Kids in CL?

[MikeNJ1109]

At what point does this become the thread that just won't die a peaceful death ... ?

 

Ahhh, well, have to admit I've been enjoying reading the various emotional back and forth of the posts ... most of which on both sides have been well thought out and articulated, and an ocassional hystrionic thrown in for good measure. :)

 

Michael

[MyNameIsGermy]

So u agree that children shld be in the CL during cocktail hr do u - oh no I see, u are just being sarcastic :)

 

Yes, I agree... I don't have a problem with it at all.

 

-germ

[mommabean]

Great post!!!

 

but of course those of us who want to maintain that "adult" time in the CL will be branded as "kid haters".

 

Why can't RCI open a room for CL guests with kids and separate them from the main crowd? If they want to bring their kids then let them all be together in one room.

 

 

Or we are called over-drinkers who are only there for the freebies which is why I mentioned how little I drink and why we also spend money on drinks in other bars.

 

Gina

[Wilda]

Another point of view...

I'm a lowly platinum C&A that cruises in a plain old ocean view balcony.

 

Other than the casino, Royal does not offer me an adults-only venue, and the majority of the cruisers on the ship are just like me. I think that the happy medium should be to designate one of the speciality restaurants adults-only for everyone, period. Of course the D+ would not be able to drink for free...but you would have a child free environment. If the D+ want to drink for free in the CL then you will do so with suite guests who are paying more for that specific perk of having their children with them. And I firmly believe that the kids will be small children between the ages of 3-11 from 5:00-7:00 when AO is shut down...we are not talking teenagers here.

 

I agree with a pp philosophy that RCI is doing this to satisfy suite customers and if the D+ don't like it...don't go. My guess is this will stop people from congregating in the CL for hours at a time.

[Bakincakes]

Another point of view...

I'm a lowly platinum C&A that cruises in a plain old ocean view balcony.

 

Other than the casino, Royal does not offer me an adults-only venue, and the majority of the cruisers on the ship are just like me. I think that the happy medium should be to designate one of the speciality restaurants adults-only for everyone, period. Of course the D+ would not be able to drink for free...but you would have a child free environment. If the D+ want to drink for free in the CL then you will do so with suite guests who are paying more for that specific perk of having their children with them. And I firmly believe that the kids will be small children between the ages of 3-11...we are not talking teenagers here.

 

I agree with a pp philosophy that RCI is doing this to satisfy suite customers and if the D+ don't like it...don't go. My guess is this will stop people from congregating in the CL for hours at a time.

 

 

Exactly. I agree that most of the kids in question will certainly be "little" And as another poster pointed out they may even come complete with strollers.:eek: I can't imagine the parents wanting to balance a small child on their hip while trying to have a cocktail. Most of the discussion has been about small kids taking up chair space....strollers...baby "seats" haven't really been talked about much. Those could cause real "traffic jams" in the CL.

[yj2cute]

17 pages because people want free drinks & no kids? They deserve this because why? Oh, yeah, they're loyal customers........ Who get the cruise they paid for but think they deserve more........ Then brag about how little the cruise cost them because of their Visa points & that their SeaPass account was less than $10.00 on their recent 28 day B2B2B2B2B!

 

Those loyal to Royal need to take what Royal chooses to give you with a smile & a thank you. Keep b*tchin & the CL will become Suite Guests only.............. That should be good for 25+ pages!

 

You must have missed the posts of the SUITE guests who are not happy with this change. :rolleyes:

[cruisenfever]

Another point of view...

I'm a lowly platinum C&A that cruises in a plain old ocean view balcony.

 

Other than the casino, Royal does not offer me an adults-only venue, and the majority of the cruisers on the ship are just like me. I think that the happy medium should be to designate one of the speciality restaurants adults-only for everyone, period. Of course the D+ would not be able to drink for free...but you would have a child free environment. If the D+ want to drink for free in the CL then you will do so with suite guests who are paying more for that specific perk of having their children with them. And I firmly believe that the kids will be small children between the ages of 3-11 from 5:00-7:00 when AO is shut down...we are not talking teenagers here.

