Oceania, it is time to establish a formal child policy

[Pirouette]

The time for discussion about whether children should be encouraged on Oceania is long past. We have just returned from a very enjoyable 10 day Baltic cruise on Marina. There were many more children than expected, and usually this was not a problem. The younger ones were quite well behaved and spent most of the time with their families. The only exception was a group of "tweens" (somewhere between 10-14) who were ever present in the late night disco, playing in the elevators and appeared to be largely unsupervised.

 

Oceania staff tried to accommodate the group by creating pizza nights, movie nights on deck and a teen disco until 10 pm. Those initiatives I suspect were an attempt to offer something to the teen group and Oceania is to be commended for its efforts in that regard. Difficulties arose when that same group would appear nightly in Horizons after 10:30 pm. There were several complaints and the cruise director attended one night and the tweens were asked to leave. Unfortunately, once he was gone, the group returned. This resulted in resentment on both sides as this became a nightly occurence.

 

The position taken by the parents of this group was that the children were allowed to be anywhere on the ship that the parents happened to be. (Usually there was no parent present in Horizons.) Others maintained that there are some places on the ship that should be reserved for adults. One would not expect to find children in a bar or casino at home, hence it is inapproriate on a cruise ship.

 

The two positions could be easily reconciled with firm policies about when those under 18 could be in otherwise adult spaces. This is common at most adult-oriented resorts. Policies should not only exist, they should also be enforced. In this manner, all cruisers would know what to expect: the adults would have their space and the children and their families would have the option of access to cruise facilities at times that did not interfere with adult enjoyment.

 

The cruise ended with some hard feelings on all sides. For this, I fault Oceania. It is time for Oceania to adress this issue on a formal rather than ad hoc basis. The presence of children is a reality-it fills cabins, expands the cruise demographic and enhances Oceania's bottom line. Unless Oceania can find a way to balance the interests of those seeking an adult experience and those who wish to cruise with children, it risks alienating both groups.

[LHT28]

They do have policies in place ...however it is up to the staff to enforce it

 

Q: What are the Casino policies?

A: Guests must be 18 or older to enter or gamble in the Casions on our ships.

 

 

http://www.oceaniacruises.com/guestservices/faq.aspx?Cat=All

 

Too bad the marauding children are spoiling the cruise for the adults & well behaved children we have encountered in the past

[loum140]

We just returned from 15 days on Riviera (Lands of Time). There were a lot of children on board (hearsay put the number at 100). I found them to be well behaved especially in the dining venues and at the pool (no splashing and no Marco Polo!!). They were often seen quietly playing board games and ping pong, and the CD put together special disco parties for the teens. I personally never saw them riding the elevators without adults present.

 

The only suggestion I would make to Oceania is that when there are large numbers of children on board that classes be offered in the Artist's Loft specifically for them. There is only limited seating and once they are taken, people are turned away. Again - the children attending the art classes were very well behaved and really enjoyed having a creative outlet, but a number of adult passengers were turned away because there was simply no room for them at the tables.

[pacheco18]

I personally would not want to be in a class with children.

It completely changes the experience.

 

If O is going to accommodate children ( I suppose it is inevitable that there will be children on board during vacation and holiday time), it needs to have separate activities for them or it is going to lose a lot of adult cruisers. Otherwise, it needs to have a strict age minimum or restrict children to certain cruises -- whatever, they need to address the problem. The OP is right. O cannot ignore the situation where there are 100 kids (or even 25) on board.

 

It O starts to attract children or market to them, it is going to lose a lot of adult cruisers (discussed ad nauseam on these boards when the Alaska "family" cruises were advertised).

 

I see a trend here.

[spook1]

Hmmmm. This thread is beginning to become similar in theme to another titled CLASS DISTINCTION. Anyone for CHILD DISTINCTION? The problem is not with Oceania but with a minority of parents allowing their "little darlings" to act as if they had no upbringing. Now that is a thought. Cruise line staff cannot admonish children unless they threaten human life by their actions anymore than obnoxious adults. And I have seen a few of the latter. As one who HAS taken his children and grandchildren on many cruises I can say Oceania would never be my choice if I held their enjoyment paramount. Oceania YOUR WORLD does not mention facilites and programs aimed at children such as do the mass market cruise lines. Oceania HAS no dedicated play and amusment areas for children so it isn't too difficult to understand why some get a bit "too much". And...if the average age of Oceania guests is as high as I have read it isn't too difficult to understand why this thread was conceived.

For the record I am eighty.

[Paulchili]

Hmmmm. The problem is not with Oceania but with a minority of parents allowing their "little darlings" to act as if they had no upbringing. Now that is a thought.

