Lesbian Couples who love cruising

[mithryl]

Hi all,

 

We got back from our cruise to Alaska a few weeks ago. We now have company (my Niece and Grand-Nieces from the Chicago area) and are enjoying their company.

The next cruise we are planning is 2/7/09 aboard the Sapphire Princess to the Mexican Riviera. It's another Abraham-Hicks Seminar cruise. After experiencing this for the first time on our recent cruise to Alaska, we can hardly wait for February to get here! We do not plan to even get off the ship on this cruise, as we've done this same itenary a few times before. The Mexican Riveria is not my dream cruise, but we are looking forward to the seminars during the sea days and we know we'll have an absolutely wonderful time on this cruise!

 

Vicki

[Girlfiend]

Hey!! We are from from the Dallas area also....Irving to exact.

Anyone want to join us Feb 8, 2009 on the Conquest out of Galveston???

 

Girlfiend,

I see you are sailing on the Conquest for your honeymoon. You will love the ship, it is wonderful.

 

Thanks! It's still more than a year away, but we are so excited!

[OCLadies]

We're off to Alaska on 9/6/08 by way of NCL Star. Anyone joining us??? Now planning our first Med cruise for 9/09. Haven't narrowed down which cruise line or exact dates as of yet, just know we don't want to go during the hot & humid summer months and Sept has been recommeded. Curious as to which cruises any of you may have taken that included Italy, Greece, France???

[Giocatori]

My partner Linda and I (Kim) are taking the Carnival Freedom western med cruise in October and can give you a full report :)

[Seasickblues]

We were tossing around going on a Med cruise next year also but with the parents. I look forward to reading about your cruise too. Some friends of ours returned in July from a Mediterranean cruise and it was like 15 days -15 ports. They said it was exhausting.

 

Chicagogirlie, please let us know how your cruise is too!

[cath317]

Seasickblues,

 

I did the Med on the Millenium 3 years ago and it was wonderful. But it's true about the ports, my mom called it "the walking tour of Europe." If you like to stay active, it is an incredible trip though.

 

Cath

[Seasickblues]

Cath317, how long was your cruise? If we did go to the Mediterranean I would like to go with Celebrity or comparable.

[cath317]

Seasickblues,

 

It was a 15 day cruise starting in Barcelona and ending in Venice with stops in Nice/Monaco, Pompeii, Pisa, Rome, Mykonos, Athens, Dubrovnik, and others I'm forgetting... We had 2 sea days. Not really enough for most cruises but I was there mainly for Italy and Greece.

 

I would suggest if you plan on this cruise to expect the excursions to cost more than the cruise and use the late-seating dinner or anytime dining (which they didn't have on our trip) because you get back fairly late from most of the excursions.

 

It was a once in a lifetime trip for me and well worth it. I followed up a year later with a 15 day cruise with 8 sea days and loved that as well.

 

Let me know if you want more info.

 

Cath

[Seasickblues]

Cath, I personally like only having 2 sea days. The cities you visited all look like perfect choices. Although I think we would settle for maybe a 7-10 day cruise. My first choices are Turkey and Greece. Barcelona sounds good too.

Thanks for the info. It will be useful!

[chrisbd1]

Our first NCL cruise was the the Western Mediterranean and we loved the heck out of it. With the dollar still so weak against the Euro, a return trip to the Med will have to wait, though. :rolleyes: Florence was my favorite, with Nice a very close second. Rome was OK. I'm defiantly "been there, done that" on Rome, though the Vatican was wonderful. At some point we want to do one with Italy and Greece.

[mithryl]

Hi All,

 

Has anyone checked out "Sweet" yet? It should be interesting to have two all Lesbian cruise/travel companies out there. I'm curious whether it will improve the pricing. I think Olivia is great, but competition is always good in business...keeps everyone on their toes.

[mithryl]

Hi All,

 

Has anyone checked out "Sweet" yet? It should be interesting to have two all Lesbian cruise/travel companies out there. I'm curious whether it will improve the pricing. I think Olivia is great, but competition is always good in business...keeps everyone on their toes.

 

I went to their website and it got me thinking. The three women who started this company look very familiar...are they the ones who sued Olivia not too long ago? I don't remember the names specifically, but it would make sense for them to start their own company as a result of their fall-out with Judy. Although they are saying their pricing includes port taxes, fuel charges, tips, etc., they still seems very high for a 7 day NCL cruise to the Caribbean.

Just curious if anyone know if these are the same women involved in that lawsuit.

 

Vicki

[Oliver33]

http://discoversweet.com/

 

They are prior employees but I believe the prior employees like Amy E are the ones involved in the lawsuit and still have a share of the company. The company meaning Olivia. I do not think they are involved directly in the lawsuit but I could be wrong. They weren't the names mentioned in any of the articles I read regarding the parties involved.