 

I agree with a pp philosophy that RCI is doing this to satisfy suite customers and if the D+ don't like it...don't go. My guess is this will stop people from congregating in the CL for hours at a time.

Children of all eligible guests are now allowed in the CL, not just the children of Suite Guests, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

 

Can you envision a cruise in the CL where the children outnumber the adults!:eek: It could happen!!

[Aquahound]

At what point does this become the thread that just won't die a peaceful death ... ?

 

HAHA!!! A little cafe' con leche just came up through my nose. :D

 

No thread involving the concierge lounge or loyalty perks dies peacefully. ;)

[Bakincakes]

Children of all eligible guests are now allowed in the CL, not just the children of Suite Guests, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

 

Can you envision a cruise in the CL where the children outnumber the adults!:eek: It could happen!!

 

 

I'll be interested to know whether those guests who have their children in the CL, in addition to the parents, will tip the Concierge accordingly or merely tip for the adults? So many people now grouse about having to tip wait staff and cabin staff for the number of guests they sail with, I can imagine they will feel the same about having to tip "extra" to the Concierge in the CL, if they even tip at all.:eek:

[FLSteve11]

As a mother of 4 between the ages of 21 and 30, all I can say to you suite parents of children is that one day you will get it. You will understand. I spent my 28 years of being with children on every vacation. The entire ship (minus the casino) is child friendly. It would be wonderful to be able to count on one child free place for 3 1/2 hours.

 

On my last cruise last month I was on board for 14 days with CL access. I think it was 2 drinks I had in total (not per day - it was in 14 days)...maybe it was 3 and I lost track. :rolleyes: My husband paid for drinks during CL time at other bars because we had people we wanted to visit.

 

Now, if you are saying your children have been in AO all day and you want some family time before dinner, why on earth do you want to have it with some heavy drinkers in the CL? Wouldn't family time in your spacious suite be true family time? Can't you just buy that one little drink (as we do) to share time with your kids in your suite? After your early dinner you can send the kids to AO again and then go to the CL for the free drink you want. Free at a cost of a suite. :rolleyes:

 

The "gimme gimme gimmes" around here seem to be the suite parents of children. They want the last little adult space on the ship for themselves along with their spacious suites and the rest of the perks that come with it. :(

 

I decided to quit drinking for the most part on a cruise because it's the primary source of weight gain for those of us who don't overeat. But I still like the adult atmosphere and entertainment of the CL. And yes those griping D+/PC who slam down the drinks are a major source of entertainment. :D

 

Gina

 

I am one who thinks that there should be a lounge that is designated adults only. The solarium is setup as an adult only area (I know some people have had issues, but in my cruises I have only twice seen kids hanging out in there, in a corner, not counting those walking through from an elevator bank to the main pool) But it's not a lounge. Though it is an adults-only area besides the casino.

 

The problem for suite guests with kids is they setup this primary perk for paying for a suite (and let's face it, this is one of the main perks) and then tell people with kids they can't use it. AO is closed through the main part before early dinner, babysitters are not generally available, etc. Whether they had their kids in AO beforehand is besides the point, this is when that perk is available. And of course they want to use it. You can't fault them for that.

 

I wonder how the reception would be if they created an adults-only lounge, taking one of the current lounges in most cases (not sure which one, there are only so many to go that would work). Even if it was from 5pm on. Disney was smart to set that up, although there adult-only area is only in the evening (outside of the pool, the lounges are available to all during the day) In a seperate instance, what if this was not included as a lounge with free drinks in it (not a CL/DL lounge), but a place adults could go to as an adult-only venue. The CL is open to all ages if you want drinks as a perk, this other lounge if you want to go to a place without children but have to pay for the drinks? For you this may work great, not sure for others.

