Out on board—so many gays the Oosterdam is practically a gay cruise!

There have always been lots of gays on cruise ships. And the Holland America Oosterdam* is no exception … on this particular sailing there are scores of “out” gays and lesbians, both singles and couples.

Every “sea day” afternoon, piano man Randall Powell turns the Oosterdam piano bar into the ship’s gay bar. Powell is the self-appointed gay host onboard this ship, and his huge dose of infectious energy sucks about 40 people – mostly gay men – into the piano bar for an afternoon mix and mingle. It’s pleasant and chatty.

On the first day, Powell had a rainbow flag draped across the grand piano, and little gay flags (rainbow, bear, leather) tucked in with the table-top flower arrangements.

I like this afternoon idea, and I like that it’s hosted by a very out and loud and visible member of the ship’s staff. Powell has worked on Holland America ships for many years, and plans on many more (his partner currently sails with him, too – entertainment staff are allowed such perks and get regular passenger cabins).

These mingles have allowed us to easily connect with other gays on the ship (although we can still see plenty of people who don’t participate in the LGBT gatherings, their loss). We’ve made nice new friends from Sacramento, and are getting to know the couple we connected with through MeetMeOnBoard.com prior to the trip.

Around the ship. At home in Vancouver, Canada, Denni and I are a very visible “out” couple – and we continue that wherever we vacation, including our current cruise on Holland America Oosterdam. We do the same things straight couples do. We:

  • Hold hands all around the ship
  • Greet with a brief kiss
  • Put our hand on each others’ leg in the theatre
  • Speak in “couple-ese”

In other words, we don’t edit. We don’t do it to make a statement, we just do it because we’re comfortable with ourselves as gay men, and don’t care if anyone is offended by homosexuals. I believe the only way we become normal is to be fully visible.

We have experienced no negative reaction to our visibility as a gay couple, and that’s exactly how it should be.

Disclosure statement

Have you cruised Holland America? What was the LGBT meeting like on your cruise?

Good morning from beautiful Cabo San Lucas!

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