Oceania, it is time to establish a formal child policy

[LHT28]

Holland America, P&O, and I am sure others, have adult only ships,

What HAL ship is adult only???

P & O is too formal for us

 

Thanks

[Roccoforte]

i don't believe minors are permited to sail unaccompanied by an adult. When cruising with our 2 teenagers we had to assign one adult to each cabin.

Also, on HAL last year we were unable to register our 14 year old grandson on line. When we called HAL we were told the sailing had reached their maximum number of minors. They must have limits. Since we had booked a year in advance, they made an except and we all sailed as planned. This was a June cruise.

We're on the Riviera in Jan. And looking forward to an adult experience!

[LHT28]

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.

That is rather odd

Maybe they did come with adults but they were absentee parents or G-parents

after all they are on a ship what could happen to them :rolleyes:

[esther e]

That is rather odd

Maybe they did come with adults but they were absentee parents or G-parents

after all they are on a ship what could happen to them :rolleyes:

 

Lyn, you do "get" my sense of humor and that's scary!!! Of course, I was joking. I sure wish there was something on this site where one could see a glint in someone's eye or a smile on their face as they're typing!:)

 

I think the Prinsendam might be geared more towards adults but not sure. None of them are adult only, though.

[geekybiker]

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.

 

We did that cruise, same line, same time and there were hordes of Spanish and Italian children that I swear the parents were encouraging them to be as obnoxious as possible. I would count on timing a little less for European itineraries.

[LHT28]

Lyn, you do "get" my sense of humor and that's scary!!! Of course, I was joking. I sure wish there was something on this site where one could see a glint in someone's eye or a smile on their face as they're typing!:)

 

I think the Prinsendam might be geared more towards adults but not sure. None of them are adult only, though.

You are a lttle devil Esther :D

Hope you are keeping well

 

I did not think HAL had any officially "Adult only" ships

 

Now there is an idea for Oceania..make 2 ships ADULT ONLY and see if it flies

They could do a trial season ..1 R ship & 1 O class ship

 

Any takers??? ;)

 

Lyn

[pacheco18]

Now there is an idea for Oceania..make 2 ships ADULT ONLY and see if it flies

They could do a trial season ..1 R ship & 1 O class ship

 

Any takers??? ;)

 

Lyn

 

I love the idea but it probably makes more sense to do it by itinerary rather than by ship.

 

I think it is easily done by itinerary and would be applauded by the vast majority of O cruisers.

[wripro]

I don't believe Renaissance went bankrupt because of its no children policy. It went bankrupt because it ordered eight new ships immediately before 9/11.

 

And a 17 year old is not a kid. He/she is a young adult so perfectly fine imo.

[Mura]

I don't think Ren ordered 8 new ships right before 9/11, but it certainly did order too many ships too fast (IMO) and from what I recall was scheduled to meet with the bankers a day or two after 9/11 ... certainly the proximate cause of its bankruptcy was 9/11. I agree with you there!

[Hawaiidan]

Off topic, but I was there the day they closed their doors or more properly cast off.

I was on the Regent Mariner, we were in Moorea in Cooks bay on that day and so was the R2.

The R gave everybody a party on the island and shore excursion.. at no charge, so all the passengers debarked and were enjoying the day. Right up to the time they looked up and saw the ship sail away ( it went to Tahiti and was taken by creditors) with their all their stuff.

 

Since the Mariner had a number of cabins free they made them a pretty good offer to get back to LA and sail over to Tahiti that evening to claim their luggage.

Thats the story that I heard and observed first hand. That night we docked in Tahiti and sailed past 2 regent ships dark with armed guards posted. former passengers were allowed to claim their stuff.

[happy cruzer]

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.

 

Agree the S class is a good solution for adults for the reasons you list. Plus they have the Sanctuary area with two hot tubs and pool for adults. Many have mentioned an issue on O at night but I think the pool on a sea day would also be an issue. I have never enjoyed a pool area as much as Os for it's quiet relaxing atmosphere with nice loungers in the sun or the shade but just add a few children and it would be different. Celebrity's S class adult pool is nice but it does get crowded and is not open air, but it is still an excellent option for relaxation.

