Cove Cafe is supposed to be adults only...

[bbn1122]

I do not know about the Cove Cafe, but on my 2011 Dream cruise kids in adult area was awful. It was a 3 day and the first day was really bad, the 2nd day too, finally on the 3rd day there was a CM hanging out making sure the kids stayed out......stayed out of the pool...hot tub etc,

I experience a father inviting his 3 kids into the hot tub. I spoke up and said this is adults only area and he gave me a give me a beak answer. I told a CM. I also experience a women coming thru with her husband and two kids. When her husband stopped at the bar to get a drink, she sat down with the kids and proceeded to let her son play in the pool.

The elevator location does not help. I will be on the Dream again in August, hopefully things will be better.

 

[jcota]

This is going to blow some of your minds so hold on ... On my last cruise, I had a nice spot all reserved to watch the fireworks show on the ship. Some not so nice family from back east, the accents gave them away took our seats as soon as I walked away. I even went back to the table and politely removed my belongings from the table. I was walking back to the room with my daughter when my host asked me what was wrong. I told him what had taken place and he simply said follow me. He took my family right up the steps in the "adult area" and told my family to enjoy the show.

About 5 minutes later, some grump who watched us come up and was given the seats started making noise about having my daughter on the top deck. He went to a bartender to complain. I had a bartender come up to me and asked me to leave the area because of my daughter. I told them my Concierge Host placed me in the location after another issue downstairs. He then asked who placed me in the location, and I gently replied "Danny". He apologized for any problems and then went to talk to the person that was throwing the fit.

I would have never asked to be place there since my daughter is a child. But when my host put me there, I am not going to ask questions.

 

[tinkerone]

Sorry, I'm exactly the opposite. I believe it is not the CMs job to enforce rules, it is the passenger's job to follow them.

your right, a passenger should follow the rules however if they don't, and we have established that sometimes this happens, then your saying the cm should not enforce the rule, that its not their job? thats like saying you shouldn't speed but since you do the police should just let it go.

contrary to some previous thoughts it is possible to not know cove cafe is adults only so i don't want to think that its always because a parent is being self indulgent. maybe i'm wrong and i'm okay with that. i've been wrong before, i'll be wrong again. i do hope its not just people being selfish. i do hope the cm's continue to enforce the rules.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

What's the big deal? Kids got their shakes and left - simmer down.

That goes for most of you "adults" on a Disney cruise - yes there will be kids around - even in the adult areas. Let the CM"s handle it - if you still have an issue maybe try a princess or royal cruise.

Better yet - don't rant on a message board annonymously.

You need a snickers.

 

[emilymad]

This is disappointing to read. We have our first DCL cruise booked for September. One of the reasons we are trying DCL is for the enforcement of the adult areas. This is one of the things Disney pushes so they need to follow through on the ships.

 

[momof2n2]

This is going to blow some of your minds so hold on ... On my last cruise, I had a nice spot all reserved to watch the fireworks show on the ship. Some not so nice family from back east, the accents gave them away took our seats as soon as I walked away. I even went back to the table and politely removed my belongings from the table. I was walking back to the room with my daughter when my host asked me what was wrong. I told him what had taken place and he simply said follow me. He took my family right up the steps in the "adult area" and told my family to enjoy the show. About 5 minutes later, some grump who watched us come up and was given the seats started making noise about having my daughter on the top deck. He went to a bartender to complain. I had a bartender come up to me and asked me to leave the area because of my daughter. I told them my Concierge Host placed me in the location after another issue downstairs. He then asked who placed me in the location, and I gently replied "Danny". He apologized for any problems and then went to talk to the person that was throwing the fit. I would have never asked to be place there since my daughter is a child. But when my host put me there, I am not going to ask questions.

Glad you got to see the fireworks!
Glad your host realized some rules can be bent when needed.

