Adults Only areas

[PrincessShmoo]

This. If NCL allows it, then perhaps that's the line the OP should stick with. Unless her "older looking" 16 year old looks 30+. I'd expect to be asked for the card.

I have seen them ask for KTTW cards in the adult pool area (on the Magic and on the Dream) and ask those either under 18 to leave or if they just don't have their card to get it and bring it back. (In the latter case, the 2 girls left - I think one was legitimately allowed but the other wasn't and so "didn't have her card" because they left and didn't come back.) It was done very professionally - the requesting the card.

When we took our then 19 year old on a cruise, he was carded every time he came into Quiet Cove - for the first 3 days. Then, I suppose, they "knew" who he was and he wasn't carded again.

Also, on that same cruise, one night we went into Diversions and there were a couple of (obviously) under 18s sitting in the back corner table. They were asked to leave. They did, but once the CM behind the bar went back to work, they snuck back in, and actually hid under the table in the back. I'm not sure he actually saw them, or someone one commented on it, but they were asked to leave again, after checking their cruise cards (maybe to make a record?).

 

[cvjw]

Those of us without kids like having an area that is adults only and actually enforced though. NCL handles this very poorly IMO and your example provides more evidence of that.

I’m in the process of planning a Disney cruise and everyone has assured me that DCL is pretty good at enforcing their adult only areas.

I have no issue seeing well behaved children in areas of the ship where they are allowed but they don’t belong in the adult areas.

DCL is great about keeping the adult areas for adults. There are PLENTY of spaces on the ships that are kid friendly. Many more than are adult only. Lots of adult only couples sail Disney - us included. If kids were allowed in the adult only areas, we would not sail on a Disney ship again.

 

[sadiecatie]

I don’t understand why it’s complicated or why anyone would be angsty about the adult-only areas - of course except for those with a strong sense of entitlement (“I shouldn’t have to follow this rule because I don’t like it!”). As someone who travels with my kid, I appreciate having adult only areas (and she gets it too - the kids have their own special spaces that are just for them, and so do the adults). There are so many spaces on the ship that are open to everyone, it just doesn’t seem like it should be a big deal.

 

[Flcruising]

I don’t understand why it’s complicated or why anyone would be angsty about the adult-only areas - of course except for those with a strong sense of entitlement (“I shouldn’t have to follow this rule because I don’t like it!”). As someone who travels with my kid, I appreciate having adult only areas (and she gets it too - the kids have their own special spaces that are just for them, and so do the adults). There are so many spaces on the ship that are open to everyone, it just doesn’t seem like it should be a big deal.

You wonder why they feel entitled. Perhaps you could ask the ones who are on this discussion. See if they can give you the answer to your question.

 

[Disneyfam854]

For me it is not a feeling of “entitlement”. There have been times in the Trivia sessions in pubs that initially we genuinely did not realize it was marked as 18+ so my kids (who are older teens and sitting with us quietly) were asked to leave. We did not make any issue of it (never have, never will), but later saw younger kids in the same trivia and others. My kids have frequently been denied access to Vibe because it was at capacity, and on most occasions prefer trivia if given the chance.

We do not try to use the adult pools and the adult only evening activities with my teens, so I cannot speak to those. I know those can be very adult oriented. But I recall once when walking through from elevators to go to mid deck, I have specifically heard comments directed at us stating “ I thought this was adult only” with an ugly scowl. I can do without the snark. And I agree the cast members are fantastic at dealing with the situations appropriately when indicated, so leave it to them to address.

I just don’t like to split my family up on a vacation if not necessary and when it is not consistently enforced, it is frustrating. That is an issue adult only cruisers may not realize some are dealing with. They can participate in all activities together if wanted, whereas we have to split up some time unexpectedly.

Me and my husband have cruised Disney without the kids as well, and I never was bothered by kids walking through or felt entitled to make comments to others that they were in the wrong area. I know if I am on a Disney cruise or Disney vacation it is part of the package. That is why I did not do a Disney honeymoon.

 

[Chirple]

For me it is not a feeling of “entitlement”. There have been times in the Trivia sessions in pubs that initially we genuinely did not realize it was marked as 18+ so my kids (who are older teens and sitting with us quietly) were asked to leave. We did not make any issue of it (never have, never will), but later saw younger kids in the same trivia and others. My kids have frequently been denied access to Vibe because it was at capacity, and on most occasions prefer trivia if given the chance.

I just don’t like to split my family up on a vacation if not necessary and when it is not consistently enforced, it is frustrating. That is an issue adult only cruisers may not realize some are dealing with. They can participate in all activities together if wanted, whereas we have to split up some time unexpectedly.

It might seem like I am picking on you specifically; I promise I am not.

The Navigator app does indicate which activities are 18+ and which are for all ages. You can even filter it so you see only what's available to all ages.

If you don't want to split up your family, choose the all ages activities; there are more than enough that you sometimes have to make the choice which is more important.

 

[hethj7]

FWIW, we just got off the Wish. I didn't pay much attention during the day on which events in the bars were for all ages, but did see an older teen with her family politely be asked to leave the Rose while were were in there. They was not an event going on, my wife and I were just enjoying a cocktail.

I have 3 daughters who are well behaved, but we follow the rules. Even around well behaved kids, I realized on this last cruise that when it was just my wife and I, I did find myself somewhat annoyed by kids in adult areas having "kid conversations" with their parents. The conversations were typical of our family conversations and appropriate, but there is something that breaks up the atmosphere when the kid next to you is asking a million "why this", "what is that" questions vs. general adult oriented conversations filling in the background noise.

 

[Dug720]

My kids have frequently been denied access to Vibe because it was at capacity,

That contradicts what has commonly been stated on these boards that they will not allow bookings for children/teens once those clubs could be at capacity. Very interesting.

