Haven and kids.....pro? con??

[goldmom]

Guess I've just been really lucky. We've been in the Haven when it was empty, when there was barely a chair available, with kids, without kids and I have to say that we enjoyed it every time. Sure, the times when it was completely empty except for us were really nice but we've also met some nice people (including kids) that we enjoyed chatting with.

 

We've only been in the Jewel class Havens which are pretty small, but as I said, I guess we've been lucky. However if there were guests using the Haven that were completely disruptive or unruly, I would certainly mention it to the Concierge. And I'm not talking about kids having the occasional noisy outburst or running around a bit, but a truly disruptive presense making the Haven unusable for others, then I'd certainly say something.

[havenfan]

Perhaps, but I'm thinking more of the adults can be there, but realize that it's during the family friendly hours so they'll have to just live with it. I'm thinking of it more of an "adult swim" time at the local pool, where, for certain times, the kids are booted out.

 

The reason I don't like the solution of "adults only" and "family friendly" is that it discriminates against kids. Why should an adult who is willing to tolerate loud kids be allowed 100% use of the facility when a child who is willing to sit and read quietly isn't? "Adults only" and "family only" would be a brute force way of evening out that imbalance.

 

However, if we're going to consider splitting up the day, I'd rather have some designated "quiet hours" where the courtyard butler enforces rules along the lines of no running, no jumping, no splashing, no shouting, no loud talking, no toys or cushions in the pool or hot tub. I'd be in favor of some quiet hours as long as they enforce these rules on 44 year-olds as well as 4 year-olds. Who knows? This might even cause some of the inveterate obnoxious numb-to-f-bombs adults to leave for awhile.

Edited October 28, 2014 by havenfan

[ClarkBHM]

The reason I don't like the solution of "adults only" and "family friendly" is that it discriminates against kids. Why should an adult who is willing to tolerate loud kids be allowed 100% use of the facility when a child who is willing to sit and read quietly isn't? "Adults only" and "family only" would be a brute force way of evening out that imbalance.

 

However, if we're going to consider splitting up the day, I'd rather have some designated "quiet hours" where the courtyard butler enforces rules along the lines of no running, no jumping, no splashing, no shouting, no loud talking, no toys or cushions or drinks in the pool or hot tub (drink next to the hot tub, absolutely fine. Drink poured in the hot tub, not fine. Even if you are 21 and on spring break). I'd be in favor of some quiet hours as long as they enforce these rules on 44 year-olds as well as 4 year-olds. Who knows? This might even cause some of the inveterate obnoxious adults to leave for awhile.

 

I'd be ok with that too. I'm just looking for a solution that both sides can work with instead of just painting a broad brush of "all kids are evil and must be kept out of my sight at all times."

[funat55]

Would it be out of line for NCL to print a set of rules and place them in each suite? It could said Haven Pool Hours are from xx to xx. No running or jumping in the pool area is allowed, children under the age of xx must be accompanied by an adult (I'm just making this up as I go along, but you get the picture) Any thoughts??

I figure a generic set of rules that applies to everyone might encourage better behavior all around without discriminating against anyone.

[L-in-CLT]

Would it be out of line for NCL to print a set of rules and place them in each suite? It could said Haven Pool Hours are from xx to xx. No running or jumping in the pool area is allowed, children under the age of xx must be accompanied by an adult (I'm just making this up as I go along, but you get the picture) Any thoughts??

 

I figure a generic set of rules that applies to everyone might encourage better behavior all around without discriminating against anyone.

 

 

But aren't there rules for the hot tubs already and seems those aren't enforced...? Had to say it :)

 

I still think it comes down to varying tolerance levels, and varying views on what poor behavior is. Without clear rules, the odd man out isn't the adult or child being obnoxious, it's me for expecting something that wasn't promised in the first place. Just because NCL markets the Haven as peaceful (or serene or whatever the marketing words are), doesn't mean that my version of peaceful and your version of peaceful match up. That's why it's marketing.

[conandrob240]

I tend to doubt this is as big a problem as it is being made out to be. Most kids are fine and most adults try their best to be and to make their children be respectful of others. Yes, a bad apple can spoil it but in my life, I have seen way more good kids and people than bad.

 

We are traveling the Haven on Sunday with a large group. Three kids- a very quiet, respectful teen, a sweet z7 yr old girl who is a bit lively in terms of not sitting still and a very tantrum- prone 5 yr old. Even though they have some negative tendencies, they all know how to behave in a nice restaurant and a quiet setting. Will they be perfect, no. Will they be running around, jumping on chairs, no way.

[luvtheships]

Now I believe we could probably afford the haven for our family of 6.....but.....why?

 

Especially when connecting (not adjoining) ov's fit us perfectly and allow us to spread the wealth over more cruises

 

Oh and it kept the kids humble

 

Lets be honest those brats in the haven were spoiled indulged kids being raised by spoiled indulged parents

 

That's not to say all well off parents are raising brats Just the ones you had on your cruise

 

Also you cruised a very bad week. Federal holiday during that week and who knows what school district days off

 

Those families probably cruised because they were missing fewer days that usual.