 

The prices are still higher than a normal cruise but if the charges are included and seem to be lower than Olivia I think that is great. It is hard to compare apples to apples with a different vessel line and itinerary/port, but per room they seem to be 100-300 lower than Olivia per person. Olivia charges around 2,300 for a veranda cabin but you pay around 300-400 on top of that in NDA mentioned in the small print. Sweets veranda cabin was around 2,200 but nothing on top of that.

 

I like how Sweet is taking care of two things that always bothered me about Olivia. They are rewarding customers who book early, not rewarding the customers who book later via 2for1s. I think that 2for1 is a great idea, but I prefer to book my vacation far in advance. If I am giving them more money, for them to hold longer, it seems a bit backwards to reward people for holding out and booking later hoping they get a 2for1. Never mind the fact that not everyone due to work can book last minute. I personally can, but prefer to plan my vacation farther in advance.

 

I also like the fact that Sweet has pretty kind cancellation policies. They let you cancel up to 90 days out of the vacation date and STILL transfer your paid funds over to another Sweet vacation.

 

We had a situation arise over a year out from our Olivia vacation, we had JUST paid it in full as luck would have it. It wasn't covered by vacation insurance and Olivia told us it would cost $1,000 to cancel. No option to transfer, no leniency. Never mind the fact that it took nearly two weeks for me to get someone to return my phone call on the matter. That is completely unacceptable to me in the service industry. I digress. We knew their terms of course, but had no control over this cancellation since it was career mandated and was a complete surprise to us. It is very disheartening to know something is personally going to cost you $1k when you had given them $4k they had for 1.5 months already, for a vacation that wasn't going to take place for around 1 year 3 months away. They are unyielding and their penalty rates very high.

 

Another Sweet thing they listed, no fees for their payment plan. I thought that to be very smart, and fair.

 

I am very excited at this development and hope they do well. It is about time someone took the monopoly off this particular pigeon holed product. Very exciting stuff.

[Gator83]

Hi All,

 

Has anyone checked out "Sweet" yet? It should be interesting to have two all Lesbian cruise/travel companies out there. I'm curious whether it will improve the pricing. I think Olivia is great, but competition is always good in business...keeps everyone on their toes.

 

 

I looked at their website a few times but I have no desire to ever travel on NCL and the prices are still sort of high but I am glad to see Olivia have some competition.

[Oliver33]

Just curious Gator, what don't you like about NCL? I have never cruised with them so, just looking for some opinions and perspective in case I ever want to..........Thanks :)

[Gator83]

Just curious Gator, what don't you like about NCL? I have never cruised with them so, just looking for some opinions and perspective in case I ever want to..........Thanks :)

 

 

To be honest, I have never cruised with them but I have heard way too many negative things about them (food, service, not gay friendly), a lot of kids, that I have no desire to ever cruise with them. I cruise with Princess and HAL.

[OCLadies]

We've cruised NCL a number of times and on each cruise we've experienced the warmest, most accepting crew. A lot of them are gay themselves and glad to see a friendly face. In fact, when I or my lovely wife go to the casino, bingo or spa without the other, we're asked "hey where's -----? When we first go to our cabin we always search out our cabin steward or butler and ask for the beds to be made up as a queen instead of twins. Never have we even been given a sidways glance. So not being gay friendly is way far from the truth, as we've experienced it. Food is always a subjective subject and varies from not only cruise line to cruise line, but ship to ship. What appeals to me and my taste may not be to you're liking, so don't let what you've "heard" stop you from experiencing NCL or for that matter life in general. If I had to pick one cruise line that I would never sail with again it would be Carnival. Not so much for the crew but for the passenger type. Straight, hariy, drunks, 20 somthings that act like they've never been away from home before and tend to party just a little too hard. Now THAT makes me uncomfortable and I for one will never sail Carnival again for those reasons. To each his/her own, but I find its usually best to try if for yourself before you rule out something which actually may appeal to you. IMHO of course.

[SuzyLovesNCL]

We've cruised NCL a number of times and on each cruise we've experienced the warmest, most accepting crew. A lot of them are gay themselves and glad to see a friendly face. In fact, when I or my lovely wife go to the casino, bingo or spa without the other, we're asked "hey where's -----? When we first go to our cabin we always search out our cabin steward or butler and ask for the beds to be made up as a queen instead of twins. Never have we even been given a sidways glance. So not being gay friendly is way far from the truth, as we've experienced it. Food is always a subjective subject and varies from not only cruise line to cruise line, but ship to ship. What appeals to me and my taste may not be to you're liking, so don't let what you've "heard" stop you from experiencing NCL or for that matter life in general. If I had to pick one cruise line that I would never sail with again it would be Carnival. Not so much for the crew but for the passenger type. Straight, hariy, drunks, 20 somthings that act like they've never been away from home before and tend to party just a little too hard. Now THAT makes me uncomfortable and I for one will never sail Carnival again for those reasons. To each his/her own, but I find its usually best to try if for yourself before you rule out something which actually may appeal to you. IMHO of course.

