Has anyone been on an R FAMILY CRUISE?

[soulmates]

We are SERIOIUSLY thinking of booking for our 2011 trip. We'll be in DW for our honeymoon in 10 months...but I have PROMISED Christy Italy. Well guess what? R Family has chartered a European Cruise for 2010. Amazing itinerary. So I emailed them and got an immediate response. So far, they are booking like crazy for the trip. He, (Gregg Kaminsky, part owner with Kelli Carpenter) told me this was the NUMBER ONE request from guests, to do Europe, so he says it is almost positive, that they will charter again, in 2011. That being said, we really really would like to go and bring my daughter who will be almost 16 at the time. We've asked our family to think about it when planning next year for their upcoming trips. The more the merrier. I would be interested if anyone from here has been or KNOWS anyone who's been. We've seen Rosie's All Aboard and we cry everytime we watch it. The thought of being with other gay families, in a safe environment, with amazing entertainment, knowing we can bring our family and they won't feel uncomfortable...that would be an incredible trip! Incase you haven't heard of them...watch this!
http://www.rfamilyvacations.com/

The prices for this trip, their booking now, $1350 per person $500 for the 3rd person and it's a balcony room. I would LOVE to do Europe this way. We've never cruised, so this would be PERFECT for us.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Chris,

What ship is being chartered?

Several of the cruise lines have announced reductions in the European sailings due to lack of bookings. I would THINK that if the supply of available ships goes down, a future cruise could be significantly more expensive. Just based on supply and demand.

 

[soulmates]

The Norweigan Jade, and R Family Cruises have chartered it for 2010. Their almost full now, so that's a good sign! Basically every cruise they charter is full, because they are one of the only cruises that cater to the gay community AND their families! It's an opportunity for grandparents and siblings to go on vacation together, in a safe environment...where I can hold my wife's hand and not worry what will happen. My daughter can travel w/ us and not feel weird or awkward, but she will be with other teens who understand 100% of what she goes thru. I am very hopeful we'll be able to go.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Chris,
I just PM'd you.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We've cruised with Norwegian, but not with R Family Cruises (would be wonderful to do)!

We have sailed on the Star and that was wonderful. We sailed on the Spirit and that was not so wonderful.

We really like the freestyle dining, and the lack of formality (especially the lack of the dressy clothing requirement).

Although we'd not sail on the Spirit again, we'd definitely sail again with NCL.

I hope you get to go!

 

[nordkin]

The Norweigan Jade, and R Family Cruises have chartered it for 2010. Their almost full now, so that's a good sign! Basically every cruise they charter is full, because they are one of the only cruises that cater to the gay community AND their families! It's an opportunity for grandparents and siblings to go on vacation together, in a safe environment...where I can hold my wife's hand and not worry what will happen. My daughter can travel w/ us and not feel weird or awkward, but she will be with other teens who understand 100% of what she goes thru. I am very hopeful we'll be able to go.

We have been on two R Family cruises and this past summer they said they were no longer chartering the entire ship for future trips. They said they were booking blocks of rooms and not entire ships anymore because they have had trouble filling the last couple of cruises and had to offer deep discounts to fill the ships. Their web site says they are not chartering the entire ship.

We enjoyed the cruises, but we won both of them at the HRC National Dinner silent auction at the opening bid, which was very low. I think we are jaded by the number of Disney cruises we have done and in our opinion Norwegian does not hold a candle to Disney. All of our kids are in their early 20's and our youngest went with us on the last cruise. He said he got more out of Family Week in P-Town then he did on the cruise. Yes, your daughter will be with others who face the same challenges as she does and that will help her relate and feel comfortable. Our kids never felt awkward traveling with us and we have taken them to many different countries around the world so I guess we were lucky in that respect.

The entertainment is top notch if it is Rosie, the Broadway Boys, and any other top names she brings on board, but since they have not chartered the entire ship the entertainment may be Norweigan's and their entertainment was terrible.

I don't want to come across as being negative about the experience because we did enjoy the cruises. We met and connected with all male couples as we found most of the women on board were with friends and were not very open to meeting new people. You will have a wonderful time.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

See? After having done a DCL, as compared to a NCL, we won't be quick to repeat the DCL. We found the service (that part really startled us!) along with everything else better on NCL. Having said that, we don't do often go to the entertainment productions on any cruise, so that's not one of the factors we include in our decision.

