Kids in Adult only pools?!

[TravelTexas]

I'm sure this news must not surprise anyone but it did cause me to cancel a planned September cruise on Freedom. Carnival opens adult only aft pools to kids on the followings ships:

Carnival Conquest

Carnival Glory

Carnival Liberty

Carnival Freedom

Carnival Splendor

Carnival Victory

 

There are plenty of options for kids on these ships. In fact there are dozens of kid facilities and events. There are kids everywhere and that's fine, adults have their own spaces too. But why take away some of the few quiet adult only spaces away? Parents will not police them. Parents take their kids into bars after hours for heavens sake.

 

Your thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[pe4all]

This subject has pages and pages of discussion in a previous thread. One solution is to cruise when there are fewer kids on school vacations. Another is cancelling the cruise, as you did. I was not happy with the change - but we will still attempt to use the aft pool area, and hopefully cruise when kids are not over-running the area. Wish Serenity had a pool.....

[Havingfun2010]

Carnival has given up on enforcement of rules, so it's just easier to say, they can do it, than put the manpower into it. Most people on Carnival ships believe rules are for the other people anyway. Just look at all the threads on various topics, from dress codes, pools, curfews, beach chairs, drink packages, sharing(stealing) etc. It all says, it's my vacation and I will do what I want.

 

Now Carnival is just doing what they want, and given up.

[tef43]

They never enforced it to begin with, so this "change" is, in fact, nothing.

[Cyber Kat]

Carnival has given up on enforcement of rules, so it's just easier to say, they can do it, than put the manpower into it. Most people on Carnival ships believe rules are for the other people anyway. Just look at all the threads on various topics, from dress codes, pools, curfews, beach chairs, drink packages, sharing(stealing) etc. It all says, it's my vacation and I will do what I want.

 

 

 

Now Carnival is just doing what they want, and given up.

 

 

I have to say that this is the way I see it too. They keep cutting staff so it's just easier to allow something than to use staff to enforce it.

 

I used to be Carnival loyal but we've been straying [emoji12] and I'm getting spoiled. Unlike some others, I have no problem with paying more to get a better product.

 

 

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[TravelTexas]

Wow, I did go look at some of the other threads. How can they still justify this change?

 

As I mentioned before I gave up my deposit on the Freedom cruise I had booked for this September and switched to another cruise line. I still have another booked on Carnival for this Halloween for 8 days but not on one of the listed ships (hope it is still adult only aft pool). I booked another Carnival cruise next year for 14 days and that ship is still under construction. But if I find they have switched to this OVERLY kid friendly style, I will cancel those as well.

 

Guess that is my only option. :rolleyes:

[A&Jfamily]

Wow, I did go look at some of the other threads. How can they still justify this change?

 

As I mentioned before I gave up my deposit on the Freedom cruise I had booked for this September and switched to another cruise line. I still have another booked on Carnival for this Halloween for 8 days but not on one of the listed ships (hope it is still adult only aft pool). I booked another Carnival cruise next year for 14 days and that ship is still under construction. But if I find they have switched to this OVERLY kid friendly style, I will cancel those as well.

 

Guess that is my only option. :rolleyes:

 

They justify it because Carnival is changing with the times. The majority of their cruises are now 7 days are less and they are embracing families. They are adding the watersides, sports squares and bumping up the Camp environment. Look at there currently commercials? Just like Disney and RCI, they are targeting families. After all, you make more money with 4 to a room than 2...

 

You cancelling your cruise is not a loss for the parent corporation. CCL also embodies Princess and several other lines that unlike Carnival, run very few short cruises and the majority of their cruises are 10+ days. Princess is slightly more upscale and sedate and caters more to adults; just like X is the upscale RCI; each of the corporate cruise families has the entry level cruise directed at families and then more upscale lines catering to adults. I LIKE this structure because there is something for everyone. It is a matter of finding the line that suits you.

 

Right now, our boys are 13 and 19 and when we travel (Christmas and Spring Break), we get two rooms; Carnival is the line that makes sense for us because their rates are the most cost effective in these seasons. We have stayed away from Europe and other destinations because with flights and longer cruises, it does not fit our schedule and becomes cost prohibitive (at least with regard to multiple vacations a year).

 

Those without children (generally) have the flexibility to travel at other times (fall, Jan-Feb, May), and will likely find that when you do a cost benefit analysis say between a Princess and Carnival cruise, that the prices are quite competitive. A drink on Princess for example is $5.50 where on Carnival that same Bloody Mary is $9. Many now offer drink packages etc that start to equalize the cost of the cruise.

 

We know that as our kids age and we are no longer limited to 7 day trips, DH and I will become avid Princess cruisers. It suits us, not only as a couple, but as a family best. But with one ship in the Caribbean, it's just not practical now.

 

I truly suggest you look at Princess, X and other lines more targeted to Adults.

[okgirl]

They created the serenity area for adults.

