Gay on a Disney Cruise – Help educate me

[SFBayDon]

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[OrlandoMike]

I have been on multiple cruises including Disney. Yes, there are kids on the ship, but do you have to see them if you don't want to? NO! Disney does an excellent job of "adult only" and "Kid only" areas. Just hang out in the adult areas and you will be fine. As for the gay thing...never, ever had a problem! The CM's actually went out of their way to welcome us! Other guests have never even batted an eye, it's Disney!

Now Carnival......I've got stories!popcorn::

[RobbNJ]

Hi Don-

I have to agree with Mike. You and your partner will have a great time on the cruise. The crew won't bat an eye if you are two men, two women, or one blue and the other green.

Join us on our four day cruise in November as a test!

Robb

[Disney_Villain]

My husband and I have had pretty good reception overall from straight guests on DCL. We've made friends with many straight couples on these cruises. Last time, we made good friends with a straight newlywed racially mixed couple & their family - and shared brief notes of "intolerance back home" that we all seemed to leave in the dust as we came on board the ship. We were always in our white or black tuxedos, so people presumed were married on that cruise - and we were asked many times, actually!

Don't worry about it! Go & have a great time.

[inkkognito]

My husband and I have done 62 Disney cruises without kids, and believe me, you'll love the way that they enforce the adult areas! We've met many gay and lesbian couples and also gay crew members. I've never seen anyone who seemed to have a problem with it. You never know when you might run into a jerk, but the odds are against it. And if you do, just ignore them and let it be their problem, not yours. You will have a blast!

[zulemara]

I think you've found most of your answer but I'll chime in

My bf went on a cruise over spring break and for our 6 month anniversary. The kids were never a problem and they do a great job seperating adult and kid areas. We hung out at the adult pool, the adult clubs, and the adult restaurants. We also had the second dinner seating which kept the younger kids away even at dinner.

as far as the gay thing, we never encountered a problem. The cast was fantastic. They gave us an anniversary cake and on our way out the head waiter made a comment like "don't have too much fun with that cake in your room" :rotfl: That really floored me and helped my bf realize just how accepting Disney is.

you will have a great time and there is no better place to be a gay couple than at Disney or on DCL

[moonpie85]

I think you've found most of your answer but I'll chime in

My bf went on a cruise over spring break and for our 6 month anniversary. The kids were never a problem and they do a great job seperating adult and kid areas. We hung out at the adult pool, the adult clubs, and the adult restaurants. We also had the second dinner seating which kept the younger kids away even at dinner.

as far as the gay thing, we never encountered a problem. The cast was fantastic. They gave us an anniversary cake and on our way out the head waiter made a comment like "don't have too much fun with that cake in your room" :rotfl: That really floored me and helped my bf realize just how accepting Disney is.

you will have a great time and there is no better place to be a gay couple than at Disney or on DCL


LOL...thats soooo funny! I love it when people shock ya like that.

[mikelan6]

Adam and I had NO problems on DCL. We had a lot of fun.

I would caution you when and if you decide to go to Nassau though. We've never had a problem, but I have also heard bad things about them.

[wallyb]

We'll be first time DCL travelers this November -
and we had the very same ponderings.
Everyone here assures us it will be fine. :goodvibes

But I don't know :scratchin - this bunch doesn't seem the most trustworthy.

And why Does DLC keep going to Nassau? -
Nobody seems to enamored with it!

[Disney_Villain]

If DCL wasn't so gay-friendly, my husband and I wouldn't be booking our 4th trip on it since 2004! We're targeting the 2009 DVC member cruise at the moment, as we've never done this before.

Yes, Nassau . . . it is getting a bit stale for us. We first saw Nassau in 2004 with the tour of the casino/aquarium (Atlantis resort). Got steered to Nassua again in 2007 due to hurricane and had a sister-ship reunion with both the Magic and the Wonder parked side-by-side, which was the best reason I've ever had for Nassau. Did the horsedrawn carriage ride through town that time too. Now we're bored of it. The 7-day Eastern and Western itineraries are better (we loved the Western, taking us to Mexican ports and seeing the ruins).

[mikelan6]

And why Does DCL keep going to Nassau? -
Nobody seems to enamored with it!

The fact that the ships are registered in Nassau might have something to do with it. Personally, we stay on the ship and enjoy the near empty pool.

[inkkognito]

Yes, it's the registration...it obligates them to go to Nassau a certain number of times. I recommend staying on board and just pretending it's a sea day. It's perfect because the ship is hardly crowded at all.

