BayAreaBC

We were thinking of a helicopter or airplane glacier tour but the recent tour plane crash from a Princess cruise scared us off.

If anyone has recommendations we would be interested.  

I find it interesting that every port that this cruise docks has legal recreational marijuana.  I'm sure you can't smoke anything on board but there are probably edibles available at the ports.   RSVP doesn't offer drink packages and liquor is confiscated if brought aboard.  Edibles would be easy to carry in your pockets though (not that I would do that of course).

RSVP is always slow about info on party themes, baggage tags and basically everything.

You probably won't get any info from them until a month before the cruise.

We booked also.  It will be our first time to Alaska.  We don't like cold weather but have been to Mexico and the Caribbean so many times that we want to see new ports and scenery.

I think I'll wait for reviews and feedback about Vacaya before booking.  One thing I resent about gay charter cruises is that they are more expensive and offer no discounts or perks.  I guess the entertainment is a perk.  The headliners I've seen are definitely not A listers but performers like Miss Richfield and the aforementioned acrobatic show deserve to be IMHO.

The RSVP Alaska cruise is open for booking.  I am surprised they announced it this late.  I guess they have a lot of repeat business.  Does anyone have experience with Vacaya or Brand G?  I wonder if they are more professional.

The RSVP/Atlantis cruises seem to focus mostly on organizing theme parties and entertainment.  Their gay acrobatic show is Cirque du Soleil quality.

We are also waiting for the announcement. RSVP/Atlantis always announces their charter cruises first to previous customers. The last cruise I took with them one of the staff/volunteers told me that only a handful of people are actually paid by the company (Rich the owner, the cruise director and an assistant). Thus they aren't very responsive.

I do think the extra expense for RSVP/Atlantis cruises are worth it. The entertainment is first rate and makes for a memorable time. Even the staff seem to enjoy them since it's not their standard customers of complaining bitter people.

Even if you are an old bitter queen (like me I guess) you will be welcomed and treated well. Just don't be judgmental about the young sluts.

I am considering booking the inaugural cruise on 12/16/18 from FLL. However, from researching other inaugural cruiselines from other cruise companies I found that often inaugural cruises can be rescheduled. Does anyone know what happens if an inaugural Celebrity cruise is rescheduled? Do you get a full refund or do they just sail on another ship?

Note the top deck is Deck 11, the Sports Deck. There is no Deck 13 on the Oosterdam.

Maybe if enough people complain they will go back to better technology like the Victrola.

A PV tour company has been advertising outings in Puerto Vallarta

http://gaypv.mx/hop/tours/

Don't know how good or expensive they are. Most people are probably heading on their own to the gay beach (Blue and Green chairs at southern end of Romantic Zone). Cabo and Mazatlan are relatively short port stays in comparison to PV.

Note the last time I was at all 3 port calls I found Cabo most expensive, than PV and Mazatlan cheapest for souvenirs and artwork. Cabo actually has a state department warning due to high levels of drug violence. If you want to snorkel though Cabo had the best snorkeling.

The party themes are

Superstars

Everyone’s famous in this media-crazed world, and tonight is our celebration of stars from every realm. From sports to super, movie to musical, now to never, reality to regal, exquisite to x-rated, they’re all invited. Voyeurs and paparazzi more than welcome!

Under the Sea

Get down in a whole new way at our sexy underwater fantasy world! Mermaids, mermen, sailors, lost swimmers, lifeguards, mythic heroes, and all other sea creatures welcome. Or put on some goggles and enjoy the show!

Atlantis White Party

Simply the hottest, sexiest, and most outrageous party at sea. One fabulous color. Endless possibilities. And everybody looks good in it!

Dog Tag T-Dance

The longest-running Atlantis signature party brings everyone together for an afternoon of inspired silliness. Start with a very loose interpretation of military wear and we’ll do the rest.

Soaked! T-Dance

Get ready to get WET at the wildest, silliest party in Atlantis history. It’s a splashdown by the pool where everyone’s a kid again. Water guns and toys allowed within reason, but you must check them in upon arrival and they will be delivered to your room the morning of the party. Please don’t pack in your checked luggage.

Revival Classic Disco T-Dance

Disco lives on as we take you back to the glory days of the 70s with an afternoon of pure musical magic on the dance floor. Artificial fabrics, excess facial hair, oversized shoes, and other obnoxious accessories welcome!

I am doing a full transit of the Panama Canal in November and am looking into excursions in Colon, Panama.

What, if any, are the advantages of the ferry transit and Gatun locks transit if you are doing a full transit on the cruise ship?

Colon sounds like a not very nice town. What are the best excursions from there if you are on a full transit cruise?

RFamily Vacations

http://www.rfamilyvacations.com/

Never been on it but it's for LGBT families. Rosie O'Donnell was a backer so may be more L focused.

Unfortunately, the bigoted generation appears to now be some of the younger generation as recent events in Virginia have demonstrated.

Some of the HA cruises from San Diego to Ft Lauderdale have a lot of sea days and few port stops. However, I'm taking the Oosterdam from SD to FLL this November since the price is low for a 15 day cruise. I'll let you know what I think after the cruise.

The cruise staff is rarely a problem on any cruise. Passengers and ports are another story. I personally avoid nearly all Caribbean ports besides San Juan and the ABCs. Worst homophobic behavior I've seen was from an Australian guy on a NZ/Oz cruise.

IME, many of the tour operators have contracts with the cruise line, and will not accept direct bookings.

Read tripadvisor.com and you can determine who to book with. It typically takes them a couple days to respond.

We pre-booked through the tour operators directly.

Prices are a third to half of the cruise prices.

The first port Windstar stops is Moorea. In the unlikely event that you can't make the ferry to Papeete you can almost certainly board in Cook's Bay on Moorea. Call Windstar directly your travel agent doesn't seem to be very well informed.

Lugging tuxes, dress shirts and shoes, cummerbunds, ties, cufflinks etc is part of the fun of traveling. It's also very relaxing on a vacation to spend a few hours ironing them.

Don't forget your spanx and girdle!

Mass market cruises are not yachts or churches. Chartering a yacht is a better option for some people.

I've always found the wiccan services disappointing too.

This is good information for those of us who do not wish to cruise with children.

You aren't supposed to swim at the bio bay in Vieques either. Our guide said that some people still did it though by sneaking in after the organized tours leave. I would not recommend doing it on your own. The road to the bio bay is awful and a 4WD is needed.

Note the mosquitoes which transmit Zika are active during the day not at night.

Which bio bay tour are you interested in? The Vieques bio bay is far better than the Fajardo one. There are many tour operators but if there is a full moon the tours are not offered.

The tour I took on Vieques was outstanding and the bio bay there is not to be missed.