Issue with midday violent film on Adventure OTS 10-day

[Woodmnky]

I'm with the OP on this one. It is not an appropriate choice for that location during that time of day. There are plenty of places and times to play movies geared towards adults, just as there are plenty of times when it is appropriate to show movies geared towards the whole family. I would have been very irritated about my child being exposed to that level of violence when he was in an area geared specifically to young children.

[laura85]

I don't think it's the end of the world. Hopefully if you complain to royal Caribbean, they will be more mindful of movies shown in areas focused on kids.

 

I do wonder if movies are directed by strict corporate policy, or if there is just some random employee who pushes play on whatever they feel like? This sounds like it could have been an oversight?

 

There are definitely worse things that could happen, on a cruise or at home. Don't sweat the small stuff :)

 

 

 

 

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[BillOh]

AND right on time come the "Royal Caribbean can do no wrong" brigade.

 

No, these are the everyone is wrong, I need to increase my post content and act superior crowd. The responses I see are from at least 1 person I have on my blocked list because this is their frequent posting style. I wouldn't even see their posts till someone quotes it. But seriously, do you shelter them that much? The pools screens are about 5 years old now, I guess Royal feels PG-13 is appropriate for daytime. i'd be curious if you get a response saying otherwise.

[mollyeilis]

I noticed weirdness with movie showings on adventure in December, too. I think it was that late night angry birds showing as well. I would have to unearth our compasses though.

 

I think it's good to highlight the problem for Royal. Employees aren't watching the movies or paying any attention to them. Obviously the scheduling people aren't thinking. You don't put under-13s in an area where a PG-13 movie is playing. Or vice versa, actually.

 

 

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[luvscruising2007]

From my perspective, yes RC showed an inappropriate film in that location at that time.

 

But, with all due respect, OP, you are partly responsible in that you did not use due dilligence in checking what was being shown. And, as upset as you seem to be, it was your responsibility to report your disapproval while on board. That is the best time to take care of issues, especially since as far as you know, this is ship specific and not cruise line specific.

 

Send your grievance to RC, but don't come across so angry. Just be concerned that this be a one time thing.

[Island_Chica]

I'm the OP and have addressed many of the questions in my follow-up replies. Honestly, this isn't that big of a deal to me in the general scheme of life, but several of the posters here have compelled follow-up responses as I've been asked to clarify my account of what occurred, have been called a neurotic helicopter mom (which would be super funny if you knew me IRL), etc.

 

Honestly, I posted this after I sent my email to RC customer support as I wanted to make sure it was seen by the company. I think someone used incredibly bad judgment in this instance. I have a choice of where I spend my hard-earned vacation $$$, and I think it's preposterous that they showed a gory movie in front of a water playground for younger children during the day. About 3pm (two hours after the movie started, just after it ended) there were about 20 kids in Splashaway Bay, so I can surmise we weren't the only people who had to keep their kids away due to this programming choice.

 

I am curious to see RCI's response and to know who determines the programming. We're platinum on RCI and at this point we always book the biggest balcony or higher on any ship we sail. If RCI thinks this is appropriate programming in front of a kids playground, I'm happy to give my $$$ to a family resort or another cruise line. Likewise, if anyone has the email address for the CD on Adventure, or an email address for the appropriate crew member, I'd appreciate it.

Edited April 10, 2017 by Island_Chica

[ONECRUISER]

OP here. Gently, I think some posters can't see the forest for the trees. Royal Caribbean markets itself as a FAMILY cruise line, fit for all ages. They spend tens of millions a year on advertising just this very feature, and in 2016 enhanced the facilities for young children on this specific ship, which is why we chose it over Jewel. THEY ARE MARKETING DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. If this film was shown midday in the theater or adults-only area or at night I wouldn't be complaining, nor would I complain if this happened when we were on Celebrity or another line that caters primarily to adults. My issue is that a violent film was shown during midday directly in front of the kids-only section on a ship that is supposed to cater to families. Whether my child is 2, 5, 8 or 10 is irrelevant.

