Oceania, it is time to establish a formal child policy

[LHT28]

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.

 

 

 

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.

I do not have a problem with young people spending time in the venues in the evening (except where prohibited)

My problem is when they are running through the halls or worse

I have not seen it on Oceania YET

If they are paying passengers then the rules apply to them also

[pacheco18]

Many of us DO have a problem sailing with children. We just don't want to spend vacation time where there are kids. One of the reasons we have loved O is the paucity of children on board. One or two at most. Sometimes zero. That's why we would not get on DIsney or Royal Caribbean under any circumstances -- even for free!

 

Things are apparently changing. If more kids are going to be on board it will be a deal breaker for many of us. We are not saying "you have no right" or "the kids on board have no right." What we are saying is that if they are going to be there in large numbers and have those rights and there are no kids programs, no rules and no space for them, it will not be Oceania any more for many of us.

 

What Lyn said bears repeating-- Oceania has to decided what it wants to be -- it cannot be all things to all people.

 

Fortunately my only future O cruise booked is Dubai to Rome (21 days) in late April. I doubt there will be kids on that cruise. I will be watching to see how O handles this problem.

[Hawaiidan]

Many high end hotels and restauraunts in Europe already have policy statments that say " No guest under the age of 16 will be accommodated by the Hotel/ resturaunt. "

Regent used to say any person inder the age of 21 needs to be escorted by an adult..

 

Since the drinking age in the the majority of the US is 21, and Oceania has liquor available in all of its public spaces, they should simply not accept reservations or passengers under 21 the same as bars and nighclubs.!

[geomac53]

I am quite disturbed to find out there may be children on board. If I wanted to be around a bunch of kids I would take a less expensive "Princes, Carnaval , Disney Cruise" What attracted me to "O" was the one thing in the brochers stating that there were no children activity, which to me is saying in a legel speak that children are not welcome. It is not like other cruise lines do not have the same intinerarys. Really I do not hate kids, I just do not like to be reminded that I am getting old!

[pacheco18]

Correct me if I'm wrong (i am sure someone will lol) -- but I think that the posts on these boards about problems with uncontrolled children on Oceania involve only the new larger ships (mostly Marina since Riviera has only just joined the fleet).

 

Maybe O did not realize that a consequence of building a larger ship might be an influx of children -- even without the children's programs in place.

[LHT28]

Correct me if I'm wrong (i am sure someone will lol) -- but I think that the posts on these boards about problems with uncontrolled children on Oceania involve only the new larger ships (mostly Marina since Riviera has only just joined the fleet).

 

There may be some truth in that

 

We have only been on Marina in 2011 Panama cruise & I do not think there were any children onboard but if there was they were not noticeable ;)

The R-ships when there were children onboard they were very well behaved & always were with their parents but I think the most we had on 1 cruise was 8

 

Lyn

[GrammieK]

I don't think the question is whether or not O should formally set up a kids program, but, rather if O should encourage families to sail. Program or not, the ship will be different, the experience will be different and not the same product that most of us signed on for. I don't hate kids! I am a loving grammie to my little angels, but would never dream of taking them on a cruise because there just wouldn't be enough things to keep them busy (even with a kids program), not to mention the obvious dangers for children on a cruise ship, out in the middle of the ocean.

If I want to sail a line that encourages families, there are plenty out there. It is just that O is my go to cruise line for an adult only experience. It would certainly change my mind if that changed. When Entennmann's bakery changed the formula for the chocolate icing on the chocolate donuts, they lost my business. Just saying....

I know the powers that be will do what is best to keep the ships full and profitable, but I hope repeat business is a consideration.

[wannaberetired]

Well-said GrammieK. I am sailing on the 9/14 Lisbon to Rome/Rivieria cruise next month. I hope the experience is as good as it was on the Athens to Istanbul/Nautica cruise last September. I don't think there will be a problem in September as the kids are all starting school at that time, however, I am looking into taking an O cruise next June or July (London to London). Like others, I will go elsewhere if Oceania changes its policies on children.

[pacmom]

Grammie--very offpost, but oh, the memories of the real Entemanns, and also Dugan's. Okay back to kids or no kids--won't comment, but my druthers would be a policy that is FOLLOWED. Pat

[cruisewmn]

I don't mean to be obtuse, but if you don't want to sail on a ship with children, what cruise line would you choose?

 

My family has taken 25+ cruises (my husband and I are mid-40's and we a have a 16 year old son). We started on Disney, then tried NCL and Celebrity, and recently sailed Seabourn. We enjoy an upscale travel experience and are looking forward to an Oceania cruise next summer. I have never been on a ship without kids. Even Seabourn had children's programming -- we only knew about it because of daily itineraries delivered to our son's cabin. He hates kid's clubs and refused to go. We never saw the other children, but there were enough to offer daily day/evening offerings for a variety of ages.

 

Is there an adults-only cruise line I'm unaware of or are some of you simply going to stop cruising because of changing demographics on some of O's cruises?

