mjs99mjs

Has anyone sailed on the Discovery Princess lately? If so, can you let me know where the meetups were held? I'm hoping they are in the Take 5 lounge adjacent to the casino. I've been on Princess ships on which they were held in Crooner's which is always too crowded IMO.

Thanks, Mark

18 hours ago, tlc1972 said:

Placed this quick coastal trip (10/24 - 10/28, Vancouver to San Diego) on hold and debating if HAL is good for solo. Price is right for a verandah, even at double occupancy pricing (especially since this itinerary includes crew appreciation), and I've always wanted to experience this particular ship. 

Anyone with experience on HAL as a solo gay sailor? I went solo on Princess earlier this year and found that enjoyable, but wondering if HAL will be as welcoming. As of now, I'm not seeing any LGBTQIA+ events on the itinerary, but maybe the schedule isn't fully loaded yet. 

I could definitely use a break and need to cough up the full amount by tomorrow, but would first love to hear if anyone else has a solo HAL experience to share.

My friend Jon and I will be on that repositioning cruise and look forward to meeting you, hopefully on night one at an LGBTQ+ meetup. I've been wanting to check out this ship as well. 

Best, Mark

5 hours ago, Lovetocruise38 said:

I know for sure Caribbean Princess still has their free sauna and steam. Great place to go and relax. 

Great! Will be on her in November for a Chumley's cruise...

8 hours ago, ShipWalker said:

This page. There is a link eight posts before yours.

Doh! Thanks much.

74 pages of posts here . . . can anyone direct me to which page has the link to the database?

Thanks!

Just booked! Anyone else? 

Just found out that the Diamond Princess has a traditional Japanese bath with segregated men's and women's sides ($15 for a 2 hour visit). It's clothing optional from 8am to 10am with swimwear required the rest of the day. I'm booked for the February 5th sailing from San Diego down to Mexico - the last one before it heads back to Japan. There is also a free segregated sauna and steam room near the fitness center. 

Just found out this weekend about Chumley's Bear Cruise on this sailing. I wished that we had booked with them. Anyway, this will be my partner's first cruise. Looking forward to meeting you all!

5 of us guys will be on here. Anyone else?

Will be on the Ruby Princess on Monday, Nov. 22. Fingers crossed. 

Sailing on the 22nd. Apparently you can't email the CD directly. So, I found Princess on Twitter and sent a message. This got a quick response and follow up. I requested a meetup every night and they said that will be happening, even listing times and locations for me. Just waiting for them to show up in JourneyView on the Medallion app. Thanks everyone.

Mark from Seattle will be onboard. Anyone else? 

I'm used to seeing a daily meetup for LGBTQ published in The Princess Patter each day - usually in the Crown Grill Bar at 5:00. I checked my Medallion app for my upcoming cruise on the Ruby Princess and didn't see it. I've heard secondhand that the cruise director says that they don't schedule them every day any more - just 2 or 3 times per cruise and usually on the first sea day. 

I'm pretty disappointed to hear this and don't know if there is anything I can do about it. Because I am traveling solo, I rely on attending on embarkation day so I can make some connections and hopefully not have to dine alone. 

Any thoughts? 

On 9/7/2021 at 10:52 PM, brianlc said:

I’ll be there!

-Brian

Brian,

Looking forward to seeing you again!

-Mark

Just booked this. Anyone else?

--Mark

Does anyone know if Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas or Serenade of the Seas have a men's only sauna and/or steamroom? They just announced sailing out of Seattle for Alaska this summer. I think they have in the past but I've heard that some have been removed on some ships. 

On 5/24/2020 at 3:32 PM, natefish95 said:

I'm a bit late but I was on the Jade in February 2019 and it had a large whirlpool in the thermal suite. You can also see it on the deckplans. I'll be on the Jade again in April 2021 and hope it's not removed by then. If the cruise lines are cutting costs, I can't see that maintenance being a priority. 

 

I got hooked on the thermal suite on the Jade and now get it every time I cruise. 

Which itinerary on the Jade in April? That transatlantic one caught my eye. --Mark

6 hours ago, OntarioBiMe said:

I'd love to hear more about the experience of  such a long cruise even if it was cut short.  It is on my bucket list for sure.

I am in a small, invitation only group who like to chat about past cruises, spa visits etc.  If interested send me an email.  tugger99 at live dot com  (or look at my signature)

Will email you...

Damn, my May 3rd cruise on the Emerald Princess is of course canceled . Have to wait till September 27th to check out that spa. 

The roomy facilities on the Star Princess are alive and well as of yesterday. 

Dave,

Looking forward to meeting you and Steve for a drink. Shall we look for you at the first LGBT meet & greet? No real excursions planned. We are planning to go to Mantamar Beach Club, near the blue chairs. https://mantamarvallarta.com/en.  Not sure how much is available in La Paz or Loreto although I think I read that La Paz has a whale museum that might be worth seeing. Because Cabo is an overnight, I am tempted to do a day pass at a resort or even stay overnight in town. 

Mark

My friend Dan and I just booked this cruise. Any other "family" onboard? 

Mark

Anyone else booked on this sailing? I'll be traveling with my favorite female couple. Hope we have a good turnout at the LGBT mixer.

--Mark

I just booked a solo trip this morning - first time cruising single. Hope to see some "family" on board. Please reach out if you are going!

Mark from Seattle

Yes, hopefully we will have a good turnout at Friends of Dorothy who aren't on Cruise Critic. I think my group will be dining together most nights but with 13 of us, I don't think they will be able to fit us all at one table. Looking forward to meeting you both.

Mark

PS: Gin or Vodka martinis? I'm gin.