|
Travel Tips
About Your
First All-Gay Cruise
Most of the newer ships
are like floating resorts, with deck after deck of lunges, bars,
nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, pools, spas, sports facilities,
computer rooms... and yes, even rock
climbing walls, putting greens, and an ice skating rink. But the daily
rhythms aboard a cruise ship can be a little different. There are some
aspects of life at sea that are very different from any land vacation
you've ever taken. Knowing about some of these in advance can greatly
enhance your experience.
Before The
Trip
1. Pack light, and bring soft sided or collapsible
luggage. There is very limited storage space in most cabins and you'll be
sorry if you have to share floor space with your suitcases. Be sure to
pack necessary toiletries. Items are
available on board, but the selection is limited and the prices are high.
Other necessities like film and batteries are similarly limited.
2. If you have medications that need refrigeration, ask about the
availability of a refrigerator in your room or bring a small cooler with
you--there is plenty of ice on board.
3. You'll likely read some very strict warnings about illegal drugs aboard ship. That said, people do it. You won't likely
be searched getting on the ship (although luggage is x-rayed), but you can
be put off the ship if you're caught using drugs.
4. Your cabin is also subject to search by customs officials at any port.
This has happened, and passengers have been fined. Finally, there is
always a chance you will be searched by U.S. Customs disembarking a ship
at a U.S. port. Don't even risk taking drugs back into the U.S. with you.
back to top
Boarding
Ships usually board between 12pm (Noon) and 4PM on the day of
departure. Many passengers arrive early to take care of the details you'll
read about below. If you don't want to
wait in a long line to check in, we suggest that you arrive shortly after halfway
through the boarding.
Pack anything vital (medicines, cameras, wallet) in your
carry on luggage, as well as anything that might make your first few hours
more comfortable, like shorts or a sweatshirt depending on the weather.
Your tagged luggage may take an hour or so to be delivered to your cabin
(longer if you don't tag it correctly).
back to top
Settling
In
There are a few details you should take care of as soon as you
get on board. Signing and Dining are the most important, beauty salon
reservations are third. On most ships, you pay for all of your onboard
purchases with a special charge card that needs to be activated by the
presentation of a credit card (cash and travelers cheque's are accepted). As soon as this is done, you can get
yourself a cocktail, then head to the dining room for your seating
assignment. Beauty treatment appointments book up quickly, so if
you want to schedule a massage, haircut, or manicure, do it now! You can
always try to change it later.
back to top
Dining
Onboard dining continues to expand on most cruise ships, and
you should be familiar with the various options. The primary dining rooms
on most ships have "main" and "late" seating options
where dinner is served in two settings. Most cruise ships
have changed to where you can go to dinner
anywhere from 5pm to 10pm. If you choose to do the traditional dining you
will be assigned either main or late seating and will be assigned that for
the duration of the sailing. Most entertainment is also done in two
shifts, with an early and late performance to match your dining option.
Late dining tends to be more popular; it gives you more time to get back
to the ship after shore excursions and leaves less downtime between
eating and late-night activities such as nightclub dancing. Main dining
has its own advantages--like more time to enjoy cabaret acts and ship
amenities between dinner and late-night parties, or the option to eat, see
the show, and be back in your cabin by 10:30pm if you're an early-to-bed
kind of guy or gal.
Service in the primary dining rooms is usually a
(relatively) formal, sit-down affair with menus, waiters, wine stewards,
etc. Unless your ship offers "restaurant seating" you'll be
assigned to one table and waiter for the duration of your trip. Most
tables hold eight people. Some seat more or less, but you'll probably end
up at a table for eight. If there are people you want to eat with, go
together to get your table assignment. Couples who choose tables for two
usually have less fun, so if you're not with a group, take the chance. If
you really don't like your assigned tablemates, speak to the maitre'd as
soon as possible (it's rude to change during your first dinner, but
arrange to switch before you leave the dining room). It is sometimes
possible to switch your assignment on board and since more people opt for
late seating, it's easier to switch to main.
