Pied Piper Cruises

I and my BF are going.

Btw did you receive a confirmation of the beverage package yet?

I haven't and neither have I received a booking confirmation from PP.

 

:confused:

I haven't received any confirmation from Pied Piper regarding my booking or beverage package. However, when I log in to Celebrity's web site and pull up my reservation, the beverage package is there.

I've also emailed Derek about this last week. When I hear something back, I'll let you guys know.

David

Here's a little something I've "heard about" but of course would never do because I'm sure it's against cruise ship policy (ahem): There are several brands of grain alcohol for sale in most liquor stores (sadly, not at Safeway - not thatI'D buy it, mind you) which goes by several brand names, most notably EverClear. It is either 75% or 90% grain alcohol, depending which state you live in, which... I've heard... you might sneak onboard a cruise taking up half (or less) the space in your luggage that the same potency of vodka would take. Yes, it's fully intended for drinking, and no, it's not rubbing alcohol!:eek: And no, it won't make you blind...I've heard :cool:. It purportedly has less taste than vodka and no aroma. You'd use half-or-fewer ounce(s) per drink than you'd use of vodka (vodka being usually 80 Proof / 40% alcohol). "A friend" has tried it as a substitute for vodka and swears by it - and AT it when he's had too much OF it. :p

This is not, however, cost effective for everyday use at home since it costs a bit more than twice the price of regular vodka... at least that's what I've "heard"... ahem.

Hi Jamey and Marc! This is going to be our first PP cruise- We are a group of about 14 from Orlando, Can't wait! ....Tommy and Ray here. :D:D

Hey, guys... if you haven't visited Cruise Critic's Celebrity Century board for this same cruise, please do. It's a bit frightening in that it suggests that pretty much all the non-PP passengers on "our cruise" are conservatives who're probably older than I, and I'm 68! Thank goodness we're all sitting together in the diningroom. Otherwise, my husband and I might wind up at a table full of str8 Missourians (MY home state, regrettably) who declined to help us eat our (25th?) wedding anniversary cake when the waiters presented it at our table (on the first night of a previous, NON-PP cruise). Although they didn't actually say so, we got the idea they might be afraid they'd "catch gay" from us. We got a different table starting the next night.

May we safely assume that when/if they come to the table with our 32nd anniversary cake, you'll fearlessly join us... please? :) I think we're all together at the second seating (circa 8:30) spread among multiple tables, of course. Michael and I usually go from dinner to the second performance in the theatre, then go to the disco following the show.

Tommy and Ray... I hope your group and all the rest of the Pied Pipers will show up en masse in the disco every night... at least on the nights before sea days when there are no early morning shore excursions. Michael will probably be in the casino at the video poker machines, but I'll be up there just watching the passengers dance. If previous PP cruises are any indication, most of us Pied Pipers will be gathering around the bar laughing and getting to know each other. I almost never dance anymore, but always try to get Michael to dance at least one slow-dance with me every night up in the disco. We have never been hassled... or barely even noticed... dancing together among all the old fogies (like us), so don't be shy!

Hey, guys... if you haven't visited Cruise Critic's Celebrity Century board for this same cruise, please do. It's a bit frightening in that it suggests that pretty much all the non-PP passengers on "our cruise" are conservatives who're probably older than I, and I'm 68! Thank goodness we're all sitting together in the diningroom. Otherwise, my husband and I might wind up at a table full of str8 Missourians (MY home state, regrettably) who declined to help us eat our (25th?) wedding anniversary cake when the waiters presented it at our table (on the first night of a previous, NON-PP cruise). Although they didn't actually say so, we got the idea they might be afraid they'd "catch gay" from us. We got a different table starting the next night.

 

May we safely assume that when/if they come to the table with our 32nd anniversary cake, you'll fearlessly join us... please? :) I think we're all together at the second seating (circa 8:30) spread among multiple tables, of course. Michael and I usually go from dinner to the second performance in the theatre, then go to the disco following the show.

 

Tommy and Ray... I hope your group and all the rest of the Pied Pipers will show up en masse in the disco every night... at least on the nights before sea days when there are no early morning shore excursions. Michael will probably be in the casino at the video poker machines, but I'll be up there just watching the passengers dance. If previous PP cruises are any indication, most of us Pied Pipers will be gathering around the bar laughing and getting to know each other. I almost never dance anymore, but always try to get Michael to dance at least one slow-dance with me every night up in the disco. We have never been hassled... or barely even noticed... dancing together among all the old fogies (like us), so don't be shy!

