I intend no ill will, but just want to know what I can expect on this forum.

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...venue for presenting alternatives in cruising...

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I totally concur with Malcolm...

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This is no alternative to cruising!

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These could be considered "alternative" because of the type of vessel (freighter, riverboat, etc), the audience they cater to (gay, zealots, etc) or the itinerary the follow (arctic, Amazon, etc.)

This is not a forum for promoting one's political agenda or religious beliefs.

Recently though, we have an increase in posts by members who seem to be resurrecting long-dead posts from the past to in order to trump a post that they do not agree with.

That's why I posted a warning about "churning" this forum recently. I will continue to delete these types of posts as they do nothing to contribute to the quality of the forum.

If you disagree with the content of a post or find it offensive, I encourage you to do one of the following:

1) Ignore it or

2) Contact the forum moderator and it will be reviewed to ensure that it meets the terms and conditions of the forum.

Continued churning of this forum will result in the suspension of posting privileges.

Back to the title of this forum, "Alternative Cruising", I believe that constitutes a variety of topics. Alternative cruising includes methods of cruising that are not typical or the norm, from "niche" type ships to "niche" markets which *INCLUDE* gay/lesbian charters, groups, etc. among other niche groups. Last time I checked, attending a church service on a cruise is a pretty "typical" activity and I'm fairly certain it does not qualify as something "alternative" hard as you try. Why exactly are you obsessed with this topic anyway? It's not hurting you and it really has nothing to do with you, yet you visit the topic on a daily basis? I find it rather puzzling.

If the moderators on this board have been lacking in any area, it concerns you! You have been destructive from the day this alternative forum was created. You have made it your personal vendetta to keep anything "gay/lesbian" out of public view. You repeatedly make frivolous posts to this forum which have nothing to do with alternative cruising in order to promote your own agenda and squash the legitimate posts of others. Joe should have kicked you off this board a long time ago as far as I'm concerned.

Cruise Critic has a topic entitled Gay/Lesbian Cruising as does Cruisemates. I might suggest that Joe create a topic board based on this subject. This way, there can be no confusion what the forum is about, and there would be no reason for Barryboat to visit such a topic since to the best of our knowledge Barryboat is not gay or lesbian? Well, maybe suppressed but that is another topic all together.

Joe, how about it? It would be a sure fire way to satisfy all parties. Barryboat will no longer have a reason to post ridiculous subjects to the "alternative topics" board trying to change the subject, and the large quantity of gay/lesbian posters to this board will have a dedicated place to post without fear (really more of a pathetic annoyance) of Barryboats personal agenda. Of course such a topic in full view day in and day out might just be enough to put Barryboat over the edge, or better yet, go elsewhere to spread his agenda where someone might actually care.

You have a vivid imagination...I am not preaching, and I rarely mention my faith and God, I do not quote scripture, but I do have a conservative approach. I made a thread about Cruises With A Purpose, because it has do do with helping people and doing humanitarian work in the ports during a cruise. I have led hundreds of cruise passengers on these Cruises With A Purpose, so it is a subject that I have an interest in. There is also a growing trend of "faith-based" cruises so I mention it here in this "alternative" thread, because it's not among the normal activities a cruise has to offer. Nowhere on ANY words I have EVER typed will you see ANY referrence to me having a HATEFUL attitude towards ANYONE....so Eroller...I am offended that you would try to spread this lie in your recent post. If there are any agendas...this is an example where you are trying to slander me because of my faith.

Yes I do have a particular distaste for opening up Cruise Talk in the morning and seeing in the subject line things like "Murder & Mayhem", or "Pillage & Plunder" where certain posters seem to be obsessed with advertising their sexual preferrences and what "they" prefer to do in their stateroom and with whom......I think there are more people that visit Cruise Talk that would prefer not to see this and less people than you would like to admit who do. One reason I do not visit Cruise Critic or Cruisemates is because those message boards have been overtaken by discussions of Gay cruises and cruising. You may not like this but the truth is, being "gay" is all about "sex", and the fact that MEN have sex with MEN, or WOMEN have sex with WOMEN. I don't care to read about this every time I open up Cruise Talk...and I'm sure most people that visit this site feel the same but don't want to say anything or get involved. Talking about frivolous posting....most people don't want to read about other's sexual preferrence.

I have been engaging in authentic discussions about the hovercrafts and the Badger, but my posts are covered up fast by a number of posters on this thread who seem to think they have ownership in this entire thread and with their topic. I'm not spreading an agenda, but there are some on this board trying to spread their agenda and would slander anyone who has any religious convictions...particularily Christian convictions....and that is obvious from your message above: "the bible beaters that are the most hateful and hypocritical"

I would be oppossed to a whole subject line about Gay Cruisers. I would most definitely not have any interest in participating or even reading anything within that subject. I hope Joe & Malcolm make the right decision and not create a dedicated forum like that.

[ 09-08-2003: Message edited by: Barryboat ]

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Originally posted by Barryboat:
I would be oppossed to a whole subject line about Gay Cruisers. I would most definitely not have any interest in participating or even reading anything within that subject. I hope Joe & Malcolm make the right decision and not create a dedicated forum like that.

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If you do not like seeing the word gay, tough on you! You do NOT own this board. You don't like it, leave cruisetalk. Many would be happy to see you go.

Mind you the gay and lesbian travel industry is $54 billion a year and growing.