 

To address a few questions:

1. Violence in General/Sheltering: I live in a major city and I used to work as an assistant district attorney. I've attended autopsies and have examined (without flinching) crime scene and autopsy photos that would cause most people to retch. My problem is not with PG-13 or R movies or the world in general. I don't shelter my children, but I do make sure they are exposed to AGE-APPROPRIATE entertainment. My 5-year old is in Pre-Kindergarten. He still likes Paw Patrol and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He plays Mario Kart, but not any shooter games or first person shooter games. They've watched a few PG-13 movies, but only after we have viewed them for overly-violent content. If you are permitting your newly 5-year old pre-K child to watch "The Magnificant Seven", or if you think this is appropriate content for a small child, we're not going to see eye-to-eye. Also, I don't give a flying fig what the rating is, or whether the rating applies in international waters or not. The RCI entertainment team has discretion regarding what they show, and someone failed to use it.

 

2. For anyone who feels my story is "inconsistent," this is why I detest the internet sometimes. To clarify: when we walked out, there was dialogue. It was loud, but I presume it was a conversation scene focused on dialogue. I don't know because I was talking to my kids and getting settled. I don't put all of these details in because frankly they are beside the point to this situation. We were on the side of Splashaway Bay when the fight scene erupted. It went from dialogue (which was noticeable, but not obnoxiously so) to LOUD gunfire/gore within seconds.

 

3. Lastly, I don't make customer complaints immediately after an event happens, unless it's about something dangerous/imminent (and honestly, I make precious few complaints). Cooler heads prevail and whatnot. My plan was to go to customer service the next day to address this issue. By the next morning, one of my children spiked a fever and I went to the infirmary instead for antibiotics. By the time he was ready to return to the pool (which took about 36 hours), a couple of days had passed and I decided to send a calm, rational email/letter once I arrived home, which I have done. For the remainder of the cruise, I checked the daily movie selections and there were no more violent daytime films, so I didn't have the need to address it again.

Royal is in recent years trying to be more Family but not a Disney cruise line. Showing PG movies is nothing new, they been showing them on their movie screens since I first sailed in 1988. It isn't going to change...

[Ergates The Ant]

Totally agree that the cruise line should not be showing PG13 films next to a child's play area. Should be in the same category as not selling alcohol to underage passengers, or allowing children in the casino.

Same with allowing parents to restrict access to adult material on the cabin television.

There are some schools of thought that link today's levels of antisocial behaviour with desensitisation through exposure to high levels of violence on TV, film and video games.

In my opinion, you are not overreacting to expect age appropriate entertainment, and for the cruise line to accept some responsibility to provide it.

[lizwil10]

Keep us posted on how they respond!

[JIVE TURKEY 58]

The compass clearly stated the movie and time I'm sure. Next it will only be G rated movies on ship. At least until someone gets offended at that.

I miss the days when there was not constant "outrage" or offense to just about everything.

 

 

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[Yorkvillain]

Ugh, I haven't seen the movie yet. Now I know horses get killed. No reason to watch it now. I hate spoilers. :(

[jnamadison]

The compass clearly stated the movie and time I'm sure. Next it will only be G rated movies on ship. At least until someone gets offended at that.

I miss the days when there was not constant "outrage" or offense to just about everything.

 

 

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It's about common sense. Little kids have no business watching that. You take a 2:15 min in appropriate movie and play it in the middle of the 5 hours that a kid specific pool area is open. That doesn't make any sense. Why does it matter if it was in the Compass? It shouldn't have been scheduled in the first place. It's not like anyone's vacation would be ruined by them showing that movie OUTSIDE of those hours. What could possibly be a compelling reason to show it then and there?

[CruisinMama2003]

Ugh, I haven't seen the movie yet. Now I know horses get killed. No reason to watch it now. I hate spoilers. :(

 

LOL OMGoodness :D

[toxicfairy]

I think this is just another what offends one won't offend another. In other words they can not please everyone all the time. It's sad your children got so upset yes but they are also trying to entertain older children and adults. Good time to teach whats real and whats make believe. I can understand your being upsetfor your children. But I'm sure not everyone wants a rated G cruise. Just my opinion. Ps I have children that are now grown.

 

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Edited April 10, 2017 by toxicfairy

[Havingfun2010]

Although I somewhat agree with the OP that maybe a better selection of movies might be more appropriate at that time of day, I also think, that it would still get complaints if it was later at night. When I was 5, and in Kindergarten, I played cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians, and used sticks to pretend they were guns. Not a person would bat an eyelid at this horrendous act of childhood play, but recently, I heard a kid in kindergarten was arrested for pointing a stick at another kid. This world, gets all bent out of shape, over these topics. Today in school, the ability for teachers to teach "real" history is so restricted, in order not to offend anyone and everyone. Most History, is just made up now to fit into our societies fears.

