kids at bars/past guest parties

[cdamion]

I have seen FAR WORSE behavior in the middle of the day on the pool deck from drunk adults than in any bar on the ship.

 

I haven't figured out a cut-off time for my kids in the lounges, but it will probably be around 10-11pm before things start getting rowdy in there.

 

The ship's own policies allow kids into most of the venues, except the dance club and casino bar.

 

People keep bringing up all of the swearing and disgusting conversations in the bars. Where is this happening on the ships? I have not experienced it, and I practically live in the bars on ships when I don't have kids with me.

 

Has Carnival devolved this far in the last 2 years? Did Funships 2.0 add chicken wire in front of the bands?

[parrotthead]

There is a time and place for everything, and I dont think it's appropriate to have a child hanging around a bar on a ship. Would you bring your child to your local bar? Probably not, so why do so on board a ship? The past guest party is acceptable since non-alcoholic beverages are passed around and it's in a venue. There are many other places on board a ship that a child can get a soda. I just think the Piano Bar is not one of them since language and conversation can be rated R at times. Us adults go there to be adults and shouldn't have to censor ourselves when we are in an adult venue.

I must disagree, the piano bars are not listed as "R" rated. I agree 'children' dont need to be in the Disco after 10pm nor the Adult only Comedy but depending on the entertainer the venue can be very family friendly or more geared to adults... thats when its up to the parents to decide if its approprate for *their* children.

And I agree, sometimes the behavior at the pool area is much worse then the 'bars'. (and yes, thats where the kids get sodas..."available at any bar")

and BTW, we do have local 'bars' that allow kids in at certin times...ie: Weekends before 5pm.

[cdamion]

There is a time and place for everything, and I dont think it's appropriate to have a child hanging around a bar on a ship. Would you bring your child to your local bar? Probably not, so why do so on board a ship? The past guest party is acceptable since non-alcoholic beverages are passed around and it's in a venue. There are many other places on board a ship that a child can get a soda. I just think the Piano Bar is not one of them since language and conversation can be rated R at times. Us adults go there to be adults and shouldn't have to censor ourselves when we are in an adult venue.

 

I would not ask anybody to censor anything when I bring my kids into the venue. If you are acting like a loud obnoxious jack*$$ then maybe. If the piano player and songs are too salty, then I will choose to take them to a different venue.

[cdamion]

There is a time and place for everything, and I dont think it's appropriate to have a child hanging around a bar on a ship. Would you bring your child to your local bar? Probably not, so why do so on board a ship? The past guest party is acceptable since non-alcoholic beverages are passed around and it's in a venue. There are many other places on board a ship that a child can get a soda. I just think the Piano Bar is not one of them since language and conversation can be rated R at times. Us adults go there to be adults and shouldn't have to censor ourselves when we are in an adult venue.

 

Depends on the local bar and the circumstances. I have taken my kids to a local sports bar for lunch to watch football. Would I take them to that same bar at 11pm? No way.

 

Speaking of language and R-rated conversation, I also take my kids to sporting events. Plenty of drunk fans saying all kinds of things there. Should I never let them watch hockey or football or baseball because of drunk fans?

 

If people are having fun in the piano bar I will go with my kids - Im planning on it. I will be there earlier in the evening and not at midnight when things are rowdier.

 

I am not asking anybody to behave differently because the kids are there... and there is no reason that you can't enjoy yourself with my kids sitting at a table in there, you do you and we will do us. It's not like Im asking you to come sit down and converse with them.

[mandakate42]

The last cruise I was on I took my son into the past guest party with us. I did not hear any swearing or bad talk of anything. On the other hand one night when they were having a late night party with camp carnival, we were sitting on the lido waiting to pick him up and there was a couple making out and laying on top of one another while the gentleman(I'm sure that's what he was) was putting his hand in places he should have not in public. I'm really glad my son was not with us or I think we would've had to have gotten up and gone to the piano bar!!! lol

[karatemom2]

As a relative newbie to Carnival I find this thread rather confusing based on my experiences as a frequent Princess cruiser and I'm wondering what we will find when we cruise on the Spirit in a couple of months. I have never really viewed the venues on the ship as "bars" but more as lounges. Much of the organized entertainment on Princess both day and evening take place in said lounges including things such as trivia, game shows, karaoke and wii competitions. In the evenings this also includes family friendly entertainment like jugglers, magicians, etc. Our kids often accompany us and we have never thought twice about it and no one has ever given us a second look on Princess. We have never experienced an instance of swearing or bad behavior in the lounges, although we have in the pool area and dining room which should be extremely family friendly areas, or at least one would think so.

 

On Princess they have something called the Ultimate Kids Program that allows for unlimited sodas, mocktails, smoothies, etc. and the lounges are typically where the kids will get their beverages. Again, no big deal. We would never allow our kids to go to a show that was billed as adults only or to an adults only venue such as the disco, but why anyone would think that kids shouldn't go into a lounge area on a cruise ship is news to me. And I consider myself one of the "good" parents as far as supervising and guarding over my children. So is it completely different on Carnival? I would love to know so I can adjust my expectations accordingly.

