Chumley's Bear Cruise Caribbean Princess 11/2/2008

[rick212]

Rick,

Sorry I gave the wrong times in the previous post it's 4:30 PM to 7 PM.. Still same place....

 

-Randy-

 

Hey, Randy!

 

I posted about the Atlantic Beach some time back and Brian said that it was closed! Is that correct?

 

I was there a few years ago on a short vacation to SJ and really enjoyed the place. I like how it is right on the beach.

 

Anyway, I get in SJ around 2pm, so if this bar still around, I'll head over.

 

Rick

[bbenson]

No Rick, it's not closed. I knew it wasn't closed "I think" but I did remember reading that it was trying to be come a mainstream hotel and to shake off it's "gay hotel" reputation and that it had become much less gay friendly..... but that could have been just a phase too... after all, in business if it aint broke don't fix it!

 

Now the bathhouse in San Juan *IS* closed, and being turned into condos, again, this is from what I've been told...and some of the bars in OSJ have closed or moved...

[rick212]

Hey, Brian!

 

Sorry about that! Didn't mean to put words in your mouth.

 

Well, I think I'll grab a cab and head over there, anyway. Have you read the reviews for the Atlantic Beach Hotel on Trip Advisor? Really poor, but as recently as August 2008 still a 'family' hotel.

 

Rick

[reli]

It's still on for Sat afternoon at the ABH. Haven't heard differently. I was in SJU last Nov and stopped by there for a few cocktails. The staff was saying that the owners didn't know what they were doing with the place. The previous year (07) all the bartenders were family. Last time none of them were, at least when I was there. There was noticable deteriation of the common areas, bar, lobby, restaurant. Never saw a room in the place but if the common areas were any indication.....

 

I agree from the outside bar/deck it's a great view of the water and beach..

 

It's still a better place than the basement bar down the street that I commented on previously.

 

Previous Post:

"There are two or three places in the Condodo. I won't mention names, but at one of them is in a basement on a side street and I would just drink the bottled beer and then only after wiping the neck. The other place, has a pretty good afternoon crowd, by the water, but it's dead at night. The third place, is in a hotel/casino and mixed. Again, if you were going to the Condodo you would also need to do it by cab from OSJ. Sorry the news isn't better..."

 

Down to DAYS and COUNTING !!! :D

 

-Randy-

[bbenson]

Hey, Brian!

 

Sorry about that! Didn't mean to put words in your mouth.

 

Well, I think I'll grab a cab and head over there, anyway. Have you read the reviews for the Atlantic Beach Hotel on Trip Advisor? Really poor, but as recently as August 2008 still a 'family' hotel.

 

Rick

 

Hey, thats cool, I'll probably do the same at one point or another. Honestly, you may not be putting words in my mouth, at this point I can't remember what I said LOL except that I know I had mentally crossed it off as a "hang out" spot.

[reli]

Read your post on the other thread.. and saw you are leaving in AM.. so I figured you were arrivig at pretty much the same time +/-... sorry you are getting in so late and have to waste a whole day traveling..See ya at the Hotel !!

[bbenson]

no, unfortunately although I do leave here at 10 am I have a 2 hour layover in houston and then that flight leaves at 1...it's a 4 hour flight so lands at 5 but add in 2 time zone change and presto-chango it's 7 pm...ugh! oh well, back to packing! see yall there!

[amy417]

Hi Guys!

 

Glad to see you are keeping this thread on the first page now!

 

Well the virus restrictions are still in place but I have not heard much about any sick passengers.

 

STILL have not seen the Jersey Guys...hmmm. Oh well will look forward to mettng them at the sail away gathering on sunday. We are having a great time. Doing absolutely nothing. But that is the plan. Week one rest...week two activity..week three our daughter embarks..week four need another vacation:eek:

 

Don't forget to mail those absentee ballots! This is one election everyone needs to weigh in on no matter who you are voting for.

 

Have a great pre-cruise gathering and see you when you board.

Cya soon!

[rick212]

Hey, Amy!

 

I keep forgetting you have Internet access on the ship.

 

Glad you're having a good time.

 

I'm only in the office a half day today - I need to get home and pack. Haven't even started, yet.

 

My flight tomorrow leaves (hopefully) at 8:15am, so at least I won't have to be up at the crack of dawn!

 

Randy, hope to see you at the ABH on Saturday afternoon.

 

Brian, see you on the ship!

 

Safe travel to SJ!

 

Rick

 

Randy, hope to see you guys at the ABH Saturday afternoon.

[cruise addiction]

Hi all - am looking forward to the Chumley cruise!!!! I leave for SJU at the crack of dawn - before dawn - my airport shuttle comes at 3:30 tomorrow morning!!! Am looking forward to seeing everyone at the party Saturday afternoon!

 

Andrew

[grump]

Have fun guys! Had I not just heard about this cruise today, I'd be coming too.

 

Next year, there's no power in the 'verse that'll make me miss it.

[bbenson]

For those who are interested I believe the cruise infor for next year has been posted to the group website.

[wolfatlga]

Greetings..

We really like the itinerary and the Princess line that the 2008 cruise was on..how did you guys like it and does anyone know if they are going to repeat the cruise for 2009?

 

We sailed on the Piped Piper and loved it, buy next year they are sailing out of Miami and not going to the Southern Caribbean. We are excited about going to Aruba and that part of the Southern Caribbean..

 

Thanks

Wolf

Atlanta

[JerseyGuys]

Wolf

 

Jack and Andy here from outside Philadelphia. This was our first Chumley Cruise (virgins LOL). I cannot tell you what a good time we had. It was a terrific group of guys a little over 250 strong. I've never been on all all gay RSVP type vacation so i really can't compare to that experience. I think all of us assimilated very well with the other 2600 passangers. A couple of stares here and there.

 

When the bears take over the aft pool and lounge area there are a number of people who come by to "take a look". Obviosuly in a group this size those guys who have benn on 2-3-4-5 or more of these cruise obviously have a lot of established relationships. In spite of that everyone made all the newbies feel welcome. Couldn't have found a better behaved group of gay men if you tried. And I'll tell you on formal nights what a handsome gorup of guys.

 

There was a sail away cocktail party with all the bears on the first night, non-princess all bear excursions on St. Thomas (sailing-snorkling), Dominica (Trafalgar falls, etc) and Grenada (we opted for the Land tour versus snorkling). Gay Dating Game, Newlywed Game and a great cocktail party the final night. Lots of great nights poolside, movies under the stars and some new good friendships. It's a first class operation.

 

Next year the group is switching to Costa Atlantica November 14th -21 2009 sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale (a big plus in my book) Islands are San Juan, St, Thomas, and Nassau. I did enjoy this years islands, Bonaire and Aruba especially. If you drop me an email I'll send you the link to the site (I think CC will block the site if I try and post it)

[wolfatlga]

I found the link and joined the Yahoo group. We have never sailed on Costa. I have read things about smoke being a problem and they use 220 volts in the cabins. Other than that,

it sounds fun..so we'll see..

Thanks..for the info..are you guys going to go on this one?

Since it's 72 in Atlanta tonight, I told him I would investigate another cruise...lol.

Wolf

wolfatlga@mindspring.com

[JerseyGuys]

Try Philadelphia at 40 and thats warm.....There is a large group from Atlanta who sails on the Chumley Group...I think the only larger group is the state of Texas....

 

We're committed to the Caribbean Princess October 24th Reposition NYC to San Juan(which is a fantastic cruise by the way this year is Bermuda, St. Kitts, Antigua, St Thomas, San Juan). so if we do both it means sailing...arriving back in San Juan November 1st fly back to the states and Fly back to Ft. Lauderdale for the Chumley cruise. Right now we are planning both cruises.

[bbenson]

well I'm a little behind on this threat...wouldn't ya know.... Jack and Andy have you booked for this one yet? I did my booking last week, woowo, and most of the fellas I've kept in touch with are planning to book as well, the economy willing.... one great thing about this ship is that the prices seem to be a couple hundred dollars cheaper than princess, which is a plus.... the downside is the itinerary.... San Juan, St. Thomas, and Nassua.......but when I booked I talked to Paul and he's going to try to really come up with some nifty excursions to make these old ports seem exciting and new! Also since fellas are booking early he's trying (and succeeding so far) to get us into blocks of rooms...which I think is great! And we have more sea days...thank goodness...

[djzack67]

Hey All, What a great trip it was. Here is a link to my You Tube Vid.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esW-lxXy2A0