Inconsiderate Cruisers

[OzKiwiJJ]

While inconsiderate behavior can occur anywhere (last Friday we left a restaurant because of noise from over lubricated adults), we have had a few such experiences on ships.

 

On one cruise where we had an aft cabin, our next door neighbor smoked cigars, and held the cigar around the divider on our side. When I confronted him, his excuse was that his wife did not like cigar smoke. I noted we did not, as well. When his behavior did not improve (it happened during late afternoon cocktails) we called customer service. An officer appeared, observed the hand and cigar, and went next door. The officer returned in five minutes and reported the problem was solved. Literally, while he was telling us this, the hand with cigar reappeared. The officer got the hotel manager involved, and we heard that the fellow was called in for a taking to. Then I ran into the wife, who accused me of being responsible for getting her husband in trouble! In any event, the hand with cigar did not return the balance of the cruise. This was a 15 day Trans-Atlantic.

 

 

I would have been very tempted to get a glass of water or, better still, the ice bucket full, and dowse the cigar! :D:D:D

[GTarrant]

 

On one cruise where we had an aft cabin, our next door neighbor smoked cigars, and held the cigar around the divider on our side. When I confronted him, his excuse was that his wife did not like cigar smoke. I noted we did not, as well. When his behavior did not improve (it happened during late afternoon cocktails) we called customer service. An officer appeared, observed the hand and cigar, and went next door. The officer returned in five minutes and reported the problem was solved. Literally, while he was telling us this, the hand with cigar reappeared. The officer got the hotel manager involved, and we heard that the fellow was called in for a taking to. Then I ran into the wife, who accused me of being responsible for getting her husband in trouble! In any event, the hand with cigar did not return the balance of the cruise. This was a 15 day Trans-Atlantic.

 

I love that his wife blamed you for essentially nothing more than not wanting his cigar smoke on your balcony; something he was doing only because she didn’t want it on hers either.

[keithm]

I would have been very tempted to get a glass of water or, better still, the ice bucket full, and dowse the cigar! :D:D:D

Would a machete be over the top? Humor aside, I WOULD have dumped water on his hand/cigar the moment it appeared on my side of the divider.

[keithm]

While inconsiderate behavior can occur anywhere (last Friday we left a restaurant because of noise from over lubricated adults), we have had a few such experiences on ships.

 

On one cruise where we had an aft cabin, our next door neighbor smoked cigars, and held the cigar around the divider on our side. When I confronted him, his excuse was that his wife did not like cigar smoke. I noted we did not, as well. When his behavior did not improve (it happened during late afternoon cocktails) we called customer service. An officer appeared, observed the hand and cigar, and went next door. The officer returned in five minutes and reported the problem was solved. Literally, while he was telling us this, the hand with cigar reappeared. The officer got the hotel manager involved, and we heard that the fellow was called in for a taking to. Then I ran into the wife, who accused me of being responsible for getting her husband in trouble! In any event, the hand with cigar did not return the balance of the cruise. This was a 15 day Trans-Atlantic.

 

On another cruise (I will refer to the ship only by its initials, Carnival Inspiration), the family in the suite next to us had two small children who would pound on the common wall from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. When asking the parents produced no results, we asked the ship to intervene. Same as with the cigar, no sooner than the officer return to tell us the problem was solved than the banging on the wall started up again. The officer went back, and there was an angry confrontation in the hall. The problem was cured only by docking in Los Angeles at the end of the cruise as the cruise line, who I will only refer to as Carnival, threw up its hands. Since this cruise suffered from numerous problems, the kids banging on the wall were only part of our experience. On the other had, there was the couple having sex one night in the aft port Jacuzzi, which was an improvement in the typical entertainment. Did I mention this was the Carnival Inspiration?

Inspiration? Hmmmm. I guess that couple was inspired alright. Luckily for them it wasn't recorded!

[Z'Loth]

I’m on the Reflection right now, and something I’m seeing for the first time on my many Celebrity voyages is parents sitting their kids down at dinner (in this case, in Luminae) and plopping down a phone or tablet in front of them and putting on cartoons - audibly - during dinner! As if no one else was in the entire dining room.

