Do you give your kids the run of the ship?

[bbbearden]

My oldest will be 10 on our next cruise. She will be signed in and out of AO by a parent. She will not be allowed roam. She will not be staying in our cabin alone. I would let her walk to the frozen yogurt machine or hop in a hot tub by herself if I was up on the pool deck and staying with her younger sister (5 years old.) We don't leave DD10 home alone, let her walk around the mall by herself, or even walk to school by herself (0.4 miles.) Overprotective? Perhaps. But that's better than the opposite IMHO. It will be interesting to see what I allow my younger daughter to do when she is 10.

 

I can see where momma of_3 is coming from. I don't think she meant the cruise line should be responsible for kids wandering. But I have to say I was SHOCKED when the AO staff asked if I wanted to sign a waiver for my then 6 year old to sign herself out. What??? RCL allows kids in the 6-8 year old group to sign themselves out if a parent okays it? This past year when my DD was in the 9-11 yr old group, I had to fill out paperwork designating that she was a "parent sign out ONLY" and have a special stamp on her paperwork. Otherwise, RCL automatically allows 9-11 year olds to self sign out.

 

 

 

OMG. This is the 1st I'm hearing of such a thing and I'm disgusted! I too will be more cognizant of my 'empties' and 'nearly empties.' I'm dumfounded.

 

Regarding how everyone thinks their child is well behaved: my daughter is smart, cautious, and a rule follower BUT every day she surprises me with something stupid she's done and not thought through. Kid's brains just don't work the same way as adult's brains.

 

I can honestly say I have never contributed to this problem, in an effort to keep everyone safe, I ensure that all of my drinks have been properly consumed and nothing but and empty glass remains:cool:

[MOSusan]

Do you and other parents realize that there have been criminals and perverts and crime on cruise ships? Children have been victemized. People are looking at this as their kids are good kids and will behave and not considering that bad people do take cruises.

 

I do understand that - their "roaming" has always been limited to daytime hours. At night they are back in the room and don't go anywhere without Mom or Dad. It helps that none of us are night owls.

[MOSusan]

I can honestly say I have never contributed to this problem, in an effort to keep everyone safe, I ensure that all of my drinks have been properly consumed and nothing but and empty glass remains:cool:

 

Thank you for helping to keep the ship safe from drunken teens. :D:eek:

[Onessa]

My oldest will be 10 on our next cruise. . . . I would let her walk to the frozen yogurt machine or hop in a hot tub by herself if I was up on the pool deck and . . . .

It is important to give kids (relatively) safe opportunities to experience some independance. This poster likely would not let her 5YO walk to the frozen yogurt machine, but it is ok for her kid at 10YO. Some may say she is overprotective, while others would gasp question whether it is wise. There is no universal answer. But as a parent you determine what you are comfortable with your child doing.

 

As a parent you need to look for opportunities, prepare your child for the situation, and give them the opportunity to grow into more and more responsibility. There are no guarentees that anyone will ever be 100% safe. But by looking for opportunities and working with your child, he or she will be able to grow into a capable young adult who is prepared to face the world.

 

So a cruise ship (like any other venue) is not a "free zone" -- but since we are on vacation and maybe have just a bit more time; each of us, as parents, should consider looking for teachable moments -- looking for opportunities where we can control most of the situation and allow our kids to be able to experience a little more personal responsibility.

 

. . . Our son was with a friend when this happened but as you can see he knew that he had to report the lost card to guest services and also told us. . . . . It was a good learning experience for everyone, including the person that doubted our son's story.

Good to hear you had a happy ending and that you and your son view this as a learning experience. How someone handles being "wrong" is very telling about that person's personality -- good to hear that RCCI was able to be a good role model in that respect for you and your son.

[NJcruisenewbie]

And to those that say nothing bad can happen on a cruise ship we had an armed security guard sitting in our hallway after the 3rd night of our most recent cruise and a guy was thrown off (once we hit the next port) for fighting and groping.

 

It happens.

 

This is exactly what some of us on this thread have said. It's great there are cameras all over to catch someone who has committed a crime. However it doesn't negate the fact that someone was victimized.

 

Lets face it, anything can happen anywhere at anytime. All any of us can do as parents is to minimize the risk and teach our children how to protect themselves.

[dupe1_åsa]

would never ever let my kids run free on a cruise ship, better leave them home if you want time of your own, much safer and cheaper...

