dad son team

cruise pricing can be strange sometimes.  I booked a cruise for 3 people, and it was cheaper to do 2 cabins, with 1 being a solo cabin rather than doing 3 people in 1 cabin. 

AS for connecting, I did a studio on Epic and they did have connecting studios

2 hours ago, phillygwm said:

I think I found the group you were referring to.

 

I don't necessarily care about sub-groups.  Of the ones I qualify for, I'm not attracted to the men (there's probably a psychoanalysis there. 😆) 

 

As a solo traveler, my concern is being the "third wheel."  I'd hate to spend thousands of dollars only to wander around by myself feeling awkward.  It's conceivable I could travel with friends who are a couple which would mitigate that but not sure (they seem to be of the same mind as CDNPolar's husband.) 

 

For those who have done these solo, what have your experiences been like?

Don't overthink it.  These groups are not necessarily for hooking up but more for camaraderie.  I go with the bear groups because that is what I am defined as in the community, and it's nice to not be the only chubby, hairy guy at the pool in a speedo.  Are there hook ups?  Of course, but there is also a lot of just friendly conversation and socializing.  Dinner for example is usually a set of tables for the group in the dining room and the tables can be anywhere from 2 to 12 people.  It's usually a mix of sizes.  You get to choose each night, and the larger tables are usually made up of both couples, single friends, and solo travelers so you never feel like the odd number wheel.  Last one I went on was a group of about 150 and I sat with different people each night.  Sometimes it was a table for 2 at a specialty restaurant with a new platonic friend, other times it was the table for 12 with the host and entertainment.  

10 hours ago, cb2367 said:

I've been on several cruises and mostly book studio cabins, although I am interested in knowing how others here have booked inside or balcony at less than double cost.

 

There's a studio lounge on the ships with the studio cabins. After the first night, the group of solo travellers will meet up there with the solo coordinator. They will hang out for a bit and then the coordinator will arrange for the group to go to dinner.

 

I would recommend booking with NCL and checking out a studio cabin/meeting up with other solo travellers.

You just need to watch the fares for the best deals that do not have the solo supplement.  My September cruise on the Sun to Alaska doesn't have the supplement so that was great!  When shopping be sure to use the filters and select 1 person traveling so you'll see the correct fare.  

17 hours ago, phillygwm said:

It's personal preference.  I'm someone who hasn't done a pride parade in decades.  I go to bars maybe a few times a year.  I'm certainly not someone you'd consider part of "the scene." 

 

Would I consider one of these tours?  It's intriguing. All else being equal, I'd probably have more in common with a group of gays than a mostly straight cohort.  Or not:  I've gone to my share of LGBT mixers on traditional ships and they can be kind of cliquish, though I'll take my share of responsibility there.  I can be a bit socially uncomfortable/awkward so maybe I was projecting.

 

Weighing against it, I'm a single traveler so adding the supplement makes many of the cruises pricey.  Though the land-based tours might be doable.  

The single supplement isn't always that bad, especially if it's just a group vs. a whole ship.  Most of the group prices are close to the online prices so if you shop that way you can get a good feel for the price.  For the one I am going on next month, there was no single supplement.  it's a bit convoluted with the various discounts I got, but in a nutshell, the price quoted me to book with the group was about the same as the online price, which allowed for no supplement.  The agency that books the group was not able to book using all the discounts I had but told me or a small fee I can link my reservation to the group, which I did. Since I am traveling solo, the value in this for me is being able to dine with the group and go on excusions with the group, if I choose.  

There are quite a few groups.  At least one for every subcategory of gay man.  I've done a Chub group, a bear group, and next is a daddy group.  I don't believe we can promote agencies here, but there is one out there for happy gays that seems to be able to hook you up with almost any group for both land and ocean trips anywhere in the world.  Just google gay group cruises and you'll be sure to find options.  

6 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

How does just paying for the upgrade compare?

minimum bid for the upgrade is 100pp, to just outright pay for the upgrade they are telling me $1200.  I'm not sure how they calculated that, but I was coming up with a lower amount when I book the cruise today and deduct my promos but whatever. 

I'm traveling solo on an Alaskan cruise, and I guess due to it being later in the season (Sept) they are offering good solo discounts with no solo supplement.  Funny how if I bid, I still have to pay the bid x2 even though I'm solo and didn't pay the double cruise fare.  Since they will always charge x2 they should just make the bid per cabin and not person

To close the topic, I called NCL and was not able to upgrade.  I was quoted $1200 more to upgrade which was much higher than I had calculated based on the coupons/discounts I used on the original booking, plus what I paid out of pocket.  So, since the prices have dropped a bit and the cruise is 4 weeks away, I am hoping my upgrade bid will be accepted, but if not, I will be happy with what I planned on originally.

