GLBT meetings on Carnival

This is just a general observation with a few follow up questions -

I've now been on 4 Carnival cruises and on every cruise there's been a GLBT or Friends of Dorothy Meeting listed on the FunTimes (Carnival's daily events brochure if you've never been on Carnival). There's always been one listed for every day of the cruise, but my husband and I only go to the one on the first night... and we're the only ones that go!

We've also never seen any signage or Carnival staff to organize the meeting at the specified spot... But we do always notice more than one gay couple on the ship, so we know they're on board.

Do people just not go on the first night? Is it a Carnival thing? Do people just not go to these meet and greets in general?:confused:

We cruised Carnival last year. We never talked to Anyone at the Friends of Dorothy meetings. We are older but were still surprised that no one younger even wanted to talk!

My first 2 cruises I was so excited that FoD was a thing. We went to the first one, and looked around, and wondered where all the gay people were. There was only about 3 people in the whole bar area they had it scheduled for. My partner and I went back outside the bar and sat on a bench and waited for more/other glbt to arrive. No one did...

I dismissed it as being the ship, or the itenerary, but it's not that... My second cruise we tried again, but didn't wait as long for others to come by. Sometimes, I'll walk by and casually glance if I'm not doing anything else at the time.

I think the issue is there's no organization, no planned fun, no event to the FoD. Perhaps if we had an activity, pin the crown on the drag queen or maybe we make up regional glbt pins specifically for FoD and when all the gay people go to the FoD they can trade pins? May seem silly, but FoD needs a purpose other than just sit and drink alone at the bar.

There we at least a dozen of us at the FOD on Carnival Destiny this past December. It was a 5-day cruise out of Miami. We drank and had nice conversations with our fellow gay cruisers. We even hung out with another gay couple in the casino and at Margaritaville in Grand Turk. :D

This is just a general observation with a few follow up questions -

 

I've now been on 4 Carnival cruises and on every cruise there's been a GLBT or Friends of Dorothy Meeting listed on the FunTimes (Carnival's daily events brochure if you've never been on Carnival). There's always been one listed for every day of the cruise, but my husband and I only go to the one on the first night... and we're the only ones that go!

 

We've also never seen any signage or Carnival staff to organize the meeting at the specified spot... But we do always notice more than one gay couple on the ship, so we know they're on board.

 

Do people just not go on the first night? Is it a Carnival thing? Do people just not go to these meet and greets in general?:confused:

The FOD meetings are very hit or miss. We usually travel with our families, so we don't make much of an effort to go unless we're traveling alone. And we almost always have to start the conversations.

my first post here....

i am bi female and my husband and i are swingers, hi yall ;)

we just learned about the FOD meetings and i was looking forward to going on our last cruise (in aug on the Conquest). the first night at dinner one of our vanilla friends mentions it and everyone at the table perks up. oh boy..i'm thinking, thanks alot! now everyone is curious and will probably be stalking the meetup spot to see whats going on. i chickened out and didn't go. we were sailing with a large group and are known to cruise often so i couldn't exactly say we accidently stumbled upon the meetup. on our next cruise i will check it out. we've sailed probably 30 times and yet to find another lifestyle couple, i'm hoping the FOD will help us connect with other open minded couples

This is just a general observation with a few follow up questions -

 

I've now been on 4 Carnival cruises and on every cruise there's been a GLBT or Friends of Dorothy Meeting listed on the FunTimes (Carnival's daily events brochure if you've never been on Carnival). There's always been one listed for every day of the cruise, but my husband and I only go to the one on the first night... and we're the only ones that go!

 

We've also never seen any signage or Carnival staff to organize the meeting at the specified spot... But we do always notice more than one gay couple on the ship, so we know they're on board.

 

Do people just not go on the first night? Is it a Carnival thing? Do people just not go to these meet and greets in general?:confused:

A buddy and I took our FIRST ever cruise in 2010, and met a group at the FOD meetings the first night ... we seemed to gain a few each night ... and had an amazing time. We have since cruised with people we met that first year. We always go, and at least have a few drinks to see if anyone else shows. The second year, we only met one new person ... the third year ... I think we met 5 or 6 new friends ... Last year, only 1 again .... We head to CARNIVAL LIBERTY on Nov 16th ... 7 of us going this time ... I expect we will meet a few new friends on this cruise. Since there are 7 of us it will make the gathering look busy the moment we arrive ... so hopefully others will join us.