 

How is this for a thought?

Having O senoir management have a serious talk and issue a warning to the "misbehaving" children and their parents; and if this warning is not headed, putting them off the ship at the next port.

I have seen "misbehaving" adults put off the ship (QE2) and have read about a couple being taken off the ship for not attending safety drill (Seabourn).

The precedent is there and some people just don't have enough common sense on their own and won't listen to reason - they might pay attention to this.

As pointed out above, it's the responsibility of parents (not the cruise line) to make sure their children behave and respect others, or else; but it's the responsibility of the cruise line to enforce these (and other) rules.

PS I have no problem at all with well behaved children of all ages but do have a major problem with misbehaving ones. Why should others have to put up with that nonsense on their vacations.

[pacheco18]

How is this for a thought?

Having O senoir management have a serious talk and issue a warning to the "misbehaving" children and their parents; and if this warning is not headed, putting them off the ship at the next port.

I have seen "misbehaving" adults put off the ship (QE2) and have read about a couple being taken off the ship for not attending safety drill (Seabourn).

The precedent is there and some people just don't have enough common sense on their own and won't listen to reason - they might pay attention to this.

As pointed out above, it's the responsibility of parents (not the cruise line) to make sure their children behave and respect others, or else; but it's the responsibility of the cruise line to enforce these (and other) rules.

PS I have no problem at all with well behaved children of all ages but do have a major problem with misbehaving ones. Why should others have to put up with that nonsense on their vacations.

 

They don't seem to have the "guts" to discipline these kids and their parents -- not likely they will have the guts to throw them off the ship.

 

Bottom line -- O is just ill equipped for this turn of events. O needs to decide what it wants to be -- and make it choice. Welcome kids and have programs for them or put an age limit on children cruising (the latter will not hurt sales LOL). You just cannot have a throng of kids on a ship with no kids activities and expect anything but bedlam.

[spook1]

Do I see a trend developing here? I mean, really, so we disembark passengers for any willnilly reason? The Seabourn incident was absurb. the Princess laundry fight verdict was just when four were meet in Papeete by a paddy wagon. Then there was the Lady (?) who barged into a Silversea staff meeting demanding she be invited to the captain's table. Jury or judge?

If Oceania is what it is written to be I wager management will enforce rules to whatever level it is capable while maintaining the goodwill of clientele..

I agree it tales two to tango Let the music begin. :p

[wannaberetired]

My 2 cents - Oceania does specifically state on its website that they do no have planned activities for children and if you do any amount of research before choosing a cruise line, you will find out the average age for Oceania cruisers is 60 years old. That being said, it would be expected there will be more children on board in the summer months and on Christmas and spring breaks. My husband and I specifically avoid any cruises at those times because we don't want to cruise with a ship full of children - well-behaved or not. We did have one child on a cruise last September. She was about 9 or 10 years old and very well-behaved, but I felt sorry for her as there was no else for her to play with and there were absolutely no activities for her. If I had children, I would pick a kids-friendly cruise line so the whole family enjoys the vacation.

If Oceania is not going to take a stand and prohibit children on cruises, they will have to institute policies for them such as they are NOT allowed in Horizons or the Casino as they are a Bar and a Casino and children don't belong in Bars and Casinos AND should provide planned activities for them. In any case, kids should not be allowed to wander the ship after 10:00 at night without their parents.

[pacheco18]

My 2 cents - Oceania does specifically state on its website that they do no have planned activities for children and if you do any amount of research before choosing a cruise line, you will find out the average age for Oceania cruisers is 60 years old. That being said, it would be expected there will be more children on board in the summer months and on Christmas and spring breaks. My husband and I specifically avoid any cruises at those times because we don't want to cruise with a ship full of children - well-behaved or not. We did have one child on a cruise last September. She was about 9 or 10 years old and very well-behaved, but I felt sorry for her as there was no else for her to play with and there were absolutely no activities for her. If I had children, I would pick a kids-friendly cruise line so the whole family enjoys the vacation.

If Oceania is not going to take a stand and prohibit children on cruises, they will have to institute policies for them such as they are NOT allowed in Horizons or the Casino as they are a Bar and a Casino and children don't belong in Bars and Casinos AND should provide planned activities for them. In any case, kids should not be allowed to wander the ship after 10:00 at night without their parents.

 

I believe that your 2 cents represents the sentiments of the vast majority of Oceania cruisers -- particularly the many repeat cruisers who I am sure O does not want to alienate, much less lose entirely.

