Cruise Curmudgeons of the World Unite

[jdb in AZ]

Ex Techie - thanks for the more detailed info on the emergency calls. I'm always fascinated to watch the crew and what they are REALLY doing to operate and maintain the ship.

Personally, it drives me nuts that people don't realize that the crew is there primarily to do just that - operate the ship. (And the "cruise staff" is there to make the passengers happy.) The Captains aren't hired for their sparkling personalities, but because they have experience in and are responsible for the lives of over 4000 people at any given time. These ships are bigger than some of our smaller aircraft carriers - and the new ones even moreso. They aren't glorified cab drivers. (Just read any of the accounts of what the navigation up and back through Tracy Arm is entailing for proof of that.) I laugh when I hear people complain about what goes on while underway to maintain the ship such that it mars their view or cruise experience somehow, or that the Captain didn't mingle enough. I know the crew has jobs (or at least, THESE jobs) only because of the paying passengers and they chose to be on a pleasure cruise ship, but still - they have to just roll their eyes often at the attitudes of some of their guests.

I think we can blame the old "Love Boat" t.v. series for part of the mindset. Captain Stubbing seemed to spend more time solving crew/passenger personal problems than he spent on the bridge.

 

[E&Cmom]

This. You are on VACATION! Why on earth are you so concerned about your children getting to bed by 7pm??? What are you going to do when they're asleep - hang out in your room all night?!

My goodness people, let your kids have some fun! They are not going to become criminals if you go off schedule for ONE WEEK. Do these people leave WDW at 6pm to ensure their kids are asleep by 7pm?

YES!!!!!! . We had late dinner and my kids (7 and 4) surived. They even begged to gomto the club afterwards. When we got home, they went back to their regular 8PM bedtimes without any problems.

 

[Principessa]

..... and you're in Vista Spa getting hot rocks spread on your back (of all the idiotic, self-indulgent, worthless "treatments"). Little Lyzzbethhe deserves to grow up, even without mother who knows she's too important to follow rules.

Hey Whoa There! Now you've gone too far! Impuning the value of idiotic, self-indulgent worthless treatments! My hot rocks, mine! Love those spa treatments! I know they are worthless, but it's my vacation and I'll rock if I want to! Any more remarks like that and I'm stopping this ship right now!

 

[siburdue]

We usually get the "Why are you cruising Disney? You have no kids!"

When we went on our honeymoon 10 years ago, people were just flabbergasted when we told them we weren't bringing the kids - you would have thought it was the crime of the century now, really, who brings their new step-children on the honeymoon!

Now we just get asked if we are crazy to go on the ship with 900 kids. I just tell them that we are two more kids looking for a fun vacation. Some people are just jealous that we 50 somethings still enjoy acting like kids at times.

 

[melonz]

Up until now, I've just read this thread and chuckled, but this one totally hit one of my peeves. For the love of Pete (who is that guy anyway, and why do so many people want his love?) people, please teach your kids to stay in their chairs during a meal!!!! Really, do I get up and play "duck-duck-goose" with you at your table? If it's not OK for me, then why is it OK for little Timmy? My kiddos have been going to restaurants from the time they were infants in carriers and have been taught that we sit in our chairs, and don't get up, not even at home, until we're done. If your kid is running through the aisles, don't be surprised or offended when I push my chair back to leave just as they're running by and they trip and fall. It's also really unsafe for the servers, with big trays they need to keep their minds on what they're carrying, not on watching out for screaming howler monkeys that parents should be policing!!!!!

OK, rant over...

I call it "Maude face" (thanks to Rants from Mommyland, makes me laugh) and employ it regularly, not only on my own children, but even on other people's kids, yep <gasp> I'm the mom who has no problem tell your sweet little Sydny that if she hits my kid again with anything, I'll yank her out of the pool and take her to a lifeguard, regardless of the threat from Mom of assault charges. I also trip kids running through the halls at 2:00am screaming, and tell teenagers to watch their language in the elevators when they thing they should channel sailors (or how they THINK sailors talk). It makes me happy!

You actually think that assualting kids and then bragging about it is good behaviour? I would hate to be in your house if I did something wrong

Just my two cents worth but I really hate people that are self important and need to post self serving and grandiose threads

 

[smootenloopers]

now, really, who brings their new step-children on the honeymoon!

If I remember my sitcom history correctly (and that is a very big if), I think the Bradys did. Maybe the folks that asked have been watching too much TV Land.

 

[insureman]

PANIC IF YOU HEAR BRIGHTSTAR, BLUE PARTIES OR RED PARTIES.[/B]

It is nothing to worry about until you get told to go somewhere or do something!

Stuff on ship's happens and 99.9% of the time it's all OK

One lady Guest even complained about not being invited to a Blue Parties "event" as it wasn't on the Navigator....... DCL Legend has it!

Ex Techie

Epic! We missed the the "Blue party" also because they had it the same time as the Castaway Club party.

 

[Cerberus9]

What I can't stand is the people who think that if you can get away with something, it must mean that it's perfectly acceptable to do it:

"Although there is a published dress code for dinner, they don't enforce it, so wear whatever you like, because, hey, after all, it's YOUR vacation"

"If your 17 year old son wants to hang out with his 18 year old cousins in the adult areas, don't worry, because they usually don't check. And hey, after all, it's YOUR vacation".

