children up late

[airt]

We have two children who even if I do say so myself are very well behaved and we have had no problemes with so far.We are wondering how cruisers feel about children being up late,we like to keep them with us and they love to party.I hate it the way some people look so unapprovingly at the childrens presence. I wouldn't want to spoil anyones cruise but I think we should enjoy our family cruise also. Airt.:)

[Grayce]

Our children did stay up later on the cruise but there are certain areas kids can't go. There are age limits for the bars/discos at night.

[Cotton]

Airt, of course you should be able to keep your kids with you at any time during the cruise! Just be aware that there are many areas they won't be allowed because of age limit. Otherwise, enjoy your vacation as a family!:)

[kitty9]

I think a lot depends on the age of the children. Is it a good idea to keep kids who are under age 10 up until the wee hours of the night? And as others have said, there are places in the evening where children aren't allowed, which give adults a place to go that's child free. Most bars, dance clubs and lounges aren't for young kids late at night and kids cannot be in the casino at any time. We were on Celebrity last March, and one couple would bring their 3 and 6 year olds into the Martini Bar after 11pm, and let their kids have the run of the place. A security official asked the parents to take the kids out of the bar.

[TexasFyre]

well, i will be taking my 10 year old with me. IF he wants to see the entertainment, granted it is exceptable, then I will bring him with me. I won't take him near the adult partiers, he doesn't need to be around that much "fun". I have no problems taking him where he can eat ice cream or the midnight buffet, IF he is still awake.

 

If your young'ns are well behaved, then bring them where they can be. It is their vacation too. ;)

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

On Carnival Liberty, I was amazed at how late children, even very young children were running around the ship, even unescorted. I saw pre-teens and grade schoolers up at midnight when Hubby and I enjoyed a diet forbidden, but delicious piece of pizza at the 24-hour pizzaria.

 

If kids stayed up later than that, I don't know, because that is my absolute latest bedtime.

[wrp96]

It is your decision what you will allow your kids to do. Of course, they are on vacation so more leeway should be allowed than while at home.

 

Just be aware that most places on ships are adults only after a certain time at night, including the bars, the night clubs, the late night shows, the hot tubs (most are adults only anyways), the casinos (adults only all the time).

 

You could still have a good time as a family out and about playing games, swimming in the pools, or just hanging out.

[imatarb]

I think that if there are enough age-appropriate activities going on later in the evening, it's fine. It is your vacation, and since it's not like just another day at home, there should be a bit of latitude. That being said, I don't think it's appropriate for people to bring their kids to adult-only areas (bars, hot-tubs, etc).

 

We will face the same predicament, as our 7-yr. old will join us for his first cruise in three weeks. I'm sure we'll let him stay up a bit later than usual, but we'll always remember to head toward 'kid-friendly' areas.

 

Have fun!!

 

Lisa

[caviargal]

On Carnival Liberty, I was amazed at how late children, even very young children were running around the ship, even unescorted. I saw pre-teens and grade schoolers up at midnight when Hubby and I enjoyed a diet forbidden, but delicious piece of pizza at the 24-hour pizzaria.

 

If kids stayed up later than that, I don't know, because that is my absolute latest bedtime.

 

I saw the same on Carnival GLory, kids and teens up late, unescorted, hanging near the adult bars and in the public areas. When I was that age and on cruises with my parents, we most definitely were with our parents and not running free.

 

These kids were smoking and using foul language. I guess they thought they were being "cool".

[disney1st]

I have children also but even on a cruise there is a time and place for children.Bars and dance clubs after a certain hour should be off limits...I need my space to,just as the 3-17 yr old crowd has their own space.If the rules say no kids or no kids at certain times they should enforce.

[FJTinSC]

Personally, I feel that if your kids are with you...there is no problem with them being out late!

 

However, I feel that kids should definitely NOT be allowed to roam the ship at night alone! (or in packs, without adults) This is inviting problems, even for the well behaved ones. Most people who see kids roaming at night are automatically suspicious, and if something does go wrong, they are the first blamed. Plus, I also tend to be of the opinion, that unsupervised kids, even the perfect little angels, tend to get more mischievous when on a cruise, and not properly supervised!

[AmandaNS]

The only thing I would be aware of is the content of any shows / events you might go to.... sometimes the later shows or activities are more adult-oriented, and while it might be an interesting way for kids to learn about birds and bees ( :eek: ), it can be very inappropriate and make other adults uncomfortable as well.

 

I love to see kids having a good time with their families, and have seen some wonderful memories being made on the ship!!