[cdamion]

As a relative newbie to Carnival I find this thread rather confusing based on my experiences as a frequent Princess cruiser and I'm wondering what we will find when we cruise on the Spirit in a couple of months. I have never really viewed the venues on the ship as "bars" but more as lounges. Much of the organized entertainment on Princess both day and evening take place in said lounges including things such as trivia, game shows, karaoke and wii competitions. In the evenings this also includes family friendly entertainment like jugglers, magicians, etc. Our kids often accompany us and we have never thought twice about it and no one has ever given us a second look on Princess. We have never experienced an instance of swearing or bad behavior in the lounges, although we have in the pool area and dining room which should be extremely family friendly areas, or at least one would think so.

 

On Princess they have something called the Ultimate Kids Program that allows for unlimited sodas, mocktails, smoothies, etc. and the lounges are typically where the kids will get their beverages. Again, no big deal. We would never allow our kids to go to a show that was billed as adults only or to an adults only venue such as the disco, but why anyone would think that kids shouldn't go into a lounge area on a cruise ship is news to me. And I consider myself one of the "good" parents as far as supervising and guarding over my children. So is it completely different on Carnival? I would love to know so I can adjust my expectations accordingly.

 

The kids on Carnival can get drink stickers and they do have to get their drinks at the bars. Depending on the cruise, Carnival's crowd is a bit more rowdy than Princess. The piano bar everybody is talking about is more like a dueling piano bar (just one piano though) in flavor than Crooner's on Princess ships. It can get rowdy in there, but usually not until after 10 or 11. I have not seen anything over the top in any of the lounges at all.

 

I seriously don't know why people are depicting the Carnival lounges like they are on here. If I was reading this thread (and a similar one a few months back) before I boarded a Carnival ship, I would have switched lines thinking Carnival was nothing more than a roadhouse.

 

You will be fine on Carnival - and I think your kids will have more fun and feel more welcome than on Princess (which is my favorite line).

[cdamion]

As a relative newbie to Carnival I find this thread rather confusing based on my experiences as a frequent Princess cruiser...

 

By the way karatemom: are you on Splendor? When? We will be on board 3/25.

[big_duck]

As a relative newbie to Carnival I find this thread rather confusing based on my experiences as a frequent Princess cruiser and I'm wondering what we will find when we cruise on the Spirit in a couple of months. I have never really viewed the venues on the ship as "bars" but more as lounges. Much of the organized entertainment on Princess both day and evening take place in said lounges including things such as trivia, game shows, karaoke and wii competitions. In the evenings this also includes family friendly entertainment like jugglers, magicians, etc. Our kids often accompany us and we have never thought twice about it and no one has ever given us a second look on Princess. We have never experienced an instance of swearing or bad behavior in the lounges, although we have in the pool area and dining room which should be extremely family friendly areas, or at least one would think so.

 

On Princess they have something called the Ultimate Kids Program that allows for unlimited sodas, mocktails, smoothies, etc. and the lounges are typically where the kids will get their beverages. Again, no big deal. We would never allow our kids to go to a show that was billed as adults only or to an adults only venue such as the disco, but why anyone would think that kids shouldn't go into a lounge area on a cruise ship is news to me. And I consider myself one of the "good" parents as far as supervising and guarding over my children. So is it completely different on Carnival? I would love to know so I can adjust my expectations accordingly.

 

Pretty much the same on Carnival.

[fireofficer5]

If there is a child sitting at the bar next to me, I'll ask if his parents are around.

Then I'll tell them to go sit with them.

The bar is for adults.:cool:

[kroozers]

I could care less what the kids are exposed to. I just don't want to hang out in an adult venue with a daycare center in the room. I leave my kids with the grandparents to get away from them for a week.

[nomadron]

as an adult i for one do not like having children at a bar. It is an adult venue, plain and simple.

 

+2 :)

[cdamion]

If there is a child sitting at the bar next to me, I'll ask if his parents are around.

Then I'll tell them to go sit with them.

The bar is for adults.:cool:

 

At the bar? No. By themselves? No. In the lounge at a table with me? Yes. No, my kids are not going to be sitting at the bar - or around the piano.

[cdamion]

As an Adult I for one do not like having Children at a Bar. It is an adult venue, plain and simple.

 

To you, the +1, and the +2:

 

Please explain to me what difference it makes to you if I am sitting at a table in the piano bar with my kids - or sitting in one of the other lounges at a table listening to music.

 

How does this ruin your experience?

 

I am genuinely curious.

[AQW]

I can't believe this never occurred to me.

 

We were on the Inspiration's recent Panama Canal sailing. We greatly enjoyed the piano bar (as always) but it was very different this time because it was almost completely empty - never more than 10 people, and sometimes only our group of four.

