Parents please follow the guidelines!!!

[CariBlue]

Too bad.......good thing these kids don't have a choice about "sharing" when they get their future paychecks with all those lovely payroll taxes being deducted!!! That's another thread........

 

Kinda like how we don't have a choice about "sharing" our paychecks to pay for school/aftercare programs. Either way, neither has anything to with swimming pools.

[Pam in CA]

Well, I've read all the posts and while I've seen some "anti-kid" posts, it sure wasn't the OP.

 

The way I see this discussion is that it boils down to two separate issues:

 

One is that the signage for the only indoor pool was labeled "Adults only." It's pretty clear what that says and means. Whether or not you agree with it, that's what it says and as a parent, I would follow that rule and wouldn't have allowed my daughter (who is now grown up) go into the pool. I agree with Doris 100% on what she said and how she handled this.

 

The other discussion is whether or not Princess should have set aside some times for the kids to swim. They should have, but they didn't, so that the posted rule is in effect. Ignoring that is giving your child the wrong message. It's not about fairness but rather about seeing a rule in effect and following it.

 

The bottom line is to do your research. See which cruiselines, and ships, have indoor pools and activities if you're bringing kids. I've been on a cruise in Alaska and I wouldn't have set my child's expectation that it would be the same as a Caribbean cruise. It's not. Here in the Boston area, it's like telling your kids the pool will be open by Memorial Day. News flash: it wasn't, due to cold weather.

[ahracer]

Largin,

I find it rather comical that you just happen to decide to take a picture of a sign beside a pool:D .

 

 

Actually he didn't happen to just take it. On his thread from the Coral we were talking about how the pool on the Island was not adults only and he stated he would take a picture of the sign stating that the same pool was adults only on the Coral.

 

Scott

[MaryPoppinz]

The bottom line is to do your research. See which cruiselines, and ships, have indoor pools and activities if you're bringing kids. I've been on a cruise in Alaska and I wouldn't have set my child's expectation that it would be the same as a Caribbean cruise.

 

I understand what you're saying about research, and it's important. But, the people at Princess would rightfully lose their minds after taking a flurry of these calls:

 

"Is there going to be a pool available to children in Alaska?"

"Are there going to be alcoholic beverages in the bar?"

"Will there be gambling in the casino?"

"Will there be an Officer on the bridge?"

 

We shouldn't have to clarify these questions with the cruiseline. It's within the realm of common sense to expect these things on a ship that permits children; has pools, bars and casinos; and is leaving the pier.

 

I think this could have easily been resovled on the ship with a simple conversation between the right people. I think it is simply something that has been overlooked.

[spongerob]

...a cruise that has been advertised as a "family vacation" [my emphasis]....

 

Cruises are also advertised as adult vacations (honeymoons, anniversaries, romantic getaways...) so it's not surprising that different passengers go on a cruise with different expectations. One does not have primacy over another, so it is fortunate that most ships are large enough to accomadate most everyones' wishes. If an area is adult-only, then it should be respected.

 

We DO have to respect one another. Willfully violating an adult-only area is not respectful. Speaking up about it is not anti-children, either. I have no problem if Princess wants to make allowances for special circumstances - even a Candyland tournament in the casino open to all ages might be fun.

[atlcple2]

My husband and I don't take our children on our annual cruise, as it is the only trip we take every year that is just for the two of us. I am glad that Princess has "adult only" pools and we will no doubt enjoy them, having said that, I too think that when circumstances don't allow children to swim in the non-adult only pools, they should make exceptions and post it at the adult only pools for everyone to see as it isn't fair to the families who have children. The kids have a right to swim too! I commend you for taking the staight and narrow and can appreciate your being conscious of others.

[LARGIN]

Largin,

I find it rather comical that you just happen to decide to take a picture of a sign beside a pool:D .

 

I did it to clear up misconceptions posted on this board about what is or what isn't on a ship.. I was asked to verify if the Lotus pool on the Coral was adults only. As for comical, read some of the other posts..

[where next?]

We DO have to respect one another. Willfully violating an adult-only area is not respectful. Speaking up about it is not anti-children, either. I have no problem if Princess wants to make allowances for special circumstances - even a Candyland tournament in the casino open to all ages might be fun.

 

Candyland......takes me back to the kitchen table playing Candyland with my dad as a little girl...........

 

Also, Cariblue, I apologize for my earlier "sharing" remark. That was off topic and I'm humble enough to admit it!

 

 

The funny thing about this whole thread to me is that when my family was just on the Diamond Princess, we enjoyed the ship immensely as a family(my kids are 13 and 9). The kids enjoyed their kids club area, we all enjoyed the pools, ping pong tables, pottery, the food, shuffleboard and port days...the list could go on. My husband and I enjoyed the shows and gym/spa area. We were on the Mex Riv itinerary and had beautiful weather so there were no pool issues.

 

One night we met a wonderful early 60'ish couple at dinner that was sitting next to our table for four. They asked our children the normal questions - age, school grade, etc. It came out that my kids love baseball and soccer.

 

This couple said that they treasured all the time that they spent with their kids when they were the ages that our kids are now, especially watching them participate in sports. They told us to enjoy this time because it goes so fast. They couldn't have been any nicer nor given us any better advise. They made my kids feel important to the conversation. They were travelling without their children but wanted to make mine feel special.

 

We didn't want to invade their "couple space" but they truly wanted to be part of our "family" conversation. I thought they were an awesome couple and enjoyed seeing them throughout the cruise.

 

The only part of the cruise that was not so family friendy was when a girl had too much to drink and decided to expose her top half at the sailaway from one of our ports (I forget which port). I was glad the kids were safely tucked in the kids club! The staff had their hands full keeping her off the band's stage and her shirt on!!!

[LARGIN]

People are finding it hard to follow because on this particular cruise the adults only pool was the only usable pool due to poor weather.

 

I have read numerous angry threads on these boards from people complaining about certain activities and lounges being closed to the general public to accomodate large affinity groups (Amway salesmen, gay/lesbian groups, insurance salemen, etc). This is no different. One group of people being given preferential treatment at the expense of another.

 

I fully understand that children are not always equal to adults, but when I pay good money for my children to accompany me on a cruise that has been advertised as a "family vacation" then I expect them to be able to enjoy all age-appropriate activities. Afterall, kids can't enjoy an afternoon at the casino or belly up to the bar, so other than the children's programs, swimming is about the only other daytime activity for them to enjoy. To take that away from them greatly diminishes the value of my vacation dollar.

 

If there are other pools available, then yes, kids should be made to stay out of the adults only pool, but if it is the only pool that is usuable then that rule should be waived out of fairness.

 

Rules sometimes change do to unusual circumstances, so if I were in the situation of the OP, I would assume that this rule had changed and allow my children to swim until a person of authority told me otherwise.

 

I just returned from Alaska on the Coral. I swam both in the indoor and outdoor pools.. Both were heated..