Seating assignments (main or late) really affect dinner
only since breakfast and lunch in the dining rooms are sparsely attended.
Most ships also offer at least one alternate dining option such as a
casual buffet that you can eat at almost any hour of the day.
In our experience, cruise food tends to vary with a couple of
standout choices at each meal. If there's an appetizer, entree, or dessert
you really like, don't be ashamed to ask for seconds. And if someone at
your table is enjoying something you think you'd like better, go ahead and
ask for a replacement. Your waiter will be happy to comply.
back to top
Attire
A number of theme events are often planned for the week, and
you should get information in advance on what to expect. If you don't, be
sure to ask. You can go all out on the theme-dressing routine, or
completely ignore it. Go ahead and bring your leather and/or cowboy,
motorcycle, drag or toga gear if you care to. But don't worry
about it if that's too much effort. Remember, there's not a lot of
closet space.
Dress is very casual on ship and at ports of
call most of the time. On some cruises, you will be expected to dress up
a little, like long pants and collared shirt for men and something equally
neat for women. Only a few passengers dress up beyond that. Some cruises
still offer formal nights, and only about half of the ship will really dress up.
Bring a sweater or sweatshirt (it can get cool at night),
a lightweight rain jacket, and plenty of shorts, swimsuits, t-shirts, and
clean underwear! A back pack and/or fanny pack are useful for venturing
off the ship.
back to top
Seasickness
The cruise industry would prefer you call it motion
discomfort
and while it feels similar to the queasy feeling some people get in a car
or on a plane, no other motion discomfort is quite as, well, discomforting
as seasickness. That's the bad news. The good news is that it's not
something most people have to worry about, if you take the right
precautions. Seasickness is caused when the fluid in your ear and
your eyes send conflicting messages to your brain about which way is up.
Modern ships have stabilizers, which help minimize the pitching and
rolling that can cause the problem. Sometimes just
getting out on deck and watching the horizon will stave off impending
sickness. Sea-bands are elastic and plastic wrist bands use an
acupressure point to prevent seasickness. You have to have them on before
you start feeling ill for them to work. If you're prone to motion
discomfort, you should consider medication as well. Over the counter
medications Dramamine and Bonine both work reliably, although some
Dramamine formulas cause drowsiness. The Scopolomine patch is back after a
three year hiatus but is still an option best left for those who know
they will get sick, or who know they can tolerate it. The Side effects can
be significant and unpleasant.
back to top
Ports of
Call
At each stop a cruise ship makes (ports of call), there
are always a couple of options. Standard ship-offered shore excursions
(pre-planned group tours that usually involve a bus, a guide, and a place
for you to buy souvenirs) can be disappointing and expensive. This is
particularly true in the Caribbean and Mexico. European excursions are
more likely to be better options and special excursions arranged by the
tour operator can offer a great window onto local life. Olivia in
particular has done a great job of connecting the women on their cruises
with the local women's community. Most ports are easy to negotiate on your
own, and a little advanced preparation and research can greatly enhance
your experience ashore if you're looking to get beyond the standard
tourist fare.
back to top
Disembarking
The end of the cruise is a series of harsh realities, although
there are a few ways to ease your transition. Your charge privileges
generally end the night before your cruise does, so carry your wallet. A final accounting will be delivered to your room. This is when you find out
how quickly those bar bills add up! If you are paying by credit card, your
account will automatically be billed. Cash accounts must be settled aboard
ship. Luggage to be carried off by the porters must be packed, PROPERLY
TAGGED, and placed outside your cabin door generally by
midnight. On large ships, when it's time to disembark, you will generally
be assigned to a holding area on the ship based on your luggage tag color
and will have to wait until your color is called to disembark. Count on
sitting for an hour or longer. Some of the cruise lines have gone to
hotel-style checkout which allows to you to disembark when you are with everyone needing to
disembark by a certain time.
back to top
|
