What is an adult?

[KCMiller]

Hi, everyone,

I'm really pleased with this thread - there is a level of discussion here that is rare on message boards, a level of respect, ya know? And that's why I keep coming back to DIS!

On a side note, I came downstairs to make breakfast this morning, and my son, the birthday boy, was up making coffee. He turned 18 today, and I have to be honest, the hug and kiss I got this morning were no different from the ones I got yesterday when he was 17 (of course, the tears in my eyes at the thought of my little one all grown up were new . . . .!).

Have a great day, everyone!

KC

 

[Debbie H]

I think there may even be something to the effect that if they are within so many weeks of their 18th birthday they can get in. I would assume this to be true because they allow the kids in the kids lab to do this if they are going to be in a different group after their birthday. I've seen some posts from parents who actually wanted theirs to be in the younger groups.

I believe I would call DCL and ask them what the scoop really is and that way you can be sure. Now however, if they do allow them in the adult areas, I'm sure they will be asked their age and that is when you will need to explain what was told to you by DCL.

 

[Aisling]

But how many teenagers do you know that are involved in a political campaign as a voluteer and works 2 jobs, and while doing this maintains a 3.75 grade point average.

But how would DCL know this about your daughter? And even if they did, no matter how mature she is, she's still not 18.
My son will be 20 on our cruise, and he sounds just like your daughter, heavily into politics, carries a pocket Constitution (I kid you not!), has always been on the deans list, and has plans to become president of the US! Maybe we should plan a cruise together and they can keep each other company!

 

[Muushka]

Snip....carries a pocket Constitution (I kid you not!), has always been on the deans list, and has plans to become president of the US!

I love your son. Sounds like Alex P. Keaton (loved him too!).

 

[mom+3girls]

But how would DCL know this about your daughter? And even if they did, no matter how mature she is, she's still not 18.
My son will be 20 on our cruise, and he sounds just like your daughter, heavily into politics, carries a pocket Constitution (I kid you not!), has always been on the deans list, and has plans to become president of the US! Maybe we should plan a cruise together and they can keep each other company!

Maybe we should plan a cruise together, if they are of opposing parties at least they could have some interesting discussions. She hasn't started carrying the pocket Consititution yet, but she will be taking government next year that will probably be next, my brother does carry one with him. She plans to attend college and become a history teacher. My daughter just had her senior pics taken this week and I was upset because they didn't have a tassel in the school colors (I graduated from the same school), and my daughter says mom mine will be gold anyway, what are you worried about. Guess she is right.LOL
Gotta love em

 

[dreamakermom]

As I TOTALLY understand (and quite like) the concept of 18 and older, there were a couple of times I was planning on "bonding" with my 16 year old daughter. One of the times was going to be High Tea. Since my mom was born and raised in England, and since we (my sisters family and my family) are taking this cruise " in memory" of my mom who passed away this past year and LOVED cruising... I thought High Tea with all the girls, would have been nice. Now I can only take my sister and my oldest daughter and leave the 14 and 16 yr old girls to do something else. That was disappointing. Also, I would have liked to "bond" with the 16 year old at the spa. Any time alone with a 16 yr old daughter, helps. So, that is a bit disappointing. HOWEVER, I know people take advantage of good things and that is why there are strict rules. I guess I would rather have my younger teen sit out (and try to make up some time somewhere else), than listen to other kids run around and scream and cry. If it ends up my sister and my oldest daughter and I are the only ones at Tea, and it is quiet and relaxing... that will be fine. Maybe the younger teens would have found that boring to all the other things that are going on around the ship. I will make a bonding experience with the younger daughter somewhere else during the trip... maybe an early morning wake up and coffee on the top deck while waiting for the sun to rise. I am sure there will be many opportunites.

 

[Keggy]

Sorry but here is where I need to add my two cents. I don't travel with children. I understand that DCL is very geared toward family and that's the price I have to pay to sail with them. But I also sail under the understanding that they have areas that are 18+ so I know I will have areas I can escape from everyone's wonderful children (screaming infants to bored teenagers and all the children in between). I do not want to give the teens one strike each to get thrown out of the adult area. That's one disruption of my vacation allowed for every teen on board?? No thanks! I'm sure there are very mature 16 and 17 year olds who would blend in perfectly with the adult atmosphere but to let them in we would have to let in the not so mature 16 and 17 year olds.

I completely agree with your post.

I am traveling on my next cruise alone with my DH. We decided to go on the Disney Cruise again because of the adult only areas. DCL has decided that 18 is the age limit and therefore needs to be enforced as such. We researched other cruise lines and decided to stay with Disney because we enjoy the adult only areas. I love the spa, we utlize the adult only pool, and the adult beach on Castaway Cay - that is where you could find me. Other cruise lines seem to not be a strict with their rules.

Someone brought up the situation that if their child turns 18 while on the ship. My answer is - that the day before they are not permitted in the 18+ areas and the day of their birthday they are.

I love kids - please don't get me wrong...

