Are there certain mainstream cruise lines, ships or itineraries that appeal more to the gay market? If so, which ones and why?

I'm not talking about charter theme cruises here as I know there are several each year.

The more open and inclusive, the nicer the places are, Not just for tourists, but quality of life in general.

All of the Carnival Brands, RCL, Princess, NCL, and Oceania with 30%+ of their management gay do everything they can to be inclusive to gay, lesbian, or otherwise.

In the Middle East: Israel is the only really inclusive country. In the Carribean, Puerto Rico has a thriving gay community. The Dutch and French Islands are also very friendly.

Europe, especially the Balearics of the Mediterranean is inclusive.

Bigotry=poverty
Inclusiveness=prosperity

Overall, I've found just about every cruise line I've sailed with to be very welcoming; some more than others.

Joe--as for the QE2, she and the Norway seem to have a particular hold on a lot of gay men I know.

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Originally posted by desirod7:
Pied Piper has a partial ship gay charter on ALL of the upcoming of the Queen Mary II and the QE2 voyages. I understand the QMII will be about 300 passengers per trip.

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I'm booked on the May 10 sailing of QM2. To my knowledge, no group is booked onboard. I originally enquired about a Pied Piper group almost a year ago, and was told there was none, but I could still book through them. I opted to go through my own agent who offered me a nice discount.

Who knows, maybe a group has been added.

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Originally posted by eroller:

To my knowledge, no group is booked onboard. I originally enquired about a group almost a year ago, and was told there was none...

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I think some agencies, especially those that promote a lot of group travel, claim they have group space on almost every cruise (...and they probably do have space blocked out). That way, if they get enough interest they put the group together. If they don't they release the space. In most cases a group can be as few as 8 people.

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Originally posted by eroller:
Carnival has actually been known to advertise in gay publications, which I admire them for. Even so, I would not say Carnival is all that popular with gay clientele. The reason, most gay persons do not want to be surrounded by beer guzzling, football watching, loud mouth, obese passengers that Carnival somehow seems associated with. Also, Carnival ships are viewed as having little "class". This perception is not just among the gay community, but among all walks of life. Carnival is somewhat to blame for this image, having been the party ships for many years. They are certainly trying to change that image now. Having taken many Carnival cruises myself, I can say without question that this is not the case and it's just a stereotype....

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I don't mind that there are beer drinking or large people aboard a cruise ship. I'm gay and i liked people who have fun on there holiday. So i don't mind if there people who are not attractive everyone for me is special. And have there own nice thing what make them special.

So i am gay and if i want to make a cruise i dont look off there are special gay cruises ore gay loved vessels. I looked to the cruise direction the line and the ship i travel one. So me and my partner have a great holiday together and together and fellow passengers hetero, gay, lesbian, bisexual.

[ 09-16-2003: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

[ 09-16-2003: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

Keep your eyes peeled for the "Friends of Dorothy"
party on board. That is usually the LGBT social event on a mainstream cruise.

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Originally posted by desirod7:
Maasdam,

Keep your eyes peeled for the "Friends of Dorothy"
party on board. That is usually the LGBT social event on a mainstream cruise.

I have been to Rotterdam the City 4 times, and will visit soon. Expect an email from me I have some questions for you

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Hi Desirod7.

Have mail to you with ansers on your questions.
Let me now if the mail has arrived and what you think about it.

Greatings Ben

[ 09-18-2003: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

This package can be booked via the Ship Services department at 800-541-1576

Just returned from the QE2 X-atlantic this morning. Of 1600 pasengers on the trip there were about 100 gays and lesbians.

They want to ride a queen.

The Pied Piper partial charter was 25. We all seemed to find each other. Ages were 20-80.
Overall it was a very low key atmosphere and everybody blended with all and not one inch of intolerance.

If you told someone you were gay: "yea, there was a Tuesday last week" and continued conversation

Full review coming up

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Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
On a recent QE2 cruise to Berumda I noticed and met a number of gay passengers - some traveling in groups and some as couples. On other cruises, on other cruise lines there appeared to be fewer gay passengers.

Are there certain mainstream cruise lines, ships or itineraries that appeal more to the gay market? If so, which ones and why?

I'm not talking about charter theme cruises here as I know there are several each year.

Joe at TravelPage.com

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Originally posted by jeffrossatsea:
on the many cruises i've been on....i have only noticed that the "friends of dorothy" were printed in the daily programs aboard HAL......i can't remember seeing this on any other daily programs on any other line.....it was nice though to see who your gay shipmates were when i was vacationing.....jeff

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[ 01-05-2004: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

Mike

[ 01-06-2004: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

Personally I have found Celebrity and Cunard to probably be the most "gay popular" lines. All lines I have sailed on have been gay friendly.