Talldkny

Hi Peter and Charles, I will be travelling with my friend Robert on this cruise. We are doing the 24 day B/B on the Koningsdam and will boarding on October 18. I am looking forward to going on this new ship. It has been 11 years since I have been on HAL. Frank

Be aware Holland America changed its policy for arranged gatherings on social groups!

We sailed on the Holland America's ship ms Koningsdam and during a 12 day cruise only 2 GLBT gatherings were arranged. Both were located at the Seaview Bar, which is actually a bar placed at the second level of the mid ship pool. The bar is placed next to the sandwich and pizza buffet, so there is no atmosphere nor a proper place to linger/mingle or socialize with fellow passengers. Actually by 7pm the film, shown on the large screen, takes over the sound and no other kind entertainment is possible.

Here is the reaction on our complaint, which came from emailing the presidents office:

 

"In response to your inquiry regarding the frequency of GLBT meet-ups on our sailings, it is true that some of our vessels previously scheduled more frequent gatherings for some social groups, such as GLBT guests or Veterans. However, in order to ensure that all such groups are treated fairly, we have standardized our onboard policy to schedule 2 meetings per sailing. We regret any disappointment this change may cause and trust that you can appreciate the reason for this decision."

 

Although couples of the same sex are accepted on board (staff was delightful), HAL's corporate policy is less open and welcoming by denying any support to arrange any extra gatherings! When we commented on the bad location during our cruise, we were told by the Cruise Director in person that this bar needed the revenue!!! :eek::eek:

We have no more comment to add!

It was the same situation on a recent 14 day Transatlantic on RC, Jewel of the Seas. They posted 2 GLBT gatherings the entire cruise. The gatherings were scheduled at 10 pm in their Crows Nest lounge..

There were over a 100 gay men on this cruise. Only a few showed up the first night. We never went again. There were 10 of us in our group. So we were our own party. Did not hear any complaints.

Jamaica has some of the worst "Human Rights" violations in the Western Hemisphere. This has been documented for years. I was there in the early 80's. It is a beautiful island. The natives are always in your face trying to sell you something. I personally would not get off the ship or spend a dime on the island.

Hi there. Good to know that there will be other Gay men on the cruise. Im Mike from Canada retired single traveling alone. Hopefully the LBGT meetings are at a time and place that makes sense. Usually not! But we can always change that on the notice board if its a stupid place at an inconvenient time.

Mike we look forward to meeting you. There are now 10 in my group and six other gay men that I know that will be onboard. So you will be in good company.

Frank

It look likes we will be in good company on this cruise. Will be definitely going to FOD. This is my 26th cruise. My 5th TA.

Hello, I am travelling with 8 of my friends on this cruise. We all live in Florida.

I will be travelling with 8 friends on the Jewel of the Seas, 14 day, TA on May 6. We all look forward to meeting other LGBT travelers!

Jamaica has a record of some of the worst "Human Rights" violations in the western hemisphere. I would not take a cruise that went there or Russia.

I have found it is either hit or miss when meeting fellow gay travelers. In the past six years I have done 5 Repositioning Cruises on Celebrity. There have always been a good amount of gay people represented on these trips. On my last cruise there must have been at least 50 gay men. At FOD there were two groups of German and English men in there 30's & 40's. They did not mingle. I am in my late 50's. It could be an age thing? In most of the cruises I find fellow gay travelers friendly. We often make friends with straight people onboard. My word of advice "birds of a feather." This holds true with gay people too!

I have been on 26 cruises. Most of the major cruise lines. My friends and I have never been made to feel uncomfortable by staff or by other travelers. We make friends more often with straight people onboard then other LGBT travelers. I have found cruise staff to be very accommodating to the LGBT passengers. My only concern next year is a booking I made on a 24 day cruise on the Koningsdam. I am in my late 50's. I heard this ship is trying to attract a younger demographic. I am hoping it does not feel like a nursing home. My last cruise on HAL was 10 years ago and it was RSVP cruise to Alaska.

They talk like they made the Koningsdam for a younger crowd. We didn't see any evidence of that. Unless you think that changing the piano bar to a 2 piano bar, or creating a new venue specifically for chamber music is a game changer. You will be a couple of the youngest passengers on board, for sure. Not many working people or families with children can cruise for 24 days in October. I'm sure you'll have a good cruise though. Adjust to the really slow pace, and you'll be fine.

