Atlantis Cruises - your experiences?

[BonVivant]

What has been the experience of folks on this forum with Atlantis cruises?

My first and only experience from October 2009 was not great. I was not treated well on the cruise by others. It all started from the welcome reception and just got worse.  I was body shamed (5’10” 36 inch waist) (I would have been fine on a normal cruise) (it was a tough year and I just wanted to relax). People wouldn’t even sit with me for dinner or socialize.  I ended up eating by myself in the cafeteria. I also had two different cliques openly make fun of me whenever they saw me. I finally had to confront them to stop and it went up to to the Ships officers who basically told them to knock it off.  They also advised me to try and have fun on my own. Basically, what I learned was that it is only really for the lean six pack abs muscle set. All others should stay away. I will never go on another gay cruise. Ever!! 
 

What about your experiences?  

Edited June 24, 2021 by BonVivant

[CuriousByNature]

52 minutes ago, BonVivant said:

What has been the experience of folks on this forum with Atlantis cruises?

My first and only experience from October 2009 was not great. I was not treated well on the cruise by others. It all started from the welcome reception and just got worse.  I was body shamed (5’10” 36 inch waist) (I would have been fine on a normal cruise) (it was a tough year and I just wanted to relax). People wouldn’t even sit with me for dinner or socialize.  I ended up eating by myself in the cafeteria. I also had two different cliques openly make fun of me whenever they saw me. I finally had to confront them to stop and it went up to to the Ships officers who basically told them to knock it off.  They also advised me to try and have fun on my own. Basically, what I learned was that it is only really for the lean six pack abs muscle set. All others should stay away. I will never go on another gay cruise. Ever!! 
 

What about your experiences?  

I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you.  I have been on several cruises but never a gay cruise.  Even at my heaviest weight there were always many people on the regular cruises who appeared to be in worse shape than me, and I was never made to feel like a pariah or outcast.  Ugh - what an absolute nightmare - to look forward to a great vacation and then have it destroyed by the attitudes of fellow travellers.  On a cruise there are only limited options for getting away from toxic people, as you are on a ship in the middle of the ocean.  Again, really sorry that happened to you.

[lonely_john]

1 hour ago, BonVivant said:

What has been the experience of folks on this forum with Atlantis cruises?

My first and only experience from October 2009 was not great. I was not treated well on the cruise by others. It all started from the welcome reception and just got worse.  I was body shamed (5’10” 36 inch waist) (I would have been fine on a normal cruise) (it was a tough year and I just wanted to relax). People wouldn’t even sit with me for dinner or socialize.  I ended up eating by myself in the cafeteria. I also had two different cliques openly make fun of me whenever they saw me. I finally had to confront them to stop and it went up to to the Ships officers who basically told them to knock it off.  They also advised me to try and have fun on my own. Basically, what I learned was that it is only really for the lean six pack abs muscle set. All others should stay away. I will never go on another gay cruise. Ever!! 
 

What about your experiences?  

I would avoid cruises completely and wait at least a couple years after Covid is under control. Cruises passengers were those who died faster and greater numbers (relative to total population) when they first got in touch with the NEW virus. And there already reports of a NEW variant of concern (Delta Plus) discovered in India that is already present in the UK.

You ended up at Atlantis because they are the most popular and publicized gay cruises on the internet, but they are indeed Muscle Queens cruises. Picture the RM Provider who is a complete PNP queen, requests clients photos, and when you meet he's not at all into you, shorts the session time and provides you with a very poor experience.

There are less commercial options that welcome all ages and shapes and more popular among more diverse groups. Check these:

https://rsvpvacations.com/

https://www.bearcruise.com/

I also would not understand why anyone would like to spend time in a boat with this kind of neighbours:

BTW, you also gotta be careful what route your cruise takes. The fact that you are in a gay cruise doesn't mean that you are free from judgment and discrimination, or immune to local laws.

 

 

[+ Lucky]

Our experience with Atlantis was okay. Sure, there was an A-Gay type crowd, but I didn't care about them. The entertainment was mediocre, but the food was good enough. I thought that the shore travel was awfully expensive.

My mom and I once went on an Alaska cruise, straight, and I can't say it was much different from the gay cruise. Instead of A-Gays you had loudmouths. Not as pretty, but the scenery was superb!

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

Can I guess that your October 2009 cruise was out of Los Angeles?

I avoid flights and cruises out of Los Angeles in general, gay or straight.  I find that even on straight cruises, passenger are less friendly out of LA and more focused on appearance.  Flight attendant friends of mine have said that LA passengers are stereotypically the most difficult passengers to deal with.

