Independence of the seas 9/8/2014 the art of behaving

[Alan in Essex]

Just returned from our 2 week cruise with my wife and 2 sons (12/17).

Boarding was superb, within 20 minutes was in the ship from arriving at the port.

Everything was pretty much what we were use to, stateroom was spotlessly clean, all staff were friendly and helpful, everything you would expect from a cruise of this class.

Right here is the downside.

Policing! Very little.

The rules are there for a reason regardless of what we think of them, just as you would place rules in you own home RCI Have theirs.

Rules we're broke so many times and RCI Did very little or nothing.

Now I believe that if people raise their children in the right way or people carry themselves in the right way maybe I would not be writing this.

I will start with curfew. RCI raised the curfew Time for what reason I don't understand from 1am to 2am a couple of days into the cruise for children(under 18) unless with adult or in their respected clubs. Not policed, free to do as they please, most nights 15 and 16 year olds in the hot tubs gone 1am, yes where was their parents it hear you ask??.

There are no kid free bars on the ship, the only bar that has a curfew is the Oliver or twist which is 10pm but ignored.

I can list many more but want to get to my main point.

My first cruise was in 2007 and I told my children what I expected of them, how you treat people and how you carry yourself. In my eyes I was on a cruise ship not in Magaluf.

I watched young girls strut their stuff in front of testosterone fuelled boys around the pool deck on a daily basis in some of the most inappropriate swimwear.

We heard that one girl had sleep with four boys on the ship! (Proud mum and dad)

We heard of 2 thefts on the ship which one I heard resulted in a fight! And the worse was an alleged rape which apparently a family was removed and the teen held until Southampton.

Now call me snotty but I don't expect that on a cruise.

When I went to speak at customers relation one staff member told me they are fighting a losing battle, they told me how they caught kids taken food from the windjammer and throwing it from the balconies between there lifts on to the promenade.

The problem is I was told is parents don't care.

I understand that people may have had a different experience than me and I except that and I hope everyone else had a fab time, it's just a shame that in my opinion not all but quite a few of us Brits have forgot the way to behave.

[Emma01]

I agree regarding kids, they were very noisy late at night when we were trying to sleep. The only instance of bad behaviour I saw was on Thursday (I think) when some guy was screaming at the woman directing people to tables outside McBeth Dining Rooom at 9.10 am for a table for 4 NOW. They stop serving at 9 if he'd read the newsheet he'd know that. Anyway, it was awful to witness and he didn't even have the excuse of being too young to know better.

[Alan in Essex]

Emma01 for some reason certain guest believe the rules don't apply to them and the more I saw it the more I noticed it. it all steams down to a lack of manners and class.

[Paulette3028]

Just returned from our 2 week cruise with my wife and 2 sons (12/17).

Boarding was superb, within 20 minutes was in the ship from arriving at the port.

Everything was pretty much what we were use to, stateroom was spotlessly clean, all staff were friendly and helpful, everything you would expect from a cruise of this class.

Right here is the downside.

Policing! Very little.

The rules are there for a reason regardless of what we think of them, just as you would place rules in you own home RCI Have theirs.

Rules we're broke so many times and RCI Did very little or nothing.

Now I believe that if people raise their children in the right way or people carry themselves in the right way maybe I would not be writing this.

I will start with curfew. RCI raised the curfew Time for what reason I don't understand from 1am to 2am a couple of days into the cruise for children(under 18) unless with adult or in their respected clubs. Not policed, free to do as they please, most nights 15 and 16 year olds in the hot tubs gone 1am, yes where was their parents it hear you ask??.

There are no kid free bars on the ship, the only bar that has a curfew is the Oliver or twist which is 10pm but ignored.

I can list many more but want to get to my main point.

My first cruise was in 2007 and I told my children what I expected of them, how you treat people and how you carry yourself. In my eyes I was on a cruise ship not in Magaluf.

I watched young girls strut their stuff in front of testosterone fuelled boys around the pool deck on a daily basis in some of the most inappropriate swimwear.

We heard that one girl had sleep with four boys on the ship! (Proud mum and dad)

We heard of 2 thefts on the ship which one I heard resulted in a fight! And the worse was an alleged rape which apparently a family was removed and the teen held until Southampton.

Now call me snotty but I don't expect that on a cruise.

When I went to speak at customers relation one staff member told me they are fighting a losing battle, they told me how they caught kids taken food from the windjammer and throwing it from the balconies between there lifts on to the promenade.

The problem is I was told is parents don't care.

I understand that people may have had a different experience than me and I except that and I hope everyone else had a fab time, it's just a shame that in my opinion not all but quite a few of us Brits have forgot the way to behave.

 

Bad behavior can happen anywhere, on any ship....and maybe I am reading this incorrectly.....so let me ask this --

 

Exactly what sailing were you on?

 

I am reading this thread on Sunday, August 24, 2014 and you have titled this thread, "Independence of the Seas 9/8/2014 the art of behaving". But 9/8/2014, has not occurred yet.....so I am confused.

[Alan in Essex]

Sorry Paulette in the uk we put the day then month. It was 9th of August

[Paulette3028]

Sorry Paulette in the uk we put the day then month. It was 9th of August

 

Feeling so much better now.

[BND]

Definitely poor parenting (or lack thereof). Too many parents wanting to be their kids friend and not parent them so they don't know how to or like to tell them no about anything. I've seen it with family members and what they've created is hard partying, self-absorbed people who don't know that everything doesn't revolve around them. Always interesting when these kids grow up and get their first job.

 

As for the parents proud of their daughter being with 4 guys, no words.

Edited August 24, 2014 by BND

[russnob]

I was also on this cruise and enjoyed every minute of it. We often commented on how many groups of teenagers were hanging around but not once was they rude, obnoxious, loud or even the slightest bit threatening. I never witnessed any of the behaviour you mention. In fact quite the opposite. I heard the rumour of the assault but heard 4different stories so they were probably all fictitious.

The only rules I saw being broken was the reserving of sun beds which happens on every cruise I've been on.

[Arzeena]

I got off the Explorer yesterday. Every night as I walked through the casino I saw a group of teens (looked like high school sophs or juniors...no way were they over 18!!!) smoking away in the casino. The group was mainly very young Asian girls, dressed like hookers. Crew incharge of the casino and security did absolutely NOTHING to remove them. It was a sorry sight.

[MichiganBrewski]

Bad behavior can happen anywhere, on any ship....and maybe I am reading this incorrectly.....so let me ask this --

 

 

 

Exactly what sailing were you on?

 

 

 

I am reading this thread on Sunday, August 24, 2014 and you have titled this thread, "Independence of the Seas 9/8/2014 the art of behaving". But 9/8/2014, has not occurred yet.....so I am confused.

 

 

9/8/2014 is for the august 8th 2014 sailing. This how dates are commonly written in areas other than the US.

Day/month/year. Rather than mm/dd/yy

 

 

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[twinkle1980]

hmmm re the kid free bars. We travelled with children (not left unattended!), and we were politely told in both olive or twist and in the champagne bar that the bar would be closed to children at 10pm (we had arrived from dinner at about 9.30).

 

Had a great time again! Did not witness any awful behaviour, other than one child in the kids hot tub. He was dealt with swiftly from one of the adventure ocean staff who were monitoring... end off and certainly nothing to spoil our holiday.

[Alan in Essex]

End off??? Does that mean discussion closed???

 

 

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[Alan in Essex]

Ok I was in Oliver or twist and maybe the night you was not there, but I do know what kids look like and on two occasions there were children in there after 10pm, champagne bar I can't comment as I never went in there. Lucky for you you did not witness what me and other guess did and I wish I didn't to be honest, but I am not in the habit of coming on forums to make stuff up. This was my personal experience and weather it differs to anyone else's doesn't make it wrong or right.

 

 

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Edited August 25, 2014 by Alan in Essex

[karen&roy]

Maybe they should start fining the parents or something of that sort, for their childrens behavior and it might stop a lot of it :eek:

[twinkle1980]

no it meant that the issue our family had with one particular child was dealt with - end of story. In other words we let it drop and made sure it didnt cause any issues with enjoying the rest of our holiday.

[Colleenj]

Hi I really enjoyed our two weeks cruise. I do agree there were kids playing in the lifts but I just told them off when I got in! And the only incident which really angered me was 10-11 year old making huge ice creams at sprinkles then dumping it in the trough only to laugh and start again! I did tell the offending 3 kids off and reported it to the deck patrol. They were great and watched the kids and informed the security who walked around to monitor. I am by no means a snob or a grass but that was just plain greedy and made more work for the poor ice cream guy. It's that sort of behaviour that makes them stop doing the self serve ice cream! But it was so lovely to see the excitement of an ice cream on the younger children's faces as they stood in line! Bless them. People will be people no matter what class you are. I am looking forward to our next cruise on the explorer next year. Happy Days x

 

 

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[IrishCC]

Just returned from our 2 week cruise with my wife and 2 sons (12/17).

Boarding was superb, within 20 minutes was in the ship from arriving at the port.

Everything was pretty much what we were use to, stateroom was spotlessly clean, all staff were friendly and helpful, everything you would expect from a cruise of this class.

Right here is the downside.

Policing! Very little.

The rules are there for a reason regardless of what we think of them, just as you would place rules in you own home RCI Have theirs.

Rules we're broke so many times and RCI Did very little or nothing.

Now I believe that if people raise their children in the right way or people carry themselves in the right way maybe I would not be writing this.

I will start with curfew. RCI raised the curfew Time for what reason I don't understand from 1am to 2am a couple of days into the cruise for children(under 18) unless with adult or in their respected clubs. Not policed, free to do as they please, most nights 15 and 16 year olds in the hot tubs gone 1am, yes where was their parents it hear you ask??.

There are no kid free bars on the ship, the only bar that has a curfew is the Oliver or twist which is 10pm but ignored.

I can list many more but want to get to my main point.

My first cruise was in 2007 and I told my children what I expected of them, how you treat people and how you carry yourself. In my eyes I was on a cruise ship not in Magaluf.

I watched young girls strut their stuff in front of testosterone fuelled boys around the pool deck on a daily basis in some of the most inappropriate swimwear.

We heard that one girl had sleep with four boys on the ship! (Proud mum and dad)

We heard of 2 thefts on the ship which one I heard resulted in a fight! And the worse was an alleged rape which apparently a family was removed and the teen held until Southampton.

Now call me snotty but I don't expect that on a cruise.

When I went to speak at customers relation one staff member told me they are fighting a losing battle, they told me how they caught kids taken food from the windjammer and throwing it from the balconies between there lifts on to the promenade.

The problem is I was told is parents don't care.

I understand that people may have had a different experience than me and I except that and I hope everyone else had a fab time, it's just a shame that in my opinion not all but quite a few of us Brits have forgot the way to behave.

We just got off a 12 night Serenade of the seas . . . . we were not expecting many kids and got a very rude awakening. There were 500+ and they were totally out of control! The wait staff was pulling their hair out. Never again will we sail at any time when kids could be out of school.

 

Colleen

[Paulette3028]

This thread points out the obvious that it is a very difficult 'customer service' challenge when it comes to policing policies on a cruise ship (regardless of ship or line).

 

If the cruise line comes down hard on the family with the misbehaving children, they take the change that family may never cruise with them again. If they don't find a way to enforce the rules on board, and "bad" behavior occurs they run the risk of other cruisers being disappointed and not cruising with them.

 

Having been on 15 Royal Caribbean cruises already, I have seen just as much 'bad behavior' from grownups as children. I do believe, Royal does need to find a way to enforce the rules better, for EVERYONES benefit and in many ways safety.

 

It just isn't an easy ocean to navigate.