Kids in "adult only" areas--GOOD DCL response

[kcashner]

Just off the 9/10-13 Wonder. It was a bit of an interesting group with many parents who seemed to think that signs, announcements, etc. didn't apply to them or who pretended to not speak English when confronted with their behavior.

The biggest issue to me was the HUGE number of kids on deck 9 forward on the first day, probably in the hundreds if you count those walking thru. There were kids IN the Cove Cafe (inside where you get the food) and on one occasion a kid IN the adult only pool. There was actually a woman who argued that this was a "kid cruise" and people who didn't like it shouldn't be on DCL! As usual, there were kids ON the stage after the shows (having been placed there by parents who were taking photos), and they did not leave after the announcement to please get off the stage--a CM actually had to come down and ask the parents to remove them.

A certain bald CD asked how the cruise was going (night 1), so I told him about the kids. He thanked me, said that they were aware and were taking steps. The next morning there were CMs at the doors to deck 9 forward by the elevators and by the sign leading to the Cove Cafe. If you happened to be an adult, they asked how your day was, etc. but if you happened to be a child or to have one with you, they politely told you that this was an adult area and effectively prevented you from entering the area. I was frankly delighted. They weren't there the following day, but they weren't really needed. The "kid traffic" on 9 forward went from probably over 100 to a very occasional walk thru child.

OH....there were also kids brought into the nightclubs after 9. In one case the CM stopped the program and joked that the child would be scarred for life if he saw how grown ups played in there. The program did not resume until the child was removed.

I could make a lot of comments about the parents who think the rules don't apply to them, but my point is that the appropriate people recognized the problem and handled it effectively.

I'm not "anti kid" and I don't expect to not see children on DCL...but I feel that kids have plenty of "their" spaces on the ship and adults should be able to enjoy their areas without children.

[DisneyCruiser2008]

That's great to hear. I'm glad DCL got things under control.... there are PLENTY of kids' activities.... they don't need to be in the adult areas and shows.

[inkkognito]

That's one of the things that I love about DCL. I don't mind kids and I know there will be plenty around on a Disney cruise, but I also want to be able to get away from them. On Royal Caribbean I never, ever once saw enforcement of an adults only area. On DCL, they actually do take steps and enforce the policy. Just one more reason why I've only done 4 on RCCL vs. 69 on DCL!

[cats mom]

I'm glad they stepped up enforcement of the adults only rule on your cruise. I think they generally do a good job of that. Always room for improvement though.

Several CM's really missed an opportunity to do so on our recent DCL trip. As I was heading to a behind the scenes presentation in the theatre I overheard an older teen telling her mom how much she wanted to come to the presentation too. Her mom said sorry, 18 and up only, DCL rules.

Unfortunately the mom of a much younger child decided the rules didn't apply to her and she brought her daughter along. This girl couldn't have been older than 11 and I heard her complaining about being bored several times.

[Subi WRX]

Great news.

Now, if DCL would just stop all the kids who check in with their parents at the adult pool that would be good too. Kids checking-in in the Quiet Cove area/pool were a little much on our last cruise. Isn't there somewhere else where you can hear "all about" your kid's last activity?

[joksten2000]

Unlike Inkkognito I've never had a problem with smoking or Kids on RCCL they do a great job of policing. Wish I could say the same for DCL I've never been on a DCL cruise that I haven't had to complain several times to get something done. They could eliminate a lot of issues if they'd enforce their policies. They should have had a CM in the adult area on day one and it would have solved the problem. There are always people that think the rules don't apply to them. Hopefully the new ships will be big enough to keep people and smokers where they belong.

When we travel with our family, we stay in the family pool area, when we travel alone we enjoy the adult area.

[PeterandTink]

I am a mom to 4...I would not hesitate to tell my kids...you cant be in here...and take them elsewhere..We didnt have any problems at all on our trips on Disney but With Carnival it was kinda frustrating to get in the hot tub and be invaded by jumping kids. Parent nowhere to around, I applaud Disney for keeping the kids out of the adult areas. These are adult areas not kid areas, If the Parents want to do the pool thing with the kids...go to the Goofy Pool..

[orlandothebeagle]

Originally Posted by kcashner

Just off the 9/10-13 Wonder. It was a bit of an interesting group with many parents who seemed to think that signs, announcements, etc. didn't apply to them or who pretended to not speak English when confronted with their behavior.

The biggest issue to me was the HUGE number of kids on deck 9 forward on the first day, probably in the hundreds if you count those walking thru. There were kids IN the Cove Cafe (inside where you get the food) and on one occasion a kid IN the adult only pool. There was actually a woman who argued that this was a "kid cruise" and people who didn't like it shouldn't be on DCL! As usual, there were kids ON the stage after the shows (having been placed there by parents who were taking photos), and they did not leave after the announcement to please get off the stage--a CM actually had to come down and ask the parents to remove them.

