welshy74

8 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

I have a granddaughter who is in a same sex relationship and who has attended some gay pride gatherings.  However whilst I have no prejudice at all against gays, I still do not understand why they feel it necessary to have such gatherings. I feel no desire to flaunt my sexual preference, or attend overt gatherings lauding them.

Oh dear TerrierJohn (my boyfriend is also a town fan BTW) 

Are you against other gatherings - Christian Bible reading get togethers, Singles get togethers, Friends of Bill W, and the many other groups that pop up from time to time?  On one cruise we even had a Welsh cruisers meet up arranged on facebook.. would that upset you too?  

If you don't wish to 'flaunt' your sexual preference I presume you never hold your wife's hand, introduce her as your wife, tell people about your family, have a nice photo with your arm around your wife (or female partner if you are not married).  

I was lucky my grandfather, when he was alive, had a very different view to yours.  

Lighten up John.. LGBT+ gatherings have ZERO impact on your cruise.. but you would be more then welcome to join one of them if you like.  You do seem very interested in the subject. 

I like a drink but never once drank over the cost of a drinks package so never really thought it’s worth it. You can take alcohol on with you, more than you can on RC, so that can make a difference. Also drinks are cheaper than RC with no 18% service charge. 
As for dress code, P&O is certainly more formal than RC and NCL.  On formal nights the vast majority will dress accordingly and it’s strictly enforced in the MDR and some venues. Shorts are a big No. 

On Celebrity Silhouette last June the ship threw a Pride night and loads of people joined in, no matter what their orientation.  It was fantastic!!  I wonder what terrierJohn and GSPG would have thought of that lol 

10 hours ago, swanseaboy said:

How fabulous! I'm 50 in August 2024 so I might join you!! 🙃

1974 was a vintage year! 😆

Does anyone have experience booking 8-10 cabins on Iona?

I am planning a cruise on Iona for my 50th in July 2024 and so far I’ve got 14 people confirmed, possibly 6 more.  
I called P&O to see if a group booking can be done and basically got ‘computer says no’ 

my big concern is dining.. as it’s freedom dining only I am concerned it’s going to be a mess.  Even getting us in Epicurean on my birthday is by chance as cannot pre book. 
 

does anyone have any tips on how to organise this size group?? 

You can take on 1lt alcohol each and no limit on soft drinks.  From experience I’ve never been stopped taking more on at each port. 

Thank you Nunagoras

KSA - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

So Alcohol not served only at port?  Are there any other rules that will impact the cruise?  I take it Qatar and UAE are ok?

Looking at an MSC cruise that docks in KSA.  Does anyone know if things will change on the ship, like alcohol consumption ?

Does anyone know if EUROPA will be able to serve Alcohol when docked at ports in KSA?

We have just booked the 27th Aug sailing on Bolette on a guarantee basis.  When does Fred normally allocate the cabin?  Most lines we have sailed with give you your cabin number 2 weeks from departure.  Is the the same with FO?

We have cruised various regions and never felt unsafe, but we don't do any PDA or run around with pride flags, so I doubt anyone takes any notice.  

Personally we chose not to pick itineraries that visit countries in the Middle East, Malaysia, Indonesia and North Africa even though I have docked in Tunisia and Morocco without issue. 

We have also be advised not to book sailings out of Galveston TX as apparently it attracts a certain type of American not to keen on gays or foreigners, both boxes we tick.   We pretty much stick with Europe which has the most gay friendly destinations globally.  

I'm 48 and often one of the younger members of the lgbt meet ups an I have never been to a meet up where there has been anyone under 30.  Not to say there are no under 30s on the ship, I just don't think they want to hang out with an older crowd.  I also find the majority of the attendees are couples, like myself. 

Thank you all for your reply’s.  I will look again at the website 

Hello

I have booked my elderly folks onto a Regal Princess cruise this summer, sailing Rome to Athens.   Neither of them are very tech savvy and neither have Iphones new enough to download the Medallion App, nor are they planning on upgrading them.   

Has anyone else been in this position?  How can they do check in as the website just directs me to the app.    To avoid stress they want me to do all the check in and print the required documents for the embarkation,  which is the only way they are used to. 

Any suggestions?

1 hour ago, hallasm said:

At this time it will be quay c333 - Oceankaj

This is North of Copenhagen - there will be public bus from the terminals to City (schedule not yet available) - closest metro is Orientkaj - 3 km (2 miles) - possible to walk.

Be back later for updated bus schedules.

Oh no, not good.  was hoping it would be much closer to the city. Not great for an overnight. 😞

So returning to the ship late at night is probably a taxi ride?  How much would this cost?  

11 hours ago, gnome12 said:

From the signature Celebrity Silhouette May 2022

We arrive into Copenhagen on the afternoon of 01 June 22 on Silhouette 

Hello

Does anyone know which terminal is used by Celebrity in Copenhagen.  As St Petersburg has rightly been cancelled we now have an overnight in Copenhagen.  

Where are you sailing, Europe or Caribbean?  If Europe then expect a very European experience.  Service is not what Americans expect and tipping more won’t necessarily change that either.  Announcements can be a bit annoying but they need to cater for A multi national passenger base.  Same for the entertainment, it’s designed to entertain everyone regardless of language, so don’t expect comedians.  
if you are sailing Caribbean then I understand it’s tweaked for American guests, but still staying true to its European foundations . 
 

I know a few people  that were on the Valiant Lady mermaiden cruise this weekend and it certainly looked fun!  So many pics and vids on insta and I’m sure lots of YouTube content will follow, however I’m still not sold on Virgin Voyages.  Food is meant to be outstanding but I really don’t like the cabin style, tiny pool deck and the style over substance vibe onboard.  It all seems a bit too ‘try hard’ and too far removed from the traditional cruise experience I love.  

2 hours ago, cublet said:

Hello,

 

I'll be on after you on 11th June.

 

Please do me a favour and ensure that there will be at least two weeks supply of genuine Prosecco and Argentinian Malbec left on board for me. 🤣

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Loath Prosecco but I might make a dent in the supply of Argentinian Malbec !!

Super excited!!  have joined some really fun lgbt groups on past cruises so fingers crossed for a good crowd on Silhouette.  

Hello

We are on Celebrity Silhouette on 30th May and this will be our first Celebrity cruise. 

Does anyone know what time the LGBT meet up would normally be on embarkation day?  We have a restaurant booked so hoping there is no clash.  

Thanks

Kevin 

4 hours ago, seashanty62 said:

Hi

Shame about the noise but glad you had a great cruise. Did you notice if the age range was a lot younger on this cruise?

Complete mix to be honest.  Quite a few multi generational families but I would say 35-55 made up the majority. 

2 hours ago, the wandering two said:

Deck 16 fwd inside in January, not a peep.

I think this is a balcony issue.  Friend had a deck 5 inside and total silence