Working on a gay cruise ship

Tip: Taking the stairs between levels on the ship is a great way to keep in shape. However, sexual expression was a prominent feature of the cruise — and I loved it. Are they open to straight people? Here are the top things I'd want someone considering or planning their first gay cruise to know.

I picked up norovirus about halfway through the sailing and was bedridden for the final three days.

Here 39 s what

Gay cruises have tons of parties, sometimes multiple a day. People mostly used port days to enjoy more pool time and work out at the gym (which, surprisingly, never got busy on my cruise). I had a lot of questions about what to expect, given this was my second cruise ever and my first one with a queer tour operator.

Most of the parties on my cruise took place outside by the pool and started at p. Waiting for an elevator to arrive at your floor and then jumping in with other guests gives you a quick opportunity for some enjoyable small talk. I never sensed any judgment from them.

On the company’s luxury cruises — which focus more on bucket-list destinations — and Mediterranean cruises, a higher percentage of guests get off the ship daily. However, opt for the elevators if you are searching for moments of lighthearted connection.

Once on board, I realized my concerns were overblown. Vacaya skews toward a more inclusive and welcoming experience for everyone although it needs more work in this area. I appreciated the three types of lanyards that Vacaya offered upon boarding.

At 35, I was one of the youngest on the sailing. The late start gave enough time for passengers to eat dinner, attend an evening show and get dressed in theme. I sailed on a one-week gay cruise with tour operator Vacaya. Body positivity was an obvious component of my Vacaya cruise, and I heard many passengers say they appreciated this.

The Vacaya cruise organizers confirmed that on big-ship Caribbean cruises, many guests typically stay on board in one or two ports. Gay Times caught up with singing and dancing star of the Celebrity Equinox, Dom, as it sailed through the Caribbean to talk about the cruise liner’s huge Pride events, his favourite cruise destination, and why LGBTQ travellers should choose exploring the high sea for their next adventure.

Wash your hands The worst part of the cruise? What about the hook-up element? Was wondering what it is like to work it!. On this cruise, I sometimes felt like a fish out of water. It has a reputation in the gay world of being a seven day long circuit party/rave/orgy.

The Celebrity Cruises crew — waiters, room stewards, bartenders — were consistently friendly. Vacaya schedules its marquee activities for when the ship is sailing. Cruise ships hire crew members from around the world, with many coming from more conservative countries.

The rumors are spot on. Is it all about partying? The first thing that struck me about the sailing was that almost everyone was smiling and eager to interact. For those who don’t know Atlantis cruises are cruises for gay men - so imagine gay men on a ship together.

As an Australian living in the U. This cruise was like that … on steroids. Of the well-known queer cruises, Atlantis is for your circuity gays, and Olivia is for queer women. It was very popular.