Cove Cafe is supposed to be adults only...

[Rob0519]

We booked two 1bedroom staterooms on the concierge level. Since I'm paying as much, if not more than a handful of those people, I have no problem telling them that. However, Disney will not enforce their own rules, so I have little choice but to accept I'm not getting full value for what I paid.

 

[denas]

We booked two 1bedroom staterooms on the concierge level. Since I'm paying as much, if not more than a handful of those people, I have no problem telling them that. However, Disney will not enforce their own rules, so I have little choice but to accept I'm not getting full value for what I paid.

Why on earth would you book it knowing you aren't going to be happy? Book a suite on NCL if you are already so worried about the possibility of kids walking in your area on the way to their rooms compromising the value of your special place. Lots less kids on NCL and you get special suite dining areas.

 

[wilkeliza]

Why on earth would you book it knowing you aren't going to be happy? Book a suite on NCL if you are already so worried about the possibility of kids walking in your area on the way to their rooms compromising the value of your special place. Lots less kids on NCL and you get special suite dining areas.

Our NCL cruise was full of kids and the one hot tub marked as adults only was full of kids all day long.

 

[Rob0519]

I never said I was gonig to be unhappy. I never said a child walking by was going to ruin my vacation. What I said was DCL sells those two areas as adults only. They should be treated as they treat a bar and have a CM at the entrances to the coffee shop and the pool to turn away anyone under 18 whether accompanied by a parent or not. It's their policy not mine. I have no problem with a thousand or more children running around, playing, being happy or just being children. That's what MOST of the Disney ships are and should be about. This isn't about wanting special privileges like getting your kids snacks in the coffe shop or adults wanting to play video games in the kid's club. It's simply about enforcing the policy that is in place.

 

[denas]

Our NCL cruise was full of kids and the one hot tub marked as adults only was full of kids all day long.

Not if you book a Havana suite or spa suite. They have private courtyards with keyed entries and you can't book kids in the spa rooms. I'm just saying if you are so opposed to kids walking in front of you going to their rooms, there are other options for the same price as 2 concierge bedroom suites where you are guaranteed to have no kids.

To have already decided your cruise will be ruined and value lost because kids might walk in front of you may make Disney a poor option. They may advertise adults only spaces but they don't guarantee that you won't see kids. Or rude rule breakers. In fact I have found that Disney tends to bring out the entitlement mentality in lots of people because the cruises and parks are so expensive and people have paid and saved so much, they are pretty determined not to let anyone interfere with what they want, that includes rules on coffee, lines they won't wait in, etc

 

[robin19871]

I never said I was gonig to be unhappy. I never said a child walking by was going to ruin my vacation. What I said was DCL sells those two areas as adults only. They should be treated as they treat a bar and have a CM at the entrances to the coffee shop and the pool to turn away anyone under 18 whether accompanied by a parent or not. It's their policy not mine. I have no problem with a thousand or more children running around, playing, being happy or just being children. That's what MOST of the Disney ships are and should be about. This isn't about wanting special privileges like getting your kids snacks in the coffe shop or adults wanting to play video games in the kid's club. It's simply about enforcing the policy that is in place.

DCL policy is that no one under the age of 18 is allowed in the pool.. It is not their policy that someone under the age of 18 can't walk through to get to their cabin. That is never going to change being that the Cove Pool is located right outside the entrance to the concierge rooms. Bad design on DCL's part when they designed the ship but they can't change it now.

 

[wilkeliza]

Not if you book a Havana suite or spa suite. They have private courtyards with keyed entries and you can't book kids in the spa rooms. I'm just saying if you are so opposed to kids walking in front of you going to their rooms, there are other options for the same price as 2 concierge bedroom suites where you are guaranteed to have no kids.

To have already decided your cruise will be ruined and value lost because kids might walk in front of you may make Disney a poor option. They may advertise adults only spaces but they don't guarantee that you won't see kids. Or rude rule breakers. In fact I have found that Disney tends to bring out the entitlement mentality in lots of people because the cruises and parks are so expensive and people have paid and saved so much, they are pretty determined not to let anyone interfere with what they want, that includes rules on coffee, lines they won't wait in, etc

I'm not the op who you were originally talking to. Kids walking through won't ruin my vacation but if they see me drinking or hear the fword or bword out of my mouth that is on their parents and trust me curse words aren't the worst I've heard in the adults only areas.

