Children in a cabin with no adults

[tarheelmjfan]

First, let me say, I'm not judging anyone's decision & I'm definitely not looking for a debate. We don't have a problem with children, as we have a DS(13) ourselves. We are considering sailing on the Conquest next summer. We would like to visit NO again & sail from there. I am a bit concerned about the idea of unsupervised children in cabins by themselves. The idea of supervised or unsupervised children running the halls isn't appealing to us at all. Do children & poorly behaved adults really create the havoc that we read about so often. Again, I definitely don't want to make anyone feel defensive, but am looking for honest opinions in helping us decide whether or not we would enjoy a Carnival cruise. Thanks for your help :)

[phroggie]

Do children & poorly behaved adults really create the havoc that we read about so often.

 

Actually, from what I saw, children and well behaved adults really helped create the wonderful atmosphere I experienced on my last cruise.

 

Too bad it's the "havoc" that stands out.

 

Out of any population of over two thousand, there will always be more than a few who will be inconsiderate. Regardless of which cruise line or how they're priced.

[Bunkie103]

We sailed from NOLA last fall and had no problem at all with children. I think the key there is that we traveled in the fall. There were a few kids on board, but no running in halls at night, at least by our experience. My thought is that you would find this more on the school vacation type cruises. I PERSONALLY would find it hard to believe that a group of children unsupervised in a cabin to be acceptable. Not looking for a debate here either, mother of three myself. Experience taught me that the "not my child" attitude catches up with you when you throw a bunch of kids together without supervision....it's only human nature. Kids will be kids, especially when no one is watching them. Enough said!

[jleq]

I've never had such a problem. Then again, I've never sailed during Summer/Spring Break when it's more likely there are a great many families/college students. There are families during other periods...just not as many on a 7+ day cruise in the Fall

[Droopy]

We are leaving on the Conquest out of NO on August 14. This will be out 2nd time out of NO, the first time on the Celebration. It will be our 5th Carnival cruise total. There are a few children, but it has never been a problem. Most of the younger kids are in Camp Carnival most of the day and you hardly see them unless they are walking through (all holding onto a rope).

[happy cruzin]

First, let me say, I'm not judging anyone's decision & I'm definitely not looking for a debate. We don't have a problem with children, as we have a DS(13) ourselves. We are considering sailing on the Conquest next summer. We would like to visit NO again & sail from there. I am a bit concerned about the idea of unsupervised children in cabins by themselves. The idea of supervised or unsupervised children running the halls isn't appealing to us at all. Do children & poorly behaved adults really create the havoc that we read about so often. Again, I definitely don't want to make anyone feel defensive, but am looking for honest opinions in helping us decide whether or not we would enjoy a Carnival cruise. Thanks for your help :)

 

 

Although I have never had children in a seperate cabin - I know those who have. Usually they are next to - or across from - the parents. So, I'm not sure if that qualifies as "unsupervised" in your opinion. :cool:

 

I have travelled with kids....and without. I have never had trouble with unsupervised children effecting my vacation. Mainly because I try not to worry about others....I'm there to enjoy my time and vacation. I know that there are others on the boards with other experiences. :rolleyes: I'm sure that you will hear from them as well.

 

I know that "unsupervised" means different things to different people. Will you see children out at the pool, getting pizza, icecream or something to drink without their parents right next to them? Yes! Will you see children in the public areas with out parents? Yes! Are children likely to be misbeaving? :eek: I hope not....but perhaps.

 

There are likely to be children on your cruise regardless of when you travel. But large groups of children are more likely to occur during spring break, holidays and over the summer.

 

I throughly enjoy Carnival and all they have to offer. I highly recommend any Carnival cruise. Perhaps you will give them a try! ;)

[katie286]

My experience and it was only one since we only went on one cruise so far is that the drunk adults were more of a nuisance than any of the kids. My kids had a cabin across the hall from us. There were stricked rules regarding their room and their behavior. I guess some parents don't keep tabs on the kids, but we sure did. As a matter of fact, we are going it alone without the kids next month and I'm thinking it will be a totally different cruise experience for us not having to wonder where they were or what they were doing and how they were behaving.

[sea_u_onboard]

We have sailed spring break on a couple of occassions and have never had a problem. More problems with the adults and even those were few and far in between.