[cruisenfever]

I'll be interested to know whether those guests who have their children in the CL, in addition to the parents, will tip the Concierge accordingly or merely tip for the adults? So many people now grouse about having to tip wait staff and cabin staff for the number of guests they sail with, I can imagine they will feel the same about having to tip "extra" to the Concierge in the CL, if they even tip at all.:eek:

Good point. I do hope that they increase the salaries for the Concierge, because I don't believe it is written into their contract that they have to supervise children in addition to their parents!:)

 

The children don't bother me as much as the food that is available during cocktail hour. I just hope that parents do not allow their children to take a plate and just "help themselves" because it's there for the taking.

 

We've all witnessed children in the WJ that act like they have never seen that much food before!

[FLSteve11]

Another point of view...

I'm a lowly platinum C&A that cruises in a plain old ocean view balcony.

 

Other than the casino, Royal does not offer me an adults-only venue, and the majority of the cruisers on the ship are just like me. I think that the happy medium should be to designate one of the speciality restaurants adults-only for everyone, period. Of course the D+ would not be able to drink for free...but you would have a child free environment. If the D+ want to drink for free in the CL then you will do so with suite guests who are paying more for that specific perk of having their children with them. And I firmly believe that the kids will be small children between the ages of 3-11 from 5:00-7:00 when AO is shut down...we are not talking teenagers here.

 

I agree with a pp philosophy that RCI is doing this to satisfy suite customers and if the D+ don't like it...don't go. My guess is this will stop people from congregating in the CL for hours at a time.

 

Most of the RCI ships have the Solarium, which is an adults-only area. I know the Majesty/Monarch don't have it, not sure of the vision class, but certainly Radiance and up have them. It's not a lounge, but there is certainly a bar in there. I agree though, a lounge would be the ideal thing, probably taking an existing lounge and making it adults-only after ?? o'clock (5pm, 7pm, 9pm?) I would think the Viking Lounge would be the most ideal for the evening adult crowd.

 

I think you will get a good mix of kids, yes more younger children who cannot use the AO at that time. But there will be teens in there as well who could not enter in the past. Particularly during the first hour before dinner seatings.

[mommabean]

I am one who thinks that there should be a lounge that is designated adults only. The solarium is setup as an adult only area (I know some people have had issues, but in my cruises I have only twice seen kids hanging out in there, in a corner, not counting those walking through from an elevator bank to the main pool) But it's not a lounge. Though it is an adults-only area besides the casino.

 

The problem for suite guests with kids is they setup this primary perk for paying for a suite (and let's face it, this is one of the main perks) and then tell people with kids they can't use it. AO is closed through the main part before early dinner, babysitters are not generally available, etc. Whether they had their kids in AO beforehand is besides the point, this is when that perk is available. And of course they want to use it. You can't fault them for that.

 

I wonder how the reception would be if they created an adults-only lounge, taking one of the current lounges in most cases (not sure which one, there are only so many to go that would work). Even if it was from 5pm on. Disney was smart to set that up, although there adult-only area is only in the evening (outside of the pool, the lounges are available to all during the day) In a seperate instance, what if this was not included as a lounge with free drinks in it (not a CL/DL lounge), but a place adults could go to as an adult-only venue. The CL is open to all ages if you want drinks as a perk, this other lounge if you want to go to a place without children but have to pay for the drinks? For you this may work great, not sure for others.

 

This would be just about as popular as the diamond breakfast on most ships. BORING! The drinkers are the ones who make it fun and the best entertainers will still be in the CL.

 

Come to think of it, it may be MORE fun with the kids in there along with the heavy drinkers. The interactions between parents and the adult joke tellers might be worth watching.

 

I can't wait to see a kid cough or sneeze on someone's drink or plate of food.