PamM, I have the most respect for you. Homosexuality and faith are not opposites. There are many gay/lesbian churches thruout the world. There are quite a few "mainstream" chapels that welcome gay/lesbain parishners with open arms.
Bishop Gene Robinson comes to mind.

I am in favor of a dedicated Gay/Lesbian cruise section. If one does not like it, don't open the section.

quote:

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Originally posted by Barryboat:
Eroller,

Yes I do have a particular distaste for opening up Cruise Talk in the morning and seeing in the subject line things like "Murder & Mayhem", or "Pillage & Plunder" where certain posters seem to be obsessed with advertising their sexual preferrences and what "they" prefer to do in their stateroom and with whom One reason I do not visit Cruise Critic or Cruisemates is because those message boards have been overtaken by discussions of Gay cruises and cruising. You may not like this but the truth is, being "gay" is all about "sex", and the fact that MEN have sex with MEN, or WOMEN have sex with WOMEN. I don't care to read about this every time I open up Cruise Talk...and that is obvious from your message above: "the bible beaters that are the most hateful and hypocritical"

I would be oppossed to a whole subject line about Gay Cruisers.
[ 09-08-2003: Message edited by: Barryboat ]

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With all due respect you tend to inflate your figures dramatically.

If the Gay and Lesbian topics offend you so much, please don't read them! The only times you get flamed in them are when you respond to any of the topics. If you will look, you will see that in the topics you haven't responded to, there are no remarks to/about you in them.

Yes, this often does include cruises aimed at Gays and Lesbian's. This simply reflects that some of our cruisetalkers are gay and are interested in this subject area. It could equally include Martian cruising, if we had any Martians as members? It is the members who create the forums direction.

Most cruisetalkers seem to want as little censorship (we call it moderation) as possible. Therefore I would recommend that any cruisetalkers that are offended by the subject matter, simply do not read it.

Occasionally post are edited or deleted, not because of someone’s lifestyle choice, be it religious belief or sexual persuasion, but because it contains offensive language.

If this thread becomes a barrage of personal insults between members, rather than a constructive discussion, it will unfortunately have to be deleted, too!

[ 09-08-2003: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by Barryboat:
RuthPerk,

, When it comes to tolerance, many of our gay friends on this board have none...specially no tolerance for any person who holds Christian beliefs and values.

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I admire Bishop Gene Robinson who is openly gay and Reverend Lambcom who is hetero.

I do not see Christian beliefs and values in conflict with homosexuality.

Joe,

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Originally posted by Barryboat:
I do not participate any longer in any of the Gay postings. I don't read them, I have no interest.

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No you just open an old topic and reply with “Malcolm?” that is mature.

Indeed the alternative forum is a broad one and can house many different topics which Gay/Lesbian cruising is definably a qualified topic. For gay people it is just as important to speak their feelings and interests just like it is important for you to speak out your religious feelings as well. Just because you have no interest in this group (just as a pure interest in your fellow human being) does not mean you have to judge this group and whish it out of the alternative forum. Also you can not possibly know if members of Cruise Talk are not interested in hearing their stories, after all you seem to think that all members are very interested in your stories, so why shouldn’t there be members who care to read about Gay cruising?

As for religion and gay communities, it always comes to a persons interpretation of these two groups and how they go together or not. While one claims these groups can’t go together or even denies the existence of one another the other coincide together openly. For instance I’m Catholic but I do not judge the gay community, besides I would not even know what gave me the right at all to judge another human being.

I would suggest that the alternative forum stays as it is, if the Gay/Lesbian cruising would get separated from it, it would not guarantee that certain persons stay out of it and in my opinion it would look like certain persons got their way in even further cornering this “alternative” group. I bet they wont stop at that and even would want the Gay/Lesbian section be banned from such a possible forum.

Heavy handed blue pencilling wont help either.

Why dont we production guys just stay away from this forum and talk about shipboard interludes with our normally accepted opposite sex partners.

For those who must insist on being unisexual, why not come see us in Canada where you would have a great time, especially in Montreal

I have a couple of comments for Barry (...we go way back ).

First, I noticed that almost all of your posts in this forum seem to appear only after someone else has posted a topic that you do not agree with. Trying to drown out those you disagree with is hardly a charitable way to interact with others.

If you really wanted to know about the chapels on the liners I don't see why you posted that question in this forum. A more logical place would have been the Cruise Ships or Ocean Liner forums.

Finally, what the hell (...it's ok I created the concept ) is "faith-based" cruising?

I couldn't even find a reference to the subject in Google (...yes, even I use Google on occasion). Is this something you created or is the information just hard to find. I'm beginning to re-think MY own omniscience.

I must say that I am in tune with PamM's most rationale proposal:

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'Alternative' is perhaps too wide a field, there is a lot to encompass. Perhaps it could be split.
Have a gay/lesbian forum, an 'any religion afloat' forum and an 'other types of ship' forum.
Whilst we're at it, how about a 'ferry' forum, and/or an excursion boat one...
Pam..

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Actually if I don't care to read a particular forum, I simply don't read it. Cannot see anything hard about that. It's the same reason they have an off switch on the tele.

FOLKS: Let's agree to end this thread and get back to our first love-CRUISING!!

...KenH

[ 09-09-2003: Message edited by: KenH ]

Also, there is one fragment of scripture I will quote..."do not cast your perls..." Look it up if you like.