Apex-Children in Solarium

[RichYak]

3 minutes ago, docsneeze said:

Not entitlement, fairness if you don't care for the compassion term.

Asking for rules to be broken for your personal, specific desire is not fairness. It really is entitlement. Not being able to realize it, only underscores it.

[hiccups]

3 minutes ago, docsneeze said:

No, just a brief chance to swim in a pool on the ship just like everyone else.  Only a few hours total out of a 2 week cruise is not going to mess up your cruise.  We already pay significantly more for a third person who will not eat much food or take up more space.  This is not a kids free cruise.  Not entitlement, fairness if you don't care for the compassion term.

“Fairness” is accepting the rules under which you booked rather than expecting exceptions.  If swimming indoors for your child was important, you should have booked a cruise line that allows it.

[docsneeze]

2 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I guess we have a different definition of "fair". To me, it is unfair to sell adults cruises with the promise of an adult's only area and then open it up to kids.

For one hour a day in only bad weather?  Yes, there is a different definition of fair.  It is only access not exclusive use.

[JamieLogical]

Just now, docsneeze said:

For one hour a day in only bad weather?  Yes, there is a different definition of fair.  It is only access not exclusive use.

 

Were it advertised up front that children would be given access to the Solarium for specific hours each day, then I would have no qualm with that. However, that is not the case. So currently, it is unfair to allow children in there when all of the adults who are present booked with the promise that it was an adults-only area.

[Bo1953]

11 minutes ago, docsneeze said:

No, just a brief chance to swim in a pool on the ship just like everyone else.  Only a few hours total out of a 2 week cruise is not going to mess up your cruise.  We already pay significantly more for a third person who will not eat much food or take up more space.  This is not a kids free cruise.  Not entitlement, fairness if you don't care for the compassion term.

d - if My memory remembers 'correctly' there are situations (read: narrow window) under which children are permitted in The Solarium to swim pre-pandemic sailing.

 

Regardless of the situation, as I understand it you have sailed X before and are aware of the policies regarding children and facilities aboard its' ships. Each of us can pull the C-19 card in hopes that a policy will be changed to allow us to do what we want to do.

 

If the policy is too restrictive for your taste regardless of the class of service you are sailing in, maybe, just maybe a fly-in vacation is in order and then you can book hotels or homes or apartments with pools that fit your desires and not worry about X's policy and those who enjoy the policy as it is applied to The Solarium.

 

After all, you did say that "we know what we are getting into here." does this also mean policies aboard X?

 

Since it is a "Family Heritage" trip, maybe a fly in to Ireland be better option, as then you will be able to have personalized and extensive excursions to explore the family heritage better, then fly on to Iceland for a few days? This approach can easily take two (2) weeks to accomplish, pending on the family home city/county and etc.

 

At any rate, they (children) will be able to swim in a pool which they can do so aboard, may not be what one considers "ideal weather" but they can swim. Or is this for your personal comfort as opposed to the kids?

 

Just a few of my thoughts.

 

Good luck on whatever the final decision will be and bon voyage

[Bo1953]

25 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Asking for rules to be broken for your personal, specific desire is not fairness. It really is entitlement. Not being able to realize it, only underscores it.

r - I do this all the time when aboard, does it fly, usually not... LOL

 

bon voyage

[dkjretired]

28 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Were it advertised up front that children would be given access to the Solarium for specific hours each day, then I would have no qualm with that. However, that is not the case. So currently, it is unfair to allow children in there when all of the adults who are present booked with the promise that it was an adults-only area.

In post # 23 I posted the section on allowing children in, they use the words “select hours”. That is a cover all to allow them to do it anytime. It reminds me of a tow truck driver where I worked who had on his truck he was open 23 1/2 hours per day. If he didn’t want to go, it was the half hour he was closed. Celebrity put that policy there on purpose, anyone complains, refer to the website.

[peanut head]

1 hour ago, docsneeze said:

 

 

Not entitlement, compassion.  Asking for an hour a day in bad weather does not fit the definition of entitlement.  As for the 4 y/o memory issue, with Covid 19 and being older parents, likely older than other posters here, life is short and never know when you will have this opportunity again.  Several of my close friends have died in the past year and need to make the most of life now. 

And I have terminal Lymphoma so I, too, try to make the most that life has to offer...and not by infringing on other's.

[crusin'k]

My question is--- why is the Solarium pool open to children/families for "select hours" on a Caribbean cruise when the weather is perfectly fine?  This happened on our cruise on Silhouette in December.  I don't think that children (families) realize how loud it gets when they are playing/having fun in an indoor pool area.  Why can't they use the outside pool - there were plenty of people and children using that pool.  Also, if it happens to be a little chilly one day but nice the other days, perhaps just forego using the pool that 1 day.  As others have said, there are plenty of other things for children to do.

