Children on SS

[WesW]

Steve, believe SS approach now is better than when we took our first SS cruise on the Whisper one week after the US Easter in 2006. We did not know SS marketed this

cruise heavily within latin america (whose easter fell on the first Sunday of this cruise)

Consequently--47 children were on board. End state due to SS having no formal programs for Children; babies with diapers in the hot tub; children taking over the swimming pool in early/late pm, children under 10 in the night clubs after 11 pm, children running & screaming in La Terrazza when we were trying to enjoy a romantic dinner. Fortunately, after SS received a letter from our TA after this cruise, they

offered us a very generous cruise credit asking us to give SS another try. We did

six months later--best cruise out of seven we've had. From my foxhole, having seasonal

formal children's programs will be better for all--children and adults.

[Goldens4]

Very disappointed Steve. I agree that you are now encouraging children to be aboard SS. Again, this will discourage many passengers from booking. We have booked the Shadow 2009 Thanksgiving cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Lauderdale. Can you tell me if you are having a "children's program" on this cruise?????? And, where are you going to "put" them so as not to distract other passengers? There is just so much space on the Shadow. How many pool chairs are going to be designated for the children? On Carribbean cruises the pool deck AND sun deck are full. Staff usually has to get more chairs and do some rearranging to accommodate the adults. How is this now going to affect your smoking policy? To some of us on this board this is an important topic. We are all considerate smokers. Are the rules now going to change for the "children"? Also, if there is a screaming baby or noisy kids in the next suite, how are you going accomodate your "adult" passengers who are being disturbed? If the ship is fully booked, are we just out of luck and have to suck it up? Playing "Devil's Advocate" here. Has anyone at SS really thought this out and have done a check list of the "what if's" and have some damage control in place?

 

Looking forward to your response. Thank you.

[billcrooz]

as far as thanksgiving with kids,we were on the same cruise 2 years ago on the Shadow and there were no kids at all. But with them promoting it you can be sure there will be some this year and i hope Steve reads this and reconsiders as most all these posters are repeat customers which are the lifeblood of Siversea. (me a 6 time customer):mad::mad::mad:

[DebbieH103]

I am curious as to how it will be promoted. On the Regent cruise I was on w/ so many children, kids were close to free. I am sure that was much more attractive that the kids program. Ten to twelve percent of the guests on that cruise were children, whereas all the other cruises I have been on for both lines had 1 to 7 children, activities or not.

[e.h. beach bum]

TO: STEVE TUCKER: As a frequent SS traveller I can assure you I will be cancelling my Oct. Med cruise if there are any children on board. In my mind(wife's too) there is nothing worse than kids on an upscale adult cruise. This will be the demise of SS if they allow kids on board. On the Shadow Xmas cruise we had a number of unruly kids at the pool and lounges occupying seats, splashing excessively and being loud. SS explained holidays may have SOME kids. BYE BYE SS..NOT ME & KIDS

[e.h. beach bum]

A few comments on the children's programme on Silversea from Steve Tucker:

 

The childrens programme we are developing is seasonal, not year round. One of the reasons we are offering a children's program is that we already get children on many of our summer cruises, particularly in Alaska and the Med. When there are a number of children on Silversea it can potentially impact our adult population from fully enjoying their cruise. So the idea was to create a children's program to keep the children occupied with scheduled activities so that their being on board does not impact the adults that do not have children from fully enjoying their Silversea cruise experience. Also, this is not being offered on the Cloud and Wind at this time. By having a scheduled program it enhances the on board experience for all guests - adults and children alike.

 

Steve Tucker

Silversea Cruises

Vice President National Accounts and Eastern Region Sales

Do you really believe this? Tell me please, in detail, how this new program will enhance the on board experience for all guests. I think NOT. To those of my fellow passengers that feel compelled to go I hope you tell loud , bawdy jokes within earshot range of the kids. Maybe then the parents and SS mgmt. will get the message that adults on vacation DO NOT WANT to share space with kids, unruly or otherwise. What a BIG mistake this is for SS. I have my own grandkids & would NEVER consider ruining other people's vacations by bringing them on a SS cruise. That's what Disney & Carnival are for. Shame on you SS

[wripro]

Here's the bottom line. Silversea is hurting. They are hoping to attract new passengers by offering these kids' programs. Until they see how many new bookings they get as opposed to how many are cancelled or lost because of the kids I bet nothing will change. Maybe they should change the name of the new ship from Silver Spirit to Silver Tomorrowland!

[Goldens4]

e.h. beachbum, I am in total agreement with you. And, since when do children belong in lounges? Shame on SS for not saying something to the parents by the pool and in the lounges. I guess SS didn't want to "offend" them. So, I guess SS stance is: Let the kids do what they want and the heck with the rest of the passengers. Children do not belong in a lounge where "adult beverages" are being served. Now, mind you we have seen well-behaved young adults in the lounge with their parents and that is fine. But, unruly is another thing. I am also with you on cancelling. I expect SS to let my TA know how many are going to be on board and their ages. And, I want a monthly tally up until the day we are leaving. I have the Reassurance and can cancel at any time. I am NOT going to board the Shadow for a relaxing holiday cruise and receive an unwelcome surprise.

 

It also would have been a good business practice if SS would have sent a questionnaire to all Venetian Society members and polled their opinion. I get mailings from SS about every 2 wks, so obviously cost is not an issue.

[Goldens4]

Well, if you are on the Cloud or Wind you are off the hook (at least for now). Seems if you have booked the Shadow, you are toast. And, I know some of us from this board have booked the Thanksgiving cruise. May God have mercy on our souls.

[batecher]

From Silversea's website, so far only Alaska cruises on the Shadow and summer Med cruises on the Whisper are affected (or should I say infected?):

SILVERSEA YOUTH PROGRAMME

Fun, interactive activities for children led by experienced youth counselors. Available on select summer and holiday voyages:

Silver Shadow: 3913, 3914, 3915, 3916, 3917, 3918, 3919, 3920

Silver Whisper: 4916, 4917, 4918, 4919, 4920, 4921, 4922, 4923, 4924, 4925

 

Thank goodness SS didn't try this last August when we were on the Shadow in Alaska. Looks like those booked on cruises later this fall may be spared!

 

Bob.

[DebbieH103]

Goldens4, I believe the lounges being referenced were the pool seats.

[whylion]

I kind of like seeing kids on a cruise ship. My husband developed his love of cruising from trips taken as a child on the old Queen Mary and Normandie. And I won't be bringing any aboard myself -- my rugrat is all grown up!

[Goldens4]

Thanks for the info., Bob. Appears my cruise hasn't been infected yet! Still have to keep a close eye on this one and the Spirit in 2010.

 

Debbie, thanks for the clarification. However, I put nothing past people anymore. Nearly fainted my last time in Vegas when a couple got in a snit because they couldn't bring the stroller into the casino with them to gamble.

 

Whylion, I'm glad your husband has many good memories. However, it's a whole different ball game out there now. I would not have dared to behave the way some of these kids do. It is known as "permissive parenting". It used to be an unruly child was an exception to the rule. Now a well-behaved one is. It's a very sorry part of our society now and from what I have heard, this disease has spread throughout the world.

[simonv]

If the SS doesn't offer big discounts for children, the price itself might put it out of reach of many young families, with or without the children's program. Paying for three or four people on SS, well, costs quite a bit more than Disney or RSI.

There are always people who can afford and take their kids to the SS type cruises. There are parents who can't control kids. There isn't much SS can do to stop them from coming on board. If so, I'd rather see them segregated into a 'kids program', out of my area.

Now if Silversea starts promoting the kids program heavily, meaning big children's discount, then that's another story entirely.

[ging466]

Also, if there is a screaming baby or noisy kids in the next suite, how are you going accomodate your "adult" passengers who are being disturbed?

 

I don't sleep well at the best of times so I can't imagine having a screaming baby or noisy kids in the next suite.....:eek:

 

What cruise line then does one go for a luxury cruise without children? Since Regent has children, that's out - does Seabourn market to children/families?