 

(text deleted)

 

But...just the concept of a parent that will play a video - with sound - during dinner in the restaurant is...so inconsiderate.

 

This is a new twist on that old adage that "children should be seen, not heard". If they want to watch videos, then earbuds or headphones please on your precious little minions. I had to deal with it on a flight from Houston to Costa Rica last year.

 

Of course, if I'm in the dining room on a cruise, I would be using my mobile phone for three things:

• Taking pictures of dinner
  
• Sharing pictures of the excursions
  
• Looking at the downloaded map to see where we are at the moment. (Works better on an Alaska cruise than on a Carribean cruise)
  

Now, if I'm dining alone, I may be listening to an audiobook while I'm eating. After for Bluetooth speakers.... jeez, don't you know that they even have "silent disco" on board ships now.

 

Another family was playing a video for their child quite loudly during the muster drill safety video; I was shocked the staff didn’t ask them to shut it off in the name of safety.

 

When I took my Alaska cruise last year, they wouldn't even let me take pictures during the muster drill. Thanks Captain Francesco Schettino!!!

[OzKiwiJJ]

Would a machete be over the top?

 

Tempting! Very tempting! But I don't usually pack machetes in my luggage. Water will have to suffice! :D:D:D

[NLH Arizona]

 

On another cruise (I will refer to the ship only by its initials, Carnival Inspiration), the family in the suite next to us had two small children who would pound on the common wall from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. When asking the parents produced no results, we asked the ship to intervene. Same as with the cigar, no sooner than the officer return to tell us the problem was solved than the banging on the wall started up again. The officer went back, and there was an angry confrontation in the hall. The problem was cured only by docking in Los Angeles at the end of the cruise as the cruise line, who I will only refer to as Carnival, threw up its hands.

After the cruise line couldn't solve the issue, I would have waited about an hour after the banging stopped, figuring the children and parents were asleep, and then I would have started banging on the common wall and would have continued until 7:00 in the morning. I'm sure after one sleepless night, the couple would have stopped their children knowing what was to come for them if they didn't.

[Mythbuster]

I don't allow my children to have phones or devices at restaurants (we bring coloring books etc), but I'm writing to confirm you saw families in Luminae? I'm asking because, based on the children hatred I have seen on this board, I have been feeling anxious to bring my kids there. I feel like if they even speak, someone will complain. Last time, we ate in Luminae in 2015, the service was painfully slow (2 plus hours for a hamburger at lunch) and you could hear a pin drop in there so we didn't utilize very much. I'm trying to decide how to approach this on our upcoming cruise.

 

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"chlidren hatred"... I think that is quite an exaggeration. There is a huge difference between hearing children talking and children running wild and screaming. If anything this thread's common theme is hatred of poor parenting, not children. After all, we all know poor behaving children is not the children's fault, it is the parents. In my experience badly acting children are the exception, not the rule. If you have taught your children the appropriate way to act in public and don't leave them alone, you will have no problem and those around you will enjoy your family's company. I am sure you have nothing to worry about.

[Arzeena]

While inconsiderate behavior can occur anywhere (last Friday we left a restaurant because of noise from over lubricated adults), we have had a few such experiences on ships.

 

On one cruise where we had an aft cabin, our next door neighbor smoked cigars, and held the cigar around the divider on our side. When I confronted him, his excuse was that his wife did not like cigar smoke. I noted we did not, as well. When his behavior did not improve (it happened during late afternoon cocktails) we called customer service. An officer appeared, observed the hand and cigar, and went next door. The officer returned in five minutes and reported the problem was solved. Literally, while he was telling us this, the hand with cigar reappeared. The officer got the hotel manager involved, and we heard that the fellow was called in for a taking to. Then I ran into the wife, who accused me of being responsible for getting her husband in trouble! In any event, the hand with cigar did not return the balance of the cruise. This was a 15 day Trans-Atlantic.

