Misbehaving Children

[babyher]

HAL evidently needs more appropriate equipment in the kids club for some of these little darlings....:rolleyes:

 

 

Don't laugh, that was the best baby shower gift we ever got :)

[jhannah]

It's been a couple of years ... but last time I sailed Princess I had a nice conversation with a kids' club counselor before the production show started. He was standing off to the side near where I was sitting and just observing -- watching the kids who were present. None of them did anything wrong that I could see, but he was there to put a stop to it if it did happen. I was impressed.

[COLLEYBERRY]

children are required to wear ID bracelets that correspond with their lifeboat station. I think they wear them up till age 14. These are mandatory and not to be removed before the end of the cruise.

 

Thank you KnitLady037 appreciate the info. If I may ask two more questions ,are they like hospital braclets and what color are they?

I am not nutty just doing a little research for a story:D

[kryos]

This is why we take longer cruises and no holiday cruises. Seems that mom and dad will take the kids out of school for a 7 day cruise but they tend not to take them out for the second week, therefore a 10 day or longer tend to work well. The shame is that too many parents don't have any control over their kids and too many people are sheepish about saying anything. Heaven only knows what will happen on the S class ships when the aft pool is a wading pool.

Ditto for me too. We gets kids on those longer cruises, but absolutely NOTHING like the stories being told here.

 

It's sad, but sometimes parents have absolutely no brains. They take the kids on a HAL ship for a cruise, not because they care one iota what the kids want to do, but because mom and dad want to go on a cruise. Well, HAL is no cruise line (in my humble opinion) for the average kid. Except for those who are very young and thus enjoy hanging out with mom and dad, there's just not enough to do on a HAL cruise. So, they get onboard, and quickly get bored out of their minds. So, what do kids do when they get bored? Of course, they get rowdy. The parents are so wrapped up in having their own good time that they basically ignore the kids' behavior, and what you have are a bunch of rowdy problem kids. Of course these kids were running around in the dining room. At their age, and if my parents would have allowed it, I'd have been doing the same thing. Who at that age can sit through a 2+ hour meal that seems to drag on forever? The dumb parents should have had the sense to take turns eating with them in the Lido!

 

These kinds of parents absolutely disgust me. If they really gave one hoot about their kids having a great holiday vacation they would take them somewhere that would ensure that. Take them to Disney World, to a Caribbean resort that caters to families, on an RCI or Disney or even Carnival ship ... anywhere but on a sedate HAL cruise. That's not for kids and most of them are not even going to enjoy it. If asked, they would probably opt for staying home with their friends than going on a HAL cruise.

 

Now, of course, I'm sure there are exceptions and there are kids that enjoy the HAL lifestyle, but I'm sorry ... I just don't think those kids are in the majority. So, if a parent is bound and determined to drag their little darlings on a HAL cruise, then the parents need to step up to the plate and keep those kids happy and entertained. That means lots of family time ... family doing things together ... planning neat activities and shore excursions -- not mom and dad trotting off to the casino and letting the kids make their own entertainment. That crap will "play" on a Disney or RCI ship where they have lots of venues specifically designed to keep kids happy ... but not on HAL.

 

Then, to make matters worse, it seems that HAL will do almost anything to get the families onboard, so the staff and crew are loathe to say anything to the parents about the kids' misbehavior. In fact, they are even loathe to correct the kids when they are doing something inappropriate.

 

I just wish parents would THINK before they bring kids on a HAL cruise. If your kid tends to enjoy quiet pursuits ... time with family, playing board games, participating in things like trivia, doing family stuff in ports ... then fine, bring them. But if you have a highly active kid who needs lots of stimulation, s/he is not gonna enjoy a HAL cruise ... no way. Better off just letting them stay home if you are bound and determined to sail HAL. They'll have a lot more fun over Christmas break that way.

 

Just my opinion.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[boccismom]

On a Western Caribbean cruise a few years back (and on another cruise line), there was a problem with over 750 kids under the age of 15. The problem was, you couldn't find the parents to talk to. They would board, hand over a soft drink card, and defect for the next 7 days. It was a miracle none of the little monsters weren't missing at the end of the cruise.

[kryos]

Don't forget that if you are taking a b2b you may be on the ship for 14 days, but you are not taking an official 14 day cruise. You are taking 2 7 day cruises, so if it near a holiday or school vacation period you will have plenty of kids, just different kids each week. :eek:

Exactly. I made the mistake of a b2b once ... thinking I wouldn't have many kids onboard. Problem was that half of that b2b fell right smack dab during summer break for most schools. The ship was swarming with kids.

 

LOL ... I learned ... b2b's are not the answer. Better to just book a longer cruise. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[katyf]

hmmmm....well....as the parent of 2.5 yo i can see both sides of it (sort of).

