BostonBud

They also try to claim the high road by putting various types of people on their daily cruise newsletter ON THE CRUISE.  However, if you see all their PR in major publications or online it's the same as all the other charter companies: buff, young and good looking people.  I'm not against marketing that way but to say that you're not like the "other" company because you are more inclusion in your marketing then only preach to the choir while the choir has already paid for their cruise fare?  Be honest.

hi all, 

I'm doing my first solo cruise in May on a Royal Caribbean ship and was wondering if they have daily meetups of LGBT & Allies?  Most of my Royal cruises have been on gay charters so they don't need them then but wasn't sure about the typical Royal cruise.  I'm been on Celebrity ships and they do post a LGBT Meet up in the evenings every day of the cruise.

Any advice?

On 2/10/2022 at 2:35 PM, RICHARD@SEA said:

"This was my first Vacaya trip and my last.  Didn't care for the much of the cruise.  Vacaya is great with upfront communication but appeared to be lost and confused once the cruise began.  The cruise director was horrendous"

Do you think the confusion was die in part to Covid - I didn't book any cruise the last 2 years because of covid - I never knew what the outcome would be - the worst getting sick.

 

I've never sailed on a gay charter in all y 40+ cruises - solo or as a couple I've always been able to meet interesting people(gay or straight) & even danced the nite away.....dancing a cross the oceans ....

I'm entering my mid 60's now ...so  I don't know if i will go on one but I am curious.

 

No, I don't think they're issues were because of covid because they didn't offer anything during the day other than bingo.  Even the usual Celebrity activities like trivia etc... were missing from the daily program.  They had guests at night but each one of them was the same and again they scrapped all the Celebrity Entertainment and instead offered a singer each night who gave ballad after ballad and just stood there and sung.  It was monotonous.  

My biggest fear was being quarantined in the stateroom for the entirety of the cruise.  Some people who were "contact traced" were required to stay in their staterooms for 24 hours and be tested twice within those 24 hours for being negative.  Apparently Celebrity took good care of them however some have posted that Vacaya never bothered to check in on them.

A friend just signed up for the Prague/Budapest Riverboat cruise in 2023 and we're thinking of doing it.  It's a very different cruise for us since we're used to doing the Atlantis Charters but seriously contemplating it.  It looks very lux.

I was on the Vacaya charter.  Omicron was a very definite cloud over the whole week (luckily I think it's past)  As stated in an earlier post, we had to wear masks indoors.  I'd say 90% of the passengers adhered to this requirement.  Sometimes ppl just forgot especially when coming from outdoors to indoors.

I wore a mask everywhere, even outdoors and didn't attend any of the parties.  Additionally we frequented the Sunset Bar at the back of the ship which was outdoors.  I am vigilant about a mask (I also work at the port in the testing area when guests need a PCR or antigen test).  I tested positive for Covid a day after the cruise which means I got it on the cruise.  My husband tested and continues to test negative.  I had a slight sore throat and maybe a runny nose for a day but I tested because I got off the ship.  Had I not I would have never known that I was positive for COVID.  

On the online groups after the cruise many people were testing positive, so while it seemed to be contained onboard, it was definitely a superspreader event.  Although the symptoms were fairly mild if you were vaccinated and boosted.

On 1/17/2022 at 9:38 PM, SireDoime said:

I do like they use Celebrity ships, but those ships don't tend to have a lot of fun activities. But, I hear *some* voyages reserve the top deck for hooking up on certain nights 😝.

 

This is true. The basketball court became the "red light" district every night, not just certain nights.  Additionally, there were 27 confirmed cases onboard, however, there were a lot more positive cases after disembarking.  

I tested positive for Covid a day after the cruise and I wore a mask everywhere except eating AND I didn't go to any of the parties.  My husband didn't test positive and we were in the stateroom without masks and spent most of the cruise together.

Unfortunately there was not much going on during the day for this cruise except for Bingo.   Vacaya seemed to scrap any the Celebrity activities and/or entertainment which was unfortunate because so many of the entertainment they booked canceled.

This was my first Vacaya trip and my last.  Didn't care for the much of the cruise.  Vacaya is great with upfront communication but appeared to be lost and confused once the cruise began.  The cruise director was horrendous too.

3 hours ago, joelzme said:

Do you know if the saunas were open?

Yes. Persian Garden was open and the sauna in the men’s locker room was open. Gym is open 24 hours. 