 

Based on all the posts so far, I suspect SS will lose a lot of its regular clientele due to this new initiative. It is a rather silly idea!

 

Cheers

Ging466

[MrsWaldo]

Well Steve SS has certainly totally lost me..

 

why would i go to the effort of offloading my 17 and 14yo to my parents to have some child free time only to regress 10 or more years by having dinner and pools shared with the toddler set...

 

i chose to take my kids on SS only when i trusted them to behave as an adult...in all correspondence with the company it was comprehensively stated SS does not cater for children.. so capturing what is seen as a growth market may well lose an entirely more frequent cruiser..

[Caroldoll]

this children thing is something I have to think about myself. We have also "been there, done that". The Silversea we are booked on is over Christmas and I know the demographics are different then...but perhaps I will also cancel. I will wait to see how they "promote" this financially. I too suspect that they will lose a lot of passengers with this move.

[Goldens4]

Ging466, I haven't been on the Seabourne site in about a year. But, I will checking it soon. If anyone from SB is checking out the competition and checking this board, by not having a "children's program" they may be able to increase their client base. SeaBourne may have found the "cash cow".

[duct tape]

Just to keep everyone informed, Silversea just announced "Kids sail for $199 on select Alaska and Mediterranean Cruises". The sailings noted are:

 

Alaska: June 17 & 16; July 8 & 20; August 1, 11 & 18.

Med: July 11, 18 & 25; August 1, 8, 15 & 22.

 

So much for the cost argument.

[Goldens4]

Thanks for the info., duct tape. This is NOT good news. Those cruises are going to be packed with kids. They will probably do this "deal" on the Spirit also. I just hope that anyone who has booked these cruises is apprised of the situation. I just feel sorry for any adult who does not have a flexible schedule and is "stuck" with this. Their only out would be to cancel.:mad:

[Jade13]

Just to keep everyone informed, Silversea just announced "Kids sail for $199 on select Alaska and Mediterranean Cruises". The sailings noted are:

 

Alaska: June 17 & 16; July 8 & 20; August 1, 11 & 18.

Med: July 11, 18 & 25; August 1, 8, 15 & 22.

 

So much for the cost argument.

 

What age do they consider kids? Teenagers too?

[Goldens4]

From infants to teens is the norm with activities according to age group.

[duct tape]

Kid were defined as 14 and under.

[meow!]

Perhaps all this is the consequence of having bought the large newbuild. It has to be filled, along with the other five ships somehow, and in the foreseeable future with the economic tsunami, it is natural for businesses to widen the customer base, at the risk of losing some existing customers. Perhaps the older kids, who can appreciate a good voyage can turn out to be loyal customers in the decades to come?! And on the other hand, if this kids experiment backfires, Silversea can stop it the next year, it is not cast in stone! Afterall, how do you know which way will be more profitable until you give it a try?

[WineDown17]

I am conflicted on this one-

 

I am looking forward to sailing SS withOUT my children... And that is one of the reasons I chose SS for this particular occasion.

 

However as a parent of young children (2 and 12), I do not agree that we should all be relegated to Carnival! Most of the mass market lines are all too often nothing more than floating frat houses. (Especially at certain times of the year and on certain itineraries.) I would not take my children to a frat party, so why would I bring them on one of those ships?? I am done with those lines that refuse to uphold decorum.. but still want to sail with my children.

 

I would welcome an opportunity to bring them (when the 2 YO is a few years older perhaps) on SS- so that they can experience a more refined cruising experience. Where most guests exhibit the highest levels of decorum, and where they would be required to do the same. This would have an indelible impression upon them I believe.

 

Perhaps if they limit children to only a small number of sailings so that those who do not wish to have children on board can steer clear of those dates/itineraries- and those of us who wish for a more upscale family cruise without upsetting other passengers can select SS without fear of upsetting others.

 

This may be a win-win solution.. Although I know some clearly would prefer the no children ever approach, which is clearly their prerogative.