Major disappointment with the Coral

[bdjam]

I can understand that it is hard to please everybody and must be frustrating at times, but Kara really needs to hone her customer service skills. She could have handled the conversaion with you without being confrontational and chaging you from dissappointed to angry.

Since this was a Christmas cruise, it would be interesting to know how many kids were on board and how stretched Kara really was. Perhaps it took her a while to get back to the original poster because she had a lot to deal with. I know Dawn Princess had a full 450 kids on board – 25% of the passenger population – while Princess should staff adequately if they are going to book that many kids, maybe a little patience was in order as well. It's not the counselor's fault if Princess doesn't staff adequately. Asking to change the entire curriculum so that one’s children could be entertained may be a bit much and I would think more than a “gift” of a complaint.

[starfamily]

(we have done carnival without him)

I can tell you that my son was very AGAINST the intensive programing on Disney- he wanted to be able to just hang out and play on the computer or something not be directed into crafts and nonstop activities, that is one reason we stopped sailing disney. When we were on star last month he did not go in kids club at all and was perfectly happy. Next month he turns 13 and will check out the teen area if he does not like it that is no big deal. I certainly don't think it is up to Princess to entertain him. Yes parents do need a break and we demand it from him for one hour a day. He can go to the club, the arcade or the room what have you but dad and I get some adult time. Also once a day my husband spends an hour of one on one time with our son and I get my hour of alone time for me ( to go to the spa or just lie on the veranda whatever I want to do to relax

) and then we switch and my husband gets his hour (usually the casino or sports bar) then my son gets to pick an hour that we do something he wants- mini golf, shuffleboard, chess whatever he wants, the rest of the day we just hang as a family- very happy and stress free arangement, everyone's needs are met.

[rjg41]

You can debate the issue of movies or no movies BUT there is no question "Kara" was out of line. Her failure to get back to the OP in a timely manner followed by her defensiveness when she had to because the ass't CD got called is inexcusable. She needs a trip to the woodshed and the OP should receive an apology.

[surfklutz]

I am with you completely. Movies are a lazy way out of a children's program, and you had a right to expect more from a children's program, especially on a sailing that had an increased number of children.

 

I took my daughter on a Cruise West cruise - which didn't offer a kid's program at all, but since she was on they created one for her and 3 other children. They were incredibly creative with them- on nights before dinner they had the children fold napkins for dinner and spray down fold marks on table clothes with squirt guns. They had a week long "murder in the dark" game where if someone winked at them, and they were not touching someone else, they were out of the game. It was pretty funny to watch the crew and the kids when you knew what was going on.

 

I would expect far more from Princess. And if they saw there were 80 children ( sounds like more - that was a select age group) and Kara was in charge of all of the potential children, sound like Princess did not look forward with a very good perspective.

[kgn]

surfklutz:

You captured my point exactly. I mearly posted this for future parents who plan an Xmas cruise on the Coral. Not to invite a debate on if children should go on a cruise or not or the ongoing debate how misbehaved the children are on the cruise. I will say on this cruise I saw more rude and inconsiderate adults pushing onto elevators cutting off the handicap etc then on any other cruise I have been on. Maybe there should be a cruise for the polite and a seperate cruise for the rude! :rolleyes:

 

Bottom line is that Princess & Kara did not handle the situation well and my posting was just so people who are planning a cruise on Princess with children can be forwarned.

[Tak8]

I have taken my now 11 year old on 6 cruises with various lines. I have to agree that I expect more from a children's program than movies. If a cruise line or a particular ship or itinerary on a line is mainly going to show movies, then let's call it movie nights for kids.

I don't use the program to dump my kid so I can go to the beach or snorkel or whatever. Where I go, he goes. A cruise is a great family vacation. But there are times when a kid wants to be with other kids and go do kid things. When we get a children's program schedule, I have my son go through it and pick the things that interest him or if he makes a cruise buddy see when the buddy is going.

