Olivia Cruise

[DVC~OKW~96]

Has anyone here been on an Olivia cruise, or know anyone who has?

My DP just won a week Caribbean cruise with Olivia and of course we are going (thank heaven we could get the time so quickly!) but I'd like to know if anyone has an experiences (positive or otherwise) that they would like to share?

Thanks!

 

[PghLybrt]

Wow congrats! I wouldn't pass up that cruise!!

We have actually been on several. We have made some wonderful friends from them. In fact our last cruise we took with people we met on our first one!

I think there is good and bad about them. I will start with the negative so that I can leave you on a good note.

OK the bad (and it may be nit picky)
*I feel like the staff thinks they are celebrities and treat themselves as such.
*The music selection is awful (the last one we went on the Dj was told to bring no gay music, and I think there was nothing played pat the year 1985)
*Some people take the vacation way to seriously while others not enough (Meaning we have tons of fun with the photographers some are appalled by that. On the flip side you see many in flip flops and extreme casual wear in the dinning room)
*The owner had a need to air dirty laundry about her company (I find it very unprofessional and more importantly I am on Vacation and DO NOT CARE!!)
* Back to staff- We pay a lot of money to take these trips and I just do not want to see them goofing off intoxicated (even if it is their down time).
* They are not really trans inclusive.


Good
* It really is a feeling like nothing you have experienced.
* Their entertainment is incredible. The ability to have access to such talent is great.(seeing them at dinner or breakfast or on the pool deck, so cool)
* Everyone is friends with everyone. I know that sounds weird but on traditional cruises during your excursions it seems everyone sticks to their own little groups. That just does not seem the case on Olivia.
* I got to go back to that feeling. No matter how bad a vacation is this will trump it and make it a wonderful vacation.
* They really keep you busy if you want to be with things that are fun. (The bingo is usually hysterical, pool games a must see….or must do if you are daring…)
* Sounds corny but you really do “Feel Free”

My advice.
Jump right in. Talk to everyone. I had some of the best conversation last time with an 85 year old woman and her girlfriend. (Incredible stories!!!)
Take cards or at least a note book or something so that you can get numbers and addresses.
Go to their chat boards now. There is a bunch of people chatting about that cruise! Make friends before you go.
Don’t overbook the excursions. We did the 1st time and ended up canceling most of them so we could hang out and do stuff with people we met.
Have fun!!!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Wow! Great info!

I know it will depend upon the ports, but we usually don't like to do excursions. We like to walk off the ship and to whatever is local. That is possible in some ports, not in others.

Can you comment on the typical Oliva port, if there is one?

 

[PghLybrt]

Hmm Typical...not sure there is one. The private island they drop you off at is a good time. Try and get up early that day so you can get ashore fast that way you can get the spot you want and buy an umbrella thing if you want one. I wouldnt bother trying to get one of the private cabanas.

We like to do our own thing to but half of the fun of Olivia is doing those excursions with other people! We did one from a private group last cruise and it just wasnt the same. We got stuck with people who were either to good for us or just frightened by us. I will never do another excursion again that isnt Olivia.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Maybe that's why we avoid excursions. We've never felt really comfortable with the smaller groups.

The music thing, that's kind of worrisome. Not terrible, but weird.

So, what? They play all old junk? I'm so not into oldies stuff. (Or Country).

 

[DVCajun]

I am soooo jealous! I really want to "do" an Olivia cruise. Have a great time!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

How exciting! I hope you have a terrific time!

I have never been on a cruise, and I am not Olivia's target demographic , but it sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[PghLybrt]

Funny we almost went on this one! What a bummer! We are doing a family vacation instead

The music, it pretty much stinks. My first cruise (before all of the internal controversies) the music was pretty good. Now not so much. What I was told was the music is geared towards 45+ but still we never or rarely heard any IG or Melissa! Hopefully it is better than my last time.

Don't worry though, you will be having such a great time you will not even notice.

So is there any special nights? Like a white party?

 

[PghLybrt]

How exciting! I hope you have a terrific time!

I have never been on a cruise, and I am not Olivia's target demographic , but it sounds like a lot of fun!

From going i think the ones that are not their target are the 18-28 year olds. I have cruised with women 25-85, and it has been great.

I have no idea how old you are (and I am not asking! When I am asked my answer is always 24 ). I am saying this because I really think that they do not have an age in mind. They do really cater to every one.

Ahh i just got why you said that, and i still would disagree. My sister is actually coming on the next one with us!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

From going i think the ones that are not their target are the 18-28 year olds. I have cruised with women 25-85, and it has been great.

I have no idea how old you are (and I am not asking! When I am asked my answer is always 24 ). I am saying this because I really think that they do not have an age in mind. They do really cater to every one.

Ahh i just got why you said that, and i still would disagree. My sister is actually coming on the next one with us!!

Yep, my demographic is "middle age straight girl, with a DH and a DS".

I would absolutely go on an Olivia cruise if we had friends going. DH isn't sure he really digs the whole cruise concept (on ANY ship) so I have never really looked into going on one. Our friends who come to WDW with us sometimes went on an Alaskan cruise in June and they LOVED it. I imagine if we ever decide to give it a try we will book a 3 night Disney cruise first.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

But they've had Melissa as an entertainer. Why wouldn't they have her music.

No matter, as you say...as long as it isn't C/W we'll be able to tune it out if we don't like it.

Not sure about the special nights. Would probably do well to actually read about the cruise! We just jumped on it, and went from there.

From what the booking TA told me, there are no men allowed (I interpreted that as "no men allowed as passengers." I'm assuming there will be male crew).

It's more the overt het stuff that wears on us, rather than a mixed gay community. No real issue though.

Immersion therapy has its merits.

 

[Tony-NJ]

Check out cruisecritic.com they gave a gay/lesbian forum. There's info there

Have a blast!

 

[PghLybrt]

But they've had Melissa as an entertainer. Why wouldn't they have her music.

No matter, as you say...as long as it isn't C/W we'll be able to tune it out if we don't like it.

Not sure about the special nights. Would probably do well to actually read about the cruise! We just jumped on it, and went from there.

From what the booking TA told me, there are no men allowed (I interpreted that as "no men allowed as passengers." I'm assuming there will be male crew).

It's more the overt het stuff that wears on us, rather than a mixed gay community. No real issue though.

Immersion therapy has its merits.

Nope no men (except for staff). It has its benefits. All the bathrooms are changed into womens ! And if you fell like sun bathing in the nude it is no big deal (Usually out on the sportdeck pool).

We had a white party on the last one. They had it on the pool deck. They frown on jumping in the pool during the party (But it is so much fun!).

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Has anyone here been on an Olivia cruise, or know anyone who has?

My DP just won a week Caribbean cruise with Olivia and of course we are going (thank heaven we could get the time so quickly!) but I'd like to know if anyone has an experiences (positive or otherwise) that they would like to share?

Thanks!

Never been on any kinda cruise -- but CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Thanks! After the recent losses, it was perfect timing. We've not been in the best frame of mind lately, so getting away and doing it in a woman centered group will hopefully help!

At least it will give us some space from the "maddening (heterosexual) crowd."