On 7/30/2021 at 7:35 PM, Jeremiah On a Cruise said:

 

Respectfully, these comments are not helpful.

 

I know that my kids get upset over the test because they have been tested twice in the last couple of months.  Each was an ordeal.  They hated it.  And as a result, we may choose to not do our trip.  It's a bummer, but it's life.

 

Regarding the risks.  In the last 18 months, per CDC, 282 kids ages 5-18 have died due to COVID.  That's tragic, and I can't imagine going through it.  I am, and encourage others to get vaccinated.  But empirically, my kids have a greater risk of death on our drive to the pier than from COVID.  We have, and continue to do a ton to protect them for COVID - so please don't take my response as nonchalant.   I'm trying to do right my by kids. 

 

Sources, are listed here: https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/Provisional-COVID-19-Deaths-Focus-on-Ages-0-18-Yea/nr4s-juj3/data   https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/children-covid-19-and-vaccines  https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/child_passenger_safety/cps-factsheet.html#:~:text=In the United States%2C motor,more than 97%2C000 were injured. 

 

 

But it’s not only YOUR kids. It’s the people that YOUR kids could infect. It’s so great that people only think of themselves and not the greater good. 

I had booked a cruise the beginning of May.  a few days later they changed the ship and allowed ppl to cancel with full refund.  I cancelled then.  They never sent any documentation but on the phone stated that it would take 45 days to receive a refund.  Not long after that I started receiving emails about the sailing I canceled and just today received an email stating "Time to Check in".  Called RC and they said it's noted that the refund is coming but we're still getting emails about the sailing which is July 30th.  

I'm afraid of not getting the refund by the sail date and then them telling us that we missed the boat (pun intended).  Can't believe they don't send notices of cancelations but can still send updates on sailings. 

5 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

 

Celebrity's dress code says:

 

"

Women should feel comfortable wearing:

• A cocktail dress
• Skirt, pants or designer jeans with an elegant top

Men should feel comfortable wearing:

• Pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt or sweater
• Optional sport coat or blazer

 

That at least implies that men should not feel comfortable wearing a cocktail dress or skirt. I also a not sure why women can wear something that shows off their legs but men can't. It goes on to say that "tank tops" and "flip flops" are prohibited. But there are plenty of women's tops and shoes that are permitted that could be considered "tank tops" or "flip flops" that are dressy enough to be permitted. But men aren't granted the same leniency. 

I read that on the website and thought that language appeared to be more "suggestions" and not required dress because what happens if a man doesn't feel comfortable wearing pants?  What exactly IS an ELEGANT top? There is way too much ambiguity in these dress codes.

You're on vacation, you shouldn't have to worry about what the person in front of you is wearing unless it impacts you (beauty is in the eye of the beholder) in a negative way.  If you insist on worrying, worry about yourself and allow others to do the same.  

And PLEASE don't wear colognes and perfumes around other people.

The truth of the matter is worry about your own dress, not other.  No matter how dressed up you get there’s going to be someone who is going to have an issue with something you’re wearing or not wearing but that’s their problem.  As long as you feel good and are enjoying yourself (and not putting anyone else in harms way) MYOB.

And don’t get the impression that just because I’m advocating for not conforming to the strict dress code means I’m always in a tank top, speedo and flip flops for dinner (actually, I have never done any of those things but have no problem with someone else at a different table doing that if they feel the need to.  

32 minutes ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

Shorts, flip flops, t-shirts in the MDR for dinner. Jock straps on hirsute men in the pool and jacuzzi. Bra straps proudly displayed as if advertising the latest styles and colors. Crotch fitting cut-off jean shorts leaving nothing to the imagination. Yep, that's what it's all about now, isn't it? And yes, each of these scenarios falls into the same category, a total lack of respect for oneself and for others.

 

In certain situations and environments these are offensive. Even more, it's sadly humorous to see just how many people don't give a darn about how they look and make a special effort not to look good. And by the way, dressing for the occasion is not conforming. It is being respectful of what is requested of you.

 

I'm packing my briefest European Speedo for the next cruise. See you in the jacuzzi. Hope it's crowded. 

   

I’m definitely not referring to the poster of the above comment.  The 2nd paragraph

“In certain situations and environments these are offensive. Even more, it's sadly humorous to see just how many people don't give a darn about how they look and make a special effort not to look good. And by the way, dressing for the occasion is not conforming. It is being respectful of what is requested of you”

reminds me that old adage (and I may be paraphrasing):

You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig

Who is to say what “proper” dress is.  If it’s not for a sanitary or health reason (like wearing masks) why is it even there?