I'm booked for Alaska in September so I'm about 35 days from sail date.  I'm in an inside cabin and in checking prices, the cost of a balcony has become pretty reasonable.  Has anyone done a paid upgrade like this?  I guess my biggest concern is using certs that I had on the original booking.  In particular there was a 50% off cert for any cabin.  Would that still apply to the new balcony cabin or it that lost?

3 hours ago, Davechipp74 said:

I disembarked myself in FLA on time after boarding in NY, I didn't say anything to anyone. I had met a woman who convinced me to stay with her for a few days instead of going to the Bahamas that I have been to  many times. I never heard anything till after my next cruise at CBP, they brought me to secondary said I was in all kinds of trouble, the only think to happen to me was a stern talking to, a $300 fine and I got a really big stamp in my passport in big red letters that said PSVA Violation across 2 pages, and that was it. Coolest passport stamp I'v gotten so far.

The more important question we all want to know is if it was worth it to get off the ship?

On 7/22/2023 at 2:27 PM, RBCal said:

The gay group cruises can have partiers too.  Celebrity's ice martini bar attracts a hard drinking crowd.  I used to be one of them but have reformed.  

oh yes, the groups do have parties, but it's not as overwhelming as an all gay charter would be.  A party of 50-100 is not the same as a 3,000+ circuit party.  And I agree that the martini bar on X is the go-to spot for pre-dinner cocktails.  

I'll be taking my first Alaskan cruise in early September and I'm wondering if I should bother bringing a swimsuit.  Is there ever a good opportunity to use the pool during a September Alaskan cruise?  I don't believe the Sun has a covered pool area. 

I'll be traveling solo this time, but with a group (if that makes sense).  Anyone else on this sailing?

I booked an Alaska cruise about 2 weeks ago and was amazed at what I could redeem.  I have a $250 playstudios certificate, and I was able to combine it with a 50% off coupon from NCL for Alaska sailings on the Sun, and a $250 cruise next.  I was charged an $89 admin fee.  At the end of the day, I paid less than $500 (all in) for 9 nights, solo inside cabin, with Free at Sea promo

Look into gay group cruises.  They range in size from 25 ppl to a few hundred depending on the group and destination.   I've done two of them (1 on RCCL, 1 on Celebrity) with a third coming up on NCL to Alaska in Sept.  Rule of thumb on these, I think, is that the more upscale the cruise line is, the less of a party you will see.  Also true for longer itineraries.  The 4-5 days cruises are all party, while most cruises over 10 days, like trans-Atlantics, I think, tend to be retired people that have the time for them.  

I'll be booking this ship for an Alaska cruise and I'm on the fence with booking an inside cabin or an OOV.  From what I have seen, the window overlooks the promenade/jogging track then through another cut out to the ocean so people will be passing by right outside the window.  In addition, since it is set back it doesn't seem to get very much daylight.  Is it worth the extra money?  In my case it would be about $150 more over an inside

I would have to think that if they received something for each drink they served they would swipe the card every time.

I'm sailing Princess for the first time with a group and was wondering if they do any status match on their loyalty program?  I am Diamond on RCCL

I just ticked over to Diamond on Day 4 of my cruise last week and nothing changed.  I asked if I could get lounge access and they said no.  Meanies

I think it's just a matter of time before they start charging for the premium, poolside chairs. $$ per day to reserve a chair until 6pm

I'm on the Harmony in 2 weeks and I was looking at the schedule and they have the non smoking casino listed as an activity 

Yep, we'll be there too.

I think there is a difference between the two lines, and you will find "family" on any ship, at any time.  Some sailings will have more than others, but we are always there.   Celebrity is a bit more upscale and for an old soul, I think it would be preferred.  I would stick with NCL if you want an active Caribbean cruise. 

Ugh, I've been trying all day.  Have a pending charge in my amex, and it still showing in my cart since this morning.  Just went to the app now and tried to buy and it is saying I'm entering a bad cc number.  Tried 3 different cards with the same response.  Hopefully it will still be 30% off for a few days.  UDP dale price is still at $78 (down from 84.  Whoopie?)

On 11/8/2022 at 11:28 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Did have a quick question, is the ship time fixed as CST or did you have to change the clocks at all?

We changed clocks