Children in bars on board

[Pies4u]

We were never taken to bars / restaurants when we were young. These places were for adults only. If we had visitors to our house, we were told to sit quietly and read a book and only speak when spoken to - and that's what we did. If we were bored, we weren't bad mannered enough to say so, but generally, we were perfectly content.

Sadly, some children these days need to be constantly entertained or they become bored very quickly and they seem incapable of devising constructive ways of entertaining themselves without it involving expensive electronic equipment. Children throughout time have always wanted to mimic their parents and will always want to try smoking and drinking if their parents do it in front of them - it's natural and it's how children learn. Bad behaviour from children will often relate to them observing adults behaving badly, so it's up to us adults to set a good example to our and other peoples children.

As others have said, I have no problem with well behaved children, wherever they might be. Unfortunately, we have rarely been able to visit a pub, restaurant, hotel, theatre or shop in recent years without having young ones either running around or yelling the place down. Just when you feel like saying something, you see the parents or parent and decide that you either don't want to be thumped or that the message will fail to penetrate.

 

Absolutely! Very good assessment and summary. Hence - every reason for Cunard to adopt a policy of "adults only" voyages (see other thread) if not dedicating one ship entirely to that concept. Works well for others, the demand is enormous and is increasing.

 

Nobody has an issue with well behaved children but there is a tendency for declining standards of behaviour and etiquette to be self perpetuating. Thus there are greater numbers of badly behaved adults & children and it will get worse in my view. Try a trip on P & O's Ventura - you get family/friends groups of 60+ folks, incl about 30 children - even out of school hols! It is chaotic. Ironically, If P & O could make their cuisine a bit more interesting and lose the overtly "British colonial" feel then their 3 adult only ships would offer a good alternative.

 

I simply don't want to be "entertained" by other people's children, particularly in lounges an/ or inthe evening, nor do I want to listen to parents talking to their offspring who also think that we all need to hear about their daily activities and how wonderful it has all been - usually in loud, patronising tones!

 

Couples Hotels, amongst others, as well as Warners and P & O have no difficulty obtaining 90% + occupancy all year round by restricting patronage to adults only - can't be long before Cunard consider it, even if only on specific voyages, surely?

[SeaFlint]

Absolutely! Works well for others, the demand is enormous and is increasing. I simply don't want to be "entertained" by other people's children, particularly in lounges an/ or inthe evening, nor do I want to listen to parents talking to their offspring who also think that we all need to hear about their daily activities and how wonderful it has all been - usually in loud, patronising tones! Couples Hotels, amongst others, as well as Warners and P & O have no difficulty obtaining 90% + occupancy all year round by restricting patronage to adults only - can't be long before Cunard consider it, even if only on specific voyages, surely?

 

Instead of turning Cunard into Saga, it might be best simply to try Saga or any other lines that brand themselves as "adults only". Also, if you are looking for a purely "adults only" part of QM2, there is always the spa.

 

As I - and others - have posted elsewhere, the number of poorly-behaved adults is almost always higher than the number of poorly-behaved young people and children. I suspect that holds true by percentage as well.

 

In fact, I have never seen a child cut in line. I've never heard them yell at a waiter. I've never seen one get in a fight. Nor have I heard of them dancing on tables (yes, this happened on QM2). I've never seen a child running on deck at an early hour when they wake the pax below. I've never seen a child or young person pounding on the purser's desk while demanding petulantly that they be given a better room than they paid for. And, while aboard this Christmas trip, I never once saw a child refuse the hand-sanitizer we were told would save the ship from sickness, while many adults turned up their noses and huffed.

 

All that said, I have never felt that the bad manners of adults has ruined or "damaged" a trip.

 

I dislike bad-manners, including my own. But I am glad Cunard is unlikely to exclude children, young people and their parents (where would you place the cut-off, by the way?) from a ship they love when, in fact, the "crime" for which they would be banned is being committed much more often by the "adults" who would be left.

 

By the way, I suspect the average QM2 voyage includes 150 or so children. Banning children would result in the loss of at least twice as many pax on each trip.

[capnpugwash]

Bad mannered or badly behaved children are not made that way, it is clearly the fault of the parents who allow or fail to discourage such behaviour. The better plan might be to have a moron free ship but that may be asking too much. I have seldom seen children on board behave other than totally correctly and I feel that it would be a terrible injustice to deny them such an enriching and exciting experience. If a couple of children find their way into a bar, so what! It really isn't the end of the world and won't do them any harm. I did it when I was young as did most of my peers.

[MadScientist_01]

I have to agree with SeaFlint, I have never had a problem with children on board and have certainly seen far worse behaviour from adults - using that as a premise, I can't say that I have a problem with children in bars.

