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I and a couple of friends are going on the Atlantis Barcelona-to-Rome cruise this July. Is anyone else here going on that cruise as well? We could all meet up.

I'm gonna be on the London to Barcelona cruise
But I've been on the one you're goin on... you'll have a lot of fun

rotabilis saidI and a couple of friends are going on the Atlantis Barcelona-to-Rome cruise this July. Is anyone else here going on that cruise as well? We could all meet up.

What's the official language in Berkeley, California? ...

GQjock saidI'm gonna be on the London to Barcelona cruise
But I've been on the one you're goin on... you'll have a lot of fun

What are gay cruises like?

caslon said
What's the official language in Berkeley, California? ...

I'm not sure I understand...

Are you knocking my grammar? I suppose I should have said "A couple of friends and I..."

rotabilis saidAre you knocking my grammar?

That's right! Blame the victim!

What is a gay cruise? My best guess would be an endless f*ck fest or is the advantage only that you can be openly gay?

DCEric saidWhat is a gay cruise? My best guess would be an endless f*ck fest or is the advantage only that you can be openly gay?

I would say the best thing about going on a gay cruise is the feeling of inclusiveness. A vacation is supposed to be a chance to relax and have fun, to be completely at ease, and being in a self-contained seabound resort with 2700 other gay men (and about 86 lesbians) really enhanced that for me. You have something in common with everyone else there. I felt like I was with MY people. Does that make sense?

No, it is not an endless f*ck fest. If you are looking for that, you can find it, but there are plenty of other ways to spend your time. It is a BIG ship. I have been on one gay cruise before, in March of last year, in the Caribbean. I spent most of my time lounging on deck reading my book, and having a great time. In the evenings I and my friends went to the big dance parties on deck. My main pic here is from one of those parties. Actually all of my current pics are from that cruise.

Actually, no I wasn't looking for that... I was looking for the relaxing part. I've always viewed those cruises skeptically.

DCEric saidActually, no I wasn't looking for that... I was looking for the relaxing part. I've always viewed those cruises skeptically.

Well, then take it from me... they are not what you think. Relaxation is in plentiful supply.

It's only people who HAVEN'T gone on gay cruises who think that they are "floating bathhouses". Those of us who HAVE gone know better.

That tie and the bare chest greatly amuse me... and thanks for clearing that up.

Yup I'm going on that cruise, too, though doing it solo. So we can travel halfway around the world to meet up even though we only live an hour apart. Sounds like a good time, and a nice relaxation break as well.

Just curious. These ships aren't build for gay cruises. Is the onboard fitness center large enough or do you need an appointment to do a decent workout?

BoarderX saidJust curious. These ships aren't build for gay cruises. Is the onboard fitness center large enough or do you need an appointment to do a decent workout?

Well, the fitness center was quite decent on the cruise I went on last year, but that was on a Princess Cruise Lines ship, whereas this is with Royal Caribbean, so I have no idea. Hopefully!

Damn!!...I was looking for a roomie to go on a cruise with...=)

The idea of a gay cruise makes me sick to my stomach. I can't stand that much estrogen, drama, and lip gloss on one boat for that long. It would be like a prison sentence for me.

My partner I and 2 friends are going to be on it. We have been on a gay cruise before and it was one of the best trips we have had. I here this ship is wonderful, large gym, sauna, rock-climbing wall, in-line skating track, and ice-skating rink. The excursions look good also. Should be fun!

caslon said[quote][cite]GQjock said[/cite]I'm gonna be on the London to Barcelona cruise
But I've been on the one you're goin on... you'll have a lot of fun

What are gay cruises like?[/quote]

Take a big cruise ship and stock it full of every kind of gay guy you can think of ... and that's what you get

It's a great time
I wouldn't go on any other kind of cruise
You can completely be yourself
partake in as much chaos you want or not

Seriously if you haven't been you need to test it out

The question is... Who wants to take me on a gay cruise. Boy needs a vacation...

danielryan saidThe idea of a gay cruise makes me sick to my stomach. I can't stand that much estrogen, drama, and lip gloss on one boat for that long. It would be like a prison sentence for me.

Oh, I hope you are only joking. Coz you are on the wroooooong site to be throwing stereotypes around

DJBens77 saidThe question is... Who wants to take me on a gay cruise. Boy needs a vacation...

i'll take you!