 

I can remember being on cruises before we had kids (or for that matter after we had my daughter) and seeing kids being allowed to run free and just generally being obnoxious. That is not OK and the parents need to be more responsible (though....i'm not quite sure why the kids club allows older kids to check themselves out.....that seems to just be asking for trouble IMO. A group of 12-13-14 year olds checking themselves out to roam the ship seems to be a recipe for disaster .... but yet I'm not sure the parents really know that this is what their kid is up to).

 

At the same time, I bristle at the suggestion that kids just flat out shouldn't be in the dining room or shouldn't be on HAL at all. My daughter happens to do very well in the dining room (we've even had random strangers just come up and comment about how well she did on our last cruise). If she gets loud/unruley at all (that happened once when she was very tired) we leave. But....I'm not going to eat in the lido every night if we don't need to (which, ironically, I don't believe you can even order the kids meals up there ... at least we couldn't last year on the Noordam...which is crazy to me).

 

At the end of the day parents need to take a reasonable amount of responsibility in keeping their kids under control. But, at the same time, there are obnoxious or ill-behaved people of every age group, and to just stereotype all kids as a nuisance isn't fair either.

[jimgev]

HAL evidently needs more appropriate equipment in the kids club for some of these little darlings....:rolleyes:

Usha:

Do you have a larger version for the parents?

Jim

[Lapidarylady]

I totally agree---MOST of the kids were doing fine, I am a teacher and I know kids will be kids. Some children are very mature for their age, and can handle eating in the Vista and going on a cruise like HAL. Most parents will deal with their kids if they need to, and I appriciate their consideration. Having to eat in shifts when my stepkids were little was annoying but something hubby and I did because we didn't want to upset a whole restaurant with a screaming tired 3 year old. Luckily they grow out of this. I was just sorry for the poor stewards who had to constantly be doging the runners and amazed that the parents would just ignore what their child was doing.

Maybe the kid cusine corner is a new thing....but I saw it with my own eyes last week on the Oosterdam....it is really food for little kids. Most 8 year olds and up are probably okay with Vista Cusine.

[RuthC]

It is a good thing that all of the adults on your cruise were not obnoxious, loud, or rude!

OP never alleged any such thing.

[ViolaSwamp]

My children wouldn't dare act like that. They know they would quickly become shark food if they behaved in such a manner. Good grief! :rolleyes:

[michmike]

problem with over 750 kids under the age of 15. It was a miracle none of the little monsters weren't missing at the end of the cruise.

 

Boccismom - Unfortunately my buddy and I weren't on that cruise to help out. But it sounds as though it would have been quite an undertaking... over 107 tykes a day to deal with... I'm not sure our 60 yr old backs are up to that *L*

 

(and thanks to those of you who can still appreciate a tongue stuck somewhat in cheek..but as a certain charming chocoholic said.. "a delicious image" )

[sas815]

My kids, ages 10 and 8, would never be happy with the "kids cuisine". My son is a filet mignon/Caesar salad lover and my daughter does quite well with a piece of salmon or Chillean sea bass. The thing I like about a cruise is that they can order whatever they want to eat at no extra cost. It gets expensive when we go to a restaurant and they only want to order an adult meal. (of course they also know how to behave when eating adult food!)

 

Sheryl

[RuthC]

(and thanks to those of you who can still appreciate a tongue stuck somewhat in cheek..but as a certain charming chocoholic said.. "a delicious image" )

A sick mind is a terrible thing to waste. ;)

[RedmondCruiser]

Don't forget that if you are taking a b2b you may be on the ship for 14 days, but you are not taking an official 14 day cruise. You are taking 2 7 day cruises, so if it near a holiday or school vacation period you will have plenty of kids, just different kids each week. :eek:

 

You have to take a 20 day b to b and not the 14 day version.

One thing that I have to say about kids is that the vast majority are well behaved but the few that are not can spoil a cruise.

[islands2c]

i find it very sad that many of you can only seem to find "fault" with children's "apalling" behavior instead of looking at the light shining in their eyes as they see the clear water for the first time in their life, or hearing the joy in their laughter as they only begin their quality in life's experiences. It's not only children who have their faults, after all, you yourselves began life as a child, and not everyone is filled with perfection...lucky for you if your entire life has been nothing but perfect...and wow, why isn't this world full of perfect people if that's what you have raised. How do children learn if they are not exposed? Part of learning is experiencing.

[cruz chic]

i find it very sad that many of you can only seem to find "fault" with children's "apalling" behavior instead of looking at the light shining in their eyes as they see the clear water for the first time in their life, or hearing the joy in their laughter as they only begin their quality in life's experiences. It's not only children who have their faults, after all, you yourselves began life as a child, and not everyone is filled with perfection...lucky for you if your entire life has been nothing but perfect...and wow, why isn't this world full of perfect people if that's what you have raised. How do children learn if they are not exposed? Part of learning is experiencing.

So was it your unruly kids on this cruise then:D?