[zulemara]

I only went to nasau on the 3 day and haven't been there on the 7 day or with my bf. Of course we were in it for the 18+ drinking age since I was only 19 at the time :rotfl:

[SFBayDon]

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[SFBayDon]

We also had the second dinner seating which kept the younger kids away even at dinner.

Another good tip I will check and make sure we have the second seating

[wallyb]

Another good tip I will check and make sure we have the second seating

Robb's talking about the November (11/30 /08) cruise.
I'm on that too.
My first DCL trip.
We're doing second seating as well.

[padalyn]

Another good tip I will check and make sure we have the second seating

Umm - another suggestion? ask for an adults only table if you really don't want the smaller people at dinner. We have taken many cruises with Disney (I am up to 10 and hunny [Tiggr33] has more than that - somewhere around 13 I think) we have never had a problem - I did on my first DCL trip - with a table mate not the cast (pre-Tiggr33 stuff!!) I explained what had happened to the Head Server, he was apalled and switched our table post haste. We were made to feel very welcome.

We have done 3,4,14, and longer. We usually ask for a large adults only table. The shows are funny (if you have the ASL team on board - be sure to watch them during the show - they are TOO funny!!)

Tiggr and I have had many wonderful experiences with cast and crew - never any trouble. We find that the cast treat any couple as a couple.

Ducky and his partner of many years often travel on DCL.

The dining rotation means that you have the same table and staff for all the dinners; unless you book Palo, the adults only restaurant. I was told by a friend today that she knows someone who just took the cruise and the filet mignon (spelling??) has been taken off the Palo choices. If someone else can confirm that please do!

[SFBayDon]

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[rpmdfw]

I was just in Chicago for IML and the ASL staff was hilarious. They are some of the hardest working and special people, but watching them try to keep up with the emcee was a really good laugh.


I'm just thinking about the special . . . um . . . challenges there would be signing for IML!

:rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl:

[padalyn]

my ignorance is showing....IML??

[rpmdfw]

my ignorance is showing....IML??

IML technically stands for the International Mister Leather contest.

But, in conversation, IML tends to mean the entire weekend in Chicago. I've never been, personally, but it's supposed to be a lot of fun for the leather crowd.

[padalyn]

IML technically stands for the International Mister Leather contest.

But, in conversation, IML tends to mean the entire weekend in Chicago. I've never been, personally, but it's supposed to be a lot of fun for the leather crowd.

ooooohhhhhh - that explains why I had no idea :rolleyes1

[wallyb]

ooooohhhhhh - that explains why I had no idea :rolleyes1

Me either - thanks for asking

[inkkognito]

I was told by a friend today that she knows someone who just took the cruise and the filet mignon (spelling??) has been taken off the Palo choices. If someone else can confirm that please do!
They call it tenderloin now but it's still the same.

[quietgirll]

just wanted to say-- me and dgf will be going on the podcast cruise as well :)

[Footnotegirl]

The only thing you have to worry about on a Disney Cruise is that you might end up like the couple we met. Poor guys got stuck with these crazy straight folk insisting they be on our trivia team and making them come to dinner with us in our dining room instead of in their own.

Seriously though, watching from the 'outside' as it were, on occasion I have seen a small number of people give gay couples dirty looks, but it has been very much in the minority, and mostly they get dirty looks back from everyone else.

[tig82174]

Is the podcast cruise the 4 night on the Wonder on May 10th, 2009?

If so....then my hubby and I are on that cruise, too....but by total chance, not because it's the podcast cruise. We're taking my parents on 9 day trip to Animal Kingdom Villas and then on the cruise to celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary. But if it is the same cruise...then you can at least be rest assured that you won't be the only LGBTQ couple onboard!

I won't repeat what everyone else has said about LGBTQ cruising with DCL other than to say once you go DCL you'll never go back! ;) My hubby and I are going on cruise #6 in September....May 2009 will be #7 and we'll probably book dummy dates for at least one future cruise on BOTH...so we're guaranteed to reach at least #9 in the next 2 years! :lmao:

[SFBayDon]

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[TheBeadPirate]

Don...

We are on the podcast cruise as well... would love to sit with you for meals, we plan Palo as well, maybe a trip to the casino on shore leave, nightcaps in the clubs, etc.

Noticed you will be going to GD in Anahiem... maybe join us for a bottle of wine and some people watching on Sunday at CA... or the ever popular bear lunch on Sat?