Kelly

 

[goofymama]

Sorry, just came across this thread moments after leaving my input at the latest "why should I comply with the formal night dress code cuz its my vacation and i paid my $" thread, and I thought of the parallel. The age code is a rule, it is posted in advance, some may not like it, some may ask if an exception can be made for a mature non-disruptive 17 year old, but in the end it seems passengers will ultimately respect the cruise line's rule that certain areas are adult only. so why is the cruise line's dress code for its restaurants wantonly abandoned? I don't tend to see postings that say "hey, I'm paying my bucks for my 15 year old son, same as if he was an adult, so its my vacation and i can take him to the adult pool or palo or the cove cafe or diversions after 9 pm". But we do see folks who say they can dress however they like on formal night instead of either dressing up or taking advantage of the non-formal dining options that are available on board for dinner.

the difference is between a "rule" and a "suggestion". Dress codes for the main Disney restaurants are a "suggestion" - no a rule. Not everyone owns or can afford to rent or buy a tux. Most people would not be overly offended by someone choosing not wear formal wear sitting next to them. But many couples trying to enjoy a romantic dinner for 2 in an adult only restaurant would likely be offended by a screaming toddler sitting at the table next to them against the "rules".

 

[goofymama]

As I TOTALLY understand (and quite like) the concept of 18 and older, there were a couple of times I was planning on "bonding" with my 16 year old daughter. One of the times was going to be High Tea. Since my mom was born and raised in England, and since we (my sisters family and my family) are taking this cruise " in memory" of my mom who passed away this past year and LOVED cruising... I thought High Tea with all the girls, would have been nice. Now I can only take my sister and my oldest daughter and leave the 14 and 16 yr old girls to do something else. That was disappointing. Also, I would have liked to "bond" with the 16 year old at the spa. Any time alone with a 16 yr old daughter, helps. So, that is a bit disappointing. HOWEVER, I know people take advantage of good things and that is why there are strict rules. I guess I would rather have my younger teen sit out (and try to make up some time somewhere else), than listen to other kids run around and scream and cry. If it ends up my sister and my oldest daughter and I are the only ones at Tea, and it is quiet and relaxing... that will be fine. Maybe the younger teens would have found that boring to all the other things that are going on around the ship. I will make a bonding experience with the younger daughter somewhere else during the trip... maybe an early morning wake up and coffee on the top deck while waiting for the sun to rise. I am sure there will be many opportunites.

I'm sure you'll be able to find many opportunities to bond on the cruise. I understand your desire to go to High Tea with your daughters and perhaps Disney should offer something like that for older kids and teens (but I suspect that many older kids and teens wouldn't have a desire for that ) Regarding the Spa, could teens go in for just a manicure? Or are they not allowed in the spa at all?

Good luck.

 

[linco711]

As I TOTALLY understand (and quite like) the concept of 18 and older, there were a couple of times I was planning on "bonding" with my 16 year old daughter. One of the times was going to be High Tea. Since my mom was born and raised in England, and since we (my sisters family and my family) are taking this cruise " in memory" of my mom who passed away this past year and LOVED cruising... I thought High Tea with all the girls, would have been nice. Now I can only take my sister and my oldest daughter and leave the 14 and 16 yr old girls to do something else. That was disappointing. Also, I would have liked to "bond" with the 16 year old at the spa. Any time alone with a 16 yr old daughter, helps. So, that is a bit disappointing. HOWEVER, I know people take advantage of good things and that is why there are strict rules. I guess I would rather have my younger teen sit out (and try to make up some time somewhere else), than listen to other kids run around and scream and cry. If it ends up my sister and my oldest daughter and I are the only ones at Tea, and it is quiet and relaxing... that will be fine. Maybe the younger teens would have found that boring to all the other things that are going on around the ship. I will make a bonding experience with the younger daughter somewhere else during the trip... maybe an early morning wake up and coffee on the top deck while waiting for the sun to rise. I am sure there will be many opportunites.

If I were on the ship at High Tea, I would be very happy to have your 14 and 16 year old sitting at a table next to me. I'm sure they are well behaved and mannerly and would be no disruption or prolem at all! I hope you find many bonding experiences with your daughters. They are very important as all mothers of teens know. After all Disney is about families! I'm sure you will enjoy your cruise even if you all can't be together.

 

[Debbie H]

We've done the same thing! If you see kids in the adult areas that do not belong there, let a CM know about it. I for one do not want under 18 in those areas. I don't care how mature they are!

As far as getting away with dress at dinner, I usually consider the source. Obviously if they can not follow the rules of the dining area, then they will not follow the rules when it comes to all the other rules of the ship. I find it really annoying to have everyone looking nice at dinner and then having the table next to us in jeans, or jean shorts, a tank tops on the guys! Just what people enjoy seeing when they are trying to rat dinner, arm pit hair! I for one wish they would enforce the dress rules better.

 

[linco711]

We've done the same thing! If you see kids in the adult areas that do not belong there, let a CM know about it. I for one do not want under 18 in those areas. I don't care how mature they are!