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the info. & understanding the intent of my question. :) We love kids. Seeing them in the public areas helping themselves to ice cream, etc. wouldn't even catch our attention. I see nothing wrong with that at all. Passing them walking alone in the hall, there's nothing to have a problem with. It's agressive behavior that I'm concerned with. Pushing & shoving, running under & around tables, etc., doesn't work for me. As a side note, we live in Florida & our son gets out of school prior to memorial day. When does the demographics of the cruisers usually change in the summer? Thanks again :)

[e39m5]

IMO teens should always get seperate rooms. On a cruise, a teen doesn't really meet up with their boats friends during the day, their usually off the boat or just caught in the midst of all the adults. Once the adults are gone, usually about 10:00, its their time. Every teen can find the rest of their group at night, but not during the day. They usually end up staying up until the wee hours of the morning because its just the best time of the day for them. So unless you want kids going into your room at 3ish in the morning, get a second room. Ooo yah, and dont give curfews, theyll have more fun without them, and fun is what vacations about.

[I Luv Crusin]

IMO teens should always get seperate rooms. On a cruise, a teen doesn't really meet up with their boats friends during the day, their usually off the boat or just caught in the midst of all the adults. Once the adults are gone, usually about 10:00, its their time. Every teen can find the rest of their group at night, but not during the day. They usually end up staying up until the wee hours of the morning because its just the best time of the day for them. So unless you want kids going into your room at 3ish in the morning, get a second room. Ooo yah, and dont give curfews, theyll have more fun without them, and fun is what vacations about.

 

I don't think so! We gave our teens freedom with limitations! They had a curfew and we expected them to be in by that time.

[tribbs1]

I returned from my sailing on the Conquest on 6/19. I had two rooms - one for my 3 teenagers (16,15,15) across the hall from me. My kids were not allowed to have others in their room at any time. In fact, the only time they were in their room was to change clothes and to sleep. There were 800 children under 18 on our sailing and you really wouldn't have known it. There were plenty of things for children of all ages to do so they seemed to stay busy when not w/their parents. The rowdiest, most obnoxious group of young adults seemed to be the 18-20 yr old crowd who drank too much and obviously couldn't handle it. My twin 15 yr olds witnessed one such drunk girl fall flat on her face. They had to help her walk to her cabin - thankfully they are nice young boys and didn't try to take advantage of her but someone not so nice could have easily. There are so many places on the ship for these teens to congregate that I would be surprised if you saw them running around and being rude. As for summer vacation, I live in Illinois and most of the schools here are out for break around the 6th of June.

[cali-croozer]

We also sailed on June 19, with our teens next door (boys 15 and 17) and didn't witness any rowdy behavior around the ship. There were a few kids who would show up drunk to the teen parties though and a 15 year old girl had to be escorted back to her room by staff the last night of the cruise. This was the exception though and the majority of teens were under control. Most of the teens seemed to have a curfew too. My boys had to be in at 1am; and although they complained a little at first, most of their friends had the same curfew too so it wasn't a big deal. I made an exception for the last night for my 17 year old and he stayed up on deck till the wee hours.

 

We were on the Riviera deck and there were quite a few cabins with teens only......never heard a peep out of them. The only thing about the Conquest is that they will not issue extra room keys. We would have liked one to be able to check on them and their room. We did not switch rooms, they were booked that way, but it didn't matter; the Conquest is strict on their policy. You would think they would welcome the extra supervision.:rolleyes:

[rnjhill]

We were on the Victory in November. We had two cabins one for my husband and i and one for our three children(13,11 and 4) Our cabins were beside each other. Our oldest son had freedom to stay out to 1 a.m. He obeyed the rules most of the time but we had to search for him one night. He was hanging out with a bunch of kids his age. Our children were given the rules prior to cruising and I feel they were well behaved. We did have concerns having our daughter(4yrs old) in the other room but she was so tired after all the playing that she just went to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Our 11 yr old was responsible for being back in the cabin at 10 p.m. We ordered him room service,he watched a movie and took care of our daughter. When the 11 yr old did the camp sleepover, the 13 yr old was responsible for watching his sister. The boys did not complain about babysitting. All in all it was a great trip. We (the whole family--plus the mother-in-law) are now cruising on the Elation in August.:) :) :)

[GoinCruisin]

IMO teens should always get seperate rooms. On a cruise, a teen doesn't really meet up with their boats friends during the day, their usually off the boat or just caught in the midst of all the adults. Once the adults are gone, usually about 10:00, its their time. Every teen can find the rest of their group at night, but not during the day. They usually end up staying up until the wee hours of the morning because its just the best time of the day for them. So unless you want kids going into your room at 3ish in the morning, get a second room. Ooo yah, and dont give curfews, theyll have more fun without them, and fun is what vacations about.