I've been on three RSVP cruises out of Ft Lauderdale, and even with a 42" waist I met people and had lots of fun.  The people could not have been nicer.  RSVP and Atlantis are the same company, with slightly different entertainment offerings on their cruises.

I hope you get the opportunity to go on another all gay cruise.   Longer cruises, and those that depart from Ft Lauderdale or Europe will have fewer young party boys on them than Los Angeles or Miami.

And just work your way around the dance floor and find a group you do click with.  Go up and say hi to other people sitting by themselves at the Lido buffet.   Go to happy hours and look for single people drinking by themselves, and go up and talk to them.  Even with a gut, I managed to get laid every day on a gay cruise

[BonVivant]

O-M-G. Yes indeed. It was out of LA down the Mexican Riviera. Yes indeed. 

[+ Lucky]

Our cruise was out of Ft.Lauderdale. I didn't see any difference with the A=Gays there from the ones in LA.

[+ E.T.Bass]

When I hang out at the pool in PS, the most fun and interesting people are never the prettiest ones.  Know what I mean?

To me a gay cruise sounds like adding the White Party to a floating germ box.   

I have acquaintances here in La La land that enjoy gay travel companies that offer actual travel adventures.   These tours sound like they are free of the cruise ship ilk described above.

 

 

 

 

[EZEtoGRU]

I've only recently started cruising in the last six years.  I use mainstream cruise lines and it works just fine for me.  The longer cruises attract a more interesting clientele than the standard 7-day cruises.  Transatlantic and repositioning cruises are fun.  I enjoy the sea days.

Personally, I can't imagine going on a gay cruise...particularly an RSVP-style cruise.  The thought of being locked up on a ship for seven days with a bunch of WeHo muscle Marys would make me want to slit my wrists.  LOL.  

I would encourage the OP to consider going on a mainstream cruise and make sure to attend the solo cruiser meetings (and also the LGBT meetings) on-board.  It's easy to meet folks and you will find all kinds of ages and body types.  You won't feel out of place at all.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

Also, consider going with a gay group on a straight cruise.  This way, there will be slightly more men of interest to mingle with than on a typical straight cruise.

Pied Piper Travel

Adventure Bears

Daddy Cruises

Arno's Bear Cruises

Cruise4Bears

These are just some of the groups I know about.  (If you couldn't tell, I'm physically a Bear)

I also would do an RSVP cruise or Vacay cruise, but Atlantis only in Europe.

 

[MassageAdam]

I took a back to back Atlantis European cruise in 2010 and had the best time of my life, I met some really nice guys from Australia... (no, they weren't the guys that looked like models and six pack abs).  Sometimes just gravitate to the normal people and they will treat you like another human. Then I took two Caribbean ones in 2016, one was great, the other not so much.  The first one was because there was a handful of local people that I knew so I was able to tag along with them.  The second one was mostly circuit people who treated me like I was invisible.   I did a gay "The Cruise" based out of Europe and it was the worst travel experience of my life.  Talk about really feeling invisible.  I attempted to talk to people and they would just look at me and walk away. I couldn't wait to get off that ship.  I was explained that most of those guys were from the circuit parties in Europe and had no time for people who weren't from that crowd.  Gays can be some of the most cruel people in the world... 

[Guest]

5 hours ago, BonVivant said:

What has been the experience of folks on this forum with Atlantis cruises?

My first and only experience from October 2009 was not great. I was not treated well on the cruise by others. It all started from the welcome reception and just got worse.  I was body shamed (5’10” 36 inch waist) (I would have been fine on a normal cruise) (it was a tough year and I just wanted to relax). People wouldn’t even sit with me for dinner or socialize.  I ended up eating by myself in the cafeteria. I also had two different cliques openly make fun of me whenever they saw me. I finally had to confront them to stop and it went up to to the Ships officers who basically told them to knock it off.  They also advised me to try and have fun on my own. Basically, what I learned was that it is only really for the lean six pack abs muscle set. All others should stay away. I will never go on another gay cruise. Ever!! 
 

What about your experiences?  

Well, I'm not sure I'd want to go on a cruise alone, straight or gay. If I decided to go alone, I probably would go on a cruise with people similar to myself (age-wise). What do you mean when you said people openly made fun of you? They pointed and laughed? They insulted your clothing? Your body habitus? I must admit, I don't exactly adhere to the latest fashions. I've never been made fun of, but one of my financial advisors said he could tell I was a man who liked to live and travel well, and not worry about impressing others with fancy clothes and cars. I suppose I could have taken that as a bit of an insult, but I took it as a good insight, and a bit of a compliment. The other day I was at a store and one of the employees said "I like your shirt!". I looked behind me, and she said "No, you!". 

