In our first ship review by cruise expert Tom Baker, we go onboard Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas. –Ed.
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Size Queens: Oasis of the Seas is five times larger than the Titanic, and the original Love Boat Pacific Princess could fit comfortably in the Oasis’ Opus Dining Room–amazing!
Overall I rate the ship a 10 for innovative features. I would choose to vacation on this ship.
Mark your calendar, there are currently two gay group and charters on sister ship
Allure of the Seas.
- Atlantis Events has a sold-out full ship charter in February of 2011 on identical twin ship Allure of the Seas, you might wait-list with rates starting at $1249pp.
- Aquafest Events has a Labor Day-Getaway Summer group September 4, 2011 on Allure of the Seas with rates starting at $759pp.
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- This is a great ship for families, both multi-generational and families traveling together.
Tom Baker aboard Oasis of the Seas
It’s great for couples, honeymooners, and singles!- While it has features for handicapped guests, it is a bit big and accessibility could be challenging although there were a large number of disabled guests on my cruise and they all seemed to be getting along just fine.
- I would not recommend this to seniors or for folks looking for a more traditional cruise experience. There is nothing traditional about this ship whatsoever…
- If you want to be part of something really special-cruise on this ship. You will pay a premium to do it but it is different than anything else out there.
- Bargain hunters-shop elsewhere. There are lots of great deals on cruises but this is an experience that is unique and promises to be for years to come!!!!
After sailing on some 250 cruise ships worldwide, I am in absolute amazement after disembarking the new Oasis of the Seas. For gay cruisers looking for something totally unique, Oasis of the Seas and her sister ship coming late in 2010 are here just for you…
Stats. As the largest cruise ship ever built, Oasis is 1,187 feet long, 208 feet wide, with 18 decks above the sea. There wow factor everywhere. I am overwhelmed by its architecture, array of cabins, entertainment venues, dining options, and massive size-again WOW!
Unique. Oasis and her to-come sister-ship are in a class of their own, There has never been anything like them and may not be anything to top them for many years to come. There are no plans to rival them by any other cruise line and even Royal Caribbean has no plans to top this incredible outing. It would be ten years before a ship could be drawn up, financed and built.
Pricing. These ships are so unique that they are collecting a premium price by guests willing to pay for something they cannot find on anywhere else. Deal seekers…sorry, this one isn’t for you. Prices start at a low of $1099 per-person for interior cabins. The cabins ands suites are bigger and better than any other ship in the company’s fleet. Smallest cabins start at 149 square feet; the largest suite is 1,524 square feet plus a balcony of 843 square feet.
Embarkation. The new terminal at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) built exclusively for Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas is the best designed and flowing terminal anywhere. Check-in took less than two minutes and boarding was within 20 minutes of arrival at the pier. Cabins are not open for embarkation until 1:00 p.m. but you can enjoy a welcome aboard meal, make spa appointments, and tour the ship to get a feel for your exciting cruise!
Cabins
Overview. I visited many cabins and suites, and felt all were above cruise industry standards, well decorated, and
A stateroom on Oasis of the Seas
ample for a cruise for 7-days.
Most of the cabins on this ship consist of balcony staterooms, standard at 182 square feet and balconies that range in size from 50-82 additional square feet depending on your location. Since 90% of the ships accommodations are this type of cabin, I will focus on this specifically. These are spacious rooms with twin or queen sized beds, a full sized couch, vanity, 32 inch flat screen television with internet connectivity and plenty of channels .
- Storage. There are three drawers for storage a couple of narrow cupboards, and a small refrigerator which will act as a mini-bar. The closet sits alongside the bed or next to the couch depending on the cabin configuration. There is ample storage for a couple (maybe for a third guest). There are a few shelves and a tiny safe one of the lower shelves. Cabin doors open outwards into an alcove so there seems to be more internal space.
- Bathrooms are well laid out with a long vanity but tiny, impractical sink. There is enough storage space for toiletries, although it’s awkward. The shower stall had nice space with sliding doors for total privacy.
- The phone is digital, easy to use, has a clock, alarm, and can be used for any reservations or room service. The same can be done by using your interactive cabin television.
Public Spaces
Oasis of the Seas has more dedicated space to passengers than any other in history.
I was particularly taken with two areas.