I'm not disbelieving you; I just find it interesting that others have been told and have reported that once a club is at capacity bookings with those in that age group aren't allowed.

 

[Dug720]

did see an older teen with her family politely be asked to leave the Rose while were were in there.

As The Rose is adult-exclusive, that is what should have happened. Glad to know it is enforced.

 

[nancipants]

As someone who travels with my kid, I appreciate having adult only areas (and she gets it too - the kids have their own special spaces that are just for them, and so do the adults). There are so many spaces on the ship that are open to everyone, it just doesn’t seem like it should be a big deal.

This. We cruised a lot before my son was born, and our last cruise was the first time he was old enough for the kids club. When he went there, we did adult trivia or went to the adult pool, and trust me, the LAST thing I wanted to see when I was on a “mom” break was other kids.

 

[Disneyfam854]

That contradicts what has commonly been stated on these boards that they will not allow bookings for children/teens once those clubs could be at capacity. Very interesting.

I'm not disbelieving you; I just find it interesting that others have been told and have reported that once a club is at capacity bookings with those in that age group aren't allowed.

I will add that this occurred on a couple of our sailings post COVID after resuming sailing- so this may have been the issue. Did not happen on our most recent.

 

[Disneyfam854]

I will add that this occurred post COVID shortly after resuming sailing- so this may have been the issue.

It might seem like I am picking on you specifically; I promise I am not.

The Navigator app does indicate which activities are 18+ and which are for all ages. You can even filter it so you see only what's available to all ages.

If you don't want to split up your family, choose the all ages activities; there are more than enough that you sometimes have to make the choice which is more important.

The Navigator app does indicate which activities are 18+ and which are for all ages. You can even filter it so you see only what's available to all ages

This is exactly my frustration- it is not always enforced. We have split our activities only to see other kids in these activities that are marked 18+

This is exactly my frustration- it is not always enforced. We have split our activities only to see other kids in these activities that are marked 18+

 

[Disneyfam854]

Do not feel picked on at all- just feel several are missing my point that it is a frustration, not that I am trying to break the rules.

 

[mmouse37]

Yup, I am aware of the app noting the 18+ in the event- we made sure to check when we saw minors present at each event after our kids were asked to leave. (My internal Karen moments, as I never actually complain other than to my husband and now the disboards). I stand by my lack of consistency comment.

I know Cove Cafe is in adult area, however I frequently have seen kids go in with parent. I do not have issue with this but apparently many adults do. This is one location I do not understand why it is considered/in adult exclusive area.

On the Dream/Fantasy there is a family friendly coffee area on Deck 4 called Vista Cafe. Every age is welcomed there. I agree with your view of inconsistency. Sometimes, in Cove Cafe I have seen CM's ask minors to leave and other times, like recently on the Dream in October, I saw parents with a child in a stroller sitting down enjoying their coffees inside....not just picking up but staying there. I was there for at least 20 minutes and never saw anyone approach them to leave. I was pretty surprised at that.

MJ

 

[Chirple]

Yup, I am aware of the app noting the 18+ in the event- we made sure to check when we saw minors present at each event after our kids were asked to leave. (My internal Karen moments, as I never actually complain other than to my husband and now the disboards). I stand by my lack of consistency comment.

I somehow missed this until the previous poster quoted you.

If you are aware that the app indicates 18+ for certain activities and yet brought your under 18s to said activity, why? This goes out as a general "you" question. You have to check the app to know when and where onboard activities were taking place.

I guess I'm still salty about the entitled shrieking mother all those years ago.

edited for typo

 

[lanejudy]

others have been told and have reported that once a club is at capacity bookings with those in that age group aren't allowed.

Actually, my understanding is that capacity of the physical space of any of the kids' "clubs" is different from booking capacity for an age group. It is expected that not ALL onboard will be present in the physical space at the same time. I have often heard of the nursery being full and on rare occasions the Club/Lab, though usually a short (15 min.) wait and someone leaves allowing another to enter. PP is the first I've read of Vibe being full. Not doubting it happened, but unlikely to be a common occurrence.

Many people probably interpret the booking capacity to mean the same as the physical kids' spaces, but I believe it is somewhat higher.

 

[Disneyfam854]

I somehow missed this until the previous poster quoted you.

If you are aware that the app indicates 18+ for certain activities and yet brought your under 18s to said activity, why? This goes out as a general "you" question. You have to check the app to know when and where onboard activities were taking place.

I guess I'm still salty about the entitled shrieking mother all those years ago.

edited for typo

Believe I addressed this in post after (#45) that initially we genuinely were not aware- we are fully aware of now. Everyone is a first time cruiser at one point.

 

[SeattleSuz]

Not sure what people don't understand about the two words "Adults Only". If you don't like the rules find another cruise line.

It's fine. It's not a huge deal. I was just trying to gauge the enforcement is all. I am sure we will be fine hanging out her at the kids sections.

 

[SeattleSuz]

This. If NCL allows it, then perhaps that's the line the OP should stick with. Unless their "older looking" 16 year old looks 30+. I'd expect to be asked for the card.

I have seen them ask for KTTW cards in the adult pool area (on the Magic and on the Dream) and ask those either under 18 to leave or if they just don't have their card to get it and bring it back. (In the latter case, the 2 girls left - I think one was legitimately allowed but the other wasn't and so "didn't have her card" because they left and didn't come back.) It was done very professionally - the requesting the card.

I get it. I am sure the Fantasy will be fine for us on our two at sea days with their plentiful family activities on board.

 

[SeattleSuz]

Do not feel picked on at all- just feel several are missing my point that it is a frustration, not that I am trying to break the rules.

I totally get it. I too would be frustrated at the lack of consistency in enforcement...