dantobey

Any updates on the Backpacks for the School kids?

I'll be back yet again in 2018. Same cabin as 2017. Looking forward to seeing all my RSVP friends, old and new.

Just reading this thread now for the first time. Let me start by saying I am a former Travel Agency Owner. Did my first of 53+ cruises in 1971 on HAL'[s Rotterdam V. Been on 13 or 14 RSVP cruises, a couple Atlantis and several Pied Piper Gay Group Sailings. Never been on a bad cruise yet, straight, All Gay or Gay Group, just love them all. RSVP, by far, is hands down the most fun and GREATEST value for your money. Atlantis in spite of what others have said here is more young, single and party all day and night. Atlantis is great if that is what you are seeking.

No one should be afraid to try an ALL Gay Cruise. Just know what type of entertainment you are looking for and remember you can't please all the people, all the time. I look forward to see all my RSVP friends old and new February 1918.

Signed on to see what's been happening on the Thread. I have not booked my flight yet but have been looking at prices. They are much higher this year than they have been.

Also just booked the RSVP river boat sailing for next summer. a bit pricey but I know it will be a great time. Did one in 2013 that was great.

Really happy they are returning to HAL. I am booked and can't wait for opportunity to see you Peter and other good friends

Dan

Hope everyone arrived FLL safe and sound. Hunters and Village Pub are both doing RSVP parties tonight. The Manor is doing one too 11:00 pm to 4:00 am.

Looking forward to seeing everyone T the Meet and Greet.

Dan

I was n the very first sailing he hosted. Then on many more over the next several years. He had great wit. So sad and so young too.

Just announced!

 

Itinerary:

Feb 8 - Fort Lauderdale 4 pm

Feb 9 - Princess Cays 9 am - 5 pm

Feb 10 - At Sea

Feb 11 - Cozumel 10 am - 7 pm

Feb 12 - At Sea

Feb 13 - Grand Cayman 7 am - 5 pm

Feb 14 - At Sea

Feb 15 - Fort Lauderdale

Hi Peter,

Knew I would find a thread started by you. Called the travel agency yesterday to book. Prices are great...... .Back in 1989 RSVP prices started at $999. Hope you are going to organize the CC get together again?

This is only the second time for me in Miami and both times the disembarkation was awful, not the fault of the cruise line but CBP both times. Never had issue in Fort Lauderdale. Only 2 CBP agents checking people out when i left shortly after 10 am

Yes got off at 10:45 and had delay with customs. Part of the Problem was guys not having their passport and customs form out and in hand. Group of three in front of us stood there unti thy were called and then dug through their bags to find them. Customs guard didn't let overs go in front of them.

I felt Divina was a great ship. Better in some ways than HAL. Brad, Paul J. Rachel and Randle along with the rest of he RSVP staff tried to resolve any problems quickly. Overall they Dora great job. Good entertainment, something for everyone.

We made it to the airport and through TSA in short amount of time. $24 total for taxi from the port to MIA. Easier, cheaper and better than bus transfers.

Dan

Back to reality... disembarked in Miami

 

The cruise for February 2015 was not finalized. They hope to announce it soon.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

I know that MSC was not prefect but the price was right and the ship beautiful. I hope Randle and others use her next February. She will only improve. Which we had a few more days.

Dan

Hope everyone has made it or will make it to Florida in time for our cruise. I know several people who have miss their flights.

One friend left Phildelphia area last evening about 5:00 pm and is driving. Last report was roads were clear but slow going.

Another couple from Rehoboth Beach area who were to leave BWI yesterday morning are now rebooked for tomorrow. Hopefully they'll take off in time and make the ship.

Cool but sunny in Fort Lauderdale this morning, only 50. Looking forward to a great time on our cruise.

Dan and Jack

OMG! The weatherman says some significant snow expected right when we are due to leave for Miami. For an enormous amount of cash, we got our flights changed to Wednesday morning. With the expectation for Atlanta to get ice and snow, a lot of people may not be as lucky. See you on the Divina.

Some airlines are allowing people to rebook because of the pending strom without a charge. Problem is most flight are pretty well booked up into both Miami and Fort Lauderdale at this point anyway.

Last week I double check my flights which were purchased last June to discover we were on a 7:30 AM flight tomorrow 02/12/14. I thought we were on a 7:30 PM filght. At first I was upset that I was missing another day from work. Now I am happy to be out of Philly prior to any storm hitting in the evening hours.

Start a new thread ;)

Randle talked about this one last summer when we sailed on the RSVP Blue Danube Riverboat sailing. Funny that they are only just now releasing it. I known over the past several summers they have done two and have Sold Out quickly. With only 138 passenger maybe they are thing this sailing will sell quickly too?

While I would love to go I don't know that is is in the cards this year. Their Riverboat Cruises are great. I have to rank it up their with one of the best vacations I have ever taken. Needless to say a more mature crowd that their Caribbean sailings but wonderful. Ending formPride in Amsterdam is the Crown Jewel for this sailing.

Dan

RSVP ALL GAY RIVER CRUISE FROM ZURICH TO AMSTERDAM FLOATING PRIDE!

July 23-Aug 1, 2014

RSVP announces their latest adventure with a brand new river cruise from the heart of Switzerland to Amsterdam - arriving just in time for an overnight during their world-famous "floating" gay pride celebration.

