Jump to content

Jamaica - Warning for GLBT Cruisers


JennN
 Share

Recommended Posts

I am going on a holiday cruise with my partner and wanted to hear more about your Falmouth excursion.

 

(My partner is paraplegic, but Falmouth is the only suggested excursion for accessibility on the cruise)

 

In Cozumel, we have a private company we work with for things to do

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am going on a holiday cruise with my partner and wanted to hear more about your Falmouth excursion.

 

(My partner is paraplegic, but Falmouth is the only suggested excursion for accessibility on the cruise)

 

In Cozumel, we have a private company we work with for things to do

 

What other ports are you stopping in? We have been to the islands many times and find most are accessible with a scoter. (My partner needs a scoter to get around) The only thing that might stand. in your way would be if you have to tender into the port.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

also visiting Cozumel and Georgetown. We visited Cozumel a few years back on a Princess cruise. (Will not cruise with them again, lied to us about access to tender ports.) Princess did not have an official accessible cruise at any stop, but we booked a private company that was great. They even arranged parasailing for us.

 

our next cruise in December is with Royal Caribbean..I hear they are better in dealing with people who have a disability

Link to comment
Share on other sites

also visiting Cozumel and Georgetown. We visited Cozumel a few years back on a Princess cruise. (Will not cruise with them again, lied to us about access to tender ports.) Princess did not have an official accessible cruise at any stop, but we booked a private company that was great. They even arranged parasailing for us.

 

our next cruise in December is with Royal Caribbean..I hear they are better in dealing with people who have a disability

 

I don't know if I would hold the cruise line responsible to have accessible ports. It's the port that is or is not accessible or the tour company. Yes the cruise line should be up front with you about any of there tours. What Royal ship will you be on in December? We are sailing on the Ledged, 12 nights over Christmas and New Years out of Tampa.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Port access I was talking about. It was Princess policy about tender boats that they lied about.

I called them to make sure that my partner could be placed in a tender boat to go to Belize before I booked. I also asked their access and compliance people in many emails only to be assured that in good weather the crew would help get him and his chair into the tender boat.

 

Well, the ship mail the night before we arrived at Belize stated "a person must be able to stand and walk into the tender boat to go ashore"

 

They lied to me over and again when I asked them about this. The weather and tides were not a factor.

 

Holland America was a different story and even gave a lift to place a person into the tender boats.

 

Royal Caribbean is supposed to have an excellent record per reviews of other disabled people so I look forward to this cruise in December :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Port access I was talking about. It was Princess policy about tender boats that they lied about.

I called them to make sure that my partner could be placed in a tender boat to go to Belize before I booked. I also asked their access and compliance people in many emails only to be assured that in good weather the crew would help get him and his chair into the tender boat.

 

Well, the ship mail the night before we arrived at Belize stated "a person must be able to stand and walk into the tender boat to go ashore"

 

They lied to me over and again when I asked them about this. The weather and tides were not a factor.

 

Holland America was a different story and even gave a lift to place a person into the tender boats.

 

Royal Caribbean is supposed to have an excellent record per reviews of other disabled people so I look forward to this cruise in December :)

 

So sorry they did not comply with your request. We have had similar problems like this, on other lines even Royal. In the past with my partner using a mobility scooter. If you can try to talk with the officer in charge with the debarking early in the morning before the process get started. I have found they will escort you on the tender before anyone else. Same as on your return, you will get on first and secured into your seat.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My next cruise this December makes a call at Jamaica. We are not getting off the ship.

 

Unfortunately due to scheduling, we will be visiting that hell hole in May and like the previous two times will be enjoying ourselves on the ship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

It is so sad to think I could be harmed for being me on vacation. Granted, even when I originally posted this, my wife and I are cautiously out no matter where we are (sad but true) and usually get asked if we are sisters but we won't ever go back to Jamaica. 5 pages later and I am glad I posted this!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
I think the Caribbean in general is a bit iffy. I know Jamaica is particularly bad, but most ships will stop in at least one if not two or more countries in the Caribbean where being gay in the first place is illegal/outlawed. If we're going to be really good about it, we shouldn't be sailing the Caribbean at all really -- or rather, only going on cruises that visit Caribbean islands which are still territories of European nations and thus under their laws. But that's tough. Even the likes of super modern and somewhat open Singapore...we're illegal there, too, and lots of Asian cruises stop/start there.

 

I like the thought of not supporting any regimes, but I'll be the first to admit I've been to such places before.

 

I agree with this post. I am no fan of Jamaica, have only been there once and took a ship's excursion that I enjoyed very much. The Jamaicans I encountered were pretty much as friendly as folks on other islands; however, some were quite pushy and it took a firmer "no" than some other places to dissuade them.

 

But Dan1113 is correct about other islands. The Bahamas, for example, are extremely unfriendly to gays as a cultural matter, but I don't see threads on this board telling people not to go to Nassau. Heck, if we start boycotting Nassau, that will cut out at least half of the available itineraries, including some otherwise quite interesting ones, like any number of transatlantics out of Rome or Barcelona.

