Friends of Dorothy need not apply. (redux)

Perhaps they should just designate a space and time on the ship, once or twice a day, and announce that it is available if groups want to sign up for a meeting. As it was, Regent lumped Rotarians, Kiwanas, Lions and Elks all together, so perhaps just having a small space available on a first-come basis would make sense. Then anyone could use it, as long as it was a non-commercial group.

What exactly does Celebrity do?

 

And what do you suggest? Back to no notice at all?

On our last Celebrity Cruise on the Solstice, they had a big bulletin board near the front desk with notes attached to it. There was a note on the daily news to check the board for "special group" meetings. They scheduled it at the Molecular Bar, but we all met at the Martini Bar. People we met here on CC had agreed to meet at the Martini Bar the second evening, and that became the venue of choice for all (gay and straight, singles and couples, black or whites, etc.).

I have never suggested "no notice at all", I was just saying that if they do the bulletin board, there would still be some unhappy people complaining they didn't know about the bulleting board. If they read they dailies/newsies, they would know about it, that is how we found out.

Jorge

Maybe they could tell people about the bulletin board in Passages!!!!!

Maybe they could tell people about the bulletin board in Passages!!!!!

Exactly! Passengers could be directed to the "interest group" bulletin board in Passages. The Passages daily agenda stays clean and interest groups get proper listing so that folks can participate onboard.

Okay Regent, we have a plan for you!

Like many of you I have many cruises under my belt and 4 of them with Regent. Communication between the front desk and we passengers is always important and the more daily information is given out the better - I vote for the positioning of a daily message board in the lobby with a small section reserved for guest-to-guest notes. Why not? It is simple, requires little upkeep, and available to all.

We were surprised that our recent Celebrity transatlantic cruise did not include a scheduled meeting for Veterans. Military veterans represent a large percentage of the passenger profile on many cruises, especially those of longer duration or several days at sea. I set a meeting up myself with Passenger Relations, and although the ship would not announce it in the daily ship’s flyer, we had a very good turnout. Guest relations did go ahead and post a small card on the bulletin board outside guest relations, but few people visit the board.

The veterans concluded that Celebrity was in a no-win situation because some groups would say that it was unfair their group was not listed while other groups WERE listed. However, they noticed that there WERE daily LGBT meetings.

I think that you posted on the wrong board. Here is a link to the Celebrity board -- you may want to start a thread there. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

I hesitate to ask - I know what LGBT is, but what is Q or Q1? Would love to know - if it is something which can be put down in print.

Here is a recent educational glossary from the University of California at Davis:

http://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/lgbt-education/lgbtqia-glossary

Wow - I had forgotten all about this. It was almost a year ago I asked this question.

However, I now realise that there was a great deal I did not know that I did not know. Will plough through all this to improve my knowledge on the subject.

I'm surprised that no one has suggested that this is a "space" issue. I don't means space in the program. I mean actual physical space. If too many venues are "off limits" to passengers as a whole, then people complain. It is possible that those groups which are allowed meetings, are "group" bookings.

I'm surprised that no one has suggested that this is a "space" issue. I don't means space in the program. I mean actual physical space. If too many venues are "off limits" to passengers as a whole, then people complain. It is possible that those groups which are allowed meetings, are "group" bookings.

In the case of LGBT gatherings, no exclusive space was required. Simply a corner of a lounge or other public area.

And drinks, lots of drinks. :D

Meetings for LGBT, Veterans, Friends of Bill, Cruise Critic Meet and Greets, etc. do not really require a special space (as was mentioned previously). When we do Meet and Greets, we generally find a time of the day when little is going on in a particular lounge and designate a place for the group to meet. Setting it up is fairly easy and the meetings have been successful.

Who was "Dorothy"

In the case of LGBT gatherings, no exclusive space was required. Simply a corner of a lounge or other public area.

 

And drinks, lots of drinks. :D

and they make more revenue off drinks!!!! Bad MARKETING DEPARTMENT decision.