 

The problem with the adult only pool on the aft section of the Lido deck has always been that there are other venues back there that never have been adults only, like Pizza, Tandoori grill or Mongolian Wok, Ice Cream Machine.....and the hot tubs were never adult only. So there have always been lots of kids hanging around.

 

I certainly wouldn't cancel a cruise because of it, but then again if I'm wanting to cool off while laying out, I just go stand in the shower before returning to my chair.

[tef43]

They created the serenity area for adults.

 

Not every Serenity Deck has a pool however.

 

But your argument is invalid anyway since Carnival does not enforce the adults-only aspect of Serenity either.

[evandbob]

They created the serenity area for adults.

 

The problem with the adult only pool on the aft section of the Lido deck has always been that there are other venues back there that never have been adults only, like Pizza, Tandoori grill or Mongolian Wok, Ice Cream Machine.....and the hot tubs were never adult only. So there have always been lots of kids hanging around.

 

I certainly wouldn't cancel a cruise because of it, but then again if I'm wanting to cool off while laying out, I just go stand in the shower before returning to my chair.

 

 

The hot tubs had signs as well as the aft pool that entry was limited to adults or people over a certain age, either 16 or 18. Contrary to other posters, my experience was that rule was usually enforced. Most of my Carnival cruises were on Conquest class ships, and I used to enjoy a hot tub soak after a days excursion. Now I will have to try the sauna or steam room.

[DebJ14]

And this is why I have 2 cruises booked on RCCL for 2018. Even though we always sail when school is in session, we end up on a ship with loads of kids. So many people think nothing of pulling their kids out of school to cruise, or they homeschool. We ended up on a cruise in late January 2017 where there was a homeschool group of over 600 kids. UGH!

[TravelTexas]

I went with Norwegian. They are not part of CCL instead Prestige Cruise Holdings. Looking forward to it. Same price with a newer ship and I see they close many areas after 5 to kids. You said the fact that I canceled is not a loss to CCL and you may be correct. But we are just ramping up on cruising (3 so far) and plan three more in just the next 13 months. Losing my business may indeed be no big deal, but can't imagine I am alone. BTW the Norwegian Escape is known for having one of the coolest water slides in the world (land or sea). Neon lights and sounds and check out the video. I may not be 13 anymore but I am down with that.

Also Carnival would have made more money from me in the Casino and Restaurants than in the rooms.

Again without any other options, I will change course.

 

They justify it because Carnival is changing with the times. The majority of their cruises are now 7 days are less and they are embracing families. They are adding the watersides, sports squares and bumping up the Camp environment. Look at there currently commercials? Just like Disney and RCI, they are targeting families. After all, you make more money with 4 to a room than 2...

 

You cancelling your cruise is not a loss for the parent corporation. CCL also embodies Princess and several other lines that unlike Carnival, run very few short cruises and the majority of their cruises are 10+ days. Princess is slightly more upscale and sedate and caters more to adults; just like X is the upscale RCI; each of the corporate cruise families has the entry level cruise directed at families and then more upscale lines catering to adults. I LIKE this structure because there is something for everyone. It is a matter of finding the line that suits you.

 

Right now, our boys are 13 and 19 and when we travel (Christmas and Spring Break), we get two rooms; Carnival is the line that makes sense for us because their rates are the most cost effective in these seasons. We have stayed away from Europe and other destinations because with flights and longer cruises, it does not fit our schedule and becomes cost prohibitive (at least with regard to multiple vacations a year).

 

Those without children (generally) have the flexibility to travel at other times (fall, Jan-Feb, May), and will likely find that when you do a cost benefit analysis say between a Princess and Carnival cruise, that the prices are quite competitive. A drink on Princess for example is $5.50 where on Carnival that same Bloody Mary is $9. Many now offer drink packages etc that start to equalize the cost of the cruise.

 

We know that as our kids age and we are no longer limited to 7 day trips, DH and I will become avid Princess cruisers. It suits us, not only as a couple, but as a family best. But with one ship in the Caribbean, it's just not practical now.

 

I truly suggest you look at Princess, X and other lines more targeted to Adults.

[tef43]

As I mentioned before I gave up my deposit on the Freedom cruise I had booked

You said the fact that I canceled is not a loss to CCL and you may be correct.

Carnival keeps your deposit, and gets to sell the cabin again. That's "found money" to Carnival. There will always be someone to step up and take your place.

[Lerin]

You cancelled a cruise in September when there's hardly any kids on board anyway?

Our last off-season cruise had around 70 people under age 18 onboard, and over half of those were in diapers so not using pools anyway.

 

Looks like the joke's on you.

[aimeeclose]

Just FYI for concerned people, but the Splendor staff has not gotten this memo. We just returned from the 8 day cruise on Sunday, and my 3 year old and I were made to get out of the aft pool by a Carnival staff member.

 

It was actually kind of silly because we were in the pool early (9 a.m.) on a port day. There were no other adults in the pool and only a handful of adults sunning on the aft deck. We were sitting on the edge, dangling our feet in the water when approached by the staff member. Ironically, the LIDO pool was full of adults who were quite loud...not to mention the obnoxious and not child appropriate concert blaring on the screen.

