Is Carnival Gay Friendly

[keithm]

Originally Posted by paulypride

I didn't sail from Texas. It was a group from Texas. And yes Carnival cannot control the actions of its guests. It sure can of its employees. It was the behavior/speech of the employees and the follow up that makes me think that they could care less.

Really? From the cruises I've seen Carnival has been pretty accepting of it's gay pax. I've head the Cruise director can set the pace for staff behavior. I guess we just have to research the type of cruise style. If I knew a large group from Texas weas on board(especially party revelers)I'd be cautious.

[ticktoneer]

Originally Posted by MattInFLL

Carnival attracts a very mainstream, middle America crowd... not that there's anything wrong with that... but definitely a more "traditional values" crowd and I think more opportunity for potential unpleasantness. But on one of the megaships doing a 7 day or more itinerary, you are going to get a more diverse crowd these days.

But I would absolutely avoid any 3 or 4 day party cruise on any ship, as the Monarch incident from last year indicated.

What is the Monarch incident from last year?

[shepp]

Originally Posted by dfwguy

Ultimately, I think the departure port is best indicator of the demographic you will encounter. The 'redder' the State, the more likely you will encounter aggressive homophobia.

Which is one of the reasons I'm jazzed that one of my favorite Princess ships will be home-ported here in San Francisco beginning in the Spring.

[greg_atlanta]

Just did my 2nd carnival cruise and was generally pleased (7 day Liberty W Carib). Still prefer a more upscale cruise like Celebrity but wouldn't hesitate to do Carnival again if the price & itinerary is right. For September it was either Carnival or a pricey RC megaship with 3 sea days (bad for new cruisers like my BF).

There were quite a few gay men on board but all were couples or groups. They had FOD parties most nights at the Alchemy bar -- which is a popular bar between the nightclub and comedy club -- and I didn't obviously see a group of FOD congregating except one night (but it was the same group of 5-6 guys who were obviously traveling together).

The demographics were fine, very few old people and a good mix of 20/30/40-somethings. The music in the nightclub was a bit hippity-hoppity for my taste, but they were playing to the crowd... and mixed it up eventually. SEveral guys were hanging all over each other one night on the dance floor and nobody freaked out.

But remember: 7 day cruise, fly-in port for most passengers, off-peak season for families/kids = much different atmosphere.

Carnival is largely different than other cruise because of the demographics, and demographics are not the same on every cruise!!!

[cruising mickey]

Originally Posted by starsjohn

On my one trip with Carnival, I had a drink thrown at my head and called queer, you be the judge.

John

I can't believe that someone, out of the clear blue, would just go ahead and do this. What occurred before that happened and afterward? What's the whole story? It seems to be unfair to just capture that one statement and "condemn" a line without detailing all the circumstances around the issue.

[keithm]

Originally Posted by cruising mickey

I can't believe that someone, out of the clear blue, would just go ahead and do this. What occurred before that happened and afterward? What's the whole story? It seems to be unfair to just capture that one statement and "condemn" a line without detailing all the circumstances around the issue.

Perhaps the person was affectionate with his partner? Either way, that drunken slob had NO right to do what he did!

[cruising mickey]

Originally Posted by keithm

Perhaps the person was affectionate with his partner? Either way, that drunken slob had NO right to do what he did!

Honestly, I don't agree with what the drunkard did, it was reprehensible, but I'm trying to get an overall impression of the events which transpired. Did Carnival get involved, etc.?

[keithm]

Originally Posted by cruising mickey

Honestly, I don't agree with what the drunkard did, it was reprehensible, but I'm trying to get an overall impression of the events which transpired. Did Carnival get involved, etc.?

Not enough info. has come online about this event. Knowing Carnival(or any line,for that matter)The drunken slob would have been put off at the next port & a lawsuit could easily be filed by the victim. If it had happened to me..I guess I'd be up on manslaughter, as that jerk would have been thrown over the side!

[Kenito]

I have done most of my most recent cruises on Carnival, and I must say that I do not think there is any antipathy toward the GLBT cruiser. It is silly to think so. Besides, Carnival owns Princess, HAL, and several other cruise lines, so to imply any corporate attitude is nonsense.