 

That said, if they did cause me problems or parents expected me to curtail my behaviour because they were there, that would get pretty short shrift. It has happened several times in pubs on-shore (and I'm not going to lay out the levels I have stooped to to deal with the issues, because it would undoubtedly offend some people ;) ) but never aboard Cunard.

 

However, I will happily admit to getting merrily drunk on an occasion or three aboard (why do people equate being drunk to falling over and being loud? I'm perfectly charming when drunk!) and if I fancy a game of pat-a-cake in G32 on occasion don't worry about it... it won't ruin your holiday.

[SeaFlint]

Bad mannered or badly behaved children are not made that way, it is clearly the fault of the parents who allow or fail to discourage such behaviour. The better plan might be to have a moron free ship but that may be asking too much.

 

"Sir, I am afraid we cannot let you aboard."

 

"But my ticket says I have a stateroom."

 

"Ah, sir, it may. But our international registry of known morons and ill-behaved buffoons shows you near the top of THEIR list."

 

"But I'm a PLATINUM member!"

 

"Ah, actually, Sir, the 'Ill-Behaved Buffoons' list shows you to be a 'Brass Banana', which I believe is their PREMIER membership level. Congratulations, sir, that's quite an achievement."

 

"Well, someone is going to hear about THIS."

 

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. May I offer you a complimentary bottle of Pol Acker?"

[Pies4u]

Instead of turning Cunard into Saga, it might be best simply to try Saga or any other lines that brand themselves as "adults only". Also, if you are looking for a purely "adults only" part of QM2, there is always the spa.

 

As I - and others - have posted elsewhere, the number of poorly-behaved adults is almost always higher than the number of poorly-behaved young people and children. I suspect that holds true by percentage as well.

 

In fact, I have never seen a child cut in line. I've never heard them yell at a waiter. I've never seen one get in a fight. Nor have I heard of them dancing on tables (yes, this happened on QM2). I've never seen a child running on deck at an early hour when they wake the pax below. I've never seen a child or young person pounding on the purser's desk while demanding petulantly that they be given a better room than they paid for. And, while aboard this Christmas trip, I never once saw a child refuse the hand-sanitizer we were told would save the ship from sickness, while many adults turned up their noses and huffed.

 

All that said, I have never felt that the bad manners of adults has ruined or "damaged" a trip.

 

I dislike bad-manners, including my own. But I am glad Cunard is unlikely to exclude children, young people and their parents (where would you place the cut-off, by the way?) from a ship they love when, in fact, the "crime" for which they would be banned is being committed much more often by the "adults" who would be left.

 

By the way, I suspect the average QM2 voyage includes 150 or so children. Banning children would result in the loss of at least twice as many pax on each trip.

 

Ah, the good old "selective quote" - indeed, merging of 2 separate quotes!

 

I could suggest that you mightq try a holiday camp or RCI if you want to be surrounded by children - but I won't be that patronising. I would merely pose the question, why should adults need to resort to the Spa for sanctuary from other people's children? That is a simply ridiculous solution.

 

I've tried adult only resorts and ships, thanks. Go to one every New Year now too as it happens & I have also travelled on Arcadia on occasions. That is why I can see how successful the concept is and how increasingly popular it is.

 

The issue is not about like or dislike of children but of environment and suitability. The debate is better conducted on an amiable basis than confrontational and not turned into a "like or dislike" of children sideshow. Yes, some adults can be a pain in the rear too but that is an entirely separate issue altogether. The answer to the problem of unruly/noisy children is not to say there are unruly adults as well, that misses the point - well and truly. As I and others have said, children will naturally want to run around, play, jump into pools etc, that is what they do - perhaps some parents ought to consider taking holidays that suit their children better rather than dragging them off on a more adult oriented experience? I don't know the answer, I am merely provoking discussion. There is always another viewpoint, there isn't a right or wrong perspective or opinion is there? Or are you always right?

[Salacia]

[quote name=gentlemancruiser;36690364

On New Year's Eve I saw the sadest thing on this cruise. It was about 12:45am and I went into G32 after the Queen's Room slowed down. We entered from the starbord side closeset to the bar and there sitting along the bankette was a boy about 9 years old. He was sitting alone' date=' no one else was close by. He stayed there for quite awhile by himself, he wasn't bothering anyone, but he just looked very bored.

I never did see any adults around him and I don't know what happened or why he was even in G32. Staff were posted at the entrance to check for minors but I don't know how this little boy got there. The bar was fully staffed that night becuase it was New Year Eve and it was very busy.[/quote]

 

So, what did you do when you saw this child (approx. 9 years of age, sitting alone at 12:45am in G32)? Clearly you were concerned, and rightly so. Did you alert a crew member? What can those of us do after the fact to help? I appreciate your observation, but I'm not at all certain what you suggest as a remedy? Thanks, S.

