Adults cruising over Christmas...are we crazy?

[lawgirl]

Hello. We are a couple with no children considering a cruise over Christmas 2013... The Jewel leaving from San Juan for 7 days. We are concerned about tons of unruly kids based upon board posts. We dont mind kids, but want some relaxation, such as at late seating dinner.

 

We thought maybe San Juan departure and being on a smaller ship might lead to fewer kids. We know a longer cruise would help, but we have limited vacation days.

 

Anyhow, are we crazy? Thanks for any experiences.

[Merion_Mom]

1. Any cruise over Christmas will be full of kids.

 

2. There are adults only spots on the ships.

 

3. Children's behavior is dependent on level of parenting done by their......parents.

 

4. I would NOT expect it to be "better" going out of San Juan.

[KirkNC]

1. Any cruise over Christmas will be full of kids.

 

2. There are adults only spots on the ships.

 

3. Children's behavior is dependent on level of parenting done by their......parents.

 

4. I would NOT expect it to be "better" going out of San Juan.

 

I agree, I think your better off going a week or so before Christmas when the ship is all decorated but the number of kids is manageable.

[Jbird81]

In 2010, I cruised on Radiance of the Seas over Christmas. It was not horrible as many would expect with kids racing everywhere, etc. There were lots of kids, yes, but they mainly stuck around certain parts of the ship, such as the kids clubs, sports areas, etc. Never had a problem with them. As long as you enter your cruise with a positive attitude nothing will ruin it for you. You'll have an amazing Christmas cruise (totally jealous over here!)

[TravlGrl]

I agree with everything that's been said. For me, it's a mindset where I need to tell myself constantly to have patience and realize that kids ARE going to be everywhere. That sometimes translates to screaming in the dining room by little ones, excessive elevator stops on decks where no one is waiting, and just slower walkways as the little ones make their way around the ship. It's not horrible, but it definitely takes more patience than cruising during a non-holiday.

 

Would I personally cruise over the holiday again? Probably, but only if I found a great deal. Otherwise, I'd pick the week before when the ships are decorated nicely but with less kiddos.

 

Whatever you decide, have a great time!

[narrow56]

I don't know if it's because I'm a teacher and I'm with kids every day or what...but I have never once thought about going on a certain cruise because of the number of kids. It just goes to show how different we all are! :)

[misty57]

It's not the little ones that annoy me but the college age rowdy kids ( I know all are not that way, but consider spring break). The Solarium is usually a good place to be. We haven't had any young ones being annoying in there, just some older guys arguing over politics in the hot tub, and that was a hoot!

I wouldn't worry about the Christmas cruise. Just go and have a great time. One day I hope we can cruise over Christmas with our family ( all grown).

If you are concerned about the kids you might consider Celebrity if there is a comparable cruise available.

[Lady Hudson]

Hello. We are a couple with no children considering a cruise over Christmas 2013... The Jewel leaving from San Juan for 7 days. We are concerned about tons of unruly kids based upon board posts. We dont mind kids, but want some relaxation, such as at late seating dinner.

 

We thought maybe San Juan departure and being on a smaller ship might lead to fewer kids. We know a longer cruise would help, but we have limited vacation days.

 

Anyhow, are we crazy? Thanks for any experiences.

 

Went on Enchantment last year over spring break -- 900 kids on board a smaller ship. Not a problem. I don't sit at the pool (where many kids are), went to late seating (not many kids) and spent time in the casino (kids not allowed). On one ship ( Explorer) there was racing up and down the hall and the typical -- press all the buttons on the elevators -- trick. Just try to stay away from where the kids congregate and you should be fine. Enjoy!

[Keith1010]

There will be a lot of kids on board.

 

Keith

[JKHawaii]

Yes, you are crazy!

[wurmine]

Well, I could suggest the Maasdam of Holland America. We sailed with her for christams/new Year and there were practically no children, if that helps.

[JeffKoz]

I will be on the Jewel for xmas cruise and this will be my 4 xmas in a row cruising. With no more family alive and the stepdaughter off on her own the whole xmas routine became a chore - so cruising is now the routine.

 

As for children, some people have an encounter with one or two and it will ruin their cruise and they complain the kids on board were terrible. I have found that rccl program to be well run and have never seen gangs of unruly kids. In fact, on all my xmas cruises, from the oasis class to the small radiance class, I am literally shocked when I find out how many kids are on board because I just have not noticed them.

 

The one time I noticed was on the Radiance when Santa came aboard via lifeboat, paraded through the centrum and then sat the tree and gave a present to every kid on board (400). The line was long, but was no worse than the rude adults in line when trying to push their way off the ship immediately after we are cleared by customs.

[Trekker954]

December cruises are also more expensive for the most part over christmas and new years. December cruises are advantageous if you are a Diamond or above for the double cruise points. There will be lots of kids. Kids cruise out of San Juan just as much. The Solarium on the Jewel does not allow kids, however, we just got off her and you could die from the chlorine gases in there. But I have to say, the Solarium on the Jewel is so beautiful.

 

We cruise mostly in December because we often have use or lose by the end of the year vacation time. It has also helped elevate us to the next level quickly. We do not like sailing with too many kids on board playing with the elevators and or touching everything at the buffet, which is mostly our complaint with unsupervised kids. Its funny, I use to be president of the PTA, but now that my kids are grown I don't have the patience I use to. I guess getting old adds to it. oh well. I'm still waiting on grandchildren though.:)

 

Last week on the Jewel, a father was trying to control his son at the ice cream stand who was touching every cone, saying I want this one, no this one and the father was trying to stop him from touching and holding up the line. When he finally scooped him up and say to go on, I just removed a few of the cones to get to an untouched one, so if something annoys you, just find a way around it.