A certain bald CD asked how the cruise was going (night 1), so I told him about the kids. He thanked me, said that they were aware and were taking steps. The next morning there were CMs at the doors to deck 9 forward by the elevators and by the sign leading to the Cove Cafe. If you happened to be an adult, they asked how your day was, etc. but if you happened to be a child or to have one with you, they politely told you that this was an adult area and effectively prevented you from entering the area. I was frankly delighted. They weren't there the following day, but they weren't really needed. The "kid traffic" on 9 forward went from probably over 100 to a very occasional walk thru child.

OH....there were also kids brought into the nightclubs after 9. In one case the CM stopped the program and joked that the child would be scarred for life if he saw how grown ups played in there. The program did not resume until the child was removed.

I could make a lot of comments about the parents who think the rules don't apply to them, but my point is that the appropriate people recognized the problem and handled it effectively.

I'm not "anti kid" and I don't expect to not see children on DCL...but I feel that kids have plenty of "their" spaces on the ship and adults should be able to enjoy their areas without children.

Great to hear, I take my niece but she never would go where she was not meant to.

Originally Posted by PeterandTink

I am a mom to 4...I would not hesitate to tell my kids...you cant be in here...and take them elsewhere..We didnt have any problems at all on our trips on Disney but With Carnival it was kinda frustrating to get in the hot tub and be invaded by jumping kids. Parent nowhere to around, I applaud Disney for keeping the kids out of the adult areas. These are adult areas not kid areas, If the Parents want to do the pool thing with the kids...go to the Goofy Pool..

Yes, and if all parents were like us, these threads would not exist. I mean, dont they want to get away from there kids?

[clten]

I'm hoping that this is one area that was rethought on the new ships. It's hard to keep Quiet Cove quiet if it is between one of three elevators to the main outdoor deck and the family pool. It is also hard to keep it quiet if the sports deck is on the deck above it and the kids hang over the railing of deck 10 to update mom and dad on their activities on their way to/from the basketball court.

[calmpets]

When we took my stepkids on the Magic, my stepdaughter (12 at the time) literally would not cross the threshold into an adult only area. I said nothing to her about it, she obeyed the rules all on her own. If I was in the chairs on deck next to the Cove Cafe, she would wait in the doorway next to the adults only sign until I spotted her. It was actually really cute.

[MommaluvsDis]

I have a slight problem with something I saw on one of my cruises. I don't believe that it's right for a parent to come into the Cove Cafe and take the snacks out of the case and then take them to their children.

The children have plenty of things to snack on and these are for the adults to enjoy in their area.

I am curious if DCL with redesign their adult only area.

[inkkognito]

Originally Posted by calmpets

When we took my stepkids on the Magic, my stepdaughter (12 at the time) literally would not cross the threshold into an adult only area. I said nothing to her about it, she obeyed the rules all on her own. :

I swear, many of the kids are much better than their parents. On more than one occasion, while soaking in the adult hot tubs, we have seen parents bring their kids and heard the kids say, "But Moooom, this is the adult pool!" And the Entitlement Mommies say, "That's okay, sweetie, I said you can go in. Go on!" Thankfully, in such circumstances a CM has always swooped in and set them straight but sad to see what parents are teaching their kids.

[cakesnjammom]

we will be cruising with our children ages 5 and 7 and I am looking forward to the adult areas of the ship while my kids enjoy the kid areas of the ship....I do not understand why parents would want to bring their kids to the adult pool I think that is very disrespectful to cruisers who want a litle piece and quiet...so glad to know that DCl is on top of this type thing!

[mndisfam]

Sorry - have to disagree politely with one of the posters. My kids have always been allowed to come up to me and quickly tell me if there is a change in plans if I am in the adult pool or lounging. They know the rule is to keep it very quiet and under 15 seconds. They are supposed to page us, but sometimes they don't work out..

Kids walk thru the adult area all the time, so I have no problems with a child saying, AS THEY WALK THRU, "Mom - I am doing such and such now. "

I don't like it tho when I see parents and their kids take the sofas, etc for food and camp out...

Most of the kids I have seen have been way better then most of the adults. I will never forget one time at Serenity Bay - it was pitch quiet. And elderly women - maybe about 75 - in a thong, stood up and screamed, "Mom I have to pee now." We all wondered how old her mom was!!!http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/laughing.gif

[yazee1]

Thanks for posting this account of DCL doing the right thing by its guests in regards to enforcing age restrictions. I know it's not the first time (since we witnessed the same thing happening on the Magic whereas CM's were posted in adult areas) but it's the first time I remember reading a post here on the board reporting how this does happen. I wonder if the presence of CM's monitoring adult areas is not more common than people think. Afterall, who's going to take notice of what the CM's are doing if they are enjoying a child-free good time in the adult areas? It's only when our enjoyment is interfered with by the presence of children that we are going look around for the CM's.