Lesbian and/or Gay Family Cruises Vacations

[playwithlezli]

We (a female same sex blended family) would like to take our 10 year boy and my daughter (who operates at a toddler level) on a cruise through the Panama Canal. We would like to go with a gay friendly company or better yet with gay families. We are not looking for the party scene (well, not for this trip anyways!)

Barring that criteria, recommendations in general would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Kendra7200]

Your cruising source

Olivia Tours
www.olivia.com

 

[Etoile]

Olivia doesn't allow children, neither does Atlantis. (RSVP just got bought by Atlantis, but they didn't either, at least not when I was on a cruise with them.)

I'm not sure if Pied Piper allows kids in their groups are not. They usually bring 200-600 gay people on mainstream cruises, so there are definitely kids on board, but I don't know if Pied Piper allows kids.

Your best bet is DEFINITELY "R Family" - that's Rosie O'Donnell's company. They do some really great family trips, I believe they are full-ship charters, and they are really popular with gay families.
http://www.rfamilyvacations.com/

You mentioned Panama Canal - I don't think R Family is going there anytime soon. If you want recommendations for mainstream cruise lines, I'd be happy to help with that! I can also direct you to Cruise Critic's Gay and Lesbian message board - I participate on a thread that's just for lesbians there, it's a great bunch of women.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471649

Which mainstream line you go with is going to depend mostly on budget...you can go on inexpensive cruises with Carnival and Royal Caribbean, or slightly more upscale with Celebrity (my favorite), Princess, and Holland America, or REALLY fancy with Regent, Cunard, etc. Ask away, or drop by our Cruise Critic thread!

 

[playwithlezli]

Thanks! I am checking out the recommendations and threads today.

 

[playwithlezli]

K-we really wanted to travel on a gay family cruise, but it didn't look like there were any happening when and where we wanted, so we ended up stumbling across a one day sale with carnival for next year-Can't beat an 8 day cruise for 4 people for $3600. including taxes, gratuities etc!

 

[Etoile]

K-we really wanted to travel on a gay family cruise, but it didn't look like there were any happening when and where we wanted, so we ended up stumbling across a one day sale with carnival for next year-Can't beat an 8 day cruise for 4 people for $3600. including taxes, gratuities etc!

Nice going! The usual "you got a bargain" figure is $100 per person per day not including gratuities, so if you got those included, way to go! Unfortunately it won't include your bar tab, LOL. Also, if the kids like soda, you will need to buy a soda package for them...I'm not sure how much Carnival charges for theirs. This is your first cruise, right? What ship are you going on? I have never sailed on Carnival but I hear lots of good things about them. Hang out in the Carnival section on Cruise Critic, ask questions there, read what others have to say, and post a roll call in the G&L section for your specific cruise!

 

[playwithlezli]

Nice going! The usual "you got a bargain" figure is $100 per person per day not including gratuities, so if you got those included, way to go! Unfortunately it won't include your bar tab, LOL. Also, if the kids like soda, you will need to buy a soda package for them...I'm not sure how much Carnival charges for theirs. This is your first cruise, right? What ship are you going on? I have never sailed on Carnival but I hear lots of good things about them. Hang out in the Carnival section on Cruise Critic, ask questions there, read what others have to say, and post a roll call in the G&L section for your specific cruise!

Yah, we are pretty happy!

Good to know what the parameters are on a good deal.

My daughter and I have been on another cruise a few years back, also with Carnival-it was fun. Cruising is perfect for her. The soda card then was $25. but we don't drink much "pop" (as we Canadians call it) so aren't worried about that. And I went on line, our family can buy us bar coupons on line for pressies!

Course on this cruise I don't think we will party too much as we had the kids to look after. Last time I bought a bottle of wine, and they labelled it so I could have a glass at each meal. Worked for me!

Great idea about the Cruise Critic Roll Call, I had checked out that thread but hadn't thought of posting our trip.

As always you have great info Etoile-thanks!

 

[playwithlezli]

K-we really wanted to travel on a gay family cruise, but it didn't look like there were any happening when and where we wanted, so we ended up stumbling across a one day sale with carnival for next year-Can't beat an 8 day cruise for 4 people for $3600. including taxes, gratuities etc!

Leaving for cruise tonight-ended up paying only $3100 and got flights for $154 from Calgary to Ft Lauderdale.

Will have a drink in your honour Etoile!

Couldnt sign up for the cruise board though as the forum doesn't like my browser.

PS We even got a room with a balcony

waving and blowing kisses

 

[Etoile]

OMG AWESOME!!! So jealous!!!

I want to hear all about it whn you come back!