goodclicks

Thank you GSPG, it’s appreciated. I haven’t had too much discrimination at all but must say I was made to feel like an outsider and unwelcome 15 years ago on Ventura. It wasn’t something I was used to on the ships - although the Italian ships had a more old-fashioned attitude, I found. My boyfriend and a female friend had an upsetting incident on my last Marella cruise from an older male passenger who kept coming up to us and harassing her (she’s young and beautiful) about why she’d want to spend her time with the likes of us, when presumably she should have been spending it him (in his late 60s and when his wife isn’t looking). It was really unpleasant for her and made her feel unsafe and what he’d say about us was just awful. It felt all the more shocking as Marella was otherwise super friendly, relaxed and welcoming to everyone. There still is homophobia of the worst kind about too however. Someone I met on a cruise was killed in a homophobic attack in the Pulse Orlando massacre shortly after. I wouldn’t like to think that because there’s a get-together listed in the daily planner meant anyone felt excluded. It is about allowing like-minded people to find one another, nothing else.

I have absolutely no animosity towards solo travellers but why do they feel the need to meet up? I have absolutely no animosity towards bridge players but why do they feel the need to meet up? I have absolutely no animosity towards recovering alcoholics but why do they feel the need to meet up? I have absolutely no animosity towards crafters but why do they feel the need to meet up? I have absolutely no animosity towards straight people but why do they feel to meet up in every bar and venue on the ship? In my experience someone who says “I have no animosity/problem with X, but… ” usually does. And yes, other friendly people are welcome to attend the LGBT+ meet ups. I quite often find a few single straight women enjoy the company and feel comfortable and safe in it. On my only cruise to date on P&O 15 years ago (with a partner) a photographer wouldn’t take our photo together; many crew seemed reluctant to engage with us; the beds were apart despite requesting them together; and on disembarking, the entertainment staff collected the room cards and realised we shared a cabin. As we walked off the gangplank for the last time it was to the sound of “yes, they are together” - and laughter at our expense. There were no LGBT+ meet ups then, so thank you to the OP for asking this question. I’ve finally booked to return to P&O in May this year, this time as a solo cruiser with a straight female friend. When I saw this objection by a fellow P&O passenger (and a few supporters) about special interest meet-ups I now wonder if I have made a mistake.