Hi Joe and Michael! I am on the "roll call board too" Our group is allot of fun- I think we have 12 or so. You bet we will be at the Disco dancing the night away! And I will for sure slow dance with my honey! We can't wait for this cruise- it's going to be allot of fun for sure! Considering the free beverage package too!

And as far as those Missourians.... they and all there closed minded douche bags can just go to the shuffleboard court and stay there!

I think most all PP will be in the 2nd seating for dinner- Our group is mostly all on deck 7. So, are you celebrating your 32nd on this cruise? Wow! :D:D

Hi Joe and Michael! I am on the "roll call board too" Our group is allot of fun- I think we have 12 or so. You bet we will be at the Disco dancing the night away! ...I think most all PP will be in the 2nd seating for dinner- Our group is mostly all on deck 7. So, are you celebrating your 32nd on this cruise? Wow! :D:D

I'm pleased as (spiked) punch that you guys are going, but slightly confused about the total PP group. You're a group of approx. 12 from Orlando if I understand correctly, but not the entire PP population on the cruise, right? Do you, or does anyone else, know the total count of PP'ers for the cruise (by "PP'ers", I mean Pied Pipers, not golden showerers:D).

Years ago for a previous PP cruise, I bought a bunch of flashing-LED light "jewelry" like bracelets and earrings that change colors, tacky-kitschy disco flashy stuff. I've recently ordered replacement batteries and will being passing around some of them in the disco. For anyone interesting in this crap, Google something like "flashing led disco accessories". I can't find the URL I used years ago, but a few similar ones are:

gotparty-dot-com/lightbracelet1.htm , glowsource-dot-com/ ,

justrightlight-dot-com/

This is all dirt-cheap tacky stuff. The postage will cost more than the items.

It's worth buying some of this crap just to read the enclosed instructions in "pigeon" Chinese ("Don't Too Crazy!", "in place the anode to the crust").

Look forward to meeting you and yours,

Joe (& Michael)

Tommy & Ray: couldn't find any posts by Blaze32789 on the Roll Call for Century, 4/3/2013 at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1624465

When I wrote "Hey, guys... if you haven't visited Cruise Critic's Celebrity Century board for this same cruise, please do." I was referring to 4/3/2013. Are you there under a different name perhaps? If not, you haven't really missed much. I doubt we'll go to the Cruise Critic meeting unless it's very late morning or early afternoon, but... maybe.

Don't tell me PP has 2 Hawai'i cruises soon and we're not on the same one! :eek:

Joe

I'm pleased as (spiked) punch that you guys are going, but slightly confused about the total PP group. You're a group of approx. 12 from Orlando if I understand correctly, but not the entire PP population on the cruise, right? Do you, or does anyone else, know the total count of PP'ers for the cruise (by "PP'ers", I mean Pied Pipers, not golden showerers:D).

 

Years ago for a previous PP cruise, I bought a bunch of flashing-LED light "jewelry" like bracelets and earrings that change colors, tacky-kitschy disco flashy stuff. I've recently ordered replacement batteries and will being passing around some of them in the disco. For anyone interesting in this crap, Google something like "flashing led disco accessories". I can't find the URL I used years ago, but a few similar ones are:

gotparty-dot-com/lightbracelet1.htm , glowsource-dot-com/ ,

justrightlight-dot-com/

This is all dirt-cheap tacky stuff. The postage will cost more than the items.

It's worth buying some of this crap just to read the enclosed instructions in "pigeon" Chinese ("Don't Too Crazy!", "in place the anode to the crust").

 

Look forward to meeting you and yours,

Joe (& Michael)

Hi boys- this is PP most popular cruise- Based on what I heard from previous cruises- I believe there will be about 900-1000 that booked through Pied Piper.

goddy flashy bracelets !! Love it! of course we need accessories! haha!

We'll light up the disco! :D:D

-- Tommy

We just came back from 11 nights on the celebrity. Equinox. I found pied piper. To be useless. Derek. And his team were poor hosts and did not speak to me or my partner throughout the whole trip. We were left to dine alone at dinner while two of his 'hosts' sat at the next table and didn't not even come to speak to us.it seems that although they offer good prices and you get a few free drinks .that is all they offer. nothing else except what was already available with celebrity no special shore excursions. no specific port information nothing!

This was our fourth cruise and our first gay group cruise.I would prefer to just go onboard and meet fellow gay travellers at the fod meetings. Maybe we were unlucky but it spoilt what should have been an amazing trip.

And when comparing, keep in mind that the rates shown on Pied Piper don't include port fees like almost every other site does including the major cruiseline sites. But Pied Piper does show the extra port fees in the words on the left side.

I actually find this helpful, helps calculate the singles rate, taking the rate x 2 and adding in port fee and only 1 tax.

We just came back from 11 nights on the celebrity. Equinox. I found pied piper. To be useless. Derek. And his team were poor hosts and did not speak to me or my partner throughout the whole trip. We were left to dine alone at dinner while two of his 'hosts' sat at the next table and didn't not even come to speak to us.it seems that although they offer good prices and you get a few free drinks .that is all they offer. nothing else except what was already available with celebrity no special shore excursions. no specific port information nothing!

This was our fourth cruise and our first gay group cruise.I would prefer to just go onboard and meet fellow gay travellers at the fod meetings. Maybe we were unlucky but it spoilt what should have been an amazing trip.

Hi tysona,

what was your cruise itinerary?

My partner and I just booked a Mediterranean cruise on the Celebrity Equinox with Pied Piper and am now a bit concerned...:(

<< TYSONA: We just came back from 11 nights on the celebrity. Equinox. I found pied piper. To be useless. Derek. And his team were poor hosts and did not speak to me or my partner throughout the whole trip. We were left to dine alone at dinner while two of his 'hosts' sat at the next table and didn't not even come to speak to us.it seems that although they offer good prices and you get a few free drinks .that is all they offer. nothing else except what was already available with celebrity no special shore excursions. no specific port information nothing!

This was our fourth cruise and our first gay group cruise.I would prefer to just go onboard and meet fellow gay travellers at the fod meetings. Maybe we were unlucky but it spoilt what should have been an amazing trip. >>

My Husband and I, have been on many Pied Piper cruises and my experience has been the exact opposite. Infact, I have even taken my elderly Mother and all my siblings to celebrate Mama's 80th Birthday on a PP cruise and they all loved the whole PP experience. Both Derek and Bruce have always been the most perfect, gracious, Hosts on our many trips. I am sorry that your vacation, was as a result, not up to your expectations, it is always so frustrating when that happens as you work so hard for the time off, not to mention saving your pennies for what you hope will be a memorable trip. I really feel for you.

I am currently booked on PP with my Husband, this October on a T/A from Harwich to Miami, and confidently expect to have yet another great PP Cruise. And before you ask, I do not work for PP or have any association with them, apart from being a huge Desciple of their product.

Peter

Hi boys- this is PP most popular cruise- Based on what I heard from previous cruises- I believe there will be about 900-1000 that booked through Pied Piper. .....-- Tommy

Tommy: I'll be VERY surprised (but supremely happy!) if you're correct. PP's most popular cruise, the ONE cruise that has 900+ PPers I'm pretty sure, is the yearly Post-Thanksgiving cruise which is always (to my chagrin!) a Caribbean outing (been there, done that TOO many times) that leaves from Florida. Are you SURE we're talking about the SAME cruise, Tommy? Leaving April 3, 2013, from San Diego, CA, 13 days from now?? I'll be happy if there are just 25 PPers aboard.

I have emailed Derek at PP asking for the count of passengers and have not heard back.

Please check your reservation dates and let me know.

Hoping to find that I'm wrong and that we're on the same cruise!

Joe (and Michael)

...Derek. And his team were poor hosts and did not speak to me or my partner throughout the whole trip. We were left to dine alone at dinner while two of his 'hosts' sat at the next table and didn't not even come to speak to us....

We, too, have been on a PP cruise where the hosts all sat at the same table with some members of the group. We have also been on PP cruises where they spread out the hosts among the tables.

They apparently have very flexible rules that do not take into account the need for personal hospitality toward their guests. I can understand the absence of a host at table if you've requested to be seated with specific PP friends thru emails to the PP office, filling your table with old friends and leaving no room for a host, but that doesn't appear to be an excuse!

On one Post-Thanksgiving cruise, they held a Pied Piper Idol (or such) karaoke evening but did not allow any rehearsal. Can you imagine the frustration of going into a contest using prerecorded music and finding out the song you chose from a printed catalogue is nowhere NEAR a key you can sing in?