 

A chacun a son gout, as they say in France (sorry, no special characters available here ;)). But should the chance arise, I can't see myself passing up the chance to tour the Hermitage just because it's in St. Petersburg and I don't like Russia's attitudes toward gay people. I don't like their attitudes in Florida or Georgia either, but I loved living in Atlanta and Florida sounds pretty good on this 35 degree day in DC.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So when I cruise, I hang a giant gay flag and windsocks on my veranda. Have done this on lots of cruises, even across the Atlantic. I use those heavy duty rare-earth magnets to hold things in place, with a couple zip toes for emergency retention in case the magnets move (which they haven't yet!).

 

Well, the ship removed my flag and decorations from my Royal Suite veranda prior to our departure from Grand Cayman for our overnight journey into Falmouth Jamaica, to avoid any issues there. They allowed it to be flown from FLL to Cozumel to Grand Cayman, and even had some ship staff attend my sail-away party from FLL.

 

So there's definitely real truth to the issues in Jamaica.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So when I cruise, I hang a giant gay flag and windsocks on my veranda. Have done this on lots of cruises, even across the Atlantic. I use those heavy duty rare-earth magnets to hold things in place, with a couple zip toes for emergency retention in case the magnets move (which they haven't yet!).

 

Well, the ship removed my flag and decorations from my Royal Suite veranda prior to our departure from Grand Cayman for our overnight journey into Falmouth Jamaica, to avoid any issues there. They allowed it to be flown from FLL to Cozumel to Grand Cayman, and even had some ship staff attend my sail-away party from FLL.

 

So there's definitely real truth to the issues in Jamaica.

 

I agree that there are issues - serious, well-known ones. But they didn't stop you from taking a cruise that went there, and they aren't stopping me either. There's more to fear from walking down the street in some American big city neighborhoods, regardless of whether you're gay, than there is from being gay on a cruise ship port call to Jamaica.

 

Full disclosure to clarify my earlier post: no, I didn't like Jamaica, but it wasn't because I felt threatened/got hassled for being gay. I would probably pass on most cruises that went there just because I didn't much like the place. But this cruise I have a chance to take with my brother and his wife, it fits their schedule (they are both teachers), and I don't want to miss the chance to cruise with them - family is more important.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unfortunately due to scheduling, we will be visiting that hell hole in May and like the previous two times will be enjoying ourselves on the ship.

Time for the spa to make you both look fabulous.As if you're not fabulous enough!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 years later...
On 11/11/2014 at 1:53 PM, JennN said:

It is so sad to think I could be harmed for being me on vacation. Granted, even when I originally posted this, my wife and I are cautiously out no matter where we are (sad but true) and usually get asked if we are sisters but we won't ever go back to Jamaica. 5 pages later and I am glad I posted this!

Well, I am back 5 years later and I am going to eat my words.
 

My wife wanted to take a cruise for her birthday and one of the only cruises that worked with our time and needs was one that stops in Jamaica. We're in a REALLY nice cabin with a private pool area and have the drink package so we aren't getting off the ship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/8/2019 at 2:38 PM, JennN said:

Well, I am back 5 years later and I am going to eat my words.
 

My wife wanted to take a cruise for her birthday and one of the only cruises that worked with our time and needs was one that stops in Jamaica. We're in a REALLY nice cabin with a private pool area and have the drink package so we aren't getting off the ship.

 

I sympathize with your feelings.  I won't spend a nickel for a long vacation in Jamaica.  Things have changed for the better in recent years but not far enough. That said, If I were visiting on a cruise, I would get off the ship and at least test out the vendors close to the ship.  They're humans, some might be "family" but I would hope that not all are staunch anti-lgbt.  

 

If it doesn't feel right, get back on the ship and enjoy a discounted in-port massage.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
On 1/20/2019 at 7:00 PM, SubSmithy said:

 

I sympathize with your feelings.  I won't spend a nickel for a long vacation in Jamaica.  Things have changed for the better in recent years but not far enough. That said, If I were visiting on a cruise, I would get off the ship and at least test out the vendors close to the ship.  They're humans, some might be "family" but I would hope that not all are staunch anti-lgbt.  

 

If it doesn't feel right, get back on the ship and enjoy a discounted in-port massage.

We purchased Cheers and are in a Havana Cabana so we'll go into the port for our favorite Rum Cream and then back on board to enjoy the ship amenities!

 

lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

So glad I read this! I know some parts are not very gay friendly however the only cruises that I can work out and times are parts of Bermuda and Carribean so I was wondering If there is any more ports to try and stay away from if possible? I mean it’s not like my wife and I would be overly affectionate esp different areas we would stop at but I would want to feel a bit at ease or safe at the ports if possible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...
  • 2 months later...
On 2/11/2019 at 8:15 PM, Tk10 said:

So glad I read this! I know some parts are not very gay friendly however the only cruises that I can work out and times are parts of Bermuda and Carribean so I was wondering If there is any more ports to try and stay away from if possible? I mean it’s not like my wife and I would be overly affectionate esp different areas we would stop at but I would want to feel a bit at ease or safe at the ports if possible.

 

Sorry I am responding so late. I've been to over 15 other Caribbean islands and never had an issue. We stay with ship excursions or private tours. Jamaica is the only port we have had an issue with because we are gay.

 

Good luck and let us know where you end up! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...