leaveitallbehind

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.

It would seem to me, as others have mentioned, that the true value of "upvoting" would be realised if there was a "downvoting" feature as well. Would this not allow the truly popular responses (note that I did not say correct answers) as the cream to rise to the top, and the more unpopular responses to drop to the bottom?. Would that not be the most accurate way of gauging popularity? Not "upvoting" only allows for the most liked responses to be noted but does not result in any balance of popularity that would result from allowing unliked responses to drop. Either way the whole thing IMO is a mess and a waste of time and not worth any further time invested analyzing as clearly the lack of support and no "upvoting" for this feature says it all.

So since there already is a "like" feature - which allows one to express their support of a given post, thus indicating its' popularity - what then is the purpose or value in "upvoting", especially when that results in the reorientation of the response stream thus taking that "upvoted" response out of context? Isn't that just another "like" feature? Seems kind of redundant - at best. But as mentioned before, this also just makes responses far more subjective v objective as they are "upvoted" not based necessarily on correctness but by other's "liking" of the answer. Sorry, I just don't get it. To me there is absolutely no value in it and I clearly hope the mods listen to the overwhelmingly negative responses and go back to what didn't need "fixed" in the first place.

Celebrity's primary demographic is adults (45+, but not 60's - 70's as you suggest). But not families. There will likely be children on any given itinerary as well and there is a children's program for them with Celebrity. But certainly in far less numbers than RCCL. And although during a Holiday season, IMO 10 days is not necessarily short, and may attract less children than shorter itineraries. However their ships have none of the whistles and bells and activity venues oriented towards families with children as with RCCL (or NCL), as that is their target demographics. Celebrity is much more of a basic cruise experience versus what has often been described with RCCL as "floating amusement parks". Food is always a very subjective issue and I would not classify RCCL as not being good. But we have cruised both RCCL (when our family was young) and Celebrity (now that they are adults) extensively and IMO and experience, the food quality, both in the MDR and several of their specialty restaurants, is better on Celebrity than with RCCL. But again, that is just my opinion.

Not saying MDR is bad - just different and IMO the Blu menu items are better. Again, just my opinion. Blu is intended to be different (and "healthier") and considered a little more upscale. But as answered originally, you can order from the MDR menu in Blu if desired.

It is also safer and less likely to have damage if you have it in your carry on versus if the bottle is in your luggage. As indicated, it is also so that the bottles you are bringing on can be confirmed by security at boarding as being wine versus spirits, etc. And the amount you are allowed to bring on board is two bottles @ 750 ml per stateroom at original embarkation.

The answer is yes. But the Blu menu is different by intention and IMO better.

Always agree with that and as you likely know, I too typically suggest that. But in this case I happened to know the answer. But more information is likely available on the Celebrity board.

They will vary by stateroom category but will include a shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and soap. That being said we typically bring our own shampoo and conditioner - my wife's preference.

Good point - thanks for clarifying. Wasn't thinking of it in terms of limited accessibility to the main stairways.

Agree completely and I am not trying to contradict you - just clarifying how the fare is obtained. And you are completely correct, which highlights the value of TA's, which is why 75% of all cruises are booked through one. All good information!

It is not the TA discounting the rate - it is a corporate sponsored rate that is issued on select itineraries to the TA. The rates are also only published internally to the TA's, so in that respect it would not be published to the general public. And any TA can see these select rates when they are offered. He may have implied that he was able to get a special discount on the rate, but it is not he who is discounting it. (Good marketing technique). Not with the fares to which I am referring. And these fares, when offered, are always lower than the published or direct fare.

Occasionally there are cruise line sponsored (group) rates issued on certain itineraries to which only the TA's have access, or occasionally fares are offered by the cruise line to TA's as "family and friends" promotions. Typically this would have been what your TA was referring to. It is not the TA that is discounting the fare, but the result of this discounted fare offered by the cruise line itself on certain sailings directly - and only - to the TA's.

I guess your posts are not typically as "controversial" as mine may be perceived to be LOL. (Very informative, however).

I would also add that RCCL's primary demographics is families, and their on board activities and different venues are oriented towards families and children, so there would be plenty to do on board to "entertain" your kids. The children's club program is very good and would keep (at least your older two - the program starts at age 3) very busy and active, and they also offer a baby sitting service.

Possibly. With McD's, as I understand it, Latin America and the Caribbean franchises are held by a single large franchise owner, who also happens to be the largest franchise owner with McD's. How he has elected to manage the logistics of these locations is likely driven by local economies, raw material import requirements, etc. The info about this owner, as @mom says suggests, would be available via google.

With most cruise lines (all mass market ones) the base fare structure from the cruise lines is the same as that provided to any travel agent - on line, "discount", brick and mortar, big box, etc. The TA's can often offer somewhat lower pricing based on group, or large block, rooms held by them and sold individually which results in a lower fare structure and often some degree of on board credit or other perk. In this manner they can offer base fares that are lower than that offered directly by the cruise lines. You just have to ask to see a final invoice total from them prior to booking to assure the actual fare. As @sanger727 indicates, check the fine print closely for fees charged separately and in addition to those charged by the cruise line by any TA for canceling, modifying, or changing a booking made through them, and IMO avoid them. 75% of all cruises booked are done so through TA's and there are good reasons to book through them. I would just suggest doing so through a live person and not solely on line. And as a new cruiser you may want to talk with one so as to best understand the different cruise line experiences and how they fit with your preferences. But you can always book directly if desired - your choice. I would agree with comparing as @MCC retired suggests to see what fare differences may exist.

RCCL has family staterooms that hold up to six and are standard category staterooms, not suites. They work well, and in our experience have the standard queen bed arrangement with a "bunk room" that (in our case) had an upper and lower single bed, and a double bed couch. Plenty of closet and storage spaces. There is only one bathroom, but the size of the stateroom is generous and well arranged. You would have to work directly through a TA or RCCL to confirm availability with ship class and to book these as they cannot be booked directly on line.