[mintee]

I have 10 year old twin girls....we went cruising on Carnival in Jan when they were 9....we were told that if we allowed it, the twins could sign themselves in and out. We choose not too and were then told that they would not they would not be allowed to participate in scavengers hunts....??

So let me get this straight, under guidelines it is neglect to leave your child unsupervised for an hour and results in a investigation by your county in the USA, but on a cruise, you can just leave them all day????

Carnival had the "brilliant"idea that the scavenger hunt would be a people hunt...so while my kids were with me...the kids from the kids club were running up to complete strangers to get them to fill in a form...speechless...

I am sorry ...some adults are just looking for that opportunity to grab your kid and get them alone...what a perfect place for a pedophile to hang out!

I was so livid, I wrote to Carnival to urge them to change the policy and follow suggested supervision guidelines...still thinking of getting the Child Abuse advocates involved...still waiting for a response from the cruise line from Jan....

I would love to know the unreported statistics on abuse/neglect of kids on cruises...

Just my two cents..

[reallyitsmema]

I have 10 year old twin girls....we went cruising on Carnival in Jan when they were 9....we were told that if we allowed it, the twins could sign themselves in and out. We choose not too and were then told that they would not they would not be allowed to participate in scavengers hunts....??

So let me get this straight, under guidelines it is neglect to leave your child unsupervised for an hour and results in a investigation by your county in the USA, but on a cruise, you can just leave them all day????

Carnival had the "brilliant"idea that the scavenger hunt would be a people hunt...so while my kids were with me...the kids from the kids club were running up to complete strangers to get them to fill in a form...speechless...

I am sorry ...some adults are just looking for that opportunity to grab your kid and get them alone...what a perfect place for a pedophile to hang out!

I was so livid, I wrote to Carnival to urge them to change the policy and follow suggested supervision guidelines...still thinking of getting the Child Abuse advocates involved...still waiting for a response from the cruise line from Jan....

I would love to know the unreported statistics on abuse/neglect of kids on cruises...

Just my two cents..

Scavenger hunts on RCI work the same way, if they can't sign themselves out, they can't participate in the scavenger hunts.

[SRQfireman]

On the Equinox, my son left his keycard on the game room. Two teenagers used the money he already had on his card and added $50 and kept using the money until my son reported the lost card. When we realized that someone had added $50 to his card my DH went to guest services to report the incident. My husband was told that our son was probably lying to us, that this happens all the time. My husband told them that they didn't know our son and to please check the security videos. Two hours later we received a call with an apology. The video showed the two teens taking our son card, they were ID by the face recognition program and their parents were informed about what they did. We received another letter of apology the next day, with chocolate covered strawberries, and a gift card for my son to use on the game room

Our son was with a friend when this happened but as you can see he knew that he had to report the lost card to guest services and also told us. My son went with my husband to Guest Services and had to face being called a liar. It was a good learning experience for everyone, including the person that doubted our son's story.

 

Ding / Ding / Ding.....exactly what I'm talking about....snagging the culprit's via the camera's and "picture system".

I'm still agreeing things can happen......I just can't help but think that it's got to be alot less of a chance than on land......Only use as a parent can decide if your child can deal with any situation they might arise

[srlafleur]

Let's just say that even if a pedophile doesn't touch your child, there are MANY that will be taking photographs of them walking in and out of a pool, in groups, etc. etc. etc. (use your imagination).

Off topic a little:

Are you suggesting that merely taking a photo of a child is child pornography? If I'm taking a picture and your child happens to be in the background, I'm sorry, but no nefarious purpose was intended. I don't know your child's name, address or anything else about your child unless you've slung a sign around their neck.

I think I read a post a while ago in which someone complained that the photos in the photo gallery were in plain sight of everyone- even the ones with the kids in them and they objected because they didn't want their child ogled by just anyone. That wasn't you, was it?

[Big_G]

Off topic a little:

Are you suggesting that merely taking a photo of a child is child pornography? If I'm taking a picture and your child happens to be in the background, I'm sorry, but no nefarious purpose was intended. I don't know your child's name, address or anything else about your child unless you've slung a sign around their neck.

I think I read a post a while ago in which someone complained that the photos in the photo gallery were in plain sight of everyone- even the ones with the kids in them and they objected because they didn't want their child ogled by just anyone. That wasn't you, was it?

 

It would depend on the intent of the photographer wouldn't it? If for some reason your camera was examined and it contained nothing but other people's kids at the pool, wouldn't that concern you? I think that's where the poster was going.