I haven't been on a gay cruise for a while, and wonder what it would be like. If I went, it would be with my beau "Chris" or with another young man if things don't work out with him (though things seem to be working out well). We are going off on a domestic cruise in 2 weeks, but it's a straight cruise, and definitely not a party boat! I suspect most of the people on the ship will be closer to my age than to his. I'm wondering now how I'd be treated if I went on an Atlantis Cruise with him. I was just notified that our ship will be requiring all passengers to be vaccinated. One less worry. 

[HotWhiteThirties]

What a heartbreaking account. Truthfully. I can't even begin to understand the behavior described by the OP. To make another human being feel that way, or feel that's ok to do to someone else or fun to do is perverse. 
 

I am sorry this ever happens to anyone. And yet it happens everyday - overtly and covertly. 
 

Reading this makes me sincerely sad. 
 

That said, I love cruises. Just not so sure I'd wanna be on a ship confined and wearing masks like the current environment seemingly demands. So may be a while before taking one again. 

Edited June 25, 2021 by HotWhiteThirties

[BSR]

1 hour ago, HotWhiteThirties said:

What a heartbreaking account. Truthfully. I can't even begin to understand the behavior described by the OP. To make another human being feel that way, or feel that's ok to do to someone else or fun to do is perverse. 
 

I am sorry this ever happens to anyone. And yet it happens everyday - overtly and covertly. 
 

Reading this makes me sincerely sad. 
 

That said, I love cruises. Just not so sure I'd wanna be on a ship confined and wearing masks like the current environment seemingly demands. So may be a while before taking one again. 

"I also had two different cliques openly make fun of me whenever they saw me. I finally had to confront them to stop and it went up to to the Ships officers who basically told them to knock it off."

Behavior like that would be unacceptable coming from a bunch of middle-schoolers, albeit somewhat expected (cuz that's what middle-schoolers do).  But for a bunch of grown men (I'm assuming all in their 20s, maybe even 30s) to act like that is truly disgusting. 

[Kcdave]

21 hours ago, EZEtoGRU said:

I've only recently started cruising in the last six years.  I use mainstream cruise lines and it works just fine for me.  The longer cruises attract a more interesting clientele than the standard 7-day cruises.  Transatlantic and repositioning cruises are fun.  I enjoy the sea days.

Personally, I can't imagine going on a gay cruise...particularly an RSVP-style cruise.  The thought of being locked up on a ship for seven days with a bunch of WeHo muscle Marys would make me want to slit my wrists.  LOL.  

I would encourage the OP to consider going on a mainstream cruise and make sure to attend the solo cruiser meetings (and also the LGBT meetings) on-board.  It's easy to meet folks and you will find all kinds of ages and body types.  You won't feel out of place at all.

Tell me more about the repositioning cruises. I’ve heard that not only are they a good value but it’s easier to meet some nice people on them. Do you find the percentage of gay people smaller on repositioning cruises?

Edited June 25, 2021 by Kcdave

[CuriousByNature]

1 hour ago, Kcdave said:

Tell me more about the repositioning cruises. I’ve heard that not only are they a good value but it’s easier to meet some nice people on them. Do you find the percentage of gay people smaller on repositioning cruises?

I've done a couple, and they were really good.  Sometimes there are slight inconveniences with respect to the ship transitioning its programming from one region to another, but there can also be some good deals on souvenirs in the gift shop as the crew marks down caribbean-focussed merchandise to prepare for European routes, for example.  The level of service I found to be the same but perhaps fewer thematic meals - though the food was always fine.  Not sure if the demographic on a repositioning cruise is different from regular routes. I enjoy days at sea and repositioning cruises seem to have more of those.

[+ nycman]

On 6/24/2021 at 2:42 PM, BonVivant said:

What about your experiences?  

I wouldn’t call the environment "inclusive".

Nonetheless, I’ve taken several Atlantis cruises and I never had anyone treat me rudely.

Body shaming and ageism is rampant everywhere, but if you really just don’t care, it’s easy to ignore and have fun.

It’s no different than every other "gay party boy" event or place I been to over the years. It you want to hang out with the pretty boys and the muscle Mary’s (god only knows why you would) then you better be one yourself. No big surprise there. If being around them bothers you, I’d suggest avoiding these events in general. 

I was on a gay ski trip not too long ago. Loads of fun. Everyone playful and polite. One gentleman in his 70’s got seriously butt hurt that the 20 year olds in the group didn’t seem to want to ski with him. Over cocktails I asked him…."Seriously dude, when you were 20, did you want to ski with 70 year olds? The kids are polite and fun, but they’re kids. Let them be kids." I offered to ski with him the next day, and he rudely declined. I stopped trying to help and had a great ski trip. 