The Princess cruise we went on had many varied activities and my son enjoyed several of them. He also enjoyed going to see some of the shows and swimming at night. If adults want choices in their nighttime activities, shouldn't the children that cruise also enjoy choices.

[Dreamer333]

Princess has lost the eight of us and many other "potential" returns based on this problem and this cruise.:mad:

 

Don't give up on Princess yet!! As others have stated, the Dawn probably wasn't the best ship for you and your family... However I recommend that you try one of the grand class ships like the Caribbean Princess.

My sister got married on the CB a few months ago, and there were many family members, and several kids... all who had a wonderful time!!

[sgriff17]

We just returned from the Coral's Xmas/New Year's cruise. This was our first time on Princess and unfortunetly will not be returning! The cruise through Panama was great. All the ports we stopped at were wonderful. The food was good (very light on the chocolate desserts!) but not amazing. The service was fine and the little things people complain about like the pool towels, chairs at the pool, and charging for ice cream were minor in comparison to my biggest complaint (which almost ruined our entire vacation)!

 

Now I will start by telling you we like our kids and like to hang out with them, ages 8, 11, 12 & 15. We send the three youngest to the kids program only in the evening, after dinner from 8 - 10pm. This gives us the opportunity to gamble or see an "adult" event like the pg-13 comic etc.

 

We received the kids programming schedule as soon as we got into our room. We went the welcome orientation for the program and signed the kids up and met the staff. Who, for the most part, were very nice. We then reviewed the schedule, 9 out of 11 evenings was a movie! I could not believe it, if I wanted to put my kids in front of the tv I could have left them in the room (or at home for that matter). I thought this just might be an option and there would be other activities. I was wrong!!!!!!

 

After the third evening my kids started to complain about going and sitting and watching movies. They basically refused to go and I did not blame them. It was their vacation too. I decided to talk to the "person in charge" I was told that I should talk to Kara in the kids club and was told she should be up there right now. So off we went. She was not there but we left a message. Night three passed and day four passed. The evening of Day four I went back to the passenger service desk and told them I left a message and have not heard back and wanted to know who her boss was. I was told that Lee the Cruise Director was the one responsible for Kara and that he was hard to get a hold of. I suggested I leave a message for him to call me. Day five came and I received a message from Lee saying that he was not avalaible to talk with but I could page his Assistant Director, Susan. Which I did and I got a return call immediately. I explained the situation to Susan and told her how disappointed I was in the program and instead of grubbling about it to other passangers as othe parents were doing I decided to do something about while there was still time to fix the situation. She thanked me and told me she would check into and possible come up with an amended schedule. She would get back to me.

 

Two hours later I recieved a call from an angry Kara who basically said she did the program this way because this itinarary has a lot of port days so the kids were tired. I explained to her that it was her job to entertain my kids and it was my job as a parent to decide when they are tired and if that is the case I would put them to bed and not send them to the kids programing. I also mentioned that on Saturday and Sunday mornings she had cartoon watching scheduled on sea days (because it has been a long cruise I was told)! I said I was speaking for a number of parents that are unhappy and wanted to try to fix the problem while there was still time! She responded that the schedule was the schedule and that she had not heard any other complaints! I asked her how many children were in the 8 - 12 age group on this cruise and she said there were 80. I then asked how many were coming to the programing and she responded 10. (WOW that is about 12%....pretty pathetic if you ask me but she did not see there was a problem) In the end she told me that if I ever had a problem I should not go to her boss and that I should deal with her directly. Which I responded I tried and you did not get back to me after receiving my message. Her response was she was getting back to me now!

 

We ended up taking the kids swimming most nights and taking them to some shows or playing games with them in the game room. Overall I was shocked and amazed at how poorly the situation was handled and now I understand why there are kids roaming the ship as young as six!

