Aquafest problems?

[ms_mom_1965]

I just saw on a roll call for the Elation sailing Feb 25 that there will be an Aquafest group, which is a gay/lesbian group.

 

Does anyone have any experience with that group? Are they very flagrant in their behavior as we hear they are at Disney on Gay Day?

[cheshyrkat]

Wow...Are you serious?

[ms_mom_1965]

Is that an "are you serious" as in - cancel now if you can, or does mean "what's your problem?"

[cheshyrkat]

Neither...I am trying to understand your intentions in asking a question like that.

[ms_mom_1965]

I wondered if the members of the group generally have in-your-face public shows of affection? Do they stick together as a group in one of the nightclubs?

 

I actually pulled up a flyer on the group and this cruise, and there is a gay pride parade planned. Is that in a public area, and is it condoned by Carnival, and listed as one of the activities?

 

I'd like to know if an activity is going to be attended by mainly the Aquafest group, or if it's a routine Carnival cruise activity.

[LUCY55]

aaaaw!! give her a break!! Maybe she is bringing little kids and wants to know what to expect. I have high school kids and they could care less what someones orientation is. But OP is asking a legitimate question, I would have cared when my kids were little.

[Timmys_mom]

You can check with Carnival directly about what activities they have planned that are sanctioned by Carnival, but I have read in other posts that they will not discuss other groups that are scheduled on the same cruise.

 

Look on the bright side, at least it isn't the swingers club!:eek:

[irishgirl]

I was on the Conquest 10/31/04 when this group cruised with 800 in their group. They had their own entertainment brought on the ship, so they had their own shows in the big show room and lots of private parties. They spent lots of time in the casino too.

 

We never seen any flagrant behavior from them, but we did from the straight cruisers making fun of them. There were 4 straight men dressed as cheerleaders who were flashing their shortcomings, but NBD, it was Halloween after all.

 

We had a blast whenever they were around, especially in the Karaoke bar. It was a real hoot!!!

 

Enjoy them, they will make the trip lots of fun, I guarantee it.

[cheshyrkat]

I'm not trying to give anyone a hard time. If I was, I wouldn't have asked for a clarification before deciding to reply.

 

If it's a group that is sailing on a cruise then they may have private functions but not all groups do. I don't know anything about this group. I would imagine that their displays of affection are no more or less public than a heterosexual couple's. It's a group though, and I doubt they represent a very high percentage of all that week's passengers.

 

If you think this cruise may not be a good fit for you (and I suspect you do or you wouldn't have asked this question), then perhaps you would be better off canceling but there's no way to be assured that whoever you are sailing with will make you comfortable.

[cruzzza]

I don't like cruising with ANY large group. I hope this isn't true. It depends on how large the group is as to whether this will bother me or not. I hope that they don't take over the lounges and entertainment or cause closures of areas to the public.

 

How "flagrant" is this particular group? Apparently you've heard of them being very much so at Disney.

 

p.s. Cancelling isn't an option with 10 days to sailing.

[jaypat]

I was on a cruise with about 1000 Red Hat society women about 2 1/2 years ago....would definately take this group over 50+year old Red and Purple menopause women!!

 

LOL!

[cdnfarmguy]

As a participant in the upcoming Aquafest group a couple of comments come to mind. I don't intend to attack or make anyone feel negative I just want to offer another point of view. There will be some private parties and private group events. Our goal is to not make anyone feel uncomfortable. We are all there for the same reason, to get away from the routine of everyday life and to have a good time!

 

In terms of in-your-face public displays of affection. As with all loving and caring relationships (straight, gay and whatever else may be out there), we have all bared witness to uncomfortable and obnoxious PDA's (public displays of affection). If I don't feel comfortable looking at something or that upsets me, I simply look away.

 

When traveling and there are children around, I know, and many other people I know, are very respectful and courteous. I'm not going to lie and say everyone is courteous and respectful. But that is the same for anybody, straight or gay, no matter where you go. There is always going to be that person to ruin a perfectly good moment.

 

It's a big world out there and there are many different walks of life. Life’s too short to focus on the what if's. Go on the cruise, have an open mind and most of all, have a good time!

[gr81]

As a participant in the upcoming Aquafest group a couple of comments come to mind. I don't intend to attack or make anyone feel negative I just want to offer another point of view. There will be some private parties and private group events. Our goal is to not make anyone feel uncomfortable. We are all there for the same reason, to get away from the routine of everyday life and to have a good time!

 

In terms of in-your-face public displays of affection. As with all loving and caring relationships (straight, gay and whatever else may be out there), we have all bared witness to uncomfortable and obnoxious PDA's (public displays of affection). If I don't feel comfortable looking at something or that upsets me, I simply look away.

 

When traveling and there are children around, I know, and many other people I know, are very respectful and courteous. I'm not going to lie and say everyone is courteous and respectful. But that is the same for anybody, straight or gay, no matter where you go. There is always going to be that person to ruin a perfectly good moment.

 

It's a big world out there and there are many different walks of life. Life’s too short to focus on the what if's. Go on the cruise, have an open mind and most of all, have a good time!

 

Well said.

 

As for cruising and having a large group on ship as well in general, it can change the itenerary for that cruise because the size of the group dictates what room will be used for private functions. Maybe its something people need to ask their PVP or TA about when booking. But I am willing to bet they can only answer a general question like "Is there going to be a large private group?" without any spacifics assuming they even have that info. Never thought about it before, but I can see people downloading last months capers to get on board to find a change or something. Had a large wedding party once that reserved the night club the entire embarkation night.

[jetskier]

Ms Mom 65,

You can go to their website for some information http://www.aquafestcruises.com I believe on their Oct 30, 2005 cruise on the Sun, it was around 800 people. It will also mean some areas/venues will be closed to other passengers.

 

Most travel agents will not be aware of the bookings but that is the same with ANY large group. For some people it will ruin their vacation, for others it is not a problem.

 

Dave

[Timmys_mom]

As a participant in the upcoming Aquafest group...

Well said, (for a Canadian ;) ). Have a great cruise - wish I was there.

[palmtre2]

When DD was small we unknowingly went to Disney World during a gay celebration week, never did we see anything untoward at the parks. We were out to dinner one evening during that week and DD had the time of her life. We were surrounded by tables of young gay men who doted on her all nite. No, not everyone is respectful and courteous, but most people are.

[cheshyrkat]

In terms of in-your-face public displays of affection. As with all loving and caring relationships (straight, gay and whatever else may be out there), we have all bared witness to uncomfortable and obnoxious PDA's (public displays of affection). If I don't feel comfortable looking at something or that upsets me, I simply look away.

 

Thank you for putting this into words. I appreciate your eloquence...:)

[ms_mom_1965]

For anyone else on the Elation on the 2/25 sailing from Galveston - there was a very nice and informative post by the Aquafest GM on the roll call for Elation. You may want to read his comments.

[ms_mom_1965]

Since I had brought this up earlier (and got flamed...), I wanted to follow up.

 

I am very happy to say that the Aquafest group caused absolutely no problems on our cruise. Even DH, who was not happy about them being on our cruise, had no complaints. They generally did not hang out en masse, but in groups of 4 or so, so there were no disruptions caused by the group as a whole. The only time they "interfered" with our fun was when they had their show in the lounge normally used for karaoke.

[cheshyrkat]

Since I had brought this up earlier (and got flamed...), I wanted to follow up.

 

Thanks for the update. I'm glad you didn't have any problems. Sometimes it's good to just expand our horizons a little bit and see what happens. As for as flaming, I didn't see any in this thread. Sorry you felt that way. Maybe you were talking about a different thread...:confused: