Gay meet up P&O Arvia

[goodclicks]

21 hours ago, GSPG said:

Sorry I have absolutely no animosity towards gays, but why is there a need for this gathering?

I have absolutely no animosity towards solo travellers but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards bridge players but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards recovering alcoholics but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards crafters but why do they feel the need to meet up? 

 

I have absolutely no animosity towards straight people but why do they feel to meet up in every bar and venue on the ship? 

 

In my experience someone who says “I have no animosity/problem with X, but… ” usually does.

 

 

And yes, other friendly people are welcome to attend the LGBT+ meet ups. I quite often find a few single straight women enjoy the company and feel comfortable and safe in it. 
 

On my only cruise to date on P&O 15 years ago (with a partner) a photographer wouldn’t take our photo together; many crew seemed reluctant to engage with us; the beds were apart despite requesting them together; and on disembarking, the entertainment staff collected the room cards and realised we shared a cabin. As we walked off the gangplank for the last time it was to the sound of “yes, they are together” - and laughter at our expense.

There were no LGBT+ meet ups then, so thank you to the OP for asking this question. 
 

I’ve finally booked to return to P&O in May this year, this time as a solo cruiser with a straight female friend. When I saw this objection by a fellow P&O passenger (and a few supporters) about special interest meet-ups I now wonder if I have made a mistake.  

[Interestedcruisefan]

10 minutes ago, goodclicks said:

I have absolutely no animosity towards solo travellers but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards bridge players but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards recovering alcoholics but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards crafters but why do they feel the need to meet up? 

 

I have absolutely no animosity towards straight people but why do they feel to meet up in every bar and venue on the ship? 

 

In my experience someone who says “I have no animosity/problem with X, but… ” usually does.

 

 

And yes, other friendly people are welcome to attend the LGBT+ meet ups. I quite often find a few single straight women enjoy the company and feel comfortable and safe in it. 
 

On my only cruise to date on P&O 15 years ago (with a partner) a photographer wouldn’t take our photo together; many crew seemed reluctant to engage with us; the beds were apart despite requesting them together; and on disembarking, the entertainment staff collected the room cards and realised we shared a cabin. As we walked off the gangplank for the last time it was to the sound of “yes, they are together” - and laughter at our expense.

There were no LGBT+ meet ups then, so thank you to the OP for asking this question. 
 

I’ve finally booked to return to P&O in May this year, this time as a solo cruiser with a straight female friend. When I saw this objection by a fellow P&O passenger (and a few supporters) about special interest meet-ups I now wonder if I have made a mistake.  

Don't worry these out dated views are very much in the minority now

 

You know what the world is like theres always a few who just like to complain/moan about something on and off P and 0 cruises

 

P and O clearly do think people should have the opportunity to meet in special interest groups. These groups are promoted each day 

 

I'm sure you will find the  atmosphere on the cruise very refreshing tbh. The world has moved forward 

 

 

Edited March 26, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan

[GSPG]

5 hours ago, scottish ed said:

Thanks for your responses and advice. I didn’t realise what I was starting when I asked the question. 
 

In response to this post- I’m not suggesting we’re special. Sadly, bigotry doesn’t take a holiday and whilst most people are accepting of LGBT relationships, not everyone is. Until they are, I think these meetings are important. It’s not about excluding anyone (and I’d hope anyone would be welcome) but just about spending a bit of time with people who you have something in common with. 
 

Thanks to the others who made similar points & came to my defence.

 

Thanks  Avril for the kind words- am really looking forward to first cruise!

Thanks scottish ed.

My concern if you like for these meetings was rather different than people meeting for hobbies etc.

On one hand I saw people who want diversification and inclusion, but on the other hand want to raise their heads above the parapet and highlight that they are different in some way. I was suggesting nowadays rather than having the stigma so to speak, just to get on, feel included without prejudice with all other guests as we literally are all on the same boat together.

Why try raising being different profile where you have an opportunity to blend in and just interact with everyone else for a week or two.

As you say however this is about preferring to spend time with people you have something in common with.

 

When you think about ‘differences’ in people, an observation from my end are those who have that snobbery about them, or feel entitled in some way and look down their nose at you. Those are ones I try to avoid with the smug, judging faces on them.

Perhaps it’s these are the ones who make people feel uncomfortable?

 

I wish you a brilliant time scottish ed.

[GSPG]

34 minutes ago, goodclicks said:

I have absolutely no animosity towards solo travellers but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards bridge players but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards recovering alcoholics but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards crafters but why do they feel the need to meet up? 

