leaveitallbehind

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.

Yes, demographic (age) mix can vary on any ship and itinerary. I'm only saying what Celebrity's primary target demographics is - adults (not families with children), and probably more accurately 50+ v 45+. But I should have clarified that it is not seniors. That primarily would be HAL, etc. But certainly that 50+ category can include the age group you reference. And the NCL age group is also probably accurate but their target demographics is families with children, as with RCCL.

....and I see this at best as simply change for change sake, which IMO typically is a recipe for disaster that accomplished nothing good. To be of any value, change should a purpose motivated by a defined need with a positive outcome goal. Not seeing any of that here....

No you weren't disagreeing with that at all - I just noted that most of the reasons you cited were weather related, which I believe to be the primary factor with sea conditions. But you are also correct there are regions on the globe where other sea bed, etc., conditions influence the seas. Hope you didn't misunderstand me - I wasn't trying to contradict you.

Not really - the primary causes you indicated in your (my edited) response are all weather related, which will always be the key factor. And I completely agree that at sea is the best place to be as the Captain can maneuver the ship to the safest waters available. That is why whenever possible ships put to sea when storms are approaching port. But, again, the bottom line is sea conditions are generally impossible to predict - especially too far out. Anecdotally the calmest seas we ever encountered were in the Atlantic en route from NJ to Bermuda (smooth as glass). And the worst we ever encountered was Christmas Eve en route from Colon, Panama to Jamaica. (reported 20 feet+, oddly no storm).

I've just re-read my recent posts and it could be interpreted that I am advocating adding a "downvote" feature in order to make this garbage acceptable. I want to clarify in the strongest terms that none of this is acceptable to me regardless of features added or subtracted. I am in no way endorsing this mess. As was said before on a rather popular comedy show, "Delete, Delete, Delete....."!

Rough seas are unpredictable and can occur anywhere based primarily on prevailing weather conditions at the time. Time of year can also influence weather patterns. Albeit in the Pacific v the Atlantic, we completed a 6 night crossing from Hawaii to Vancouver in April a few years back. Some days were a little rough, others were smooth as glass. That was clearly in the open sea. I have to ask how far away from land do you have to be to be unsheltered and what effect does that have on sea conditions? The point being is what you are asking is impossible to predict and can change week to week.

But in fairness and to be truly democratic and objective in determining the most "popular" answers, there should be a "downvoting" option as well. You then complete the full measure with all points of view included by allowing for an "upvote", abstaining with "no vote", as well as being able to express an alternative view with a "downvote". Or just throw the whole thing in the trash where it belongs in the first place....

Not an issue - the more widespread the question is the more options you have for responses. BTW based on our experience my answer is accurate.