I'm going on a gay cruise this summer. It's gonna be the 'R Family cruise.....lots of gays tho most will be women. Lots of kids too. Lots of families. Some str8 folk too. REALLY looking forward to it. Will there be any other RJ guys there? Hmmmm. Any man enough to hang with kids and lesbians?

I wish they can take us to Jerusalem... I want to see my grandma over there

I am actually taking my bf to Hawaii this summer as he has never been. It's the least I can do. But maybe a cruise in the fall. Depends on money I guess.

rotabilis said[quote][cite]DCEric said[/cite]Actually, no I wasn't looking for that... I was looking for the relaxing part. I've always viewed those cruises skeptically.

Well, then take it from me... they are not what you think. Relaxation is in plentiful supply.

It's only people who HAVEN'T gone on gay cruises who think that they are "floating bathhouses". Those of us who HAVE gone know better.[/quote]

Honestly that has been my biggest fear which is something that I'm totally not into. But knowing that it isn't like that, makes me want to do it more.

OK I finally reserved my spot and its official. Arriving in Barcelona two days early. Still antsy about knowing absolutely no one among 3,000 guys and 12 lesbian couples. So let me know if there's a mini-RJ-meetup happening onboard or in town before.

I have issues with feelings of being trapped.... I can not possibly commit to being on a ship for a few days. Especially a gay cruise... I would probably jump off the boat within the first hour... lol

man I am a party pooper..

rotabilis you've given an excellent description of a gay cruise.
In short, the one I went on was really a lot of fun! And everything came in just under $2000

It seems like a lot of couples go on these. I was thinking of grabbing a friend and going just to meet new people and get a new experience, now that I am single. Anything weird about flying solo on one of these? any experiences? they sound like so much fun and I am itching to travel more!

You guys are seriously making me think about it. My partner and I went or two different straight cruises. It was ok, but we went with two lesbians and pretended to be a couple. Very frustrating! You can't hug each other or kiss in public. We were thinking that the gay cruises were sleazy that is why we haven't done it. I think we will book something for next year. It sounds great. That is why we love P-Town. You can go there and be free to be yourselves.

I went on my first cruise last year, Atlantis' Copenhagen to Stockholm, and it was AWESOME!!!

I had all the same fears, that it would be a boat full of screaming queens and a floating bath house, but people I knew who had been on cruises before put my fears to rest, and they were right.

If you want sex, you can find it. But it is not an all out sex-fest, nor are there a ton of flaming queens (no offense if you are one).

What you'll find is every type of gay man imaginable: big, small, short, tall, young, old, furry, smooth, you get the picture. I met some amazing people, made contacts from all over the place, it blew my expectations out of the water, and I didn't have that many to begin with.

Would I go on one again? I would have been on the London to Barcelona one this year but finances prohibit it. Maybe next year =) But YES!

But don't knock them till you try one. I'd pick that over a straight cruise any day.

As for a gym, they're usually decent but not fantastic, only because you're mainly there to relax, not pump major iron. Try going for a run on the upper deck instead of a treadmill, it's SO worth it =)

DJBens77 saidIt seems like a lot of couples go on these. I was thinking of grabbing a friend and going just to meet new people and get a new experience, now that I am single. Anything weird about flying solo on one of these? any experiences? they sound like so much fun and I am itching to travel more!

gotta be a lot expensive as a couple.

I think I want to go next year.. Would love to do the gay mardi gras cruise but the Barcelona one sound great too!!

These gay cruises are probably for rich gay men. Since these cruises cost an arm and a leg, I have very little desire to go on a gay cruise. Hell I can barely afford a round trip bus ticket to either Cleveland, OH or to Rochester, NY so there is no viable way that I can afford these expensive gay cruises.

Dollar for dollar... cruises whether gay or not are probably the cheapest kind of vacation you can get

I admire GQ's enthusiasm, but gay charters (Atlantis/RSVP/etc.) routinely charge about twice the price you'd pay for a regular cruise. "Dollar for dollar" a regular cruise IS an inexpensive vacation. Generally, you'll pay about $100 - $125 a day per person for a regular cruise (remember, you're not paying extra for food and entertainment). But gay cruises get pricey fast.

The gay charter companies will tell you that they have to charge so much more because they bring their own entertainment and [some] events onboard with them. Which is partially true. Some disgruntled travelers think they're just milking the gay community, but I don't fall into that camp.