- The Royal Promenade spans decks 5 and 6. It is a huge area that offers the ships Guest Relations desk, coffee bar, Champagne Bar, photo shops, Pubs, Bars, Dining Venues, Cupcake Shop-they are delicious, and an amazing Rising Tide Bar. An elevator wine bar that travels from deck 5 to deck 8 (Central Park). It is a unique feature that has a wonderful waterfall that works under the bar as it moves up and down into a gorgeous skylight above embarking guests on decks 5 or 8. It is something to behold!
- The 6 level high Central Park area which spans an area in length of nearly 500 feet and flanks two massive
glass enclosed stairwells and elevator shafts that transverses from top to bottom of this massive luxury liner. The gorgeously landscaped Central Park is filled with tropical trees, plants, and flowers-nearly 12,000 and lined with elegant boutiques, bars, and fee-based alternative restaurants that offer gourmet international cosine. There is a really awesome dining venue that is like a bistro market called the Park Cafe which is open for breakfast and lunch and was popular.
These are only two of 7 neighborhoods–I could go on and on but you get the picture.
Dining Venues
There are dozens of dining venues on this ship ranging from the casual Windjammer Cafe on Deck 16 to the massive and most popular Opus dining room spanning decks 3-5, Sorrento’s Italian Cafe on the Royal Promenade, and the gorgeous gourmet fee based 150 Central Park. I tried a number of venues and found the food to be above Royal Caribbean standard (impressive as I was on a travel agent/press junket as guinea pigs for this massive start up ship). The quality was good to excellent and the variety would give the most sophisticated palate a run for their money. A week onboard would not even allow one to try everything this ship has t offer unless you spent your entire time running from venue to venue…
Service
Was friendly from stem to stern. While the ship is ramping up and half the staff has never worked on a ship before, a pleasant hello was always in order from the staff met throughout the ship. I think this will be a very friendly ship. All staff that I spoke with was very proud and happy to be a part of this one-of-a-kind exciting cruise ship.
Entertainment If you ever thought you would be bored on a cruise ship, Oasis will prove you wrong. It has seven unique neighborhoods–each with a theme and unique style giving the ship a kaleidoscope of style and decor.
- Rock climbing, ice skating, flow-riding, or zip lining are available.
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Ziplining on board Oasis of the Seas
- Oasis has a huge number of entertainment venues ranging from the professional Broadway Opal Theater which will have production shows and a full rendition of the popular show Hairspray.
- Aqua-Theater offers a great aquatic and diving show.
- Excellent gym, pools, and fitness areas–perfect for the gym-bunnies!
- Royal Promenade parades with themes ranging from 70’s disco to zany cirque like costumes
- Multiple dance clubs both indoors and out.
- Jazz club, karaoke club, comedy club, strolling singers, musicians, piano bar, live music everywhere
- Beautiful ice skating rink with magnificent ice show,
- and much more…
My Top 10 Favorite Things
- The best designed user-friendly “find it” board. The ship has easy access electronic maps telling you how to find your cabin, public spaces, daily programs, and dining venue capacity offerings everywhere. It is well signed and fairly easy to find your way around.
- It has the best architecture of any cruise ship ever built-period!
- There is an incredible array of comfortable and well designed cabins suites for all budgets and tastes
- The food is above par for any other Royal Caribbean ship I have been on and the variety of dining venues is exceptional.
- The Aqua Theater and many entertainment venues will never allow for boredom as there are so many multiple options for everybody.
- The spa and gym are among the best I have seen anywhere in the World
- This ship will WOW kids and teens of all ages with the most extensive and cool programming and dedicated areas. It is amazing!!!!
- The Central Park area is romantic and high-end, filled with designer shops, wine bars, and gourmet dining venues. It is perfect for adults, honeymooners and up market travelers looking for the BEST!
- Embarkation and disembarkation was the easiest of any ship I have even been on
- This ship has the most variety of any ship I have ever been on-book a cruise on it and enjoy all that it has to offer.
10 Things I Did Not Like
- The ramp at embarkation was way to steep for almost anybody but it is being corrected.
- The shower head does not slide up and down bad for shorter guests who cannot reach it.
- The Boardwalk and Central Park cabins face each other so privacy is a real issue.
- The bathroom sinks in virtually all standard cabins is tiny and your head will hit the mirror if you stoop down to use it properly-use caution!