[Rotterdam]

A 17 year old in the US is still a minor...no alcohol and certainly that is one of the major issues w/ minors onboard( I know about the Int'l Laws etc) the 17 yo gives a beer to a 15 yo etc.

 

So the kids seperate from the parents and all heck breaks loose.....and most of all you don't want anyone getting hurt.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't believe Renaissance went bankrupt because of its no children policy. It went bankrupt because it ordered eight new ships immediately before 9/11.

 

And a 17 year old is not a kid. He/she is a young adult so perfectly fine imo.

[TERRIER1]

I normally do not get involved in these discussions but I feel compelled to add my two cents. I have tooted Oceania to friends given the food quality, ports and lovely ambiance of which includes a definitive lack of children on board. I love kids but the cruises we have taken have had a major lack of kids. We have been on 5 cruises and they have been "off season". We have taken no school holiday cruises or sailed during July and August so our experience has been wonderful but limited. The kids on board have been few and extremely well behaved with their parents and grandparents always visible and in sight. I must admit that the kids we have come in contact either have been under twelve or over sixteen and not this problematic tween age. We have been amazed at the good behavior of these kids but to date it has been mostly on the R ships and the few on the O ships have been wonderful.

 

I am now very concerned and doubt I will ever take an Oceania cruise during the school vacation time. I will seek another cruise line that caters to adults or try the R ships of Azamara. I have a sixth cruise coming up for French Polynesia but after that will look for adults only if I cruise during the school holidays. I don't see the need to pay a premium for Oceania to have a lot of kids when I can sail for less money and get the same "kid" experience on another line if I chose a school holiday cruise.

 

Unless Oceania puts in controls and enforces them I will never sail during the school holidays on an Oceania ship. The Marina and Riviera seems to have picked up a different clientele then the original R ships. It may be great for Oceania but not for us. I can't believe Oceania would allow kids in the casino or bars. It is up to the cruise ship to enforce these rules. I am unhappy that Oceania is unwilling to enforce simple rules for fear of losing their new cruise base. However, I am sure that FDR would not allow his grandchildren into bars and casinos so why allow others. I am not a prude but rules are rules. I would never enter a casino or bar with my children when they were underage so why should I put up up with others.

 

I really love Oceania but I will no longer recommend the line to others due to "kid" issue.

[Pirouette]

Over 2500 views in the last 48 hours and still no one from O (who we all know reads these boards) has seen fit to respond or weigh in. That speaks volumes in itself.

[dundeene]

In my opinion in is too early to say you can expect problems with unruly children on future Oceania cruises.

We cruised on Marina over Easter Break in the med and saw very few children on-board and zero problems.

 

My experience is that unfortunately the unhappy cruisers relay their negative experience with Oceania with greater fervor than those with a positive experience. Hearing negative stories again and again seems like a strong pattern until you see that one person may relay the same bad experience on multiple threads.

 

I am a school administrator M-F and a Sunday School Superintendent. I spend 6 days a week with little people and choose Oceania because of the ambiance on-board. I need time away to refresh and recharge. I prefer vacation time that is peaceful and adult oriented.

 

FDR and management seems actively involved in responding to issues voiced on this forum. I believe that management is probably ahead of us and trying to "strategize" new policy and implement staff training in this area.

 

I do not intend to minimize legitimate concerns or reports of children "running wild". Oceania is after all in business to make a profit. It would not reach that goal with the defection of many loyal cruisers who see unruly children as a reason to take their business elsewhere. I just think it is too early to "jump ship":D

Oceania was great the first time around and we are coming back for more.;)

[Tansy Mews]

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.

 

I am not keen to disallow / stop cruising children (although I am a novice cruiser!) but these proposed rules seem very sensible, and should have the support of parents too. I don't think that the cruise line should offer a whole lot of services for children - there are cruise lines that do that, at various price points. Give cruisers clear rules before they book on Oceania and staff clear rules that they can objectively enforce.