[brigittetom]

This thread has bothered me for days with people saying that the adults on board are far more obnoxious than any child they have ever seen. Well, I finally figured out that they were not talking about adults behaving badly in bars...but rather....adults behaving badly in general. I have honestly never seen bad behavior in a bar onboard the QM2, possibly with the exception of having a little harmless fun.

 

Everyone has observed obnoxious passengers and there is no excuse for bad behavior ever, but you are on a ship with 2,500 passengers and it's bound to happen.

 

Aside from the fact that children have rights....does anyone actually feel that the QM2 night life should include children?

[Whitemarsh]

This thread has bothered me for days with people saying that the adults on board are far more obnoxious than any child they have ever seen. Well, I finally figured out that they were not talking about adults behaving badly in bars...but rather....adults behaving badly in general. I have honestly never seen bad behavior in a bar onboard the QM2, possibly with the exception of having a little harmless fun.

 

Everyone has observed obnoxious passengers and there is no excuse for bad behavior ever, but you are on a ship with 2,500 passengers and it's bound to happen.

 

Aside from the fact that children have rights....does anyone actually feel that the QM2 night life should include children?

 

Hmmm....that's an interesting question. Instinctively my initial response was no, but I not sure that's the right answer. As I posted previously on this thread, I do think that bars in the evening are/should be an adults only space. But perhaps that's just an opinion based on what I think should happen in a land based nightclub/pub and maybe a cruise ship presents a different set of circumstances?

 

It would be 'different' to see children under the age of 15 hanging out in G32 or the Commodore Club at 11:30 at night. Would it be less 'different' if they were aged between 16 and 18? Probably.

 

My main reservation about children in bars in the evening is that it places restrictions on the behaviour of adults. I don't really want to have to spell out swear words etc because there's a table of six year olds nearby.

 

Having said that, I appreciate children and for the most part enjoy having them around. Circumstances we've all experienced (badly behaved kids & babies that wont stop screaming) notwithstanding.

[glojo]

Hmmm....that's an interesting question. Instinctively my initial response was no, but I not sure that's the right answer. As I posted previously on this thread, I do think that bars in the evening are/should be an adults only space. But perhaps that's just an opinion based on what I think should happen in a land based nightclub/pub and maybe a cruise ship presents a different set of circumstances?

 

It would be 'different' to see children under the age of 15 hanging out in G32 or the Commodore Club at 11:30 at night. Would it be less 'different' if they were aged between 16 and 18? Probably.

 

My main reservation about children in bars in the evening is that it places restrictions on the behaviour of adults. I don't really want to have to spell out swear words etc because there's a table of six year olds nearby.

 

Having said that, I appreciate children and for the most part enjoy having them around. Circumstances we've all experienced (badly behaved kids & babies that wont stop screaming) notwithstanding.

I dislike it when folks dissect what we say and then take a quote that is completely out of context but should we be swearing in mixed company? I am not a prude and have been around the block several times but I confess to hopefully behaving like 'a gentleman' when in the presence of ladies and I guess whenever I am in the presence of folks I don't know.

 

Should we moderate our language in the presence of todays youth, or should our language or behaviour be an example that they should be trying to emulate?

 

If my son or daughter were on a cruise with me and they were 16 or older, then I would not hesitate in taking them into a bar on-board a Cunard ship although they would NOT be drinking anything stronger than a shandy. :)

 

Are we all guilty of forgetting that we were once spotty teenagers and by allowing these youngsters to go into a bar and see that we can enjoy ourselves without throwing alcohol down our throats like there is no tomorrow should benefit everyone?

 

I do however believe that youngsters should be in bed at a suitable time and who am I to say what that time should be but a sixteen year old should not possibly be 'out and about' after midnight, should definitely NOT be allowed to consume alcohol without a parent being present and should children aged twelve or under be allowed in any type of bar AFTER dinner??

 

My English teacher told me that people who feel the need to swear usually lack the vocabulary skills to communicate without resorting to swearing although I maintain that the youth of today would possibly be dumb mutants if we did away with the word...'like' Grrrrr Change the subject as quickly as possible.

 

I am not in favour of adult only cruises but I am in favour of standards being maintained and enforced. My guess is that if there were a sin bin for those that were guilty of unruly behaviour, ignoring dress codes or talking in the library :D:D then this sin bin would probably have far more adults than children???