 

We love Christmas decorations, christmas trivia, parades, sometimes they do carols, so December crusing is actually pretty awesome

[Merion_Mom]

Hello. We are a couple with no children considering a cruise over Christmas 2013... The Jewel leaving from San Juan for 7 days. We are concerned about tons of unruly kids based upon board posts. We dont mind kids, but want some relaxation, such as at late seating dinner.

 

We thought maybe San Juan departure and being on a smaller ship might lead to fewer kids. We know a longer cruise would help, but we have limited vacation days.

 

Anyhow, are we crazy? Thanks for any experiences.

 

You could join us on the Enchantment - December 22-29. She cruises out of Baltimore. I will protect you from the hordes of rugrats and anklebiters!

 

I am a teacher, so I must cruise when the kids are out of school. It doesn't bother me too much, and I have no fear of them or their parents. I will stop a misbehaving child in his/her tracks with my "voice of God" voice. :)

[JeffKoz]

. I will stop a misbehaving child in his/her tracks with my "voice of God" voice. :)

 

I love it...lol...that one made me pass my drink through my nose...thanks :p

 

The "crazy evil eye" can stop the younger one's pretty quick too....

[klingoncruiser]

As a teacher, we are stuck going on holidays. While we love being on the ships at Christmas, it will be full of children. They can be a problem from time to time depending on weather (cold weather keeps them inside), it is still a fun time to cruise.

[DebJ14]

Well, I could suggest the Maasdam of Holland America. We sailed with her for christams/new Year and there were practically no children, if that helps.

 

I second this idea. HAL appeals to an older crowd and the Ryndam, Statendam and Maasdam appeal to an older client base because the ships are smaller than today's mega liners. We have taken several Christmas cruises on HAL and while there were some kids, most were well behaved and part of multi-generational families. Lots of Grandparents to keep the kids in line.

[redwings1958]

As a teacher, we are stuck going on holidays. While we love being on the ships at Christmas, it will be full of children. They can be a problem from time to time depending on weather (cold weather keeps them inside), it is still a fun time to cruise.

 

Ditto for us. My wife is in education, and is "stuck" going during winter break or the summer. As for kids, when mine were younger, we put them in AO and never saw them until dinner time. This will be my 7th xmas cruise so I know exactly what to expect, lots of kids, with only a handful that are unruly. IT"S THE CHAIR HOGS THAT REALLY BUG ME!!

[luvdisney2010]

I will be on the Jewel for xmas cruise and this will be my 4 xmas in a row cruising. With no more family alive and the stepdaughter off on her own the whole xmas routine became a chore - so cruising is now the routine.

 

As for children, some people have an encounter with one or two and it will ruin their cruise and they complain the kids on board were terrible. I have found that rccl program to be well run and have never seen gangs of unruly kids. In fact, on all my xmas cruises, from the oasis class to the small radiance class, I am literally shocked when I find out how many kids are on board because I just have not noticed them.

 

The one time I noticed was on the Radiance when Santa came aboard via lifeboat, paraded through the centrum and then sat the tree and gave a present to every kid on board (400). The line was long, but was no worse than the rude adults in line when trying to push their way off the ship immediately after we are cleared by customs.

 

This by far has to be the funniest and most accurate paragraph (statement) I have read in any board yet. BTW, we're in Wesley Chapel...almost neighbors:).

 

I am a former teacher with an DS 8. Anyone who travels with me knows that I am not afraid to pull out my teacher voice as needed similar to what some of the PPs have said.

[JeffKoz]

. BTW, we're in Wesley Chapel...almost neighbors:).

 

 

I'll wave on my way by to 75 South and the pier :p

[luvdisney2010]

I'll wave on my way by to 75 South and the pier :p

 

I enjoyed the Jewel of the Seas cruise from Tampa. We did that one last Jan. We're cruising out of San Juan on the Adventure over Christmas around the same time you're on the Jewel. DS' pediatrician may be on that cruise. Have fun. We loved the Jewel. Cruising from Tampa is such a plus.

[Beachdude]

Our experience is that it depends on the size of the groups that book the cruise, not the families. We sailed one year in mid to late January during some religious holiday not familiar to us. That holiday is not normally considered a risky time for a lot of kids, but that year a very large group from a large city booked and it was nick named Nightmare of the Seas by the end. The kids were everywhere and so unruly that even the comedian walked off the stage. I know the ship staff talked to the group coordinators, but there were too many kids for them to monitor.

I’m sure that was extremely unusual, but that experience is why we don’t cruise on holidays.

You might call and ask if any large groups have booked or if it is mostly families.

Burt

[mrsfecura]

I'd love to cruise over Christmas, but am also leery of the extra little ones!

[DrD]

IMHO kids are less of a problem than adults. They don't smoke or get drunk. They can be a bit loud at times but so can some adults. I'd rather get pushed by / bumped into by a kid than a 300 pound adult.

[mrsfecura]

IMHO kids are less of a problem than adults. They don't smoke or get drunk. They can be a bit loud at times but so can some adults. I'd rather get pushed by / bumped into by a kid than a 300 pound adult.

 

I sort of agree with this but I feel more comfortable pushing a 300 pound adult back than a little kid. :D