No more adult only aft pools?

[nealstuber]

Man this is the best post of the whole thread. They're sure some uptight people on this thread that forgot what it was like to be kids. My two kids are very well behaved, but get them on vacation, and around others where they are excited and amped up they may be a lil loud or excited. It's called being a freaking kid.

 

 

 

What it really boils down to is this. The old miserable people complaining about this rule, are either cheap, or broke, and they cruise carnival because it's the cheapest option. They complain about every little change, but never once will you hear a peep from them about the fact that carnival hasn't changed the basic price of a cruise in 25 years. Yes you don't get a piece of candy on your pillow anymore.(talk about acting like a child) Yes there's no more table cloths.(its actually quite dated, most land restaurants are moving away from them.) yes your key card goes to your mailbox now. etc etc etc. these people with 5,000 10,000 20,000 posts have nothing better to do, then bellyache and complain about every little change. The one thing they won't do is put their money where their mouth is, and go to a different line, because at the end of the day you still get the most bang for your buck on carnival.

 

 

Nobody is saying that kids shouldn't be kids. But there used to be a space on Carnival for adults who want a break from kids, particularly if they've gone through the trouble to leave their own kids with a relative.

 

 

Expressing disappointment that the adult only pools are going away does not make me cheap or old. We sail Carnival not for price, but the simplicity that comes with a drive to port. We also enjoy the friendliness of the Carnival Staff and Cove Balconies.

 

Wife and I were not born 50, when we took our then young kids on cruises, we made sure they respected the adult only areas out of respect for those cruising without kids.

 

I'd venture to guess that some on this board have been cruising Carnival longer than you've been alive. That does not mean they "own" the line, but they were a big part of its success and they have invested much and would like to be loyal. Your attitude: that if folks who have invested in Carnival over the course of decades don't like changes made to accommodate you and your family they should find another line, is self centered and obnoxious.

 

 

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[jimbo5544]

Time for Royal and the awesome adults only Solarium ;p

 

 

No please stay, we would miss you so.....

 

 

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[Sweet Dutch Girl]

This is the only part of your post I didn't agree with. There is nothing wrong with an adult area to be away from kids in general. Just like kids have a kids area/camp. And why does it have to be "one or the other" - so radical.... it's either ALL about the kids, or leave the kids home? Come on! Carnival (and most cruise lines) create an experience that helps you balance both and provide a great vacation for all. This includes an adult only area while the kids are having a blast at camp!

 

You have every right to "want" a kids free zone, and the thousands of parents traveling with their kids also have a right to want areas where they can be with their kids. Again, it is a matter for the cruise "choosing" what "they" want. They can choose to make the ship "family friendly" or not, and if they do make it family friendly that is what a passenger gets when they board the ship. And like every other establishment out there, Carnival's choices (whether stated in advance or not) is what will transpire.

 

It would be great if all vacations were about what "I" want at any given time, but that just doesn't happen. Airlines allow children and infants...if they cry or get bored and act up that is just something that happens. We, as adults, just need to learn to live with it. Annoying, yes, but it is a fact of life. Sit by the side of a pool dangling your toes is great and refreshing....but in reality pools are designed to be swum in or played in and that means water goes everywhere, so splashing is inevitable. Is someone going to go ga-ga when adults (those over 18) decide to use an adult pool as it was intended and to "play" in the water....highly unlikely, after all its adults in the pool. But when a kid splashes its a catastrophe to some. Tolerance and the ability to adjust to circumstances seems to be in short supply for some these days.

 

And, to address another point, loyalty does not mean that everything on a ship stays the same because someone is used to it. Do people with great free air miles expect every flight to be free of petty annoyances because they book a particular flight...not likely. Convenience, price, and loyalty are all wonderful but none of the three are endowed with expectations that anything will be as anticipated. Anyone, who pays the fare, should have the same voice on any cruise. That is what is "fair".

[BNBR]

You have every right to "want" a kids free zone, and the thousands of parents traveling with their kids also have a right to want areas where they can be with their kids. Again, it is a matter for the cruise "choosing" what "they" want. They can choose to make the ship "family friendly" or not, and if they do make it family friendly that is what a passenger gets when they board the ship. And like every other establishment out there, Carnival's choices (whether stated in advance or not) is what will transpire.

 

It would be great if all vacations were about what "I" want at any given time, but that just doesn't happen. Airlines allow children and infants...if they cry or get bored and act up that is just something that happens. We, as adults, just need to learn to live with it. Annoying, yes, but it is a fact of life. Sit by the side of a pool dangling your toes is great and refreshing....but in reality pools are designed to be swum in or played in and that means water goes everywhere, so splashing is inevitable. Is someone going to go ga-ga when adults (those over 18) decide to use an adult pool as it was intended and to "play" in the water....highly unlikely, after all its adults in the pool. But when a kid splashes its a catastrophe to some. Tolerance and the ability to adjust to circumstances seems to be in short supply for some these days.

 

And, to address another point, loyalty does not mean that everything on a ship stays the same because someone is used to it. Do people with great free air miles expect every flight to be free of petty annoyances because they book a particular flight...not likely. Convenience, price, and loyalty are all wonderful but none of the three are endowed with expectations that anything will be as anticipated. Anyone, who pays the fare, should have the same voice on any cruise. That is what is "fair".

 

At no point did I suggest Carnival can't change their ways. If an adults only pool is important to me and Carnival isn't offering it, then yes, another line would be a better choice. I personally don't care much either way as we rarely use pools on a cruise ship, but I do PREFER having an adult only option. Only pointing out that it's nice and something I like, and that people can still enjoy a trip with their children with a healthy balance. (in response to your suggestion that you either make it all about the kids or leave them home).

[Sitzmark]

Time for Royal and the awesome adults only Solarium ;p

look out for the dude-bros

[BNBR]

No please stay, we would miss you so.....

 

 

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I thought the emoji made it clear it was a comment poking fun at the situation... but clearly you don't comprehend modern communication very well. Sorry. Glad I could clear that up for you.

[evandbob]

I called Carnival this morning, and expressed my disappointment with the decision to change the aft pool and hot tub policy. Did it nicely, stated they should have waited until the Serenity Deck on the Conquest was installed. I also stated that the new policy of allowing "children accompanied by an adult" was not being enforced by staff, as there were unescorted kids in both places. In addition, I related Carnival staff did nothing about the 2 diapered kids immersed in the pool by their parents.

 

I ended with a positive note on the Captain's Diamond Party, which was a luncheon instead of a cocktail hour. I hoped that more Captains would, at their discretion, make the same change.

 

The rep said my comments would be passed along the chain of command. I hope others who expressed their disappointment about this new policy will call Carnival as well.

[firemanbobswife]

Time for Royal and the awesome adults only Solarium ;p

 

 

I know, I know. You've been after me to to try it. I may just surrender one day [emoji4].

[Oceans100]

Link to petition:

https://www.change.org/p/cclsupport-carnival-com-bring-back-adult-only-pools?recruiter=707520044&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

 

 

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At 1,045

 

 

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[sammee]

I know, I know. You've been after me to to try it. I may just surrender one day [emoji4].

 

They are quite nice. I've only seen Grandeur and Explorer, both beautiful.

[BNBR]

I know, I know. You've been after me to to try it. I may just surrender one day [emoji4].

 

I actually think you would still prefer Conquest class. :)

 

But the solariums on Royal are really stellar. One of my favorite aspects of their ships, by far. Especially on Oasis as it's big, has a restaurant, wading pool, infinity hot tubs, and amazing view off the front of the ship. Because of it's location, never any kids (kind of like Serenity but on steroids). Though isn't that the same concept with Havana on Vista, essentially?

[firemanbobswife]

I actually think you would still prefer Conquest class. :)

 

But the solariums on Royal are really stellar. One of my favorite aspects of their ships, by far. Especially on Oasis as it's big, has a restaurant, wading pool, infinity hot tubs, and amazing view off the front of the ship. Because of it's location, never any kids (kind of like Serenity but on steroids). Though isn't that the same concept with Havana on Vista, essentially?

 

Sounds like they may be similar. Although no restaurant and it's at the back of the ship. The area isn't huge, but it's very nice. I liked Celebrity's Solarium area too. But that was inside and could get a little warm.

[BNBR]

Sounds like they may be similar. Although no restaurant and it's at the back of the ship. The area isn't huge, but it's very nice. I liked Celebrity's Solarium area too. But that was inside and could get a little warm.

 

That's one of the complaints, gets a little warm and stuffy. Doesn't bother me at all but some people don't like it.

[Organized Chaos]

You are certainly inferring many things about my post and nowhere in the paragraph above did I imply anything about steerage class or being a "high-society experienced cruiser." First of all, I did not create the "cute little term" blue cards. That is Carnival's way of distinguishing first time cruisers. The color of your sail and sign card is related directly to your VIFP status. Blue is your first cruise, Red is up to 24 days, Gold up to 74 days, Platinum up to 199 days and Diamond is 200+. First time cruisers will spend money because it's all new to them. Carnival knows this and that is why they are marketing towards them. It is frivolous to pay more on an excursion on Carnival than a comparable one independently. Besides the cost differentiation, more often than not the groups size is smaller as well.

The drink thing on Lido is just from observations on various cruises I have taken watching others on embarkation day when newbies learn about the "nuances" of cruising. Sorry that you got your panties all in a ball and I did not mean to offend you, all I was doing was making an observation about past cruises and also a hypothesis as to Carnivals marketing decisions based upon my cruising on them 18 times over 31 years.

Recently read on another thread that a first timer was disappointed that she was eating all of her meals in the buffet because she did not realize that the MDR meals were included and she thought that she would have to pay extra for them. Have to really empathize about that situation.

You see, you automatically assume, just because I admitted to having been on only one cruise, that I'm not aware of the color-coded S&S card system. You're so convinced that I'm ignorant to it that you describe, in detail, the entire points system and think you're teaching me something I surely don't know. There's a difference between teaching someone about the points and doing what you did, which was a silly attempt to make yourself look more knowledgeable than me. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm well aware of said points system. In fact, that's one of those things I made myself aware of before the cruise. Frankly, I don't care what color your card is, how many you've been on, or how long you've been doing it. I'd rather help (and learn alongside) other beginners than be talked down to by the likes of you and those with similar attitudes.

 

After having been a regular on the old Carnival forums for about a year before they closed and a member here for several months, I had never seen anyone call first-timers "blue cards" until you did. I'm well aware of the fact that you didn't create the term. But neither did Carnival. It was created by snooty cruisers who needed a way to point a finger at first-timers in an internet forum just to make themselves feel special. Sounds to me like I'm not the one who has their panties in a bunch. I'm not the one who watches first-timers on board just to come on here and insult them for the ways in which they choose to spend their vacation time. I'm willing to bet that if we took a poll of experienced cruisers, first-timers wouldn't be the only ones who partake in the activities you have deemed frivolous.

 

After having spent a lot of time in the old Carnival forums before we went on our cruise, I noticed that the "holier-than-thou" attitude was, unfortunately, a fairly common one. Thankfully, though, once on board that same attitude from people didn't carry over to the actual cruise. Now as far as CC goes, I'd say it isn't as much of a problem here as it was on the old CCL forum.

 

As I said before, there's a lot to cruising that doesn't require 18 cruises over 31 years to figure out. Cruising in general, especially when narrowed down to a single cruise line, is very similar across the fleet. There's a lot of "cookie-cutter" aspects to it, meaning it's practically the same across the board. Once you've experience these things once or twice, it's not hard to get a handle on them. Then one can move on to the other, different experiences that come with different ships & ports. Instead of looking down your nose at beginning cruisers for being unaware of policies and how different thinks operate on board, wouldn't your time be better spent helping them familiarize themselves more with what cruising has to offer?

[Sitzmark]

I actually think you would still prefer Conquest class. :)

 

But the solariums on Royal are really stellar. One of my favorite aspects of their ships, by far. Especially on Oasis as it's big, has a restaurant, wading pool, infinity hot tubs, and amazing view off the front of the ship. Because of it's location, never any kids (kind of like Serenity but on steroids). Though isn't that the same concept with Havana on Vista, essentially?

 

We thought the Solarium on Oasis was nice looking but it always seemed hot and uncomfortable. The pool while nice to look at was much like all the others in that it is too small and crowded.

[First and Ten]

You see, you automatically assume, just because I admitted to having been on only one cruise, that I'm not aware of the color-coded S&S card system. You're so convinced that I'm ignorant to it that you describe, in detail, the entire points system and think you're teaching me something I surely don't know. There's a difference between teaching someone about the points and doing what you did, which was a silly attempt to make yourself look more knowledgeable than me. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm well aware of said points system. In fact, that's one of those things I made myself aware of before the cruise. Frankly, I don't care what color your card is, how many you've been on, or how long you've been doing it. I'd rather help (and learn alongside) other beginners than be talked down to by the likes of you and those with similar attitudes.

 

After having been a regular on the old Carnival forums for about a year before they closed and a member here for several months, I had never seen anyone call first-timers "blue cards" until you did. I'm well aware of the fact that you didn't create the term. But neither did Carnival. It was created by snooty cruisers who needed a way to point a finger at first-timers in an internet forum just to make themselves feel special. Sounds to me like I'm not the one who has their panties in a bunch. I'm not the one who watches first-timers on board just to come on here and insult them for the ways in which they choose to spend their vacation time. I'm willing to bet that if we took a poll of experienced cruisers, first-timers wouldn't be the only ones who partake in the activities you have deemed frivolous.

 

After having spent a lot of time in the old Carnival forums before we went on our cruise, I noticed that the "holier-than-thou" attitude was, unfortunately, a fairly common one. Thankfully, though, once on board that same attitude from people didn't carry over to the actual cruise. Now as far as CC goes, I'd say it isn't as much of a problem here as it was on the old CCL forum.

 

As I said before, there's a lot to cruising that doesn't require 18 cruises over 31 years to figure out. Cruising in general, especially when narrowed down to a single cruise line, is very similar across the fleet. There's a lot of "cookie-cutter" aspects to it, meaning it's practically the same across the board. Once you've experience these things once or twice, it's not hard to get a handle on them. Then one can move on to the other, different experiences that come with different ships & ports. Instead of looking down your nose at beginning cruisers for being unaware of policies and how different thinks operate on board, wouldn't your time be better spent helping them familiarize themselves more with what cruising has to offer?

 

I have a gold colored card, am i ok? :p

[ilovetotravel1977]

NCL Epic has a pool, two hot tubs, bar and small food station in their AFT adults only section, Spice H20, and it's awesome! It's the only pool in any of the Spice H20 areas on the Away class ships.

[jimbo5544]

I thought the emoji made it clear it was a comment poking fun at the situation... but clearly you don't comprehend modern communication very well. Sorry. Glad I could clear that up for you.

 

 

My reply was the same. I am on a roll lately.

 

 

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[grancayman]

F

 

 

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[Organized Chaos]

Man this is the best post of the whole thread. They're sure some uptight people on this thread that forgot what it was like to be kids. My two kids are very well behaved, but get them on vacation, and around others where they are excited and amped up they may be a lil loud or excited. It's called being a freaking kid.

 

What it really boils down to is this. The old miserable people complaining about this rule, are either cheap, or broke, and they cruise carnival because it's the cheapest option. They complain about every little change, but never once will you hear a peep from them about the fact that carnival hasn't changed the basic price of a cruise in 25 years. Yes you don't get a piece of candy on your pillow anymore.(talk about acting like a child) Yes there's no more table cloths.(its actually quite dated, most land restaurants are moving away from them.) yes your key card goes to your mailbox now. etc etc etc. these people with 5,000 10,000 20,000 posts have nothing better to do, then bellyache and complain about every little change. The one thing they won't do is put their money where their mouth is, and go to a different line, because at the end of the day you still get the most bang for your buck on carnival.

The biggest argument in favor of making aft pools family friendly seems to be "kids will be kids." No one is saying kids shouldn't be. The complaints concentrate on unruly kids. It's one thing for kids to laugh and yell and have a good time in a pool. It's something completely different when those kids practically take over the pool and do things that prevent others from enjoying it. For example, they line up, cannonball in, run back around to the edge, and repeat over & over. That prevents others from enjoying the pool if they can't take a dip without being bombarded by a line of wild kids.

 

I agree with your opinion that a lot of complaints for the little things can get out of hand. I don't care about chocolates on my pillow or tablecloths in the MDR. Those things are certainly not going to influence my decision to sail with Carnival or not. But if that's what people want to complain about, all power to them. I just think they should pick their battles. If we complain about every little change, then complaining about the big changes mean less. And when I say pick your battles, I'm referring to making formal complaints to Carnival to try to get them to change something back. If we come to an internet forum to complain, big or small, that's partly what it's here for.

 

 

You have every right to "want" a kids free zone, and the thousands of parents traveling with their kids also have a right to want areas where they can be with their kids.

And we already have those areas. In fact, we have many, many areas throughout the ships where we can be with our kids. Don't act like families need the aft pool because there's such a shortage of family friendly places to go. What people are complaining about here is losing a unique place where adults can go to get away from the hustle & bustle of kids. I say unique because, even though there are places they can go without kids (e.g. serenity, nightclub, etc.), we're specifically talking about a place that has a pool. A vast majority of serenity areas on their ships do not have their own pools. Therefore, an adults-only aft pool gave adults a much better opportunity to enjoy a pool without the rambunctiousness of kids without having to pick one of only a few ships. Now that's gone. I think complaints are most certainly justified.

 

 

I have a gold colored card, am i ok?

Yeah. But just ok, not great. :D

 

Mine's red. Am I just a lowly little 2nd timer or maybe I've gone on four or five? Oooh it's such a mystery.

 

How many do we have to go on before we can start being mean to the first timers? :evilsmile:

[42CruiseCrazy]

The biggest argument in favor of making aft pools family friendly seems to be "kids will be kids." No one is saying kids shouldn't be. The complaints concentrate on unruly kids. It's one thing for kids to laugh and yell and have a good time in a pool. It's something completely different when those kids practically take over the pool and do things that prevent others from enjoying it. For example, they line up, cannonball in, run back around to the edge, and repeat over & over. That prevents others from enjoying the pool if they can't take a dip without being bombarded by a line of wild kids.

