Do you really understand the Guest Conduct Policy aka 'The RULES'?

[Krausssj]

It comes to my attention when reading through posts in the different Royal Caribbean threads that people want to talk about the rules for things they don't like that happen. I myself have found several times, but not every time, 'the rules' being talked about by some people in these threads are not what is found under the Guest Conduct Policy posted by Royal Caribbean which can be found at: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/pdf/Guest_Conduct_Policy.pdf

 

For example, people don't like it when hats or 'caps' are worn during dinner whether in the dining room or the Windjammer. As it turns out, under the Dining Areas Dress Code section, it says that NO 'caps' are permitted in the dining rooms or specialty restaurants, or in the Windjammer during dinner.

 

Another example is when people talk about 'Adults Only' places or shows. Using the Guest Conduct policy again, see the section under Age Policies. Here it lists the areas of the ship which have age limits.

 

Notice the Solarium is listed for guests 16 and older, not 'Adults Only' as some people in other threads have stated. This means kids 16 and up are permitted to use the Solarium without supervision.

 

Also the Theater and the Whirlpools are 'under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian'. This does not mean they can't use them, but they must have a responsible adult with them when they do.

 

So for those that use the 'Adults Only' phrase as a means to keep the kids out, that is never the stated case in the policies which clearly leaves the decision up to the parents or guardian. Now if the kids are using facilities which require supervision, but are without it then by all means they need to be removed from the area.

 

Another example is hand washing. Under the Health and Environment section in the policy, it states 'Guests are strongly encouraged to wash their hands with soap and hot water after using the restroom and before eating or handling food'. Please wash your hands as not to spread any germs you may have come in contact with where ever you may have been! This practice helps stop the spread of bacteria and viruses like the 'Norwalk virus' which can ruin your cruise.

 

Lastly under Guest Conduct there are several sections like, the Verbally Abusive and Offensive Language section which states ' verbally abusive and offensive language directed toward anyone is not permitted'. The Discourteous or Disruptive Behavior section states 'Pool, deck and theater chairs may not be reserved'. Others cruisers deserve the same opportunity as you when wanting to use the facilities, don't hog chairs anywhere!

 

All of these policies are in place so that EVERYONE on the cruise can have a fun and enjoyable time without discomfort caused by others. My point in all this is to have people think about what the policies are and think about what they say before they say it. Remember, you have agreed to the policies when deciding to sail on this cruise line and they should be followed by all cruisers, including you.

 

I'll get down from my soapbox now. Let me know what you think.

[donsonny]

that's fine...but the quest gameshow is for adults 18 and older.....there should be no 14 year olds competing in this gameshow...the parents should know better

[Krausssj]

that's fine...but the quest gameshow is for adults 18 and older.....there should be no 14 year olds competing in this gameshow...the parents should know better

 

I agree if the show is posted for 18 and older, then the staff need to enforce the age limit right at the door as everyone enters. For the staff not to enforce the age limit at the door means they condone the participation of those under 18 and therefore it is not really limited to those just over 18 years old.

[rsscaptain]

I agree if the show is posted for 18 and older, then the staff need to enforce the age limit right at the door as everyone enters. For the staff not to enforce the age limit at the door means they condone the participation of those under 18 and therefore it is not really limited to those just over 18 years old.

 

Not sure if I could agree with that? If the staff doesn't enforce the no diaper in pool rule, I'm sure that doesn't mean they condone it. :confused:

[Krausssj]

Not sure if I could agree with that? If the staff doesn't enforce the no diaper in pool rule, I'm sure that doesn't mean they condone it. :confused:

 

I understand what you are saying and feel if the age is posted for the show it should be enforced. Why post an age if not to be enforced?

 

The no diapers in the pool is a health issue determined by the US Health Department as one of their rules, which the ship has agreed to enforce. The ships staff by means of the Guest Conduct Policy is obligated to ALWAYS be patrolling the pools for just such infractions. I don't know of anyone that wants to get sick or have their children become sick because a diaper wearing child went #2 in their diaper and then contaminated the pool. (Which means a parent did not read or follow the Guest Conduct Policy as agreed to in the contract they signed in order to take the cruise.)