 

 

You should have tied that hand to the balcony railing with a rope!:D

[ljk76]

:mad: I’ve read for years about chair hogs on CC, but on this cruise I’ve encountered a new low. Inconsiderate cruisers...especially parents of younger cruisers. They have the attitude that they are on vacation and they don’t care about the other cruisers on the ship. They let their children(?) run amok,yell on the balcony without any care about the people also on their balcony. That’s because the parents are probably at the pool. How safe is that. We have a balcony but can even enjoy it because the children on constantly on it ...screaming,yelling and banging on the partition. My wife and I wanted to have breakfast on the balcony this morning...it was a beautiful morning..but we had the butler bring our breakfast inside. It was unbearable,rude and extremely inconsiderate. What should we do, any suggestions when be appreciated.

 

Was your cruise out of Bayonne to Bermuda? The only time we experienced these issues on Celebrity was that summer cruise. There were over 600 children aboard, running amuck down hallways, in the buffet, and at the shows. As much as we love Bermuda and the Summit, never again! A grandmother across the hall let the kids plaster the door with stickers. The poor room steward...you know they were a bear to remove. I love kids, I’m a retired elementary teacher, but we avoid vacation weeks, try to book Aqua, and find fewer hassles.

[melsdt]

"chlidren hatred"... I think that is quite an exaggeration. There is a huge difference between hearing children talking and children running wild and screaming. If anything this thread's common theme is hatred of poor parenting, not children. After all, we all know poor behaving children is not the children's fault, it is the parents. In my experience badly acting children are the exception, not the rule. If you have taught your children the appropriate way to act in public and don't leave them alone, you will have no problem and those around you will enjoy your family's company. I am sure you have nothing to worry about.

When I say that, I am referring to this board, not this thread specifically. There are regularly threads on here where people say children don't belong on Celebrity, and so forth. In my experience, most parents do everything in their power to keep kids quiet and content, but they still are kids and deserve to enjoy themselves and not have people complain their vacation was ruined by their very presence. Luckily, my experience onboard has always been positive, but this board is hardly welcoming to families and I often want to cancel my cruise reading it if I may be honest.

 

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[keithm]

You should have tied that hand to the balcony railing with a rope!:D

Personally, I'd rather tie it to a Curling stone & send him on his way. Would be a waste of a good Curling stone, however.

[keithm]

When I say that, I am referring to this board, not this thread specifically. There are regularly threads on here where people say children don't belong on Celebrity, and so forth. In my experience, most parents do everything in their power to keep kids quiet and content, but they still are kids and deserve to enjoy themselves and not have people complain their vacation was ruined by their very presence. Luckily, my experience onboard has always been positive, but this board is hardly welcoming to families and I often want to cancel my cruise reading it if I may be honest.

 

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I still have to say in 15 years of cruising, we've never seen bad kids. The parents...:(

[the_dylaness]

As a cruiser who enjoys peace and quiet, but also as a parent of young children, 3 and 7, I can see where they may be no possible solution here.

 

I am very strict with my kids about loud noise in public, running indoors, "inside voices", please and thank you, etc. We try very hard in places like restaurants to NOT encroach on the enjoyment of others around us. Having said that, the natural speaking and noise level of small children is sometimes a little louder than most (quiet) adults.

 

Kids are naturally, even in a well managed state, going to maybe be a bit louder than two adults sipping coffee.

I know when I cruise with my husband I definitely really enjoy the peace and quiet of the balcony, and would frankly be a little dismayed to hear "tiny voices" next door... but it's also not possible to keep children silent.

 

No idea what the solution is.

[Travelcat2]

Sorry, but it is almost unbelievable that people can sail with masses of children and feel that they were not a problem. My guess is that people saying this are parents of the uncontrolled children.

 

I'm not saying that children should not cruise -- they should cruise during the summer and during school breaks. Many of us that prefer not sailing with children should be able to cruise pretty much childless the rest of the time. People take their children out of school (or are home schooled) and cruise when most children are in school which leaves them fairly bored on the ship without other children to play with.