The policy actually isn't simply the pool it is the whole area but DCL recognizes as many of us do here that a small child being ushered through isn't that big of a deal.

 

[MrsScooby]

I have actually been on the Magic twice and never knew they had coffee on the lower decks - I know, shame on me, I have waited in some long lines on port days. Then again, before you knock me down too much, I can solemnly swear I have never taken my kids into the Cove Cafe, so hopefully I won't be the object of too much ire!

Thanks for politely pointing out there is coffee down there as well, good to know for the next time.

I honestly think that if having a kid walk through the adult pool area or wait in line while the parent grabs a drink is the downfall of your vacation, you're probably in the wrong place.

First...chill out. You're on vacation...are you really going to let a kid walking by or whatever ruin your hard earned money's worth of time looking at a beautiful ocean? If you really want that exclusive adults area...be warned that you may NOT get it on DCL...accept it.

Second...there are plenty of options for families to do...so knowingly don't drag them into adults only areas.

Your post makes a lot of sense. One has to be reasonable in these situations. While I want the adult-only areas respected and I in turn respect the kids-only areas, there are going to be instances where it's simply not realistic. For instance I don't expect anyone to have to walk up or down a deck to avoid the adults-only pool. That is unreasonable. Just walk through but do so politely and keep the noise down. Regarding the Cova Cafe, if there are alternatives which allow children that offer the same beverages, then use those alternatives.

The problem is when rules start getting ignored even when it seems harmless, it usually leads to bigger problems and more rule breaking by others. If a family sees kids in the Cova Cafe even just standing and waiting for their parents to order a drink, they think "why can't we go in there" and that is when the problems begin. So many people have the mentality where they can't stand anyone getting something they don't have. Anyway it's why the rules are in place to begin with.

Exactly, where do you draw the line
In the case I posted about another parent walked in with her daughter right after the first Mom left with her daughters. People see one person doing it they assume that it is ok for all.

Let's see..... if Disney cruise line advertises their cruises to all families (including the ones without children) and adults only and it offers adults only areas then that is exactly what it should offer and enforce, and that is exactly what I expect when I book with them.

As others have said, there is enough ship for everyone.

I'm not the op who you were originally talking to. Kids walking through won't ruin my vacation but if they see me drinking or hear the fword or bword out of my mouth that is on their parents and trust me curse words aren't the worst I've heard in the adults only areas.

The policy actually isn't simply the pool it is the whole area but DCL recognizes as many of us do here that a small child being ushered through isn't that big of a deal.

I am the OP, and the situation I was referring to in my original post involved a Mom who came into the Cove Café with her 2 daughters after we did, placed her order after ours and was served before us. Based on the nasty look she sent me (no one behind me and we had direct eye contact) and the frantic manner in which the 2 CMs behind the bar were working to make her drinks I gathered she was a Diva willingly to make a scene to get her way. She knew full well we were there first and that we were waiting for our order as well. And the drinks her little girls received were not chocolate milk drinks, but frozen drinks that required some time and blenders to make and thus she was in the Café for more than a quick drink. After a while her daughters starting dancing around a bit when they got bored watching the CMs make the drinks. I just smiled at them and didn't say a word.
Honestly, I would not put my kids in that situation as it would be embarrassing to them to be confronted by a CM or another passenger telling them they were breaking a rule let alone send them the wrong message about disregarding signs that indicate you don't belong there.

So you see it is more than just walking somewhere you don't belong. It didn't ruin my cruise. I teach my children manners and to wait their turn and that the adult areas are special and available to them when they turn 18. Clearly this particular woman I encountered doesn't.

I just thought I would share the irony that not only did my son have to wait many years to be old enough to enter Cove Café that he also had to give up his turn so that this woman's 2 little girls could get their drinks first.

Gotta thank everyone for making this thread so long
Pretty sure it will catch the attention of DCL now

 

[wilkeliza]

Exactly, where do you draw the line
In the case I posted about another parent walked in with her daughter right after the first Mom left with her daughters. People see one person doing it they assume that it is ok for all.



I am the OP, and the situation I was referring to in my original post involved a Mom who came into the Cove Café with her 2 daughters after we did, placed her order after ours and was served before us. Based on the nasty look she sent me (no one behind me and we had direct eye contact) and the frantic manner in which the 2 CMs behind the bar were working to make her drinks I gathered she was a Diva willingly to make a scene to get her way. She knew full well we were there first and that we were waiting for our order as well. And the drinks her little girls received were not chocolate milk drinks, but frozen drinks that required some time and blenders to make and thus she was in the Café for more than a quick drink. After a while her daughters starting dancing around a bit when they got bored watching the CMs make the drinks. I just smiled at them and didn't say a word.
Honestly, I would not put my kids in that situation as it would be embarrassing to them to be confronted by a CM or another passenger telling them they were breaking a rule let alone send them the wrong message about disregarding signs that indicate you don't belong there.

So you see it is more than just walking somewhere you don't belong. It didn't ruin my cruise. I teach my children manners and to wait their turn and that the adult areas are special and available to them when they turn 18. Clearly this particular woman I encountered doesn't.

I just thought I would share the irony that not only did my son have to wait many years to be old enough to enter Cove Café that he also had to give up his turn so that this woman's 2 little girls could get their drinks first.

Gotta thank everyone for making this thread so long
Pretty sure it will catch the attention of DCL now

Sorry my post got mixed up in here. Someone told someone else to go to NCL and I said when I was on NCL it was actually worse with the adult hot tub always full of kids. I was just trying to point out that going to another cruiseline doesn't always help.

I'm on your side. Kids don't belong in Cove Cafe. They can go to one of the other places to get specialty drinks.

 

[Miumiu4me]

Sorry my post got mixed up in here. Someone told someone else to go to NCL and I said when I was on NCL it was actually worse with the adult hot tub always full of kids. I was just trying to point out that going to another cruiseline doesn't always help. I'm on your side. Kids don't belong in Cove Cafe. They can go to one of the other places to get specialty drinks.

NCL doesn't enforce adult only areas - period. I remember one little girl swam laps in the hot tub. she spoke no English, so her parents may have had no idea the area was adults only.

 

[Marypoppins14]

I have been following this thread with interest.

As indicated by my username, I love children. I have dedicated my life to children. I love newborns and infants and toddlers and preschoolers and school aged kids and adolescents and children (of all ages) at heart.

I love my own child more than I can possibly describe.

But I do not want to see any children in Cove Cafe or Palo or Remy. Ever. Not even my own darling, whom I have taught to respect boundaries, as good boundaries actually promote freedom, contrary to the belief of the entitled folks whom fail to see that their decision to do as they please, whenever they please, encroaches upon the "freedom" of people around them. That freedom and responsibility cannot be separated, but are inextricably intertwined.

So, when I see children in the Cove Cafe, I stare, long and hard, at the parent/grandparent/whomever has brought the child into the space where they are not invited, and do not belong. Sometimes I even tilt my head to the side, with the "really?" Expression on my face. But I don't say a word, not even if they glare at me or make a disgruntled comment toward me. I keep my lips pursed. Just stare. Seems to clear them out in a hurry.

I love the power of silence.

Bummer is that the baristas seem completly stuck. I really really wish that DCL would come down hard on folks that encroach the adults only spaces.

If it gets too ridiculous, I'll go elsewhere. No worries. Other places to spend my hard earned cash.

Anyway, thanks for the great read!

 

[MrsScooby]

Sorry my post got mixed up in here. Someone told someone else to go to NCL and I said when I was on NCL it was actually worse with the adult hot tub always full of kids. I was just trying to point out that going to another cruiseline doesn't always help.

I'm on your side. Kids don't belong in Cove Cafe. They can go to one of the other places to get specialty drinks.