 

Princess has lost the eight of us and many other "potential" returns based on this problem and this cruise.:mad:

 

That's why you should cruise Disney or CARNIVAL with kids. :D

[beachpeople]

Although I think a lot of the posters have been very hard on Kgn and I do understand her frustration, I do hope that Kgn learns something from this experience and understand the difference between the boats and how to choose the perfect cruise for your family. Maybe rather then blaming Princess 100% some blame should go to the choice of the ship and itineray for a family with younger children....and more of a recommendation to other cruisers planning a trip with young ones rather than a slam on the entire cruise which is what your 2 topic headers (from 2 seperate posts) suggests (which is why I feel you ruffled some feathers).

 

My favorite of my 6 cruises was on the Ocean Princess in 1999 (was sister to the Dawn and is now with Princesses European line) for my husbands and my 10th anniversary. It was a smaller ship with all the things you love about princess with more luxury, more attention and better service (I feel). Have I been on this class since?...no! because I took my kids on our second cruise on the Explorer of the Seas and we enjoyed it so much with them we have taken them on the last 5 cruises. But we always make sure the ship is a mega ship which means better kids clubs and a more family friendly feel. My kids are now 11 and 13 now so I might try a smaller ship now since they are out of the kids club thing and I might even try a more interesting destination like the Panama Canal or Europe. But because I put a lot of thought into our selections and maybe did not always choose the itinerary or boat I would have prefered myself we have never been disappointed.

The smaller ships are not use to that large amounts of children and thus don't do the best job.

Still all and all the rudness by the staff was unacceptable but hey we have all ran into that on some of our cruises.... even on mine last week.

Good luck on future plannings!!

[sgriff17]

Interesting comment... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

Actually, it IS her job to entertain his kids. That's EXACTLY what her job is.

[LARGIN]

Actually, it IS her job to entertain his kids. That's EXACTLY what her job is.

 

I said "interesting comment" to this..

 

"I explained to her that it was her job to entertain my kids and it was my job as a parent to decide when they are tired".. You responded to only half my quote..

[Northender]

Whew! Boy am I glad I am past those problems:D

But, the time I can grab to be with my son and grandson is priceless:)

 

I agree that Kara should have been more accomodating. But what I don't understand is if you enjoyed Princess (The cruise through Panama was great. All the ports we stopped at were wonderful. The food was good (very light on the chocolate desserts!) but not amazing. The service was fine and the little things people complain about like the pool towels, chairs at the pool, and charging for ice cream were minor in comparison to my biggest complaint (which almost ruined our entire vacation)! .......Why throw the baby out with the bathwater. Perhaps you should think about checking out the kids programs before you book your cruise, if that is possible.

 

Unfortunately kids today want instant gratification and become bored very easily. This is a general statement, I know. Did you think to bring any board games with you that they could play besides going to the game room, which I always find to be just so so. I must say, I give you a lot of credit for taking 4 kids on a cruise. :eek: It is like one of my friends always says - when taking kids to places, make sure that you can wear them out by 10pm. When going to a hotel, always stay at one with an indoor pool. Those laps will wear them out.:D

[Cruiseteach]

I think you are justified in being upset with Kara for not returning your calls, and it sounds like she was pretty "snippy" with it. They must have known well ahead of time how many kids were going to be on board and had no reason not to be prepared.

On the other side, I am actually surprised that they provided any kind of kids' program for kids under 13 at night. I would think that the assumption would be that after dinner, kids would be with their parents or off to bed. Even with no school, 10 o'clock is awfully late for that 8 year old to still be up. (The teacher in me just can't resist that comment!)I would think she or he would be exhausted the next day! It's actually pretty late for the 11 and 12 year-olds, too. The 15 year-old is a different story. I think they should provide appropriate evening activities for teens.

Now, you did say that you went to the orientation meeting. Was what took place different from what you were promised at that meeting? If so, you were right to complain at the time. if not, you should have waited and written a complaint to Princess after returning. The staff shouldn't have to change a planned program because you were unhappy with it.

