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Author

Topic: No kids on board. Would you cruise

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 12-31-1999 04:54 PM

The number of uncontrolled children on cruise ships appears to have risen them to the level of a pestilence. If certain cruise dates were "no children allowed" would this encourage you to book.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 12-31-1999 07:10 PM

No, company reputation, price and itinerary will always be #1 for me.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 12-31-1999 08:33 PM

Yes I would book. Currently I avoid holidays and summer since the number of kids increase.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 12-31-1999 09:44 PM

Yes, I would also book, avoiding holidays and summer months, like Gizmo. The only time I remember children being out of hand was a 3 day repositioning cruise from LA to Vancouver where we were over-run by out of control kids. We had taken the 16 day cruise from LA to Hawaii and back and to fill up the cabins I think the cruise line practically gave away the cabins at a very low fare and we were inundated by these kids. The little ones don't bother me, it is the older ones.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 12-31-1999 10:42 PM

Sympatico: when you refer to older ones--- do you mean older kids or adults. I find the 10-16 yr category the worst. they seem to be so arrogant and totally immune to common courtesy.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 12-31-1999 11:00 PM

topgun - yes that is the group I mean - you are so right. Sorry I wasn't specific. We were on a ship once with a few private school morons, from our home town, and they were so arrogant and rude. Kicked out of the casino, bars,(for being underage), feet on the chairs, lounging on the sofas with their feet up, etc. I was so embarrased to think that they were from my home town.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 12-31-1999 11:14 PM

Out of control kids are a product of their parents. Unfortunatly these parents are always looking to ditch their kids. I would rather be on a cruise with people who love kids because then the kids are usually better behaved when then sense they are welcomed and are also EXPECTED to behave.

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

usha
First Class Passenger
Member # 818

posted 01-01-2000 12:58 PM

I love children; I've raised three of my own, and now enjoy being a grandparent. geno-r is so right about out-of-control kids being products of their parents. On our last cruise, I saw a mother dump her 3-year-old daughter (wearing inflatable water wings) at the adult pool. Mom put the little girl into the water (4 feet deep!) and went to eat in the cafe. What are some people thinking?!!

Posts: 94 | From: Hobart, IN USA | Registered: Jan 99 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 01-01-2000 01:15 PM

Magnum, I think that steerage passengers on the Titanic booked with similar requirements in mind.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Tasha
First Class Passenger
Member # 948

posted 01-01-2000 02:40 PM

Sadly on our last cruise, which was two weeks ago on the Mercury, the problem was not the children it was passengers in the over 75 age group. I was not the only one to notice this there were a lot of complaints. One young woman, approx 36 was pushed out of the elevator and told she was young enough to walk up the stairs. By pushing this young woman, who had recently had surgery, the young woman bled very badly and ended up in bed for 2 days. It appeared they had no manners, push and shove was all they thought about.

Posts: 18 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

WJCdiver
First Class Passenger
Member # 946

posted 01-01-2000 02:51 PM

The only time most cruise ships would even consider no kids cruises would be
in off seasons - like all travel the goal is to fill every seat, bed and table.

There is no way that Carnival or Premier, or Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America or Princess are ever going to discourage kids. They need to fill the beds.

Cundard/Seabourne, Horizon, Celebrity, Silverseas, Radisson, and Windstar can afford to discourage kids - they cater to an older more affluent crowd.

As to 10 to 16 year olds being badly behaved - that is whats known as normal. It the time in their lives that kids need to develop and assert their individuality. Most of the time
they tend to be rude primarily to their parents. While not necessarily pleasant to watch its not clear why it should bother any one else. The only other group that they tend to be rude to is strangers who are seeking to act like parents.

Posts: 159 | From: New York, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

jbernard
Just Boarded
Member # 926

posted 01-01-2000 04:53 PM

Renaissance Cruises also offers an outstanding cruise experience at a very reasonable price - but they do not accept any passengers under the age of 18. My husband and I find this package particularly attractive.

Posts: 3 | From: Lafayette, LA USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

topgun2
First Class Passenger
Member # 975

posted 01-01-2000 06:04 PM

geno-r:- your point is well taken. I was recently on a cruise where the majority of parents were British. The kids that they had with them were well behaved and appeared to enjoy themselves. Maybe the problem is North American.
Tasha, I have read your response and it does not seem to have anything to do with unruly children but cranky adults. Am I missing something?

Posts: 26 | From: burlington,ont,can | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 01-01-2000 08:40 PM

OK topgun I thought you wanted my honest opinion, I didn't think I needed that. I do get annoyed by the 13 to 16 crowd but they haven't ruined my cruise experience yet. Steerage passengers on the Titanic wanted a new life in another country.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 01-01-2000 09:16 PM

Ill-behaved teenagers is probably par for the course among American families. That's one of the main reasons I don't teach high school anymore. I like teenagers, but I can't stand teenagers' parents, who seem unable or unwilling to make them obey.

I think the occasional "adults only" cruise would be an interesting experiment. However, I must say that the children on the one Carnival cruise we did seemed to be having a better time than their parents, and weren't causing trouble since they were so well monitored by the staff.

