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Showing results for tags 'lgbt'.
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I wasn't sure how to word the title without it sounding like bait or trying to be controversial, so I will elaborate below. I am in my mid-20s, autistic, and transgender. While I am more accustomed to dealing with the world around be as an autistic adult with minimal support needs (more so concerned about loud noises and how "picky" my food tastes can be, but not a real concern), I am mostly asking how I will be treated as a transgender man who is very early into my physical transition. There is a stereotypical kind of person who enjoys cruising, but I truly love relaxing, laid-back experiences, hot tubs, fine dining, classic rock, and spas. Cruising sounds like a perfect vacation for me and I am very excited to embark on my first one! (I tend to get along best with "older" people and am the closest with coworkers my parents age as we usually have more in common lol!) However, I know I visibly appear very gender nonconforming and I am no stranger to people being rude, uncomfortable, or straight-up hateful for my appearance or "unique" name (which was actually picked out by my father and wasn't me trying to have a ~different~ name, but I love that it's uncommon anyway). In my swimsuit I appear much more like a 13 year old boy than the 24 year old man I actually am, and in more formal wear it's about the same. I am on hormones and my voice is deeper, but I am still usually referred to as a girl by strangers. While I don't think I am going to be discriminated against or anything of that sort by the staff or yelled at by other cruisers, I do worry about how I will be treated in general. Will people make comments to me if I use the men's restroom? Will I get weird looks while swimming? If my party is seated with other cruisers at MDR will they judge me and make my dining experience uncomfortable? Obviously I am aware no one can answer these questions for me, but I was wondering if there were any other trans, queer, or allied people who have noticed anything while cruising royal? Is it a generally accepting, chill experience? I just want to be respected and viewed the same as other guests, but unfortunately this is something I worry about with any new environment. Note: this is NOT a post to discuss LGBT+ opinions, topics, identities, politics, or anything of that nature! I am only making this post because in my two years of researching cruising since I booked mine, I haven't seen anyone discuss anything like this. I am not looking to "invade" any spaces or make anything about "being trans/gay". I am only asking from a comfort and safety standpoint. No discourse, PLEASE. I would not be asking this or making this post if I didn't have reason to be. Please be respectful and kind. Thank you
- 19 replies
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- first-time
- firstimers
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Is there a dedicated section here for LGBT cruisers?
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I am not sure if you guys remember me from my post that I was having all sorts of problems that led to some discrimination due to my sexual orientation. But, I was happy to see that the events and entertainment are starting to be posted on the app (not for reservations as of yet). What made me happy after all that I have gone thru to get on this cruise and deal with the terrible customer service that I have received, was they have a LGBT mix and mingle onboard. However, and this is where the disappointment comes in, it is on the last night in Vortex as 11:30pm and that same time and in the same venue as the DJ is supposed to start playing for the evening. Now I am not expecting to have 6 hours set aside to have a mix and mingle, but if Vortex is opening at 11;30pm for the dance party, however exactly is the LGBT mix and mingle supposed to happen at the same time. Do I need to wear a sign that says LGBT or do I walk around and ask everyone that walks in what event are they here from. To me is does not max a lot of sense. I was curious if there is an email address or anyone to contact onboard to possible set one up earlier in the cruise. It would be nice to meet one another when there is more than 6 hours of the cruise remaining when the vast majority of people will be sleeping.
- 34 replies
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- events
- cruise director
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I am mainly looking for advice on this subject and what to do and where to go from here. I am may be opening myself up to a lot of hate or criticism , but here goes. And sorry for such a long post. After I booked my cruise everything was going fine, I ended up booking a B2B - worked well with Customer Service it was great super excited! I then called back with a question about something (not sure I remember what at this point), the customer service individual I was speaking to - was looking stuff up for me and was chatting and asked "so any special reason you are going on this cruise, or what made you think about doing a B2B" something along those lines - I replied that I was a little nervous but excited as this would be my first solo cruise and knowing that RCL has had good reviews with LGBT travel sites and that celebrity is owned by the same company and celebrity has lgbt single cruises - I thought since I havent been traveling like I used to now would be the time. I received dead silence for a good 20 seconds and then the agent started to give me the answer to my question - but was down right nasty and rude. I was taken aback for sure. Anyways the call ended and I went on my way passing it off. A second time I called and asked if with covid protocols they were still doing LGBT meet-ups on board and if they would be listed in the compass as they used to - the answer was a phone hanging up. At this point I was annoyed. However as things keep changing and evolving because of covid and changes in destinations I thought maybe I will just stick to the text messaging customer service - I dont remember the entire conversation but something LGBT related came up again - because frankly, why should I hide anything and this is customer service that I am talking to, just looking for answer - I received the following text back - which I include a picture of "I am not engaging with this person any longer." This is the point where I decided to escalate things and spoke to a gentlemen in the resolution department (I guess the supervisors of customer service). I told him what was going on and he was appalled - rightly so, we spent over an hour on the phone he was apologizing right and left- made me feel some much better. And I told him I am not looking to get anyone in trouble (I have the agents first names) but all I was looking for was some solid answers. He told me that if I had any questions or concerns to email him. Great - problem solved. Well that was more than two weeks ago - I emailed him with some minor questions and I also emailed him shortly after our first conversation that if he could let someone above him know what was going on - because I believe no one should be discriminated against or talked to in such a manner. I have heard nothing in return - a similar incident happened on Sunday when I was discussing safety concerns if our cruise had to go to a different destination (such as Jamaica or Belize - as both countries it is a crime to be LGBT and people are sometimes kidnapped and killed) I said obvisouly I would stay on the ship and not go site seeing but my question was regarding how the ports were set up and if they had shops right there so that if I did get off the boat I could not go far if there was stuff right there. I emailed him about this. Nothing. This morning I asked a agent thru the text line how I would get in touch with a supervisor of the resolution team - I was asked well what is it regarding so I can direct you to the right place. I told the agent a very brief statement about it. The agent stopped talking - I said hello? Still there? That was 6 hours ago. I thought at first I was just imagining it - but after a few more times, unless I am loosing my marbles. And I KNOW it is not everyone - and I know for certain the staff on the boat are the ones that make the trip and they are wonderful. But its a little unfortunate that I have to go thru any of this just to get a simple answer to questions about Royal gifts, GTY rooms, ports of call. So I guess my point is - where do I go from here - who do I talk to? Or do I just continue to try with customer service and hope I get a decent person. But when I was told by the resolution specialist who was so kind about everything and wanted to do anything to make it up to me - and I email him as he stated to do and I hear nothing and since I hear nothing from him I have to have other incidents occur. Again sorry for the long post and I hope everyone is cool with me posting about this.
- 27 replies
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- customer service
- problem
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Who’s all coming on the harmony on April 28th. Also is anyone attending a lgbt meet up ?
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Any LGBT couples going to be on this sailing?