Lesbian Vacation

[lucky-E-leven]

Has anyone been on an Olivia Cruise yet?

Gorgeous destinations, all women, family style or not, and some wonderful entertainment lineups. My partner and I have been drooling over the idea of spending ten days on a Galapagos cruise together and having all the freedom in the world to enjoy it to the fullest. Just wondered if anyone else had been and what their experience was like. Or, if you happen to know of anything else like this that caters to alternative lifestyles, I'd appreciate the heads up.

Thanks!

~lucky

 

[Hisbabydoll26]

Has anyone been on an Olivia Cruise yet?

Gorgeous destinations, all women, family style or not, and some wonderful entertainment lineups. My partner and I have been drooling over the idea of spending ten days on a Galapagos cruise together and having all the freedom in the world to enjoy it to the fullest. Just wondered if anyone else had been and what their experience was like. Or, if you happen to know of anything else like this that caters to alternative lifestyles, I'd appreciate the heads up.

Thanks!

~lucky

Sounds like fun...hope you enjoy it!

 

[CorsetLvr]

Has anyone been on an Olivia Cruise yet?

Gorgeous destinations, all women, family style or not, and some wonderful entertainment lineups. My partner and I have been drooling over the idea of spending ten days on a Galapagos cruise together and having all the freedom in the world to enjoy it to the fullest. Just wondered if anyone else had been and what their experience was like. Or, if you happen to know of anything else like this that caters to alternative lifestyles, I'd appreciate the heads up.

Thanks!

~lucky

There are some travel agencies that specialize in gay/lesbian vacations. I would suggest doing a search online for "gay lesbian vacations" and talk to someone at a travel agency. I did one and came up with lots of hits. I listened to something on the radio the other day about how this and other alternative lifestyle vacations was the fastest growing part of the travel industry.

 

[revolution724]

Way off-topic, but..

Can I just say, lucky? Cutest picture EVER.

 

[neonflux]

No advice, just envy!!!

OK, have to say I'm envious, envious, envioius -

have always wanted to go (last year's L Word just whetted the appetite even more), but when I've had the partner, haven't had the money and vice versa.

If you do go, have a wonderful time and promise to let us know how it was!

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Sounds like fun...hope you enjoy it!

It does sound fun, doesn't it? We've just bought a home together, so the vacation may be a year or two in coming but after spending a week in Provincetown, MA last year we're hooked on spending our time off together holding hands, kissing when the mood strikes us and generally enjoying our togetherness without the awareness and paranoia that surround our every day lives.

There are some travel agencies that specialize in gay/lesbian vacations. I would suggest doing a search online for "gay lesbian vacations" and talk to someone at a travel agency. I did one and came up with lots of hits. I listened to something on the radio the other day about how this and other alternative lifestyle vacations was the fastest growing part of the travel industry.

I will take your suggestion and see what turns up. I believe that's how my blondie stumbled upon the Olivia company linked in my first post. They're a little more pricy than the standard cruise, but I'd pay double the standard rate to have the freedom to enjoy our time without the social stigmas of any othe vacation. As to the point of the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, I believe it. The last thing I want on vacation is judgment.

Thanks!

Can I just say, lucky? Cutest picture EVER.

Thanks, revolution724! You're too sweet. The photo was taken on our first vacation together (a secluded cabin on a lake). I'll tell her you liked it. It's one of my faves, though she always finds fault with any photo she's in.

OK, have to say I'm envious, envious, envioius -

have always wanted to go (last year's L Word just whetted the appetite even more), but when I've had the partner, haven't had the money and vice versa.

If you do go, have a wonderful time and promise to let us know how it was!

You know, one of the cruises I looked at the other day was featuring the creator of the L word as a guest and entertainer. They seem to have a great reputation with celebrities, especially queer ones , and have fantastic comedic talent onboard for almost every cruise I've looked at. They also have family cruises and beach resorts at beautiful locations. Hell, they even have action/adventure vacations like safaris, white water rafting, etc... So far, they have it all.

And, as requested, if we're able to make it out we'll definitely come back and rave about it so everyone else can start saving and do the same.



~lucky

 

[CorsetLvr]

As to the point of the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, I believe it. The last thing I want on vacation is judgment.