[wassup4565]

I have no patience for the people on this thread who say they don't want any children around under any circumstances. But I do feel that if there are going to be children, the cruise line should not pretend they aren't there and leave it to the passengers to put up with the consequences.

 

If children are allowed on the ship, they can't just be regarded as polite little adults with no unique needs. I was on a cruise with a person who had a guide dog, and the dog's needs were provided for by the ship. If kids are allowed on the ship, their needs should be provided for.

[ricki]

In my opinion in is too early to say you can expect problems with unruly children on future Oceania cruises.

We cruised on Marina over Easter Break in the med and saw very few children on-board and zero problems.

 

My experience is that unfortunately the unhappy cruisers relay their negative experience with Oceania with greater fervor than those with a positive experience. Hearing negative stories again and again seems like a strong pattern until you see that one person may relay the same bad experience on multiple threads.

 

I am a school administrator M-F and a Sunday School Superintendent. I spend 6 days a week with little people and choose Oceania because of the ambiance on-board. I need time away to refresh and recharge. I prefer vacation time that is peaceful and adult oriented.

 

FDR and management seems actively involved in responding to issues voiced on this forum. I believe that management is probably ahead of us and trying to "strategize" new policy and implement staff training in this area.

 

I do not intend to minimize legitimate concerns or reports of children "running wild". Oceania is after all in business to make a profit. It would not reach that goal with the defection of many loyal cruisers who see unruly children as a reason to take their business elsewhere. I just think it is too early to "jump ship":D

Oceania was great the first time around and we are coming back for more.;)

 

I think people can have totally different experiences on the same cruise, Dundeene. We were on the same cruise with you, and did experience unruly, unsupervised, rude children. If I remember correctly, you were on the penthouse deck. We had a concierge class cabin and all up and down our hall were cabins with an extended European family. There were at least 15 children in this group who ran up and down the hall shouting, banging on doors and played in the elevator into the wee hours (and I am aware that, culturally, children in Europe stay up very late). They ranged in age from about 7 to older teens. They were entirely unsupervised. In fact, in one night in Toscano, all the children were dining together (quite late) while their parents dined in another venue. They were loud and disruptive in the restaurant, constantly getting up and down and pushing by other diners. They dug into the cheese wheel in the entry way with their bare hands multiple times. It is a large restaurant, so the maitre d' did not observe this, but when we told him about it, he said his hands were tied. (the cheese was NOT removed).

 

We don't mind well-behaved, supervised children(we are parents and grandparents), but how do you assure that will be the case? Parents get into "vacation mode," too, on the cruise and there is no guarantee that children will be reminded how to behave. We thought Marina was a gorgeous ship, but the lustre will quickly fade if it becomes dominated by poorly behaved children. Unfortunately, unruly children who roam on their own can change the tenor of the cruise.

 

I hope that Oceania continues as a cruise line geared to adults, offering a sophisticated and stylish alternative to other lines.

 

Ricki

[TERRIER1]

Perhaps another rule should be that children under a certain age should not be allowed in any dining venues unless accompanied by an adult (adult being a parent or guardian not another 18 year old).

[Port 11]

I think I remember seeing the Prinsendam was adults only at one time, I was looking to see what it had available, but always seemed to be fully booked.

 

I believe all the ships now accept children.

[Tansy Mews]

But I do feel that if there are going to be children, the cruise line should not pretend they aren't there and leave it to the passengers to put up with the consequences.

 

If children are allowed on the ship, they can't just be regarded as polite little adults with no unique needs. I was on a cruise with a person who had a guide dog, and the dog's needs were provided for by the ship. If kids are allowed on the ship, their needs should be provided for.

 

Yes, if children are on the ship they should be provided for - if only to prevent them from being bored and running amuck! I meant that O shouldn't change this policy (From website, Guest Services, FAQ): "Oceania Cruises does not provide for the care, entertainment or supervision of children."

 

Give staff specific rules that are not subject to personality and are easy to enforce. e.g. no children under this age unaccompanied here, etc. See previous post!

 

BTW, I didn't notice children misbehaving on our Baltic cruise but my husband did.

[Rotterdam]

To compare the situations of having unruly children in an adult venue vs a person who has a need(the guide dog) is totally digusting. Children do not need to onboard and if they are they should behave.

