parallax

My daughter made very good friends in the YC. We ended up going on another cruise with them a year later. There will be kids in YC but not as many in the rest of the ship. We have found people to be very social in the YC. There are a few who want peace and quiet but I found fellow passengers to be a fun group. If your son likes gelato, he can always ask for it the bar next to the pool.

There is an animus towards children on certain cruise lines. These critics create the picture that if children are on board it will devolve into Lord of the Flies. Accordingly, there is this moral obligation of the parents to look at Disney, RCCL or NCL, which is "much more friendlier" to children because there are more distractions. Basically, there is a special standard that must be applied to families that is not applied to other cruisers. I'm not going to be swayed by these critics. My child is not interested in most of these distractions.

We make our cruise decisions based on itinerary, environment and what is the objective (relaxing, seeing the sights, activities, etc.) of the cruise. If the objective is to relax, we will look at a cruise line that will be suited for all of us. Accordingly, we will likely go on a mass market cruise line such as Celebrity, HAL or MSC (Yacht Club). More port intensive cruises will expand the number of cruise lines we look at because the focus is on the itinerary.

While we do take into consideration other passengers, the approach we take in selecting indirectly benefits other passengers. If we are all engaged in the cruise, we should not encroach on the experience of the others.

We have done the Yacht Club several times on MSC. One year we went on Easter. The number of children in the YC constituted a small percentage compared to the rest of the ship. The pool area and lounge were so big, compared to the number of people in the YC, one could have quite a bit of privacy. I'm not sure how big the Retreat will be but if it is of good size, there will be peace and quiet.

I find it hypocritical that the people who are opposed to the ship within a ship program are supportive of other things that create a class distinction on board. For example, if I'm not Elite, I'm not eligible for priority boarding, special receptions, free champagne, or various other perks. These receptions and perks often take up "public space". As a passenger, I could look at this and say "if I'm paying the same amount of money this is unfair and my happiness is being destroyed." Equality for some is not always based on physical space.

I do not see a problem with the suite class. I'm happy to be on a cruise and realize that other passengers may be eligible for benefits that are not available to me. That is life.

Let them it cake.

There are distinctions everywhere. I assume those who have status in the Captain's Club and are opposed to "class distinctions" will forego their benefits in solidarity of non-members so we have a classless society.

It would be special circumstances if took my daughter on Regent. I'm not stating that I'm planning to take my daughter on Regent anytime soon, if ever. However, I reject this litmus test that we should take into the consideration the interests of other cruisers. I have seen more abhorrent behavior from adults on cruises than children. There is no self-policing of these adults. They don't apply a litmus test to themselves. Why should we?

I have a 9 year old and I'm not sure I would take her on Regent. It would have to be the right situation with the right itinerary (port intensive). That being said, I do take umbrage when people dictate what cruises my family should go on. So I have to cater purely to my child and go on a Disney cruise or RCCL even though my wife and I would not want to? There needs to be a balance of interests so everyone in my family will enjoy the cruise.

I don't care what you call them, gen-x or millennials, it's about respect.

 

Yes, some cruise lines cater to the older crowds for a more up scale experience to those that can afford it. That's why my wife and I cruise those lines.

 

What I do have a problem with is the younger crowd allowing their children to act out and do whatever they want.

 

Enjoying a wonderful evening dinner only to be spoiled by a 8 year old brat doesn't cut it.

 

If they want to market to millennials that's fine, just no kids please. Go to carnival and get your picture taken with Popeye.

 

If you do bring kids make sure they are well behaved.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm younger and can afford a more upscale experience. Having been on the higher end lines, the worst behavior I have seen is not the children, which are limited in number, but those with a sense of entitlement who think they know best.

These are not resort fees. It is money shared among the whole staff and not just the individual crew members who service you. Accordingly, if you opt out, the cooks, the people in the laundry room and other people who help the customer facing employees lose out. We pay the mandatory gratuities and then provide supplemental tips that have provided excellent service.

I had just finished working out in the gym and was heading back to the cabin. I spotted a person who had been running next to me and had left a few minutes earlier. He says that he has been waiting for the "stupid elevator" for 5 minutes as I walk by. I head down the stairs and at the next landing, I stop to tie one of my shoes. The elevator opens up and he gets off. I just started to laugh.

There is a contingent on this board who do not want any kids on a Celebrity ship and are vocal about it. For the most part, they will recommend any line other than Celebrity. Disregard the noise. Celebrity, although some individuals do not want to admit it, caters to families. We have taken my daughter several times on Celebrity and she has enjoyed it immensely.

Itinerary is always a key factor and what you want to do on and off a ship. We have found that Celebrity strikes a nice balance for our family. Our daughter enjoys the activities for the kids and we get to enjoy a nicer ambiance than NCL or RCCL.

You can always get it Le Muse. They do walk around with it at the YC pool. Also, you can always request from the One Poll bartender. Just need to ask.

Dress makes a statement, same as behavior makes a statement. It says something about how you feel about where you are and what you are doing. It says something about how you wish to be perceived. In a group of people, general dress makes a statement and sets a tone. When people dress up, they behave better. When people dress for work (either suits or work casual or uniforms), they tend to behave professionally. This is why many work environments have done away with "casual Fridays". And before anyone jumps down my throat, there is a whole different dynamic for entrepreneurial work places.