[BrotherCraig]

Doesn't bother me at all. The kids are a lot more quiet and respectable in the pools than the adults in my opinion. The main reason I don't go into the pools are because of the adults who yell out "Hey baby! Hold my beer and watch this!" and then does a cannonball into the pool. Saw it all day long last week on the Breeze. Then you have the adults that moon everyone at the pool and are really loud so they can get more attention. Then, these adults sit in these pools and hot tub all day long drinking beer -- and never get out? Yeah! They are peeing somewhere. LOL! At least I see kids getting out and going to the restrooms.

 

So.... doesn't bother me at all. If I want quiet, I go to the Serenity Deck. Library Bar and the side decks are nice as well for quiet.

 

:)

[firemanbobswife]

Carnival keeps your deposit, and gets to sell the cabin again. That's "found money" to Carnival. There will always be someone to step up and take your place.

 

Not everyone books Early Saver, so that's not necessarily true.

[kctwinmommy]

Doesn't bother me at all. The kids are a lot more quiet and respectable in the pools than the adults in my opinion. The main reason I don't go into the pools are because of the adults who yell out "Hey baby! Hold my beer and watch this!" and then does a cannonball into the pool. Saw it all day long last week on the Breeze. Then you have the adults that moon everyone at the pool and are really loud so they can get more attention. Then, these adults sit in these pools and hot tub all day long drinking beer -- and never get out? Yeah! They are peeing somewhere. LOL! At least I see kids getting out and going to the restrooms.

 

So.... doesn't bother me at all. If I want quiet, I go to the Serenity Deck. Library Bar and the side decks are nice as well for quiet.

 

:)

 

Haha!!! I agree! I can't recall having any problems with kids in the pools. My son cruises with us, but he's usually eating or at Circle C (teenage boy! LOL!). I typically don't even spend much time in the actual pool. Maybe just a dip to cool off, but that's about it. I realize Carnival will never please everyone though, so people have to decide what they want to do for themselves.

[Cyber Kat]

Doesn't bother me at all. The kids are a lot more quiet and respectable in the pools than the adults in my opinion. The main reason I don't go into the pools are because of the adults who yell out "Hey baby! Hold my beer and watch this!" and then does a cannonball into the pool. Saw it all day long last week on the Breeze. Then you have the adults that moon everyone at the pool and are really loud so they can get more attention. Then, these adults sit in these pools and hot tub all day long drinking beer -- and never get out? Yeah! They are peeing somewhere. LOL! At least I see kids getting out and going to the restrooms.

 

So.... doesn't bother me at all. If I want quiet, I go to the Serenity Deck. Library Bar and the side decks are nice as well for quiet.

 

:)

 

 

Those aren't adults. They are large children. Quite frankly I'm looking to get away from both small and large children.

 

 

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[TravelTexas]

Out of control (adults or kids) is not my point. The Crew should address them either way.

 

My objection is that I do not want to be drinking around kids period. Why did they have to take that away? There are plenty of water activities for kids.

 

As parents will you be calling security if someone is drunk around your kids?

 

Should you even have them in that location?

 

I've seen parents taking their kids into bars late a night to sign karaoke. Adults need adult spaces, and the aft pool was one of the few that I could drink without worrying about how it looks to the younger ones.

 

 

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[sparks1093]

Out of control (adults or kids) is not my point. The Crew should address them either way.

 

My objection is that I do not want to be drinking around kids period. Why did they have to take that away? There are plenty of water activities for kids.

 

As parents will you be calling security if someone is drunk around your kids?

 

Should you even have them in that location?

 

I've seen parents taking their kids into bars late a night to sign karaoke. Adults need adult spaces, and the aft pool was one of the few that I could drink without worrying about how it looks to the younger ones.

 

 

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I saw plenty of drinking going on in the main pool deck of every cruise we've been on and as long as the drunks aren't accosting my kids, no, I would not call security and why would anyone? If you are that opposed to drinking around kids have a drink on Serenity.

[tef43]

Not everyone books Early Saver, so that's not necessarily true.

I was referring to threadstarter's specific situation, but thanks for playing anyway.

[firemanbobswife]

I was referring to threadstarter's specific situation, but thanks for playing anyway.

 

 

I didn't see where they mentioned Early Saver. "Gave up my deposit" could be taken different ways. Usually people say "paid the penalty" or things like that. If they booked ES then yes, Carnival got "free money". I didn't see enough evidence to draw a definitive conclusion. But you're welcome either way [emoji849].

[lperkins1420]

For what it is worth myself and my kiddos were kicked out of the aft pool on the Liberty on our cruise on May 7. We were told it was an adults only pool. We were the only ones in it at time. I thought the change had already started from the board info so we jumped in. We did not see kids in it on our whole cruise at all. It was all adults only the whole time. Not sure if the rule is not starting yet just my experience that this was not the case on our cruise on the Liberty this month.

[Jdfireman]

Oh well