LGBT Cruisers

[MacNChz]

14 hours ago, Jonboy2007 said:

Hi, we are John & Paul from Glasgow, Scotland. Usually recognisable on formal nights as ‘the guys in the kilts’ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Oooh, sounds lovely, my grandparents were from Scotland, perhaps we will run into you guys some day.

Shauna and Shanna

[Jonboy2007]

You never know, it would be lovely to hear about your Scottish roots someday.

John & Paul

[balkor2]

Scottish & Irish decent here

From what I understand my roots are from the northern section of the Republic of Ireland near the board of Northern Ireland ... but have not found any documentation to support that as of yet ..

BUT would be fun to learn more about the the Scottish side 

[Jonboy2007]

7 hours ago, balkor2 said:

Scottish & Irish decent here

From what I understand my roots are from the northern section of the Republic of Ireland near the board of Northern Ireland ... but have not found any documentation to support that as of yet ..

BUT would be fun to learn more about the the Scottish side 

Ever thought about researching your family tree? One of my cruise buddies is very into it. In one weekend he traced back my family tree on my mother’s side to the 16th Century. 

[balkor2]

3 hours ago, Jonboy2007 said:

Ever thought about researching your family tree? One of my cruise buddies is very into it. In one weekend he traced back my family tree on my mother’s side to the 16th Century. 

Yes I have been working on the family tree... portions of it is complicated BUT have done some 

[Jonboy2007]

16 hours ago, balkor2 said:

Yes I have been working on the family tree... portions of it is complicated BUT have done some 

I just can’t find the time........never been busier since I took early retirement 😂

[OzPinoyCruiser]

Happy Cruising everyone... and have a great Holiday Season!!!

[joat]

Have any of you sailed on Pullmantur?  A group of us are looking at their cruise from South America to Europe (Rome or Venice) for the spring of 2021.  We are bilingual, so the Spanish predominance is not a problem.  Just wondering about the service, food, drinks quality.  They have many short cruises in the Med.  Thought perhaps someone might have sailed with them somewhere.

[DrGaellon]

9 hours ago, joat said:

Have any of you sailed on Pullmantur?  A group of us are looking at their cruise from South America to Europe (Rome or Venice) for the spring of 2021.  We are bilingual, so the Spanish predominance is not a problem.  Just wondering about the service, food, drinks quality.  They have many short cruises in the Med.  Thought perhaps someone might have sailed with them somewhere.

 

Pullmantur is a sister line to Royal Caribbean - it's where they send their ships when they retire from the main line. They recently retired Monarch of the Seas and sent her to Pullmantur. I've never sailed with them, but do be aware that they are all older ships.

[balkor2]

23 hours ago, joat said:

Have any of you sailed on Pullmantur?  A group of us are looking at their cruise from South America to Europe (Rome or Venice) for the spring of 2021.  We are bilingual, so the Spanish predominance is not a problem.  Just wondering about the service, food, drinks quality.  They have many short cruises in the Med.  Thought perhaps someone might have sailed with them somewhere.

 

They are a Madrid HQ company. Small fleet compared to Carnival or RCI

From what little I have learned of it, each ship provides different services such as some are "all inclusive" such as brand alcohol.

 

14 hours ago, DrGaellon said:

Pullmantur is a sister line to Royal Caribbean

 

As a FYI: RCI / RCC is a Parent company at 49%, Springwater Capital 51% owner

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullmantur_Cruises

 

14 hours ago, DrGaellon said:

I've never sailed with them, but do be aware that they are all older ships.

 

Pullmantur's fleet consists of ships from other cruise lines such as RCI / RCC.

IE: Grandeur of the Seas final cruise out of Baltimore March 26th, 2021 at which will be added to the Pullmantur fleet

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/royal-caribbeans-grandeur-of-the-seas-transferring-to-pullmantur-in-2021.html

 

[joat]

18 hours ago, DrGaellon said:

 

Pullmantur is a sister line to Royal Caribbean - it's where they send their ships when they retire from the main line. They recently retired Monarch of the Seas and sent her to Pullmantur. I've never sailed with them, but do be aware that they are all older ships.