 

It is not okay for children to scream or cry during a meal in a restaurant. Responsible parents will remove the child until they are settled down and can return to the table quietly. This is how they learn how to sit quietly and respectfully when in a restaurant - whether at sea or at home.

 

It is not okay for children to run up and down the halls screaming - ever!

 

It is not okay for children to play in the elevator - pressing all of the buttons - just because they can.

 

It is not okay for children to be up late at night disturbing others.

 

It is not okay for children to take over swimming pools so that others cannot swim.

 

There are areas where children can play so there is no need to terrorize hundreds of passengers by their behavior.

 

Finally, yes - it is definitely the fault of the parents. Fortunately, as I have learned, karma is a b***h. Whatever behavior you have permitted your children to do that is not acceptable to others will come back and bite you when they get older. After all, these little darlings don't have to listen to you now and definitely won't listen to you when they are older.

 

P.S. Don't want to hear about adult behavior as it can be easily handled by the crew. If they continue being drunk, disruptive or ???, they will be nicely escorted off of the ship.

[the_dylaness]

This has been an issue for quite a while and everywhere. Parents will argue that it keeps the kids "entertained" while the rest of us look on in disbelief. I think the flashing screen is just as distracting as any noise it emits; the noise just adds that little something extra, doesn't it? I really question the parenting skills of anyone who would let their kid be a zombie like that during a meal. Restaurant meals are opportunities to interact with your children as well as teach them manners. If they're that miserable, then take them to the buffet and ship them off to the kids club afterwards rather than distract your fellow diners with unwanted noise and flashing light.

 

Agree, and disagree.

 

In general, yes, I think having a tablet at the table is a little rude and missing an opportunity for a good learning experience.

Having said that, sometimes on vacation, we ALL need a break from "learning opportunities" and sometimes just breathe. My children have NEVER been allowed in ANY public place to watch a video or use a tablet without headphones. No headphones? Mute it. I'm sorry if anyone was distracted by the flashing screen, but sometimes that's better than cranky children.... everyone orders, we enjoy a cocktail, the kids spend 15 min. anesthetized by the tablet, the appetizers arrive, the tablets go away, and all is right with the world. It is vacation, you know.

Edited August 6, 2018 by the_dylaness
spelling error

[bEwAbG]

I'm sorry if anyone was distracted by the flashing screen, but sometimes that's better than cranky children.... everyone orders, we enjoy a cocktail, the kids spend 15 min. anesthetized by the tablet, the appetizers arrive, the tablets go away, and all is right with the world. It is vacation, you know.

 

Isn't that this thread in a nutshell? Doing what you want and everyone else be damned? It's a vacation for everyone else in the room, too, you know.

[4774Papa]

Sorry, but it is almost unbelievable that people can sail with masses of children and feel that they were not a problem. My guess is that people saying this are parents of the uncontrolled children.

 

I'm not saying that children should not cruise -- they should cruise during the summer and during school breaks. Many of us that prefer not sailing with children should be able to cruise pretty much childless the rest of the time. People take their children out of school (or are home schooled) and cruise when most children are in school which leaves them fairly bored on the ship without other children to play with.

 

It is not okay for children to scream or cry during a meal in a restaurant. Responsible parents will remove the child until they are settled down and can return to the table quietly. This is how they learn how to sit quietly and respectfully when in a restaurant - whether at sea or at home.

 

It is not okay for children to run up and down the halls screaming - ever!

 

It is not okay for children to play in the elevator - pressing all of the buttons - just because they can.

 

It is not okay for children to be up late at night disturbing others.

 

It is not okay for children to take over swimming pools so that others cannot swim.

 

There are areas where children can play so there is no need to terrorize hundreds of passengers by their behavior.

 

Finally, yes - it is definitely the fault of the parents. Fortunately, as I have learned, karma is a b***h. Whatever behavior you have permitted your children to do that is not acceptable to others will come back and bite you when they get older. After all, these little darlings don't have to listen to you now and definitely won't listen to you when they are older.