 

We owe it to the next generation to both educate and set an example, if we ban them from seeing how we behave when in a relaxed environment, bar etc then how do they learn how to behave or right from wrong?

 

I love hearing children play and enjoying themselves but obviously there is a time and place for playing. Let them play dring the day in a responsible manner and socialise at night in a way that brings praise from other shipmates :)

[Whitemarsh]

Like all social situations you have make a judgement as to what you can, and cannot do or say, so that others aren't made to feel uncomfortable.

 

I wouldn't dream of rocking up to the table on the first night and littering the conversation with 'colourful' language.

 

Full disclosure: I have been known to occasionally use a swear word whilst in the company of others - I acknowledge that this now leaves me open to the chastisement of others. :(

 

In the interests of transparency, I will only be accepting chastisement from those that can honestly claim to have never, ever used a swear word in public. :)

[glojo]

:D:DStand by to be chastised as I can honestly say without fear of contradiction that I have NEVER, EVER sworn, blasphemed or used ANY type of foul language on a cruise ship ;) EVER!

 

So consider yourself suitably chastised :)

 

On a serious note since retiring from work I have never sworn and simply do not find the need to BUT.... who am I to judge what is acceptable or not and if the words are right and said in the right place and in the right or correct situation, then so be it but NEVER, ever in front of, near or in the vicinity of ladies or children. That to me (not anyone else) is indeed a big no no :( but again .... each to their own.

[Whitemarsh]

:D:DStand by to be chastised as I can honestly say without fear of contradiction that I have NEVER, EVER sworn, blasphemed or used ANY type of foul language on a cruise ship ;) EVER

 

So consider yourself suitably chastised :)

 

Dear Glojo,

 

I write to you with regard to your recent chastisement of me. I note that you claim to have never, ever "sworn, blasphemed or used ANY type of foul language on a cruise ship". Whilst I commend you on your exemplary behaviour, I refer you post number 36 on this thread in which I outlined the prerequisite that needs to be met in order to chastise me for swearing.

 

For your convenience I will outline the prerequisite again:

 

1. Chastisement will only be accepted from those who can honestly claim to have never, ever used a swear word in public
   

 

You will note that I have not limited the use of swear words to just cruise ships. As you have not verified whether or not you meet the requirement (of never having used a swear word in public), I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your chastisement.

 

Regards,

Whitemarsh :D

[glojo]

I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your chastisement.

 

Regards,

Whitemarsh :D

 

fair cop Guv,

#%@~ it, I say and #%@~ it again. :o:o

 

We all know I never go off topic............

 

 

These were posted on an Australian Tourism Website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials, who obviously have a great sense of humour (not to mention a low tolerance threshold for cretins!)

 

 

Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? (UK).

 

A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

__________________________________________________

 

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)

 

A:Depends how much you've been drinking.

__________________________________________________

 

Q:I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)

 

A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.

__________________________________________________

 

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay? (UK)

 

A: What did your last slave die of?

__________________________________________________

 

Q:Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)

 

A: A-Fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe.

Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not

..Oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.

__________________________________________________

 

Q:Which direction is North in Australia? ( USA)

 

A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

_________________________________________________

 

Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)

A:Why? Just use your fingers like we do...

__________________________________________________

 

Q:Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)

 

A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is

Oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

__________________________________________________

 

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)

A: You are a British politician, right?

__________________________________________________

 

Q:Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)

 

A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal.

__________________________________________________

 

Q:Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)

 

A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from.

All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

__________________________________________________

 

Q:I have a question about a famous animal in Australia , but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)

 

A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

__________________________________________________

 

Q:I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia ? (USA)

 

A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

__________________________________________________

 

Q:Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)

 

A: Only at Christmas.

__________________________________________________

 

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)

 

A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first

[Whitemarsh]

Are they for real? That's pretty funny. :)

[glojo]

Are they for real? That's pretty funny. :)

 

Allegedly they are real and they made me laugh :)

[MadScientist_01]

My English teacher told me that people who feel the need to swear usually lack the vocabulary skills to communicate without resorting to swearing although I maintain that the youth of today would possibly be dumb mutants if we did away with the word...'like' Grrrrr Change the subject as quickly as possible.

 

Oh, your English teacher was very wrong - sometimes swearing can be a true art form in the right mouth. I have heard (and occasionally contributed to) glorious diatribes of which vulgar language was a quintessential part. To enjoy this experience, at no cost, feel free to annoy me on my next cruise :D

 

Sent from my KFOT using Tapatalk 2

[Austcruiser84]

Are they for real? That's pretty funny. :)

 

I concur. And you know what, I believe they were real questions! I've heard some really dumb things from people overseas. I even once got asked how we survive without water and do we just import it in bottles.