 

My partner and I cruise NCL and have never had an issue. As this writer experienced, the crew have always been accepting and welcoming, and by day 2 of the cruise we are seen as a couple like everyone else and treated appropriately. We have had very nice anniversary dinners in the specialty restaurants complete with congrats by the staff.

 

As for the food, shows, etc., there are varying degrees on any ship. Some shows are great and some seem like neighborhood theater. But all are entertaining if you go in not expecting Broadway. I have never had what I'd call a bad meal on board, and I have had some pretty spectacular meals in both the main and specialty restaurants.

 

So if you find an NCL cruise/itinerary that interests you, go for it!

[ButterflyGirl]

Hi everyone,

Just found this thread and have started reading but I don't have time to read all the posts! My partner and I are going on the Radiance of the Seas to Hawaii October 11 for my 50th birthday. We were really hoping to find some family aboard. I posted under the G/L roll call but haven't gotten any response. I have joined the regular roll call and the people are all very very nice and welcoming but it would just be nice to have some other couples like us to hang with.

 

By any miracle is anyone going?

 

Diane

[Gator83]

My partner and I cruise NCL and have never had an issue. As this writer experienced, the crew have always been accepting and welcoming, and by day 2 of the cruise we are seen as a couple like everyone else and treated appropriately. We have had very nice anniversary dinners in the specialty restaurants complete with congrats by the staff.

 

As for the food, shows, etc., there are varying degrees on any ship. Some shows are great and some seem like neighborhood theater. But all are entertaining if you go in not expecting Broadway. I have never had what I'd call a bad meal on board, and I have had some pretty spectacular meals in both the main and specialty restaurants.

 

So if you find an NCL cruise/itinerary that interests you, go for it!

 

 

I am actually glad that there are some people that like NCL and I know that there are just because they are still in business but the only way I would go on NCL cruise is if I got it for free. I am more the Princess, Holland and probably Celebrity type if I am going to pay for it. But I am glad that there are choices for everyone.

[need2bespoiled]

I am actually glad that there are some people that like NCL and I know that there are just because they are still in business but the only way I would go on NCL cruise is if I got it for free. I am more the Princess, Holland and probably Celebrity type if I am going to pay for it. But I am glad that there are choices for everyone.

 

Different Strokes....nothing on HAL compared to what we received on NCL, suite for suite, yes it was big on HAL, but service was not even close (for the same money, the butler on NCL can't be beat. Nothing is like being a Suite or Villa guest on NCL and the food on HAL, except in Sterling Steak house was much worse, in general. I agree there were many more kids, but I also thing it depends on when you cruise.

[need2bespoiled]

Hey all,

I know I have posted to this thread already, but I thought I would make an intro as well. I am Jenna (36) and my partner is Dee (52) and we're from Maine. We have cruised together a total of 5 times and truly love to cruise! We have done the Olivia thing (on a two for one, just don't feel there is value any other way), and while it was ok, and of course we had a great time, we didn't love HAL or the entire Lesbian only experience.

 

We are now planning a wedding on the NCL Spirit for August of 2009 in Boston. We live in Maine, and this way her family from the Boston burbs can join us for a pre-sailing ceremony, while my family can come in from further south on the atlantic seaboard and join us for a pre-sailing ceremony and no one has to fly. Some may join us for the cruise, but who knows.

 

Will anyone be on the August 28 sailing of the Spirit?

Does anyone thing we are insaine?

 

Thanks, and happy cruising!

Jenna

[SuzyLovesNCL]

Not insane at all - sounds like a great plan! And many congrats to you both!

[themnms]

We're off to Alaska on 9/6/08 by way of NCL Star. Anyone joining us??? Now planning our first Med cruise for 9/09. Haven't narrowed down which cruise line or exact dates as of yet, just know we don't want to go during the hot & humid summer months and Sept has been recommeded. Curious as to which cruises any of you may have taken that included Italy, Greece, France???

 

 

enjoy alaska!! We went in July and it was fabulous!!We were on the Island Princess

 

Re Med, we are actually booked on Oct 3rd sailing on the new Carnival Dream..we hooked up with a group and got some great rates and also on board credits and goodies...Not only is everyone firendly we have met with two other "family" couples..12 days plus 3 extra in Rome..you should look into it!!!

 

Mel

[themnms]

My partner Linda and I (Kim) are taking the Carnival Freedom western med cruise in October and can give you a full report :)

 

 

enjoy the cruise....I am sure you are going to have a fabulous time..we were actually going to take the exact same itin next June,but they repositioned the Freedom so now we are taking the Dream next October!! Wish it were this year!! Make sure you give us a full review

 

Mel