It would be great to make some friends before we go:cool1:

[Scoobypop]

Well, lo and behold, this is a bit unbelievable, but I was just doing a little catching up on the boards today, as I've been away for a while, and came across this thread.
A) Everyone has already put your concerns to rest. Yes, it's amazing and wonderful, we have been on 4, with number 5 booked for Sep, all since 2006. We ALSO are booked on the podcast cruise.

B) Erik and Jason from a few posts up (tig) are very good friends of ours, we met them before the Transatlantic and became good friends on the ship. At that time, we booked the upcoming Double Dip for September '08 with them and some other friends.

C) Unbeknownst to them, they booked the podcast cruise by chance. My partner and I love the podcast, and booked that cruise. As I'm scrolling down, I see that Erik and Jason are also on that very cruise, so I just got off the phone with him.

YAY!!!!! This is going to be a very gay cruise indeed. Also met Padalyn on the Transatlantic, and I believe the nice lady who has been on 62 cruises was on our last one, because not many people can boast that record. Thanks for letting us know the filet is still at Palo!

So anyway--you'll have a blast, and you know there's already at least 4 gay couples on the cruise, and don't forget about the podcast team themselves, except for Corey and Julie.

D) Disney does an amazing job of seeing in the reservation that you are all adults, and putting you in the same dining rotation as mostly adults. Yes, there will be kids, but honestly, you won't see or notice them. Their areas are so separate and in some cases hidden, and the adults only areas are well managed, that it won't be an issue. We're like you guys, yes, we love our own nieces and nephews, but. . .:cool1:

[Bradintx]

My bf & I will be on the Sept 24 3-day cruise and are very excited. I am glad to read all the positive posts. This will be my 7th cruise and 1st on Disney, we are going to be at Walt Disney World before the cruise for 4 nights. We hope to meet other couples we can go on another Disney cruise next year!

[MouseketeerOvaHere]

Wow, sounds like you all had better acceptance on the Disney cruise line than we had on Royal Caribbean this past week. I would assume that parents are a little more watchful and knowing of their childrens whereabouts and activities on the Disney cruise but the parents were none existant on the RC one. The staff on RC was extremely welcoming and accomidating, however, I wish I could say the same about the fellow passengers. My g/f and I are rather modest and do not flaunt our relationship in front of others but we were getting dirty looks and stares and we were actually called "dykes" by a couple of teenage boys. Trust me it took everything I had not to throw that punk overboard but I did chase him down the stairs and asked him "if he had a problem because I could have sworn I heard a derogatory comment spew from his mouth". He all but pissed his pants but I am still in shock that being this day and age and how far LGBT has come that this child would have the gull to say something like that, and to an adult! Maybe we should try the Disney line next time. Don't get me wrong, we had a blast but I felt like we were segregated way too much on that cruise.

[bennyb98]

I'm glad everyone hasn't had too many issues on DCL, but I was wondering if anyone has gone on DCL solo? (was going to say gone gay solo but that didn't make any sense once I thought about it lol)

[RobbNJ]

I have gone solo, and have LOVED every minute of it! I was able to meet some very nice people both gay and straight.
I have a couple more booked before the end of the year as well.

If you have any questions about going solo, ask away!

Robb

[OrlandoMike]

I've never done DCL solo, but I do travel solo a lot, so does my partner! We both love it!

[Bradintx]

I have traveled alot for work alone and always had a good time no matter where I was. Actually last time I was at DisneyWorld in 2002 I was alone at conference and had a blast. My partner is a f/a so he is traveling all the time by himself in a way.

[bennyb98]

Thank you! I think it’s not so much of going gay solo but going solo to begin with but I’ve always wanted to go on a DCL so hopefully I can work it out soon.

[lttlmc3]

Yay! I'm glad I was referred to this post! I'm going on the podcast cruise with my best friend Ben and he was so concerned he would be one of the only gays going. I'm so glad he won't be!! We'll be there too! Maybe some of us will get to sit together!

