Touchy Subject

[southpaw 1]

A good friend of mine just got back from DisneyWorld with his family. He informed me that is was significant other week and the public display was not what you would want your children to see. Is there anyway to make sure the cruise ship will not have the same? Not trying to offend but not my idea of a family vacation??

 

[Caropooh]

Can you be a little more specific, please?

 

[Valencia Joe]

A good friend of mine just got back from DisneyWorld with his family. He informed me that is was significant other week and the public display was not what you would want your children to see. Is there anyway to make sure the cruise ship will not have the same? Not trying to offend but not my idea of a family vacation??

What do you mean by "significant other week"? Do you mean "gay week"?
If your question is regarding public display of affection, be it with the opposite or same sex, I have no problem with it as long as they control themselves (meaning not getting too far).

 

[WDWLVR]

Disney Cruise Line is open to all families. That means young, old, those with kids, those without kids, and yes same sex partners as well. We've been on a number of cruises and have never found anyone (no matter which category above they fell into) acting what I could call inappropriately.

Hope this helps in making your decision.

 

[Aisling]

Not trying to offend but not my idea of a family vacation??

Don't worry! I have only cruised once so far, but I didn't see any family-offensive behavior onboard, just people having fun.

 

[karibritt01]

Same sex partners in general behave the same as other couples, IMHO. You may see some small displays of affection, but probably nothing over the top. While I haven't been to WDW during that time, I have heard that it is much more in your face than it would normally be. I know many gay couples, and they would never act inappropriately in public... especially on a family-friendly cruise.

 

[CraftyMouse]

There's nothing wrong with the word "Gay" so it is perfectly to okay to ask "Are there Gay Days on the ship?" The answer is that there have not yet been any events similar to those at WDW on DCL. That said, DCL is open to everyone and you definitely see all kinds of families. If you will be offended by a same-sex couple holding hands or giving each other a quick kiss be warned that you may see that on board...just as you'd see the same with heterosexual partners. I have never noticed any obnoxious or inappropriate displays of affection from any couples whether they are same-sex or opposite-sex, although I hear that some teens have been found in compromising positions from time to time.

The bottom line is that gay people do sail on DCL and there will probably be some on your sailing, although you may never know it. The same is true of all cruise lines and any other place you may go. There are not, however, any sponsored events on DCL that I am aware of.

 

[ndepaola]

...CraftyMouse for a thoughtful and well-stated answer!

Though I've only been on one Disney cruise this last April, I have to say the most "un-family-friendly" thing I saw was one woman who mistakenly put on dental floss instead of a bathing suit 5 days in a row. Definitely an advanced anatomy lesson in the making.

 

[Caropooh]

There's nothing wrong with the word "Gay" so it is perfectly to okay to ask "Are there Gay Days on the ship?" The answer is that there have not yet been any events similar to those at WDW on DCL. That said, DCL is open to everyone and you definitely see all kinds of families. If you will be offended by a same-sex couple holding hands or giving each other a quick kiss be warned that you may see that on board...just as you'd see the same with heterosexual partners. I have never noticed any obnoxious or inappropriate displays of affection from any couples whether they are same-sex or opposite-sex, although I hear that some teens have been found in compromising positions from time to time.

The bottom line is that gay people do sail on DCL and there will probably be some on your sailing, although you may never know it. The same is true of all cruise lines and any other place you may go. There are not, however, any sponsored events on DCL that I am aware of.

Very well put!

...CraftyMouse for a thoughtful and well-stated answer!

Though I've only been on one Disney cruise this last April, I have to say the most "un-family-friendly" thing I saw was one woman who mistakenly put on dental floss instead of a bathing suit 5 days in a row. Definitely an advanced anatomy lesson in the making.

 

[2disneydads]

Another "thank you" to CraftyMouse for a thoughtful and generous answer to the question. As a same-sex couple with two young daughters, we do not want our daughters exposed to inappropriate public displays of affection, whether "gay" or "straight." We do want them to know that their family, and the love that binds and makes that family, are appreciated and respected, something we always have enjoyed at Disney resorts, in Disney parks and on DCL. The first weekend in June traditionally is "Gay Days" at Disney World, an event that Disney does not sponsor. The celebrations have broadened to include other of the Orlando area parks as well. The participants generally visit a specific park on a specific day. GLBT individuals and families do make up a greater percentage of the park attendees on that day. While I am sure that some individuals can get carried away (as is always the case when 50,000-100,000 people show up for the same event), I also know that many families led by GLBT parents come to the parks for Gay Days and want nothing more than to enjoy the parks in the company of thousands of similar families. We look forward to the day when everyone welcomes our family, and families and individuals like us, in the same warm, embracing and completely natural way as Disney does.