 

I have absolutely no animosity towards straight people but why do they feel to meet up in every bar and venue on the ship? 

 

In my experience someone who says “I have no animosity/problem with X, but… ” usually does.

 

 

And yes, other friendly people are welcome to attend the LGBT+ meet ups. I quite often find a few single straight women enjoy the company and feel comfortable and safe in it. 
 

On my only cruise to date on P&O 15 years ago (with a partner) a photographer wouldn’t take our photo together; many crew seemed reluctant to engage with us; the beds were apart despite requesting them together; and on disembarking, the entertainment staff collected the room cards and realised we shared a cabin. As we walked off the gangplank for the last time it was to the sound of “yes, they are together” - and laughter at our expense.

There were no LGBT+ meet ups then, so thank you to the OP for asking this question. 
 

I’ve finally booked to return to P&O in May this year, this time as a solo cruiser with a straight female friend. When I saw this objection by a fellow P&O passenger (and a few supporters) about special interest meet-ups I now wonder if I have made a mistake.  

Thanks goodclicks.

I asked to be enlightened for my understanding on what I saw was double standards, and now I have. Just sorry you had that experience before. Just shows from my post above that there are certain element judging people.

I expect from my attire on occasions it’s not up there with the elite, and can feel a ‘we are better than you’ on occasions.

 

Have a brilliant trip in May.

[Fionboard]

Never done a solo meeting but they are popular with those who want company. Glad they do them. Same as the other get togethers. 

[goodclicks]

Thank you GSPG, it’s appreciated. 
 

I haven’t had too much discrimination at all but must say I was made to feel like an outsider and unwelcome 15 years ago on Ventura. It wasn’t something I was used to on the ships - although the Italian ships had a more old-fashioned attitude, I found. 
 

My boyfriend and a female friend had an upsetting incident on my last Marella cruise from an older male passenger who kept coming up to us and harassing her (she’s young and beautiful) about why she’d want to spend her time with the likes of us, when presumably she should have been spending it him (in his late 60s and when his wife isn’t looking). It was really unpleasant for her and made her feel unsafe and what he’d say about us was just awful. It felt all the more shocking as Marella was otherwise super friendly, relaxed and welcoming to everyone. 

 

There still is homophobia of the worst kind about too however. Someone I met on a cruise was killed in a homophobic attack in the Pulse Orlando massacre shortly after. 
 

I wouldn’t like to think that because there’s a get-together listed in the daily planner meant anyone felt excluded. It is about allowing like-minded people to find one another, nothing else. 

[Britboys]

6 hours ago, scottish ed said:

Thanks for your responses and advice. I didn’t realise what I was starting when I asked the question. 
 

In response to this post- I’m not suggesting we’re special. Sadly, bigotry doesn’t take a holiday and whilst most people are accepting of LGBT relationships, not everyone is. Until they are, I think these meetings are important. It’s not about excluding anyone (and I’d hope anyone would be welcome) but just about spending a bit of time with people who you have something in common with. 
 

Thanks to the others who made similar points & came to my defence.

 

Thanks  Avril for the kind words- am really looking forward to first cruise!

I'm sure you will have a great time. I've been lucky enough to have been cruising since 1995, firstly with my partner (who was Scottish) and solo since his death in 2012. In all that time, I can only recall one potentially homophobic reaction. Dining has always been on fixed dining at a large table and there has never been any issues either around us as a couple or for me alone.

I have definitely found an increasing number of LGBT folk cruising on P&O in the more recent years. Before then, it often felt that I was "the only gay on the ship".

[Dinglebert]

1 hour ago, GSPG said:

Thanks scottish ed.

My concern if you like for these meetings was rather different than people meeting for hobbies etc.

On one hand I saw people who want diversification and inclusion, but on the other hand want to raise their heads above the parapet and highlight that they are different in some way. I was suggesting nowadays rather than having the stigma so to speak, just to get on, feel included without prejudice with all other guests as we literally are all on the same boat together.

Why try raising being different profile where you have an opportunity to blend in and just interact with everyone else for a week or two.

As you say however this is about preferring to spend time with people you have something in common with.

 

When you think about ‘differences’ in people, an observation from my end are those who have that snobbery about them, or feel entitled in some way and look down their nose at you. Those are ones I try to avoid with the smug, judging faces on them.

Perhaps it’s these are the ones who make people feel uncomfortable?

 

I wish you a brilliant time scottish ed.