Yes, we are aware of the relationship.  A plus for Pullmantur, for us, is that the ships are the smaller passenger capacity.  Most often we sail with HAL largely because of the smaller size, and of course, the excellent service.  Pullmantur service is rated highly on CC reviews by actual passengers.

[joat]

On 1/20/2020 at 8:45 AM, joat said:

Have any of you sailed on Pullmantur?  A group of us are looking at their cruise from South America to Europe (Rome or Venice) for the spring of 2021.  We are bilingual, so the Spanish predominance is not a problem.  Just wondering about the service, food, drinks quality.  They have many short cruises in the Med.  Thought perhaps someone might have sailed with them somewhere.

Based on responses it seems no one in this group has sailed with Pullmantur.  Guess we will have to be the 'guinea pigs' for this.

[balkor2]

9 minutes ago, joat said:

Based on responses it seems no one in this group has sailed with Pullmantur.  Guess we will have to be the 'guinea pigs' for this.

And please let us know your opinion. Of course like anything, individual experiences are that - individualized LOL

 

But am curious, even thought I can barely speak english LOL 

[joat]

1 hour ago, balkor2 said:

And please let us know your opinion. Of course like anything, individual experiences are that - individualized LOL

 

But am curious, even thought I can barely speak english LOL 

HAHAHA.  I am on the roll call for the April sailing from  Colon, Panama.  Several of the folks on that have sailed multiple times.  One is a statesider living in Panama; three are Canadian (escapees from the Great Frozen North 🥶).  Will follow that.

If we do decide to give Pullmantur a try, will certainly post info.

Have a great day!

[balkor2]

1 hour ago, joat said:

I am on the roll call for the April sailing from  Colon, Panama

 

Hmm will have to check out Colon, Panama. Am considering Panama to retire (Sell everything and move there) too but unsure due to the whole Anti-Gay ~ so am all ears

[joat]

In 2001 we retired and moved to Mexico.  We lived in Mexico 9+ years.  But we regularly met others who had sold everything, bought a home and moved to Mexico.  Almost all left after 2-3 years. 

Strongly suggest putting treasured things (furniture is just 'stuff' and easily replaced) in storage.  Rent for at least a year before considering permanent relocation, and especially before buying property.

We eliminated Panama as a place to retire because of two consistent things: HOT and HUMID.  Just another consideration for you.🤔

[Redlondon]

On 1/20/2020 at 3:45 PM, joat said:

Have any of you sailed on Pullmantur?  A group of us are looking at their cruise from South America to Europe (Rome or Venice) for the spring of 2021.  We are bilingual, so the Spanish predominance is not a problem.  Just wondering about the service, food, drinks quality.  They have many short cruises in the Med.  Thought perhaps someone might have sailed with them somewhere.

I sailed on Zenith in 2016, it was only a mini cruise but I really enjoyed it. All staff spoke English but the ship was geared up for Spanish/French . It’s now just Spanish. Most entertainment didn’t start until 11:45pm. Late dining was 10:30pm. The ship is 3 star and the all inclusive drinks was adequate. Service and food was very good but not HAL standard. Empress OTS was with the Pulmantur fleet then but Royal Caribbean took her back to their fleet- so even though they are older, it’s not because they are not up the standard of Royal. All entertainment in theatre was in Spanish, no English announcements by cruise director but there was essential announcements in English around the ship. I’d book with Pulmantur again for a cheap getaway.  

Edited January 21, 2020 by Redlondon

[balkor2]

1 hour ago, joat said:

We eliminated Panama as a place to retire because of two consistent things: HOT and HUMID. 

 

I wondered about  that .. don't have that much of an issue with humidity versus snow and cold like this morning it was 26 😞

Also in Panama Social Security and health care is accepted 

When closer to time will go visit and see how temps are

 

Edited January 22, 2020 by balkor2

[joat]

17 hours ago, balkor2 said:

 

I wondered about  that .. don't have that much of an issue with humidity versus snow and cold like this morning it was 26 😞

Also in Panama Social Security and health care is accepted 

When closer to time will go visit and see how temps are

 

You can keep SS payments anywhere.  We maintained a US bank to which our checks were deposited.  Then transferred once a month to a Mexico account.  Also, the US account did not, at that time, charge for use of our debit card for cash withdrawals.  (Things have changed.)

 

Not as to Medicare coverage, it is not nor ever has been usable outside the US: https://www.lizlarroquette.com/different-retire-panama-vs-united-states/

"Most of my inquirers quickly ask whether Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, is accepted in Panama. The answer, of course, is that Medicare only covers treatment and health services in the United States. With very few exceptions you will not be able to access your Medicare coverage anywhere outside the United States. "

[joat]

18 hours ago, Redlondon said:

I sailed on Zenith in 2016, it was only a mini cruise but I really enjoyed it. All staff spoke English but the ship was geared up for Spanish/French . It’s now just Spanish. Most entertainment didn’t start until 11:45pm. Late dining was 10:30pm. The ship is 3 star and the all inclusive drinks was adequate. Service and food was very good but not HAL standard. Empress OTS was with the Pulmantur fleet then but Royal Caribbean took her back to their fleet- so even though they are older, it’s not because they are not up the standard of Royal. All entertainment in theatre was in Spanish, no English announcements by cruise director but there was essential announcements in English around the ship. I’d book with Pulmantur again for a cheap getaway.  

Thanks for the input.  I believe Zenith is the ship which they will be changing sometime this year.  Currently their site list Horizon, Sovereign, and Monarch.   We are going to keep Pullmantur on the list for possibilities for 2021.

[balkor2]

1 hour ago, joat said:

You can keep SS payments anywhere.  We maintained a US bank to which our checks were deposited.  Then transferred once a month to a Mexico account.  Also, the US account did not, at that time, charge for use of our debit card for cash withdrawals.  (Things have changed.)

 

Not as to Medicare coverage, it is not nor ever has been usable outside the US: https://www.lizlarroquette.com/different-retire-panama-vs-united-states/

"Most of my inquirers quickly ask whether Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, is accepted in Panama. The answer, of course, is that Medicare only covers treatment and health services in the United States. With very few exceptions you will not be able to access your Medicare coverage anywhere outside the United States. "

 

Good to know!!

 

Thank you

[Redlondon]

54 minutes ago, joat said:

Thanks for the input.  I believe Zenith is the ship which they will be changing sometime this year.  Currently their site list Horizon, Sovereign, and Monarch.   We are going to keep Pullmantur on the list for possibilities for 2021.

Zenith was nice, Horizon & Zenith are ex Celebrity and Sovereign & Monarch ex Royal . ( Although RCI owns Celebrity). 

[joat]

4 hours ago, Redlondon said:

Zenith was nice, Horizon & Zenith are ex Celebrity and Sovereign & Monarch ex Royal . ( Although RCI owns Celebrity). 

Horizon is 4000 passengers.  Not sure we would ever sail on it.  We took a Panama Canal cruise on Celebrity Constellation a bit over a year ago.  Friends in San Fran wanted us to go with them and they were restricted to a specific time period.  Constellation is 3000.  That was almost too many folks for us.  These older and smaller ships are much more to our liking.

Pullmantur will be adding Grandeur of the Seas (not sure what the new name will be) to their line to replace Zenith.  Grandeur is just under 2000 passengers.  Nice size.

[balkor2]

14 hours ago, joat said:

Grandeur is just under 2000 passengers.  Nice size.

 

Love Love Grandeur. Great crew, great service, Relaxing lazy. Chill with your loved one while drinking a Pinot Grigio while reading a book.

Have been on her several times and will be on her for the last voyage .. March 26, 2021

[joat]

23 hours ago, balkor2 said:

 

Love Love Grandeur. Great crew, great service, Relaxing lazy. Chill with your loved one while drinking a Pinot Grigio while reading a book.

Have been on her several times and will be on her for the last voyage .. March 26, 2021

Maybe you can look to being on the first cruise under Pullmantur:

The ship will sail in Northern Europe in summer 2021 following a major refurbishment.

No cruise dates are set for it in 2021 so far.  The Alan Fox family of sites is the official agent in the US, so keep a watch.  Could be exciting.  A newly refurbished ship.  Exciting.  Since it is to sail the Northern European area, I am sure there will be a Spanish and English speaking crew so no problems for non-Spaniard sailing.