[galavant3]

We've been cruising with our kids for 8 years. They have participated in activities such as the scavenger hunt and other games that have them running all over the ship. I understand that anything is possible but in all our cruises, I've always felt extremely comfortable with the manner in which the kids activities were conducted. I realize that there could be a pedophile on board but I don't think a cruise ship would be the ideal setting for a such a crime.

 

I'm sure crimes do happen on cruise ships but statistically since 30% of child abuse cases involve relatives and close family members I would think your children are safer on a cruise ship than at a family reunion.

[srlafleur]

It would depend on the intent of the photographer wouldn't it? If for some reason your camera was examined and it contained nothing but other people's kids at the pool, wouldn't that concern you? I think that's where the poster was going.

 

Actually, not really, as long as nothing but photography is going on and the children are clothed, and unaware. Some people might be taking candid shots of feet or whatever else floats their boat, too. I'm not saying it's right, but that's the least of my worries.

[paulgraff]

If my kids had never been on a cruise I would restrict their movements too.

 

My kids are 14 and 12 and have been on about 8 cruise each. During those early cruises they were tightly restricted as they should have been because of their age.

 

Now they are allowed much more freedom as long as they agree to OUR rules and the ship rules.

 

In fact, this Christmas cruise they are getting their own inside stateroom on the NOS (with a view) across from our balcony stateroom.

 

And to you "older" folks who get so upset that a kids is sliding down a stair rail or pushing buttons on an elevator, try to lighten up a little in life, they are just kids and thats what kids do sometimes.

[Goes Cruising]

If my kids had never been on a cruise I would restrict their movements too.

 

My kids are 14 and 12 and have been on about 8 cruise each. During those early cruises they were tightly restricted as they should have been because of their age.

 

Now they are allowed much more freedom as long as they agree to OUR rules and the ship rules.

 

In fact, this Christmas cruise they are getting their own inside stateroom on the NOS (with a view) across from our balcony stateroom.

 

And to you "older" folks who get so upset that a kids is sliding down a stair rail or pushing buttons on an elevator, try to lighten up a little in life, they are just kids and thats what kids do sometimes.

 

Actually, only unsupervised kids do this. Those who parent their children are usually there to advise them it is inappropriate and inconsiderate. Your little darlings may be the center of your universe, but they are not the center of mine.

 

FYI, I'm not an older folk, and have cruised with my daughter from the age of 12 to 20.

[paulgraff]

Actually, only unsupervised kids do this. Those who parent their children are usually there to advise them it is inappropriate and inconsiderate. Your little darlings may be the center of your universe, but they are not the center of mine.

 

FYI, I'm not an older folk, and have cruised with my daughter from the age of 12 to 20.

 

You are exactly who I am talking about.... Go on Holland America its full of uptight people complaining about others having fun.

 

PG

[cello56]

You are exactly who I am talking about.... Go on Holland America its full of uptight people complaining about others having fun.

 

PG

 

Seriously? So you think it is A-OK for kids to push all the buttons on an elevator and then get off? No problem that they just inconvenienced lots of people for no reason at all except their own fun? What about throwing food? Is that fun too?

 

Parents need to parent their children. Period. End of story.

[mommaof 3]

Off topic a little:

Are you suggesting that merely taking a photo of a child is child pornography? If I'm taking a picture and your child happens to be in the background, I'm sorry, but no nefarious purpose was intended. I don't know your child's name, address or anything else about your child unless you've slung a sign around their neck.

I think I read a post a while ago in which someone complained that the photos in the photo gallery were in plain sight of everyone- even the ones with the kids in them and they objected because they didn't want their child ogled by just anyone. That wasn't you, was it?

 

There was a case in our area where a man was caught taking pictures of little girl's in swim suits at a 4th of July festival. I am not sure whether it was determined to be illegal, he argued that he wasn't hurting anyone, the pictures were for his personal enjoyment - but still, it's makes your skin crawl. I assumed this is the type of picture the pp was thinking of.

[mommaof 3]

My oldest will be 10 on our next cruise. She will be signed in and out of AO by a parent. She will not be allowed roam. She will not be staying in our cabin alone. I would let her walk to the frozen yogurt machine or hop in a hot tub by herself if I was up on the pool deck and staying with her younger sister (5 years old.) We don't leave DD10 home alone, let her walk around the mall by herself, or even walk to school by herself (0.4 miles.) Overprotective? Perhaps. But that's better than the opposite IMHO. It will be interesting to see what I allow my younger daughter to do when she is 10.