 

My kids would have LOVED to come in and listen to Seth play a few songs... but since it's a "bar" I never thought of bringing them. What a missed opportunity. :(

[kroozers]

To you, the +1, and the +2:

 

Please explain to me what difference it makes to you if I am sitting at a table in the piano bar with my kids - or sitting in one of the other lounges at a table listening to music.

 

How does this ruin your experience?

 

I am genuinely curious.

 

There is a reason I don't cruise Disney. Kids are great. Sometimes getting away from them is a different kind of great. That's the best I can do for your curiosity.

[nomadron]

As the poster I quoted stated, it is an adult venue. I strongly agree with that. I will go to a bar/lounge to have adult beverages and be around other adults, not children. If I enter a bar/lounge and there are children there I will leave. That is my choice based on my values.

 

There is no need to debate this. I cannot change your mind about this, and you cannot change mine. I think we must agree to disagree.

[DrLookGood]

There is a reason I don't cruise Disney. Kids are great. Sometimes getting away from them is a different kind of great. That's the best I can do for your curiosity.

 

I suspect the reason many people do not cruise Disney is price. Also if you did cruise Disney you would know that they are great at catering to adults and provide several areas for adults only.

 

Let's be honest here. The reason people choose Carnival is price. When people want to avoid kids they usuallythan go to other more expensive cruise lines that do not cater to budget conscious families.

[cdamion]

There is a reason I don't cruise Disney. Kids are great. Sometimes getting away from them is a different kind of great. That's the best I can do for your curiosity.

 

Believe me, I understand getting away from the kids. My ratio of sailing without/with kids is probably 4:1.

 

However, if I am sitting at the piano bar, or in another lounge at the bar listening to music or talking to folks. I am really not going to pay any attention to somebody sitting with their kids in the lounge. I probably won't even notice them.

 

Where I would not like it is (1) if they come and sat at the bar next to me, or (2) started running around being disruptive.

 

Then again, just like you don't sail Disney. If I am adults only, I tend to be on Princess or else RCI's smaller, less amusement-park like ships.

 

So no, I still don't get it.

[cdamion]

As the poster I quoted stated, it is an adult venue. I strongly agree with that. I will go to a bar/lounge to have adult beverages and be around other adults, not children. If I enter a bar/lounge and there are children there I will leave. That is my choice based on my values.

 

There is no need to debate this. I cannot change your mind about this, and you cannot change mine. I think we must agree to disagree.

 

I agree to disagree and am not trying to change your mind. I am legitimately trying to understand your point of view.

 

I partially agree with you if the kids are being unruly, running around or something, but not if they are quietly in the room.

[FlaParrotHead]

I can't believe this never occurred to me.

 

We were on the Inspiration's recent Panama Canal sailing. We greatly enjoyed the piano bar (as always) but it was very different this time because it was almost completely empty - never more than 10 people, and sometimes only our group of four.

 

My kids would have LOVED to come in and listen to Seth play a few songs... but since it's a "bar" I never thought of bringing them. What a missed opportunity. :(

 

@AQW. It sounds like your Inspiration repo was much like our Paradise repo with an empty Piano Bar, which we still managed to enjoy and close down each night with another couple (and Ricky).

 

The only two times our DSs ever "joined" us in the PB on past cruises was on The Legend in June when our then 21 DS joined the PB player with his Banjo for a short jam and then some years ago when our younger DS was dared to streak down the hallway and closed the cabin door on himself (thanks to the kind passenger who quickly got him a towel) ... He'd never do that again, that's for sure.... He came into the PB wearing nothing but a towel and a hat, looking for a key.... Made for a good laugh.

 

B

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Redsfan]

well we received invites for us and our 3 daughters on our November cruise. The Past Guest Party was at 5pm, wherever, and if we really wanted to go ourselves we would have no place to send them as the Camp is not open until 6pm...we decided to get ready for dinner not do the party

[matj2000]

I have brought my kids to bars/lounges quite a few times(on ships and off).

As much as many people here don't like it, too bad. I really don't care.

There is not much you can really do about it except try to say I am a bad parent or something.

But in the end, we will still be there...

[cdamion]

I have brought my kids to bars/lounges quite a few times(on ships and off).

As much as many people here don't like it, too bad. I really don't care.

There is not much you can really do about it except try to say I am a bad parent or something.

But in the end, we will still be there...

 

In the end that's all there is. Accusations of being a bad parent. Arguments about the horrid language and things people do in bars that make the ship's bars sound like some kind of roadhouse filled with rival biker gangs - which incidentally do nothing but bolster the low opinion of Carnival that cheerleaders of other lines have.

 

I am guessing these are the same people who allow their cruises to be ruined by the fact that somebody on the other side of the dining room decided to wear jeans.

 

We will go to the venues and enjoy our time together on the family vacation. If the kids decide to misbehave, they will be out of there before anybody even notices.

[klo28910]

I bring my kids to the past guest party. They are past guests also and receive an invitation. They enjoy trying the "fancy drinks" (non alcoholic of course) and food. I have seen many children at this event. I'm sure yours would have a wonderful time as well.