Why not?  Why can't people expect to be part of the whole cruise but at the same part be part of a group based on their sexuality?   I just don't understand why you have any concern at all.  It just does not affect you in any way.  Any stigma felt by LGBT+ people is not coming from themselves its coming from others.

 

Asking people to blend in can be seen as offensive.   Worth a read here

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-45978770

[GSPG]

20 minutes ago, Dinglebert said:

Why not?  Why can't people expect to be part of the whole cruise but at the same part be part of a group based on their sexuality?   I just don't understand why you have any concern at all.  It just does not affect you in any way.  Any stigma felt by LGBT+ people is not coming from themselves its coming from others.

 

Asking people to blend in can be seen as offensive.   Worth a read here

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-45978770

Not sure what this link is all about. And choosing the biased god awful BBC isn’t the best source.

 

I’m sure many on here, myself included have altered themselves slightly depending on the audience around them. 

[Dinglebert]

5 minutes ago, GSPG said:

Not sure what this link is all about. And choosing the biased god awful BBC isn’t the best source.

 

I’m sure many on here, myself included have altered themselves slightly depending on the audience around them. 

I think the fact you don’t understand the link speaks volumes.  You need to stop digging the hole is big enough 

[welshy74]

On Celebrity Silhouette last June the ship threw a Pride night and loads of people joined in, no matter what their orientation.  It was fantastic!!  I wonder what terrierJohn and GSPG would have thought of that lol 

[Camberley]

6 hours ago, welshy74 said:

On Celebrity Silhouette last June the ship threw a Pride night and loads of people joined in, no matter what their orientation.  It was fantastic!!  I wonder what terrierJohn and GSPG would have thought of that lol 

🤣🤣🤣🌈🌈🌈

[terrierjohn]

9 hours ago, welshy74 said:

On Celebrity Silhouette last June the ship threw a Pride night and loads of people joined in, no matter what their orientation.  It was fantastic!!  I wonder what terrierJohn and GSPG would have thought of that lol 

I have a granddaughter who is in a same sex relationship and who has attended some gay pride gatherings.  However whilst I have no prejudice at all against gays, I still do not understand why they feel it necessary to have such gatherings. I feel no desire to flaunt my sexual preference, or attend overt gatherings lauding them.

[Waju]

9 hours ago, welshy74 said:

On Celebrity Silhouette last June the ship threw a Pride night and loads of people joined in, no matter what their orientation.  It was fantastic!!  I wonder what terrierJohn and GSPG would have thought of that lol 

I bet that was a brilliant night - I love a good party!

[welshy74]

8 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

I have a granddaughter who is in a same sex relationship and who has attended some gay pride gatherings.  However whilst I have no prejudice at all against gays, I still do not understand why they feel it necessary to have such gatherings. I feel no desire to flaunt my sexual preference, or attend overt gatherings lauding them.

Oh dear TerrierJohn (my boyfriend is also a town fan BTW) 

Are you against other gatherings - Christian Bible reading get togethers, Singles get togethers, Friends of Bill W, and the many other groups that pop up from time to time?  On one cruise we even had a Welsh cruisers meet up arranged on facebook.. would that upset you too?  

If you don't wish to 'flaunt' your sexual preference I presume you never hold your wife's hand, introduce her as your wife, tell people about your family, have a nice photo with your arm around your wife (or female partner if you are not married).  

I was lucky my grandfather, when he was alive, had a very different view to yours.  

Lighten up John.. LGBT+ gatherings have ZERO impact on your cruise.. but you would be more then welcome to join one of them if you like.  You do seem very interested in the subject. 

[Fionboard]

It's the  "knit and natter" lot that bother me! All those clacking needles!!! JOKE!.

[Selbourne]

12 minutes ago, Fionboard said:

It's the  "knit and natter" lot that bother me! All those clacking needles!!! JOKE!.

I thought they were now called “stitch and bi*ch” 😂 

Edited March 28, 2023 by Selbourne

[Adawn47]

15 minutes ago, welshy74 said:

Oh dear TerrierJohn (my boyfriend is also a town fan BTW) 

Are you against other gatherings - Christian Bible reading get togethers, Singles get togethers, Friends of Bill W, and the many other groups that pop up from time to time?  On one cruise we even had a Welsh cruisers meet up arranged on facebook.. would that upset you too?  

If you don't wish to 'flaunt' your sexual preference I presume you never hold your wife's hand, introduce her as your wife, tell people about your family, have a nice photo with your arm around your wife (or female partner if you are not married).  

I was lucky my grandfather, when he was alive, had a very different view to yours.  

