Final Word from RCCL on Age Restrictions for Minors -- including the fitness center

[PAGA]

A week or so ago I was participating in a thread about the fitness center and teens. I attempted to post this email response from Royal Caribbean's customer service as part of that thread earlier this afternoon, but I don't think it worked...

 

So for those who are interested, it appears that the official response is that those age 16 and older may use the gym -- whether they're supervised or not.

 

 

- PAGA

 

 

RCCL EMAIL RESPONSE:

 

"Thank you for your e-mail.

 

Royal Caribbean International enforces the following age requirements

onboard all its ships:

 

Guests under 18 years of age are not permitted in the casino.

Guests under 18 years of age are not permitted in the Adult nightclub.

Guests under 16 years of age are not permitted to use the hot tubs/whirlpools.

Guests under 16 years of age are not permitted to use the exercise equipment.

 

* Please note: An individual's age on the date of sailing determines his or her

status for the entire sailing. Royal Caribbean International reserves the right

to ask for proof of age.

 

Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International.

 

Maria Perez

Customer Service Representative"

[MackMasterson]

Hmmm 16 and older to use the hot tub/whirlpool....

 

I'd like to see that one enforced!!!!

[PhoenixCruiser]

No mention of the speciality restaurants...

 

I'd like to see all of them enforced :mad:

 

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[hstrybuf]

Isn't it 13 for the specialty restaurants?

 

I agree! Enforce those age limitations!

[PhoenixCruiser]

Isn't it 13 for the specialty restaurants?

 

I agree! Enforce those age limitations!

 

Yes, however, there were several under the age of 13 in the speciality restaurants when we visited them :mad:

 

They also didn't enforce the dress code, since the passengers in the table next to us were wearing shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops and had multiple piercings (the male was even wearing a baseball cap) :eek:

 

###

[dougp26364]

It seems to me that RCI needs Super Nanny! They're pretty good at making rules but really bad at enforcing them. Especially if someone throws a tantrum.

[1corona4u]

It seems to me that RCI needs Super Nanny! They're pretty good at making rules but really bad at enforcing them. Especially if someone throws a tantrum.

 

Therein lies the problem. People are, or should be well aware of the rules, so when they try to circumvent them by complaining, the line tries to make them happy. If people would just accept the rules, then there would be no issues. Some people think the rules were not made for them. It's the "my child is different" mentality.(for some)

 

I read a post lately where the woman asked if she could get her child(well under the age requirement) into one of the specialty restaurants, and everyone told her to go ahead, that they would not say anything.....this is wrong. To knowingly do something that is not allowed is just inconsiderate.

[Ocean Boy]

It was also quite clearly stated in the Compass on Serenade that there is a 1AM curfew for passengers under 18 years old unless with a parent or involved with an organized activity in the adventure ocean program.

[VTSKIandCRUISEGUY]

The under 16 for hot tubs must only be for the adults-only Solarium area.

[dougp26364]

The under 16 for hot tubs must only be for the adults-only Solarium area.

 

The solarium is for adults only? You could have fooled me since I always see kids in there.

[brn2crz]

The under 16 for hot tubs must only be for the adults-only Solarium area.

 

 

I know that the sign,posted at the pool/hottub area on Rhapsody says

"Solarium pool and hottubs are for guest 16 and over.All others are asked to use forward pool and hottubs."

 

Only the pools and hot tubs are off limits in the Solarium.Kids are still allowed there,as that is where the Hotdogs pizza etc is served,and the other ping pong table are...I think this is a very bad design.The hotdogs etc should be out by that main pool...At that side bar area,between the pool and the windjammer...That is never used...That way.The Solarium could be completly adults only.

[Merion_Mom]

Only the pools and hot tubs are off limits in the Solarium.Kids are still allowed there,as that is where the Hotdogs pizza etc is served,and the other ping pong table are...I think this is a very bad design.The hotdogs etc should be out by that main pool...At that side bar area,between the pool and the windjammer...That is never used...That way.The Solarium could be completly adults only.

 

It depends on the ship. You are talking about Radiance class vessels. On Voyager class, there are no such unique inducements to lure the kiddies into the Solarium. (and thus NO REASON for them to be in the Solarium - IT'S AGAINST THE RULES. OUT, OUT, DAMNED SPOT)

 

Carol

[maxxboy]

They also didn't enforce the dress code, since the passengers in the table next to us were wearing shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops and had multiple piercings

 

RCI doesn't have a dress code concerning multiple piercings.

[randallcruiser]

hmmmmmmmm....I wondering, all of you who say that we should live by the rules, can you tell me that you NEVER speed on an interstate? or is that just a rule you bend to the limit of where you will not get caught?

[1corona4u]

hmmmmmmmm....I wondering, all of you who say that we should live by the rules, can you tell me that you NEVER speed on an interstate? or is that just a rule you bend to the limit of where you will not get caught?

 

Do 2 wrongs make a right?

[HappyFamily]

Do 2 wrongs make a right?

certainly not, but three rights do make a left!!;)

[1corona4u]

certainly not, but three rights do make a left!!;)

 

LOL!!!:D

[leahjade]

What is a specialty restaurant?

