SHIP SIZE...ADVICE FROM
A SIZE QUEEN

When I first stepped aboard my first cruise ship she looked huge. Carnival’s Mardi Gras was one of a few ships cruising year round in 1975. My parents booked a 7-night Caribbean cruise on her and I explored every public space that I could on that 23,000 gross ton vessel. Times have changed and a 23,000 ton ship seems infinitely small by today’s cruising standards.

Bigger is better to many. I personally love big ships. Their sheer size and majesty amaze me. When it comes to cruise ships bigger definitely has its advantages. By sheer volume, the larger a cruise ship the greater the opportunity for more options when it comes to activities, public spaces, dining options and overall variety...

DOCUMENTS THAT YOU'LL NEED

Traveling these days is a little more complicated ever since 911. In years past U.S. Citizens could cruise to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean using a birth certificate as proof of citizenship. Unfortunately those days are gone.

Cruisers today will need a valid passport to board their cruise ship. Depending upon what destinations you are visiting you may also require additional documents including a Tourist Visa. Travel Agents, Cruise Lines and Gay Group Operators are not responsible for attaining the legal documentation that you will need to travel, however they are great resources for information and help. Depending upon your citizenship Visa regulations may vary... 

PACKING...BACKPACK OR
STEAMER TRUNK

No matter how hard I try I always over pack. Every cruise I tell myself I am only going to pack the necessities. But what are cruising necessities? With the high cost of airline baggage fees and somewhat limited closet space in most staterooms “pack lightly” has become my mantra.

Over the years I’ve learned a few tricks about packing. I can get anything laundered on board for a small fee. On most cruise ships I can rent a tux and shoes for formal nights and it will be in my stateroom when I arrive (of course I do bring my own accessories). On a 7-night Caribbean cruise I may bring seven pairs of shorts but I only end up wearing three or four of them. The ships stores have every toiletry that I need so if I forget something I don’t need to panic...

SAILING SOLO ON
A TRADITIONAL CRUISE

Sometimes we just need to get away and a cruise is a great place to go to be revitalized. Before I was partnered I’d sail solo. It never was an uncomfortable or lonely experience and by day two of the cruise I would have a friend or two to pal around with.  The only drawback I have experienced is that if you are not sharing a stateroom you must pay double occupancy.

Being solo and gay on a cruise is just like being gay and solo anywhere. I’ve found that no matter where I go my Gaydar is my best friend. A friendly smile, a welcoming demeanor, an evening at the martini bar and voila the other gays will come.  But it’s not always about hanging with my homo-boys. Sailing solo allows you to meet and mingle with a diverse array of fellow passengers. Being a very “out” person I always introduce into my conversations that I am gay, to test the gay tolerance...

WHAT TYPE OF GAY CRUISE
BEST SUITS MY NEEDS?

I was having cocktails a few weeks ago with a group of friends and the conversation turned to vacations.  One of my compadres couldn’t understand why anyone would want to be “stuck on a boat out in the ocean for days on end”.  He worried that he’d get bored, overeat and be stuck amid a bunch of gray haired straight people from the “red states” – no offense to those living in these states. My mouth dropped open, I spilled my Stoli martini and I will admit to having a small seizure.

How misinformed my friend was. He obviously was watching one too many episodes of the ‘70’s Love Boat and did not have enough exposure to television and media ads for Royal Caribbean and Carnival.  Today a cruise experience is as exciting and enriching, as you want it to be…and as Gay as you want it to be...

HOW MUCH? WHAT IS AND IS NOT INCLUDED
IN MY CRUISE BOOKING PRICE?

For mass-marketed cruises your purchase price will generally include:

• Shipboard Accommodations in the category of stateroom or suite that you have chosen; inside stateroom, outside stateroom, balcony/veranda stateroom, junior suite, suite, owners suite, or variations on these rooms. The earlier you book your cruise the better the chance that you will receive an upgrade to the next higher stateroom/suite category.
  
  
• Three full-service meals served in the main dining room (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with alternative choices for meals in other price-inclusive dining areas such as buffets and cafes, midnight buffets and/or late-night snacks...