 

Secondly the poster who wrote in about her clubhouse & the child in diapers in the pool....thats disgusting...certainly health concerns should be a priority...not saying anything is worse that the guardian of that child allowing them to be in the pool.

 

Isn't anyone using common sense & behaving with consideration for others?????

 

I have no patience for the people on this thread who say they don't want any children around under any circumstances. But I do feel that if there are going to be children, the cruise line should not pretend they aren't there and leave it to the passengers to put up with the consequences.

 

If children are allowed on the ship, they can't just be regarded as polite little adults with no unique needs. I was on a cruise with a person who had a guide dog, and the dog's needs were provided for by the ship. If kids are allowed on the ship, their needs should be provided for.

[cbb]

If O is going to have activities for the young I hope they have the foresight to ask that age group what kind of activites they would participate in.

 

Perhaps a survey of the young aboard now could be used for next year's holiday/summer cruises. Given the smaller R ships it might be difficult to meet the needs but asking them what they would like is a no-brainer.

 

Many that age think they are "too cool" for anything planned. Now if some of the younger, dare I say "hotter/with-it" crew are part of the activities then there might be full participation! Nothing like being European or South American to capture a young North American's attention (or old North American's attention for that matter!)

[Paulchili]

To compare the situations of having unruly children in an adult venue vs a person who has a need(the guide dog) is totally digusting.

 

Isn't anyone using common sense & behaving with consideration for others?????

 

+1 - not to mention that I am sure that the dog behaves impeccably and is not a nuisance to anyone :)

As to your question - unfortunately, I feel the answer is very few people fall into this category any more and the numbers are shrinking rapidly.

Sadly, we live in the "ME" generation :(

[cruisewmn]

I posted this on the Poll thread, but thought this fit here, as well:

 

My husband and I travel with our teenage son. I cherish the memories we have created seeing the world: frequent trips to Europe, Africa, and Latin America. When we travel, we enjoy an upscale experience including lodging and dining. We booked on Oceania for both an itinerary and ship experience which are simply unavailable on most mass market ships.

 

I admit, we enjoy a more subdued environment. Sea days are spent reading books. Port days are spent on tours and soaking up the culture of foreign lands. Nights include leisurely dinners followed by my husband and I going out for drinks in the lounge while our son relaxes in the cabin. Some nights, we like to watch a movie in the cabin as a family. For us, family vacations were meant to be together.

 

Some parents choose a vacation where they spend time as a couple and the children are off in programming. Mass market cruise lines are perfect for these families, but I agree with others who think that unsupervised children will be bored and troublesome on a line like Oceania. I take offense at those who state that parents who choose to bring children on Oceania are only thinking of themselves. My son loves cruising -- his favorite experience to date was on Seabourn (he's a foodie). We have taught our son that there is a time and place for everything. We visit Disney World and Universal Studies for typical family getaways. His behavior is more relaxed in these environments. When we go to a fine restaurant or hotel/cruise, he is expected to behave appropriately.

 

Perhaps the problem is expectations and guidelines. Our son knows what we expect and what the rules are. Oceania needs to do the same for its guests. I don't think banning children is the answer (a few bad eggs shouldn't ruin it for everybody). Still, explaining what is available to children onboard, listing behavioral guidelines, and stating consequences of poor behavior should be done in a brochure or at the time of booking.

 

For example:

Oceania caters to the adult cruiser. While children are allowed on Oceania, only select cruises will have children's programming. Children are expected to behave appropriately at all times: no running, shouting, door slamming, or congregating in the halls will be allowed. While children are welcome to swim in the pools, no splashing or games will be tolerated. Children are not allowed in any hot tub. Children ages 14 and younger should be accompanied by a parent at all times. If these rules are violated, parents will be given a warning. Any subsequent violation will result in the child being confined to the cabin or the family being removed from the ship, at the discretion of the captain.

 

Most parents would read the above statement and think twice about bringing children on board Oceania. However, those with well behaved children who enjoy seeing the world by upscale cruise ship would still be allowed.