[HALFans]

Michmike, your response about pitching children overboard was not funny. I'm sure you did say it in jest but often words like yours are quite disturbing and possibly very scary to hear from a CC member.:confused:

 

I guess the comment I was going to make about serving the little dears with cheese and crackers is out too then...

 

Actually, we've not had the bad luck to run into badly (un)supervised children on any of our HAL cruises.

 

Even with the increase in 'Family' marketing, the new 'Kid Zone' and daily programs to occupy their tiny little minds seem to keep them busy enough to be practically unnoticeable.

 

(After peeking in the 'Kid Zones' and seeing some of the programs, I kind of wish they had an 'adult' version of some of those events/lectures. Looks pretty interesting to my tiny little mind too.)

[ViolaSwamp]

i find it very sad that many of you can only seem to find "fault" with children's "apalling" behavior instead of looking at the light shining in their eyes as they see the clear water for the first time in their life, or hearing the joy in their laughter as they only begin their quality in life's experiences. It's not only children who have their faults, after all, you yourselves began life as a child, and not everyone is filled with perfection...lucky for you if your entire life has been nothing but perfect...and wow, why isn't this world full of perfect people if that's what you have raised. How do children learn if they are not exposed? Part of learning is experiencing.

 

I am the mother of three children, from preschool aged through almost 18, and I can say with certainty there is a difference between excitement and joy pertaining to learning, and wild uncontrollable behavior.

 

We do not tolerate such shenanigans with our children. They are most certainly encouraged to have a good time wherever they are, but NOT at the expense of the comfort of those around them. It's called respect and far too few people expect that of themselves or their children.

 

:rolleyes:

[cruz chic]

I guess the comment I was going to make about serving the little dears with cheese and crackers is out too then...

 

Oh c'mon.....I'm bored and need a little fun...go for it:D:D.

[ViolaSwamp]

Thou shalt not threaten to throw children overboard.

 

(unless they reeeeeeeeally deserve it)

 

:p

[5waldos]

Parenting of the let them do their thing sort is soooo much easier than keeping them in line. I did it once in a store (it was empty and I knew the owner). I just floated around doing my thing and the kids ran around shouting, etc. I can see the real appeal from the point of view of the parents. But then I regained my senses and remembered that I really was the parent and in charge. Sigh...it really is easier the other way. So, you find my kids being obnoxious please let me know. I'LL throw them over. (And yes, tongue is firmly in cheek- but they would be in trouble.) They know how what is appropriate behavior and what isn't. And in fact on my last cruise, also my first, my then 14 year old more or less took off and I saw him sometimes for dinner. But whenever I found him unexpectedly I was pleased to see that he was behaving himself well and I did check with the staff in the areas he frequented and they all were complimentary. All that bloody work seems to have paid off. So if I can do it so can the other parents, that's what I figure.

[Spinner2]

On our Maasdam b2b in October there weren't many kids but there was one little boy--probably 6 to 8 years old-- who would appear all by himself in the dining room (late seating, no less) and just walk (never ran) along the rows, both upstairs and down, probably looking for his parents. He was no trouble, except for the wait staff having to avoid accidentally running into him, but I felt badly for him. He seemed so alone. Sometimes he had a coloring paper in his hand, perhaps he'd come from the HAL Club, but several times he was in his pajamas and bathrobe. Always, Gildus (the Maitre d') or the HM would gently stop him, talk to him a bit, take him to the phone, and eventually he would leave the dining room. But sometimes he was back again in a few minutes, and it was all repeated. Once I did see him find and join a family group down on the lower floor; another child's birthday was being celebrated it seemed.

 

Very strange. And it sure didn't look like the kid was getting much quality time from the grownups. He seemed like a nice little boy with appropriate manners for a dining room.

[babyher]

I am the mother of three children, from preschool aged through almost 18, and I can say with certainty there is a difference between excitement and joy pertaining to learning, and wild uncontrollable behavior.

 

We do not tolerate such shenanigans with our children. They are most certainly encouraged to have a good time wherever they are, but NOT at the expense of the comfort of those around them. It's called respect and far too few people expect that of themselves or their children.

 

:rolleyes:

 

Exactly

 

Of course kids will be kids and get all riled up especially being on a ship for the first time and seeing all the sights.

 

But that isn't an excuse for running around like animals and disturbing others.

[RuthC]

i find it very sad that many of you can only seem to find "fault" with children's "apalling" behavior instead of looking at the light shining in their eyes as they see the clear water for the first time in their life, or hearing the joy in their laughter as they only begin their quality in life's experiences. It's not only children who have their faults, after all, you yourselves began life as a child, and not everyone is filled with perfection...lucky for you if your entire life has been nothing but perfect...and wow, why isn't this world full of perfect people if that's what you have raised. How do children learn if they are not exposed? Part of learning is experiencing.

It's this kind of thinking that's part of the problem with the way these children behaved.

As if they needed an apologist. :rolleyes: