tony11727

Looking forward to my first trip on Encore. Group of friends and I were supposed to be on Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady this week, but it was cancelled and redeployed. lad we were able to find something to fill the gap.

I sailed Epic 12/16/2022. I knew about the bathrooms, I just shrug my shoulders at that. It doesn’t bother me and I’ve stayed at European and Asian hotels that were laid out similar. It was a hot design for about a minute. 
 

As to cleanliness, the ship was spotless. In 20 years of sailing with NCL, I’ve never encountered anything but spotless ships. 

I sail NCL exclusively, but sailing with my travel group on this trip. I’ve hear lots of negative reviews on the check in process, so hoping that’s worked out by Feb!

On 2/17/2019 at 12:07 PM, SeaTheW0rld said:

Epic was launched in 2009.  Still, I've been on MUCH older ships that were cleaner.  Epic has ground-in dirt from years of neglect.

 

Don't even get me started on the weird bathrooms.  I hope you are sailing with someone you know VERY well. 

 

 

I sailed epic for New Years. 2019/2020. It was spotless. 

On 5/24/2021 at 6:59 PM, atexsix said:

I think somebody should be free to do whatever is the most comfortable, in fact I'm always wondering how "out" I should be with my own roll calls and cruises; especially when we're talking 14+ day sailings, that can be a long time to deal with unpleasantness.  I've watched table mates in the dining room go from sweet as honey to complete ogres in seconds when politics came up during the meal, not appropriate I know and definitely not initiated by me, I'm not a big fan of politics!  Another time a woman approached a friend and I after assuming we were a couple (we weren't); she wanted us to befriend her son, who was gay with no friends and she was worried in a genuine motherly way.  I actually felt sorry for her but in the end preferred not to get involved, setups never turn out well.

 

But I digress, most of the time I stay under the radar, at least until I've had a chance to feel out the crowd.  FOD meetings are not well attended on HAL ships. I've attended 3 I think, and a 4th where I stayed in the back to see who showed up, not quite hiding as you alluded to... but it didn't matter anyway, because nobody showed up which was sad because I was very lonely on that cruise. 

Have you sailed NCL? Of course every sailing is different but I’ve found their LGBT meet ups are fairly well attended and I’ve maid some wonderful friendships.  part of that I think is that I am from Long Island and almost always sail from NY. I often meet people that are practically neighbors.
 

I also belong to a great travel group. And though I’m the token gay (LoL) they are a great, open bunch and always welcoming of new members. Heck, I joined at the start of lockdown at a friend’s suggestion. Our twice weekly Zoom happy hours/ game nights got me through the worst of the pandemic!

Just booked on Epic for Dec 16-23 2022. I’m a little worried about getting home for Christmas given the airline situation, but hoping for the best!

Seasoned cruiser, but going on my first MSC cruise February 19 2023. Looking forward to it. MSC has a reputation for beautiful ships. 

Looking forward to sailing in February. Sailing with my travel group. Fingers crossed that there are no changes. 

Just a month away! The anticipation is maddening!

I am too. So looking forward to it. 

Hey everyone, as you all know, gender orientation doesn't necessarily have anything at all to do with sexual preference. However, I thought this forum would be the CLOSEST one for me to post in, so please bear with me.

 

Whether you're straight, gay, whatever, reading this, I wanted to know if anyone had any experience either crossdressing themselves, or with a travel mate, or someone perhaps they even got to know relatively well while cruising. I'll be aboard an NCL ship, not that it really matters.

 

I was just curious as to how things might get sticky when cruise employees scan your ID card, what kind of reactions/acceptance among other cruisers, etc.

 

I go ALL out and am actually pretty passable, despite being almost 6'2" (I can't wear very high heels without absolutely TOWERING over almost everyone, though *Sad Face*). Still, those more perceptive/cynical could read me, and again, the whole cruise ID thing.

 

Anyone shed any info/experiences/advice for me, please?

It’s been my experience, on NCL at least that the crew is very accepting.i don’t think you’ll have a problem on the ship. But you may have an issue getting on and off t the various ports if your presentation does not match your government ID/passport or the name on your room key. You might want to try you cruise line’s accessibility desk to get better clarification..

I'm traveling solo on this sailing - long time dream of doing a proper transatlantic crossing. NCL has LGBT gatherings nightly. In the past, they have been at Shakers martini bar on Breakaway. Attendance varies; depends mostly on the makeup of the passengers for each particular cruise.

You won't have a problem on NCL. Half the crew are family.

We disembarked the Escape this am after a beautiful cruise to Bermuda. I have no complaints with the crew of the Escape but they need to come up with a better way to get 4000 people off the boat.

 

The line to get off the boat started just passed the 7 th floor elevators and round through Osheehans twice, passed around the Staircase back through the casino and then merged with another line outside along the starboard rails. That was just to get to the ramp to get off the ship. It took us an hour to go through the line, get off the ship and passport control.

 

 

I had asked several people where the Platinum Plus priority line was. I was told every time I was already in it.

 

 

Again, I have no problems with the crew or the ship. Just wanted to put this out there incase someone was thinking about an early flight. You will need to schedule yourself time enough to get off the boat.

I'm always amazed at the crowds getting off the ship. I've tried getting on line with my bags early, going with the last color, and have disembarked with Haven priority. It's never done the same way twice. Personally, I think the problem is the terminal. It was built when a huge ship carried 600 passengers. The design just isn't workable for ships this large, which really should be disembarking at both ends. Maybe NYC will someday realize the potential and expand the pier terminal.

Bottled/canned beer yes. Canned soda is not included in the UBP and you will be charged for it. Also, you will be charged for anything you take out of the minibar in the room. Those items are also excluded.

My first cruise will be this spring, on NCL booked into a studio cabin. I have two fears, one neurotic and the other, sadly, likely to be real. Both pertain to the studio lounge. I'm a 60-something man.

 

The neurotic one: I suspect that most studios will be occupied by much younger travelers (the women know, close to my age and who might go on a cruise, would all want more luxurious accommodations). My fear is that, if I visit the studio lounger, younger passengers will resent my presence.

 

The likely-real one: I suspect even more strongly that if I were to enter the studio lounge while a woman was alone there, she would immediately get up and leave, because it's too secluded to risk being alone with a strange man. (Am I calling myself strange? I suppose so.) I don't expect to spend much time there, but it's reputed to have the best free coffee on the ship. Maybe I should say as I walk in, "Just getting coffee," grab it, and leave. I would probably take the coffee somewhere else to drink anyway.

 

Anyone have relevant experience?

I've stayed in the studios a number of times. There will be guests of all ages starting at 21. There's no way to predict how it will skew on your cruise, but no one is going to resent you in being there. As for a lady exiting the lounge, I imagine there are paranoid people that might, but the lounge isn't secluded and there are people in and out all the time. And, by design, it is restricted to people sailing in the studios. My advice, don't worry about any of this and go enjoy your cruise!

I used to order $2 dollar bills from the bank before leaving and hand them out as novelty but they were always new and fresh bills that the staff had not seen in general, i think they thought i was giving out counterfeit so now i load up on dollar bills.

I'd love to know what bank you went to that had an abundance of $2 bills on hand! I've got a few tucked away and they are a true rarity.

Cheap people disgust me.

I couldn't agree with you more!

Looks like Platinum status gets you two free specialty dinners. How do you book them do you have to wait until you are on board?

I just became platinum and tried booking them in advance and was told that since they were outside the dining package, I would want to wait until I am on board to book them. I was told to let the hostess know I had the free dinner voucher when I was seated and they will take it instead of charging your room (or the dining package) for the dinner.

I'm looking at booking a single solo cabin on NCL next year' date=' as NCL appears to be my best bet without paying a extraordinary single supplement.[/quote']

 

I've sailed NCL's solo cabins many times and they are great. Small, yes, but functional. And you can't beat the price!