 

P.S. Don't want to hear about adult behavior as it can be easily handled by the crew. If they continue being drunk, disruptive or ???, they will be nicely escorted off of the ship.

I generally agree with your post. Kids should not be allowed to run wild on a cruise ship or anywhere else in a public place. The one item that I somewhat disagree with is your comment about taking over a swimming pool. Pools on ship tend to be crowded and if kids are using the pool and fill it up, not a problem, but if they "terrorize" as you characterize, that is the problem. We rarely see this problem on our cruises, since the shortest cruise we take is 7 days and most are two weeks or longer.

 

My kids tended to be a bit hyper, but somehow we managed to go to a restaurant and make it through without terrorizing the other patrons. This was before the cyber revolution when people used to interact with each other instead of falling in love with their electronic devices.

 

I must admit that when I visit my grandchildren ages 11 and 8, that I mentally curse the electronic devices that are almost a wall between them and grandpa. If I get 10% of their time, I am lucky. Also, they tend to interrupt me all the time.

I think this is more a product of having two career intensive parents that get worn down by active kids and haven't rounded out their parenting.

 

This is the age we live in and at the age of 70, I can say that it hasn't always been this way. Part of it is our culture as well. Still, the cruise line should be able to do what is necessary when the parents can't get the job done.

[bigbeergut]

Sorry, but it is almost unbelievable that people can sail with masses of children and feel that they were not a problem. My guess is that people saying this are parents of the uncontrolled children.

 

I'm not saying that children should not cruise -- they should cruise during the summer and during school breaks. Many of us that prefer not sailing with children should be able to cruise pretty much childless the rest of the time. People take their children out of school (or are home schooled) and cruise when most children are in school which leaves them fairly bored on the ship without other children to play with.

 

It is not okay for children to scream or cry during a meal in a restaurant. Responsible parents will remove the child until they are settled down and can return to the table quietly. This is how they learn how to sit quietly and respectfully when in a restaurant - whether at sea or at home.

 

It is not okay for children to run up and down the halls screaming - ever!

 

It is not okay for children to play in the elevator - pressing all of the buttons - just because they can.

 

It is not okay for children to be up late at night disturbing others.

 

It is not okay for children to take over swimming pools so that others cannot swim.

 

There are areas where children can play so there is no need to terrorize hundreds of passengers by their behavior.

 

Finally, yes - it is definitely the fault of the parents. Fortunately, as I have learned, karma is a b***h. Whatever behavior you have permitted your children to do that is not acceptable to others will come back and bite you when they get older. After all, these little darlings don't have to listen to you now and definitely won't listen to you when they are older.

 

P.S. Don't want to hear about adult behavior as it can be easily handled by the crew. If they continue being drunk, disruptive or ???, they will be nicely escorted off of the ship.

 

WOW

 

I am certainly glad that you are around to make the rules for the children. Have you thought about forwarding these to Celebrity to publish? Perhaps these could be included in the packet of material that is in the cabin we you arrive.

 

Have you also thought about establishing rules for adults and we can also publish them?

 

I think the biggest problem is that everyone doesn't understand your rules and anything that we can do to educate the rest of the cruisers would be good.

 

Perhaps you can start with this question that always confuses me. My polo shirts usually come with two or three buttons, is is acceptable to leave the top 1 or two buttons open or do I need to button all of the buttons.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

Edited August 6, 2018 by bigbeergut

[SmoothFlying]

As I always remind my wife, Cruising, is just like life in a small city. You meet all kinds of people, most are wonderful. some are.. well, let's say stupid but that's out of ignorance, you just smile and enjoy your time with the good folks, ignore the worst and move on. Odds are you won't ever see the worst after (hopefully) the cruise.:rolleyes:

 

Mac

[NotThePest_Too]

I generally agree with your post. Kids should not be allowed to run wild on a cruise ship or anywhere else in a public place. The one item that I somewhat disagree with is your comment about taking over a swimming pool. Pools on ship tend to be crowded and if kids are using the pool and fill it up, not a problem, but if they "terrorize" as you characterize, that is the problem. We rarely see this problem on our cruises, since the shortest cruise we take is 7 days and most are two weeks or longer.