 

[wilkeliza]

This is going to blow some of your minds so hold on ... On my last cruise, I had a nice spot all reserved to watch the fireworks show on the ship. Some not so nice family from back east, the accents gave them away took our seats as soon as I walked away. I even went back to the table and politely removed my belongings from the table. I was walking back to the room with my daughter when my host asked me what was wrong. I told him what had taken place and he simply said follow me. He took my family right up the steps in the "adult area" and told my family to enjoy the show.

About 5 minutes later, some grump who watched us come up and was given the seats started making noise about having my daughter on the top deck. He went to a bartender to complain. I had a bartender come up to me and asked me to leave the area because of my daughter. I told them my Concierge Host placed me in the location after another issue downstairs. He then asked who placed me in the location, and I gently replied "Danny". He apologized for any problems and then went to talk to the person that was throwing the fit.

I would have never asked to be place there since my daughter is a child. But when my host put me there, I am not going to ask questions.

If you were on the steps I would have no issue. It isn't really the adults only area until you get to the bottom deck (deck 12?) and then the other adult only area is forward on deck 13. Whoever said something to that and during the fireworks is just a grump. I don't think your conceirge would have put you on the actual adults only area.

 

[jcota]

If you were on the steps I would have no issue. It isn't really the adults only area until you get to the bottom deck (deck 12?) and then the other adult only area is forward on deck 13. Whoever said something to that and during the fireworks is just a grump. I don't think your conceirge would have put you on the actual adults only area.

We were placed in the adult area on the forward section of deck 13. It was a table of 4 that was not occupied. He said have fun watching the fireworks

 

[Zeppelin]

I don't mind parents quickly ushering their little ones through the adult pool area to get to the regular pool area but the problem starts when they let Jr splash around in the adult pool, they bring a screaming kid through, or the stop and try to have lunch there because there were no tables let on the all access side.

I must say though every cruise we have been the CMs have not let kids linger for more than 5 minutes (just enough time for kids to check in with a guardian) and have always asked them to leave and are persistent in it.

i've seen this before- though the kid wasn't screaming....a little (3YO?) hanging out in the pool with the adults....i was passing through for some "sight seeing" but hung around a bit and thought it was strange no one said anything...

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I've been on 13 cruises so far and on just about every one of them I have seen CMs ask parents to leave with their children. I really don't think anyone minds parents with their children or even unescorted children walking through.

However, just because you have a well behaved baby does not mean you can sit and say a while. Yes, I've seen it happen quite often.

I asked and the "official" unofficial is that children can accompany adults inside the Cove Cafe for drink order pick up but may not sit anywhere and linger.

The daily treats in the displays are for adult enjoyment.

That said, if I see a child enjoying the adult area I simply go tell a CM. They take care of it immediately.

 

[MrsScooby]

Which ship where you on? I realized on the Dream we saw this problem but never experienced it on the Fantasy because there is a family cafe on deck 4 that I believe isn't on the Dream.

It was the Wonder. And yes the Family café is great on the Fantasy and we have used that one frequently on our last trip.

My heart goes out to you -- I would have been really frustrated.

Your son has a kind heart, I think -- I don't know him obviously but just a guess -- and didn't want to make a fuss. I can understand that.

But honestly, I feel like people who behave in this way are the ones who started the "fuss" by ignoring rules. When there are children in the adult-only areas on the Disney cruise ships, there is nothing wrong with an adult speaking up and pointing that out to a CM. OP, I hope there isn't a "next time", but if there is, you would be absolutely right to approach the CM about this. In my experience when I did so, they did then enforce the rules. If they had not, I would have insisted.

It's baffling. The rules for adult-only areas are the same as the rules for the child-only areas. If I want to take my 40ish self down to the Oceaneer Club and play, is that okay? Obviously not.

Thanks, my son can be a very sweet kid and he hates confrontations. I kept silent at the time for his sake. Not that I planned on making a scene. I thought about finding another CM to say something to them but then thought I would get the CM making the drinks in trouble which felt wrong also. I did make a comment on the survey card and I do plan to email DCL again to mention it as well.