[LHT28]

I don't mean to be obtuse, but if you don't want to sail on a ship with children, what cruise line would you choose?

 

Is there an adults-only cruise line I'm unaware of or are some of you simply going to stop cruising because of changing demographics on some of O's cruises?

 

I think the other lines have some sort of children's program... right?

 

Oceania does not...so what are the little darlings going to do onboard:confused:

That is where the problem is

 

FYI

Yes there is a cruise line with an adults only cruise ships ...P & O have 3 adults only ships but they are more formal than Oceania

[Pirouette]

The issue is how to balance the sometimes competing interests and expectations of the changing demographics on O cruises. Children need activities and places to socialize. At the same time, there should be adult only spaces on board, at least during later evening hours. It is really not that complicated. With over 1340 views on this thread in the last day, let us hope that O appreciates that this cannot be ignored.

[pacheco18]

One of the many reasons I sail O is lack of children. It's my choice. I am willing to pay a large premium for the peace and quiet and the adult atmosphere. I am not ashamed to say it and I am not alone in this regard.

 

If O is going to now cater to children -- with or without a children's program -- I can sail Celebrity in a suite for half the price. They have programs for kids and on a gorgeous S class ship they are neither heard nor seen. I cannot imagine what an R ship would be like with even 10 kids on it. I have booked my first Azamara cruise (on a R ship) and if they are like the "old O," maybe that is a solution for the future.

 

Those of us who are passionate about sailing without children are just as passionate as those of you who want to bring the kids along everywhere. Believe me, I want to keep sailing O but if it is changing to be a "family friendly" cruise line it will not meet my needs.

 

If I could make the policy it would be either

 

set a minimum age limit - 16? 18?

or limit number of kids under age 18 allowed per sailing -- O can control its bookings

or make certain cruises "adults only" - 21+

or label certain cruises "family friendly" as they are doing in Alaska and limit the number of children on all others.

 

But I would have a clear policy so that all of us know what to expect and are not disappointed.

 

What surprises me here is that if you ask most O cruisers what they love most about O, "no kids on board" is always among the top 5. Why would the company want to destroy what it has built?

[cruisewmn]

I think the other lines have some sort of children's program... right?

 

Oceania does not...so what are the little darlings going to do onboard:confused:

That is where the problem is

 

FYI

Yes there is a cruise line with an adults only cruise ships ...P & O have 3 adults only ships but they are more formal than Oceania

 

Glad to hear P&O is an option for those wanting child-free cruising.

For the record, Seabourn does not offer formal children's programming. They quietly provide it only when large numbers of children are on board. There was a letter waiting in our cabin upon embarkation that children were expected to act appropriately (no running, shouting, etc). Seemed to work.

[Paulchili]

 

Is there an adults-only cruise line I'm unaware of or are some of you simply going to stop cruising because of changing demographics on some of O's cruises?

 

We have never seen children on Silversea (6 cruises). For one thing, not many children are willing to put up with their very strict formal dress code (in addition to other reasons why you are not likely to see children on Silversea).

This is not to say that they are not allowed or that there are never any children on those cruises but you are not likely to see what has been reported here on some O cruises. Nor would it be tolerated, I might add.

That said, it would be a high price (pun intended) for us to leave O for Silversea (in fact it won't happen:D).

We'll just choose our cruises very carefully.

[sondi 14]

Pacheco18 - don't count on not seeing and hearing children on a Celebrity ship that is large and has children's programs. In the past, I have sailed on other lines' larger ships that have excellent children's programs and it's not the young children that are the problem. It's the 12 and older children that seem to cause the problems. After having 2 or 3 cruises with many unruly, badly behaved children, I decided I would never go on one of those ships again. Granted, one of the cruises was at holiday time so I assume some responsibility. However, the parents didn't seem to care that their children were running wild over the ship and taking over several venues. Unfortunately, the cruise line couldn't seem to control them either and the experiences left a very bad taste in my mouth.

 

One of the reasons we love O is that we have never experienced this on one of their ships and hope that we don't in the future.

[Hunding]

Just to comment on a prior post, the Seabourn incident was NOT absurd. The Captain made the exact right decision. Being old does not disqualify you from following the rules. No flames please. My tongue is in my cheek?????

 

Though it need not be.

[pacheco18]

Pacheco18 - don't count on not seeing and hearing children on a Celebrity ship that is large and has children's programs. .

 

I have sailed Celebrity many times -- I know there have been kids on board but I did not notice them. Granted, I never sail during a holiday.

 

S class ships have a disco just for teens (I never go in) and programs during the day for sea days. They have a movie theater. They have other kid-centered venues as well. The specialty restaurants are never a problem because parents rarely pay the extra for their kids to go in. The dining room is large and we request seating away from children -- no problem -- and kids are almost always at the early seating which we avoid

 

On a S ship there is plenty of space for me to get away from kids if I choose to. On a small R ship I am stuck.