Oh no, I didn't have a problem with what you wrote. You just said you weren't the OP and then stated your opinion and so I thought I would use the moment to clear things up a bit.
I find it fascinating how the thread turns into the game of telephone. I felt I needed to clarify the situation I was referring to as being more than just someone walking through the adult area and even more than someone getting a quick coffee drink with child in tow. I knew when I posted that I would hit a nerve with a few people and that they would get very defensive trying to minimize the issue. I think the problem is that when we just ignore people bending the rules that this seems to encourage even more outrageous behavior from others.
Especially with Cove Café, people see kids go in and figure that the rule isn't enforced and then it becomes a regular habit.

Sorry if it came off as I was lecturing you as that was not my intention

 

[SheliaA]

Brava! Well said!

 

[tink1970]

I love DCL, I love cruising and I love my daughter (13).

However, when I am in an Adults Only area, whether it is the tiny pool, Cove Cafe, Serenity Bay, Remy, or the Rainforest-it is probably because I'd like a break from those under 18. Disney has marketed these areas as Adults Only and I believed them.

However, the rules are inconsistently enforced (I've experienced children in all areas listed except Remy). So, after my next cruises are taken (already booked), my DH and I will likely check out Seabourn, SilverSea or P&O. Sometimes you have to vote with your feet (and wallet) as it's been recommended by some.

 

[diznefamily]

I have been following this thread with interest. As indicated by my username, I love children. I have dedicated my life to children. I love newborns and infants and toddlers and preschoolers and school aged kids and adolescents and children (of all ages) at heart. I love my own child more than I can possibly describe. But I do not want to see any children in Cove Cafe or Palo or Remy. Ever. Not even my own darling, whom I have taught to respect boundaries, as good boundaries actually promote freedom, contrary to the belief of the entitled folks whom fail to see that their decision to do as they please, whenever they please, encroaches upon the "freedom" of people around them. That freedom and responsibility cannot be separated, but are inextricably intertwined. So, when I see children in the Cove Cafe, I stare, long and hard, at the parent/grandparent/whomever has brought the child into the space where they are not invited, and do not belong. Sometimes I even tilt my head to the side, with the "really?" Expression on my face. But I don't say a word, not even if they glare at me or make a disgruntled comment toward me. I keep my lips pursed. Just stare. Seems to clear them out in a hurry. I love the power of silence. Bummer is that the baristas seem completly stuck. I really really wish that DCL would come down hard on folks that encroach the adults only spaces. If it gets too ridiculous, I'll go elsewhere. No worries. Other places to spend my hard earned cash. Anyway, thanks for the great read!

Completely agree!!! For those who stated they do not mind a kid coming in quickly and quietly for a drink, at what point would you mind, 1 child, 5, 10, 50, or once 500 children are lined up quietly to receive a drink in the adult only area. There are rules for a reason and I have taught my children to obey them. My son just went on his 6th Disney cruise and for the first time was able to go into the adult areas since he was over 18. He earned that right and waited patiently for that right. The annoyance is directed as much towards the selfish adults impeding on the adults right to an adult only area by allowing their children, regardless of age, into the adult only area. I too hope that the CM's were more forceful with the rules. Maybe if adults started invading the vibe and other children's only areas then they would understand that rules are in place for a reason...

Let the flames begin.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[jcota]

The no children in Cove cafe is one I agree with.. HOWEVER, I can't believe that you think that kids should not walk through that area to get to an elevator.. Just in case you did not know, You have to walk through the side of the adult pool to get through the Concierge cabins.. I would be damned if someone suggested to my child to go down an elevator just to walk across the ship and go back up to avoid being seen. If you have a problem with kids walking through to get to their concierge cabins then I suggest you take it up with the people that designed the ship.

My family stay Concierge when we cruise. Are we better than anyone else? Nope I am just a regular guy who wants to have fun on vacation. If I spend 15 grand on a cruise that is my business. If I have some uptight bozo who is going to complain because I am going up the stairs to get to my cabin, where I have to access in the "adult area" well I am gently going to tell him to get bent, and show him my nicest finger available.

 

[vakamalua]

However, the rules are inconsistently enforced (I've experienced children in all areas listed except Remy). So, after my next cruises are taken (already booked), my DH and I will likely check out Seabourn, SilverSea or P&O. Sometimes you have to vote with your feet (and wallet) as it's been recommended by some.