 

Again the staff are obligated to be enforcing this rule for public health reasons. For the staff not to be on guard and enforce this issue means they are breaking the US Health Department's rules. By breaking these rules, the ship/company will be made to face whatever the penalties are for breaking this rule.

 

The issues of no diaper in the pool and the age restriction at a show are two different things. One is mandated by the Health department, the other is a restriction placed by the ship or company operating the ship. I still come back to the fact if the ship posts the age restriction then enforce it, otherwise why place any age limit at all if it is not to be enforced?

[cruisinMike]

Well since I'm on vacation, I don't need to understand the "rules" since they don't apply to me.

[Tjukka]

The rules apply to everyone and you won't know it until you are banned from RCI.

 

Tj

[rsscaptain]

Well since I'm on vacation, I don't need to understand the "rules" since they don't apply to me.

 

I'm assuming you mean this tounge in cheek!:p

 

So will you be vacationing at home in this time, or in your back yard? :D

[willysgrandma]

When the cruiselines enforce their own rules, then you won't see so many questions from people who want to break them.

 

Because they don't enforce their "rules", people always will want to know how far they can go to get away with the forbidden behavior.

[Cuizer2]

that's fine...but the quest gameshow is for adults 18 and older.....there should be no 14 year olds competing in this gameshow...the parents should know better

 

Well, that is not always true. The Compass below is from the September 2006 cruise on the Freedom OTS. As you can see, while the comedy show does list an age restriction, Quest does not ...

 

[donsonny]

well, the staff should not have to stand at the door and card people....parents, the adults, should realize that adults only means that they should not bring their kid in, point blank period....all i know is some 14 year old girl went out participating in our quest gameshow and she ran out to do a weird human trait, she was also fully involved with the game running things back and forth.....in my opinion, this was unacceptable...luckily i dont think our CD made what she did count in the game

[donsonny]

our cruise compass on E.O.S. may 11-may 21 actually had it there that the quest was for "adults only"

[Krausssj]

well, the staff should not have to stand at the door and card people....parents, the adults, should realize that adults only means that they should not bring their kid in, point blank period....all i know is some 14 year old girl went out participating in our quest gameshow and she ran out to do a weird human trait, she was also fully involved with the game running things back and forth.....in my opinion, this was unacceptable...luckily i dont think our CD made what she did count in the game

 

I'm not certain you are understanding the point I am making. If the staff post an age restriction, who should ultimately be responsible to stop under age people from entering? What if a 16 or 17 year old decides to come to the show by themselves or with a friend they made of the same age, without their family or parents? If an age restriction is posted, the staff need to enforce it whether it be for a show like the Quest game show or the Solarium. If a restriction is posted, then it has to be enforced. Why make a restriction at all then?

[Krausssj]

our cruise compass on E.O.S. may 11-may 21 actually had it there that the quest was for "adults only"

 

Is the issue you are trying to make that the compass had the phrase 'Adults only'? What is the definition or meaning of that term? Is the age 18, 21, or some other number? Did the participation of the 14 year old girl cause you to not to have fun participating or watching the show? Was she disruptive to the game or was she playing along like everyone else? Is this just about a persons age and the material you feel may not have been age appropriate for her? I just trying to understand your point of view.

[donsonny]

everyone knows adults are considered 18 and over...and whose responsibility is it to enforce adults only on the cruise? the parents

[cantwait2cruise926]

When I was on Empress in 2002 we participated in the Quest and came in 3rd place!!!!! The CD did say it was not recommended for children to play and urged parents to escort them out or if they prefer to sit in the back. They did not say that it was mandatory that children leave either. They only suggest it because they never know what can happen during the game and the CD needs to protect the staff and RC from anyone complaining that the show was graphic. I think the CD was referring to very young children when he suggests that they leave and not participate. As a parent you need to use your judgement. The Quest was not that graphic nor did I think a 14 year old could not see it; well at least the night I played. On my upcoming cruise in August I will play the quest, my children age 16 and 11 will not. That night is going to be parents night out.