Regardless, there is no parity in the pricing of gay event cruises and regular cruises.

Basically, gay, full-ship charters are just another product offered by the cruise industry. Some folks like them, others don't. It should be noted that the cruise industry is very pro-gay and you don't need a gay charter to feel accepted. Nearly all major lines host 'Friends of Dorothy' parties which are get-togethers for their gay travelers.

I own a cruise-only travel agency and we have Clients who would never consider a gay charter and others who would never consider anything but. It's about what floats your boat ("ship" really but again, that's another discussion).

Rota, I'm sure you'll have a great time! I'm only pissed you didn't book through me!

If anyone can tell me anything to the contrary I'd be delighted, but from experience of friends and the like, I've found and heard that gay cruises are nothing but floating circuit parties. I've nothing against going on a great cruise with gay men, but have absolutely no desire to be stuck with a bunch of crack-whores on a floating circuit party boat - ever!

Definitely would love to be told otherwise.

daWeatherMan

Will let you guys know how the Atlantis, Barcelona to Rome one is the end of July.I hear it is fabulous!

DrStorm saidIf anyone can tell me anything to the contrary I'd be delighted, but from experience of friends and the like, I've found and heard that gay cruises are nothing but floating circuit parties. I've nothing against going on a great cruise with gay men, but have absolutely no desire to be stuck with a bunch of crack-whores on a floating circuit party boat - ever!

Definitely would love to be told otherwise.

daWeatherMan

I've been on several and I never do drugs
That might be the case with the Caribbean Cruises, which I'd never go on
but on the European and the other cruises you get a whole different kind of clientele
There's PLENTY things to do other than the parties
I just think it's really nice to see these wonderful places being around other gay men

Than staying 2 weeks in Rome, which is even more fabulous!

Okay, now that we're all done with the Barcelona-Rome cruise, I can testify that it was fantastic. And as so many of the posters here said before the cruise, there was definitely a niche for everyone and everything. The parties were great, but so were Alec Mapa and Jessica Kirson on the comedy stage. And sooooo relaxing on the days at sea. I'm already planning the next one.

As Alec Mapa joked, the onboard gym was definitely not designed for us, however. Barbells maxing out at 60 pounds!!!??? Ten square feet for weights and 20 times as much space for cardio machines and yoga classes??!! And nowhere to get any sort of workout shakes.

this was my first cruise ever and i would do it again.. but honestly 8 days was too much gay for me.. by the 5th day...yeah.. i needed a break.

i heard rumours about what goes on in the steam room. i was shocked when i walked inside with guys all lined up sucking, jerking and fucking. i had no room to stand. the gays turned it into a bath house.. i feel sorry for the royal caribbean staff that has to clean it.

the gym was ridiculous, there were line-ups 3 persons deep. the best time to go are mornings or during excursion times.

overall i had a fun time. whatever you are looking for, there's something for EVERYONE..

danielryan saidThe idea of a gay cruise makes me sick to my stomach. I can't stand that much estrogen, drama, and lip gloss on one boat for that long. It would be like a prison sentence for me.

Ditto.

Ah, well, guess I won't be seeing any of you misery guts on the Caribbean cruise next year. Yay!!!

I have absolutely no interest in going on either a gay cruise or any cruise ship. I have better things to do with my hard earned money.

Seven weeks to go before I shove off to London for my cruise

Just signed on for my next one...
which sold out already
which is going from Hong Kong to Singapore
I'm really psyched for that one

As far as some of you guys having concerns
yes.... you do pay a premium for a gay cruise
But I will pay it because nowhere else can I get the special attention from the cruise line that I want

Another thing...
about the sex in the steamroom
when did you think that having 2000 gay men and a steamroom... on board and there not be sex?

Glad you guys had fun on the BCN to Rome cruise
that was fun

Have fun on your cruise guys, I will be safe and stay on land.

I heard that all there is on these types of cruises are a bunch of guys....

I'm kind of frightened to go on one of those things.

You see the ads for them online and it's a bunch of overwhelmingly hot guys...I feel like I'd get there and everyone would be out of my league @_@

is that usually the case?

No it's actually not the case
There are every type of conceivable gay man on board the ships
Yeah there are hot guys on board too...thank god
but they don't take pictures of the other kind who are there too...marketing
But I wouldn't worry Ty...I think you'd do just fine on board