I hate to say this, but it sounds to me like you weren't really interested in a children's program to enhance your children's cruise experience as much as you wanted evening babysitting services for your kids, so you could do more "adult" stuff. All the Princess brochures and websites state very clearly that Princess does not provide babysitting.

[FamilyGuy1010]

Hi:

 

I have booked the Coral for 12/29/06. We're taking our kids (8 & 10). My expectation is that they will have a great time, but be courteaous and respectful of all passengers and crew aboard, and receive the same in return. They can't wait to go (neither can I...this is my one of my dream trips) as they like to see new places. We don't leave them on the ship on port days as I believe these types of trips offer educational opportunities.

 

FWIW, they have been on the Grand and Star (and going on the Star again in April) and had a fantastic time! Also, while they (our kids) were not with us on the Caribbean Princess, I noticed that all the kids seemed to be having a fabulous time.

[bdjam]

(we have done carnival without him)

I can tell you that my son was very AGAINST the intensive programing on Disney- he wanted to be able to just hang out and play on the computer or something not be directed into crafts and nonstop activities, that is one reason we stopped sailing disney. When we were on star last month he did not go in kids club at all and was perfectly happy. Next month he turns 13 and will check out the teen area if he does not like it that is no big deal. I certainly don't think it is up to Princess to entertain him. Yes parents do need a break and we demand it from him for one hour a day. He can go to the club, the arcade or the room what have you but dad and I get some adult time. Also once a day my husband spends an hour of one on one time with our son and I get my hour of alone time for me ( to go to the spa or just lie on the veranda whatever I want to do to relax

) and then we switch and my husband gets his hour (usually the casino or sports bar) then my son gets to pick an hour that we do something he wants- mini golf, shuffleboard, chess whatever he wants, the rest of the day we just hang as a family- very happy and stress free arangement, everyone's needs are met.

That’s great – as long as for that hour a day that you need the break, your kid isn’t hanging out in the stairwells, terrorizing crew members or passengers or causing problems. It seems to me that parents who bring their kids into a cruise ship environment have some responsibility to ensure they behave and that they are safe. A cruise ship is not the mall down the street and I still don’t understand why parents think it’s up to the cruise line to baby sit for them – perhaps that’s why Princess provides nothing more than baby sitting activities?

[starfamily]

That’s great – as long as for that hour a day that you need the break, your kid isn’t hanging out in the stairwells, terrorizing crew members or passengers or causing problems. It seems to me that parents who bring their kids into a cruise ship environment have some responsibility to ensure they behave and that they are safe. A cruise ship is not the mall down the street and I still don’t understand why parents think it’s up to the cruise line to baby sit for them – perhaps that’s why Princess provides nothing more than baby sitting activities?

 

No my son does not hang out in stairwells, nor does he terrorize anyone. I pay an adult fare for him the same as any other third in a cabin and there is no reason he should not be allowed to go get an icecream or play some games in the arcade without holding mommy's hand. BTW at our local mall al children under 18 need to accompanied by a parent or responcible adult in the evening. I would not expect the mall or the ship to babysit my child. I expect him to be responsible and act the way he has been raised to behave.

[Cruiseteach]

I expect him to be responsible and act the way he has been raised to behave.

And, therein, lies the key! Unfortunately, not all parents share your attitude or parenting skills.

[yarlenna]

I love to dance. If there is no dancing at 2 PM should I complain? I don’t think so either.

I am sure there were other things available on the children’s schedule – just at other times.

If I want to dance, I need to check the schedule and be sure to go to the dance.

If the children want to do things, they should go to those things while they are offered.

[coiran]

A family that plays together - stays together.

