Cove Cafe is supposed to be adults only...

[for my family]

Just off the Fantasy yesterday (first time on DCL) and have to say that the kids and the zero enforcement of any kind of rules (outside of major safety issues) was a HUGE turn off.

We seemed to run into scores of people who felt like their child's enjoyment of any particular moment was paramount to anyone else's enjoyment. I didn't care for that aspect of the Disney experience AT ALL.

Did you see children in the Cove Cafe?

 

[LittleD525]

So sad to hear that. They were really good when we were on the fantasy but we take January and February cruises so much different crowd than summer cruises.

Yes, I would expect a different crowd during those months for sure.

 

[LittleD525]

Did you see children in the Cove Cafe?

I did not visit the Cove Café, so I couldn't say. But honestly it wouldn't have surprised me in the least.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Yes, I would expect a different crowd during those months for sure.

My DH and I favor January and February.

 

[valbob89]

I personally don't care if well behaved kids come into the Cove to purchase drinks. However, I do care if they take up a chaise lounge chair or go into the hot tub in the adult area. So, how can we expect them to know what rules are ok to ignore, such as going into the Cove, but not others, such as going into the hot tub. It has to be all or none, so I vote for all.

 

[fnrsgrl]

right, I get it, its posted everywhere and everyone should read everything before going somewhere on the ship. We will try to do our homework. As I stated before, I just try to give people the benefit of the doubt instead of branding them as a rule-breaking buttmunch. I see that not everyone is like that, and it's cool.

Honestly, this thread is not as much about people bringing their children into an adults-only area as it is about the CM's not saying anything about it. Obviously, families and especially kids wandering the ship alone, will occasionally wander somewhere they're not supposed to be by accident, but when they are allowed to stay without anything being said to them, it completely destroys the adults-only atmosphere in those areas that DCL promised in its advertising and encourages rule-breaking in general. I would only assume someone was a "rule-breaking buttmunch" if I saw or overheard them being told they were not supposed to be there and they gave the CM a hard time or didn't leave at all. The minute someone with kids enters an adult area, they should be politely told by a CM that kids are not allowed in that area and they will have to leave, possibly with directions to a similar area that is for all ages. I shouldn't have to point them out to a CM or sit there stewing because they can't follow the rules.

 

[bumbershoot]

Laughing so hard at the fabulous descriptive word buttmunch.

 

[AliceIn]

I personally don't care if well behaved kids come into the Cove to purchase drinks. However, I do care if they take up a chaise lounge chair or go into the hot tub in the adult area. So, how can we expect them to know what rules are ok to ignore, such as going into the Cove, but not others, such as going into the hot tub. It has to be all or none, so I vote for all.

I think you are right. It's all about rule enforcement. Our community center has beautiful facilities. Multiple indoor and outdoor pools, gym, racket ball courts, etc. The indoor pool building has a very nice adults only hot tub, and the rules are strictly enforced. There are big signs saying no one under 18, and the life guards are quick to tell kids to get out of that area.

 

[Lisavince3]

Yes, I would expect a different crowd during those months for sure.

Is that just because there's more kids in other months? January and February are cheaper than other months, so I'm wondering why the difference?

 

[wilkeliza]

Is that just because there's more kids in other months? January and February are cheaper than other months, so I'm wondering why the difference?

The January and February cruises tend to seem more mellow. It is a lot of northerners trying to escape the cold (our cruise felt 50% Canadian both times) and there aren't as many kids. Most of the kids are very well behaved and many are home school. It is probably over generalizing but on every cruiseline we have found January and February to be the tamest crowds across the board.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Is that just because there's more kids in other months? January and February are cheaper than other months, so I'm wondering why the difference?

Yes. Most kids are in school (some states have winter break.) Still less expensive than summer. MUCH less.

 

[lbgraves]

The two cruises we have done in January were full of kids. We booked both with KSF deals DCL posted to fill the ship.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Yes. Most kids are in school (some states have winter break.) Still less expensive than summer. MUCH less.

We always traveled Mardi Gras week because we are out and most of the country isn't, plus prices are lower. Our cruises have been split among Gulf Coasters, people from Quebec, and people from Rio usually with a few others thrown in. We have never had major issues with kids in adult areas, but there are a lot of kids in the ship.

 

[DahliaRW]

The two cruises we have done in January were full of kids. We booked both with KSF deals DCL posted to fill the ship.

Since they don't do the KSF promos anymore, I'm sure it's different.

We were MLK week in January, so probably more kids than other weeks, but didn't feel like a ton to me. There were a lot of families from Brazil, both on the ship and at attractions we visited in Florida. Must be a break time there.

 

[lbgraves]

Yes, but now they offer the *GT rates, which are still attractive to families. Since the KSF rates sometimes limited it to certain ages, the *GT allows families with kids of all ages to get in on the deal.

 

[cris0809]

Yes, but now they offer the *GT rates, which are still attractive to families. Since the KSF rates sometimes limited it to certain ages, the *GT allows families with kids of all ages to get in on the deal.

We've sailed in the off season almost every time. KSF sailings were very different feeling than anything we've experienced since then, even with the advent of *GT rates.

Personal experience, subject to change week to week.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've sailed in the off season almost every time. KSF sailings were very different feeling than anything we've experienced since then, even with the advent of *GT rates.

Personal experience, subject to change week to week.

We did one cruise that was a KSF (wasn't that when we booked it ) and, believe me, the place was overflowing with kids who, for the most part, seemed not to have any parents onboard.

 

[wilkeliza]

We've sailed in the off season almost every time. KSF sailings were very different feeling than anything we've experienced since then, even with the advent of *GT rates.

Personal experience, subject to change week to week.

Our experience could be the way it is because we research winter and spring break for several areas. We pick a week that is not on a holiday weekend.

It could aslo help that we do 7 days and not 3/4. We found the 3/4 always have mostly familirs and kids where the 7 days tend to have a good mix. It is probably more research than a vacation should have but since we don't have kids and both myself and my boyfriend have great time off (me 25 days a year him unlimited since he works for his family's business) so we try our hardest to avoid busy seasons and holiday weekends.

 

[cris0809]

Our experience could be the way it is because we research winter and spring break for several areas. We pick a week that is not on a holiday weekend.

It could aslo help that we do 7 days and not 3/4. We found the 3/4 always have mostly familirs and kids where the 7 days tend to have a good mix. It is probably more research than a vacation should have but since we don't have kids and both myself and my boyfriend have great time off (me 25 days a year him unlimited since he works for his family's business) so we try our hardest to avoid busy seasons and holiday weekends.

We research a lot too. The KSF sailings were last minute promos to fill the ship and trust me, I was not excited about it when they were announced. The Wonder should not have 1100+ kids onboard...

 

[AZFamily5]

Looking for some quiet time. Anyone sailing on Sep 27, 2014?