 

My kids tended to be a bit hyper, but somehow we managed to go to a restaurant and make it through without terrorizing the other patrons. This was before the cyber revolution when people used to interact with each other instead of falling in love with their electronic devices.

 

I must admit that when I visit my grandchildren ages 11 and 8, that I mentally curse the electronic devices that are almost a wall between them and grandpa. If I get 10% of their time, I am lucky. Also, they tend to interrupt me all the time.

I think this is more a product of having two career intensive parents that get worn down by active kids and haven't rounded out their parenting.

 

This is the age we live in and at the age of 70, I can say that it hasn't always been this way. Part of it is our culture as well. Still, the cruise line should be able to do what is necessary when the parents can't get the job done.

 

What is in society is also onboard the ship as the population comes from...well, you know.

 

My daughter-in-law took at the time my one grandchild, a girl, to the HOA's pool. The other mothers where having their own little gossip clutch; pity party, organ recital (Pick one or all) and not watching their kids. After the third time pulling one of their kids up out of the water, she went over to them and told them they really needed to watch what their children were doing. They treated her as if she was their paid babysitter and one cursed her out.

 

I've heard, "Never demand from others what you are unwilling or unable to do for yourself." Can you imagine what would have happened if she didn't do anything to pick up the kids out of the water. My granddaughter was four at the time and since the age of 6 months had swimming lessons and my D-I-L still watched over her like a hawk.

 

Ramona

[NLH Arizona]

 

I am certainly glad that you are around to make the rules for the children. Have you thought about forwarding these to Celebrity to publish? Perhaps these could be included in the packet of material that is in the cabin we you arrive.

 

I don't think the poster posted rules and there should be no reason to post or put in a packet, because I think what he posted was just common sense and common courtesy. I think children should be allowed to have fun, but sometimes they cross the line and that is where their parents have to reel them back in to acceptable behavior when out in public. I would bet that a lot of behavior many have posted on here would not be allowed in the child's home, but somehow when they go on vacation, the same rules don't apply for some children.

 

I agree with all of them, with the exception of the pool. Children should be allowed to play in the pool, but should be told not to purposely splash other people (adults not in their party).

[Marelaine]

Agree, and disagree.

 

In general, yes, I think having a tablet at the table is a little rude and missing an opportunity for a good learning experience.

Having said that, sometimes on vacation, we ALL need a break from "learning opportunities" and sometimes just breathe. My children have NEVER been allowed in ANY public place to watch a video or use a tablet without headphones. No headphones? Mute it. I'm sorry if anyone was distracted by the flashing screen, but sometimes that's better than cranky children.... everyone orders, we enjoy a cocktail, the kids spend 15 min. anesthetized by the tablet, the appetizers arrive, the tablets go away, and all is right with the world. It is vacation, you know.

 

The tablet isn't rude to the neighboring tables, as long as it's not loud enough to interfere with their conversations. If you don't mind your kids playing quietly during dinner, then others shouldn't judge.

[Orator]

Loud talkers and laughers tend to bother me more than kids with tablets. People who feel they must whistle as loud as possible in the Theater are the most inconsiderate to me. In fact, they might be dangerous to those near them. On one cruise a man did his high pitch whistle right behind me and it impacted my hearing for two days.

[WesternBroncoCruiser]

A simple conversation with the parents done in just the right way might do the trick. Many years back we were in an aft Veranda near the suites and concierge class on the Summit. My son had always been taught to be polite and courteous, but I have to admit that sometimes he was just clueless.

 

 

 

Our neighbor who was in a suite passed us in the hall and was very nice about it but said something like "Oh you must be the nice young man who slams the door to his room." It looks horrible when I type it but she really did say it in a nice way, and we realized that we needed to be more careful in opening and closing the door to our room.

 

 

 

Maybe the parents in the OP's situation had no clue, or maybe they just didn't care. Finding the right time and the right words is they were just clueless might have helped. Then again if they were indeed just rude, it might have made things worse.