leaveitallbehind

Taxis are plentiful at both locations, especially at Cozumel. You simply enter the taxi line at the entrance to the pier awaiting the next available driver. They will take solo passengers or couples going to specific locations - we have done that at Cozumel numerous times - but often many passengers are going to the same location (typically town) so it is easy to fill cabs and vans with passengers heading to the same location. Agree as well with the information provided by @LeeW. Roatan works the same as Cozumel, although in our experience it can be a bit more congested with taxis not seeming to be as plentiful. But the people there are very helpful and we were able to arrange a ride to our destination after a short wait. The return was arranged without difficulty by the venue. Another suggestion might be to arrange a private driver in advance at Cozumel to sightsee the back side of the island. Very undeveloped with several sunrise to sunset restaurants / bars and beautiful scenery en route. We have done that both through an arranged tour (Cozumel Bar Hop - google it) as well as independently. A very interesting part of the island to visit that most cruise ship visitors are not aware of.

Agree with Eurodam.

You say you have cruised many times, mostly on Princess, which makes you an experienced cruiser, but primarily on one cruise line. Unless you are going to suggest only Princess to them, how familiar are you with all of the other options such as RCCL, Celebrity, NCL, Carnival, HAL, MSC, etc.? I ask - and maybe am playing a little devils advocate - because it sounds like you are taking on the role of a travel advisor in helping determine a cruise line that would be a good fit for them. This may be difficult for you and with a narrow focus that may not best understand other cruise lines' experience in determining the best suggestion for them. I say all this not to challenge your intentions, but to suggest that maybe you should all talk with a travel agent who specializes in cruises and can be in the best position to ask all the right questions to help determine the best couple of lines for your friends (and you) to consider for their first cruise. This also would take the burden off of you and any concerns should their first experience not live up to expectations. Just a thought to consider.

The "published" Celebrity primary demographics is 50+, and in our rather extensive cruise experience with Celebrity that fits the profile far better than the suggested mid to late 60's+. There always is a wide and diverse age group on board, including families with children, but also quite a number of couples in their 40's. IMO your description seems to fit HAL far better than Celebrity. Yes, it is more sedate by intention, but, again in our experience, there is a lot going on late in to the night if you want it, and we have never experienced the 10:00 PM desertion you suggest. I guess just different experiences, but I am basing my observations on a dozen or more Celebrity cruises.

I can only answer to my experience and say that either of the Celebrity ships would be fine as they are sister ships, and Icon would be fine as well, and it is the newest RCCL ship. Icon likely will have more food venue options, but Celebrity will be very good even with fewer options. IMO, RCCL tends to have more venue options that are all very good, but Celebrity, even though there may be fewer options, would be of slightly higher quality. Entertainment on both would be equally good, although Icon will have more variety with the aqua theater and ice rink, etc. Icon is very much a floating amusement park whereas either Celebrity ship will have none of those whistles and bells and will be a more pure cruising experience of the two liness. The biggest difference is Celebrity's primary demographics is adults whereas RCCL is primarily families. RCCL will have a lot more children on board as a result. To me, that is one reason to look at Celebrity of those choices. NCL also targets families with children and will be comparatively more similar to RCCL.

Celebrity, Princess as mentioned. Based on your comments avoid Carnival (for certain), RCCL, NCL. Celebrity is primarily adults, Princess is similar and with couples, some families. Carnival is more of the party style, RCCL and NCL primarily is families with children.

They most certainly can get a number of staterooms, to include accessible if need be, that are connecting, or at best adjacent, near the accessible stateroom. As this would be a group booking, some price and potential on board benefits may apply (depending on the number of rooms booked), and the TA can handle all of those arrangements.

Icon of the Seas, Oasis class ships, Quantum class ships, and Freedom class ships, and Navigator of the Seas are the ships I am aware of with splash pads for kids in diapers.

We have been on cruises where due to sea or weather conditions the outside decks were closed as well as certain venues. We were on one in particular sailing from Colon, Panama to Montego, Jamaica when the Captain reported the waves at 20 ft+ and closed all outside decks and most venues and suggested that we return to our staterooms v wandering around the ship for our own comfort and safety, but I don't recall it as a demand nor did it include the crew. However we complied as it was much safer and more comfortable there. Oddly these conditions were not due to a storm in the area.

The answer is a definite "no".

Thank you. Much better IMO.

Very nice. Thanks to the mods for listening and returning to the old format - at least IMO.

I would like to add that if considering Royal Caribbean I would look specifically at the Oasis, Quantum, and Icon class ships as they would have the best variety of venues, entertainment, activities, and dining options within that cruise line. These ship classes also feature a number of very good Caribbean itineraries to consider. Go to their website and research those ship classes.

I would suggest talking with a travel agent who specializes in cruises and review your situation and expectations with them. As a first time cruiser combined with the plan of a family reunion, which will make this a group cruise, they would be in the best position to sort our your cruise line options, preferred itineraries, on board activities, group cruise benefits, logistics coordinating your group's air travel, budget, etc., etc.. This is a pretty monumental task to undertake by yourself, especially as a first time cruiser, and not something I would suggest doing on your own. While the cruise lines can also help directly with this, you would still need to select one first. Leave this in the hands of a travel agent - and a "brick and mortar" one that has a person that you can work with directly, not an on-line entity. All that being said, an additional cruise line you may want to consider with your family dynamics would be Royal Caribbean. They're primary demographics is families with children, and they would be well suited for your multi-generational mix and requirements.