Lighten up John.. LGBT+ gatherings have ZERO impact on your cruise.. but you would be more then welcome to join one of them if you like.  You do seem very interested in the subject. 

This thread, started with a genuine question, has now been reduced to denigrating certain posts and/or posters. All posts should be respected. I am surprised this thead is still up. Others have been removed for far less.

Avril

[Host Sharon]

On 3/25/2023 at 10:13 PM, Britboys said:

There are two main theories around the term Friends of Dorothy.

One relates to the Wizard of Oz, with Dorothy's little band of outcast friends and the fact that Judy Garland became a gay icon.

The second relates to the American Socialite Dorothy Parker. She was quite anti-establishment and had a large circle of very bohemian friends, including a number of gay men and lesbians.

I believe there are some other theories and no-one knows for sure but it became quite a common way for gay men in particular to safely check out other men by asking "are you a friend of Dorothy" or "Do you know Dorothy".

Fortunately, in most liberal countries we no longer have to resort to such tweeness. That doesn't however mean that for this 60-something man, it doesn't feel like he's 'coming out' every time he's asked if he's ever been married...

A bit like me always being asked if I have grandchildren 🙂 Grrrrrrr.

[yorkshirephil]

13 minutes ago, Fionboard said:

It's the  "knit and natter" lot that bother me! All those clacking needles!!! JOKE!.

I will be going to knit and natter as usual this afternoon at our local cafe, the group has now grown with a few guys tagging along for the crack, there will be plenty of dropped stitches and swearing from the ladies. 

[welshy74]

Just now, Adawn47 said:

This thread, started with a genuine question, has now been reduced to denigrating certain posts and/or posters. All posts should be respected. I am surprised this thead is still up. Others have been removed for far less.

Avril

Yes its sad that it was hijacked by a small few who have nothing to do with the actual subject.  The post should not be taken down as its a good reference for the future but certain posts from a TerrierJohn and GSPG need to go.  

[grapau27]

On 3/26/2023 at 9:54 AM, goodclicks said:

I have absolutely no animosity towards solo travellers but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards bridge players but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards recovering alcoholics but why do they feel the need to meet up? 
 

I have absolutely no animosity towards crafters but why do they feel the need to meet up? 

 

I have absolutely no animosity towards straight people but why do they feel to meet up in every bar and venue on the ship? 

 

In my experience someone who says “I have no animosity/problem with X, but… ” usually does.

 

 

And yes, other friendly people are welcome to attend the LGBT+ meet ups. I quite often find a few single straight women enjoy the company and feel comfortable and safe in it. 
 

On my only cruise to date on P&O 15 years ago (with a partner) a photographer wouldn’t take our photo together; many crew seemed reluctant to engage with us; the beds were apart despite requesting them together; and on disembarking, the entertainment staff collected the room cards and realised we shared a cabin. As we walked off the gangplank for the last time it was to the sound of “yes, they are together” - and laughter at our expense.

There were no LGBT+ meet ups then, so thank you to the OP for asking this question. 
 

I’ve finally booked to return to P&O in May this year, this time as a solo cruiser with a straight female friend. When I saw this objection by a fellow P&O passenger (and a few supporters) about special interest meet-ups I now wonder if I have made a mistake.  

When Pauline and I were on Royal Caribbean Splendour of the seas in October 2014 we went into the Diamond loyalty lounge during nightly free drinks.

In a corner was an English and German man all by themselves.

Pauline being very chatty said hello to them and they explained they spend most of their time in their cabin except for 2 and a half hours during the nightly free drinks in the Diamond loyalty lounge.

They said they had experienced prejudice from some crew towards them.

We chatted with them most nights before dinner and had a good time.

For a few years after the cruise we received and sent emails to each other.

It is sad and wrong that people should discriminate against other people.

Graham.

[Adawn47]

2 minutes ago, welshy74 said:

Yes its sad that it was hijacked by a small few who have nothing to do with the actual subject.  The post should not be taken down as its a good reference for the future but certain posts from a TerrierJohn and GSPG need to go.  

I think you misunderstood me, I was referring to your post😉

Avril

[welshy74]

Just now, Adawn47 said:

I think you misunderstood me, I was referring to your post😉

Avril

I know!  read between the lines

[yorkshirephil]

5 minutes ago, welshy74 said:

Yes its sad that it was hijacked by a small few who have nothing to do with the actual subject.  The post should not be taken down as its a good reference for the future but certain posts from a TerrierJohn and GSPG need to go.  

Well if that isn't a prejudice I don't know what is.