 

[TnRobin]

Exactly 2disneydads. I view inappropriate displays of affection based on the actions, not the couple. I don't want to see any couple engaging in activities meant for private.

The worse I have seen was at Six Flags. This guy and girl were playing "second base" while standing in line, in view of everyone else in line. Geez, if I wanted to see a rated R movie, I would have stayed home.

But it all comes down to one thing - it is not meant to be a flame on anyone and I wish it weren't so. If you want to completely control what your kids see or hear (don't get me started on language use), don't take them out in public. Someone, somewhere will do or say something that is not appropriate.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

A good friend of mine just got back from DisneyWorld with his family. He informed me that is was significant other week and the public display was not what you would want your children to see. Is there anyway to make sure the cruise ship will not have the same? Not trying to offend but not my idea of a family vacation??

you are not alone on this one

 

[tinytink]

Our family has been in Orlando enroute to our Disney Cruise during Gay Days and we did not notice a difference in the behavior same sex-partners and straight partners. If you seek out to make it a big deal or keep looking for it you will find it but if you seek out to make it a great family time then that is what you make of it!

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Exactly 2disneydads. I view inappropriate displays of affection based on the actions, not the couple. I don't want to see any couple engaging in activities meant for private.

My thoughts exactly. I have been to the parks a few times during gay days and I never saw any behavior that I wouldn't see any other weekend. My kids are very aware of what gay is and I have no worries about "protecting" them from seeing gay people at Disney or anywhere else.

 

[lvstitch]

But it all comes down to one thing - it is not meant to be a flame on anyone and I wish it weren't so. If you want to completely control what your kids see or hear (don't get me started on language use), don't take them out in public. Someone, somewhere will do or say something that is not appropriate.

 

[FLmomof2]

We have gone to Disney once during gay days. I really didn't notice any inappropriate displays of affection. However my daughter did ask why one man had his shirt on funny (like a bra) and wearing minnie mouse ears.

I just chuckled and said people like to wear different things and thats what he wanted to wear today.

And to be honest I found everyone to be more friendly and polite on that day than on every other regular day.

 

[ccourtney]

What exactly do you mean by public display? Do you mean people were demonstrating gross public displays of affection that are inappropriate for straight couples as well as gay couples to do in front of small children (or anyone else for that matter)? Or do you mean that the sight of 2 people, who happen to be the same sex, showing affection for eachother that would perfectly appropriate if they were of the opposite sex? I do not mean to sound harsh, but instead of being closeminded and intolorent, and infecting your children with the same, you might try looking at it as I do. I am a divorced straight woman who was married for a short 4 years. I am friends with a gay couple who have been together for 20 years and are so kind and loving to eachother. I applaud them. Love is love, no matter what. Teach your children that. With everything in the world today, your child witnessing 2 women or 2 men holding hands or exchanging a quick kiss on the lips, is the last thing any of us should be worrying about.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Honestly, our kids (DD16 and DS13) have been aware of same-sex couples for as long as they have been aware of heterosexual couples. My thought was always that they are as much a part of the world as anyone else so why not get my kids used to a real-world view.

That said, I don't like overly-intimate public displays of affection from anyone. While I wouldn't be pleased to see a gay couple having a heavy make-out session on the ship or in the parks I'd be equally upset if it was a straight couple. Hand-holding, quick kisses, hugs, etc. are all simply signs of one person's affection for another. The gender of those people make absolutely no difference to me. While I understand that others do not agree with my opinion I simply cannot understand theirs. Why quibble over who someone else loves. Love who you want to love and let others do the same. It should have no effect on you.

 

[ldb1030]

What exactly do you mean by public display? Do you mean people were demonstrating gross public displays of affection that are inappropriate for straight couples as well as gay couples to do in front of small children (or anyone else for that matter)? Or do you mean that the sight of 2 people, who happen to be the same sex, showing affection for eachother that would perfectly appropriate if they were of the opposite sex? I do not mean to sound harsh, but instead of being closeminded and intolorent, and infecting your children with the same, you might try looking at it as I do. I am a divorced straight woman who was married for a short 4 years. I am friends with a gay couple who have been together for 20 years and are so kind and loving to eachother. I applaud them. Love is love, no matter what. Teach your children that. With everything in the world today, your child witnessing 2 women or 2 men holding hands or exchanging a quick kiss on the lips, is the last thing any of us should be worrying about.

Amen!!!

 

[ldb1030]

A good friend of mine just got back from DisneyWorld with his family. He informed me that is was significant other week and the public display was not what you would want your children to see. Is there anyway to make sure the cruise ship will not have the same? Not trying to offend but not my idea of a family vacation??

And I suppose the kids better be locked up for life if you think you'll hide them from the real world. And I pray that anyone with this attitude does not have a child grow up and have to tell the parent someday that they are gay.