We've also done an Olivia cruise. The atmosphere was incredible. The ship? Not so much.

I think much of it is what you are there for, eh? I would say though that the atmosphere would have to be affected by the lack of the entire ship being dedicated to the R Family cruise.

 

[soulmates]

We've cruised with Norwegian, but not with R Family Cruises (would be wonderful to do)!

We have sailed on the Star and that was wonderful. We sailed on the Spirit and that was not so wonderful.

We really like the freestyle dining, and the lack of formality (especially the lack of the dressy clothing requirement).

Although we'd not sail on the Spirit again, we'd definitely sail again with NCL.

I hope you get to go!

Well, after reading some of the reports, now, not sure? NCL's sound amazing...now, not sure about R Family now...

We have been on two R Family cruises and this past summer they said they were no longer chartering the entire ship for future trips. They said they were booking blocks of rooms and not entire ships anymore because they have had trouble filling the last couple of cruises and had to offer deep discounts to fill the ships. Their web site says they are not chartering the entire ship.

We enjoyed the cruises, but we won both of them at the HRC National Dinner silent auction at the opening bid, which was very low. I think we are jaded by the number of Disney cruises we have done and in our opinion Norwegian does not hold a candle to Disney. All of our kids are in their early 20's and our youngest went with us on the last cruise. He said he got more out of Family Week in P-Town then he did on the cruise. Yes, your daughter will be with others who face the same challenges as she does and that will help her relate and feel comfortable. Our kids never felt awkward traveling with us and we have taken them to many different countries around the world so I guess we were lucky in that respect.

The entertainment is top notch if it is Rosie, the Broadway Boys, and any other top names she brings on board, but since they have not chartered the entire ship the entertainment may be Norweigan's and their entertainment was terrible.

I don't want to come across as being negative about the experience because we did enjoy the cruises. We met and connected with all male couples as we found most of the women on board were with friends and were not very open to meeting new people. You will have a wonderful time.

Wow, that blows my mind. We have always wanted to cruise w/ them, but it was the EUROPE part that really excites us. We may choose another line, but STILL will do Europe. Just knowing we will be fine, as a lesbian couple, gives me peace. While we'd love to do Disney, we want to do Europe 1st. Thanks SO much for your honesty.

See? After having done a DCL, as compared to a NCL, we won't be quick to repeat the DCL. We found the service (that part really startled us!) along with everything else better on NCL. Having said that, we don't do often go to the entertainment productions on any cruise, so that's not one of the factors we include in our decision.

We've also done an Olivia cruise. The atmosphere was incredible. The ship? Not so much.

I think much of it is what you are there for, eh? I would say though that the atmosphere would have to be affected by the lack of the entire ship being dedicated to the R Family cruise.

Wow, again, alot to take in...thank you ALL!

 

[nordkin]

See?
I think much of it is what you are there for, eh? I would say though that the atmosphere would have to be affected by the lack of the entire ship being dedicated to the R Family cruise.

I agree with you on this point.

I also forgot to mention in my last post that it really bothered us that the crew on the R Family cruise mingled with the guests, such as eating with the guests and actually flirting and attempting to hook up. This happened to our then 19 year old son who is straight and when we said something to an officer on the ship at guest services we were brushed off. We were not happy and wrote NCL corporate and never got a response.

Everyone is different and has different experiences on cruises and with cruise lines. We love DCL and will never cruise NCL again. That being said, we have never experienced anything but a welcoming and warm attitude when on Disney cruises and have met several other gay couples that we have become friends with and have taken other cruises with them.

 

[nordkin]

Wow, that blows my mind. We have always wanted to cruise w/ them, but it was the EUROPE part that really excites us. We may choose another line, but STILL will do Europe. Just knowing we will be fine, as a lesbian couple, gives me peace. While we'd love to do Disney, we want to do Europe 1st. Thanks SO much for your honesty.

We have done Europe with Disney on both a cruise and a land trip with Adventures by Disney. They are more expensive than other choices, but we feel they are worth the extra cost, and they are doing Mediterrian cruises in 2010 and 2011.