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 01-01-2000 10:56 PM

HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL -
No Kids – Cruise Lines – Top Gun Dec.31’99
At this point I think it’s a fact of life - there will probably always be unruly children on your cruise - the Line you choose is a determining factor. Disney obviously; Carnival (less obvious) but there is the 'image' of 'a younger crowd' on those lines - the younger crowd’ has (apparently) money, and, for sure, children. The fact that under 18's may not travel unchaperoned on some Lines is a step in the right direction.
Having said that, the REAL CULPRITS ARE THE PARENTS AND SOCIETY IN GENERAL.
Good manners, i.e. consideration for others, have apparently gone by the board – ‘’excuse me’, ‘ please’, ‘’ thank you’ are seldom heard. Bad behaviour, which can only be described as boorish, is tolerated – grown men wearing baseball caps (on backwards yet!) and T-shirts are seen in so-called ‘ good’ restaurants. How can we expect better of their children?
It’s a bit late to start training when children/kids become teenagers. Well trained puppies become socially acceptable dogs! Kids and puppies have much in common! You have to start training and be consistent when they are young – patience is also an asset!!
In our travels we’ve met and enjoyed many well behaved kids and teenagers.
Yes, we’d try an ‘ all adult cruise’ (we’ve enjoyed ‘ couples only’ resorts – cruising wins, hands down) but still think the bottom line is ITINERARY (a port a day is not for us), PRICE, and LINE.

P.S. Let's leave the 75+ age group for a new post - if we really need to discuss their idiosyncracies.

[This message has been edited by Green (edited 01-01-2000).]

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Lisette
First Class Passenger
Member # 282

posted 01-02-2000 10:43 AM

I agree whole heartedly with geno-r the problem is the parents not the kids, if they were brought up properly there would not be all these problems that you guys talk about. I was brought up in England and I always knew how to behave and have brought my son up the same way. My husband and I always take our son on our cruises and people always comment on how well behaved he is. So no I would not book on a cruise with no children as I would not be able to bring my son.

Posts: 32 | From: Mississauga | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 01-02-2000 10:55 AM

The "Uncontrolled Children" are the fault of the parents. I have seen 2 kids throwing french fries at each other . The Mom was sitting at the table with them but too busy in conversation to put a stop to it. Unfortunely another passager got hit with a french fry. The mom made very light of this with "they are just kids having fun".
Every been on the Norway? The revolving door to the fan tail is a nightmare when kids decide this is a toy.
Another thing that bugs me is when young children are at the late seating. They should be in bed. People should be able to enjoy dinner, and not have to listen to crying children. There should be some respect for other passagers.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 01-02-2000 12:50 PM

Unruly children are everywhere and it is not just the parents. A friend of mine is a flight attendant for an major national airline and she says that the children travelling alone are often the best behaved.

She also says that it is usually families at the back of the aircraft that are the worst. In general they check in last and end up a the back because they do not take the advice to check in 2 hrs before departure - they are pig ignorant.

One problem is that as the price of cruising decreases, it is more accessable to everyone, including those who go on rowdy package tours to Ibiza and Tenerife etc, and with those passengers comes the behaviour they are used to on vacation. I am not a snob in any way but people just expect to throw away their manners with everything else when they go on vacation.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Tasha
First Class Passenger
Member # 948

posted 01-02-2000 04:15 PM

People who sit at the back of the aircraft are pig ignorant you say, or at least your friend who is a flight attendant. I usually travel business class but from time to time I go on a business trip and use an L escape or a Q escape, these are special fares Travel Agents are allowed to use and can only be booked at the last moment. We cannot do pre booking of seats on these flights, so frequently even though we arrive EARLY at the airport we get the seats at the back of the aircraft. As far as your friends comment about the passengers a lot of flight crew could do with learning a few manners.

Posts: 18 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

topgun2
First Class Passenger
Member # 975

posted 01-02-2000 06:20 PM

Thanks to those of you that have contributed here. Unfortunately my companion has said that I must leave the computer, get back to work and make some money for the next cruise. Before the plug is pulled I"d like to add some more:
Magnum, I really am sorry that I took a cheap shot at you. I apologise
Tasha, you didnt get back on the 75 year olds. This is so bizarre that it deserves a new topic
Green I think your input says it all. Regarding the baseball cap and T shirt thing we may have an answer. A local newspaper is running a "would you believe it" column. One articles covered the baseball cap. It pointed out that if you put the peak in front ot keeps the sun out of your eyes. A few caps are now being worn peak in the front

Posts: 26 | From: burlington,ont,can | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

irishiz
Just Boarded
Member # 943

posted 01-02-2000 06:31 PM

I would definitely book a cruise with no children on it. While I don't mind well behaved kids around at times, I really hate taking the chance that this will be the case. Also, usually there are over 1000 people on a ship, with a lot of drinking going on. I just think there's too much that the kids are going to see and hear in these situations, not to mention - I think kids are given too much these days, what do they have to look forward to? I didn't go on my first cruise until I was 35 (5 years ago). If my parents had cruised, I can assure you, we would have been left at home. I don't believe this delemma will ever be resolved. I think the choice of some ships being childless is a good compromise - look at how the non-smoking ship took off!!

Posts: 6 | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 01-03-2000 11:32 AM

Tasha - I think we are all aware that you are a Travel Agent - I don't believe we're interested in the special deals available to you.
Soliciting, directly or indirectly, is a NO NO.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Tasha
First Class Passenger
Member # 948

posted 01-03-2000 12:29 PM

If you had checked on my other posting you would have seen I had apologised.

Posts: 18 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 01-03-2000 01:39 PM

Tasha, I am not talking about the new pre bookable seats. I don't think her airline do pre bookables yet, and while my comment may be seen as a stereotyping by some, it is a fact of life. It is always the last to check in are having the fights with check in staff. It is the same everywhere.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

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