Children are simply discouraged by the lack of children-teen activities on board.

There are too many 'one size fits all' cruises out there. If the market wants more than price wars, niche and theme cruises are necessary, even adult only cruises.

PS: the discrimination laws on age and children in the US are: age 55 and up if no children are allowed for housing. 18 and over to look at pornography, 21 and up for alcohol consumption.

I do not believe in restrictions. The product offered will filter out passengers that will not fit it.

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Originally posted by David McIntosh:
Does this mean if you have children you won't be allowed to book passage with them on the Arcadia?

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I would think it means as long as your children are over say 18 you may book passage with them.

For instance I'd be allowed to take my children as the youngest is 40.

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Originally posted by David McIntosh:
Does this mean if you have children you won't be allowed to book passage with them on the Arcadia?

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The number of reports concerning vacations that are being ruined for many by unsupervised children continues to grow.

It has become increasingly difficult to select a cruise where one will not be inconvenienced by some of these young persons.

Banning them and their parents is not an option. Providing "adults only" ships may well work.

Remember the topic " No kids on board. Would you book?". This was over a year ago and reached almost 100 posts in a few days. Over 80% of respondents thought it a great idea and would gladly have cruised on ships that banned children.

Any response to this opinion usually starts off with complaints about crabby seniors and blue rinse jobs. Sobeit, two thumbs up for P&O

However, Arcadia was built as a family ship!
While the children on my last cruise aboard Galaxy were fairly well-behaved and for the most part out of sight.... this is the exception rather than the rule. I am not a blue-haired crone, q-tip, recycled teenager, or seasoned citizen. I am 46 years old, work my fingers to the bone as a receptive tour operator... and when I go on holiday (usually cruising) I care not to see, hear or otherwise encounter anyone under the age of majority. I've sailed the "yacht-like" ships of Seabourn for the adult environment... and frankly was bored to tears. I enjoy many of the amenities the "medium-size" ships have to offer...and besides Renaissance (which is altering their kids policy) I have very little to choose from in the cruiseworld.

Cruise lines should have the authority to limit the number of children on any given cruise. I believe one Line already does on Christmas/New Year sailings. During school breaks, the number could be increased to accommodate demand.

Personally we've met some truly well behaved children and 'teens on several cruises, all accompanied and suitably chaperoned by caring adults - parents/grandparents. It's the so called adults travelling with spoiled-rotten brats who, in their eyes, can do no wrong that get to me. Anything and everything is shrugged off with 'oh, he/she is only a child' - FUDDLE DUDDLE, as a famous Canadian once said.

Of course 'adult' would have to be defined - internationally - perhaps the age at which you can vote in your country of residence.

Cruise Lines brochures do a fine job spelling out, in great detail, all you need to know about their and your responsibilities when it comes to booking, paying and cancelling - and they make those rules stick..
It is perhaps time to spell out rules and regulations concerning the behaviour of children - together with the responsibilities of accompanying adults - and make them stick.

From statistics that I have seen, more than 80% of todays cruise passengers do not travel with children.

In the case of many of us, we actively search for ships that do not have a reputation or facilities for catering to children. In my case it is to avoid the potential rowdiness that may but not necessarily occur.

Some ships/lines in the UK attract very few families. When I sailed on the 'Black Watch' to the Baltic, Olsen was actually selling it as a 'family' cruise. Out of the 800 passengers, I think I saw maybe a maximum of 10 children?

I think P&O is probably looking at Arcadia for cruises that do not typically attract families.... longer itineraries and more "exotic" ports of call. There is a good market for folks who do not want to sail with children onboard. Renaissance's past passengers, folks who need "more ship" and amenities after having tried Seabourn or Silverseas, Swan Hellenic past pax, Orient Lines past pax.... not to mention the Royal Princess and Pacific Princess fan clubs!!!!

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Originally posted by bubbles:
People who would opt for a child free zone are not child hating simply exercising their choice of holiday environment.

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