[Krausssj]

everyone knows adults are considered 18 and over...and whose responsibility is it to enforce adults only on the cruise? the parents

 

Based on the Guest Conduct Policy, under the Parental and Guardian Responsibility section it states 'a minor is defined as anyone under the age of 21. Parents And guardians are responsible for the behavior and appropriate supervision of their accompanying minor(s) throughout their vacation....This responsibility applies at all times, regardless of whether the parents and guardians are physically in the company of their minor(s)'.

 

If this was a problem for the staff and she should not have been at the event, it is the staffs responsibility to remove her and apply any penalties or consequences against the parents. Did this happen? The ship and its crew are the ultimate enforcement on their ship when it comes to enforcing their policies.

[MGoBlue2]

that's fine...but the quest gameshow is for adults 18 and older.....there should be no 14 year olds competing in this gameshow...the parents should know better

The last time I attended, the Cruise Director (or assistant) explained what it was like and left it to the discretion of the parents whether to let their children attend.

[cantwait2cruise926]

The last time I attended, the Cruise Director (or assistant) explained what it was like and left it to the discretion of the parents whether to let their children attend.

 

 

Thats exactly how it went on my cruise as well!!!!!!!

If a 14 yr old played the night I did I would not have a problem with it. So what, it's not my child!!! If thats what you chose to let your child do, so be it. I wouldn't let it ruin my participation or night.

[MercedMike]

I'll get down from my soapbox now. Let me know what you think.

 

What I think is that the RULES are fine -- it is the onboard enforcement of the rules that is lax. If there are rules, I expect to follow them as a good citizen -- and I expect those who do not understand them, or who choose not to be a good citizen, to be stopped and corrected by the staff of the ship. Sadly, this happens far too infrequently! This leads to many people who take the attitude, "I can get away with it so I might as well."

 

Aren't these soapboxes fun, Krausss?

 

>;-)

[rsscaptain]

So what, it's not my child!!! .

 

 

This is what makes me sad.... :(

[Krausssj]

The last time I attended, the Cruise Director (or assistant) explained what it was like and left it to the discretion of the parents whether to let their children attend.

 

This is the point I am trying to make in the very first line of my original post:

 

"It comes to my attention when reading through posts in the different Royal Caribbean threads that people want to talk about the rules for things they don't like that happen."

 

It may say "Adults Only" and you may not like that 'kids' come to the show, but there is no rule which says they can't attend the show or participate which is the particular case being presented in previous posts here. This is not in anyway to be confused with an "Adults Only" resort or such activities which take place therein.

 

The "Adults Only" statement for the show is a guideline for the parents to use in deciding if they want their kids attending. It is not a directive that kids can't attend.

 

I keep trying to understand the issue which donsonny is bringing up, but can't find a rule which this applies as they think it should.

[Krausssj]

What I think is that the RULES are fine -- it is the onboard enforcement of the rules that is lax. If there are rules, I expect to follow them as a good citizen -- and I expect those who do not understand them, or who choose not to be a good citizen, to be stopped and corrected by the staff of the ship. Sadly, this happens far too infrequently! This leads to many people who take the attitude, "I can get away with it so I might as well."

 

Aren't these soapboxes fun, Krausss?

 

>;-)

 

MercedMike: I agree that rules should be followed for the most enjoyable cruise vacation for everyone. It are those passengers who don't follow the rules which cause issues for the majority of us that do. I too think that enforcement of the rules is lax also. As for not understanding the rules, I think people need to understand the rule so I'm willing to except some people don't truly understand and need to have it explained to them by the ships staff. As for those that do understand or those that think the rules don't apply to them, the consequences already documented in the policy should be enforced.

[Krausssj]

This is what makes me sad.... :(

 

I don't want to speak for the original poster of that comment, but I took it to mean that a parent of that child can and has decided to allow their kid to come to and stay for the show.

[Cuizer2]

This is what makes me sad.... :(

 

Why? It is not some other adult's position to correct every mistake some parent is making. If the child is in physical danger, removing the child from the danger or the danger from the child would be appropriate. However, if the child is not in physical danger, then it would not be appropriate for a non-parent to take any action beyond speaking to the parents or the staff.

 

So what would you expect a non-parent to do in this case?