OP: Perhaps the parent didn't know the Cove Cafe was just for adults? I'm sorry it sucked the specialness out of your 20 year old's first trip to Cove Cafe. I hope it didn't ruin their cruise.

From the way the mom glared at me I got the impression she knew the rules. Plus the signs outside the café make it clear the café is adults only.
We have been talking about the opportunity to visit the adult areas with my son for the past few years. It was a huge deal for us maybe nothing to someone else. That's why posted about it. Just to get people realizing the effects of their actions.

If you read the original post carefully, you'll see that the CM didn't handle it, which is what appeared to frustrate the OP and most of the adults who frequent the adults only areas. It really shouldn't have to be the CM's job to handle it. That responsibility falls to the parents.

Yup, two CMs at the Café bar were filling her drink order. I think they just wanted to get her out of there as fast as they could to avoid any unpleasantness. I would have had to leave the area to find a different CM and that would have made my son uncomfortable as well as get the two drink makers in trouble.

I don't know how people can't know. It is written on all entrances to the area.

That's the problem with DCL employees, they are taught to avoid negativity and don't want to tell a guest "no" even if they are doing something wrong. It seems like they will usually ignore the issue, unless another guest brings it to their attention, which I don't think we should have to do.

My last cruise (and first) was on the Dream and several times I seen kids walking around the adult area. I also seen them in the Cove. I was kind of surprised.
When we were walking around the ship and learning where things were we accidentally walked into the adult area with my 14 yo and as soon as I realized we were in the adult section I turned around and left and told him that was the adult area and he wasn't allowed in there. I say it is a matter of respecting the rules and respecting those in that area.

I can understand the OP frustrations. Your child is finally old enough for the adult area and you have made them wait for several years to go into that area so it is a special time. You want them to see how it is in a adult only area and they are now FINALLY allowed to enter it!! Yeah!!
Then to see someone just walk in with their kids is a let down. Then it isn't so special anymore or so much of a adult only area.

Exactly
Plus I have friends ask me about cruising without kids and in the past I have assured them that they have adult only areas, and now I am realizing that I have to admit the lack of enforcement means these areas are only viewed as suggestions.

I hope the OP at least mentioned this to guest services before leaving the ship or listed it on their survey form (and marked them as less than satisfactory) at the end of the cruise.

While I did mention the issue on my comment card
I didn't mark down the Cove café CMs as unsatisfactory-they were very kind to us and did apologize for the delay in getting my son's drink.
I think I got extra punches on my card because of the situation too. The CMs are in an impossible situation. My brother used to work at WDW. DCL needs to support their CMs when they enforce things like the Cove Café area.

Walking in the walkway by the adult pool is not a problem as long as the kids are quiet-which I had always insisted my kids be the few times we found ourselves using the elevator near there. I always emphasized that this was the adults area and they needed to avoid it, but if they forgot (because our stateroom happened to be below) that they were to silently leave the area.
They got the message no problem.

 

[m&m's mom]

I completely agree. There is no point having Adults only areas if parents and CM's are going to ignore them.

 

[diznymom]

Yes, the adult areas should be for adults.

However, I don't mind families in the adult areas for special events such as (1) First day exploration of the ship or (2) Watching the fireworks.

 

[Dug720]

Hi I am 16 years old and I myself love to get my daily coffee, that doesn't suck, at the Cove Cafe. On all 16 of my DCL cruises, I have never been told to leave although I do feel slightly awkward on occasion because of people like you. The coffee at the drink station is very low grade and for people who love to enjoy a decent cup of coffee, the Cove Cafe is the only option. I do not go and hang out there with the intention to be loud, I just go in and go out. If your son was really so devastated about some kids buying some coffee then maybe he should get over himself. And the smoothies you are talking about most likely contain coffee as they are the frozen cappuccinos which are only available at the Cove Cafe. The first day aboard, Cove Cafe is actually open to everyone as I have verified with a CM. I am sure if there were teens being disrespectful of the quiet place, a CM would most definitely ask them to leave however they don't seem to really mind under 18's to enter. And lastly, you are on a very nice vacation, why don't you learn to enjoy yourself rather than work yourself up over some people bending rules to better their experience. thx xoxo BYe felicia

So we are to assume that in your "16 cruises" you have never been on the Dream or the Fantasy, right? Because both of those ships have the Vista Cafe which makes the exact same drinks as Cove Cafe, but all passengers are allowed in that area. (And I actually had the same drink I'd gotten earlier in the Cove from the Vista and it was much better from the Vista.)