3 hours ago, dkjretired said:

Celebrity has a dress code and has been known to enforce it, many many people have been refused entry into their dining rooms.  It is definitely a rule when you are refused entry. Your argument is just as invalid now as it was 25 years ago when I first heard it on this board.

So 25 years huh?  So what’s the basic reason for the dress code?  I don’t believe it’s a sanitary/health reason which would be paramount.  It doesn’t affect the food. I’m trying to understand the main reason for them.  To instill gender norms? Women are can now wear slacks. When and why was it changed to allow that change?

Dress codes are not only outdated but sexist. We usually only do chartered cruises where only bare feet and swimwear are not allowed in the MDR and there never has been an issue. In fact allowing people to be more creative in their dress is more human than trying to put them into boxes invented by unnamed individuals from a time long gone.
 

Someone wearing too much perfume or cologne (or any at all) is more offensive to me since 1) the odor makes me physically sick and 2) it ruins the dining experience because it permeates the culinary aromas of the dishes yet Celebrity doesn’t ban that. 
 

don’t even get me started on the post trying to equate someone pretending to be a different gender just to eat in the dining room.  
 

We’re all born naked and the rest is drag - RuPaul

18 minutes ago, bnurick said:

Good morning from the Edge.  You really do not see anything unusual like a seating area. Further, many passengers wear masks in elevators or around from time to time. Plus all the crew have masks. So it’s not a situation where you know who the 2 are. My only concern going forward is enforcement of masks when and if the % unvaccinated or declining to say is meaningful. So I would say for this cruise the numbers are not meaningful in the big picture.

 

For Celebrity, given 65+ is around 90% vaccinated a large block of their target market default into what they are looking to attract.

Excellent!  Thanks for your observations.

Thanks for posting these updates especially while you are enjoying your cruise, it fascinating for the mainland observers.  

It is interesting the the OP on the Edge says that no one is talking about vaccinations or even cares.  As someone who is sailing in a few weeks AND vaccinated, I don’t particularly care either but do wonder how the unvaccinated passengers (more so the 2 unvaccinated adults) are being treated since they must probably stick out because they are supposed to be wearing masks when not in their cabins.  It would also seem to be lonely being in the dining room or theatre is a separate area since they are the only 2 people onboard unvaccinated.  I guess it gets you notoriety in a way that may or may not be positive.

Enjoy your cruise! 

18 hours ago, Fouremco said:

See the link in post #2 for Celebrity's US requirements. The additional provisions for Florida are provided and apply to Florida departures only:

 

For Sailings from Florida
Guests over 16 years old (over 12 for any sailing on or after August 1st) who decline or are unable to show proof of vaccination at boarding will be treated as unvaccinated and subject to additional protocols, restrictions, and costs for COVID-19 testing. 

Additional requirements for unvaccinated guests 16 +

• You will need to arrive for embarkation with a negative PCR test taken within 3 days in advance of arrival to the terminal.  
• You will be subject to a Covid-19 test at the pier.
• A mid cruise antigen test onboard will be required. 
• An antigen test will be required at the end of the cruise.  Please do not make early travel plans on the day of debarkation to allow time for the required testing process. 
• The per person cost for these tests is $178 and will be applied to your onboard folio. 
• Masks will be required at all times onboard except while eating or drinking. 
• Unvaccinated guests are required to book a Celebrity curated tour, and depending on local government requirements, unvaccinated guests may be further restricted from going ashore. 
• And unvaccinated guests will have designated seating areas in some venues such as the dining rooms, casino, theatre, etc.  

i believe in my latest email from either Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, it stated that unvaccinated guests will not be able to utilize the casino because it is too small to provide designated areas for the unvaccinated.

This will be our first Vacaya cruise also.  We typically do Atlantis and I tried an RSVP cruise last year.  We were hoping that Atlantis was going to do a March cruise again next year but they still haven’t posted anything so we decided on this cruise.

Just wondering if there is any other family on this cruise?  There’s a lot of first for this cruise.  It’s our first cruise post-shutdown and it’s our first 7 day cruise that isn’t chartered by an LGBT Travel group.  

6 minutes ago, harkinmr said:

Simple. It’s none of your business. “Dumb” behavior has been rampant during this pandemic, and it ain’t the ones driving in their cars wearing a mask. 