[ibouncetoo]

I'm glad everyone hasn't had too many issues on DCL, but I was wondering if anyone has gone on DCL solo? (was going to say gone gay solo but that didn't make any sense once I thought about it lol)

Bennyb, I've done DCL solo and it's wonderful! ALTHOUGH, since you've found the DISboards, you'll never be truly alone on any DCL cruise. My first was a four day and I did go to the 'meets' section of the DCL forum here on the DIS. I linked my dining with some DISers and booked a Palo brunch with DISers too. It was nice seeing folks around the ship that I had chatted with on line. Since then my DIS/DCL family has grown and I have friends I've cruised with three and four times. My sister has cruised with me now (THAT cruise being preceeded by cocktails with the amazing WallyB :hug: ) and we have a 'sibliings' cruise coming up in 2009. I'd never hesitate to do DCL solo.

P.S. Wally...I'm still picking up lottery tickets....just in case. ;)

.

[wallyb]

Bennyb, I've done DCL solo and it's wonderful! ALTHOUGH, since you've found the DISboards, you'll never be truly alone on any DCL cruise. My first was a four day and I did go to the 'meets' section of the DCL forum here on the DIS. I linked my dining with some DISers and booked a Palo brunch with DISers too. It was nice seeing folks around the ship that I had chatted with on line. Since then my DIS/DCL family has grown and I have friends I've cruised with three and four times. My sister has cruised with me now (THAT cruise being preceeded by cocktails with the amazing WallyB :hug: ) and we have a 'sibliings' cruise coming up in 2009. I'd never hesitate to do DCL solo.

P.S. Wally...I'm still picking up lottery tickets....just in case. ;)

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Good! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2
I hope you win big chicky!!! :)

See everybody - She likes me! :flower3:
(They think I'm evil over here on the gay board)

[ibouncetoo]

(They think I'm evil over here on the gay board)

And you love that! You can't fool us.


Stop by and say Hi to the Taglikins...we're a small group and we get antsy if someone doesn't check in every so often. :grouphug:

[wallyb]

And you love that! You can't fool us.


Stop by and say Hi to the Taglikins...we're a small group and we get antsy if someone doesn't check in every so often. :grouphug:

I will - I've been busy trying to burn this place down! :rotfl:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f241/wallyb3/ththlildevil1xo0qe.gif

[OKW Lover]

Just wanted all of the gay folks that are going to be on the podcast cruise to be sure to say hello to Valerie & I. We're not gay, but Val's daughter is and we would welcome a chance to say hello or even share a table sometime.

[dennis-in-ct]

My husband and I have done 62 Disney cruises without kids, and believe me, you'll love the way that they enforce the adult areas! We've met many gay and lesbian couples and also gay crew members. I've never seen anyone who seemed to have a problem with it. You never know when you might run into a jerk, but the odds are against it. And if you do, just ignore them and let it be their problem, not yours. You will have a blast!


I am very happy that people like you exist !!!

Thank you for being straight but not narrow minded :)


My "civil-union-ed" husband Bob and I want to try the Disney cruise and had the same questions. This thread has been very helpful to me as well.

We love Disney but wondered if
http://www.atlantisevents.com/
or this
http://www.rsvpvacations.com/

might be more appropriate due to the "kid" factor.


By the way, we are not "anti-kids" ... we have three daughters. The youngest is 17.

[SFBayDon]

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[SFBayDon]

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[NEDisneyFans]

We took our honeymoon on the DCL Magic in October 2006, a week after our wedding. We were chosen as the "most recently married" couple for the "Match Your Mate" game the first night! Not only did a couple of the CMs gush over us, we also had people come up to us ALL WEEK LONG to say how glad they were that we had been included, CMs and guests alike.

BTW, the photo below was taken by a CM on that cruise!

[taikolaw]

We just returned from our Disney wedding tour (married at Disneyland, honeymoon at WDW, 4-night Disney cruise, and more WDW), and being gay on the cruise (and everywhere else, for that matter) was a non-issue. A very happy non-issue!

That is, those who noticed we were two women didn't care, were excited for us, and were extremely friendly, and those that didn't figure it out (all of these were other cruisers; the crew members had us pegged) were apparently blissful intheir ignorance and were friendly as well. We were given the honeymoon pins at Guest Services, we were picked for the Match Your Mate game the first night (the host personally came over to thank the two of us for being involved), we had the couples cabana massage, and the list goes on....

In short, everything was absolutely wonderful! Wish we could make the podcast cruise, but my bride's grad school schedule won't allow it..... first anniversary Eastern Caribbean cruise next August, though....

Rob

[micknstang]

I have been on 8 DCl cruise and never ever had a problem with them. They are very accepting. You will have a great time. Number 9 is coming up May 23, 2009 on the Disney Magic

[WittyreaderLI]

hi,

I think that you should just go and enjoy it. We're living in the 21st century after all!