[LGW59]

31 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

d - if My memory remembers 'correctly' there are situations (read: narrow window) under which children are permitted in The Solarium to swim pre-pandemic sailing.

 

Regardless of the situation, as I understand it you have sailed X before and are aware of the policies regarding children and facilities aboard its' ships. Each of us can pull the C-19 card in hopes that a policy will be changed to allow us to do what we want to do.

 

If the policy is too restrictive for your taste regardless of the class of service you are sailing in, maybe, just maybe a fly-in vacation is in order and then you can book hotels or homes or apartments with pools that fit your desires and not worry about X's policy and those who enjoy the policy as it is applied to The Solarium.

 

After all, you did say that "we know what we are getting into here." does this also mean policies aboard X?

 

Since it is a "Family Heritage" trip, maybe a fly in to Ireland be better option, as then you will be able to have personalized and extensive excursions to explore the family heritage better, then fly on to Iceland for a few days? This approach can easily take two (2) weeks to accomplish, pending on the family home city/county and etc.

 

At any rate, they (children) will be able to swim in a pool which they can do so aboard, may not be what one considers "ideal weather" but they can swim. Or is this for your personal comfort as opposed to the kids?

 

Just a few of my thoughts.

 

Good luck on whatever the final decision will be and bon voyage

and perhaps do it at an age when the 4 year old will remember the value in doing so.  We took my then 4 year old daughter to WDW when she was four and my son was 12, she has zero memory of it, my son, best vacation he ever had with extended family.

[miched]

We have been in the Solarium during the times that  children were allowed.  One time was a military family whose father just came back from the conflict in the Mid East.   They had 4  children and were very well behave and actually better than many of the adults.

I have a low tolerance for children but those that sail on Celebrity are usually well behaved and don’t bother me

 

I would rather have them then those people that bring their so called therapy  animals with them.   If required no problem but most just don’t want to leave Pooh pooh home and abuse the system, and those  people are more of a problem than the animals.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

[kathynorth]

We're recently off the Apex (Feb 19th cruise), spent lots of time in the Solarium, and didn't encounter any children in that location. The Apex Solarium pool is smaller than on M or S class ships, so even a couple of playful children would IMO make this an uncomfortable experience. Also, due to being indoors, there's an echo, so noise would be a problem. 

[grouchomarx]

There is a large sign outside the Solarium entrance that says 16 and over.  No exceptions posted.

I would not want to see kids in there.  It is a tranquil oasis and no matter how "well behaved" kids may be, once in a pool they tend to make a racket and lots of splashing/diving/cannon balling and stupid things like snorkeling in the pool (have experienced all this on multiple cruises). Absolutely not what I signed up for.  Especially if they went in the hot tub.  Sorry not sorry, don't ever wanna see kids in the Solarium.  Kids are allowed in the Retreat and I don't really care for that but I respect it because it's not advertised anywhere as adults only.

[LGW59]

3 hours ago, docsneeze said:

We booked a trip to Iceland in July so how else would a child see the natural wonders of that country, YouTube videos?  Swimming is NOT a priority, but a half hour dip when it is cold outdoors is really not asking much.  Yes, Iceland has geothermal lakes but may not be suitable for young children.  We are in suites but even retreat is outdoors.  This is not entitlement but something called consideration and compassion for other passengers.  Nobody is banishing you from the Solarium when kids are there during limited times.  We are older parents blessed with a miracle child later in life so we see your viewpoints but the joy of children far outweighs the inconveniences.  Hrhdhd, I would be happy to escort you to the kids club and request some limited hours for you too!

 Hrhdhd, I would be happy to escort you to the kids club and request some limited hours for you too!  Funny, I just cannot ever recall any adult on here asking for an exception to be made for them to attend the kids club.  You are grasping at straws.  You knew what you were getting when you booked, accept and stop whining already.  

[mfs2k]

I don’t understand why anyone would take kids on an adult oriented vacation, whether it is on Celebrity, at a casino, or at an adult all-inclusive resort.

 

I also don’t understand why any adults seeking an adults oriented vacation would go on a Disney cruise or a destination focused on entertaining families. 
 

I wouldn’t go to Disney World and complain about all the children. Please don’t come to a celebrity cruise ship and complain that the adults only indoor pool is for adults only.

[Dar & Bob]

6 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

I don’t understand why anyone would take kids on an adult oriented vacation, whether it is on Celebrity, at a casino, or at an adult all-inclusive resort.

 

I also don’t understand why any adults seeking an adults oriented vacation would go on a Disney cruise or a destination focused on entertaining families. 
 

I wouldn’t go to Disney World and complain about all the children. Please don’t come to a celebrity cruise ship and complain that the adults only indoor pool is for adults only.