[kiawahdon]

If you have an issue with children, you have to be certifiable to cruise mid June to late August. You are going to have children and they may be uncontrolled urchins. It's kind of like playing the slots-- you will eventually give your money away.

[LHT28]

We have never seen children on Silversea (6 cruises). For one thing, not many children are willing to put up with their very strict formal dress code

 

I would not like their formal dress code either :D

[pacheco18]

If you have an issue with children, you have to be certifiable to cruise mid June to late August. You are going to have children and they may be uncontrolled urchins. It's kind of like playing the slots-- you will eventually give your money away.

 

 

You are right about choosing a time to cruise -- itinerary can also make a big difference. Certain itineraries are not likely to have small children - eg transatlantics, Panama Canal, even the Baltics. And the longer the cruise, the less likely you are to encounter children. All this goes into the mix when we plan.

 

Actually LATE August is not bad (depending on itinerary). Many schools are back in session by that time. Last year we did the Baltics on Celebrity in late August -- only a handful of kids. Not a problem at all. Next year we are doing the Black Sea in late August -- not really a child-friendly itinerary. We did the Paul Gauguin in late August -- there were 3 kids -- two teens who were very well behaved and one 6 year old who was mildly annoying (actually the parents were really annoying -- the kid would have been fine if the parents had acted differently). On that small ship there is no place to hide.

[hondorner]

I have no clue what Oceania's thinking is on this subject, but I can remind everyone that Renaissance Cruises had a prohibition against children. The founder of Oceania at one time was co-CEO of Renaissance, and was obviously very familiar with that policy, which had been set by the owner of Renaiisance.

 

Renaissance went bankrupt.

 

Now, I hasten to say there were a lot of factors that brought about that bankruptcy, including a questionable policy of eschewing travel agents, a strict no-smoking anywhere policy and others, including the adults-only policy. And, of course, it was the rapid demise of travel after the 9/11 tragedy that was the straw that broke Ren's back (the bankruptcy decision was two weeks after 9/11). And, by that time, Mr. Del Rio had left Renaissance after having had some success in reversing the slide.

 

Still, I seriously doubt that a strict adults-only policy will be forthcoming from Oceania, especially as long as Mr. Del Rio has grandchildren and Oceania President Kamlani has school-agen children.

 

Having said that, I agree that some level of discipline enforcement can be needed, but, based on my observations, the problem is not nearly as bad as the isolated incidents related previously. I also wonder if the increased chikdren's activities advocated here might actually attract even more children and exacerbate the problem.

[Love.II.Cruise]

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?

 

So what happens when you are on a TA and do not see land for 7 nights?

 

 

 

On another note... I grew up in the gambling city of the US states. There were strict rules. I was not allowed within x feet of any gambling. I sat many times away from my parents while they quickly threw $100 dollars into a dollar slot. I behaved and just waited (usually outside by the valet).

 

In this city there was also a strict no belly to the bar rule... meaning no child at the bar, period. I even recall a restaurant lounge that I was not allowed in (fortunately there were a couple video games to play outside the lounge). I was allowed to go in to get more quarters, but had to leave promptly.

 

I was shocked by the leniency on the first cruise I went on (I was in 6th grade)! As a child, it was really weird. I didn't understand why I was allowed to do something on the ship and not at home. But I can assure you that I fell in love with cruising! :D

 

Later, I even recall drinking easily between the ages of 18 and 21 and was shocked (actually I was served drinks at the age of 16 on Celebrity). I know cruise lines don't necessarily do that now. Now I'm in my 30's. We do not have kids and we travel to escape everything. We do not want to deal with unruly children. If we wanted that, we would go home and visit my DH's nephews.

 

We've seen unruly children on many lines and it can ruin a cruise. Once we hid on our balcony for the last couple days of a South American cruise (yes it was during Xmas and New Year's). We now look for cruises that we hope will have less children.

[Officer Onboard]

I guess we have been lucky on our many Regent Cruises in that we have never seen more than a couple of kids at a time, usually babies.

At certain times of the Year Regent show "Club Mariner" which indicates children will be on-board so these can be avoided. IMHO there is a simple solution. Allocate a small number of sailings in the holidays which are kid friendly and provide entertainment etc. Make all the others Adult only.

Holland America, P&O, and I am sure others, have adult only ships, I am advised these are very popular and usually sell out early.

There are plenty of Cruise lines that offer family friendly environments, leave the likes of O and Regent to those seeking a child free vacation.

[esther e]

A group of some of the worst kids (5 of them under the age 7) somehow got on a Regent ship without their parents or grandparents. I didn't know children could sail by themselves. Live and learn. ;) Anyhow, this particular cruise was not offered with Club Mariner program -- the one following was. Unfortunately, I don't think any cruise line is allowed to tell you how many children will be on, or if there is a convention aboard. We were on a HAL ship several years ago with 750 poker players. Not sure which was worse -- kids or the poker players.