 

Even on a ship, people get upset when their children hear adult conversation in the bar because they had to pass through it. It's really a no win situation. But remember, "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" and is played on the radio every Christmas, or wait, I meant "Holiday" season. Let's also not forget the horrors of finding out that Mama guessed Santa, and explaining why it's ok?

 

Kid's see and hear things their whole life, and at some point, they must realize that The coyote keeps coming back to life is not real, just like Mickey Mouse is a cartoon. So what is in a movie is not real.

[Arzeena]

OP,

I am not going to comment on the movie issue (my thoughts are different from yours), but wanted to say that I came across your travel blog and enjoyed reading it. Why didn't you continue it with your latest travel adventures?

[Grandma Dazzles]

The choice of movie was probably not ideal, but as others have said RC is not Disney; wonder how many young children are using the area, especially on a port day.

 

I do feel OP should have checked out what the kids would be doing, especially as they chose to leave the kids on board while they did a shore excursion. Movie schedule and AO schedule are available.

[Big_G]

I do feel OP should have checked out what the kids would be doing, especially as they chose to leave the kids on board while they did a shore excursion. Movie schedule and AO schedule are available.

 

 

Maybe I misread it but I believe this occurred after they returned to the ship and took their kids to the pool.

 

 

 

 

Gregg

[toxicfairy]

Havingfun2010 You must be my age ! Apparently according to modern society my parents were child abusers and my entire childhood was politically incorrect! Good thing I turned out to be a functioning part of society 😊

 

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Edited April 10, 2017 by toxicfairy

[SailAwayInAugust]

I agree with you that it was a poor movie choice for an area that has a kids play area. They should really stick to G and PG movies, especially while the play area is open.

 

I agree with this, but I'm also the minority that would never consider watching a movie in the middle of the day on a Caribbean cruise. Just me, but I rather be relaxing on a lounge chair listening to a steel drum band.

[jnamadison]

The fact that society has changed a lot since we were kids doesn't really have any relevance to the OP's issue.

 

It's a simple matter really.

 

When you have an area built solely for kids, and it's only available for a limited amount of time. Maybe try not to put on a movie that is what most would consider inappropriate for the age range, during (or in this case the middle of) that limited time.

 

This is completely different that your child hearing a conversation between two random adults in a bar. This is a multi-billion dollar company that is providing this experience. They directly market to families (and everyone else). This was a scheduled thing. I know I personally wouldn't have checked to see if they were playing a violent film in the pool area in the middle of the day. I would have taken for granted that that wouldn't make sense for the possible audience.

 

No one is advocating for a completely G Rated Cruise. We're asking for common sense. And if we're going to invoke the good ole days, whatever happened to "Discretion is the better part of valor".

[widallas]

Sounds like the issue is the venue more than the movie...if it were on the screen for the main pool (or theatre), it's on the parent to check. But let's try not to traumatized the kiddos and use a little common sense....so many other options that could have been played at that specific location, geared towards kids.

 

More than likely it was an oversight and no big deal....

 

 

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[A&L_Ont]

Hopefully they aren't still showing Tina Turner concerts in the afternoon. That would make me write a letter to RC.

 

It is unfortunate that the OP's children were sadden by what they saw on the PG-13 movie. However, compared to what you seen on the news today it fails to come to close to real life.

 

This might be the opportunity to teach them about real VS fiction.

[lbjen]

The OP was not unreasonable in thinking that they did not need to check the Cruise Compass to verify that no inappropriate movies would be showing on the screen directly above a play area for under 8s in the middle of the day. I'm sorry but I can't believe people are blaming the OP for not double checking. And according to other responses, this was not an anomaly, this movie has been shown in this location at this time of day on this ship on prior sailings.

 

As for things being 'different' nowadays - they weren't making movies with this level of detail or intensity when we were kids and they certainly weren't shown in public areas where 5 year olds could see them.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

To everyone referencing the "venue" that the movie was shown in: you understand that the children's play area in question is located directly next to the main pool, correct? Just because Royal is a family line doesn't mean that 100% of the things onboard are going to be family friendly. Movies being shown on a pool deck with a bar on one end and a children's splash area at the other are never going to please everyone. If I was sitting at the main pool, I'd sure as hell rather watch this than Angry Birds.

 

OP, I don't think the movie was the best choice, but your overreaction was extreme. It's not that big of a deal.