While your assumption may be logical it is not the reason in this case for the restrictions. The restrictions are primarily with fresh agriculture (and other unpackaged foods) as they can carry pests and other foreign animal diseases from a given country's port of call. The concern is that this could make its way back to the US home port and cause problems that could spread from there. Along with cruise ports of call on US based closed loop cruises, these restrictions are common at US international borders, international airports with flights to the US (Puerto Rico as example), and even within some states.

Well as I just posted a few minutes ago on the other thread.... Well Friday - at least EST - has come and gone. Unfortunately it doesn't look like the new format went with it. Oh well, so much for listening to your members......

Well Friday - at least EST - has come and gone. Unfortunately it doesn't look like the new format went with it. Oh well, so much for listening to your members......

In general terms, typically anything fresh on or off the ship is not permitted. Typically anything that would be approved on or off the ship would have to be packaged. For instance, in several Caribbean ports of call manufactured and packaged rum cakes are typical souvenirs. But they are commercially prepared and sealed. But as others have said, it varies by global region and cruise line T's & C's.

I posted this on the other thread regarding this new format but figured as Friday is almost over I'd post it here as well. Never fear - Friday is here. And this is supposed to be the end of the test. But my guess is the new format will likely stay, because in the ultimate interpret-the-data-to-fit-our-expectations spin, the mods will likely look at the overwhelming negative responses on the two prevailing threads regarding this format and decide that since most people only review things they don't like, the actual sample size of the negative reviews was extremely small when compared to the total CC membership, and since only a few were against it, the rest by not responding must indeed like it, so because we want it anyway, and since we proved the majority must therefore like it, we are going to keep it, which is what we decided in the beginning anyway. Why let the facts get in the way of an agenda? Mods - Just trying to have a little fun, but please prove me wrong.........

Never fear - Friday is here. And this is supposed to be the end of the test. But my guess is the new format will likely stay, because in the ultimate interpret-the-data-to-fit-our-expectations spin, the mods will likely look at the overwhelming negative responses on the two prevailing threads regarding this format and decide that since most people only review things they don't like, the actual sample size of the negative reviews was extremely small when compared to the total CC membership, and since only a few were against it, the rest by not responding must indeed like it, so because we want it anyway, and since we proved the majority must therefore like it, we are going to keep it, which is what we decided in the beginning anyway. Why let the facts get in the way of an agenda? Mods - Just trying to have a little fun, but please prove me wrong.........

"Best deal" can change frequently. Pricing options will change - often within a given ship and itinerary - between the time the itinerary is first offered and final sailing date. It depends on demand and response to specialty dining options offered on any given itinerary. This is also a difficult question to answer as dining quality is very subjective and what appeals to me may not appeal to you. That being said all three lines you mention have a variety of specialty restaurant options that vary depending on ship. We cruise RCCL and Celebrity frequently and usually only dine in the specialty restaurants and in our experience, the larger RCCL ships have the more specialty options available, but Celebrity IMO has the better overall quality options. But both lines, however, are very good with specialty dining and the differences are very close. We have no experience with NCL so can't help there.

Yes I have taken many Celebrity cruises in the Caribbean. And I corrected myself that their primary demographics is 50+ adults - not 45+. I know this from industry connections and it is correct. You can also Google it. Just as RCCL and NCL primary demographics is families with children. HAL is seniors, Virgin is adults only, no children, etc. That doesn't mean that any or all other ages and mixes wouldn't be on board any given itinerary. But their ships are designed for, cater to, and target adults at 50+ as their primary demographics.

Note that I also included that in my response - great minds think alike! Never too much input.

Suggest looking at Resorts for a Day to see if there is anything at your ports of call for all inclusive day passes. We have used them in the past with good success. Here is their link: https://www.resortforaday.com/destinations/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAzc2tBhA6EiwArv-i6VvYiEc1MkFH91IcjQcPybpJeS624g2sGAMAZYtQ446udLC1JT_RqhoC2WIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Regarding St. Thomas, typically cabs would provided the needed transportation, but I suggest whatever you choice of beach that you arrange transportation with your driver for both to and from and allow plenty of extra time for the return as traffic in St. Thomas can get very heavy at times, in particular approaching Charlotte Amalie. There are also two cruise piers in St. Thomas - Havensight and the Cruise Port of Charlotte Amalie. You need to confirm which one you are docking at as that may influence which beach you choose. Sapphire would be closer to Havensight, but in either case Magen's would be the closer of the two, both to town and either pier. You should also post this on the NCL board for additional responses. Here is that link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/64-norwegian-cruise-line/ You can also check out the different ports of call at this link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/456-caribbean/ Lastly, if you are not already part of it, you can search for your Roll Call for your sailing at this link to talk with other cruisers on your itinerary: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/66-norwegian-cruise-line-roll-calls/ Welcome to Cruise Critic and enjoy your cruise!

The cruise lines would typically not make an issue with this as the rate you paid by booking for two is a double occupancy rate, probably very similar to the solo rate plus supplement.