 

[soulmates]

We have done Europe with Disney on both a cruise and a land trip with Adventures by Disney. They are more expensive than other choices, but we feel they are worth the extra cost, and they are doing Mediterrian cruises in 2010 and 2011.

Now THAT is worth looking into!!!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Wow. Clearly that distressed you, having your child be the focus of that sort of attention. We've never had anything like that happen on any of our NCL cruises, some of which were with family members who were in that age group.

We didn't find the higher cost of DCL to be worth the money. But again, it really is such an individual preference it is hard to base one's own decision on another person's opinion, eh?

I will say though, we never had the smell of sewer on NCL like we had in our cabin on our entire DCL cruise. It really interfered in our enjoyment of our cruise as we stayed out of our cabin as much as humanely possible even going so far as to shower in the spa. Not exactly what we expected from DCL.

 

[nordkin]

Wow. Clearly that distressed you, having your child be the focus of that sort of attention. We've never had anything like that happen on any of our NCL cruises, some of which were with family members who were in that age group.

We didn't find the higher cost of DCL to be worth the money. But again, it really is such an individual preference it is hard to base one's own decision on another person's opinion, eh?

I will say though, we never had the smell of sewer on NCL like we had in our cabin on our entire DCL cruise. It really interfered in our enjoyment of our cruise as we stayed out of our cabin as much as humanely possible even going so far as to shower in the spa. Not exactly what we expected from DCL.

Our son handled himself very well and I think we were more upset than he was. We felt it was inapropriate, but the younger generation has different views on things than we do. He did avoid the person for the remaining 6 days on board and enjoyed himself.

Sorry to hear about your experience on DCL. We have been on 8 cruises with them and have never had that kind of issue or any issues. We are booked for the westbound transatlantic in Sept 2010 and Alaska in 2011. We now only do their special cruises as we are tired of the Carribean.

 

[soulmates]

I just checked out the prices for DC for their European cruises...OUCH!! Wayyyy out of our price range. They were 3x as much as most of the others we saw. PLUS the airfare would be almost 2 grand!! I just can't justify dropping 5-8 grand on a vacation. Sooo, I think we'll keep looking. One day we'll cruise w/ Disney, just not to Europe!

 

[Tony-NJ]

Friends of ours went last year I think or the summer before last. They had an amazing time! I was not aware that they do / would not charter the whole ship next time.

As for the NCL comments - we sailed the Spirit and had an awesome time - we were treated very well. We are booked for the Dawn next year.

We have yet to do DCL but will eventually!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

It wasn't that the service was "bad" on the Spirit, it's just that compared to the Star we didn't find it nearly as majestic and beautiful. It was small, as was the work out area and the spa. We really enjoy those two aspects of any cruise, so having a comprehensive gym and spa are important to us.

Nice to know you enjoyed NCL!

 

[Valentine]

Hi there

I have done 2 Rfamily cruises... last year to Alaska, and the year before to Canada.

Without a doubt these 2 vacations were BY FAR the most wonderful experiences I have ever had. There is nothing that compare to being on a ship filled with love and acceptance.. no judgement... just pure contentment. I went on the first cruise totally alone. I knew not one person... by the time I docked back in New York, I had made friends for life.

The Rfamily team is a wonderful group of people. I would travel with them anywhere.

That being said.. there has been much debate on the whole not chartering an entire ship. I am truly saddened that they are not doing that next year. They are doing a "group" charter on 4 different cruises.. and a Club Med. The Club Med will be the ONLY option for a Fully Private vacation. They have bought out the entire Club Med (ixtapa) for the entire week....

While I do understand that chartering an entire ship has become cost prohibitive, there is a part of me that is very sad to lose this option. If I was able to, I would book the Europe vacation in a heartbeat.. even without the entire ship option... as Rfamily will still be bringing the team with them, some entertainment, and have private group dinners, excursions, etc. Not the same, by any means, but still wonderful I am sure.

Ixtapa, I think will be like the private cruises. but on land instead. The Full RFamily team with be there... along with the entertainers we have grown to love.

As for the comment I read from someone above about the NCL cruise folks "mingling".. that is terrible what this person did to your son... but.. please do not let it reflect on Rfamily... those people are employed by NCL... not Rfamily... and I truly hope they resolved that issue to your satisfaction! That is terrible!!!!! (btw.. I wonder if our paths crossed during the trip.. I was the one with the camera all the time!! LOL!)