And guess what you silly nit-wits, it's not just YOUR vacation. There's 3000-4000 other people on the ship who have paid for, and expect, a dining experience slightly above the local Denny's (for example).

 

[GeneMachine]

I am a relative newbie on this board, but even I have grievances. I think the posts that bother me the most, besides the "Will I like the Magic?" queries, are people who post passport questions.

Why would someone ever rely on the advice of board members as to whether or not they will need a passport? People, there is a big office called the DEPARTMENT OF STATE where all your questions can be answered with authority.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I have laughed through most of this thread!

I say most, as I do consider the Captain a LOT more than a "glorified chauffeur".

And, unless you want to sport a few extra warts or suddenly start croaking like Kermit, do NOT look at me the wrong way on my upcoming cruises, for I am bringing my familiar!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

You actually think that assualting kids and then bragging about it is good behaviour? I would hate to be in your house if I did something wrong

Just my two cents worth but I really hate people that are self important and need to post self serving and grandiose threads

And THIS is why this thread exists. Seriously?

Oh, and just to further explain, it's hyperbole and sarcasm used to indicate that I have no patience for people who don't police their children, and also have no issues with stopping said child running in the dining room or halls, as well as speaking firmly to them. Get it now?

 

[girl_barrie]

You actually think that assualting kids and then bragging about it is good behaviour? I would hate to be in your house if I did something wrong

Just my two cents worth but I really hate people that are self important and need to post self serving and grandiose threads

Hey, Melonz - I'm totally with ColoradoDisneyFreaks!! You REALLY didn't get the sarcasm???
But then again, I'll bet your Darling Kids are the ones running at dinner, hitting other kids in the pools (we would never know - we have a pool at home & don't like to float in 'people soup' ICK!!), cussing in the elevator (we would never know, we take the stairs & work off all that food), & playing in the halls at 2 a.m.!!
Wouldn't want to discipline (or pay attention to them) when you're on VACATION!!!
(P.S. - That was sarcasm too!)

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

'people soup' ICK

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

After thinking on this thread, I have decided I divide up things the following way:

Things that others do that make no sense to me, but don't affect my enjoyment in any way. I realize that 'what makes no sense to me' is merely MY interest levels. For example, I for the life of me could not stand to have to pack 15 different scratchy princess dresses, put on a ton of sticky hairspray, and stand in lines forever. But that is because I have no interest in it. Someone else can enjoy it all they want. I enjoy things others don't understand, but it doesn't affect them.

Things that others do, that DO affect others. Cutting lines, saving lounge chairs and not using them, letting children run unsupervised, the "rules only apply to others" actions, and such. Those DO affect others.

THEN, the things that are downright dangerous. How many times I've seen in the parks, on the ship, and in other places, things people allow their children or themselves to do that put others in danger. I've seen kids running and crawling around so that the servers could trip. And I can't tell you how many times the parents or supervising adults just ignore the behavior as "kids will be kids" and "its our vacation".

Oh well...

 

[melonz]

And THIS is why this thread exists. Seriously?

Oh, and just to further explain, it's hyperbole and sarcasm used to indicate that I have no patience for people who don't police their children, and also have no issues with stopping said child running in the dining room or halls, as well as speaking firmly to them. Get it now?

Sarcasm doesn't travel well across the pond.....in both directions I might add

Hey, Melonz - I'm totally with ColoradoDisneyFreaks!! You REALLY didn't get the sarcasm???
But then again, I'll bet your Darling Kids are the ones running at dinner, hitting other kids in the pools (we would never know - we have a pool at home & don't like to float in 'people soup' ICK!!), cussing in the elevator (we would never know, we take the stairs & work off all that food), & playing in the halls at 2 a.m.!!
Wouldn't want to discipline (or pay attention to them) when you're on VACATION!!!
(P.S. - That was sarcasm too!)

You can tell all of that from the pic of my kids? WOW.

Hey my kids are only allowed to participate in the above activities as long as I can do it too!

Sarcasm? Maybe....maybe not

 

[gfly]

I think the non-curmudgeons should avoid reading this thread if they are going to take offense...i find it one of the most entertaining "venting" threads.

 

[Cerberus9]

I think the non-curmudgeons should avoid reading this thread if they are going to take offense...i find it one of the most entertaining "venting" threads.

This is a wonderful thread. It's restored my faith in humanity!

 

[Shanny145]

this is a wonderful thread. It's restored my faith in humanity!

agreed!!!!!!

 

[JAM113]

My Curmudgeon point is:
My little Johhny is soooo special , mature and great that even at 6 years old he wants to be in the teen club with his cousin. We know he is sooo special, mature and great that he SHOULD be allowed in the teen club do you think that will make an exception for our special family. How close do they follow the rules because the rules don't apply to us.

Or even better... my little Johnny should be allowed into the teen club even though he's nowhere near old enough, but rather because he is TALL for his age!

 

[jdb in AZ]

If 6-yr-old Johnny is grown up enough for the teen club, why oh why can't he have dinner at Palo with us? We don't want him to go hungry.