Thank you for your quick reply. This will be my 26th cruise and my 6th TA. This is a back to back we are taking, 10 day Med with a 14 day TA. My last five cruises were on Celebrity. I have had all good experiences and met some really nice people. The motivation for booking the Koningsdam, a change in cruise lines, a new ship, a fantastic itinerary and the new music venue. I will deal with the scooters & wheel chairs and the slow pace as one day I will be there! Thanks

I see this thread is a couple of years old. Does anyone have any feedback on the Koningsdam? The last five cruises I have been on were on Celebrity. A friend and I just booked a 24 day Med/TA next October on the Koningsdam. We heard they were trying to attract a younger demographic on this ship. I am in my late 50's and heard that Holland had become a Nursing Home at sea. One of my motivations for booking this ship was that it was new, the itinerary was great and they had an upbeat music and entertainment format.

I just booked with 8 friends the May 6, 2018, RC "Jewel of the Seas" TA from Puerto Rico to Rome. It will be my 26 cruise my first on Royal.

we just sailed on the Koningsdam - 11 day, in October and we felt like we were on a Senior Citizen/Assisted Living cruise. We know HAL is known for a older crowd, but this was ridiculous. We probably saw a total of 10 children on board. And as far as entertainment....forget it. They had one comedian, one singer, one sax player on the World Stage. So disappointing

We are in our late 50's and just booked a 24 day on the Koningsdam for next October. We heard the new ship was designed to attract a younger demographic. We have stayed away from Holland for the very reasons you stated.

My friend Robert and I look forward to meeting you and your partner onboard!

Frank

I will be sailing on Celebrity Silhouette on April 23, 2017. It will be my fifth Celebrity Cruise. Celebrity is very Gay Friendly and we always meet allot of great fellow cruisers.

Hello Everyone, I just recently booked this cruise with a friend and got a fantastic deal! We are from South Florida. This will be my 26th cruise, my 5th with Celebrity and 5th TA. I am looking forward to meeting everyone on board.

Happy Holidays,

Frank

Are there any fellow travelers boarding the Celebrity Reflection Eastbound transatlantic crossing on April 9,2016? This will be my 4 TA. I will be travelling with my friend Robert. We both look forward to meeting other gay and lesbian travelers onboard.

Frank

A friend and I just booked the 16 day transatlantic on Celebrity Reflection. The ship departs on April 9 from Miami to Rome. It will be my fourth transatlantic cruise.

Leaving today for Rome. Wishing everyone a safe trip! Looking forward to meetng everyone on board.

Frank

Walter:

If I have counted right I have taken a total of 24 cruises. We have both sailed on the following ships:

2013-NCL Epic, 7 day- Eastern Caribbean

2012- Celebrity Century, Pied Piper, 15 day-Hawaii

2011- NCL Pearl, 14 day - Panama Canal

I lived in Miami for 15 years. I moved two years ago to Pompano Beach, Florida.

Best regards,

Frank

Walter,

I am sure will will have alot of fun talking cruise talk! It started for me in 1979. I was 20 years old and with three friends went on a TA on the QE2. We spent two months that summer traveling through out Europe. What an experience!

We can talk more about the Epic when we meet. I did right a review on the Epic on CC. I dont know if there is way for you to access?

I signed up for the CC Connections Party so we will be in good company.

Frank

Walter,

This thread looked so lonely, compared to the main board for this cruise and the Nov 1st sailing. I finally needed to jump on board! I also recognize a couple of people on the Nov 1st sailing. It is very small world!

I noticed you were on the Epic. I was on the Epic last year. Even though I was not in Haven I look forward on getting your opinion of the ship.

Best regards,

Frank

Walter,

We are staying at the Hotel Trastevere (same district) in Rome. My friend Robert who I am travelling with stayed there three years ago and liked it very much. I have been to Rome twice the last time in 1988. It has been awhile and I am looking forward to traveling around this beautiful city. We plan to take in as much sights as possible. We are both walkers.

I have been looking over the excursions on our cruise. I just booked the tour while we are in Agadir to the "Market & Medina of Ancient Tasroudant. Do you plan on taking any of the tours?

We are in Cabin 3025. I look forward to meeting you and Iain.

Frank

Hi Walter,

We will be arriving in Rome on 10/31. This gives us plenty of time to see the sights. We had such a great TA last year on the Infinity with Pied Piper. The TA's seem to get a well traveled, fun group of passengers. It seems the cruise of choice with many our fellow FOD colleagues is the 11/1 sailing on the Sihlouette. Their blog is very active.

I had not planned on a cruise this year as my travelling companion had already been on a TA in the Spring and was not interested in going on another one this year. Most of my other friends are still working and cant get the time off. Well how things change. I was watching TCM. They were featuing films with Suzanne Phleshette. After watching Rome Adventure & If it is Tuesday, This most be Belguim, I checked prices on TAs called my friend and he said book it and here we are! ;)