As far as getting away with dress at dinner, I usually consider the source. Obviously if they can not follow the rules of the dining area, then they will not follow the rules when it comes to all the other rules of the ship. I find it really annoying to have everyone looking nice at dinner and then having the table next to us in jeans, or jean shorts, a tank tops on the guys! Just what people enjoy seeing when they are trying to rat dinner, arm pit hair! I for one wish they would enforce the dress rules better.

How NEGATIVE can you get???? Disney is a family cruise line, and very casual at that......SO WHAT???....WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL.....WEAR WHAT YOU'RE COMFORTABLE IN AND CAN AFFORD AND LET OTHERS DO THE SAME! WHAT I FIND ANNOYING AT DINNER IS ALL THOSE ADORABLE, BUT VERY VERY LOUD KIDS. (Usually under age 10). YOU KNOW THE ONES HITTING EACH OTHER WITH NAPKINS, OR SWINGING THOSE SWORDS! IF DISNEY WANTS A MORE FORMAL ATMOSPHERE THEY NEED TO ENCOURAGE THE PARENTS TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN MANNERS, OR REQUEST THAT THE YOUNG ONES EAT IN THE CHILDREN'S CLUBS. iT WILL NEVER BE A FORMAL ATMOSHERE UNTIL THAT IS ADDRESSED!

 

[branv]

How NEGATIVE can you get???? Disney is a family cruise line, and very casual at that......SO WHAT???....WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL.....WEAR WHAT YOU'RE COMFORTABLE IN AND CAN AFFORD AND LET OTHERS DO THE SAME! WHAT I FIND ANNOYING AT DINNER IS ALL THOSE ADORABLE, BUT VERY VERY LOUD KIDS. (Usually under age 10). YOU KNOW THE ONES HITTING EACH OTHER WITH NAPKINS, OR SWINGING THOSE SWORDS! IF DISNEY WANTS A MORE FORMAL ATMOSPHERE THEY NEED TO ENCOURAGE THE PARENTS TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN MANNERS, OR REQUEST THAT THE YOUNG ONES EAT IN THE CHILDREN'S CLUBS. iT WILL NEVER BE A FORMAL ATMOSHERE UNTIL THAT IS ADDRESSED!

Now we're screaming? There goes the civility :

 

[KCMiller]

Maybe linco doesn't realize that using all caps is Internet speak for screaming. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I have a good friend who send all his emails using all caps - he claims it's easier, and doesn't care if people think he's yelling at them. I love him, but as I told him, I delete all his emails without reading them.


KC

 

[Keggy]

Now we're screaming? There goes the civility

We were doing such a good job until then....

 

[Disney with Triplets]

Hi, everyone,

I'm really pleased with this thread - there is a level of discussion here that is rare on message boards, a level of respect, ya know? And that's why I keep coming back to DIS!



Well, that was short lived...

OK, get the nachos back out, I have to jump in here, too.

We've been traveling with our kids on vacations since their first birthday. That's what family memories are made of. We've made annual trips to the beach since they were one year old, annual trips to WDW since they turned 3 years old, and this will be their first cruise and they are 6 years old. We've not considered taking them on any other cruise line other than DCL. If they were older, we'd consider RCCL, but for now, families and DCL go together like peanut butter and jelly.

DH and I have taken annual cruises with two other couples leaving the kids at home for years - only missing the year the kids were born. For those cruises, we chose a more "adult oriented" (for lack of a better description) cruise line during the school year - we did this on purpose - so that there would be less kids to mingle with - we've talked to, played with, shared snacks with, given towels and chairs to, etc. other people's kids because we value kids and families - but if we are leaving our children behind for the sake of an adult vacation, we want it to be reasonably "adult oriented" without a lot of the distractions that seem to follow in children's footsteps. We're looking forward to our DCL cruise, but have completely different expectations than we did on Princess...we'll see how it all turns out.

DCL is family oriented and I'm sure that they try to have adult areas to keep peace with everyone; however, this isn't QEII and Disney would be alienating the base that's made it successful it it tries to make it a classic, formal cruising experience.

 

[mmouse37]

Someone earlier in the thread asked if Carnival or RCCL observes an adult only area....we just got off the Carnival Legend this weekend and I was quite impressed with the way they kept the adult pool...adult only.

I witnessed crew members repeatedly ask people who they thought may be under 18 to leave the the pool area. It was strictly enforced!!!

MJ

 

[branv]

OK, get the nachos back out,

Well now you've gone and done it...you just HAD to say Nachos.

I promised DH lasagna tonight, but I dunno, I do have some cheese dip and Tostitos in the pantry...(also known as, never go to the grocery store when you're hungry).

 

[linco711]

Now we're screaming? There goes the civility :

Sorry didn't realize caps meant screaming...I do apologize.

 

[linco711]

Maybe linco doesn't realize that using all caps is Internet speak for screaming. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I have a good friend who send all his emails using all caps - he claims it's easier, and doesn't care if people think he's yelling at them. I love him, but as I told him, I delete all his emails without reading them.


KC

You are so right! Didn't realize typing in all caps is screaming! Thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt!!