The Atlantis Mexican Riviera Cruise

[mitchtv]

We boarded in San Diego at the Convention Center. We had previously checked in on line, so it went smoothly and quickly. There was a shuttle from the long term parking, where they picked up our luggage, and we only had to schlep around our carry ons.The garage charges $8 /day , so we were a little put out about paying $120. for an 8 day stay, but WTF, we were going on vacation.The line to board went quickly and the Royal Caribbean staff were just beautiful, kind and welcoming.We were starving after having driven 2&1/2 hrs so we went to the buffet. We Left the dock near midnight. We got a nice stateroom with a veranda and were greeted with a bottle of merlot, and a fruit basket, compliments of Atlantis (wine) and the Gap(fruit). No party for us that night. Partner is 68 and I am 60.
We went to the buffet for all our breakfasts, rather than open seating at the restaurant. we were both happy with the fare there.We did however go to the main restaurant for dinner, and it was generally good to excellent. Wine was $5.50 and up for the glass. we only got a bottle one night. $20 for a bottle of La Terre Chardonnay from woodbidge , ca.-drinkable. Where Atlantis sets itself apart from mainstream cruises is the quality and abundance of activities. Also, they got hold of a big, magnificent almost new ship for the job.
We went to most of the shows including the headliner, Charo. Now I was not a big Charo fan, but her show changed my mind she sang Abba's "Fernando" which she said she helped write, and donated the rights to UNICEF. some "cu-chi stuff" and then her forte classical guitar (she studied under Segovia) she did "Malaguena" and then a rendition of Bolero for guitar. she did a great job.there were several drag shows Edie and Jackie Beat and Miss Richfield 1981 all fun , a lesbian comic Shann Carr and a few singers from Broadway , Marty Thomas and Deborah Cox, and more musical acts and comedians, can't forget Christine Pedi doing "Divas gay men love"
The ship had a cinema also, so we caught up on all the gay themed movies we don't see on HBO , like
Everyone
Kiss me Guido(actually missed that)
P.S. Your cat is dead
Ethan Mao
Bear Cub spanish w/subtitles
Latter days
Cowboys and Angels
Zona Rosa Mex with subtitles
The Fluffer
I addition to various new regular movies. like Priscilla,To wong foo... Victor victorian, Monster in law meet, the fokkers and many more.
We were neither the fattest,nor the oldest on board, which was a relief, there was a different theme party every night White, Dog tag
Mardi Gras yadyayada/ We are too old to drink and dance after 11pm however so we passed om all of them but loved the lasers shooting off the ship from our veranda.
I did little shopping in Mexico a kilo of organic coffee, bottle of vanilla extract, bottle of Kahlua, a piece of silver for my sister and a teeshirt for Mr. Mitchtv. We set anchor at Ixtapa (real cute). Puerto Vallarta, gay friendly, mazatlan, best for shopping and Cabo San Lucas( got an unfriendly vibe there+ expensive.
All in All we booked the Alaska cruise in June and we will never book a straight cruise again We just loved it.
Any Questions????

[kevinbgoode]

1. It sounds just lovely ! ! !

And I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time. As. . .well, someone who has never taken ANY cruise, I've wondered about how the atmosphere would be like, particularly on a gay cruise. I'm slightly over 50. .. in very good shape (workout five times a week) but I've never been much of a playa, so my vision is being seduced under a bright moonlit sky along a quiet part of the deck by. . .oh. . .some slightly awkward, yet passionate cowboy . .. um...well...maybe at least one of the crew members?

The entertainment sounds really fun, too - and a lot of variety. You know, I've grown so accustomed to doing so much traveling on my own that I wonder if I'd be just as solitary on a ship like that. . .
I'm glad you included the vibes you picked up in the port calls - I've wondered about those things as well - I certainly wouldn't want to spend a day wandering around a place where people may be a bit too cold. . .

Is there really an Alaska cruise for this June? Hmmm. . .well, I'm trying to finish a PhD here but. . .I could save my pennies so I wouldn't have to get a cabin somewhere next to where the icebergs would hit....:-).

[mitchtv]

2. you spin the wheel when you go alone

But it seems this company is trying very hard to set singles up with compatible roommates. They had a singles dinner we mistakenly entered and they were changing tables after every course. If I were single, I would've loved it. It is so nice being surrounded by your own kind , in the thousands. It is powerful. There was incredible diversity in age , and race. So many gorgeous gay Asian men, and Latino men too. Not so many Black men, but what there were, were exceptional. wheelchairs, all ages and sizes.I don't think you would be alone too long. The drinks are very expensive, but what was nice about this tour operator ,is, they did not confiscate bottles bought on shore and return it to you when you leave, they let you take it to your cabin. Some of us resent paying big bucks for small drinks. BTW one of the guys who gave us a card was president of the golden state gay rodeo assc. And those eastern European crew mwmbers, Oh lordy, We wanted to take one or two home with us, but oh I forgot, only straits can do that

[kevinbgoode]

3. It really does sound like a wonderful experience. . .

and I would sure love the opportunity to do something like that - I somewhat vary between enjoying meeting people and not wanting to deal with drama, but it sounds like people are all there to have fun and relax. . .and the mixture of people would make the experience even more interesting!

I tend to be very casual and laidback. . .but I think that I'd love the opportunity to just do things...I like using the gym and would go to the cinema and definitely lay around the pool and read...and maybe one of those sexy European crew members would seduce me under the moon, when the light is just enough that he can't see the lines around my eyes...:-).

Are you both really going to Alaska next? I looked that cruise up - it's a little pricey, but not too bad - I think I'm more afraid of. . .well. . .I don't want to be on the bottom deck. . .maybe I saw that movie Titanic too many times...hehehe. I've had several friends who have been on straight cruises and had a blast, but I always thought I'd prefer a gay one, just to meet people and relax. . .but gosh, it sure seems like the week must go fast!!

[swimmernsecretsea]

4. I'm planning my own cruise

Thanks for the info. I love having someone test-drive the experience for me!

[Rowdyboy]

5. God, I feel like I was with you....That sounds like so much fun...

Michael and I are in our 50's and have wondered often if we'd be comfortable in that situation (he's afraid he'd look like a fool, I don't care) but what you describe sounds wonderful.

Thanks for the story.

[mitchtv]

6. there were plenty of fools arounf to watch

Many many older than we, as for shapes? from the best to the worst(we wre amybe a little over dressed at dinner, but not alone there either.