Exactly. No one knows what is going on in these peoples lives. They could be an Uber driver who just dropped off a passenger and is picking up another. Who knows?  This “it just looks dumb” is so childless. You know what ISN’T dumb, thinking about your family and friends and trying to protect them from contacts you made throughout your day because maybe, just maybe one of them can’t get the vaccine for medical reasons. The unvaccinated will spread the virus and allow it to mutate to a point where it will become immune to the vaccines and we will have to start all over again. NO ONE wants that to happen. 

Hi all.  We're booked on the Majesty of the Seas with an overnight in Cuba and was wondering if anyone has done any of the Gay and Lesbian tours offered via a private vendor in Cuba?  I've seen some online but was hoping to get direct feedback from anyone that might have experienced any of them. I've seen a daytime tour and a nightime tour of the gay bars with dinner.  Any thoughts?  We're on the Majesty of the Seas leaving out of Ft. Lauderdale on August 5, 2019.

Having just gotten off the Quantum, I can tell you that those who did not make advanced reservations for the Comp Restaurants had to wait on LONG LINES to try and get in. I have a hard time believing that so many people cancel pre-made reservations to go elsewhere when its next to impossible to get good dining times once onboard, unless you dine at 5pm or 9pm. You don't HAVE to have a reservations, BUT you're in for a very difficult and stressful time if you try and wing it--a vacation should not be this stressful, but from all that I experienced, it was

Ditto, that was our experience as well this past weekend. Additionally, double booked is allowed. When you make a reservation at Chic, American Icon, Silk or the formal one, the women at the reservation desk said they could not change another reservation except for these four restaurants. And the lines were pretty long even at 8:45. Chops/Jamies/Wonderland were all full from day one and we weren't even on a full sailing. Good luck going on standby for those, you'll be waiting a long time if you get a seat at all. Unfortunately, there is a lot of waiting everywhere. Making reservations AND getting in line for your reservation Hopefully this will be worked out but it was a bit stressful especially when people don't respect the existing queue and just jump to the front although the reservationists are telling people that there is a line and you need to get behind all these people.

We weren't a fan of Dynamic Dining. It does get away from taking a cruise and having to think about where you want to eat every night. That being said, i would highly recommend you making all your reservations before you leave. If they have availablity onboard then you can change otherwise you'll at least have someplace to go to.

They will refund your money onboard but you have to prove to them you made and paid for the reservation. I had to show them the email confirming the payment on my iphone before they would issue a refund even though it was on their Royal IQ app (it wasn't showing up in their reservation system)

you will have to make a reservation in person if you don't have one, luckily you can make it for the 4 complimentary restaurants (Silk, American Icon, Chic and the formal one (can't remember the name at the moment)). So expect to wait in line with a load of other people who are either confirming or making reservations too then the space availablity is small.

RC should really consider only reserving 3/4's of their space before the cruise so people who are not able to or want to change their reservations can do so on the ship.

Quantum is a beautiful ship and is really worth sailing on. They will get these bugs worked out and it will smooth. just give it time.

Just wanted to give a shout out to all the Live posters. You really gave great insight into the ship and when boarding I had all of your suggestions and images in my head while touring the ship and know what to look for and beaware of.

Some helpful suggestions from my trip:

1. Book reservations before you leave if possible so at least you have a reservation. You can always change if there's room but as in many of the speciality restaurants they are filled and no stand bys.
   
2. Get to the Ripcord/Ifly as soon as you're able to book a time at the beginning of the week. After your first time you'll want to try again since you know what to expect. This was one of the few places that appeared to have standby positions and if one or two people might get picked if a whole party doesn't show up.
   
3. Download the Royal IQ app. You can still use it even if you don't buy the wifi package since it will work with the app. You can monitor your purchases daily via the app anywhere on the ship.
   
4. If you can't get a seat at any of the shows you can always stand in the back if you're able. All the shows were "sold out" on the cruise but we would watch from the back.
   
5. The Wowbands are pretty useless. You tyipcally have to take it off for a bartender or server to use it. But it does open your stateroom door easily.
   

The bionic bar is much more a novelty and not a good place to get a drink if you really want a drink. Most of the people there were just taking pictures of the mechanics although they did have a DJ there at night but only one side of the bionic bar was working. It would actually be a good location for an ice bar or a Martini bar like on the Celebrity ships.