DocRonPS

I cannot remember how to add my recent cruise to my profile.  I searched everywhere.  Thanks.

6 minutes ago, Host Kat said:

 

What device are you using? With phones, it is a "different animal" than using a desktop or laptop.

Your list is in your signature and as I type this reply it looks like this:

 

 

Yes!!!!!!!!!Found it...Many thanks.

1 minute ago, Host Kat said:

 

What device are you using? With phones, it is a "different animal" than using a desktop or laptop.

Your list is in your signature and as I type this reply it looks like this:

 

 

Apple Mac Pro.  Where do I find my signature?  I looked under name DocRonPS. I need to delete RC as cancelled and add recent Silversea Spirit 2022.  Thanks for quick response.

On 5/3/2022 at 1:37 PM, mlbcruiser said:

Can someone doing a Danube cruise with Viking or Emerald please post what the requirements are considering these cruises usually visit several countries such as Germany, Austria & Hungary?  I know about the common. general vaccine & test requirements such as being vaccinated & tested before entering your embarkation country and tested within 24 hours of boarding your river cruise ship. However I’m not sure if more testing is required or what other certification is necessary to get off of your ship at each port. I am predominately interested in Viking and Emerald cruises. I could only find general river cruising Covid testing requirements in their sites but nothing for individual itineraries. Thanks for any information.

In Greece on Silversea, they tested you at the pier.  I do not think anyone failed!!!  I am going on AMA Waterways on the Danube Aug1 for 7 day from Budapest.  Anyone else going? I will try to call them.

I no  longer can see all the previous cruises that I have taken.  Where is it in my profile?  Also, how to add additional cruises?  Searched everywhere under my name.  Thanks!

I just off the Getaway and want to put it on my profile.  Please tell me where to look and how to add this cruise.  Thanks

Ron Lewis

Usually never could anyone to chat!!!!

2 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

That sometimes happens to me.  Guys lusting after my husband.

Glad you got a cute husband.  Lucky.  Boy, so much negativity on this subject.  Just everyone have a good vacation or don't go if worried about how gays will treat you!  I am outta  here to Paris so hopefully everyone can chill.  LOL

Couples in a very new relationship tended on the one NCL only to stay by themselves.  Not a big deal..Were friendly but not inviting to dinner.  Enjoy your cruise.  I lv Thursday for Paris...

First FOD on NCL was great.  Lots of singles in groups..few couples.  Planned several side trips.  Second one less great due to newly-relationship couples. Met up occ later at pools or late at night around the ship, rarely for dinner.  But I am social and talked to people at meals.   So hit of miss.  Just go to Meet and Greet in the beginning and sit in middle ( not at bar) and they will show up.  Got a shirt with name of your city, might a conversation started.  HAVE FUN AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.   Too much energy spent.  LOL

57 minutes ago, Cusp79 said:

DocRonPS - Yes, we have a cruise coming up on May 26^th out of NOLA for my graduation.

 

MishelleMcc – I totally agree!

 

Everyone – I mean, we have met a bunch of people on our cruises.  I have even started a Facebook page for the “fun” people that I have met since I first started cruising, back in 2003.  Someone’s sexuality doesn’t matter to me especially when I’m looking to just relax on vacation.  If someone is nice, funny, and exciting to be around then I don’t care if they’re LGBT+ or not.  On the other hand, it would be nice to have another gay couple to hang out with while on a cruise so you don’t feel like such a minority. 

Congrats!  I lv from Copenhagen June 7th on Baltic Cruise with NCL.  Strike up a conversation over meals at the  next table and you might find a traveling mate for day trips. I do when sitting solo. Enjoy

Ron

2 hours ago, movie buff said:

My husband and I are currently sailing on the Celebrity Millennium 14 night from Tokyo to Vancouver BC. Quite a few gay couples on board.  Really only met one couple that wanted to be social and we had dinner with them one night. The others do not want to give you the time of day.  On the other hand we have met and made good friends with several different straight couples. Even had invites to stay in their homes that are in a different locations in the world.  I still do not understand why so many gay couples have a hair up their ass.  

How funny and true.  Don't take a vacation if so uptight about if people talk with you or not.

Agree.  Don't have to always socialize with LGBT people only.   If you are not into socializing, they do a land tour alone! 

That is too  bad for you both to experience that.  Might as well be on an Atlantis cruise is where you find that behavior.  My first NCL "Friends of Dorothy" was fantastic.  We all went to meals and excursions. More adult age. The last one only couples of young/newbies that tend to exclude solos and others outside their group. But we all had fund and Meet and Greet.  I don't go on cruises for that. Did that with RSVP/Atlantis.  I just go and meet all sorts of people....gay/straight. Open up around others.  Are you soon to cruise?

23 minutes ago, Tom.Kitten said:

It's the "just put yourself out there..." that terrifies me, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Especially as a solo cruiser, each cruise I start with the best intentions, I'll just "put myself out there..." but each time I get to the bar and all the cliques have already formed, and the circles have already closed. I don't really expect other people's crusie experiences to be about my insecurities, but certainly there must be a better way to stage a meet up.