 

I can see where momma of_3 is coming from. I don't think she meant the cruise line should be responsible for kids wandering. But I have to say I was SHOCKED when the AO staff asked if I wanted to sign a waiver for my then 6 year old to sign herself out. What??? RCL allows kids in the 6-8 year old group to sign themselves out if a parent okays it? This past year when my DD was in the 9-11 yr old group, I had to fill out paperwork designating that she was a "parent sign out ONLY" and have a special stamp on her paperwork. Otherwise, RCL automatically allows 9-11 year olds to self sign out.

 

 

 

OMG. This is the 1st I'm hearing of such a thing and I'm disgusted! I too will be more cognizant of my 'empties' and 'nearly empties.' I'm dumfounded.

 

Regarding how everyone thinks their child is well behaved: my daughter is smart, cautious, and a rule follower BUT every day she surprises me with something stupid she's done and not thought through. Kid's brains just don't work the same way as adult's brains.

 

Thank you for explaining it better than I could, lol. I firmly believe every parent is responsible for their own children, but the cruise lines can't complain if they allow kids to sign themselves out and advertise openly or subtly that it is a vacation from parenting.

[Charles4515]

Thank you for explaining it better than I could, lol. I firmly believe every parent is responsible for their own children, but the cruise lines can't complain if they allow kids to sign themselves out and advertise openly or subtly that it is a vacation from parenting.

 

The cruise lines are not complaining. As for their advertising they advertise cruises as a familly vacation, not a vacation from parenting. They provide all kinds of activities for children. But I always thought that most people understood that advertising is marketing to sell, in this case cruises. Don't leave common sense behind because you are on vacation, and that vacation is a fantasy atmosphere. The cruise lines are not going to tell you there is crime on ships. Nor will they tell you that criminals usually get away with crimes on ships as there is no real police force.

 

I do think the crime rate is low on cruise ships, likely lower than your home community although it is hard to say for sure since the cruise lines are not forthcoming about crimes on ships. The point is don't be naive, there is crime including sexual assault.

[Goes Cruising]

You are exactly who I am talking about.... Go on Holland America its full of uptight people complaining about others having fun.

 

PG

 

Your fun (or your kids) ends when it impacts others around you. My daughter and I have a blast cruising, and it doesn't involve asinine behavior that is rude and self centered.

[JPattz]

I think it's up to yourself whether or not your kids roam the ship alone, by the sounds of it you have made your mind up and that's fine. I've been going on cruises since i was about 11/12 and there was never really a set of strict rules that i had to follow, but i was well behaved as my parents raised me well with manners and a good attitude. Having been on 8 cruises and met many families everyone is different. I'm allowed to wake up spend all day with friends at the pool then meet up for dinner and go back out until about 12 (age dependent, earlier when i was little, later now that i'm 18) but other families have their teens 'check in' every hour and some dont let them out on their own at all. Hope you and the family have fun on your upcoming cruise!! :)

[NJcruisenewbie]

If my kids had never been on a cruise I would restrict their movements too.

 

My kids are 14 and 12 and have been on about 8 cruise each. During those early cruises they were tightly restricted as they should have been because of their age.

 

Now they are allowed much more freedom as long as they agree to OUR rules and the ship rules.

 

In fact, this Christmas cruise they are getting their own inside stateroom on the NOS (with a view) across from our balcony stateroom.

 

And to you "older" folks who get so upset that a kids is sliding down a stair rail or pushing buttons on an elevator, try to lighten up a little in life, they are just kids and thats what kids do sometimes.

 

I'm not an older folk and have a 12 year old. I know kids sometimes do things that are frowned upon. That's why it's up to parents to parent their kids. If I found out my daughter was playing on the stairs or elevators she'd certainly be spoken to and would possibly lose some privileges. I don't believe in "kids will be kids" when their actions affect others.

[Big_G]

The funny part of this conversation is that we assume that kids will act any different when their parents are around. We were on a Freedom elevator with a young girl about 10 and a few other adults. At every stop, the young girl would push the door close button. People that were waiting scurried to the door but not before it closed. After the third stop, I spoke up and told her that people were trying to get on. It was pretty obvious to everyone in the elevator what was happening yet her only response was, "Oh." Much to my chagrin, one of the adults turned out to be mom. Her only response was to tell the little darling to step back from the buttons. No apologies and no admonishment from mom. Go figure.

[Magnetchief]

I don't think that pushing the door close button is restricted to children. It seems to be some sort of sporting event on the Allure.

Many adults were pushing the button as fast as possible irrespective if someone was waiting to step in.