Solarium Admittance Change

[Clarea]

2 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

 ... Dare I wish for 21+

 

I suspect that would be a tough one.

[Tulsacoker]

 

3 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

I suspect that would be a tough one.

 

Great, that's my moto "Everything tough is worth doing"  Tulsacoker 

[jbethel11]

1 hour ago, Joseph2017China said:

"legally adult"?  Generally speaking an adult is at the age they can enter into legal agreements.  It is not tied to maturity etc.  Age restrictions don't dictate adulthood.  What it does is manage certain things.  Such as access someplace.  Under 18 have their own hang out place.  18+ has the solarium to get away from kids.  Is it broke?  Depends.  If the place is an overflow of the kid's club and then it might be broken.  This is not about maturity but rather having a restricted area reserved for a certain group.  Those age restrictions are set based on many factors on the ship, such as "spring break" or "Holiday sailings" or they can be set based on the closed loop country such as drinking age in Europe vs USA. 

You are right that under 18 have their own hangout place. But is it as good as Solarium? No. Adults 18+ have access to the Casino (where minors aren't allowed) the spa (where minors aren't allowed) and many other venues, yet having 16 and 17 year olds in the solarium wreaks havoc? I don't want to cause argument, so I will leave it at that.

[jbethel11]

Can someone who is currently onboard another ship right now confirm whether or not this is applicable fleet-wide?

[plaz70]

Having 2 that will turn 16 a few days into the cruise and 1 that will turn 17 in Jan, I can say from my own observation with my own kids and their friends that traveling in large packs is not as common in this age group as it was in the 12-14 year range.  At this age, they have the handful of friends they prefer to hang out with who share the same interests and they are much more subdued when together in their small like minded groups as they were a few years ago.  My boys will likely have no interest in the solarium.  They will either be on the sports court or eating.  My daughter will spend her time on arts & crafts, music, reading, writing and drawing.  She looks like she could be 18 and if she were in the solarium, the last thing she'd do is bring attention to herself.  In fact, if she even decides to enter the solarium, which in her mind will be filled with "old cranky people", you would never notice her because she would find a corner away from people to read/write/draw in quiet.

[ReneeFLL]

8 hours ago, jbethel11 said:

I disagree. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Do 16-year-olds really cause that much of a problem? There are some 16-year-olds that are way more mature than many 18-year-olds, but because they are "legally" an adult, they are (positively) stereotyped as mature?

Solarium is considered an adults only and a 16 yo isn't an adult. There's also plenty of other pools/hot tubs they can go to. I'm glad they changed it.

[sdrocks]

I can't say positively because I didn't pay real close attention but it seems i remember on the Anthem we were on in

October/November also said age 18 for the Solarium.  Please correct me if I'm remembering incorrectly.😄

[proggieus]

15 hours ago, EDiamond22 said:

to my better knowledge unless its changed recently, your sea pass card doesn't have your DOB on it.. that being said 16 or 18 years old they really they wouldn't be able to tell by just looking at them so the likelihood of them even attempting to ID seems unlikely to me. i feel if everyone is acting appropriate i don't think any crew or guest would say anything 

Under 18 Seapass cards have a "M" on them-

so realistically this would make it easier to ID for admittance as 16 year olds would have the "M"

[Max and Ruby]

Here's another perspective on behavior.  We were on Anthem this summer (family with 13 and 15 yo girls).  Anthem has nice Solarium pool, an indoor pool and outdoor pool.  Well when I went with my girls to the outdoor pool the looks I got from the older folks sitting by their pool with their beers.... How dare I a 45 old woman attempt to swim in the pool?  NOT splashing, trying to stay away from others.  Just doing the doggy paddle to get some exercise and accompany my daughters.

 

Note, at this time there were no other children at the pool.

 

If you want to just sit there with your beer, go to Solarium, don't give me and my girls looks!

 

We left after maybe 20 minutes because I got out to sit on a chair and my girls said they felt uncomfortable!

[BND]

12 minutes ago, Max and Ruby said:

Here's another perspective on behavior.  We were on Anthem this summer (family with 13 and 15 yo girls).  Anthem has nice Solarium pool, an indoor pool and outdoor pool.  Well when I went with my girls to the outdoor pool the looks I got from the older folks sitting by their pool with their beers.... How dare I a 45 old woman attempt to swim in the pool?  NOT splashing, trying to stay away from others.  Just doing the doggy paddle to get some exercise and accompany my daughters.

 

Note, at this time there were no other children at the pool.

 

If you want to just sit there with your beer, go to Solarium, don't give me and my girls looks!

 

We left after maybe 20 minutes because I got out to sit on a chair and my girls said they felt uncomfortable!

