Transgender on Disney Cruise

[Julia4120]

I am just curious on thoughts and perhaps any experience anyone has had on a Disney Cruise being transgendered. I am about one year into my transition from male to female and estimate that for about 90% of the people out there I pass fairly well. I have a cruise booked in December and for the most part have not worried about what my experience might be like, but as it gets closer I am starting to get a little nervous since a ship does not provide a lot of opportunities to escape. I have been to the parks many times, and aside from the occasional disapproving look from some guests I have never had any issues. I am just wondering what I can reasonably expect since I don't simply want to de-transition, even temporarily, for a cruise.

 

[Anonny]

If you are confident about your identity and think you pass for 90%, then don't worry about the 10% who may be confused. Hopefully, they are having too much fun on their own cruise to pay much attention to you.

Have a great cruise!

 

[dclpluto]

Enjoy your cruise don't worry what other people think

 

[wilkeliza]

Enjoy your cruise and try not to worry! I do understand it can be difficult but do what you can to make yourself feel best and if people don't like that it is on them.

There aren't any public changing areas or such so you shouldn't have to worried about that if you are not doing a bottom transition.

I have found that my one transgender friend is hyper aware of any masculinity she has left. I always remind her that unless people knew her "brother" they would have no clue that she had transitioned.




Just want to add I commend you for being so strong and able to live fully in your truth.

 

[roobug]

I would think you will be just fine. The only thing I think may possibly be an issue depending on your look is younger kids may say something probably not to you but to their parents but maybe to you directly. If you are not used to being around young kids it could take you by suprize. I know as a preschool and early elementary teacher I hear some pretty shocking things sometimes from the kids I teach. I am not transgendered but I have had them comment on my facial hair (which I do groom pretty well most of the time but kids notice EVERYTHING), or other embarrassing things that adults would rarely say. And the thing to remember is they are not usually saying anything to be mean but just because they are learning about their world.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would bet the only time of questions would be when showing passport/ID, if what the passport states doesn't match what the officials at this point. And that can be explained.

I have had them comment on my facial hair (which I do groom pretty well most of the time but kids notice EVERYTHING), or other embarrassing things that adults would rarely say.

Agreed. My mom's niece once commented on my mom's nice "moustache" (probably just a few upper lip hairs). My mom took it tremendously to heart and started bleaching after that.

And the thing to remember is they are not usually saying anything to be mean but just because they are learning about their world.

Exactly. (my cousin probably LIKED my mom's "moustache"; she didn't mean anything mean about it)

Hopefully the OP knows that kids are just tremendously curious and most often their questions are just questions and not judgments.

 

[TChrist05]

Best of luck to you--enjoy your cruise!

 

[RachelST]

I have a friend and an acquaintance that are now female. I met them as female and in my head that's how I've always seen them. I didn't even realize the acquaintance had changed until someone mentioned something at some point. I think however you present yourself is how people will see you. (For the most part...nothing is ever 100%)

 

[themilesfamily]

Just wishing you a magical cruise!!! Are you going alone or with friends/family?

 

[cruisehopeful]

Even people who aren't transgender get weird looks from others. I wouldn't worry about it because the disapproval you are sensing may have nothing at all to do with being transgender. The only downside you have for the cruise is that your passport will determine what name goes on your key, which you will use for everything. You will likely be called the wrong name the entire cruise. And, that may (emphasis the word may, as I don't know for sure) influence which public restrooms you can comfortably use.

Most important thing is to have fun and not care what other people interpret. I have a close family member transitioning right now.

 

[wcw57]

i see this was your first post.
worry about the myriad other details....there is no way to judge human behavior on the internet, i'm pretty sure.

enjoy your cruise

 

[MunFam]

As the previous poster mentioned, lots of people get weird looks from other people. I side eye people who dress sloppy for dinner, who cut in lines or allow their kid to have a continuous tantrum at dinner or show without taking them out. If you cruise in to the dining room in Birkenstocks with socks, a fanny pack, Disney t-shirt and daisy dukes on formal night, I am so going to side eye you...not for who you are but for what you are wearing, at the same time, probably think to myself, "well that was a bold look! Good for that person for not giving two shoots about it" I say you be you and haters be darned. I hope you have a wonderful cruise!!

 

[wilkeliza]

Oh just as an FYI if you haven't done so yet. As of June 2010 you can get your passport issued in your current gender and an update if you already had one issued under your birth gender. You just have to get a letter from you doctor saying you have received the "appropriate clinical treatment" for your transition. Appropriate clinic treatment can be anything and as long as your doctor believes you have fully transitioned (or are on your way to that) then that is between you and them. For some people that is just hormone treatment and outwardly presentation, for others that is top surgery and others full surgery. It is up to you and your doctor which is great.

Getting an updated passport would help you make sure you are only ever referred to as your current gender. I am not sure how name changes are currently handled on passports but the gender being correct would help as it is easy to tell people I am actually named this.

 

[girliesj]

In general, I find kids bluntly honest. Like yesterday, when my 4.5 year old told me her favorite part of me was my "soft comfy belly". Thanks, kid.

That might be the only thing I would prep for! The honesty of kids.

 

[wilkeliza]

In general, I find kids bluntly honest. Like yesterday, when my 4.5 year old told me her favorite part of me was my "soft comfy belly". Thanks, kid.

That might be the only thing I would prep for! The honesty of kids.

I'll never forget going to dinner and my fiance's niece said "Oh you are going to wear that?" She totally didn't mean it in a unkind way she was just curious why I was in dress slacks and not a dress like all the other ladies. I just said yes as I don't care for dresses in the winter.

 

[kamik86]

In general, I find kids bluntly honest. Like yesterday, when my 4.5 year old told me her favorite part of me was my "soft comfy belly". Thanks, kid.

That might be the only thing I would prep for! The honesty of kids.

I'd agree with this.

5 year old me might have loudly said "Mom is that a boy or a girl" frankly I did that one pretty often to people around here.
If I had found out someone was transitioning (didn't even know that was possible at the time) I would have had 1000 questions. None of them malicious though... just curious.

My neice was even worse. I would have at least only said something to mom and could just be ignored... she would have asked you.

 

[OKW Lover]

The only downside you have for the cruise is that your passport will determine what name goes on your key, which you will use for everything. You will likely be called the wrong name the entire cruise. And, that may (emphasis the word may, as I don't know for sure) influence which public restrooms you can comfortably use.

There won't be a problem with any of the public restrooms. There isn't anybody guarding the door to them.

 

[MunFam]

There won't be a problem with any of the public restrooms. There isn't anybody guarding the door to them.

I use men's restrooms all the time...in my 6 inch heels and a skirt. I have no shame. If the line is too long in the ladies' room...in I go. Haha (not necessarily on a cruise, but ya know...gas station, bar, restaurant, wherever)

 

[vakamalua]

CONGRATULATIONS on becoming your True Self! Let's hope that the parents of any 'bluntly honest' children finally step up to teach good manners and self restraint.

"They don't have to like you and you don't have to care."

 

[emilyann415]

People get disapproving looks for wearing shorts to the dining rooms. Honestly, don't give it a second thought. None of us go through life without being judged by others. Easier said than done...but live your life for you....not for anyone else.