 

 

 

I walk up and start a conversation to find out about the person...and sit down with them all.  If you look afraid to meet, then you will not be approachable. That being said, and I am able to get into the group, after the meet and greet, some just go off on already made plans and they don't want a single..sad.  I had that on my last one and go really stuck with a curmudgeon.  LOL  The RSPV and Atlantis are a not for me anymore...too much gaydom!!  I have tried with CC to get a roll call for LGBT TRAVELERS  but not sure where to post.  Have fun and you cannot control others.  Also, dont arrive late.  sounds like everyone is already there..so get there a few min prior to start time.  

14 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

My NCL Sun meetups were at the Champagne Bar.  You didn't see many people after the first few days (2 week cruise).  I think people made friends and formed groups right away, and stayed in them the rest of the cruise.

 

NCL was quite a few couples.  

Just got to put yourself out there and see.  I realized that I just needed to introduce myself and see what happens.  Hit or miss.   I would see the usual people at 530 each night...but most had speciality dinner reservations which is difficult to include other.  Have fun on Viking.  Very upscale.

24 minutes ago, mizezslo said:

I really appreciated this thread, and am coming out of lurking to say my big takeaway is choosing the right cruise and cruise line for what you want to get our of your vacation is supremely important here — about as important as not being lecherous/snobbish/judgmental jerks and not reading too much into people who don't want to socialize or make new friends. 

 

In our case, my husband and I chose to do a TA on Viking (his first) next month because we are freaking exhausted after a heck of a year, needing to force ourselves to disconnect for two weeks. We both have high-contact jobs and a very active social life with our family and friends. We're both in our 40's and happy with the party days that are behind us, and we aren't looking to grow our social network nor are we looking to display any sort of socio-economic status.

 

This is why we gave NCL, Princess, Cunard, the 100% gay cruises and other lines that do great things for other purposes a pass. We just plain want to rest and enjoy each other semi-privately. We will be polite and won't dismiss anyone, but interaction will have its limits so we can get the therapeutic value we paid for. I hope you all do the same careful choosing to get what you want out of your hard-earned vacations. Bon voyage! 

I agree with what you said.  I have experienced NCL only and had a positive experience for the most part.  One NCL cruise was great to meet people and we hung out the entire trip.  The second trip LGBT meet and greet  on NCL was only couples which were not interested in including any solo travelers.  That was unfortunate.  Hit or miss.But I like that the cocktail meeting was out in the main part of the ship and not off to another part hidden away.

I looked at www.tripinsurancestore.com on advice from others.  Got a quote for medical only that includes my travels prior to Copenhagen for $80 with pre-exhisting condition.  I did not care about ship issue, etc.  Only medical emergencies.

I spoke with Kim.  $80 for more days and $250 from NCL!

4 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

For starters, do take a look at the Travel Insurance section of CC:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/

 

Meanwhile, I'd suggest that you contact www.TripInsuranceStore.com (a broker, using several vetted insurers), and ask them about the pre-existing conditions, etc.

 

We use them, and have gotten policies from Travel Insured (and they've paid promptly when we've had claims).

 

But CALL TIS, do not just read the online summaries, as the fine print can really matter with insurance.

 

I think you'll find better coverage, and for less money, using a third-party insurer.

 

GC

THANKS!!!!!!!!!

On 1/13/2019 at 1:50 PM, jlnprt said:

We will be flying in a few days before the start of the cruise. Does anyone have any hotel recommendations? Are there any that offer transportation to the cruise port or are we better off just catching a cab?

I am booked at Best Western. ( two of them) Less $$ than that offered by NCL  but need to take a taxi to port. Rooms going fast.

I had great time on my first NCL out of Barcelona. Met lost of guys and we traveled together. But my last one a few years ago, still great turnout at cocktail hour but I find if most are coupled, singles are not usually included for dinner, etc.This was from Singapore and lots of Australians coupled.  Better that being payed-out on Atlantic or RSVP

Does anyone know about using the travel insurance offered by NCL versus any private company?  Which one has the best complete policy, esp for pre-exhisting conditions.

( diabetes etc or taking medications) What do people recommend.  Going on 8 day Baltic on Getaway June 7th.

Sadly, I had the exact same experience sailing solo on Getaway 9/4-11/2016. Lots of the gays at the FOD, but not an especially friendly bunch. I ended up hanging out with a lot of friendly straight folks that I met through CC or on shore excursions. I had an awesome cruise, but I didn't spend any time with the gays and when I did try and strike up a conversation it went nowhere.

Yes, how unfortunate that we can be so isolating among our "own"! I, too, talked to people sitting next to me at my meals and would run into them throughout the ship. I will still cruise on NCL on future trips and will try to find others to join me. I do want to do the Panama canal sometime and the Baltic. Thanks for writing back to support my experience. Too bad those at the FOD meetings could not read out posts! I did thank the cruise director, Silas, for hosting them.

Keep in touch regarding your future cruise plans

DocRonPS@gmail dot com

Ron

I just disembarked on the NCL Getaway. The first night the LGBT gathering had 18 people and started to dwindle by Wednesday. I found that unless you were part of a group or partnered, the single guys frequently did not get included in dinner plans with established groups. This was unfortunately but further demonstrated how cliquish we can be amongst own. My previous experience two years ago on the Epic was quite the opposite. Of course Atlantis and RSVP are quite the opposite!

We are doing the same cruise and I was wondering the same thing.

I was told Sun nite 8PM at Sunset Bar and then 7PM rest of the days. But check the daily program

Ron