[Pirouette]

The issue was most recently manifest in Horizons where the group of tweens would attend nightly after 10 pm and try to dominate the music selection with the DJ and the dance floor. There were many unhappy adults, especially whe the O entertainment staff would encourage the kids (they were trying "to offer something for the children") despite being aware of complaints by adult patrons. The parents maintained that the had "excellent children" who we're entitled to be anywhere with their parents and that we should "mind our own business".(we only saw the parents on the last night). They were clearly aware of complaints regarding the presence of their children in Horizons. It was an unfortunate and avoidable confrontation.

Horizons is a bar-kids do not belong there with parents or without parents and O was unwilling to take a firm position. You cannot have the cruise director requiring the children to leave Horizons one night and the next night have the O staff dragging the kids to the dance floor! So much for consistency in the application of any rules.

The anti-child comments on this board are not helpful. Children are a reality on O even if it is an adult oriented cruise line. One of our group overheard a gentleman booking a future cruise in the onboard booking office. He wanted to ensure proper accomodation for his three children. There was no attempt to discourage them. From O's perspective, it fills the ship.

O must find a way to balance the needs and expectations of at least two distinct cruise demographics. The recent experience on Marina and that referred to in an earlier post where adults were bumped from an activity in the Loft because there were so many children, demonstrates that O has work to do.

[cbb]

I would never have allowed my tween to be anywhere after 7:00 without me or Dad being around. (My baby was born in S Fla about the time Adam Walsh disappeared so I was hyper cautious.) My granddaughter is 6, perfect, and a world traveler but we would not think of bringing her on an O cruise.

 

Perhaps a "curfew" of 8:00 or 9:00 and then all kids under ? (16?) are to be in their cabin, (unless with a parent,) and if they were not, would be escorted nicely to their parents....again and again if necessary. (sorry crew--you shouldn't have to be the responsible ones)

 

As a former teacher, I understand peer pressure and pack mentality therefore whatever rules are instituted need to be firmly & consistently implemented and begun immediately upon sailing. If the kids see that all of them are going to be held to the same rules, without exceptions, that will also help. (That means ALL kids, no matter who mom/dad is)

 

Is there a maritime drinking age? At the time of making reservations O and all travel agents could remind parents that there was a curfew and that children would not be allowed in adult areas unless over the age of 18? 21?

 

We also never cruise when school is out but then again we can be flexible; not everyone is so fortunate. I love kids and spent my career teaching other peoples children; often my problem child was the parent!

[LHT28]

It is not feasible to avoid cruising during school holidays...

If we all did that we would miss some destinations that most ships only go during the summer months

 

There is a solution but it is up to the cruise line to implement it

[Mura]

Then there was the Lady (?) who barged into a Silversea staff meeting demanding she be invited to the captain's table. Jury or judge?

 

Truly???? Did she expect to have a nice time if they acquiesced to her demand??!!

 

As to putting people of the ship when children misbehave, I agree that is a rather extreme measure ... unless perhaps the behavior is extreme. Like setting fire to the cabin ... But certainly when ANYONE misbehaves, there should be consequences.

 

The ship does risk losing their favorite clientele when a cruise is not enjoyed ... for whatever reason.

 

Mura

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Several others have voiced ideas about simple rules.

 

I.e., no children under the age of, say, 12, allowed in public areas of the ship without their parents, unless they are under the supervision of staff (e.g., art classes.)

 

No children under 18 allowed in public areas after 10 p.m., unless accompanied by their parents.

 

No children under 21 in the lounges or casino at any time without their parents or other supervising adult.

 

Details could vary, but simple rules like this would allow all of the staff to be able to enforce them very easily.

[esther e]

Just a thought, but there's a lot of home-teaching going on. Assume for a moment a group of parents who home teach deciding to go on a cruise NOT during any school breaks....

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't O say smoking in a stateroom or balcony had a zero tolerance and the smoker would be put off at the next port if it continued? Couldn't the same be "suggested" to the parents of unruly kids?

[Pirouette]

I agree that simple, enforced rules are the solution. This would remove the subjective element as to what constitutes "unruly". The legal age on O is 18. It should create disco nights for the younger set during the early evening hours. On deck pizza/movie nights are also a great idea to occupy kids in the evening. There should be no children in adult bars, discos etc after 10pm, even if accompanied by a parent and no children in the casino at any time. The problem is that O appears reluctant to enforce rules for fear of offending some of its paying guests.

[eddmel]

I concur - enforced rules seems to be a solution. When we visit the Metropolitan Museum and others, when children obviously "misbehave" there is a prompt and direct response by the staff. Childrren and their parents do understand "no".

[cathi]

I never thought that kids would be a problem for Oceania. Is it the new ships that have encouraged more families???