Your journey begins with two fabulous nights in Zürich before boarding the luxurious and intimate 138-guest Avalon Affinity for 7 magical nights cruising the Rhine River. Highlights along the way include a visit to Strasbourg, capital of France's Alsace wine region, as well as an overnight stay in one of Europe's most progressive cities - Cologne, Germany.

Andre, the Divina's Cruise Director, also confirmed to me that they were in fact docked in Old San Juan today.

Been getting some pointers from our Head Office Staff person She was born there and use to live not too far from the Sheraton.

Now if I can only get all my work done before we fly to Fort Lauderdale next Wednesday. Cashed in miles last June for what I thought was a 7:00 PM flight. Discovered last night while making rental car arrangements that is is a 7:00 AM flight. No seats availible on the evening flights. In fact USAirways is pretty much sold out on all thier flight from PHilly to Fort Lauderdale or Miami next week. My office will have to do with out me for an extra day.

Got a "full size sedan" BIG Impala through priceline at $28 per day. Pick up at the Airport in Fort Luaderdale and drop of at a Budget location in Miami 1 mile from port. Only $10.00 per taxi to the port, Budget has no shuttle. Car is large enough for the four men traveling together plus all the baggage my friends will be bringing. Me, I travel light one carry on should do it.

Looking forward to leaving the COLD, SNOW and ICE of Philly.

Dan

I was looking forward to seeing DJ Mick Hale again too. :mad: They only had 3 DJ's and now (I think anyway.....) they're up to 5 DJ's! I mean isn't this ship big enough to house more? That way you can have the different music going on at the same time. I certainly feel with a ship of this stature, there's going to be obvious "cliques" throughout the ship. (Bears over there, leather guys over there, twinks over there, jocks over there, etc.) Just watch.........I have a feeling it's not going to be as "welcoming" as what I experienced last year. I could be way way wrong but let's just see. Either way, I would've like to have danced to his mixes again.

I know last year Mick Hale and his partner were actually booked to sail on the cruise when they tapped him to be a DJ. I don't think he booked this year thinking that he would be asked back. I know he is available. I liked himn a lot.

Not sure if there will be those "cliques" you talk about on the ship. Groups of friends will always hang out together. The only thing that bothers me is the Yacht Club. Friends we are traveling with booked it. Now they are wondering if they can invite friends to their cabin or to spend time with them by the Yacht Club pool. While they get free drinks the main reason they booked was for a large suite like cabin. From the reports I have read the Yacht Club cabins and balcony are not that much large than the standard balcony cabns. I know they are paying over twice person than the cabin I booked with an extra large balcony. I also hope MSC has enough booze and bartenders for our group.

Dan

I just heard that the late night DJ from last year's Eurodam sailing, Mick Hale, has not been asked back this year. He was the cute DJ for one of the Tea Dances as well. I think it was the Blue Party. Mick Hale is a long time favorite DJ in Asbury Park. Not sure why RSVP is not having him this year.

Info provided by Randle on the RSVP message board site: the drink vouchers are 10cm x 5 cm (2" x 4" for the metrically challenged Americans) and come in booklets of 15 each (3mm or 1/8" thick)

Peter do you know the cost for a booklet of 15? One voucher = one drink? Well liquor and beer?

We saw Leslie Jordan on our first RSVP cruise in 2005! It was the funniest show I have seen yet, but he also brought emotional tears to your eyes. So happy to have him back! (Although I heard he performed at The Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach and created quite a hissy fit stir that they said they would never have him back here!).

We saw him twice last winter in Fort Lauderdale. One night in Alibi for a warm up for his full show the following night a Bill's Filling Station. Funny but same old jokes if you have seen the show he did on TV. Hopefully he update his material.

I will be on an RSVP cruise for the first time next month and the entertainment looks great, but I was also looking forward to some of the ship's shows that had been described on the boards. Does the RSVP entertainment replace the regular shows or do they have both--the regular shows plus the RSVP shows? Or does it vary by cruise?

They do both. There is a whole 25 page thread about our sailing. Look for RSVP MSC Divin 2.15.14 in the G&L Roll Calls forum of the Message board Forum.

Dan

It sound like we can have a real party watching the "box" sets. Love the idea. Who is bring the chips and dip?

I mean really... when will you have time to watch DVDs on a RSVP cruise?! :eek:

 

Or are they "specialty" DVDs. ;)

Peter I like that term, "Specialty". So much better than "porn", lol. Do you have the answer about the DVD player attached to the TV?

Thanks for your work on the m&g and all of the info you've posted here. My partner and I are cruise and RSVP virgins. What times do the tdances happen? We've heard that there will be country western dancing on board. Does anyone know when and where?

 

Thanks

 

dw

First cruise and RSVP. WOW, you'll be spoiled for any other cruises in the future that are not RSVP. Welcome aboard.

Dan

Does anyone know if there are DVD players built-in to the TV's?

I just heard back from Rachel at RSVP that is helping coordinate the M&G (she is boarding Divina tomorrow with Randle and the gang for a final checkout).

 

The Meet and Greet will be at 1 pm Golden Jazz Bar on February 16th. (From Rachel who is coordinating entertainment: "That works best with other RSVP scheduled events.")

 

The Golden Jazz Bar was my favorite bar from what we saw on the tour. :)

 

 

Thanks Peter for the update. I met both Rachel and Randle this past summer on our RSVP Riverboat sailing on the Danube. Rachel is wonderful and lots of fun to be with. Randle is a great guy too.

Dan