Well.. just my input.. hope it helps!!

Kathy

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

As for the comment I read from someone above about the NCL cruise folks "mingling".. that is terrible what this person did to your son... but.. please do not let it reflect on Rfamily... those people are employed by NCL... not Rfamily... and I truly hope they resolved that issue to your satisfaction! That is terrible!!!!!

I wanted to respond to the original poster on this but didn't. Now I feel even more inclined to do so. I don't see what is so terrible about it.

I do want to say, I am a huge NCL cheerleader, so my comments are definitely not unbiased.

First of all 19 years old is an adult. So, while I realize to "nordkin" this is just his/her baby boy (not a criticism, I have kids in that age group), I don't think an attempt by an NCL staff to flirt or hook up warrants a complaint. Did the 19 year old make it clear to the NCL staffer that he wasn't interested? Did that employee push further? Did the 19 year old complain? I remember reading a review of an NCL cruise where three young women in their early 20's were offended by the "Filipinos's walking around deck spraying them with water." They took this as flirtation/sexual harrassment/whatever. Whenever I've been on a cruise and sprayed with water I take it as a attempt to cool me off and maybe get a tip.

Second NCL differentiates (sp?) between crew and staff. One of the perks of being a staff member versus a crew member is that staff is allowed to eat meals with passengers as well as use the passenger gym and other facilities. There are requirements that they have to wear name tags so as to be identifiable and of course there are behavior policies in effect as well.

While nordkin did not go into detail and the incident may have been hugely inappropriate, I don't think enough detail was given to warrant Valentine's comment about it being terrible.

The comment was made to not let this reflect on RFamily. You do have to remember that the number of RFamily staff on a cruise would be much, much less than the number of NCL employees on a cruise. So if you don't like the policies/behavior or whatever you may want to avoid an NCL cruise whether it be through RFamily or independently.

 

[Valentine]

I wanted to respond to the original poster on this but didn't. Now I feel even more inclined to do so. I don't see what is so terrible about it.

I do want to say, I am a huge NCL cheerleader, so my comments are definitely not unbiased.

First of all 19 years old is an adult. So, while I realize to "nordkin" this is just his/her baby boy (not a criticism, I have kids in that age group), I don't think an attempt by an NCL staff to flirt or hook up warrants a complaint. Did the 19 year old make it clear to the NCL staffer that he wasn't interested? Did that employee push further? Did the 19 year old complain? I remember reading a review of an NCL cruise where three young women in their early 20's were offended by the "Filipinos's walking around deck spraying them with water." They took this as flirtation/sexual harrassment/whatever. Whenever I've been on a cruise and sprayed with water I take it as a attempt to cool me off and maybe get a tip.

Second NCL differentiates (sp?) between crew and staff. One of the perks of being a staff member versus a crew member is that staff is allowed to eat meals with passengers as well as use the passenger gym and other facilities. There are requirements that they have to wear name tags so as to be identifiable and of course there are behavior policies in effect as well.

While nordkin did not go into detail and the incident may have been hugely inappropriate, I don't think enough detail was given to warrant Valentine's comment about it being terrible.

The comment was made to not let this reflect on RFamily. You do have to remember that the number of RFamily staff on a cruise would be much, much less than the number of NCL employees on a cruise. So if you don't like the policies/behavior or whatever you may want to avoid an NCL cruise whether it be through RFamily or independently.

You are absolutely correct... my intent was to clarify that that actions that made Nordkin upset were not due to an Rfamily staffer... and also.. perhaps I should have been clearer in that while I don't think the action of the employee was terrible.. the fact that they had to deal with the issues resulting from that was. I agree that someone that age could possibly be hit on... and it would not be completely unusual. .. I just didn't want to invalidate Nordkins' feelings while stating mine

 

[soulmates]

Wow, again, lots to digest. Here is some info I just saw on Twitter. I follow some cool people and one is Jen Foster, a muscian and she said yesterday, on the last SWEET CRUISE, was Meredith Baxter Birney w/ her partner and Keli Carpenter. I thought that was interesting...