 

[eroller]

Bottom line is that 90% or more of every Disney ship is geared towards families and/or kids, and adults are not permitted in the kids only areas ... so have respect for the few adult only areas that exist! For those of us without kids it's our oasis and our only place to escape. I have NO problem with asking a CM to request that children are removed from an adult only venue. Unfortunately it's usually not the kids fault but the parents, who think the rules don't apply to themselves or their precious ones.

I have no problem with kids in general. If I did I wouldn't cruise on Disney and have an annual pass to WDW … but I do have problems with kids (and their parents) that try to intrude on the few adult only venues that exist. One of the things I really like about DCL is that generally they do enforce these areas, which is not the case on many cruise lines where staff simply turn the other cheek. Disney realizes it's in their best interest to provide a little sanctuary for adults onboard and that it needs to be enforced.

 

[Zandy595]

Hi I am 16 years old and I myself love to get my daily coffee, that doesn't suck, at the Cove Cafe. On all 16 of my DCL cruises, I have never been told to leave although I do feel slightly awkward on occasion because of people like you. The coffee at the drink station is very low grade and for people who love to enjoy a decent cup of coffee, the Cove Cafe is the only option. I do not go and hang out there with the intention to be loud, I just go in and go out. If your son was really so devastated about some kids buying some coffee then maybe he should get over himself. And the smoothies you are talking about most likely contain coffee as they are the frozen cappuccinos which are only available at the Cove Cafe. The first day aboard, Cove Cafe is actually open to everyone as I have verified with a CM. I am sure if there were teens being disrespectful of the quiet place, a CM would most definitely ask them to leave however they don't seem to really mind under 18's to enter. And lastly, you are on a very nice vacation, why don't you learn to enjoy yourself rather than work yourself up over some people bending rules to better their experience. thx xoxo BYe felicia

As Dug720 said, you can go to Vista Cafe for your coffee on the Dream and Fantasy.

On the Magic and Wonder the Promenade Lounge has specialty coffee drinks.

There is no reason for someone under 18 years old to go to Cove Cafe.

My son was 16 on our last cruise and he had no problem going to Vista Cafe for his coffee. He knew the rules and respected them.

 

[tinkerone]

Hi I am 16 years old and I myself love to get my daily coffee, that doesn't suck, at the Cove Cafe. On all 16 of my DCL cruises, I have never been told to leave although I do feel slightly awkward on occasion because of people like you. The coffee at the drink station is very low grade and for people who love to enjoy a decent cup of coffee, the Cove Cafe is the only option. I do not go and hang out there with the intention to be loud, I just go in and go out. If your son was really so devastated about some kids buying some coffee then maybe he should get over himself. And the smoothies you are talking about most likely contain coffee as they are the frozen cappuccinos which are only available at the Cove Cafe. The first day aboard, Cove Cafe is actually open to everyone as I have verified with a CM. I am sure if there were teens being disrespectful of the quiet place, a CM would most definitely ask them to leave however they don't seem to really mind under 18's to enter. And lastly, you are on a very nice vacation, why don't you learn to enjoy yourself rather than work yourself up over some people bending rules to better their experience. thx xoxo BYe felicia

so I need to ask, what makes you special? obviously its something because you feel you can bend the rules to suit your needs. you know its adults only however you feel you should be allowed in and according to you you constantly break the rule to suit your wants, got to wonder why. and to say 'people like you', lets turn that around. its people like YOU who is showing disrespect for the areas not intended for under 18. your taking an area not for your use and saying 'can if I want'. do you not have an adult who could get that coffee product for you that you have to have and can't get any where else?
time for you to learn its not alright to do what ever you want just because its what you want. you should feel awkward.