Ron

[bdjam]

No my son does not hang out in stairwells, nor does he terrorize anyone. I pay an adult fare for him the same as any other third in a cabin and there is no reason he should not be allowed to go get an icecream or play some games in the arcade without holding mommy's hand. BTW at our local mall al children under 18 need to accompanied by a parent or responcible adult in the evening. I would not expect the mall or the ship to babysit my child. I expect him to be responsible and act the way he has been raised to behave.

OK – hopefully you’re sure about that. I was on Dawn Princess last month and of the 10 kids I saw hanging out in the stairwell and the 6 young teenage girls who were chasing down a crew member, I’m hoping that none of their parents thought they were being responsible and acting the way they were raised to behave. Or maybe they were, in which case they weren’t raised very well.

This is the second cruise in about a year where I’ve noticed these kinds of issues with kids (besides running through corridors and jostling the elderly, running through dining rooms and jostling waiters, acting up in shows, throwing clothes into corridors, running and jumping into pools without regard for others, etc.) and it makes me think that a good percentage of kids on board are on vacation and act like their vacation is in the local park. I wonder how many of the parents with unruly kids are blaming Princess and its lack of activities for that unruliness when in fact they should be policing their own children.

And no – not all kids act in this way – but it’s enough to be noticeable.

[cruznliz]

"She was not there but we left a message."

 

I guess I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, particularly when they aren't on CruiseCritics and can't defend themselves. My theory is she didn't receive the first message for whatever reason and then was definitely defensive when called on the carpet. My question is, why wait so long to try to get ahold of her a second time? What could have been a productive face to face discussion turned into a defensive unproductive telephone conversation.

 

I would have approached the counselors on duty and said "my kids don't want to watch the movie. Can they play a board game or do a craft instead? Let's compromise." But asking them to completely change their schedule to accomodate a few kids is a little unreasonable. Besides a lot of kids like to watch movies and wind down after a busy day.

[mr green]

This proves to me that cruising is mainly for adults, especially if the cruise is more than seven days. We never cruised with our kids, very little opportunity, or money. Looking back our offsprings told us that they prefered our simple vacations, the times that we were with them throughout their waking hours. It is during the first fifteen years or so of a childs life I believe that they should come first, and that would not normally include cruising. Overall I think it a little unfair to blame Coral, [my favourate ship], or Princess for that matter. Just an observation. john

[RichardCruiser]

I agree with Mr. Green. I think if I were a child, a cruise would not be a good vacation. When our children were young we took them camping, etc. A cruise ship is too confining for a child. My wife and I have been on 12 cruises, and all since our last child was out of college and left home. We beleived a cruise would be something that an adult should enjoy as a benefit later in life. It is nice to have something like that to look foreward to.

If you must cruise with children, look for Disney, or a cruise that is specifically designed for children.

 

Richard

 

Norwegian - Starward 02/94

Norwegian - Windward 02/95

Holland American - Noordam 02-96

Norwegian - Seaward 02/97

Celebrity - Zenith 02/98

Royal Caribbean - Rhapsody 01-99

Celebrity - Horizon 01/2000

Celebrity - Century 02/01

Carnival - Triumph 02/02

Royal Caribbean - Adventure 02/03

Princess - Dawn 01/05

Princess - Coral 02/06

[coiran]

I agree with Mr. Green. I think if I were a child, a cruise would not be a good vacation. When our children were young we took them camping, etc. A cruise ship is too confining for a child. My wife and I have been on 12 cruises, and all since our last child was out of college and left home. We beleived a cruise would be something that an adult should enjoy as a benefit later in life. It is nice to have something like that to look foreward to.

If you must cruise with children, look for Disney, or a cruise that is specifically designed for children.

 

DITTO!!

Ron

[jennew]

"She was not there but we left a message."

 

I would have approached the counselors on duty and said "my kids don't want to watch the movie. Can they play a board game or do a craft instead? Let's compromise." But asking them to completely change their schedule to accomodate a few kids is a little unreasonable. Besides a lot of kids like to watch movies and wind down after a busy day.

 

I had this same thought....I agree.