gay couples on Disney Cruise

[beachwench]

This question might be better for the cruise boards, but I thought my fellow GLBT community could answer this with more honesty/experience. How does the crew/CM handle if someone becomes ill or injured ? Do they allow a same sex partner to be involved in treatments or decisions?

 

[iankh]

We just got back from a 4-night cruise, but I can't say I know the answer to this one. Neither of us required medical treatment while we were onboard.

 

[Daisy-J&D]

I have been to the cruise medical center for treatment. I wasn't seriously ill, I was dehydrated due to the flu and needed to be on IV for about 3 hours. The treatment I received was excellent even with a major medical emergency happening at the same time (someone on crew was injured and picked up by helicopter). My partner dropped me off and picked me. Instructions were given to her since I was too sick - there was no problem at all. They were all very nice and the nurse who inserted my IV was so kind. I have 100% confidence in their professionalism.

Edited to add that the reason she didn't stay with me was not because she was asked to leave. It was because it was our day at the Castaway Cay and there was no point in us both missing it - I asked her to go and take pictures!!

 

[beachwench]

thanks Iankh and Daisy-J&D,
I don't expect any problems, but just checking. My partner has MS, so there is always a possibility we could have a problem.

 

[karibritt01]

If that is a big concern, why not have legal papers drawn to allow you to legally make decisions if necessary. If you have it in writing, they have to comply... period. It would be best to do something like this now, so you never lose the power to make the decisions, whether on a cruise or at home.

 

[Uncle Remus]

If that is a big concern, why not have legal papers drawn to allow you to legally make decisions if necessary. If you have it in writing, they have to comply... period. It would be best to do something like this now, so you never lose the power to make the decisions, whether on a cruise or at home.

Best advice

 

[beachwench]

We have all the paperwork possible, just is a pain to have to remember to bring paperwork. It really isn't a major concern, I was just curious if anyone has had any issues. If it seemed like there was a problem, I would get out the paperwork, make copies and put it in th lugage. On a side note, I really am not concerned. We are traveling in a group and one of my partners sisters is also going. So no worries for us.

 

[iankh]

You will have an fabulous time! This was our first cruise and we were hesitant about it and came away loving it.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Having just come off a 4 day Carnival Cruise (Never, ever again!) I can tell you your gonna LOVE the Disney Cruise. Nothing but great times and excellent service on a beautiful ship!

Not like the trashy party tug I just got off!

 

[joanjett1976]

Having just come off a 4 day Carnival Cruise (Never, ever again!) I can tell you your gonna LOVE the Disney Cruise. Nothing but great times and excellent service on a beautiful ship!

Not like the trashy party tug I just got off!

Mike & Iankh, how did you do in terms of seating arrangements? We'll be cruising on Feb 4th for the first time. We were not raised by wolves but were a tad concerned about having to make small talk with a tablefull of diners remarking how we *muuuust* be sisters because we look so much alike

 

[tampaguys]

Mike & Iankh, how did you do in terms of seating arrangements? We'll be cruising on Feb 4th for the first time. We were not raised by wolves but were a tad concerned about having to make small talk with a tablefull of diners remarking how we *muuuust* be sisters because we look so much alike

I recommend that you both wear "I'm not gay but my girlfriend is" t-shirts to dinner the first night. That should get the conversation rolling.

 

[hematite153]

...a tad concerned about having to make small talk with a tablefull of diners remarking how we *muuuust* be sisters because we look so much alike

Yeah...we went on our first cruise during our honeymoon and it took most of the table (5 couples including us) the full week to figure out that we were a couple rather than friends. This despite answering their first night "how do you know each other" question with "we're married".

That said, I have found that it is easiest to just be blunt and matter-of-fact to avoid the continued small-talk issues. Overall, I found the table conversation reasonable on both of the two cruises that I have taken. Enjoy!

 

[dan and scott]

We've been on 14 DCL cruises mostly all on the Magic including the eastbound panama repo and we're booked on the trans-atlantic westbound repo this august. We've never had any problems with us being a couple. In fact we actually were invited to the captains table at Palo's special room this past september on the Wonder's 11day sailing. We're treated as old friends/family as we know alot of the crew on the Magic. Also our friends(gay couple also)sail with us every year.
Most of your fellow cruisers/table mates never have a problem with us being gay--heck our 1st cruise on the Wonder we met a Dominatrix from L.A.