[lttlmc3]

Tell Ben he will not be alone. We will have to meet up and hang out.
Don

Yes! That would be great!

[jeanigor]

Just wanted to put my $0.02 in, we're going on the podcast cruise. I used threads like this to help put to rest any fears/concerns that my bf was having. thanks everyone! :lovestruc its our first cruise and his first major travel event.

on a side note, i noticed the wonderful wallyb will be cruising in november in cabin 7070....we'll be in that same cabin less than 6 months later! (pics/advice/commentary about the room would be handsomly rewarded.....):rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

[kingLouiethe1]

Just wanted to put my $0.02 in, we're going on the podcast cruise. I used threads like this to help put to rest any fears/concerns that my bf was having. thanks everyone! :lovestruc its our first cruise and his first major travel event.

on a side note, i noticed the wonderful wallyb will be cruising in november in cabin 7070....we'll be in that same cabin less than 6 months later! (pics/advice/commentary about the room would be handsomly rewarded.....):rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

Get one of those portable blacklights to search for fluids :rotfl:

[wallyb]

Get one of those portable blacklights to search for fluids :rotfl:

nice. :sad2:

[jeanigor]

Get one of those portable blacklights to search for fluids :rotfl:

He insists we bring sheets if we're staying overnight anywhere. So Wally have as much fun as you want, there's no need for blacklight searches for DNA.

[wallyb]

He insists we bring sheets if we're staying overnight anywhere. So Wally have as much fun as you want, there's no need for blacklight searches for DNA.

So don't leave the rubber sheets on for you ? :rolleyes1

[ct_mickey]

I know it's been a while, but I went with my parents and brothers back in 2002 for the 3 night cruise , and with my best friend and his partner in 2003 on the Western Caribbean Cruise. I was a Disney Store Castmember at the time and we got some amazing deals.

We all had fun and I have to say that the cruise and cast members were very gay friendly.

However, when looking to make friends with other gay travelers, we never found any (other than the cruise line cast members that is). The rules in place pretty much prohibited the cast members from socializing and partying with the guests. As a 20-something gay male at the time, I wanted to hang out and party with the gay castmembers, not with the straight parents with kids in tow...

It may be different now, but I don't think I met more than 2 other gay couples on my week long cruise.

[TinkerMouse]

My partner and I are signed up for the Podcast cruise, but he is hesitant to go. For me it would be a blast to merge vacation, Disney, Seeing the podcast crew, and a cruise what more can I ask for? There is concern about the kid factor as well as the over all reaction from others on the ship. Can any of you that have done a Disney Cruse help me out? How was your experience? In looking into this more and more I see an adult pool, upgraded restaurants like Palo as well as a separate place at Castaway Cay for adults only.

Don’t get me wrong we love our nieces and nephews, but in moderation. Given the price of the trip we have been looking into other options, but if you can help me get over this uncertainty it would be really helpful. Don

I say this: you and your partner could get the best seats in all three of the dining rooms. I say this because of what I saw on the Disney cruise my mom and I took in May.

We took an 11-night Mediterranean cruise as an early celebration for my 21st birthday which wasn't until a few weeks ago so obviously we didn't have small children with us. It's generally the two of us and I've been over 12 years old for all three of our Disney cruises and we loved them all. You don't need kids to enjoy Disney. That is a misconception and I don't know how it came about since Walt always said it was about all ages coming together and for the child inside every adult. There is always the occasionally rude mannerless child who may try to knock you over but there is always the grown-up equivalent too which I think is worse since they're heavier.

While on vacation or at least while sailing on a Disney cruise we always make "vacation friends" and four of them happened to be two gay couples (one men and one women). I don't think they ever ran into each other but we spoke to each couple several times. Every time we saw either couple in a dining room they always had nice quiet tables for two so they got to stay away from loud obnoxious diners and got a table all to themselves without having to share the table like practically everyone else. They always looked peaceful and happy. My mom really wanted their tables and wondered how they got them but we think it was to keep them separate from prejudice people since we know it was intentional. It could have been intentional because they may have requested it that way and explained why upon making their reservations because there is always a bevy of other people (generally hetero) who request tables for two and don't get them.

My only meal at Cinderella's Royal Table in Cinderella Castle also had a gay men couple get a terrific table for two by the windows to see over Fanatsyland. I admit I was a little jealous.

You have nothing to fear and both of you should have a great time! :hippie: