Any info on Maasdam charter July 3-10 2004?

[tomc]

My brother, near Quebec City, says the Maasdarn appears to have been a charter this week. He didn't have any details, but thought I would be interested. (He has no particular interest in cruising other than occasionally looking at the harbor when he's en ville and telling me what ships are there.) I've seen nothing posted, so it could be shoe salesmen/women, for all I know.

[FlorenceItaly]

Hmmm....I am curious too...the news didn't mention who the group is?


Marie

[skwir]

We got off the Maasdam on July 3. Rumor was that she was charted for a gays only cruise.

[sail7seas]

A Lesbian Charter is ending today.

[tomc]

Ok, my brother did mention that but (unusual for me) I decided to be discreet. Here is his message this morning:

"Well now, we had the Maasdam in port and the TV people were there interviewing the passengers who raved about Québec City and how they felt that it was so liberal etc. So, if on any of your cruise boards you run across anyone who was aboard the Maasdam and in Q-City on July 9, DO NOT hit on them as the entire ship was occupied by lesbians!"

...and...

"Would you like a copy of today's paper with the Maasdam on the front page and a write up inside about the 1250 lesbians who adore Québec City?"

[peaches from georgia]

The Maasdam was chartered by the Olivia group this week. Because it was a holiday week and we were planning our Maasdam cruise at the time, I remember this being mentioned by a poster on CC months ago who was on a previous Olivia charter, on the Oosterdam I believe, and she posted many times here about it. Whether she was on the Maasdam this week I don't know, but as she has posted recently I doubt it.

[tomc]

I was going to check the GLB board in a couple days and see if there are any postings. My brother said the interviews indicated they were having a fine time in QCity and enjoying the cruise.

[sail7seas]

I think the ship went to P'Town as part of the charter itinerary......That had to be a fun day in Provincetown.

[gizmo]

Are sarcastic remarks necessary? These people charted the ship. They didn't bother anyone. They are entitled to have a good time in port like anyone else.

[tomc]

As far as I am concerned, and my brother as well, it was a charter that gained a lot of good press for HAL and the cruisers. Seldom does a full-ship charter garner publicity and pax happy to be interviewed. They loved the welcome they received in QCity and, apparently, loved HAL. If you visit the GLB board (I have, as a straight, looking for information for first-time GLB cruisers), you will find that not all lines are GLB-friendly.

[tomc]

My Quebecois brother replies...

"For those who might have been offended.

"As you know, here in Q-City the tourists and the locals hang out at pretty much the same places. Gays, lesbians and straights all share equal time here. It ain't no big thing. They can walk along holding hands and not get stared down. It works out very well and it is extremely rare that we hear of any bashing incidents, nor even snide remarks.

"This year there are some gay/lesbian cruises scheduled to stop here (I forget the exact number)...the papers say 5000 to 8000 people. Also these folks spend more money as in the majority of the cases they are both working and have no kids. In my mind, it is a positive thing for several reasons. First, they are very polite, they enjoy yakking with the locals, they don't throw coffee containers on the sidewalks......in short they are a very respectful community.

"Thoughts from a local..."

[gizmo]

tomc,

Thanks for your posts. No offense taken. I just didn't want this thread to turn into a gay/lesbian bashing discussion. I was afraid it was headed that way. :)

[sail7seas]

There was no sarcasm to my message. I gave straight forward information about a port call that is unusual for HAL....Did you know that a charter could arrange to go to P'Town? Did you know they went there? Have you ever been there? Did anyone know the charter went there?

I gave information. Straight and simple and made observation it is a fun place to visit.

Do not imply ANYTHING that is not there.