- The noise factor is higher than most ships due to huge cavernous spaces and hard surfaces
- The Windjammer Cafe is smaller than most other Royal Caribbean ships and although the design is excellent, the space is very crowded.
- The pool areas albeit designed well and there are many of them are small. I think when the ship is full, there will be some issues finding deck chairs in the sun and around the pool itself.
- One must have a reservation for all shows. This does not allow for flexibility for people like me who decide on the cuff. It is more like going to Las Vegas.
- The ship has some going up and around to get to certain places making transverse difficult. This isn’t bad but could have been planned better.
- The Central Park area on Deck 8 where the gorgeous plantings is very muggy and does not have enough breeze going through it.
Conclusion: The pros far outweigh the cons in the big scheme of things. A colleague asked me if I would vacation on this ship and I was very quick to say YES!!!
Billybeachboy, 
Joe M, 
Max and 32 others are discussing. 
Marvin Perton, 
beachcomberT, 
Dee, 
Paul, 
Steve and one other person are discussing. 
parag, 
Marc and 2 others are discussing. 
That is the most unexpectedly delightful thing I loved about Oasis. 
Jay Gordon are discussing. 
Ron Cullember, 
Tim, 
Scott and 3 others are discussing. 
Cruise Ships is discussing. 
David 12:33 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
Thank you for this article and I hope it will make some men think twice about their behaivor. I feel that for others it will fall on deaf ears. I had an experience similar to yours a fews ago on a RCI ship as well. There was a guy in there constantly. I witnessed a fellow (straight) passenger question him if he lived in there. It was embarassing. He would sit in the locker room and stare at any of us. No sooner would anyone walk into the steam room and he would be in there. When I went into the steam room he was there 3 seconds later and sat right near me (in the empty room). It was creepy. My cabin mate and I nick-named him “the creep”. My cabin mate confronted him saying it was creepy and uncomfortable being stared at any time he was naked and the guy mumbled something to the effect that he was half blind and could not see much anyway. I decided to fight fire with fire after a while and stood there naked and stared at him – funny, after that he lost interest in me, so it worked.
John 12:49 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
Randall; I agree, some of these folks make many straight men uncomfortable on ships and ashore in similar circumstances. It is one thing to casually cruise and see if it is returned, but another to make a pest of ones self. Especially on a ship with ready access to private spaces you should offer to take it elsewhere. On a recent mainstream cruise my partner and I found one of the mid-west closeted types who was frightened to take it to our room – afraid the wife would see him LOL. If you are that closeted, maybe you need to re-think what you are looking for out of life.
Mike 3:37 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
On the other hand. I am openly gay. I tried a “gay”{ cruse. I am older and came out late. My partner died and I have been lonely for several years. My experience on the one “gay” cruise that I went on, was so bad that I swore to never try it again. I tried to be open and friendly but “being alone” was the Kiss of death. It may be the nature of the line, but all I found was partners that wanted twenks and were openly rude. It was the worst week of my life. If I wanted to be treated like shit, I would have stayed home.
Richard 7:09 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
I have gone on all-gay cruises a couple of times. I also am older and single; and other passengers were often not too friendly toward me. I quite vividly recall sitting alone on the shore-excursion buses.
There were one or two people who were by themselves but told me (maybe just to put me off) that they had a partner “back home.” Well, it’s certainly not easy being single in the gay world, or being older in the gay world. So it’s worse still when you’re both.
paul 1:13 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
I agree, I came out late and it’s tough OUT there.
Alex 4:40 pm on January 14, 2012 Permalink |
Hi Mike, write me an email whenever you want! walvv@hot….
Mike 11:51 am on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
He guys… Maybe we should all book a cruise together. I have had the same experience. No one on any gay cruises want a single older man around. That is it Final and the End.
