R Family Cruise vs. Disney

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

Ok, I am sure this is blasphemous since this is a Disney board but has anyone been on an R Family cruise? We are tying to decide on which cruise line to take our family next year.

It looks like Disney has much better programming for kids - but I wonder about the reaction that we'll get an a lesbian family (with kids, it is pretty hard to be a couple of women/friends/sisters going on a cruise together. Especially when "MAMA!" and "MOMMY!" are being screamed at the two of you!) I love the idea of having all gay families on the cruise - but I want it to be fun (and somewhat relaxing) for us!

 

[tig82174]

Ok, I am sure this is blasphemous since this is a Disney board but has anyone been on an R Family cruise? We are tying to decide on which cruise line to take our family next year.

It looks like Disney has much better programming for kids - but I wonder about the reaction that we'll get an a lesbian family (with kids, it is pretty hard to be a couple of women/friends/sisters going on a cruise together. Especially when "MAMA!" and "MOMMY!" are being screamed at the two of you!) I love the idea of having all gay families on the cruise - but I want it to be fun (and somewhat relaxing) for us!

I don't know if anyone has responded to you privately or not.....but if you think a Disney cruise looks better and more fun for your kids then you should absolutely book it. I have never been on an R-Family cruise (although I'm a huge Rosie fan...so I'd absolutely consider it)....but I have been on multiple Disney Cruises and am going on another in just over 90 days. My hubby and I do not have kids (yet.... ), but we have NEVER been the only LGBT couple or family aboard the ship. I have seen in my many cruises several families with two mommies or two daddies...and I have witnessed the staff aboard the ship treat these families with the same exceptional Disney experience we all expect from all things Disney.

I, too, think an R-Family cruise with a lot of LGBT families would be a great experience....but as a seasoned DCL cruiser, I can also tell you that a Disney cruise is a not to be missed experience, as well!!

 

[donald...really]

I can echo what tig has posted. You will have a great time on a Disney Cruise, and the staff will do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable. We were on the 12 night cruise a few years ago and there were a ton of gay families and couples on board. Sitting by the pool was like being at the Boatslip in Provincetown.

I have never been on a R Family Cruise, but if you think you would prefer Disney then don't hesitate in booking it.

 

[nordkin]

We have been on 5 Disney Cruises with number 6 coming up in September. We are booked on the July 13 RFamily cruise because we won the silent auction for the cruise at the HRC National Dinner in Washington. I have been participating in the discussion forum for the RFamily cruise over the last several months and I will admit I am a little concerned with all the talk about how they can't wait to hit the casino and the amount of alcohol they will consume.

Maybe I am just being a bit judgemental, but you do not see these things on the DCL Discussion Forums. There is some talk about the children's activities, but from what I am reading, they do not compare to Disney. We did put our kids in the program on the Disney Cruises when we first started going and they did not want to leave.

In my opinion if you want your children to get a postive experience with other gay families, Family Week in PTown and now Fire Island would be much better. Our kids, now 23, 21, and 20 went to Family Week every year for 6 years and still speak highly of it.

As others have already posted, there will probably be other gay families on your Disney Cruise. We have never had any issues and sever'al positive experiences on our Disney Cruises. We keep in touch with our straight tablemates from our last cruise and thay have even come to visit us from Michigan.

I will be more than happy to let you know what I think of the RFamily cruise when we get back. I will try to keepn open mind and compare apples to apples.

Donna

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

Thanks, everyone!

I agree that the R Family forums have a lot of talk about casinos (something that doesn't interest us in the LEAST.) I do think that the entertainment on R Family is sometimes better (big name headliners.) And R Family is much pricier than DCL.

I have heard mixed things about Family Week in P-town since R Family took it over a couple of years ago. A lot of complaints about poor planning at events, etc. I want to see how it pans out over the next couple of years.

We talked this weekend and think that we'll wait another year or two until our kids are potty trained (they just turned 2) so they can enjoy the pools and the kids programming.

But I would love to hear what you think about R Family next month!

Thanks!

 

[nordkin]

Thanks, everyone!

I agree that the R Family forums have a lot of talk about casinos (something that doesn't interest us in the LEAST.) I do think that the entertainment on R Family is sometimes better (big name headliners.) And R Family is much pricier than DCL.

I have heard mixed things about Family Week in P-town since R Family took it over a couple of years ago. A lot of complaints about poor planning at events, etc. I want to see how it pans out over the next couple of years.

We talked this weekend and think that we'll wait another year or two until our kids are potty trained (they just turned 2) so they can enjoy the pools and the kids programming.

But I would love to hear what you think about R Family next month!

Thanks!

We just returned from the RFamily cruise yesterday and have to say we enjoyed the cruise, but hated the ship. The food was adequate at best, service was so-so, and staterooms were very small. This cruise is definitely about the kids and being with other families like theirs. Your children are so young, I am not sure it would make a difference at this point. The RFamily cruise next year is July 5 to Alaska. It is going on sale in August and they allowed us to prebook on this cruise. It is again on a NCL ship. There is some doubt about future cruises as they are having trouble filling the ships with the state of the economy. We were told they are looking at doing a trip to a Club Med in Mexico in 2010. It was nice being with gay people and a lot of straight people as well, but if it were not for the entertainment Rosie brought on board we would not have noticed any difference from any other cruise. We are still thinking about the Alaska trip, but it is expensive and we have to consider the airfare to Vancouver as well. If you have any specific questions, please PM me.

Donna

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

Donna - Thank you so much! That is kinda the feeling I got from reading the DCL boards and the RFamily boards. Club Med in 2010 sounds great. The kids would be 4 and able to participate in more activities.

Thanks for getting back to me!

 

[wallyb]

Sitting by the pool was like being at the Boatslip in Provincetown

That's a good thing?