Scott

 

[iankh]

Mike & Iankh, how did you do in terms of seating arrangements? We'll be cruising on Feb 4th for the first time. We were not raised by wolves but were a tad concerned about having to make small talk with a tablefull of diners remarking how we *muuuust* be sisters because we look so much alike

Joanjett .... hmmm ... mealtime, well that was an issue for us. I had requested that we have a table to ourselves and when we arrived for our first meal, we were at a table with 6 other people. I went and spoke to the head waiter, maitre de, or whatever they call the big cheese girl in charge and told him that we would much prefer to sit by ourselves and we were sure our tablemates would be much happier if we were sitting by ourselves. So, we got our own table, and happiness was abounding.

Not that we're antisocial or anything, but we can be rather shy as a couple and sometimes, people take one look at my other half, Hisselfness and for some reason, he scares the poop out of them, poor sheltered creatures that they are. Though a few kids did think he was one of the pirate characters, which was equally as funny.

The waitstaff will definitely try to accomodate you, and you will have a fabulous time. We loved it so much that we're going again!

 

[OrlandoMike]

We're both pretty outgoing, and like to meet new people. I have never encountered any sort of problems on a DCL cruise. The cast as well as the guests have always been great.

Now on Carnival........hmmm I'll skip that story for now. Just think Mr. and Mrs. Howell from Gilligans Island!

 

[Mama Twinkles]

I recommend that you both wear "I'm not gay but my girlfriend is" t-shirts to dinner the first night. That should get the conversation rolling.

There's also that perennial favorite t-shirt, "That's Doctor D____ to You."

Anybody, by any chance, cruising in mid-March? We'll be on the 3/15 3-day. Would love to say hey to some kindred spirits.

 

[joanjett1976]

I had requested that we have a table to ourselves and when we arrived for our first meal, we were at a table with 6 other people. I went and spoke to the head waiter, maitre de, or whatever they call the big cheese girl in charge and told him that we would much prefer to sit by ourselves and we were sure our tablemates would be much happier if we were sitting by ourselves. So, we got our own table, and happiness was abounding.

So basically you are recommending we show up on our first night to the table carrying a quart of Jack Daniels and scare the living bejeezus out of the table mates and trick THEM into changing their dining assignment?

 

[OrlandoMike]

So basically you are recommending we show up on our first night to the table carrying a quart of Jack Daniels and scare the living bejeezus out of the table mates and trick THEM into changing their dining assignment?

See my above post regarding the Carnival cruise! Mr. and Mrs. "Howell" were not amused, the people at the table next to us on the other hand begged us to have dinner with them the rest of the cruise! Oh well, it was a little crowded the first night anyway, now we have more room at the table!

Some people dont know how to have a good time I guess.....

 

[Scoobypop]

I've browsed these boards before, but I am brand new to any kind of posting forums like this, so not exactly sure of all the "etiquette". But my boyfriend and I have done 2 Disney Cruises and everyone and everything about it was great. At Palo they brought us out a special chocolate plate that said "Happy Anniversary" on it. Not only did the staff make us feel special, but even tables around us commented with "Congratulations" and such. We had no bad experience. And of course, we felt we were actually treated better than many, especially by the gay staff. We are booked already for the Eastbound Transatlantic in May. Any other gay couples going on that cruise by chance?

 

[Viki]

I've browsed these boards before, but I am brand new to any kind of posting forums like this, so not exactly sure of all the "etiquette". But my boyfriend and I have done 2 Disney Cruises and everyone and everything about it was great. At Palo they brought us out a special chocolate plate that said "Happy Anniversary" on it. Not only did the staff make us feel special, but even tables around us commented with "Congratulations" and such. We had no bad experience. And of course, we felt we were actually treated better than many, especially by the gay staff. We are booked already for the Eastbound Transatlantic in May. Any other gay couples going on that cruise by chance?

Thank you for joining in - wonderful words!