Very well said.  It's the way of the world "the rules don't apply to me"

[sgmn]

On 3/4/2022 at 8:26 PM, dkjretired said:

States right on the web site that Celebrity reserves the right to open the solarium to familes, so no rules are being broken.

 

From the age restrictions portion of web site.

 

* During inclement weather and select hours, the ship may permit the Solarium Pool (if covered) to be used by persons under age sixteen (16) provided they are directly supervised by a parent or guardian.

 

Select hours comment pretty much gives them the right to do it anytime. 

I  seem to remember on my celebrity cruise around the UK  the weather wasn't great and it was open for a few hours to families early morning and late afternoon. But there was a notice at the entrance with the hours on it

[dkjretired]

48 minutes ago, Dar & Bob said:

Very well said.  It's the way of the world "the rules don't apply to me"

No rules were broken…

[mfs2k]

Perhaps it’s also not compassionate to restrict access to the bridge, engine room, and galley because the child is filled with wonderment and curiosity. Perhaps every 4 year old should have an All-Access Pass and a master key to venture wherever he or she chooses to go. 

[hrhdhd]

21 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

Perhaps it’s also not compassionate to restrict access to the bridge, engine room, and galley because the child is filled with wonderment and curiosity. Perhaps every 4 year old should have an All-Access Pass and a master key to venture wherever he or she chooses to go. 

Casino, baby!

[mfs2k]

1 minute ago, hrhdhd said:

Casino, baby!

“4 year old needs a new pair of shoes 👠 “

[docsneeze]

Sorry to all of you who have been offended by my harmless request for very restricted access to the Solarium only on bad weather days.  I have a few quick comments and will refrain from further participation in what has become a mean spirited discussion.

 

IMHO, Solarium is adults only and should stay that way.  My only request was for very restricted access on bad weather days. This is not exclusive and I would agree to any stipulation regarding child and parent behavior when using such facilities.  Also fine with no pool access if it is so disturbing to others.  This is not considered entitlement.

 

Celebrity is not an adults only cruise line.  They are trying to appeal to multi-generational families which is good strategic planning considering future demographics for cruising.  They have kids clubs but pools are also part of the attraction.  True adults only cruise lines are Viking, Oceania, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea and others.  

 

To the person with chronic lymphoma, my sincerest prayers for your health and enjoyment of life.  Newer treatments are very promising.

 

I am in Healthcare and we have  been fighting this dreadful war against Covid-19 over the past 2 years without a vacation.  I believe  we are deserving of a vacation too. 

 

We are fortunate to be able to afford upscale vacations yet we consciously do everything possible to.be respectful of others.  The mass market lines do not have the same quality of food, accommodations, and service that Celebrity has.  We tried them already and the difference is obvious.

 

Finally, the most important responsibility of parents is to serve as role models for our children.  Paramount amongst those goals is to be respectful and considerate to others.  We hope we will.succeed in this endeavor and the use of the Solarium seems trivial in this regard.  

 

Thank you all for your attention to my post and I wish you nothing  but health, happiness, and safe travels.  Take care.

[mfs2k]

9 minutes ago, docsneeze said:

My only request was for very restricted access on bad weather days. This is not exclusive and I would agree to any stipulation

I don’t think anyone objects to this when it’s scheduled and there’s notice to passengers so they can plan their day accordingly. It’s entitled parents who think they are above the rules which annoys many of us. 

Edited March 7, 2022 by mfs2k

[Dar & Bob]

43 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

I don’t think anyone objects to this when it’s scheduled and there’s notice to passengers so they can plan their day accordingly. It’s entitled parents who think they are above the rules which annoys many of us. 

Exactly, we have too many parents that want you to "enjoy" their children and accept "kids will be kids"  I truly hope if this access is allowed it stays at the limited access.  Celebrity may not be an Adults only line but it is definitely geared that way.  Time will tell

[juksing]

8 hours ago, docsneeze said:

So if the weather is lousy, where can children go swimming on the ship, the bathtub?  We have an upcoming cruise with a 4-year old to cold weather ports, do we ask for wet suits to swim in an outdoor pool?   I understand the desire for a quiet adults only area. But it is a reasonable compromise for limited hours access.  Only thing is most children will eat early at 5 pm for early bedtime reasons AND to be less disruptive to guests eating at 6 or later.  So 4 to 7 not great hours either.  Please have a little consideration for us families in the same manner we try to be considerate for your needs.  By the way, leaving kids at home is NOT an option.

I think you should be happy if the solarium pool is open to children 4-7 daily, that sounds like a very fair compromise by Celebrity for what is supposed to be an adults area.  You can try to adjust the child to a later schedule before you go so maybe the hours will suit you better.  Unfortunately you chose the itinerary so if swimming is a priority than it would have been better to pick warm weather ports.  We have cruised with our daughter since she was 7 months old and beyond the pool she has always had a lot of fun irregardless.