Arno 12:07 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Well, I think we all had similiar experiences. The All Gay Cruises turned into Circuit Queen Party. We had early dinner seating and we sat together with some of the oldest men on the ship and let me tell you we had the best time and laughs. One couple was 55 yrs. together, can you imagine? So I started my own cruises, 200 + gay men, their lesbian and str8 friends, on a str8 cruise. And we have the best time ever. No one will be sitting alone in busses. I’ll get them all together and make new friends. http://www.BearCruiseUSA.com check it out. Thanks guys. Arno
Daryl Seamark 2:00 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Mike\
You obviously went on the wrong cruise. I openly and heartily recommend either Arnos’s cruises or The Chumley Bear Cruise. Being an older guy myself (lets just say that this is the 2nd anniversary of me being 69) I have always had a hell of a good time on these cruises. Bears make everyone feel comfortable, or we try to. Queen, twink cruises leave me cold, but I definitely without hestiation go on either of these two cruises. Good Time Guaranteed……
Philipp' 3:16 am on February 17, 2011 Permalink |
We were on our 2nd (& last) gay cruise. There was a queue to enter the sauna! One had to wait for someone to “finish” for space to open up! And we wanted to just bake.
Rex 6:30 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
Steam rooms – I love the topic. I tried to write about it once on CruiseCritic and got banned…
Anyway, my partner and I visit the steam room/sauna while on cruises. And we’re not in the steam room for sex, although if something happens, we’re not upset about it. We usually go at the same time every day (after the day’s activities and before getting ready for dinner), so we generally see the same people there every day.
One of the big reasons we can relax is that we chat with anyone who comes in, too. That immediately reduces blatant sexual tension, because it’s hard to concentrate on sexual things while talking about what you did during the day (and when everyone knows your name and that you have a wife/lover/kids back in the cabin).
I often wonder if other people think we’re “the creeps”, so I go out of my way to make sure that our behavior is acceptable.
I’ve thought about posting “steam room reviews” about the ships we’ve been on (i.e. Grand Princess is tiny, co-ed, and you have to go outside to get to it; you have to pay to get to the co-ed spa on the Oasis of the Seas; the Brilliance of the Seas men’s showers had to have been designed by a gay man), but I don’t know where to do it.
Mark 12:48 pm on June 14, 2011 Permalink |
Rex-
Actually Cruise Critic does have a thread going, although it's pretty tame. I believe the original poster of the thread gives his e-mail out (and has some interesting stories of his conquests)…the information is good and describes the spa (men – women and co-ed) of many of the cruise lines and particular ships. Try to Google "cruise ship spa" or something like that. It's a good 5 or 6 pages long. Remembering that CC can be read by minors as well as adults, they need to keep it clean; however, you can deduce what you will from the info.
Marty 8:20 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
At the risk of annoying others, I thought this article was prudish and condescending…I think everything should be done in moderation…may be you may want to try and see if there’s a little action…Of course, I wouldnt “live” in the steam room myself…there are so many things to do, but I would may be check it out at different times of the day and see if anything turns up…If you’re partnered get a life..come on so you’re partnered and you have sex readily available to U.
Randall 9:43 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
@Marty: opinion noted. What I’m saying is take the sex out of the public spaces. That’s all.
@mike & Richard: not sure how we went from steam rooms on mainstream cruise ships to the question of how people are treated on all-gay cruises, but interesting fodder for more conversations!
Cheers. Randall, Site Editor
Clayton 12:22 pm on February 7, 2011 Permalink |
Eventually, all of us get older, I’m in my mid-thirties. I think some of these rude guys on the all-gay cruises need to remember that they too one day will be older. Sooner or later, I can gurantee it! I believe the key is to be kind. If you are not interested there is no reason to be rude. I actually work on a cruise ship. We want friendly people not jerks. Aren’t we all human afterall?
Marty 6:03 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Amen and to that…and this editor definitely was rude, but hey it’s a free country and a free press…
Ken 1:39 am on February 8, 2011 Permalink |
Just back from a cruise where, in the company of some gay-friendly cruisers, a gay cruiser rather matter of factly announced that he found it funny that all the married guys were hanging out in the sauna for casual sex. I thought it an inappropriate comment and was embarrassed for everyone standing there. I’m no prude, and guys will be guys… but there are important public issues in the world these days, and we all represent our community in these situations.
Mike 11:58 am on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Let’s face it. Cruises are set up for couples, not singles, price of the cabin is for a double. If that is both beds seperate or together it still is for 2. Singles on any cruise (gay or straignt) is the kiss of death. Sauna or not.
jonathan 1:14 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
I wouldn’t mind a steam room review. ha! I made sure I visited the steam room on my trip. didn’t try it though til our last 3 days of our trip but i did spend time visiting steam dry and the indoor pool side lounge chairs. I was really horny during my trip but I just went to the steam rooms to chat. I actually chatted with 3 gay guys i wouldn’t have met if i was not there. It was fun and not dirty. Well except most of them showing their junk to me. but it was a public mens steam room and i didn’t want any action and too nervous! it was neat seeing the same guys.
Kevin 3:18 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
I know what you mean Mike…I went on a cruise single last year to Bermuda. I had a nice time but was also mostly alone. I tried to go up to what appeared to be single passengers but most turned out to be just couples straying from their mates temporarily. I wasn’t looking for gay or straight, just someone to share good times with. very hard to do. But…and this is a big but…I am gonna venture forth again.
My partner of 9 yrs died recently and I am pretty lonely …so I have always enjoyed NCL freestyle cruising with him, for lotsa reasons. The new EPIC has recently launched and She has 128 solo cabins, with a private solo lounge and solo cruise host. This sounds awsome. I am bound to see at least 128 solos on board and meet a good chunk of them and not be so alone. gay str8 no biggie, but if I do the Math 10% of 128 is 12.8 so who knows???? LOL I am leaving 3 weeks from today to hit Miami and the cruise.
Gotta get back up on that horse.
Nice chatting with you all.
Kev
Robert 12:20 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
please dont judge
you are a partnered gay man who has sex readily available to you, and not a closeted midwestern out of towner travelling with his parents.
If you dont like it.. use your voice.. say.. no thank you.. he will stop
I dont need anyone to tell me what is appropriate “gay behaviour” is
There is public sex everywhere .. gay AND straight. some people think its Hot
Peter 2:45 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Robert. I am a gay man in my late 40′s and have been out since my college years. I would never judge another persons personal situation as everyone is different. What I do know is that in today’s age here in the U.S. there is no reason to be in the closet. I’m an avid traveler both on land and at sea and trust me…I’ve met my share of men. I have to say that I do agree with Randall. If the hormones hit…take it somewhere private or visit a bath house at a local port. Nothing wrong with a little flirting in the Steam Room but I always try to remember that this is a very public space. Peter
Randall Shirley 6:46 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Robert: of course SOME people think it’s hot. But then you start drilling down to people’s versions of “hot” and “not hot.” Anyway, this thread has been nothing if not fascinating…and I stand my ground on everything that I’ve written. Fully flummoxed that some folks seem to see it as prudish or rude. Just reiterating common decency, IMHO.
Hal 12:40 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
A lot depends on a person’s personality. I am a gay man in my mid 70s, who always travel alone, and have the BEST time. The cruises that I go on are usually 7 days or 10 days. In fact, I am looking forward to my 14th cruise with Holland America (10 days) in a few months. I meet and chat with both gay and straight people. It has not been a problem. I often meet other gay guys on cruises through this website. While I do use the gym, I rarely use the sauna, because it is not always in the locker room. I NEVER go on gay cruises; they are always mainstream. I don’t go to any of the “gay” cocktail parties, but still enjoy my cruises.
Bob 2:29 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Way to go, Hal!
Pete 3:05 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Royal Caribbean–at least Allure of the Seas–has figured out a way to keep people out of the sauna and steam. They charge $30 PER DAY to use it. And they made it co-ed. I will never go on another RC cruise and will never pay to use this amenity that is routine and gratis on every one of the other 12 ships I have been on.
Rex 6:41 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
I was wondering about whether they would “fix” that problem from the Oasis: it, too, does not even have a changing room for the gym, let alone showers/sauna/steam room.
I’d forgot to mention earlier that the showers in the gym locker rooms are a huge reason to go there: they’re more spacious than the shower in your room; there’s no cloth curtain sticking to your butt every two seconds; and the shower steam doesn’t fog up the mirror. So the Oasis/Allure not having “gym showers” is actually a real issue. (We’ve also run into men showering/shaving in the gym locker room because their wives are in their bathrooms for 45 minutes, and it’s quicker/easier to go to the gym to get ready for dinner.)
BTW – it’s pretty easy to request a free pass for a port day to the “luxury spa” – we’ve done it a couple of times.
Randall Shirley 6:42 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Love that suggestion on “port day” spa passes
Brian 6:27 pm on May 25, 2011 Permalink |
Although the Oasis/Allure charge for their co-ed facilities, the Freedom, Voyager, and Radiance classes do not and their steam/sauna are in respective locker rooms. We enjoy a nice steam after a workout. It’s part of our daily routine. Hesitant about booking Allure or Oasis, but we sail a lot on RCI and love the facilities. Check out other ships. Voyager class is perfect!!
