Rhapsody Gone Wild

[Teriyaki]

We just returned home today from the Rhapsody of the Seas that sailed on March 20. With this being Spring Break, we had about 750 kids on the ship as announced by Peter the cruise director.

 

After boarding the ship from our stop at Cozumel on Friday 3/25, the cruise director made an announcement before the show at the theater. He said some teens had gotten into trouble and that caused us to delay our departure from Cozumel. He said they had only caught two of the trouble makers but had some video of others. What he explained was that between Grand Cayman and Cozumel, they had thrown some of the life preserver rings overboard, broken into some fire extinguisher cabinets, and somehonw gotten into the area where the anchors and rope wenches are located and turned some of them on. The cruise director explained that these were Federal offenses in the U.S. based on laws enforced by the US Coast Guard. He made it clear that these teens cold go to prison. But, apparently the captain elected to kick the teens and their parents off the ship in Cozumel. I am sure the paresnt were mad their cruise ended and they had to buy tickets to fly home, but on the other hand, their kids could be in jail.

 

At breakfast, my wife also heard they had to put a 22 year old in the ships jail while we sailed back into Galveston this morning. We also witnessed a great deal of kids, younder than teens, slipping into the casino and dropping a few quarters.

 

We still had a great cruise, as it was our second time on the Rhapsody. We did see a substantial decline in the quality of service we have experienced with RCCL in the past. The cabin attendant was almost never around and we did not see that much of the cruise director either. We never knew the head waiters name, which was really odd.

 

Since we have only cruised with RCCL we can't compare to others, but we are now planning to sail on the HAL Zuiderdam this summer and see how it compares to RCCL.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

OH MY :eek: :eek: :eek: 750 kids.....the main reason we avoid spring break cruises!

 

Well its nice to hear the Captain did something about it! Too bad if the parents and their kids got thorwn off in Cozmel.....they deserved it! Maybe those kids should go to prison! The kids were most likely just allowed the run of the ship....all that does is spells trouble witha capitol T.

Glad you did enjoy your cruise....I'm not sure I would of with that many kids! :eek:

 

 

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[PhoenixCruiser]

Oh my goodness!!! :eek:

 

There were over 800 *people* under 18 on our last cruise (NOS). Except for the pushing all the buttons on the elevators, running and screaming up and down the hall (we were on the 10th floor), they were somewhat well-behaved.

 

I'm glad you posted this, hopefully some parents will realize that in reality, their children are not *angels* ;)

 

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[Boo's Mom]

Teriyaki...... Wow, that is some information about the kids.

 

We sailed on the Rhapsody right before you. Your voyage had a few more kids than we did.

[Boo's Mom]

We toured the Bridge when we were on the Rhapsody.... They have cameras all over the ship.

 

This is why.

[Catnip]

Boy, that sounds like the cruise from hell.........I was on an Easter cruise 3 years ago (never again!) and there were 800+kids on board! :eek: It was a nightmare, but nothing as bad as yours.

 

It's a shame how 20 or so bad kids can give the whole rest of them a bad name..............where are their parents and why don't they discipline them?

[Giventofly]

where are their parents and why don't they discipline them?

 

I blame Dr. Benjamin Spock

[TheParrotHeads]

Since we have only cruised with RCCL we can't compare to others, but we are now planning to sail on the HAL Zuiderdam this summer and see how it compares to RCCL.

 

I was unaware you could even compare RCCL and HAL...lol :D

 

From what I hear you should find a substantial difference in the two cruise lines. There is a noticeable difference between RCI and Celebrity alone (again my perception through others encounters). Today, Princess, Carnival, Norwegian and RCI are competing for the same criuser and in order to support these mega ships they have to cater to the the masses. In my opinion they are all similar, maybe ship layout and decor being the only differences. But from the onboard service, food, and and the passenger make up, I see/hear little differences between the four. Again JMHO. Glad to see you were able to make the best of it all though and was even more excited to hear they actually enforce the rules once in a while. :rolleyes:

[Ericknow32]

When I was younger and still in the teens club, a very similar thing happened with the same ship while it was sailing out of SoCal. The teens didn't mess with the anchors or anything that bad but they did throw lifesavers over board and pull alarms on the elevator. The ship security came into the teen area and basically called out the teens that did it. They said they didn't have proof but they knew they did it. They told them that if they find the littlest evidence to prove they did it they would be thrown of the ship. And I think they were.

 

If the cruise line throws someone of the ship does that mean that the person can’t be prosecuted once they return home from their flight.

[Soxfan05]

Sorry wrong thread, should've been under Kid Jail thread. :confused:

[KOR]

Teriyaki- We were on the same cruise with you on the Rhapsody- week of March 20. 2 of the almost 800 kids were ours- neither of which were removed from the ship!

 

We have sailed on both Holland America and RCI. You will find service and food far superior on H.A. Due to scheduling at the last minute- we have taken 3 RCI cruises. They are fine and we enjoy them, it is a cruise after all---- but no question- much prefer H.A.

 

Have fun on the Zuiderdam- I am sure you will love it!!

[Folgy]

:eek: ACK!

 

(having small heart attack....plunk!)

[PhoenixCruiser]

:eek: ACK!

 

(having small heart attack....plunk!)

 

Welcome back Folgy :D :D

 

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[joycemh]

We were on the Rhapsody last year on spring break. There were three families put off the ship in Key West, and that was our first port. These kids stole liquor from one of the bars. the bar tender stepped into the back room and they jumped over the bar and grabed bottles, and of course were caught. Of course we heard about this after the fact. Most of the kids were fairly well behaved. We had a great time. This was our third spring break on a cruise., and would do it again.