 

Truthfully, when my kids were still living at home, we didn't feed them snacks or drinks prior to dinner - at home or on vacation. And to this day they are all slim adults. :p

 

I guess the suite parents like to spoil their kids dinner in addition to spoiling the adult only time. ;)

 

Gina

[mommabean]

Good point. I do hope that they increase the salaries for the Concierge, because I don't believe it is written into their contract that they have to supervise children in addition to their parents!:)

 

The children don't bother me as much as the food that is available during cocktail hour. I just hope that parents do not allow their children to take a plate and just "help themselves" because it's there for the taking.

 

We've all witnessed children in the WJ that act like they have never seen that much food before!

 

Or maybe they should require pre-paid tips for suites which includes a recommended concierge amount, when more than 2 people are booked in a suite. I wonder if people have already been tipping the concierge for more than 2 people when they have kids in their rooms. After all, he/she has been taking care of them all the other 20 1/2 hours a day. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if the stateroom attendants aren't getting their full per person recommended tips.

 

Gina

[mommabean]

And I don't hang out in the solarium because it's always too hot in there for my liking. I live in FL. Give me some cold AC. :)

 

I do see kids in the solarium all the time when I pass through. Maybe they are just passing through, too.

 

Gina

[crusinmama06]

I am a suite guest WITH children who is not happy with the change. So I don't think the word "child hater" should be thrown around because that's simply not true. ;)

 

There needs to be areas for adults and areas for children for everyone to co-exist peacefully.

 

I can't imagine saying to my "overly mature, highly intelligent, totally FABULOUS girls" (isn't that all CC children) "Hey kids, let's go to happy hour in the CL!" :rolleyes: Yeah, they would think I had lost my marbles! :eek:

 

When we had suite CL privledges on Freedom, we peeked our head in, saw how over crowded it was and continued on our merry way. I am all for family fun and this is NOT IT.

[bajathree]

Good point. I do hope that they increase the salaries for the Concierge, because I don't believe it is written into their contract that they have to supervise children in addition to their parents!:)

 

The children don't bother me as much as the food that is available during cocktail hour. I just hope that parents do not allow their children to take a plate and just "help themselves" because it's there for the taking.

 

We've all witnessed children in the WJ that act like they have never seen that much food before!

 

I am on many sailings during school holidays as I have 2 teens ....I also have stayed in my share of suites as well as being D+...so I see this from pretty much all sides. The issue or problem here (and this even goes as a suite guest) is that now allowing kids in the CL during cocktail hour is an open ticket for kids to just come in with their parents and run around unsupervised....this sin't going to be teens we are talking about....it's going to be adults with very young children that are going to take advantage of this new policy. Let's face facts here....it's just like in the specialty restaurants early on....which I why I now don't dine before 8PM....a lot of parents attitude is...hey I paid a lot of money for this cruise and I am on vacation, so I don't care, NOT MY PROBLEM:rolleyes:this is not everyones but many many peoples attitude when they are spending a lot of money like this ( = many suite guests). I already see this on Oasis class during mid day hours when families are allowed in the CL for lunch....their young kids could be crying, yelling and throwing food around and some just don't care...and dare if you look at them as them will give you the what is your issue stare right back. Fact is that those adults with older kids were already often bringing teens into the CL anyways...as long as they looked 18 I have not seen most concierges give much issue....but allowing young children in.....as both D+ and an often suite guest....you just gave an open ticket for Chuck E Cheeses happy hour.