Philipp' 3:33 am on February 17, 2011 Permalink |
We were on a non-gay cruise, and a German gay guy trolled the steam room. He maintained he had “lots of success” with the hetero men. We found the behavior a little off-putting, as being seen with him might arouse “guilt by association”. We did see it as not our problem, and figured the ship would handle it …. or not!
Mike 6:15 am on March 3, 2011 Permalink |
Randall, I offer a BIG thumbs-up on the contents of your post.
django 10:17 am on April 21, 2011 Permalink |
anybody can tell me how much it is too use the sauna/steamroom on adv of the seas?
Brian 6:29 pm on May 25, 2011 Permalink |
No charge. Not co-ed. Great steam room. Our favorite ship!!!
joe 8:39 am on April 27, 2011 Permalink |
just came back from cruise on Emerald Princess, the gay dancers from the shows would come and use the steam/saunas that were for the guest.
Paul 11:28 am on June 27, 2011 Permalink |
Am a married man whose wife takes forever in the bathroom getting ready. So on a recent cruise I went to use the locker room to shave shower and dress. Decided to steam first and was amazed that there were five guys in there having oral sex and masturbating. Went back each day, same guys in there. I never participated but it was pretty erotic watching.
Scott 4:19 am on July 1, 2011 Permalink |
Not necessarily referring to the instances mentioned above, but it’s Interesting that people think someone is “there all the time” but don’t consider themselves as such when they are both there at the same times. I wonder if, from his view, YOU were the one who was there all the time.
Jay 9:56 am on January 14, 2012 Permalink |
Hi All: just got back from RC Enchantment of the Seas. No Sauna. No Steamroom. I was truly disappointed that RC removed those amenities to expand their Spa rooms. Do not travel on Enchantment. Also showing its’ age.
Mark 4:27 am on January 31, 2012 Permalink |
I use the sauna and steam room on every cruise ship that has them. I usually go in the morning and then in the afternoon early evening and go for a couple of hours each time, I have a routine sauna, then steam then shower and do it each time, I do all naked. Americans are uptight about being naked around other people, that is why i love going to Europe or Japan. I have seen it all in the sauna and steam room, from guys asking me to go back to their room, to almost circle jerks in the dry sauna to other things as well. I had a young Scottish guy tell me that he was on holiday with his family for three weeks he even introduced me to his friends who were traveling with them all, when they left he proceeded to tell me that he wears a kilt as formal wear to dinner with nothing on underneath, I am like OK. He ask me blatantly if we could go to my room to have sex I declined but I was not put off by it at all. I still went to the steam room and sauna and if we was there we chatted no big deal. But I think I might be different than other things like that do not bother me at all. Usually I am in my own space when I go in there to relax and detox.
Patrick 12:05 pm on February 20, 2012 Permalink |
I am about to embark on the NCL Epic. I was wondering if the steam room is “behaved” or what the costs are. I never get to use this feature anywhere else in my life, so I was looking forward to checking it out….
Randall 12:45 pm on February 20, 2012 Permalink |
Hey Patrick — In my experience, it’s very hard to know what the steam room situation on any ship will be like–mostly becasue every cruise differs based on who the other passengers are. It also varies depending on the layout/access to the steam and spa areas. On some of my cruises, the steam room has been completely separate from the spa, for men-only, and free. On others, its been part of the spa. Find this out right away.
I’d advise you get on board and head for the spa. They will likely be open for tours during the embarkation time, and likely offering specials and deals to get you to buy a pass for the full cruise.
My suggestion: if you like the look and feel of the facilities and will USE them regardless of whether other gay men are hanging out there or not, then buy the pass. My partner and I have done this, and totally enjoyed the experience–we used it every day on our Mexico cruise last March–and the facilities were co-ed. That was NOT a particularly cruisey steam room when we were around, although there were PLENTY of gay men using it.
Please report back here on your experience after your upcoming cruise, and bon voyage!
Max 8:40 pm on April 1, 2012 Permalink |
Max wonders what you found on The Epic, Patrick. He is booked on it early in May and has been told there is a charge but is unsure if it is all male or co-ed. Thanks for ANY info you can supply! “Hot and Juicy” personal tidbits would be OK too! M.