On the other hand, we've been on PP cruises where the entire theatre was reserved for PP-only functions like Sing-along movies (eg. Grease & Sound of Music), and the ship's movie theatre was reserved for members-only screenings of hilarious gay-themed movies. There's always at least one members-only party with some free drinks, and we've met lifelong friends on PP cruises that we would likely not have met elsewhere. And gay-charter cruises like Atlantis and RSVP can be madhouses (or not - we've been on both kinds).

On the Post-Thanksgiving cruises where PP sailors make up over half the whole ship's population, they host a night where the entire pool deck is reserved for us. Terrific!

Truly, they - Pied Pier - should be more consistent. At the very least, however, I've never been on a PP cruise that was MORE expensive than if booked elsewhere. We always do extensive price comparisons before booking any cruise, PP included.

And Derek could definitely use a course in "How to be a More Welcoming, Personable and Extroverted Host".

We just came back from 11 nights on the celebrity. Equinox. I found pied piper. To be useless. Derek. And his team were poor hosts and did not speak to me or my partner throughout the whole trip. We were left to dine alone at dinner while two of his 'hosts' sat at the next table and didn't not even come to speak to us.it seems that although they offer good prices and you get a few free drinks .that is all they offer. nothing else except what was already available with celebrity no special shore excursions. no specific port information nothing!

This was our fourth cruise and our first gay group cruise.I would prefer to just go onboard and meet fellow gay travellers at the fod meetings. Maybe we were unlucky but it spoilt what should have been an amazing trip.

I've done about 10-12 trips with Pied Piper and vast majority were wonderful. Hosts were personable and made it a point to make all the guests feel they were a part of the group. Also had two I think where the hosts went off and did their own thing and really saw neither except in passing.

I don't fault PP as the hosts aren't paid per se, so I don't expect them to be the personal concierge for the group. I book with pied piper for two reasons

1. Group Rates

2. Having Dinner with the group

Everything else I consider nice but not necessary. Although I do think that since the hosts are getting a free cruise, part of their job is to be the social conduit that helps bind the group as a whole.

It's an absolute pleasure when you do get a host that gives it his (their) all, and has the ability to really mobilizes the group into a fun 'family' in a short time.

I think I've seen that happen about 5 times in my travels. So much though I think has to do with the dynamic of the group themselves. Couple of times I've seen the host rotate through the tables for dinner each night, which I thought was a great idea to help build the bond.

I would encourage you to give PP another chance, as most of the onboard experiences I've had with them were really good, sorry that your host didn't live up to expectations

Finally heard back from Derek, Pied Piper's chief:

"We have just over 30 in our group on the Hawaii cruise. Should be fun. Hope you have a great time. "

That's more than I had dare hope for, and enough to make a nice showing in the disco

every (I hope) night! Especially on "at sea" nights when there's nothing to get up early

in the morning for. Uh... unless, of course... you like breakfast. Me, I'll sleep til noon

if necessary and enjoy lunch around the pool, but that's just me.

Joe

We just came back from 11 nights on the celebrity. Equinox. I found pied piper. To be useless. Derek. And his team were poor hosts and did not speak to me or my partner throughout the whole trip. We were left to dine alone at dinner while two of his 'hosts' sat at the next table and didn't not even come to speak to us.it seems that although they offer good prices and you get a few free drinks .that is all they offer. nothing else except what was already available with celebrity no special shore excursions. no specific port information nothing!

This was our fourth cruise and our first gay group cruise.I would prefer to just go onboard and meet fellow gay travellers at the fod meetings. Maybe we were unlucky but it spoilt what should have been an amazing trip.

Sorry to hear that PP didn't meet your expectations. I guess different people have different expectations. We've booked 3 PP cruises and about 7 regular ones. We like PP knowing there will be a gaggle of like minded passengers on board and we can dine together and meet up for the occasional cocktail reception. I prefer that Derek and his hosts don't push themselves on you and you can approach them anytime on your own terms and they are so friendly and welcoming. Much like mingling at home except that you are on a beautiful ship. I'd give PP another chance and next time make the effort to reach out to who you want rather than simply hoping they will connect with you. Cheers!

 

Tommy: I'll be VERY surprised (but supremely happy!) if you're correct. PP's most popular cruise, the ONE cruise that has 900+ PPers I'm pretty sure, is the yearly Post-Thanksgiving cruise which is always (to my chagrin!) a Caribbean outing (been there, done that TOO many times) that leaves from Florida. Are you SURE we're talking about the SAME cruise, Tommy? Leaving April 3, 2013, from San Diego, CA, 13 days from now?? I'll be happy if there are just 25 PPers aboard.