Went to FOD meetings on Carnival, Royal, NCL and Celebrity and all have been very poorly attended. We don't even bother anymore.

I think what happens is that people are nervous about being the first ones there. (What if it's a trap! What if they're all old and ugly? What if I'm the oldest and ugliest one there?)

People go up and just skirt the area and don't make contact. Sometimes they sit nearby to scout it out first.

These meetings work out well if an extrovert (of any kind) is there early and acts as a sort of greeter and creates a welcoming space.

These meetings work out well if an extrovert (of any kind) is there early and acts as a sort of greeter and creates a welcoming space.

I agree... been on 4 cruises this year and have almost always had to be the instigator of conversation. It is hit or miss... but folks, you gotta show up if its gonna get any better! I go every night, even if its just to have a drink and a quiet moment. On my last cruise, a gay couple had spotted me and my friend early on but never came to FoD because "they didn't want to intrude"?!? They only showed up after we approached them and invited them to the last night, and ended up having a great time!

And I like grrl2grrl's idea about spicing it up somehow. It would help draw more people into it. Will probably require someone on each cruise taking the initiative... but it would have to be reflected in the schedule or no one would know it was better.

We went once years ago - no one showed up. We either cruise with our best friends (straight) or alone - we always meet people either way. This past cruise on the Splendor - the meets were for 11:00 each night - that's my Casino time - sorry ;) Actually most nights we would meet some great folks at the lobby bar - both gay and straight couples - all having a blast. I walked by once and didn't see anyone.

Don't think it's a Carnival thing - seen the same thing on RCCL and NCL

Most of the gatherings that I have attended did not have many people. I know that Carnival scheduled it during either the late dining time or during one of their shows, so if you went you missed out. I agree that there are some people who are shy and come for a few minutes hoping that someone else will come up to them and strike up a conversation.

We head to CARNIVAL LIBERTY on Nov 16th ... 7 of us going this time ... I expect we will meet a few new friends on this cruise. Since there are 7 of us it will make the gathering look busy the moment we arrive ... so hopefully others will join us.

My girlfriend and I will be on the Liberty as well! This will be our first cruise and we're hoping to meet some new friends!

Hello,

I'm Scotty from Downtown Houston. I'm retiring from the Air Force for the second time and treating myself to a little getaway to do NOTHING! So I'll be sailing solo on The Carnival Triumph from Galveston on 12/16/13. Anyone else going on that sailing? My husband won't be joining me...he's sending me off to have some major downtime after the military! Plus, we just got back from a cruise to Hawaii so this one is for me! :-)

Would love to meet up with some other folks!! Ping me if you're going too!

All the best,

Scotty

My other half and I are heading out on Triumph 12/16. Live @ 2016 Main and Galveston. Anybody else going?

Tom

Yup, like I said below, I'll be traveling by myself! Would be fun to meet up!! Really looking forward to the down time away from the military! I've got a big ocean suite, maybe I can host a nice cocktail party one evening!

Yup, like I said below, I'll be traveling by myself! Would be fun to meet up!! Really looking forward to the down time away from the military! I've got a big ocean suite, maybe I can host a nice cocktail party one evening!

We went once years ago - no one showed up. We either cruise with our best friends (straight) or alone - we always meet people either way. This past cruise on the Splendor - the meets were for 11:00 each night - that's my Casino time - sorry ;) Actually most nights we would meet some great folks at the lobby bar - both gay and straight couples - all having a blast. I walked by once and didn't see anyone.

 

Don't think it's a Carnival thing - seen the same thing on RCCL and NCL

I agree - we just came back from a 21 day HAL cruise and they had a GLBT meeting every night but not once did we see anyone show up and we certainly met many gay folks on board. We always meet people just fine without these get togethers and, quite honestly, I wonder how relevant they are any longer. Certainly did not strum up any interest on our voyage.......