Edited June 25, 2021 by nycman

[EZEtoGRU]

1 hour ago, Kcdave said:

Tell me more about the repositioning cruises. I’ve heard that not only are they a good value but it’s easier to meet some nice people on them. Do you find the percentage of gay people smaller on repositioning cruises?

Sure.  I have been on three repositioning cruises (BTW, I consider transatlantic cruises to be a subset of "repositioning cruises"):

* Houston to Barcelona

* Miami to Southampton

* San Antonio Chile to San Francisco California

I think the shortest of these was 16 days and the longest was 21 days.  I also did a 23 day cruise around Asia that started in Singapore and finished in Hong Kong.  Strictly speaking, it was not a "repositioning cruise" as it didn't change continents.

They can be good value as far as the cruise price goes.  However, flight are more complicated as you start the cruise in one continent and finish in another.  One-way long haul flights can be expensive so its a good opportunity to tap into frequent flier miles if you have them.

The passenger demographic tends to be older on these cruises.  There are usually few children on-board (which is a good thing in my book).  I find the passenger group to be more interesting and educated than what you find on a standard  7-day cruise.  They are generally a well-travelled group.  Many nationalities are represented...and I consider that a plus.  I have always found there to be plenty of gay people on these cruises although I really don't seek them out specifically.  I find the piano bar area and the casino bar fun places to meet people in the evening.  I was once propositioned by a male/female British couple in the piano bar to join them for sex in their cabin.  I wasn't interested but it was fun being asked!

Some people dread sea days but I love them.  I don't care for cruises that have a new port stop each day.  I find the more relaxed pace of repositioning cruises much more restful.  There are plenty of shipboard activities to participate in to keep busy on sea days...and the casino stays open most of the day when at sea.

 

 

 

[Guest]

I've been interested in doing a sort of repositioning cruise myself next summer. I've never been to Iceland, Greenland, or Newfoundland, so I'd be interested in going on a cruise which hit those places. I'm still wondering what the rude behavior entailed for the OP. I unexpectedly stopped in Boystown/west West Hollywood yesterday evening for dinner (I dropped of my beau "Chris" who was meeting an old friend he hadn't seen since the pandemic began, and saw things so active that I decided to spend a few hours myself). I was dressed in a kind of dumpy shirt, and was afraid I might get some comments, but everyone was polite from the restaurants to the bars. 

[GeoMitch]

To the OP, I'm so sorry this happened to you.  Many moons ago, I took an Atlantis vacation and it broke my heart to see an elderly gentleman go sit with his plate at a table where a much younger kid was sitting by himself, only to see the kid roll his eyes and walk away.  Many Gays can be pretentious, self-absorbed, thoughtless a-holes.  I'm sorry I wasn't on your cruise, I would've asked you to hang out with me!  😀    

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

If you've ever wondered about how self-discriminatory a community can be, just look at a wide swath of gay men on an Atlantis cruise.

It's uncomfortable and it's just sad.

I've had better experiences on gay cruise itens that sail from foreign waters, but it's still there.

Edited July 10, 2021 by Benjamin_Nicholas

[Guest]

12 hours ago, GeoMitch said:

...Many moons ago,...

I feel a song coming on....

 

Edited July 10, 2021 by Unicorn

[kingsley88]

I've only been on one gay cruise back in 2007 (Alaska cruise) and had a blast!!! I'd go again. I went with a close gay friend from work which I thought was a good idea. Yes there were cliques here and there but for the most part I felt people were respectful. I'd say 60% of the cruise passengers were bears which was pretty cool as I wasn't really exposed to bear culture back then. 

I think going with a friend helps a lot as I've heard some not-so-good stories of single people who opt for a stranger as a roommate at a gay cruise.

Am very sorry the OP didn't have a good experience but if you do choose to go to a gay cruise again, check out one of the few Alaska cruises! The weather tends to be cooler so less people have their shirts off but there is still a lot of fun stuff to do! The entertainment was fun and I somehow hooked up with one of the entertainers late one night....

[+ Pensant]

Cruises of any type aren’t my thing.

[+ Coolwave35]

My first gay cruise was Rosie O’Donnell’s gay family cruise. It totally changed my life. It was probably 15 years ago at least. That company still operates as rfamilycruises. Granted it’s more family oriented but plenty of gay hooking up still happens and the cruisers couldn’t be nicer. 
 

I regularly do RSVP cruises. I usually take a gay provider or friend so I have good company. I’m sorry your experience was bad but I’d definitely consider a second try with them. 
 

Atlantis scares me for exactly the reason you outlined.