 

Joyce

[springtxbill]

Three families put off at the first port probably sent a strong message to the rest of the ones on board.

[OPSoccermom]

Just off the Mariner....

 

Agree with all posts re: Spring Break cruises. There were 900+ teenagers on the cruise. We were floored by the amount of underage drinking going on. We're talking 14 to 16 year old drinking hard liquor, not beer. They were carrying it around in liter soda bottles that they must have purchased in port. In Ocho Rios, we saw some of the same kids at Margaritaville having rum poured straight into their mouths by the bartender. Saw several instances of 20-ish guys trying to pick up drunk young teenage girls. Teens were everywhere - including the casino and the adults only bars and disco. At times, it was difficult to use stairways as they were just sitting in groups on the steps. Saw no attempts by RCI to ask them to leave the adult only areas or clear the stairways.

 

You have to wonder exactly were the parents were. We have young teenagers, and understand that you have to give them some freedom, but there has to be some limit.

 

if we cruise at spring break again, we'll go back to Celebrity. We did not experience this problem at this magnitude. Granted the crowd is a little older, but our kids still thoroughly enjoyed Celebrity.

[Catnip]

What is really irritating is that if any of these "angels" would get hurt or injured while being drunk, the parents would sue the cruise line so fast it would make you dizzy! And what if the underage teen girl got pregnant?? :eek:

You can be sure the parents would make themselves known then!!!!!!!!!

[ILUVCRUIZN]

I think this is why DH and I do not cruise during spring break!!! I do not see how you could relax with all of this going on???

[medolee]

Oh my goodness!!! :eek:

 

 

 

I'm glad you posted this, hopefully some parents will realize that in reality, their children are not *angels*

 

###

 

I doubt it---some parents think their kids are always "picked" on. That is typical behavior of kids that have this syndrome. You watch---these parents will try to get compensation from RCCL---cause their babies were picked on. "MY kids would never act like that!" ;)

[medolee]

I blame Dr. Benjamin Spock

 

Dr. Spock!!! Is he the one who says don't spank your kids--talk to them--reason with them? Yeah OK.

[medolee]

:eek: ACK!

 

(having small heart attack....plunk!)

 

I'll say it for ya Folgy!! Those kids should have been thrown off the ship--and their parents too--cause after all--they raised the little darlins!!;)

[medolee]

Just off the Mariner....

 

Agree with all posts re: Spring Break cruises. There were 900+ teenagers on the cruise. We were floored by the amount of underage drinking going on. We're talking 14 to 16 year old drinking hard liquor, not beer. They were carrying it around in liter soda bottles that they must have purchased in port. In Ocho Rios, we saw some of the same kids at Margaritaville having rum poured straight into their mouths by the bartender. Saw several instances of 20-ish guys trying to pick up drunk young teenage girls. Teens were everywhere - including the casino and the adults only bars and disco. At times, it was difficult to use stairways as they were just sitting in groups on the steps. Saw no attempts by RCI to ask them to leave the adult only areas or clear the stairways.

 

You have to wonder exactly were the parents were. We have young teenagers, and understand that you have to give them some freedom, but there has to be some limit.

 

if we cruise at spring break again, we'll go back to Celebrity. We did not experience this problem at this magnitude. Granted the crowd is a little older, but our kids still thoroughly enjoyed Celebrity.

 

I sure hate to see this happening. But---this is the same thing that goes on at the popular "on land" spring break areas. Why should these kids act any different on the ship? As far as where were the parents---these are the parents that condone such behavior by looking the other way and some are even contributing to it. What a shame. On the same token---my age group was doing the same thing--but instead of drinking it was drugs--and instead of a ship we stayed home or went camping. Same stuff--these kids today just get a nicer place to play. OUR CRUISESHIPS!!!:eek:

[over the edge]

I know spring break is different times in different places. We are planning on sailing next year on March 25. Will most of the kids be back in school by this point? Kids will not stop us from cruising, we spend most of our time at port or on our balcony, but it would be nice to know what to expect. I have 4 kids of my own and took two of the teens on our cruise last January. I'm definitely not against kids, just curious. ;)

[dad son team]

I know spring break is different times in different places. We are planning on sailing next year on March 25. Will most of the kids be back in school by this point? Kids will not stop us from cruising, we spend most of our time at port or on our balcony, but it would be nice to know what to expect. I have 4 kids of my own and took two of the teens on our cruise last January. I'm definitely not against kids, just curious. ;)

 

I think anytime in March or April is fair game for springbreakers. I know the university here in town go on spring break during the week that St. Pat's day falls in, but the public schools change from year to year. Last year, the public schools closed this week(1 year ago today I boarded the Mariner, sigh), and this year spring break is not for another 2 weeks. I can't figure it out.

[MikeNJ1109]

My wife and I specifically avoid cruising during spring break to avoid being overrun by so many younger folks. While the overwhelming majority of kids that we've seen on cruises are terrific, and they really seem to enjoy the experience, it's a shame that there are a smaller handful that create issues...I support the Captains decision to take the action that (s)he did. I blame the parents for not doing their jobs as parents, and I blame the kids for acting like hooligans

 

That being said, I hope that cruiselines in general, and RCL, are even handed...I'd love to see the small group of drunk, out of control, obnoxious arrogant adults that are also on the ship dealt with in the same way, either thrown in the brig or thrown off at the next port.

 

Michael