view that's separate from the actual spa. On my trip it was very quiet and I could sweat and enjoy the ocean view in peace.