 

The middle of sept. middle of December. First 2 weeks of may

 

Last week of January

 

First week of February.

 

Those are the weeks to cruise

 

 

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Edited October 28, 2014 by luvtheships

[triptolemus]

Would it be out of line for NCL to print a set of rules and place them in each suite? It could said Haven Pool Hours are from xx to xx. No running or jumping in the pool area is allowed, children under the age of xx must be accompanied by an adult (I'm just making this up as I go along, but you get the picture) Any thoughts??

I figure a generic set of rules that applies to everyone might encourage better behavior all around without discriminating against anyone.

 

People don't go on vacation to be bombarded with a rules sheet in their room...cruise ship or otherwise.

 

There are already rules for disruptive conduct aboard ship. As stated already, many of these already are not properly enforced as a matter of informal policy or laziness or whatever. More rules of the same nature would see the same fate.

[funat55]

People don't go on vacation to be bombarded with a rules sheet in their room...cruise ship or otherwise.

 

There are already rules for disruptive conduct aboard ship. As stated already, many of these already are not properly enforced as a matter of informal policy or laziness or whatever. More rules of the same nature would see the same fate.

 

Well mannered people really don't need rules. I agree there are already rules for disruptive conduct aboard a ship. What I had in mind was something that would provide helpful information yet send a subliminal message to encourage courteous and respectful behavior. I don't think it would hurt to remind the children that they shouldn't be jumping in the Haven pool. For one thing its not that deep making it quite unsafe to be jumping in.

[triptolemus]

Well mannered people really don't need rules. I agree there are already rules for disruptive conduct aboard a ship. What I had in mind was something that would provide helpful information yet send a subliminal message to encourage courteous and respectful behavior. I don't think it would hurt to remind the children that they shouldn't be jumping in the Haven pool. For one thing its not that deep making it quite unsafe to be jumping in.

 

It is the responsibility of the parents to mange disruptive children. Some parents don't do that as well as others and some debate what activities are actually disruptive. Some deny what is obviously disruptive and still others believe their precious snowflakes can do no wrong. A rules sheet or a subliminal message wil affect exactly none of these dynamics.

[ColinIllinois]

It's all those pesky fourth and fifth graders smoking on balconies that gets me riled up!!!

 

Get off my ship you hellions!

[SissasMomE]

<yawn>

[Casino Comp Chick]

It's all those pesky fourth and fifth graders smoking on balconies that gets me riled up!!!

 

Get off my ship you hellions!

 

1st it was the smoking police, now its the haven police, next it will be the drinking police.

How do some people manage to live in this world at all is my question. I honestly feel some people really should live on a deserted island as that is the only way they will ever be happy.

As an FYI I don't even have kids but I have no problem with kids having fun unlike other people on here.

[srussell]

Chloemonkey....I was on the same cruise and I know the family that you are talking about because their kid was running around at check-in and ran into me and almost knocked me over. The mother apologized and the father just gave me a dirty look. This family also "took over" the suite/vip area at check-in. We saw them several times on the ship and they were always causing a stir somewhere. Luckily, we were only in Cagney's for breakfast and lunch a couple of times when they were there. Changed the mood of the whole dining room so I can only imagine what the Haven was like. Lordy, lordy and I think she was pregnant with another. The father just seemed oblivious.

[srussell]

I forgot to mention the pillow fight this family had when they took over the bed in the Haven during the Captain's Cocktail party! The mother could not get off her phone long enough to notice and the father was participating in the pillow fight.......It would be nice not to have children at the cocktail parties but then I guess the mom and dad would have had to have the pillow fight alone:)

[bjlaac]

I don't have a dog in this "fight" as the haven cost is out of our price range and our child is now a young adult.

 

From what I read the Haven is advertised as an Oasis and if I paid that much money would expect it to be a peaceful and tranquill place. In the end its the parents that allow their children to do what they want and NCL for not enforcing "some" rules as the $$$ always seem to outweigh what's right.

 

The best advice is look elsewhere, RCCL, for example, has a solarium pool area on most ships which is relatively child free (no one under 16 allowed). Those that are there are behaved and often asked to leave if they are making noise or well under age. Best part, its free to "everyone" on the ship. I'm sure other lines have similar options too.

[funat55]

1st it was the smoking police, now its the haven police, next it will be the drinking police.

How do some people manage to live in this world at all is my question. I honestly feel some people really should live on a deserted island as that is the only way they will ever be happy.

As an FYI I don't even have kids but I have no problem with kids having fun unlike other people on here.

 

I agree with your sentiments as well as other comments that it is up to the parents to keep their kids under control. Before every cruise, I sit down with my grandson that go over a few of our rules and expectations such as waiting for people to get off the elevator before jumping in, no running in the halls, etc. Most of the rules and guidelines from the cruise line are in the fine print and I wonder how many people actually read them. Some people have said they don't want their vacation ruined with more rules but a few safety reminders never hurt such as "don't dive into the Haven Pool because its only 2feet deep. I personally would not be offended by a set of safety reminders and expectations for enjoying a pleasant Haven stay. I would immediately sit down and go over them with my kids and make sure they understood that they should act like civilized human beings. That doesn't mean turning them into Stepford kids, or not laughing or having a good time. I'm simply suggesting some safety reminders and not suggesting how to raise your child.

[Donny007]

It's the same old people who think they are rich (if they were they would be on a fancier cruise line)that don't want kids in the Haven area are the same old people pushing my kids out of the way in the "kids only" buffet on the Dawn trying to get a cookie and french fries!!!

 

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[Floridiana]

[quote name=MSH from Norway;44570040

Two deck' date=' first deck with (almost-spa-)pool for adults only, and an open deck pool for families, and on rop a sundeck for adult only in front, and for families behind.

 

Problem solved.....

 

NCL; ARE YOU LISTENING?????????[/quote]

 

I think NCL listened. They are going to buy two elegant lines (Regent and Oceania) that have no children's programs. While they are not 'adult only', they don't encourage children either. The only children and teenagers I saw there were well behaved, same for the adults.

Edited October 31, 2014 by Floridiana

[CanadaTraveller]

I don't have children, never wanted children, and have a low tolerance for misbehaviour. And I cruised the Epic for New Years Eve. You couldn't move for children.

 

I walked away completely amazed. Kids will be kids, but as a whole, the children I crossed were very mature, well behaved and quite amazing. Every generation says the old "in my day", but honestly, I saw kids misbehave 45 years ago, 20 years ago and today. They don't represent the majority and shouldn't be the stereotype on how kids behave. Adults should know how to behave. Kids are in the moment, and will yell, splash people and be, well, child like. They are supposed to be. They are someone else's responsibility, and we can't make them behave to our standard.

 

Walk by the casino after someone has had a big win, and tell them they shouldn't cry out in joy, because it disturbs others. They are not crying out because they are misbehaving. It is because they are happy and surprised. If you feel uncomfortable telling the adult, how can you stop a child yelling at the joy of getting a splash by a sibling.

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

 

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[LrgPizza]

I don't have children, never wanted children, and have a low tolerance for misbehaviour. And I cruised the Epic for New Years Eve. You couldn't move for children.

 

I walked away completely amazed. Kids will be kids, but as a whole, the children I crossed were very mature, well behaved and quite amazing. Every generation says the old "in my day", but honestly, I saw kids misbehave 45 years ago, 20 years ago and today. They don't represent the majority and shouldn't be the stereotype on how kids behave. Adults should know how to behave. Kids are in the moment, and will yell, splash people and be, well, child like. They are supposed to be. They are someone else's responsibility, and we can't make them behave to our standard.

 

Walk by the casino after someone has had a big win, and tell them they shouldn't cry out in joy, because it disturbs others. They are not crying out because they are misbehaving. It is because they are happy and surprised. If you feel uncomfortable telling the adult, how can you stop a child yelling at the joy of getting a splash by a sibling.

 

Just my 2 cents.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

Thank you.

[L-in-CLT]

There's a big difference between children with engaged parents and children left to their own devices. I don't have issues with kids (or adults) having fun....at the pool (or casino). I do have issue with kids who are "rough-housing" as we used to call it without any chance of reprimand from their parents. Would I prefer a quieter, adult only Haven - yes. And I do think that is what the OP was asking. But that isn't what NCL offers today and I wanted to do this particular cruise so I'll set my expectations accordingly.

[CanadaTraveller]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

Thank you.

 

You are most welcome. We can't expect from kids, actions that are different from adults. They just have so much more to be surprised by. Again, parents should supervise and ensure good behaviour, but you can't stop a child from expressing excitement, and why would you? Try to judge less, and watch what causes the excitement. That way, you get sun, relaxation and entertainment all in one.

 

To us, a hot tub is warm relaxation. To a child, it's warm, it's a bubbling sea that could sink a boat, it's like sitting in a soda drink, it's like an underwater monster passing wind, it's anything they want it to be. Why take that away? The ships are large enough that there are always places to go. Adults can get up and go somewhere else. Children can not.

 

Again, I don't have kids, I don't want kids, but I appreciate kids, and kids should be allowed to be kids. Let them act like adults when they are adults and unfortunately, lose the excitement in everything they see.

 

 

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[rvsullivan]

For some reason I thought the Kids Club and pool area were specifically designed for "kids to be kids"? Most/many would not have a problem with well behaved kids in the Haven. We have never been on a cruise yet that at some point the Concierge had to intervene. NCL does not market the Haven as a kids playground, quite the contrary, the market it as a quiet, serene place of relaxation.

[CanadaTraveller]

My point is, kids can't turn off being kids depending on which room they are in. It is their vacation too and that means fun. And in the Haven, they are in a space that allows children. And in fact, I have seen advertising for the Haven specifically targeting families.

 

If we were talking an area like Posh, clearly adult, then they have no reason to be there, just like adults shouldn't be hanging out in the kids clubs.

 

Again, for me, vacation is not about being around children so I know go where I don't have to be with them. But I will stay in the Haven and know, kids will be part of the package. As will misbehaving adults if I am unfortunate enough to have them on the trip.