A brief rundown to events: I was waiting for the bus in the bus stop and there was only me and some girl (19) and I thought sure I'll talk to her and we went on talking and I told her that I was doing travel and tourism A-levels at school and that I wanted to go on to work in the industry and she said "oh whereabouts in it" and I said on a cruise ship or in a hotel or a visitor attraction but hopefully on a ship and then! she said :

"working on a cruise ship is only for gay people"

And I went "EXCUSE ME!!!" and she went "well thats what I hearld, and what everyone else will think" and I said well its not(!) and I ignored her.... arrogant cow!

[ 02-17-2002: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

and more Gays are travelling...

...sometimes there are Special-Gay-Cruises, and they are sold out very fast...

[ 02-18-2002: Message edited by: Aleks ]

And Steve, people than think worse things of you than being gay.

There are many gay cruise talkers on this board. 10 that I know of.
In America they have a buying power of $300 billion.

Early on cruise talk I posted info on Gay and Lesbian cruisers and only one bigot spewed. He was hammered by so many,gay and straight alike, that he does not post anymore.

Most of the venom and rebuttal was deleted

Yes, Steve, there are a dis-proportionate number of gay people on cruise ships, both passenger and crew. Mostly they are invisible. The swish limp wrist mannerism is an exception rather than the rule.

The Carnival rape scandal was heterosexual molestation of teenage girls.

Most people regardless of preference are selective in who they like.

The gays and straights work side by side on a ship and usually a non-issue.

What is interesting: The very handsome/pretty crew members are the ones who have passenger contact e.g casino, waiters, stewards. Where the more homely types are below decks and in the galleys.

[ 02-18-2002: Message edited by: desirod6 ]

quote:

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Originally posted by desirod6:
Yes, Steve, there are a dis-proportionate number of gay people on cruise ships, both passenger and crew.

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Any idea why gay people are attacted to cruising?

Cannot stereotype, gay people do not have children, and it is illegal to adopt in most places. LGBT usually have more time and disposable income to travel. If they are not school teachers they can vacation at any time of the year.

The SSUS Society has many gay people too.

Ships, the cruising experience, and to me driving a nice car on country roads, is a 'seductive' experience.

My first sight of the Big U in Philly sparked my renewed interest in cruising as an adult. Had she been laid up anywhere else, I probably would not be posting here.

The seduction and sensuality of the ship experience and the surrounding ocean can and charm anyone regardless of orientation, age, and ethnicity. Look at all the countries and age groups this board represents.

Times are changing, many married people are coming out who in the old days would stay in the closet until death. Many of the bath houses and escort services are frequented by men living a double life. It used to be 'when do you tell your parents' now it is 'when do you tell your kids'

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Any idea why gay people are attacted to cruising?

I have met a number of charming gay men in both UK and USA Ship Societies.

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Me, I am a gay man, no I don't work on a ship, but I am a travel agent, so a part of the travel community. But more importantly, I am in love with ships, would that make me a "Liner-Sexual"?...LOL. Seriously, I took my first cruise in 1998, NCL Leeward, from here in Washington,DC, down the Potomac River (the largest ship to come up it at that time), and then to the Atlantic. I fell in love, I have never had a more relaxing, friendly environment, and down right eye opening vacation in all my life. If I were younger, and were not partnered with a dog and two cats (read: my family)... then I would be working on a ship on the high seas this very minute. Before that cruise on MS Leeward, I thought cruising was for blue hair and rednecks (not meant to offend anyone), but I had my eyes opened wide to my misconceptions. I just can’t convey to my clients even what a great vacation I have had every cruise I have taken.

But secondly, I am a self proclaimed TRANSPORTATION NERD! It started with cars, since this was my first exposure, then when I saw my sister board an Eastern Airlines 727 for the first time and watched from the observation deck, the take off.. it has been no turning back for me. I love Aircraft, I love Ships, I love Liners, and I love Trains. I am very fortunate that my partner of over 4 years is just as much a nerd as I am, he works as an engineer for a military contractor doing GPS work. Not your typical gay guys job you think?, well you're wrong, to coin an activist phrase from the 80's/90's, "We are Everywhere".

As far as the Liner's thing, it is a growing passion. I was not very thrilled with cruising on Premier Cruise Line a few years ago, but I had to go on the Rotterdam V (a.k.a. Rembrandt). Wow, What a beautiful ship. And as a side note, it was an 8day Canada/New England cruise, which typically gets an older crowd. I met several other gays and lesbians onboard, some of who were passengers, some crew. And since we were in port in Halifax until 1:30am, I found the local gay watering holes, and guess what, there were fellow passengers there as well, in town for a late nightcap. It really is a small world. I live in Washington, DC, and my partner's family is in Philly... We go up often, and always visit the SS United States; I get chills every time I see her. We always joke (since we don’t play lottery), that if we won the lottery, the first thing we'd do is buy her in cash. I more and more appreciate these old girls, and know it is important to save them. And yes there are many of us in the Save the SS United States Foundation and we have made our plans to be at the Anniversary Celebration in Long Beach on the QM.

Anyway, I'm babbling, but worthwhile I think. You will find there are many gays and lesbians on this board, and many, many others online which have message boards dedicated to gay and lesbian cruisers. Statistically, we take many more traditional cruises than we take entire charters for gay groups.

But back to the original subject at hand, yes there typically is a larger percentage of gays who work onboard ships. Why?-- possibly because many of them come from countries or societies that condemn their lifestyle and they seek a better life. Or many of them may even choose a life at sea because they are more accepted than they are with their families. No one will argue that working on a ship requires creativeness, and that seems to be somewhat inherent in the "gay gene". And otherwise, their just damn clever, they want to see the world, do it cheaply, make some money, great friends and gays have always been very good at hospitality positions. As well as the entertainment industry gets a lot of gay men working in the ranks. Unfortunately, there are ignorant, small-minded individuals such as the bus stop girl, who may be innocent as a product of her environment. But with the fact that she lacks both class and tactfulness, She won’t be working on deck of the SS United States when I win the lottery and put her back in service.

-Darrell

[ 02-20-2002: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

As for the Irish girl. She really IS probably quite innocent and a product of her environment, as you say.
You must remember that the church has had such a hold on the people. The church run the schools, used to run all of the hospitals. It's a church run country. The Republic is, anyway.
Divorce was only allowed in 1996 and then you had to be seperated for 4 years. And birth control used to be punishable by law until late 80's. You used to have to fly to England and bring it back and hope that they didn't search your cases. There is still a Chemists Shop (Pharmacy) that I know of two blocks away that when someone went in to buy BC the head chemist snapped at him "We don't carry such EVIL DEVICES." I've been in there myself so I know that he's not kidding.
Even as late as the 80's the parish priest would call on you if you were married more than a year and not pregnant and ask if you were using something to prevent Gods natural events.
So "Class and Tact" are low on the list as far as what you are taught. She was not being cruel on purpose.