[Smokeyham]

I just returned from a 3-day Carnival Paradise cruise and there were some problems with teenagers, and sometimes even younger kids, roaming the halls without any apparent adult supervision late into the night.

 

I would agree with what seems to be the consensus of other posts here; that if the kids are with you, and are in age-appropriate locations then it should be fine. Maybe a discussion at the beginning of the cruise, once you're on board, about appropriate and inappropriate places to go would be helpful.

 

Have fun!

[disney1st]

I think some of you are missing the piont...we with families are not the only ones enjoying the cruise or for that matter paying for it....do to this there is definately a time and a place for children no matter how well behaved or if it your vacation...If you were home would you take your children to anight club??or to aplace that says 18 0r 21 and older....WE all have to vacation together all the diffirent personalities so everyone needs to give and take...if the rule is posted have the courtesy to use as stated...that goes for people cruissing go to the family pool area expect kids having alot of kid fun same with family orientated shows Don't like kids stay away....nough said sorry if I offened any cruisers

[Lilyruben]

Are children allowed at the midnight buffets?

[FJTinSC]

Are children allowed at the midnight buffets?

 

Yes they are!

[ala-kat]

All this being said, it's not just your vacation. It's also the vacation of all other guests onboard. Put yourself in their shoes, and let good common sense prevail.

[loveglory]

If you are worried about where your kids are, might I suggest walkie-talkies? That way you can always keep in touch. And they do work on the ship.

[Happy ks]

As long as your kids are with you, or at the kids club, there's no reason they can't stay up late on a cruise. As an above poster mentioned, the late night comedy is generally geared for adults, you really don't want them there.

 

Our kids have been with us on almost every cruise we have taken and they always stay up as late as us. If one of them does want to go to bed (yes, it does happen!), one of us will accompany them to the stateroom and stay with them, we don't want them alone in there, either. I think some people get a false sense of security being on a ship. Generally, the ship is safe and most times nothing will happen, but you should never let your guard down when it comes to the safety or welfare of your child or teen.

[Shirley and Les]

Are children allowed at the midnight buffets?

I suspect this question was misstated. It probably should have been "Do they serve children at the midnight buffet?" :eek:

[crunchberry]

We were on the Voyager of the Seas 4 yrs ago - and I had my 10 yr old daughter with me. We were apalled at the amount of kids roaming at night and what they were getting into.

 

Mostly making out near the helicopter pad - it was totally dark in the front of the ship and it was like makeout alley. Unfortunately - it did get way out of hand on our ship and they ended up having some VERY embarassed kids rounded up (it was a bit more than making out if you get my drift) and they ended up posting a guard there at night for the rest of the cruise. Also they put out a bulletin that kids had to be supervised after 10 pm since they were running in packs.

 

I could understand if these kids were 16 and up - BUT we ran into kids as young as 8 and 9 at midnight running around unsupervised. I was like - where are the parents???

 

Princess 3 yrs ago - NEVER a problem. Very well behaved kids.

 

Cruising on the Westerdam on the 18th of this month - can't wait!

[mcfaddensfarm]

On our last RCCL cruise on Mariner of the Seas, my son (12 at the time) was allowed to stay up late (midnight or so) ONLY as long as he was in the teen area or involved in a teen group activity somewhere on the ship. That way I knew he wasn't just roaming around. If there was ever a problem with getting back to the cabin at a predetermined time, we would leave messages for each other on the cabin voicemail.

[Sheffie]

I suspect this question was misstated. It probably should have been "Do they serve children at the midnight buffet?" :eek:

 

No, they serve delicious delicacies! ;)

[AACJ]

I suspect this question was misstated. It probably should have been "Do they serve children at the midnight buffet?" :eek:

 

I like mine medium rare with a little barbeque sauce on the side. Cooked over charcoal.

[CruiseFan13]

Im 15 years old at the time and will be 16 by the time we go on our next cruise. Me and my sister were allowed out till as late as our parents allowed us when we were 11. I knew to stay with my sister at all times...and to be back AT the exact time (if not earlier) that my parents told me. I think you got to give your kids credit for making the right choices and let them stay up alone till a reasonable time. However, i dont think its smart to let them go out alone (like no brother or sister to be with) Now that im 15...my parents really dont set much of a limit for me as long as im back by like 3 am, or tell them im pulling an all nighter. They know im not going to go do something stupid that will ruin my privlage for the rest of the cruise. I can honestly say the stupidest thing i did on a ship is throw a ping-pong ball over the deck.