[cruisenfever]

I am on many sailings during school holidays as I have 2 teens ....I also have stayed in my share of suites as well as being D+...so I see this from pretty much all sides. The issue or problem here (and this even goes as a suite guest) is that now allowing kids in the CL during cocktail hour is an open ticket for kids to just come in with their parents and run around unsupervised....this sin't going to be teens we are talking about....it's going to be adults with very young children that are going to take advantage of this new policy. Let's face facts here....it's just like in the specialty restaurants early on....which I why I now don't dine before 8PM....a lot of parents attitude is...hey I paid a lot of money for this cruise and I am on vacation, so I don't care, NOT MY PROBLEM:rolleyes:this is not everyones but many many peoples attitude when they are spending a lot of money like this ( = many suite guests). I already see this on Oasis class during mid day hours when families are allowed in the CL for lunch....their young kids could be crying, yelling and throwing food around and some just don't care...and dare if you look at them as them will give you the what is your issue stare right back. Fact is that those adults with older kids were already often bringing teens into the CL anyways...as long as they looked 18 I have not seen most concierges give much issue....but allowing young children in.....as both D+ and an often suite guest....you just gave an open ticket for Chuck E Cheeses happy hour.

Priceless.........absolutely priceless!!:D

 

WOOHOO..........."Chicken McNuggets" at Happy Hour??

 

I want equal time up in AO to play video games!!

[marci22]

I don't know if having heavy drinkers, who tell adult jokes and use bad language, is something Royal wants to promote in their lounges.

 

Maybe allowing kids will promote more of a family atmosphere. I'm sure their demographics are changing from older cruisers to younger ones with families. Change sometimes seems impossible and offensive but then it happens and it's not so bad, and people live to tell about it. And still get their free drinks.

[FUN33]

Announcing our newest and greatest ship ever "Day Care Of The Seas". RCI has make some extremely poor decisions in recent years but this will turn out to be the worst one yet.

 

We cruise 3-4 months every year. Have just marked our calendar to cancel all RCI reservations 5 days prior to each final payment date. We will continue to monitor this policy; hopefully common sense and profit margins will reverse this egregious new policy.

 

We have no problem with children on board; just one huge problem with the removal of the single venue where you could avoid all children for 3 1/2 hours a day.

 

Just hoping they don't' screw up Celebrity next.

[Aquahound]

I am a suite guest WITH children who is not happy with the change. So I don't think the word "child hater" should be thrown around because that's simply not true. ;)

 

As we all know, the squeeky wheel gets the oil. So, it would not surprise me if this change is due to a vocal minority.

[brmoqueen]

r Chuck E Cheeses happy hour.

 

LOL...DH said 'well, maybe the 'snacks' will go kid friendly and we'll have things like popcorn chicken, peanut butter sandwiches ect

[cruisenfever]

LOL...DH said 'well, maybe the 'snacks' will go kid friendly and we'll have things like popcorn chicken, peanut butter sandwiches ect

I like Dave's way of thinking!!:D

[cruisenfever]

Announcing our newest and greatest ship ever "Day Care Of The Seas". RCI has make some extremely poor decisions in recent years but this will turn out to be the worst one yet.

 

We cruise 3-4 months every year. Have just marked our calendar to cancel all RCI reservations 5 days prior to each final payment date. We will continue to monitor this policy; hopefully common sense and profit margins will reverse this egregious new policy.

 

We have no problem with children on board; just one huge problem with the removal of the single venue where you could avoid all children for 3 1/2 hours a day.

 

Just hoping they don't' screw up Celebrity next.

Just something else to go along with their Academy at Seas Program.:D

[Jimretired]

I am absolutely beside myself at RCI's latest decision to allow children under the age of 21 into the CL 24/7 as long as they are accompanied by a parent. Once again it is another privilege being taken away/modified for the loyal adult passengers. I guess the next thing will be to allow adults into the Teen Center at night as long as they are accompanied by a teenager.

 

Children should not be allowed into an exclusive area where alcohol is served. It's bad enough with the undisciplined children running amok throughout the ship, not to mention you will now introduce that into a small confined area. Don't get me wrong I love children and raised five - but believe me they were very well behaved, unlike many of today's children.

 

Perhaps it's time to rethink my loyalty to RCI with all the changes that have taken place and the eroding of various services, incentives and privileges that have been afforded to the loyal guest. With well over 500 days at sea with RCI, I don't see myself continuing down this path much longer.:mad: