Story and photos by Jon Barrett
Photos from top: Carnival in the distance; the hills of Puerto Vallarta; Puerto Vallarta's gay beach; friends Casey and Ira
Third port of call: Puerto Vallarta.
It was another beautiful day -- this time in Puerto Vallerta. The boyfriend and I again took the very good advice of RSVP’s Charlie Rounds and headed directly to the Blue Chairs Resort as soon as we hit town. Blue Chairs is ground zero for gay here in PV -- and for good reason.
It’s a great way to spend the day at the beach, parked in a blue chair and under an umbrella while drinking very cheap beers (we had five Pacificos and a heaping plate of nachos for just $22). I definitely hope to return; cobblestoned and quaint, PV is my favorite of the three ports of call.
Drinking beer under a beach umbrella is what I expected from the cruise. But just as I reported about the burning bus in Mazatlan yesterday, I’d again like to tell you about one of the more unexpected moments: Soon after we docked in the harbor this morning, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Splendor pulled up directly behind us.
As I watched the Splendor come in, I realized it was perfectly positioned for the Carnival passengers to get an all-day eyeful of our ship’s “freestyle sunbathing” (read: nude sunbathing) deck. The juxtaposition was a great example -- for better or worse -- of how gay cruises (and gay cruisers) can’t help but get in the face of straight locals and tourists. (Can you spot the gay cruiser in the picture above?)
Click here to read Jon's first cruise report from Cabo San Lucas.
Click here to read Jon's second cruise report from Mazatlan.
Jon Barret, the Editor in Chief of The Advocate and Advocate.com(the world’s leading multi-platform news provider directly targeting the LGBT audience) has agreed to experience his very first gay cruise and send us back these periodic reports. Check here all week and be on the lookout for his article about first-time gay cruising scheduled for later this year in the Advocate.
VIDEO: See and hear Jon's most recent editor's letter here.
For much more information on gay cruises and a schedule of upcoming cruises, click here.