So, you know what people are thinking?  I think it's more than most people don't actually "swim" in the pools as they're not really meant for that as they're not large enough.  Most people sit around the edge or stand in the water to cool off.  I think that's a real stretch so you can "defend"  minors in the solarium.  The outdoor pools are for everyone and I think you just have a major chip on your shoulder for some reason.  Maybe there was another reason they were giving you "looks".  I can understand getting looks for swimming in the pool since pretty much no one actually does so.   Also, FYI, the solarium pools on a lot of the ships are really too deep for kids.  For example on Vision class, Explorer, Freedom, the solarium pools are about 5'5" or more deep and not meant for kids at all.  It's also hard enough to find a lounger in there.  It wouldn't take many families to completely occupy all the loungers.  

 

What I really don't get is some not wanting adults to have their own small space.  I raised two boys and if we had taken them on a cruise I never would have expected that they be allowed in the solarium if they were under age.  

Edited November 22, 2019 by BND

[Max and Ruby]

1 minute ago, BND said:

So, you know what people are thinking?  I think it's more than most people don't actually "swim" in the pools as they're not really meant for that as they're not large enough.  Most people sit around the edge or stand in the water to cool off.  I think that's a real stretch so you can "defend"  minors in the solarium.  The outdoor pools are for everyone and I think you just have a major chip on your shoulder for some reason.  Maybe there was another reason they were giving you "looks".  I can understand getting looks for swimming in the pool since pretty much no one actually does so.  

 

I never said I was defending minors in the Solarium! Don't put words in my mouth.  My point in writing is that no matter where you are, people are going to behave the way they are going to behave.  I was trying to be polite and not intrusive and yet people still made us feel uncomfortable!

 

 

 

[BND]

2 minutes ago, Max and Ruby said:

 

I never said I was defending minors in the Solarium! Don't put words in my mouth.  My point in writing is that no matter where you are, people are going to behave the way they are going to behave.  I was trying to be polite and not intrusive and yet people still made us feel uncomfortable!

 

 

 

Your post came across that way.  And, your "feelings" don't really mean anything to in relation to this topic unless someone actually said something to you or you can read their minds.

Edited November 22, 2019 by BND

[plaz70]

10 minutes ago, Max and Ruby said:

Here's another perspective on behavior.  We were on Anthem this summer (family with 13 and 15 yo girls).  Anthem has nice Solarium pool, an indoor pool and outdoor pool.  Well when I went with my girls to the outdoor pool the looks I got from the older folks sitting by their pool with their beers.... How dare I a 45 old woman attempt to swim in the pool?  NOT splashing, trying to stay away from others.  Just doing the doggy paddle to get some exercise and accompany my daughters.

 

Note, at this time there were no other children at the pool.

 

If you want to just sit there with your beer, go to Solarium, don't give me and my girls looks!

 

We left after maybe 20 minutes because I got out to sit on a chair and my girls said they felt uncomfortable!

 

There was one cruise we were on where the indoor solarium pool was empty.  We never saw anyone in it.  I thought it was a waste of space to have an adult pool if no one was going to use it.  A quiet adult area, yes, but in my experience, adult areas aren't always quiet anyway.  It depends on the line and the ship.  Why not open all the pools to all ages and have an adult only hour or adult swim for 10 min every hour like they do at some swim clubs?  I'm all for an adult only hot tub though or at least old enough to sit still and not swim around in it like it's a pool.

[ReneeFLL]

16 minutes ago, plaz70 said:

........Why not open all the pools to all ages and have an adult only hour or adult swim for 10 min every hour like they do at some swim clubs?  I'm all for an adult only hot tub though or at least old enough to sit still and not swim around in it like it's a pool.

An hour for adults or 10 minutes every hour? Can't believe I just read that. This is a vacation and not a swim club. Why do kids need to be in adults only places? Are the kids so attached that can't leave the parents? There are other times and places for the parents and the kids to be together and the solarium isn't one of them. 

[plaz70]

1 minute ago, ReneeFLL said:

An hour for adults or 10 minutes every hour? Can't believe I just read that. This is a vacation and not a swim club. Why do kids need to be in adults only places? Are the kids so attached that can't leave the parents? There are other times and places for the parents and the kids to be together and the solarium isn't one of them. 

 

All, I'm saying is that if the main pool is surrounded by adults and the solarium pool is empty then why should that empty pool not be opened up for all ages?  I understand wanting an adult only area on vacation.  Sometimes, I prefer that too.  I don't understand why someone would choose a mass market cruise line with a flowrider, rock wall, bumper cars, video games, water slides, etc., geared  towards kids, expect there be an adults only pool and then not use it.  Adult only areas don't need to contain a pool is no one is going to use it.

[biomedbob]

I'm 80, and also find most of the folks (Grandeur) in the Solarium to be old, cranky, and chairhogs complete with their towel clips.

I can only imagine the upset if some teens were to get in there.

[BND]

Some people seem to forget that the Solarium was built and designed specifically as an adult only area.  

