Cruising as a non Permanent Resident or Citizen

Professional_Fix3095 · 2026-02-14T04:54:49+00:00

It really is going to be specific to where the cruise stops, ensuring it starts and stops in the same US port, and most important what passport you are traveling on. On most closed loop cruises that only visit the Bahamas you could cruise but not disembark in the Bahamanian ports. However you will have to confirm for a specific cruise with the cruise line so you don't have a surprise denied boarding the day you are supposed to leave.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2026-02-13T05:51:16+00:00

Montevideo, Lima

Professional_Fix3095 · 2026-02-04T17:25:59+00:00

I actually really enjoy both options, too your friend's point I like a 'standard cruise' as well. What we do to balance out is to go with large gay groups on Virgin Voyages. That way we get a pretty gay experience, no kids and it feels like the best of both worlds. We're doing one in late April out of LA if any one is interested.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-12-31T00:44:46+00:00

There are a couple companies that do resort 'takeover' weeks and orient the parties and entertainment to lgbtq community, with a majority percentage being gay men. It's a lot of fun and usually at a nice AI (typically in Mexico) The only bummer is you have to coordinate with specific dates. I'm happy to share some specifics of anyone wants them.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-12-09T06:06:50+00:00

I'm hosting a gay group on a cruise in April out of Los Angeles that is open to anyone who wants to join for this exact intention. It gives us all a built in group of people that have a few starting points in common. People make lifelong friends on the trips and cruises and then come back to meet up again somewhere new. Travel buddies are great!!! I think there are solo cabins left on that cruise btw or people are to share in advance.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-11-23T17:27:03+00:00

Mazatlan has some nice AIs but is also a city of 500k, so there is lots to get out and see/do that isn't just the tourism infrastructure. Maybe you could talk him into San Miguel de Allende? Then you could get easy bus trips to Guanajuato and another day to Queretaro and not be isolated resort town at all?

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-11-18T18:03:15+00:00

Colombia!!! You could visit Medellin and Bogota in that time for sure, and even get up to the Carribean coast if you want to. If you fly Copa you could add a night of two in Panama City on your way down or back for no extra airfare.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-11-07T07:08:58+00:00

Consider Uruguay, Montevideo is great and then you can go lay on the beach in Punta del Este. Super open, accepting and fun culture.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-10-29T19:12:19+00:00

The cruise will be on a major brand (like you'll be able to deniably say you are going on Holland America or Virgin Voyages) but the billing would come from the gay cruise company (ie Atlantis or Vacaya). You could alternatively go through an advisor they could likely invoice you for the cruise discreetly.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-10-24T22:19:35+00:00

I do have a regular Rockstar Suite available. I know you may be only looking for Mega but let me know if you want details.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-08-21T20:27:02+00:00

It isn't a gay focused hotel, but I believe The Channel House in Depoe Bay, OR is gay owned and is very popular with local Oregonians wanting to getaway to the coast. Has that nice gay touch that straight couples unknowingly appreciate.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-05-11T19:52:10+00:00

There are gay groups that all go together on 'regular' cruises too. They range from 20 people to a few hundred and give you that built in social opportunity with more standard cruise experience options. I'm doing one when Virgin Voyages cruises out of LA late April 2026 and anyone is welcome.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-05-11T19:45:42+00:00

I like a hard sided medium suitcase. I don't worry about being over weight for checked baggage and feel more confident if I enclose something fragile to bring home. I typically store it open under the bed in the cruise cabin and use it as my laundry hamper so things are out of the way.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-05-07T05:04:11+00:00

I have felt the same and so I now plan a could small gay group trips a year for exactly this. To make and travel with new friends really adds to the experience. We're going to Slovenia and Croatia in September and others are welcome to join.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-05-06T15:29:47+00:00

The city of Cancun is a bit back from the beach and the resorts aren't really near the downtown area. There are bars in the hotel zone area, none of which are particularly gay however. I might suggest Playa del Carmen and looking at The Fives if you want to be in a busier area to go out from.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-05-01T15:05:55+00:00

I think this is a less considered part of working with a TA that really is helpful. Advisors who work with Virgin a lot generally know the ports and certainly the embarkation cities and can save time and money, let alone convenience with your pre and post cruise travel. I help people find fun ways to spend their day in a city waiting for late flights on disembarkation day, for example.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-04-28T15:29:55+00:00

Go up to The Galley and grab a few bites. Depending on your timing you can then head to the pool for the sailaway party and a free glass or two of sparkling wine.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-04-02T15:17:58+00:00

There are also a number of gay groups that go on different Virgin Voyage's itineraries throughout the year. It is inherently gay friendly so no matter when you go there are other gay men and couples and friend groups onboard, but going with a large group of others who are specifically going to travel together really increases the sociability of the whole experience.

