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GLBT meetings on Carnival


robear14
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My observations...

 

The FOD gatherings need to be listed as "GLBT/FOD Gathering" to accurately convey the exact nature of the group.

 

The Cruise Director sets the time and location. If it is an odd time or location, someone has to step forward and request he/she change it. I've done it several times... always for an improvement. If you have a straight CD, face it; they are just being PC. We need to make it better for us.

 

It doesn't work for some, and doesn't work on some port days, but the best time is to set it up as a before dinner cocktail hour.

 

It's rare, but occasionally a GLBT staff or crew, usually someone from the entertainment staff, will show up and it makes a huge difference. I've heard some will order over some snacks; if not then a smart bartender or server does. Surprising how it can make a difference.

 

Every group needs an extrovert, and tipping extra will make you welcome. Being welcome helps.

 

We generally go every night... first night is usually the most difficult for an early gathering, but otherwise we are faithful attendees. We generally make friends and share shore excursions, hang out in the casino, or a lunch in the Lido. But if you want to make friends, you gotta be friendly.

 

Make it what you want... lead the way... be an FOD activist!

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  • 2 weeks later...

FoD - for me, I'd like to go but my wife isn't much of a people person, let along a "meeting strangers" kinda gal. And I've been reluctant to go alone as so it doesn't look like I am trolling.

 

On top of which, forced meetings, to be, has never been much fun. I don't care about meeting only GLBT folks - as many that we meet on the cruise are of all orientations.

 

I am not ruling going one day - maybe on our next cruise in December?

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Carnival is calling them GLBT meetings. We've only cruised twice. The first cruise, no one showed up. Our cruise a month ago was disappointing also with only 3 men and one female showing up. My wife and I don't drink, so sitting at a bar is awkward, and as MalibuBoi804 stated, you kind of feel on display. Perhaps there aren't a lot of "us" cruising on Carnival cruises because of their Family Fun billing. The truth is, we've had a great time on Carnival together, and Carnival must offer a wonderful kids program because I never see them. We introduced ourselves on the roll call, but never met other same-sex couples. We did meet some nice, fun straight couples during the trivia contests, though, and truly, people are people. We're married and not looking to hook up. Would it have been nice to meet another lesbian couple, sure, but just go to have fun!

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My wife of 14 years and I will be on the Carnival Fantasy leaving July 29th. This will be our first straight cruise and will also be traveling with my family. Was wondering if anyone else will be traveling with their partners or if anyone has been on Fantasy and what's the vibe toward same sex couples. A little apprehensive about it.

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My wife and I just did the Fantasy in November and it was an experience. We're used to cruising out of LGBT friendly ports (Baltimore, NYC, Boston), so it was a change. We didn't have any negative experiences per se, but there were some awkward moments when we dined with other people.

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This is just a general observation with a few follow up questions -

 

I've now been on 4 Carnival cruises and on every cruise there's been a GLBT or Friends of Dorothy Meeting listed on the FunTimes (Carnival's daily events brochure if you've never been on Carnival). There's always been one listed for every day of the cruise, but my husband and I only go to the one on the first night... and we're the only ones that go!

 

We've also never seen any signage or Carnival staff to organize the meeting at the specified spot... But we do always notice more than one gay couple on the ship, so we know they're on board.

 

Do people just not go on the first night? Is it a Carnival thing? Do people just not go to these meet and greets in general?:confused:

 

I have noticed that myself on the past Carnival cruises my hubby and I have been on. There is never someone from the crew to help the guests mingle, and sometimes it's hard to tell who is there for it, if anyone else even shows up at all. :confused:

 

On our 2nd Princess cruise several years ago, we went to a meeting, that had a crewmember leading the group, which helped to break the ice. But on cruises since this hasn't seemed to happen.

 

I hope we have better luck on our next cruise this September in the Miracle. :D

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Hello there

 

After much hesitation my friend and I decided to attend the GBLT get together on the first night of our Halloween cruise last year on Carnival Elation

 

We met THE best group of gay men I have ever met on a ship

 

We had so much fun and I was expecting very little

 

I would always go along from now on

 

I agree that it is a bit sad that the gay officers and crew do not attend but they try and shy away from any shenanigans and I suppose that encouraging that would not look right?

 

I hope you enjoy your birthday cruise!

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I find that the first night or two and early on can be quiet, but that later in the evening and later in the week people always seem to come out. We usually will go early-ish and stick it out. Lately we've met a lot of fantastic people! Some cruises the martini bar turns into "the" place to be after dinner, with a lot of straight guests sticking around for the fun company!

 

Also, more often than not we have had staff join us. Some of the social hosts and sometimes dancers always seem to make an appearance at least once in the week. Hope this keeps up!

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  • 2 years later...
  • 1 year later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Carnival just doesn't care.

The longer the cruise the more likely FOD meetings will have attendees. Trans Atlantic cruises are always well attended.

Many successful meetings start around happy hour 5ish..Carnival advertises their get togethers late and I have never in 82 cruises been to what I would consider a successful one. Obviously Carnival just doesn't care.

 

Dennis

Jacksonville ,Fl

 

707 days at sea

82 cruises

14 cruise lines

T/P, T/A, Hawaii, Central & South America, New Zealand & South Pacific, Rio/ Amazon, Alaska

 

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  • 2 months later...

As you can see from my signature, I am an avid Carnival cruiser. As is my wife. On our last few cruises? the LGBT night has been outstanding. Not sure if it is because I am sitting at Alchemy anyway but we've met a lot of nice people! Just an FYI.

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  • 1 month later...
On 1/8/2019 at 1:20 PM, JennN said:

As you can see from my signature, I am an avid Carnival cruiser. As is my wife. On our last few cruises? the LGBT night has been outstanding. Not sure if it is because I am sitting at Alchemy anyway but we've met a lot of nice people! Just an FYI.

I hope I am able to find out when the LGBT night is... I am really interested in meeting new people.

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We were on the Miracle last week out of Tampa. The LGBT meet up was consistently at the same time and location. I've noticed on other recent cruises that wasn't the case. Our problem on this cruise was that it was at 10:30 every night, and we typically don't stay up that late, so we never went.

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  • 1 month later...

I have traveled on three carnival brands HAL, Princess and Cunard. Cunard by far has the best meet ups. Cunard calls it Friends of Dorothy/Rainbow pride, to help bridge the gap in terminology for their international travelers. They are held at 5 p.m. in the Commodore Club, nine deck forward, are mentioned in the daily bulletin and are well attended. Since most of their voyages are long haul, there are more sea days with passengers getting into a daily routine, and that may be the key to their success

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