 

 

 

I agree with your opinion that a lot of complaints for the little things can get out of hand. I don't care about chocolates on my pillow or tablecloths in the MDR. Those things are certainly not going to influence my decision to sail with Carnival or not. But if that's what people want to complain about, all power to them. I just think they should pick their battles. If we complain about every little change, then complaining about the big changes mean less. And when I say pick your battles, I'm referring to making formal complaints to Carnival to try to get them to change something back. If we come to an internet forum to complain, big or small, that's partly what it's here for.

 

 

 

 

 

And we already have those areas. In fact, we have many, many areas throughout the ships where we can be with our kids. Don't act like families need the aft pool because there's such a shortage of family friendly places to go. What people are complaining about here is losing a unique place where adults can go to get away from the hustle & bustle of kids. I say unique because, even though there are places they can go without kids (e.g. serenity, nightclub, etc.), we're specifically talking about a place that has a pool. A vast majority of serenity areas on their ships do not have their own pools. Therefore, an adults-only aft pool gave adults a much better opportunity to enjoy a pool without the rambunctiousness of kids without having to pick one of only a few ships. Now that's gone. I think complaints are most certainly justified.

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah. But just ok, not great. :D

 

 

 

Mine's red. Am I just a lowly little 2nd timer or maybe I've gone on four or five? Oooh it's such a mystery.

 

 

 

How many do we have to go on before we can start being mean to the first timers? :evilsmile:

 

 

My card is also Gold. Has been for a while and will continue to be so for a while longer. Gold used to be better than OK until they took away the party. Gold has been demoted from great to just OK. [emoji53]

 

 

 

 

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[shellster1]

As a parent who travels alone with a nine year old, I'm thrilled about this! My son can't stand the kids club, and enjoys lounging by the pool with a (virgin) daiquiri in his hand. Like mother, like son. [emoji4]. But honestly, I've never been opposed to the adult-only pools. No biggie, but this new rule looks to be steering people away from CCL who clearly can't stand kids. Good for you guys! Go to Sandals or find another line!! I hear Holland America is great for those who prefer less kids.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

As a parent who travels alone with a nine year old, I'm thrilled about this! My son can't stand the kids club, and enjoys lounging by the pool with a (virgin) daiquiri in his hand. Like mother, like son. [emoji4]. But honestly, I've never been opposed to the adult-only pools. No biggie, but this new rule looks to be steering people away from CCL who clearly can't stand kids. Good for you guys! Go to Sandals or find another line!! I hear Holland America is great for those who prefer less kids.

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Why couldn't he lounge by the main pool with a Virgin Daiquiri?

 

You and others are missing the point. Not all people who are upset by this hate kids and not all of us are old and want to go to a geriatric cruise line or AI. What we liked up until now was Carnival. The atmosphere, the service, etc. What we don't appreciate is having an option taken away from us.

 

I highly doubt the opening up of one small pool for the kids will sway families to choose a Conquest Class ship (or the Victory or the Splendor) over another cruise line. Waterworks may as that is a real neat thing. But what it appears it is doing is causing adults who wish to have a child free pool to look at other cruise lines which may or may not be under the Carnival Corp umbrella.

 

Carnival was already a family cruise line so anyone who wished to avoid kids altogether was seriously delusional and shouldn't have that expectation. The average Carnival cruiser that is dissatisfied with this change doesn't want to see a kid free line, they want a pool that they can enjoy without the natural excitement of children. This move to a good amount of Carnival's clientele doesn't say "We're even more family friendly,", it screams "Adults don't matter". If they want to cater to kids (and rightfully so) then things like Waterworks is a huge step in the right direction. Let the adults keep their tiny part and they can have the rest.

[torcruise]

So yeah I disagree that kids playing in a pool or hot tube is misbehaving. And I tell my kids no all the time, they have lots of boundaries and rules to follow. But I'm not telling my kids they have to be quite in the pool and do laps. Because the pool is the perfect place to play. I only have 3 rules for the pool, 1 no splashing people on purpose, 2 no running and no ruff housing. I think people who don't want to be around kids should pick a ship that has a serenity deck.

[cruise_mojo]

oh man, hate this!!! bigly!

 

we've been platinum for years on carnival, and will reach platinum on royal this oct

 

IT MAY BE TIME TO REASESS FUTURE CRUISES!:mad:

Edited April 11, 2017 by cruise_mojo
HMM UNHAPPY WITH THE LOOK!