I echo Spartan1234x's sentiments. It is great that you're taking this cruise. I'd just suggest going to the singles meet and greets. I've traveled NCL solo man times and you never know what interesting people you will meet. Go, say hi, and just mingle. It may be hard at first, but you'll probably find that there are others traveling solo that feel just as shy and intimidated and just need someone to say hello to open up. up. Remember, you all have a love a cruising in common, so start a conversation based on that and you'll be surprised how easy it is to swap stories and advice. Have a wonderful time!

Thank you, this is incredibly helpful information! NCL Escape is one of the ships I was looking at to begin with and NCL in general because of their solo cabins and lounge. Do you have personal experience with either of these or even the ones I have listed? good/bad experiences?

I very much agree, NCL's Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, and Escape all of solo cabins and lounges. There is a cruise director assigned to to host small meet and and greets nightly; if nothing else but to facilitate a round of introductions and put together groups that want company for dinners and excursions.

That said, the solo passengers range from singles from 18 (traveling with parents, but old enough for the solo room) to senior citizens who book up the solo cabins on tours. You never know who you'll meet, but that's half the fun.

I'll be sailing solo on the Breakaway on Oct 1st. The LGBT meet-ups seem to be scheduled at 8 pm...that is soooo in the middle of either dinner or getting to a show...

 

Any suggestions for those who have sailed with meeting up with other Gaysters on the Breakaway?

 

Yes...I posted a roll call on here...not a single response yet.

 

HLR

I agree, the timing is not at all convenient. it means either an early or late dinner and juggling to get a show in around it.

How you kept your composure is impressive in my eyes. Sometimes I wonder if people are stupid or just insensitive. As empathy for other human beings is almost dead these days replaced by judgement I wonder where we will be in 10 years as a society.

I know we are all grown ups, but it amazes me what some people have to put up with.

I will take heed on some of the guidance provided in previous responses. The tough part is crafting comebacks not knowing the other persons potential for escalation. Makes me think of the time I was asked why I wasn't married....having had substantial pre dinner cocktails I responded by saying well I never found the right man. The wife said you mean women, I Said no, man. Her husband then threw his beer in my face. Ya just nevah know. Gee maybe

I need a big burly mate to make them apprehensive in asking rude questions....heaven knows my ugly mug doesn't deter them👹

Peter....role play? Good comeback. Hope to sail with you and Richard in the future, hopefully a RSVP cruise someplace exotic. I considered the Feb cruise , but as a single, the cost was substantially more than the Windstar Star Breeze I booked. Not a gay charter, but a much more intimate ship. I will say I don't find rude people on the smaller ships but there can always be that one...

The responses from other posters on this thread have been interesting, sad, informative but most important not judge mental....goes to show we are all together in the journey through life.

Now to countdown till the Jade in Nov......the personalities on the cruise roll call are very strong....should be an interesting cruise. Everyone's responses should provide me some good responses to queries....or is it queeries. 🤓

I really hope you called security about the guy that through the beer in your face. I don't know of any cruise line that would stand for that.

This is a good thread!

 

I am a woman who is trans and at dinner on board with our children my wife and I were asked "which one is the mother?" I did say I was their father and it was taken as a joke and got laughs. This was with a lovely gay couple that we have become friends with and like very much. I did treat it as a teaching moment and sat down in private telling them about me and offered to answer any questions about being trans they had.

 

We had a cabin attendant ask if we wanted our beds separated with an apology that they were together. I just told him no.

 

On a shore tour once I was asked if I "had the surgery?" I am tempted to say "let's talk about your genitals/ surgeries first" but I didn't :-).

I can sort of understand their confusion if you said that you were the kids' father if they didn't realize you were trans. The room stewards are in an awkward position not really knowing what the guests would prefer in terms of how the bed should be set up, but I've never had one bat an eye about it. Someone asking about the surgery is completely out of line. I give you credit for a) biting your tongue and not saying anything and b) not decking them!