[Austcruiser84]

Oh, your English teacher was very wrong - sometimes swearing can be a true art form in the right mouth. I have heard (and occasionally contributed to) glorious diatribes of which vulgar language was a quintessential part. To enjoy this experience, at no cost, feel free to annoy me on my next cruise :D

 

Sent from my KFOT using Tapatalk 2

 

I agree. Swearing is part of every language. Even Shakespeare used heavily insulting, crude language to entertain and make serious commentary.

 

Like everything else, there is a time and place for swearing. Im not advocating you go and shout obscenities at passers-by. But to dismiss it entirely is to ignore the diversity of language and how even the crudest of words have history and significance.

[Thaxted]

I agree. Swearing is part of every language. Even Shakespeare used heavily insulting, crude language to entertain and make serious commentary.

 

Like everything else, there is a time and place for swearing. Im not advocating you go and shout obscenities at passers-by. But to dismiss it entirely is to ignore the diversity of language and how even the crudest of words have history and significance.

 

Very true, but let's remember that the power of swear words lies in how seldom they are used. The problem nowadays is that too many people fling the proverbial four-letter words about with wild abandon, oblivious to who might hear them and oblivious to what is indeed the "glorious diversity" of the English language.

[Austcruiser84]

Very true, but let's remember that the power of swear words lies in how seldom they are used. The problem nowadays is that too many people fling the proverbial four-letter words about with wild abandon, oblivious to who might hear them and oblivious to what is indeed the "glorious diversity" of the English language.

 

Oh definitely. As I said before, there are occasions for it.

 

Every second word need not be crude.

[glojo]

Oh, your English teacher was very wrong - sometimes swearing can be a true art form in the right mouth. I have heard (and occasionally contributed to) glorious diatribes of which vulgar language was a quintessential part. To enjoy this experience, at no cost, feel free to annoy me on my next cruise :D

 

Sent from my KFOT using Tapatalk 2

She was a quaint very old fashioned lady but you and I will have to agree to disagree.

 

I fail to see the need to swear and it is not something I appreciate in my own house. Does that make me a prude, or old fashioned? I have no idea but no one here knows me so cannot judge. I enjoy a laugh along with the best and if you look back just a few years there was definitely no swearing allowed on television or radio but it has slowly crept in as we altered our standards of what is acceptable.

 

I guess I need educating so please explain how in polite conversation, swearing can be funny? ;) Please accept this is a polite question and not me being judgemental. If folks want to swear then that is their choice, live and let live.

 

Keeping this on topic, if we swear in front of children then children will simply repeat what they hear us adults saying and quite clearly we all hear the foul, obnoxious language coming from 'the lips of babes'

[Austcruiser84]

Have to say, didn't quite hear any swearing on board. I admit to using a few choice words when I stubbed my toe in the bathroom one morning!

[MadScientist_01]

She was a quaint very old fashioned lady but you and I will have to agree to disagree.

 

I fail to see the need to swear and it is not something I appreciate in my own house. Does that make me a prude, or old fashioned? I have no idea but no one here knows me so cannot judge. I enjoy a laugh along with the best and if you look back just a few years there was definitely no swearing allowed on television or radio but it has slowly crept in as we altered our standards of what is acceptable.

 

I guess I need educating so please explain how in polite conversation, swearing can be funny? ;) Please accept this is a polite question and not me being judgemental. If folks want to swear then that is their choice, live and let live.

 

Keeping this on topic, if we swear in front of children then children will simply repeat what they hear us adults saying and quite clearly we all hear the foul, obnoxious language coming from 'the lips of babes'

 

I agree that swearing in front of children should not be done, and avoid where possible - but that is then one of the limitations of having children in bars. Vulgar language (because that is what we are really talking about - one can offend without swearing by using certain words) has many values in language, and often it is the context that makes it offensive (or not) in my view. Similarly, serious topics of conversation can be stifled by removing some language elements - the variety of individual differences between what people consider to be offensive is staggering - a certain word springs to mind that is quite a well-known swearword in the UK but not America (as the writers of The Simpsons found out to their cost!)

 

Sent from my KFOT using Tapatalk 2

[Rotterdam]

If a family w/ children is travelling onboard a ship - they should look for one w/ age appropriate areas for their children. I'm so sick of seeing little ones up too late, cranky , screaming etc.....usually because they are off their usual at home schedule while Mommy & Daddy party on.

 

For some reason these days people feel entitled to their own whims without regard to anyone else. From restaurants to the pools onboard there is no supervision - for the kids or their parents.

 

I've found it most effective to speak w/ an officer & that seems to take care of the problems......