I completely agree. As empty nesters, we have one more DCL cruise in six weeks but then we will take our cruise dollars where the ships are quite small and upscale, where we do not have to glare at misbehaving children and their indifferent parents who don't respect rules and other passengers, and our overpriced fares are not subsidizing all the children's areas and staff.

 

[lelalittlelegs]

I have been reading this thread and wanted to comment. I completely agree that adult only areas should be just that, adult only areas and while I hate people who can't follow rules and parents who think rules don't apply to their children, I am surprised by the amount of people who would opt to glare at the children rather than approach the CM. In the OPs case there is absolutely no way I would have let them serve the woman with the children before me if I had ordered first (irrespective of whether the other person had children with her). The parent was wrong, absolutely, but in this case the CM was no better because by not only serving this woman but by serving her first, they are setting a precedent and that's what will be conveyed to other parents on board... "Take Junior into Cove Cafe and grab that coffee, it's no problem"... I will be the first to admit that I will approach anyone and that I do not believe in the power of silence. I don't try to intimidate. I just state the facts. You aren't supposed to be here and you (CM) are supposed to be enforcing that. Would you allow a member of staff to not enforce the rules in some other area of your life? Say a patron starts smoking inside your favourite restaurant? Or the baker in the cake shop spits in your food? Perhaps more offensive than kids in an adult only area but still against the rules. Yes parents should abide by the rules, yes there are signs that clearly state it's an adult only area, no the 16 year old coffee addict should not be in there but ALSO the CM needs a refresher course in how to firmly and fairly enforce the adults only rule because I guarantee you a child would never make it inside Remy or Palo so clearly staff are aware of how to adequately ensure this rule is followed.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I honestly think that if having a kid walk through the adult pool area or wait in line while the parent grabs a drink is the downfall of your vacation, you're probably in the wrong place.

First...chill out. You're on vacation...are you really going to let a kid walking by or whatever ruin your hard earned money's worth of time looking at a beautiful ocean? If you really want that exclusive adults area...be warned that you may NOT get it on DCL...accept it.

It's not going to ruin my vacation. To be honest, after 5-10 minutes I wouldn't even remember it really. However it's more about the fact that it is an 18 and over area. Children and families have access to 95% of the ships guest areas. They don't need to access the adult section. I don't care if they are walking through the area. We always stay concierge and use the adult pool. We saw plenty of kids walking through with their parents and I didn't really mind (they weren't staying there) But that section is for adults only.

 

[4 The Love Of Disney]

I've been enjoying reading this thread as it reminds me of all the additional 'rules' that I've seen disney cruisers break

- adults smoking just outside of the no smoking area
- adults and kids saving deck loungers/chairs with towels
- adults packing liquor, etc in luggage and not their carry on
- adults late to get back onboard at a port

Then there are the other infractions I've read about, but not seen:

- people stealing towels and other items from stateroom
- people sneaking off with a plate or cutlery from animators palate
- drunk and disorderly adults
- people saving rows of chairs for those who do not want to wait in the theatres
- kids stealing from other peoples fish extenders
- people who board the ship sick
- dress code violations where applicable

Then there are the 'just plain rude or inconsiderate' people category:

- people berating / chastising CM's
- people budding in lines
- adults showing up last minute to the shows or deck parties and parking themselves and their children in front of people who have been patiently sitting and waiting for a while.
- parents who allow their children to misbehave in restaurants
- people who litter
- loud children running in halls

I agree with a lot of the previous posters, from it is the parents responsibilities to parent their children - children and adults need to follow the rules.

I feel sorry for the underpaid CM who has to police and pick up after the adults and children who are just when it comes right down to it inconsiderate of others. But it is the job they chose and if part of their job is to police after us selfish, inconsiderate cruisers then that is their job.

Too bad the CM's aren't armed with the resource like a demerit point system - i.e. if a CM catches a rule infractor they have the power to reduce someone's castaway club status. Or give a fine right to someone's onboard account. Maybe then people will start being considerate of rules and other people. Otherwise people will just continue to break rules, because these days following rules only seem to matter to people when it affects their own wallets.

That's the society we live in today, in my opinion