To put yourself in a Carnival CSR in their corporate offices dealing with complaints from individuals... how are they supposed to know what happened? I can't imagine how many individual spats happen on a cruise... and while someone may think a slight was because we are gay, unless there is a direct, specific, and explained confrontation, how could they know?

I am confident the individuals involved were correct in their assumption... but virtually impossible for Carnival, or any cruise line to know. But it is wrong to make broad assumptions about corporate policy when it is no doubt only an individual problem.

I organize group cruises on Carnival and quite often I have spoken to the Cruise Director to request some change or arrangement for the GLBT/FOD Mixer, and our requests have always been honored.

Carnival may not be the best cruise line, but it may be the best value. But I know there many of our breathern who look down on Carnival, and come aboard with an attitude... and if you come aboard with an attitude, it shows. If you want to have a good cruise, you will have a good cruise.

I have been met with nothing but welcome and respect on all cruise lines... including Carnival. I've only had one experience with a neighboring table glaring at our group in the MDR. I had occassion to bring the Maitre 'd over to the table to meet us, and it was clear in our area that we were welcomed, friendly, and cordial. The glares ceased.

[RoderickIII]

Originally Posted by Kenito

I have done most of my most recent cruises on Carnival, and I must say that I do not think there is any antipathy toward the GLBT cruiser. It is silly to think so. Besides, Carnival owns Princess, HAL, and several other cruise lines, so to imply any corporate attitude is nonsense.

To put yourself in a Carnival CSR in their corporate offices dealing with complaints from individuals... how are they supposed to know what happened? I can't imagine how many individual spats happen on a cruise... and while someone may think a slight was because we are gay, unless there is a direct, specific, and explained confrontation, how could they know?

I am confident the individuals involved were correct in their assumption... but virtually impossible for Carnival, or any cruise line to know. But it is wrong to make broad assumptions about corporate policy when it is no doubt only an individual problem.

I organize group cruises on Carnival and quite often I have spoken to the Cruise Director to request some change or arrangement for the GLBT/FOD Mixer, and our requests have always been honored.

Carnival may not be the best cruise line, but it may be the best value. But I know there many of our breathern who look down on Carnival, and come aboard with an attitude... and if you come aboard with an attitude, it shows. If you want to have a good cruise, you will have a good cruise.

I have been met with nothing but welcome and respect on all cruise lines... including Carnival. I've only had one experience with a neighboring table glaring at our group in the MDR. I had occassion to bring the Maitre 'd over to the table to meet us, and it was clear in our area that we were welcomed, friendly, and cordial. The glares ceased.

Wonderful post Kenito! I've seen some whiney queens have a drink thrown at them by their own friends at a gay bar. Sometimes it's the only way to shut them up.

[Kenito]

Originally Posted by RoderickIII

Wonderful post Kenito! I've seen some whiney queens have a drink thrown at them by their own friends at a gay bar. Sometimes it's the only way to shut them up.

Oh my gosh! You gave us a hearty Sunday morning laugh!

Thanks and good sailing!

[fredspaw]

My partner and I were on the Carnival Liberty in May and had a wonderful time! We felt very welcomed and had many converstions with the CD and other staff. FOD meetings were scheduled almost every day if not every day. This I do have to say was the most disappointing part of the experience. There was a carnival staff prsent but spent the entire time "chatting up" two young 20 somethings (noticed them later in the cruise with same staffer being taken to prime seats for one of the more popular shows). We participated in many of the events on board and even walked away with a couple of those highly coveted solid gold (plastic) shiiiiiiips on a stick! We never noticed any signs of homophobia. We are not the type to show any PDA (including on an RSVP Cruise in 2007), we ended up feeling very comfortable. We enjoyed the RSVP experience but are very glad to know that we can go on a "mainstream" cruise and will be on another Carnival cruise in February.

Originally Posted by ;1368218

My only experience with Carnival was business related so I have no idea what to expect. All the other ships I have been on have certainly not felt homophobic and I have had a great time. Only 1 held an FOD party, but for the most part I have always felt part of the cruise. I would be interested to hear what people's experiences on Carnival have been.