Max 10:16 pm on March 14, 2012 Permalink |
Hey … VERY interesting discussion. I think Randall’s points were excellent … but I do enjoy a nice steam and if some sexual opportunities come my way I am not going to be shy … but WILL act appropriately. I have gone back to a cabin … or slipped into a private shower stall … but I have had action on the spot too BEING SURE others are not around who will be offended. I am disappointed by the number of great ships that are turning their saunas and steams into a money generating spa venture. The co-ed spas are total crap. The sauna and steam on the MSC Poesia were stunningly beautiful (free in NA waters and pricey in Europe) but poorly laid out with poor signage and I found naken Japanese women in the men’s steam and naked couples in the men’s sauna and glass doors allowed pretty much everyone to see everyone nude … but it was great never-the-less! The entire spa area waslike something out of a Sultan’s Palace! Oh those Europeans are not prudish!
WW 6:04 am on March 23, 2012 Permalink |
I liked the article until the comment about how you think it’s ridiculous that people are still closeted. I guess you don’t realize that there are still places in America where a gay man would be lynched for being out. Not hitting on guys or dressing in drag, but simply because he’s gay. What’s ridiculous is your flippant attitude towards the gay men and women in this country who don’t live in an area where being out is an option. And it’s also flippant because some people aren’t strong enough emotionally to come out and deal with the wrath of a right winged family. I went through hell and back when i came out to my family and I know how hard it can be. It’s nice that you and your partner have such a great life and are so comfortable with who you are and your relationship. But it doesn’t give you the right to call people who are not out “ridiculous.” Do i condone the steam room cruisers behavior? Not by any means, but I do sympathize with him. I met a very attractive man on a business trip. He told me how closeted he was. How he tried for so many years to suppress being gay because in his town down south and in his family it just wasn’t an option. He is trying to save his money so he can at the least move to a gay friendlier part of the country, but said if he came out his father would probably beat him within an inch of his life. Being in the closet is unfortunate, but it’s not ridiculous. And with politicians like Santorum, Gingrich, Romney, Bachman, Palin and others, who are running very openly homophobic platforms, they are scaring some people from coming out. IT would be behoove you to be more compassionate to the members of our community who don’t have the luxury to come out or are still coming to terms with their sexuality. We all come out in our time, when we’re ready, when we’re sure of what we’re doing. And no part of that journey is “ridiculous.”
Randall 10:30 am on March 23, 2012 Permalink |
Hi WW. Your point is well made. “Unnecessary” would be a better word choice.
I will stand by my personal belief that there is no need to be closeted today, certainly not in America, Canada, or most of the Western world. Gay men and women have an abundance of options including the option of moving to more-accepting communities, staying put and fighting for their rights, and yes staying closeted. The steps an individual takes to claim his/her rights as a gay person are up to them.
Yes, I choose to live in a metropolitan area where gays are generally treated as equals, and where I am comfortably open about who I am. And I am aware that there are places even in North America where I am less-likely to volunteer information about my orientation. I grew up in one of them, and came from a very right-wing, religious background. But I eventually decided that rather than giving my family and community the non-right to keep me closeted, I would give them the right to accept or reject me. It has taken time, and some of them still likely believe I’m going to hell, but honesty has been my best policy.
Happy cruising.
Joe M 11:41 pm on April 11, 2012 Permalink |
Nicely said. Me and my partner and our son that will be 10 soon do not want to go into steam rooms with lurker either. Our son that is 10 tells us that in school many if not all the people at his school are cool with gay people. So you are right in this day and age the closet has been closed for at least 20 years!!!!
Billybeachboy 12:21 pm on April 15, 2012 Permalink |
Not long back from a week on Crown Princess. The male sauna & steam area was on all of my visits very quiet. One married old man (75ish) from Dallas thought it acceptable to have an erection in full view of all who used the facility & requested I removed my towel so he could see my [manhood*]. I usually sit naked in saunas but found his behaviour totally unacceptable & told him that he should take lessons in discretion! I’m not against having fun in a sauna, but discretion & respect for other users is paramount. Men like this give all gay men a bad reputation.
*Ed note: please do not use profanity when commenting on the site. “Manhood” is the site editor’s word. Thanks!