 

The phrase "a picture speaks more than a thousand words" is relevant. If you gather everyone in the dining room and take a picture, it will lead you to make several broad based assumptions. How fancy is the meal? How important is the occasion? etc... That's simple human nature. We formulate impressions with all five of our senses, not selectively or only based on one thing. How you dress says something, just as loud as your words and behavior do. Collectively, it makes an impression and changes the general atmosphere. If you think how you dress does not have an impact, think again.

 

This is not to say that one way is better than another, just don't delude yourself into thinking that it doesn't make a difference.

 

And.... who knows. Maybe "formal" was changed to "chic" so that the expectations of the meals would be less. I think that is far more likely than some of the other assumptions people have made.

Aren't all businesses supposed to be entrepreneurial? Behavior has nothing to do with how one dresses. I work in the tech industry and some how we remain professional and act in an adult manner, even though we have an informal dress code.

I find it a nuisance but I will comply and bring a suit. However, I will comply and bring a suit. One thing that always humors me is that some of the formal outfits are clearly outdated or no longer fit the individual. When we did an Italian cruise with Celebrity a couple years ago, a man was wearing a tux that no longer fit him. He look like the Incredible Hulk; the tux was bursting at the seams.

Assuming you paid with a CC and are in the penalty stage, check with your credit card company. My credit card company provides travel insurance automatically when I purchase airline tickets, a cruise, etc.

If you are from a region that is known for something such as lobster, it is hard to be impressed by the lobster on a cruise ship. Hailing from MD, I'm very finicky about crab. I have never understood the mad rush on lobster tail. While it is not bad on a cruise ship, I think it blown out of proportion and the main dining room is a mad house. We tend to go to an alternative restaurant on lobster night.

I did this breakdown over on the Celebrity board. Hopefully, this will help. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2195596&highlight=parallax

I typically find the behavior of adults more abhorrent than the children on a cruise so I always roll my eyes when I hear this argument. If you sail with children in the YC club, it is not free; there is a cost. Yes, will children get a little loud from time to time or splash in the pool but it is not a capital offense. Your interaction is going to be much more limited than you realize.

If you are looking for solely an adults on playground look elsewhere. When we were on the Divina a few months ago the maitre d came over to our table and asked if the kids who were travelling in our group with us could lower our voices. The ridiculous thing was that the adults at our table were louder. The maitre d intimated that a couple were not very happy that they were close to the kids and that they were acting loud. When we talked to Guiseppe after the couple had left, he indicated that this happened at least once a cruise. Certain passengers believe that they are entitled to kids free YC and will report any transgression, real or not.

The YC will be fine for your family. We have sailed with our daughter twice in the YC and have gone with other families as well. We have had a blast. It is true that the ratio of families in the YC versus the ship as a whole is lower. It also may seem like there are less children because the sheer size of the YC makes it seems at times there is no one else on board but you.

I was a teacher for 34 years; couldn't have stayed in the profession if I didn't love kids.

However, parents who have the "My child can do no wrong" attitude were pretty much impossible to deal with, and that attitude, unfortunately, carries over to all other aspects of life, including vacations. Kids will be excited because they are on vacation, and I have absolutely no problem with them enjoying themselves. But when clueless parents let their children run amok with no consideration for others' enjoyment, whether it be by the pool or in a restaurant on a cruise ship, then that's when I say "enough." A little courtesy goes a long way. Some adults have never learned that lesson, unfortunately, and therefore have not taught their children that simple concept and simply let their kids do what they damn well please because they'd rather not deal with discipline.

Do I want to spend my $ on a Yacht Club accommodation and take the chance of having unruly kids in the YC common areas? Maybe. I can't control it, so I have to take a chance, I guess. But I'll think long and hard about booking the January cruise I was considering.

What makes you think the Lord of the Flies is occurring in the YC? The number of kids percentage wise in the YC is much smaller than the rest of the ship. It is not overrun with children. Is it possible that you may see a kid get of hand? Yes, but it is not going to be a common occurrence.

I have seen this same argument on the Celebrity message board. Kids should not be on their cruise line. It is some right or "entitlement" they believe they should have. Now we are having the same argument in regards to the MSC Yacht Club. People forget these are family cruise lines and encourage families to cruise together, including in the YC. It makes good business sense. Plus, I'm paying more.

Alternative lifestyle would be a nudist or swingers cruise. I know that they had a swingers cruise before.

Can we ban the crotchety individuals who treat staff like crap? That would be my preference if we get to determine who can restrict it from the YC. I saw it a couple times last week where a passenger was so rude to the staff it was offensive. My daughter was by no means perfect and we had to remind her on occasion to use her inside voice because she was so excited to be on the cruise she sometimes got a little loud. I rather have enthusiasm and excitement of a child than rudeness of an adult.

If one wants an adult YC experience, I believe the do a couple alternative lifestyle cruises a year.

I won't speak to food as it is subjective, although we really enjoyed it on MSC.

The service is exceptional and would be more in line with a 5 star hotel. I have been on many other cruises, including Celebrity and Oceania, and by far the best service that I have received was in the YC. I think the service is much more intimate. The butlers and the waitstaff really standout. They pay close attention to detail and are professional in every sense of the definition. The concierge staff was a little more hit and miss.

Of course, with a dangerous food allergy, hopefully some others can comment as my engagement with the staff would be considered more routine.

A week from today will be on the Divina. Your review was a pleasant reminder of what we have to look forward to.

There is nothing that allows you to create a divider.