Myself and partner have been on carnival twice we always see the meetings in the fun times n occasionally pop by to see who was about. We find the times carnival put these at are never great it was always around 7ish In ocean plaza which means early seating dinner aren't there and late seating are most likely getting ready for dinner. We did see a few guys when we passed through and met them later in another bar then all arranged to meet and do our own thing which worked well. We are going on RCI in April and hopefully the FOD meetings will be a bit more successful.

IMO, they schedule them too late….typically 10pm….by that time, everyone has already dined, are probably at shows, in a club, or doing other things…..

They need to schedule them at 6 or 7 pm, and don't put them in the piano bar, which they did a few years back in the Destiny…you certainly can't talk over the entertainer, and it would be rude to try….

We only met one other couple on the Breeze this past June….Had a great time with all the strait people we met, but it still would have been nice to connect with other gay people….

Ive also been to many FOD and it seems the first night gets the best turn out then by the third night nobody goes anymore. My next cruise my friend and I [ both single] are going with 4 other guys all couples,, so we are on the NCL Breakaway which now has singe, studio rooms. The 2 of us are going to try that. The studio rooms have their own lounge with bar and have a bartender and a happy hour from 6 - 7 pm. Hope to meet some gay guys at that which would be nice since all our rooms would be in the same area and they have to be alone or at least not coupled off. This helps if you are gay and single , since most gays you meet on these cruises are paired off.

My partner and I have cruised twice and both times we made multiple attempts to attend FOD meetings only to find no one there. I agree with what others have said - some people are nervous and wonder if it is a trap. My partner and I are very outgoing guys but have never met any other gay guys or couples on our carnival cruises. The last one we took we suspected that another couple was gay as well but didn't want to walk up and say: Hey, you guys are gay too?! We should have a drink! How awkward if they weren't gay or didn't want to talk.

I'm going solo this new year's and would love to meet others at FOD to hangout with.

My other half and I are heading out on Triumph 12/16. Live @ 2016 Main and Galveston. Anybody else going?

 

Tom

Not sure if I saw you guys while on the cruise. I remember running into two guys walking towards the aft part of the ship one night near The Alchemy Bar but wasn't sure if it was you. I met one other gay couple briefly at the nightly LGBT Gathering at The Alchemy Bar and a few lesbians but no guys otherwise. LOVED the cruise though and the ship!!! Only my second Carnival cruise out of many but I can't wait to go back. Perfect amount of time away by myself and so easy from home (Houston).

My Husband and I noticed that as well, not many people go to the Carnival's F.O.D.

This is just a general observation with a few follow up questions -

 

I've now been on 4 Carnival cruises and on every cruise there's been a GLBT or Friends of Dorothy Meeting listed on the FunTimes (Carnival's daily events brochure if you've never been on Carnival). There's always been one listed for every day of the cruise, but my husband and I only go to the one on the first night... and we're the only ones that go!

 

We've also never seen any signage or Carnival staff to organize the meeting at the specified spot... But we do always notice more than one gay couple on the ship, so we know they're on board.

 

Do people just not go on the first night? Is it a Carnival thing? Do people just not go to these meet and greets in general?:confused:

Myself and partner have been on carnival twice we always see the meetings in the fun times n occasionally pop by to see who was about. We find the times carnival put these at are never great it was always around 7ish In ocean plaza which means early seating dinner aren't there and late seating are most likely getting ready for dinner. We did see a few guys when we passed through and met them later in another bar then all arranged to meet and do our own thing which worked well. We are going on RCI in April and hopefully the FOD meetings will be a bit more successful.

We have been on RCL, NCL and Princess (myself). I've rarely, if ever, seen anyone at the FODs. I've walked past and 'cruised' the area trying to see if anyone else was hanging out waiting to see who would show up.

When I was solo on the Caribbean Princess, I hung out with a number of crew and a few passengers in the bar at the top of the ship. That was about eight years ago. Otherwise, the FODs are poorly attended.

While there may not be a listing in the daily activities sheet there is always a card by guest services no matter which ship we've been on (NCL Pearl/Jewel/Sun), Caribbean Princess or RCL Oasis/Allure.

Definitely hit or miss!

As I've said in previous postings, one just has to look at the photos of the people on embarkation day and you will see who is 'family' or should be 'family" (I know, wishful thinking! :)

Scott