 

I wished more parents and their children understood "NO". Seems lately kids never listen when the answer is no. They just do what they want! Heck some adults don't take no for an answer!! The rules never apply to them - just all the rest of us!!

[wripro]

Just to comment on a prior post, the Seabourn incident was NOT absurd. The Captain made the exact right decicion. Being old does not disqualify you from following the rules.

 

As for kids I believe Cunard has the right solution on QM2. They have kennels onboard!!!!!! No flames please. My tongue is in my cheek?????

[spook1]

It is written on the wind Oceania will have a new kid policy in 2013 for Alaska. They will have two age programs 5 to 8 and 9 to 13. As we all know Alaska is a family weighted cruise market. Staff wil be increased to supervise this program.

Of course, as on all ships, there are at present policies reguarding children such as use of the gym with or without parents. Not sure but the age break might be 18. Casino is off limits. As far as bars...it is nearly impossible on many ships to get from point A to point B without walking through a bar or casino. I have enjoyed an adult beverage while my granddaughter had a soft drink. Better to know where she was (if not with a supervised group) than left to her own devices.

It seems some lose sight that Oceania is a business for profit and it is the bottom line which keeps it afloat.

This thread has LIFE but I have had my say.

Bon Voyage.:)

[LHT28]

Good thing I do not have a cruise line :D

my rule would be

No children under 18 allowed

If unruly behavior from any age group they would be put off the ship at the next port.

zero tolerance

 

;)

Oceania has to decide if it wants to be all things to all people or go in the direction it was headed...being an upscale cruise linewith a more mature ambiance & a casual atmosphere

Which is what what people coming backI can do cruises on other lines much cheaper ... if I want to be around lots of children.

Even if they have programs for them not all of them want to attend

Then again most programs are in the daytime a few for the tweens are in the evening but where would they hold these programs on the O ships??I know not all children on Oceania are unruly but once you have a larger number of them as pointed out before "the pack" mentality kicks inAnyway it is not my company but it is my choice to spend my dollars where I will get the most enjoymentI did enjoy the ambiance on Oceania in the past so time will tell if we will cruise with them again

 

JMO

Off my soap box

 

Enjoy whatever cruise you chooseLyn

[TKS]

The recent experience on Marina and that referred to in an earlier post where adults were bumped from an activity in the Loft because there were so many children, demonstrates that O has work to do.

 

Many of the O art loft activities are on a first come-first serve basis. Sorry, but if the young people were there first, they have a right to stay. After all, they are paying guests too.

 

Many of the comment I've read on this thread are entirely anti-child. Come on, now. I agree that young people need to be well behaved, and there need to be consequences if they are not. However, to ban 17 year old young people to their cabins at 8, or even 10 in the evening is simply not fair - it's their vacation too, and they certainly are not going to bed at that hour.

 

I tend to agree they have little or no place in the casino, but what's going on in Horizons that they couldn't see/participate in? I've never seen anything there that most U.S. teenagers haven't seen before. In fact, I'd say it is likely a good influence on them. Seeing adults behave sensibly and responsibly around alcohol in a party atmosphere can help young people develop a better understanding about both. Remember, too, most countries have very different rules about young people using alcohol than the U.S. We don't have our own children, but from my experience hosting eleven exchange students I think the U.S. is not very realistic about our rules.

 

Lets face it folks, like it or not young people do cruise with parents, and they are paying passengers. Why don't we welcome them the same as the 30-somethings who regularly ask if O is for them. The wonderful group of O folks I've met would offer a great learning experience for these young people. In today's world where many young people have little, or no, contact with grandparents you never know what wonderful experiences both sides might enjoy.

[LHT28]

It is written on the wind Oceania will have a new kid policy in 2013 for Alaska.

Bon Voyage.:)

It is written in black & white... for certain Alaska cruises there will be a children's program.

Not ALL sailings

But who reads the fine print ;)

[pacheco18]

Good thing I do not have a cruise line :D

my rule would be

No children under 18 allowed

If unruly behavior from any age group they would be put off the ship at the next port.

zero tolerance

 

;)

Oceania has to decide if it wants to be all things to all people or go in the direction it was headed...being an upscale cruise linewith a more mature ambiance & a casual atmosphere

Which is what what people coming backI can do cruises on other lines much cheaper ... if I want to be around lots of children.

...I know not all children on Oceania are unruly but once you have a larger number of them as pointed out before "the pack" mentality kicks in

 

I wish you owned the cruise line. LOL

 

One thing you are right about, once O becomes filled with kids (particularly on those cozy R ships where there is no place for them to be "invisible"), I will go elsewhere for a lot less money -- I am not going to pay a premium for a less than premium experience.