 

[finkerbell]

As adults paying sometimes twice as much for a Disney cruise I can honestly say that when I go to the adult sections I want it to be just that - adults only. The day Disney stops enforcing this is the day we take our business elsewhere. For all the posters that are saying its no big deal well for them maybe it isn't - but for me it is and for many others who either don't have small children and want a relaxing vacation or for those who are taking a break from their children for the day while they are busy in their own areas with activities. I don't think Disney wants to lose the adult crowd but if they don't enforce their own rules they may. Fortunately I have not experienced this on the cruises I've been on but I would say something to a CM if I did. To the 16 year old kid who said it was not a big deal, well I think it's no big deal for that person to go to a different area for coffee - sounds like he's the one getting upset about not having his specialty coffee. Most things on Disney are kid centered so the few adult areas need to be respected. That being said there will always be those who think the rules don't apply to them and who are rude and that's part of life...we can't let it ruin our day but we can certainly discuss on a forum in hopes that Disney see's how important this issue is and we definitely should say something to a CM and let them handle it.

 

[MrsScooby]

I completely agree. There is no point having Adults only areas if parents and CM's are going to ignore them.

Bottom line is that 90% or more of every Disney ship is geared towards families and/or kids, and adults are not permitted in the kids only areas ... so have respect for the few adult only areas that exist! For those of us without kids it's our oasis and our only place to escape. I have NO problem with asking a CM to request that children are removed from an adult only venue. Unfortunately it's usually not the kids fault but the parents, who think the rules don't apply to themselves or their precious ones.

I have no problem with kids in general. If I did I wouldn't cruise on Disney and have an annual pass to WDW … but I do have problems with kids (and their parents) that try to intrude on the few adult only venues that exist. One of the things I really like about DCL is that generally they do enforce these areas, which is not the case on many cruise lines where staff simply turn the other cheek. Disney realizes it's in their best interest to provide a little sanctuary for adults onboard and that it needs to be enforced.

As adults paying sometimes twice as much for a Disney cruise I can honestly say that when I go to the adult sections I want it to be just that - adults only. The day Disney stops enforcing this is the day we take our business elsewhere. For all the posters that are saying its no big deal well for them maybe it isn't - but for me it is and for many others who either don't have small children and want a relaxing vacation or for those who are taking a break from their children for the day while they are busy in their own areas with activities. I don't think Disney wants to lose the adult crowd but if they don't enforce their own rules they may. Fortunately I have not experienced this on the cruises I've been on but I would say something to a CM if I did. To the 16 year old kid who said it was not a big deal, well I think it's no big deal for that person to go to a different area for coffee - sounds like he's the one getting upset about not having his specialty coffee. Most things on Disney are kid centered so the few adult areas need to be respected. That being said there will always be those who think the rules don't apply to them and who are rude and that's part of life...we can't let it ruin our day but we can certainly discuss on a forum in hopes that Disney see's how important this issue is and we definitely should say something to a CM and let them handle it.

Plus the kids that I saw getting served were around 5 years old. They had to kneel on the stools to reach the bar. I have no idea if their drinks contained coffee or not. Two little girls- they were adorable and had no idea that they were in a place they shouldn't be...They didn't seem old enough to read the adult only signs yet...

Really just trying to get parents to think about this issue before they cruise.
I know how it is to have your kids with you and not being able to get into Cove Café until they are in the clubs. Now mine are older and I can go as often as I want. Not just a right of passage for the kids I guess

 

[ready2 cruise]

I don't know, this seems a little blown out of proportion to me. Agreed the kids shouldn't have been in there, but I don't think it's any of our places to instruct other passengers on rules or make it a point to tell someone off because we don't think they are following the rules.

If something bothers you tell a CM and let them handle it- if it escalates they're in a position to handle it. Otherwise I think you're just instigating trouble and who wants to argue with a stranger on their vacation?

Agree!