[plaz70]

3 minutes ago, BND said:

Some people seem to forget that the Solarium was built and designed specifically as an adult only area.  

I don't think anyone forgets.  I know I haven't.  My teens don't want to hang around an area built for "cranky old people" anyway.  I just think that if the main pool is crowded and the solarium pool is empty, the solarium pool should be opened up for all ages.  An adult only sundeck would be sufficient if it seems the adults would rather use the main pool over the solarium pool.

[HBE4]

17 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

Now the question is whether that's a misprint, a fleetwide change in policy, or the HD's decision for that particular ship or sailing.

 

Not that it's worth the ink it's printed on, but Royal's website still has 16+ listed as the restriction for access to Solarium.

 

I wonder if this is another example of them testing a possible policy change. Or has their been a recent influx of 16 & 17 year olds taking over the Solarium on Explorer?

Edited November 22, 2019 by HBE4

[HBE4]

4 hours ago, plaz70 said:

She looks like she could be 18 and if she were in the solarium, the last thing she'd do is bring attention to herself.  In fact, if she even decides to enter the solarium, which in her mind will be filled with "old cranky people", you would never notice her because she would find a corner away from people to read/write/draw in quiet

 

I'd rather have a quiet 17 yo that is reading/drawing/listening to music with headphones on sitting next to me than some of the loud, rowdy 55+ yo adults who still think they are 18!

[Grandma Dazzles]

1 hour ago, plaz70 said:

 

There was one cruise we were on where the indoor solarium pool was empty.  We never saw anyone in it.  I thought it was a waste of space to have an adult pool if no one was going to use it.  A quiet adult area, yes, but in my experience, adult areas aren't always quiet anyway.  It depends on the line and the ship.  Why not open all the pools to all ages and have an adult only hour or adult swim for 10 min every hour like they do at some swim clubs?  I'm all for an adult only hot tub though or at least old enough to sit still and not swim around in it like it's a pool.

 

Frequent cruiser and spend a lot of time in the solarium - pool is rarely empty!  Great place to cool off plus a lot of people might not swim (too small) but stand and visit. 

[BND]

38 minutes ago, plaz70 said:

I don't think anyone forgets.  I know I haven't.  My teens don't want to hang around an area built for "cranky old people" anyway.  I just think that if the main pool is crowded and the solarium pool is empty, the solarium pool should be opened up for all ages.  An adult only sundeck would be sufficient if it seems the adults would rather use the main pool over the solarium pool.

"Cranky Old People"  LOL.  There's a mix of all ages every time I'm in the solarium.  An adult sundeck would be "sufficient" if someone wants sun all day.  But, I'm glad it's not your decision to make.

 

But, WHY are you so against adults having one space to themselves?  

[LESLIEKURZ]

I would have to think the rule to exclude minors is for both the adults and minors.  I don't want children to intrude in my adult time, adult conversation, drinking environment and children probs shouldn't be exposed to an adult time, adult conversation, drinking environment.  Kinda feel like the rule does good things for both sides.  And as a few posters said, most of the unders aren't looking to hang out with us old folks anyway.  What good is there in putting two groups of people together that are wanting and doing different things?

[plaz70]

1 minute ago, BND said:

 

 

But, WHY are you so against adults having one space to themselves?  

I'm not.  I haven't been on a ton of cruises.  One had an adult area sun deck with a couple hot tubs, a bar and a salad bar.  It was the most crowed area on the ship.  The one time I stood in line for a salad, all I heard from fellow passengers was complaining.  I took my salad and ate on another deck where it was quiet.  Not that I would have been able to get a seat on the adult deck anyway.  The hot tubs were packed to the gills during the day, but empty at night.  My husband and I would go there at 11pm and watch all the men come up one by one and place their towel/book/flipflops on chairs for the next day.  I don't care that kids were not allowed in that area.  They wouldn't want to be there anyway. 

 

  Another cruise had an indoor solarium with a pool for adults only.  The quiet space was nice.  My husband and I would go there to read.  There were very few people in the solarium whenever we were there and I never saw anyone in the pool.  I thought it was a waste to have a pool in the adult area.  That empty pool could have been used by others and the adult area could have been located somewhere else and didn't need a pool.  I'm not trying to take anything away from adults.  It just seemed to me that a large amount of space was being reserved for a very small number of people.

 

Cranky Old people is the term my daughter uses.  She's been using it ever since she got chewed out by a group of baby boomers accusing her of cheating on 80's music trivia.  They insisted she cheated because she wasn't born in that era.  They were quite upset that she won the ship on a stick.

[crewsweeper]

I would doubt most 16 year olds would want to hang with a bunch of "octogenarians" or us "OK Boomers".

 

But even if it's to use the pool because the "rugrats" and tweeners are overrunning the main pool, the Solarium pool is more a dipping pool than a swimming pool.