[beachchick]

Random observations:

 

The age restrictions are rules; the dress code is a "suggestion." Yes, it would be nice if they made an effort to have pax follow the suggested dress, but it's not the same thing.

 

It kills me that the Solarium is supposedly "adults only," but the age restriction is 16. Since when are 16 year olds adults? JMHO. BTW: Do the parents of 16 year olds using the exercise equipment have to sign a liability waiver? Just curious because they do have to for things like ice skating.

 

Carol (Merion_Mom) is absolutely correct about the Voyager class Solariums. No reason for children to be in there unless they need to find and speak to their parents. Then it should be, "out you go."

 

As far as whether I've ever broken the speed limit. Yes, I have. And when I do I take the chance that the highway patrol or police will stop me and write me a ticket. When the age limits aren't follwed, RCI should enforce them. Simple as that.

 

Specialty restaurants are Chops and Portofinos on the Radiance and Voyager class ships. They are designed to be "upscale" and special dining (and they are). You make reservations and pay a fee. It's also supposed to be a more adult environment, thus no one under 13 (except I believe some ships allow younger children early in the evening--so if you want a romantic dinner for 2, make your reservation for later).

 

That's all.

beachchick

[brn2crz]

It depends on the ship. You are talking about Radiance class vessels. On Voyager class, there are no such unique inducements to lure the kiddies into the Solarium. (and thus NO REASON for them to be in the Solarium - IT'S AGAINST THE RULES. OUT, OUT, DAMNED SPOT)

 

Carol

 

Actually,Rhapsody is a Vison class.And yes,it obviously depends on what ship you are talking about..I was talking about the Rhapsody:)

[dougp26364]

Not just in the solarium but in the pools and hot tubs as well. I have never seen the age "rules" enforced on any of our four cruises. I find it amussing that they even have them.

 

On the other hand, when we were on the Explorer, the weather was awfully windy and we wanted to cut through the teen area to get to JR's one afternoon. We were literally stopped at the door and told we couldn't go through there, not even to get to JR's.

 

Now I completely understand not wanting adults in the teens only area and to be honest, I didn't even think about where we were going. It did tick me off that the age "rules" were a one way street. I had to put up with children (under 16) in the solarium hot tubs and pool but I was stopped cold for even attempting to walk through the teen area to get to JR's.

 

Oh well, no one said life was fair and I won't stop cruising because of it.

[DEERINH2O]

I didn't realize that there was an age limit on the specialty restaurant. I take my kids to upscale restaurants all the time. On Princess this last Thanksgiving, our 16yr old and her best friend, made a reservation for one of the Specialitys (with our permission), dressed up and went and had a wonderful dinner. They plan to do it again on the RCCL cruise we are planning. I think its good for them to go into a nice setting and act well. Talked to the Waiter after their dinner and he said they were delightful and well mannered.

 

The solarium I agree is an adult only area, 18 and over. When we were on the Voyager in 2003, we lived in the Solarium, and everytime a child came in, My DH got up and got the security guard who asked them to leave. They never had a problem. Actually the secruity guard after the second day, made sure no kids were in there.

 

I guess I have been lucky not to experience some of the things I hear about unruly kids.

 

Happy Cruisin'

 

Kathy

[caviargal]

Hmmm 16 and older to use the hot tub/whirlpool....

 

I'd like to see that one enforced!!!!

 

So would I! Maybe I would actually use the hot tub. Now I won't get near them because of the kids.

[Onessa]

The rules for the Solarium also depends upon the iternary - on cooler routes (AK, Maritime provinces, Baltic) there are posted times when children - accompanied by an adult - are allowed in the Solarium. Similarly, I have been on cruises where there have been differing age requirements for the specialty resturants.

 

I was once sitting on a chaise in the Solarium trying to read when the guy near me just about bit the head off of a girl (probably about 12) when she came into the area accompanied by an attendent - to get a towel! - there were none in the main pool area at the time and the attendent had told her it was ok to get a towel from in the Solarium while she called down for more towels. The guy then went on ranting, in a very loud voice, about children "needing to know their place" to the poor attendent for at least five minutes, until another pax asked the him and the attendant if they could take this conversation elsewhere.

 

Remember respect runs both ways.

[katiel53]

I think that cruiselines allow all kinds of things that are against their "rules" or suggstions. They are in business to make a buck, so if someone doesn't follow the rules, they aren't going to allienate that person. It is a reflection on society of today that no one needs to follow rules. I am too important as a person to do what YOU tell me. I have been on these boards for a while and I have seen all the I won't wear a jacket to dinner, or I will wear jeans as it's my vacation to you won't tell me------. There are cruiselines for all people based on their choices, but some will still feel that they can do what they want and that includes, babies in the pool with/without diapers, kids in the hot tubs, parents telling teens its ok to drink or be in the casino underage. Until the cruiselines either change their rules, and put them in their docs and websites, or start to enforce their rules as stated in the docs or websites, nothing will change. The only other solution is to complain to the cruiselines.