 

I have emailed Derek at PP asking for the count of passengers and have not heard back.

 

Please check your reservation dates and let me know.

Hoping to find that I'm wrong and that we're on the same cruise!

Joe (and Michael)

Hi guys-

I was referring to the "Post Thanksgiving" cruise- that is the one that attracts 900-1000 people. That is the one we are all booked on. Are you guys booked for that one too? I hope so! :D And if your on the one in April from San Diego- have a great time!

Chat soon! Tommy

My husband and I came back last week from the Pied Piper 14-night Asian cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong and had an amazing time. I understand some of the issues raised with PP brought up in this thread, but we personally have nothing but good things to say about the experience.

I wrote a blog post about our experience with Pied Piper here:

http://www.guyswhotravel.com/entry/booking-a-cruise-through-pied-piper-travel

And here's the post about the cruise itself:

http://www.guyswhotravel.com/entry/two-weeks-cruising-the-south-china-sea-on-the-celebrity-millennium

My husband and I came back last week from the Pied Piper 14-night Asian cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong and had an amazing time. I understand some of the issues raised with PP brought up in this thread, but we personally have nothing but good things to say about the experience.

 

I wrote a blog post about our experience with Pied Piper here:

http://www.guyswhotravel.com/entry/booking-a-cruise-through-pied-piper-travel

 

And here's the post about the cruise itself:

http://www.guyswhotravel.com/entry/two-weeks-cruising-the-south-china-sea-on-the-celebrity-millennium

I have to agree with Toronto1970, I too just came back from the Pied Piper 14-nigh Asian cruise and can't say enough good things about Ian and Carl. I had the misfortune to get the flu while on the trip and the Pied Piper hosts went out of their way to make sure that I was well cared for by the cruise line and that any wants I had were met during the time I was in isolation and restricted to my stateroom. I found the guys to be very friendly, outgoing and more than generous with ideas for things to do etc. etc.

It's disappointing to hear that others did not get the same experience but for me it was more than adequate. Based on my experience I would use them again and would ask for Ian and Carl as hosts. Thanks guys for a fantastic experience all around.

Keith :)

Anyone booked on the pied piper baltic gay cruise - Scandinavia & Russia Cruise on celebrity Eclipse

June 22 - July 6, 2013 - 14 Nights

Brugges(Belgium), Warnemunde (Germany),

Stockholm (Sweden), Tallinn (Estonia), St.Petersburg (Russia), Helsinki (Finland), Copenhagen (Denmark) - would love to hear from you -

Anyone booked on the pied piper baltic gay cruise - Scandinavia & Russia Cruise on celebrity Eclipse

June 22 - July 6, 2013 - 14 Nights

Brugges(Belgium), Warnemunde (Germany),

Stockholm (Sweden), Tallinn (Estonia), St.Petersburg (Russia), Helsinki (Finland), Copenhagen (Denmark) - would love to hear from you -

Just booked yesterday afternoon (25th May) .......last cruise was also Celebrity on the Infinity - Panama Canal October 2012. Fancied seeing a bit of Europe this time considering it is on my door step.

With 28 days to go, I have absolutely no research completed regarding ports of call etc. All I know is that I am on the ship somewhere! It's so unlike me! ........ I better start by looking at historical weather records I guess.....what to pack?

At the moment I dont know who is traveling with me ..........told you it was very last minute .....for all I know, no one has the time off to do so but that does not phase me.

So see you in a few weeks.

Any like minded Pied Piperians who are booked on either of these cruises, and who have suggestions for shore cruises, not necessarily organized by the ship?:)

Any like minded Pied Piperians who are booked on either of these cruises, and who have suggestions for shore cruises, not necessarily organized by the ship?:)

Hi muliama,

My partner and I are booked with Pied Piper for the Equinox August 21st cruise as well!

We are also looking for shore excursion ideas not necessarily with Celebrity :o

ah well, we can always hit Monte Carlo together!!

Kelvin and I are arriving in Barcelona 4 days before by train from Madrid (we are coming from Bangkok and this is part of a 5 month RTW. He is young, I am not so young, so whiLst he climbs Mt Vesuvius, I shall sip a cocktail or six.

Looking forward to meeting up,,,,,,,,, Don