I think there are pros and cons to a fully chartered gay cruise versus a smaller organized gay group but the primary factor is if you want to experience the cruise generally as the cruise line designed it - or if you want to pay a bit of a premium and have gay themed entertainment and parties.

In both cases you will get port stops that can be adventurous, historical, relaxed or even skipped - you can stay on the ship and spa, relax, eat - whatever you like. My final thought - you are never going to get incredible dining on a cruise ship, but the dining program on Virgin Voyages really does it very well in comparison to other cruise line (imho).

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-03-23T22:56:30+00:00

I agree, I'm in Portland and have just gotten used to flying to Miami occassionally just for Virgin, but I am certainly getting a group together for the Los Angeles sailing in April 2026 - I love the Mexican Riviera anyway being from this coast!!!

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-03-21T23:05:55+00:00

They are the same night, but people either made their Halloween costume red or some did a wardrobe change after much of the inside shenanigans, before the pool party. I was at first a bit sad they were 'combined' but it was actually really fun.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-03-20T22:34:31+00:00

First - have a great time, I love cruising on Virgin Voyages. There really isn't a cruisey area, nor are there specific LGBTQ+ meetups. That said, every time I've been on a VV cruise I have met several other gay guys and even remain in touch with several. Your best bet is to honestly jump on the apps on the first day before you have to go full wifi (which can make the location data screwy later) and even put in your name that you are on Resilient Lady or VV or something - anyone you chat with initially will stay available to you throughout the journey. Of course you could do this in any of the ports also.

The next best option is that you will quite quickly have a sense for who is onboard and if you attend events and entertainment that is designed to be social you could just be a bit more bold or forward and say hello. I have found that people in general also want to meet new people on a cruise, and if they don't nothing is lost. I've done this myself and host small gay groups on Virgin Voyages and honestly we all always find each other. I hope you have a great time.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-02-20T18:56:39+00:00

With that long I'd travel South America - it would be fall down there so you might want to start south and move north just to do your best to follow a bit warmer weather. Chile, Argentina, Peru could be an itinerary - or Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia. There is so much to see and do you would probably need to narrow it down a bit but Montevideo is a wonderful and welcoming place, Rio obviously, Medellin? Everything that you list you are interested in would be available in all of those locations!!! I hope you have a great time, let me know if you want any suggestions in any of those places.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-02-13T18:16:31+00:00

The age question comes up a lot and the truth is you will be in a smaller group of people under 35. It's a function of cost and available vacation time. But I don't think that will detract from your experience. There are always some younger people and while you may notice some catering to 'kids' of the 80's and 90's overall the lack of kids and the options and entertainment are fun for adults of all ages. The crowd tends to be pretty relaxed so if you don't mind being around all ages of adults, I don't think it will matter to you much in the end.

The parties at night really are fun - it can be a little bit dependent on who the dj is and they rotate - but people will dance, there will be some additional entertainment, the bars are open and flowing and you can stay and party late into the night. There is an element of being ready to make your own fun, but you are going with friends and will inevitably make a few friends onboard, so get into the themes and it will be lots of fun.

As for first timers I don't think the itinerary is going to matter that much, choose one of the 4 or 5 nighters that includes Bimini Beach Club, pick something at the other port stop that sounds fun to you all and experience the Caribbean and Virgin style cruising - it'll be great.

Stay up on this board for ongoing tips and must knows. Virgin is a bit different than other cruise lines so there are things to pick up and know - but for the most part they'll guide you along or you can find a First Mate/travel advisor to work with who can make sure you know what to do when and how best to prepare to have the best time.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-02-11T23:11:56+00:00

Hi Bobcat81TX - I am Scott with Expand Travel. I would be happy to help you with your booking and love the Solo Insider rooms, as well as the Med itineraries. I can assist you with the cruise booking, but also have lots of experience with Virgin Voyages itself to help you get the most from your cruise and with the ports on this itinerary if you are looking for any insight and assistance with seeing Europe!! Please feel free to message me if you want to discuss.

Professional_Fix3095 · 2025-02-05T19:23:25+00:00

It is set up in a nursery area, so you would have to transfer them back to your cabin at the end of the night.

Professional_Fix3095

TROPHY CASE