Can't believe this thread that started out so negatively keeps popping up. The OP, in post #1 misstated the following: "Back on board again and can confirm one more time that it is Regent company policy that "Friends of Dorothy" gatherings are no longer allowed." If this were truly the case, I would be very upset - however, it isn't.

Regent used to "sponsor" many groups and have cut back dramatically. This in no way means that they "are no longer allowed". It simply means that passengers need to set up these get-togethers on their own (like we do with Cruise Critic events).

The one thing that would assist in setting up meetings/events is having a place on board where the information can be posted. I understand that Regent does not want to list everything in "Passages", but, IMO, there should be some easy way for passengers to know what meetings have been scheduled. Obviously Regent would not want some tacky board where people stick bits of paper with notes on the them. Just a thought.

P.S. BentleyOnBoard, Regent is all-inclusive so there is no extra revenue coming in from drinks during meetings or any other time. If anything, there are more "included" drinks poured during meetings (Except for Friends of Bill which is still announced and sponsored by Regent).

The one thing that would assist in setting up meetings/events is having a place on board where the information can be posted. I understand that Regent does not want to list everything in "Passages", but, IMO, there should be some easy way for passengers to know what meetings have been scheduled. Obviously Regent would not want some tacky board where people stick bits of paper with notes on the them. Just a thought.

 

P.S. BentleyOnBoard, Regent is all-inclusive so there is no extra revenue coming in from drinks during meetings or any other time. If anything, there are more "included" drinks poured during meetings (Except for Friends of Bill which is still announced and sponsored by Regent).

Yes Travelcat2, So right about the drinks, it was my experience with OCEANIA which is also owned by Norwegian, just like Regent, but you have to pay for drinks where it does not make sense. I totally agree there should be some way for passengers to know what meeting there can be if they don't want to post. There is nothing MORE embarrassing than walking up to someone and asking them if they want to join your FOD group, only to discover they are NOT gay.... My gaydar just isn't what it used to be with all of these younger metrosexuals out there now... LOL

In my experience on Regent and other lines the LGBT pax are perfectly happy to socialise with each other and everyone else anyway without having separate events organised for them because they don't wish to be and nor should they be treated as a "special category" any more.

In my experience on Regent and other lines the LGBT pax are perfectly happy to socialise with each other and everyone else anyway without having separate events organised for them because they don't wish to be and nor should they be treated as a "special category" any more.

Interesting perspective. I wonder if this is a general feeling amongst LGBT passengers.

Interesting perspective. I wonder if this is a general feeling amongst LGBT passengers.

In my experience, it is.

Interesting perspective. I wonder if this is a general feeling amongst LGBT passengers.

Of course we feel free to socialize with everyone else, but i also still want an lgbt meetup. Good to meet other "family" on board.

Interesting perspective. I wonder if this is a general feeling amongst LGBT passengers.

I wouldn't generalize it! I know some people who would only sail on gay cruises. For my partner and I that statement applies. We prefer to just blend in and meet all kinds of people.

Jorge

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I wouldn't generalize it! I know some people who would only sail on gay cruises. For my partner and I that statement applies. We prefer to just blend in and meet all kinds of people.

Jorge

 

 

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Jorge, we are with you. We like to blend in as well and socialize with everyone. We also know people who will only sail on Gay cruises which we call floating bath houses.

I think the more sophisticated GLBT really don't care about a special event.

A Bill W meeting is great for people dealing with life long recovery.

Jorge, we are with you. We like to blend in as well and socialize with everyone. We also know people who will only sail on Gay cruises which we call floating bath houses.

 

I think the more sophisticated GLBT really don't care about a special event.

 

A Bill W meeting is great for people dealing with life long recovery.

Wow. So only unsophisticated LGBT go to a meet up? Nice.

I live in NYC, have BAM season tickets, go to theater and concerts often, work in global finance, and yet still want an LGBT gathering on the ship. Guess I'm just a yahoo. :)

 

 

 

I think the more sophisticated GLBT really don't care about a special event.

 

.

Again, I wouldn't generalize! [emoji6][emoji3]

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