Joey821
PSM821@aol.com
MS Scandanavia 1983
Carnival Victory 2000
Nordic Empress 2000
Monarch of the Seas 2001
Explorer of the Seas 2002
Millennium 2003
Norwegian Star 2004
Carnival Miracle 2004

[paslftr]

My partner and I are sailing on the Conquest this Sunday. This will be our first cruise. Do they post the FOD gatherings in a newsletter or something? Please explain how this all works! Thanks for the info!

[CrusingJoe]

Originally Posted by paslftr

My partner and I are sailing on the Conquest this Sunday. This will be our first cruise. Do they post the FOD gatherings in a newsletter or something? Please explain how this all works! Thanks for the info!

Carnival is very gay friendly. They post the LGBT daily in their newsletter. I don't now the deck plans for the Conquest, but on the Carnival ships I've been on it has been in the bar aft deck 6 or the Loby bar deck 3. The time very, so check the newsletter when you get to your cabin for the first night. Be prepaired, each cruise is diffrent and there may be people there or not. Some cruises just don't want to go. Have fun.

Joe

[Mattstacie]

We were just on a carnival nude cruise. They seem to have no problem with LGBT at all. However, they designated the FOD at a terrible spot in a tiny bar in a main hall on the way to the dining hall. Not nearly enough room for us.


Hawaii 2010
BOFI 2011
FF2 2011
BNB cabin 9210
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CrusingJoe]

Originally Posted by Mattstacie

We were just on a carnival nude cruise. They seem to have no problem with LGBT at all. However, they designated the FOD at a terrible spot in a tiny bar in a main hall on the way to the dining hall. Not nearly enough room for us.


Hawaii 2010
BOFI 2011
FF2 2011
BNB cabin 9210
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

How did I miss this cruise. When was the sailing date and intenerary? If there was so many of us, you shouls ofaskthe CD to change locations or you could of just changed it yourself and informed everyone at the first gathering. We hav had to do this a few time on Princess.

[Mattstacie]

This was a Bare Necessities cruise. It was feb 9th thru 17th. We went to Cozumel, Costa Rica and Panama. Next time we WILL change the venue ourselves, believe me.


Hawaii 2010
BOFI 2011
FF2 2011
BNB cabin 9210
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CrusingJoe]

Originally Posted by Mattstacie

This was a Bare Necessities cruise. It was feb 9th thru 17th. We went to Cozumel, Costa Rica and Panama. Next time we WILL change the venue ourselves, believe me.


Hawaii 2010
BOFI 2011
FF2 2011
BNB cabin 9210
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks

[glassman352]

Partner and I went on the Legend for the July 4th holiday in 2012. This was our first cruise. We had a great time!, There was FOD gatherings listed in the newsletter thingy that took place in the piano bar but no one showed up, (at least at the time we were there).

We were looking forward to the dinner seating as a way of meeting other cruisers (not necessarily gay) We ended up at a table of 8. I think they sit all same sex couples at the same tables because we had 3 other same sex couples at our table. One was a lesbian couple, one was a mother-daughter pair and the last was suppose to be a couple friends (ladies) but one cancelled at the last minute so there was an empty seat at our table. Had a great time with everyone.

We always presented ourselves as a couple where ever we went and had no problems ever. (maybe it had something to do with me being 6'2" and 300 lbs.)

[Mermen]

Originally Posted by glassman352

Partner and I went on the Legend for the July 4th holiday in 2012. This was our first cruise. We had a great time!, There was FOD gatherings listed in the newsletter thingy that took place in the piano bar but no one showed up, (at least at the time we were there).

We were looking forward to the dinner seating as a way of meeting other cruisers (not necessarily gay) We ended up at a table of 8. I think they sit all same sex couples at the same tables because we had 3 other same sex couples at our table. One was a lesbian couple, one was a mother-daughter pair and the last was suppose to be a couple friends (ladies) but one cancelled at the last minute so there was an empty seat at our table. Had a great time with everyone.

We always presented ourselves as a couple where ever we went and had no problems ever. (maybe it had something to do with me being 6'2" and 300 lbs.)

LOL!!! I"m with you glassman352! I'm 6'7" and 250 and although I don't have a chip on my shoulder, won't hesitate to lock eyes with someone who looks "down" on me and my better half...and they will look away. Ha!