 

WOW!! I'm sorry to say, and mean no offense, but that has to be some of the worst advice I have ever seen given on this forum!! Basically you are saying to give kids free reign, their own room, let them do what they want, roam the ship, no curfew... The ship is not free of crime and abuse, it IS a small city and things CAN happen... parents should always be aware of where their children are on the ship... you don't have to breathe down their necks, but saying that you want a separate room so they don't wake you when they come in??? I would think MOST parents would WANT to be wakened, if they are asleep at all... wow, I'm sorry, I just truly hope people don't follow that advice... for the sake of the children.

[tarheelmjfan]

I'm glad to see that unruly behavior doesn't seem to be as big a problem as reported. :) Our son will be staying in the cabin with us. If we were to decide to take one of his friends, does the Conquest have any suites that can comfortably accommodate 4 people? If not, we may consider connecting rooms, leaving the door open, which I assume you can do. Thanks again for all the input. :)

[Unassuming-Grace]

My mother would never allow me out without a curfew. She will not go to bed unless I am home, vacation or not.

[nrdsb4]

WOW!! I'm sorry to say, and mean no offense, but that has to be some of the worst advice I have ever seen given on this forum!! Basically you are saying to give kids free reign, their own room, let them do what they want, roam the ship, no curfew... The ship is not free of crime and abuse, it IS a small city and things CAN happen... parents should always be aware of where their children are on the ship... you don't have to breathe down their necks, but saying that you want a separate room so they don't wake you when they come in??? I would think MOST parents would WANT to be wakened, if they are asleep at all... wow, I'm sorry, I just truly hope people don't follow that advice... for the sake of the children.

 

I think the post you referenced was written by a teen. I don't know for sure, but judging by the writing style, I doubt it was written by an adult whose advice would be taken seriously.

[big_duck]

I'm glad to see that unruly behavior doesn't seem to be as big a problem as reported. :) Our son will be staying in the cabin with us. If we were to decide to take one of his friends, does the Conquest have any suites that can comfortably accommodate 4 people? If not, we may consider connecting rooms, leaving the door open, which I assume you can do. Thanks again for all the input. :)

 

Yes Cat 11 and 12 with a pullout sofa. Carnival does not have multiple room suites.

[big_duck]

WOW!! I'm sorry to say, and mean no offense, but that has to be some of the worst advice I have ever seen given on this forum!! Basically you are saying to give kids free reign, their own room, let them do what they want, roam the ship, no curfew... The ship is not free of crime and abuse, it IS a small city and things CAN happen... parents should always be aware of where their children are on the ship... you don't have to breathe down their necks, but saying that you want a separate room so they don't wake you when they come in??? I would think MOST parents would WANT to be wakened, if they are asleep at all... wow, I'm sorry, I just truly hope people don't follow that advice... for the sake of the children.

 

I don't care what anyone says my teens curfew is gonna' be 10 mins after the last orgainized teen activity for the evening period.

[cali-croozer]

I don't care what anyone says my teens curfew is gonna' be 10 mins after the last orgainized teen activity for the evening period.

 

How about 15 so they can get some pizza! LOL;) PS....on a serious note, many of the teen activities (Club 02 for 15-17s) didn't have a stated end time, only said, for example, 10am til late, so you'll have to figure out a reasonable curfew for your family.

[just4kixx]

I think the post you referenced was written by a teen. I don't know for sure, but judging by the writing style, I doubt it was written by an adult whose advice would be taken seriously.

 

I thought this post was written by a teen as well... hopefully, anyways :rolleyes:

 

FWIW, Curfews are a must in my book

A~:)

[big_duck]

How about 15 so they can get some pizza! LOL;) PS....on a serious note, many of the teen activities (Club 02 for 15-17s) didn't have a stated end time, only said, for example, 10am til late, so you'll have to figure out a reasonable curfew for your family.

 

She's a pretty smart kid and she knows what side her cruising priviledges are buttered on :D

[JnM]

Actually, Carnival rules state that guests under 21 must be accompanied by a guardian over the age of 25 IN THE SAME STATEROOM. If you get your kids a separate room and they are loud/disruptive, I will be that cruiser that will complain that an adult is not staying in their room.

[Pearl Z]

I have sailed 13 cruises and as stated most problems were with drunk adults. The only "kid" missbehavior I have encountered was during the Christmas holiday...3 boys were dropping ketsup packets down the stairway to see how many floors it would take until they would bust. In my best teacher voice I let them have it...I told them I was calling security...was there running in the hallway....you bet there was.....they ran right down the hall and into their stateroom...didn't see them for the rest of the cruise!

This summer we are taking 9 kids 18-23...I'm more worried about them than when the kids were younger!!