I believe the reason they gave on the story I listened to was that gays/lesbians usually have more disposable income than straight couples.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

I believe the reason they gave on the story I listened to was that gays/lesbians usually have more disposable income than straight couples.

Really?
Not sure why that surprises me, but it does.

~lucky

 

[SophiaY]

I’ve heard very little than how wonderful the Olivia Cruises are. (Showing my age – when I first heard the name “Olivia” I thought of the record label and worn out LP’s).

One minor complaint from a friend was that she found it a little too sedate for her taste (she went with a friend, not a partner). Then, she's the type that goes to the Dinah Shore to party until she loses track of names (yeah, catty of me).

A couple of quick comments if you all do go on a cruise: Expect the staterooms to be very tiny. They’re hardly comfortable to hang out in for any length of time save, ahem, sleeping.
Food – watch out for the food! There’s a line that I read somewhere that you gain a pound a day for every day while on a cruise.

Outside of that, I think that the idea of taking an Olivia would be a treasured memory. I’ve been to a few retreats and woman only resorts over the years, and they are some of my most fond experiences – for the reasons you cited, to be able to just relax and not have to do any, almost automatic, processing.

 

[DarkAurora]

Really?
Not sure why that surprises me, but it does.

~lucky

That's because most gay couples are what economists call DINC couples: Dual Income No Children.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

I’ve heard very little than how wonderful the Olivia Cruises are. (Showing my age – when I first heard the name “Olivia” I thought of the record label and worn out LP’s).

One minor complaint from a friend was that she found it a little too sedate for her taste (she went with a friend, not a partner). Then, she's the type that goes to the Dinah Shore to party until she loses track of names (yeah, catty of me).

A couple of quick comments if you all do go on a cruise: Expect the staterooms to be very tiny. They’re hardly comfortable to hang out in for any length of time save, ahem, sleeping.
Food – watch out for the food! There’s a line that I read somewhere that you gain a pound a day for every day while on a cruise.

Outside of that, I think that the idea of taking an Olivia would be a treasured memory. I’ve been to a few retreats and woman only resorts over the years, and they are some of my most fond experiences – for the reasons you cited, to be able to just relax and not have to do any, almost automatic, processing.

Thanks for the input.
As for the cruises being sedate, we're not looking for anything memory-erasing. Everyday life is high speed enough, and the simple aspect of being away from it all in a beautiful place together is more than enough. I think we'll chance the weight gain and small rooms for the chance to get away from everything and try something new.

P-town is as close as we've ever come to a free vacation experience.
What a fuckin' hoot that place is!

~lucky

 

[lucky-E-leven]

That's because most gay couples are what economists call DINC couples: Dual Income No Children.

I figured it had something to do with the lack of children, which not only has the benefit of being cheaper than having them but it's so much easier to get away when you only have to make arrangements for your fourteen cats.

I do so love our children, though. Spoiled rotten brats that they are.


~lucky

 

[sxxyblueyes]

I wouldn't mind doing one of these if I had someone to go with. I think it would be a lot of fun! If you do go, let us know how it was!!

 

[revolution724]

Heh... I went to P-town on my last vacation. Definitely cheap and definitely nice to be around family. Not too many women my age, though, sadly. But I do recommend it also as a destination.

 

[neonflux]

Hey SophiaY - from another "wise" woman

At the risk of showing my age, I remember the old LPs, too - in fact still have some, can you say Chris Williamson? How about the song "Leaping Lesbians?" thanks for the memories

I’ve heard very little than how wonderful the Olivia Cruises are. (Showing my age – when I first heard the name “Olivia” I thought of the record label and worn out LP’s).

 

[BlueEyesInLevis]

NO, but I have many a fantasies about it!

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Heh... I went to P-town on my last vacation. Definitely cheap and definitely nice to be around family. Not too many women my age, though, sadly. But I do recommend it also as a destination.

P-town was AMAZING!
We met several friends from Lit there. (Folks from Arizona, Alabama, Texas, and UK.)
We stayed at an amazing little B&B called Snug Cottage. The owners (a gay male couple) were very accomodating and facilitated everything we wanted to do while we were there. It truly is like stepping into another world. I can't wait to go back.



~lucky

p.s. You didn't find any women your age? How old are you? We saw all varieties when we were there, and had a blast at Vixen's dance club/bar. Had I not already been partnered when I arrived, I'd surely not have gone home alone.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

The only down side so far is that compared to other cruise vacations Olivia is quite a bit more pricey. I guess your willingness to pay depends on how free you wish to be.

~lucky

 

[revolution724]

p.s. You didn't find any women your age? How old are you? We saw all varieties when we were there, and had a blast at Vixen's dance club/bar. Had I not already been partnered when I arrived, I'd surely not have gone home alone.

I'm 29. Almost all the women I saw were 45+, or else they were holding hands or locking lips with men. (No disrespect at all intended for women who are over 40. But I prefer to date people who are within five years of my own age, mainly because of developmental/life-stage reasons.)

This stood in sharp contrast to the boys - throngs of them everywhere, and nobody looked over 35 or had an ounce of body fat.

However, it may have been due to the time of year - I went over Labor Day, so it was the end of the season and not Women's Week or anything. Also, I was by myself, which diminished my confidence in going to clubs, since they all come equipped with huge flashing signs that say Coming in here alone will confirm your utter loseritude and will result in the loss of all potential social cred - just say NO.

(I hadn't planned on taking that vacation alone, but my girlfriend dumped me the week before I left and my friends all had other plans already, so to stay home would have been a waste of the cost of my guesthouse room, and anyway I still had a good time going to the beach and poking through the shops.)

Oh well - c'est la vie.

 

[CorsetLvr]

since they all come equipped with huge flashing signs that say Coming in here alone will confirm your utter loseritude and will result in the loss of all potential social cred - just say NO.

That just sounds like a good old fashioned case of the "post break-up blues" to me. Definitely not a case of anything based on reality. You say there were no single women your age and then say you don't want to go to the places where single women your age hang out while on vacation. Does anyone besides me see the conflicted logic here? I truly hope this is not a permanent situation and you are feeling better about yourself now.

 

[revolution724]

What I meant by that was that I'd certainly have gone if I had friends with me, but it's very awkward to go in a club alone, without at least a wing (wo)man, generally speaking. How often do you go out clubbing by yourself?

Anyway, it's really irrelevant at this point - I probably wasn't ready to meet someone then, and I have met someone now - and anyway, I didn't mean to hijack this thread, just to make the point that there were not a lot of 20- and 30-something queer women in P-town over Labor Day! Or if there were, they must have worn invisibility cloaks until they flung them off inside the clubs, because I didn't see them in the shops, on the beach, eating at the restaurants, or basically anywhere else.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Perhaps it was the time of year that you went. I'm not sure, and I've only ever been there once which certainly doesn't make me the authority. I was just curious, because when I was there it seemed to be thriving with hoards of all kinds of folks. Of course, I was there the first week of June, so most college students were out of class, etc. I'm your age and thought there was a decent selection of girls in the clubs, but now that I think about it there weren't all that many just out and about. Well, there were but they were sleeping on street corners and benches beside guitar cases. *shrug* To each her own, I suppose.

I understand about not wanting to crash a club solo. Got any plans to revisit now that you're with someone?

~lucky

 

[playwithlezli]

Where or what is P-town?

 

[sxxyblueyes]

Ohh.. speaking of les. vacations.. Has anyone ever gone to Dinah Shore week/weekend? I hear that is a great party week/weekend to go to!!

 

[Etoile]

Being on an all-gay cruise is a blast. I was on an RSVP cruise a couple of months ago and it was like living at the center of a Pride celebration 24/7 for a week. From what I have heard, Olivia is a little more quiet than RSVP (which in turn is not as rowdy as Atlantis) but I imagine the feeling of being surrounded by your own people is much the same.

My wife and I would love to do an Olivia vacation but unfortunately they are about twice as much as even RSVP, which itself is about twice as much as a regular cruise. If money is an issue but you want to try a gay vacation, I do recommend RSVP - they are usually less than 10% women but I met lots of nice lesbian couples on board. (Unfortunately my wife was not able to go with me.)

One word of caution though...I was not that thrilled with the service on Holland America, and Olivia uses them almost exclusively for the big-ship cruises. Every crew is different but that first experience on Holland America kind of put me off them.