Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters.
Cruisers love to debate the behaviour of children on ships, and one topic that commonly comes to the surface is that of curfews. Most cruise lines have curfews that dictate that kids of certain age, generally 17 years or younger, can’t stay out past a certain time without an adult, generally about 1am.
It often comes under question how strongly these rules are or aren’t enforced, but a recent letter from Carnival Cruises has gone viral after a cruiser received a letter informing them that their 14 year old son was spotted out after curfew.
The letter reads: “Your child, Mr Claudo Sarmiento Barra, 14 years, has violated our curfew policy for minors. As outlined in our guidelines, and reinforced during the safety briefing, unless accompanied by someone 21 years or older from their travelling party, all guests, 17 years and under, must be clear of all public areas by 1:00AM.
“We understand that our younger guests are eager to explore and enjoy the ship, however, the curfew is a mandatory policy. If your child violates this policy again during this cruise, a fine of up to $500 will be imposed. A third violation will result in disembarkation from the ship, for all in the travel group, and placement on our no-sail list.
“We know these consequences are rigid, but we take this matter very seriously.”
While the punishments may seem harsh, most cruisers appear to be in agreement, with many even calling for an earlier curfew.
Here’s what cruisers had to say.
Sheila Fry-Higgins said: “I agree with this totally. I believe that the 1am curfew is more generous than it should be. The kids do not need to be out unaccompanied by an adult that late.”
AJ Cannon agreed: “Should be 12am curfew and they need to add for kid channels or more movie options so they have something to watch while in the cabin. But I get the 1am since thats how long O2 is open.”
Terri Whitworth said this level of enforcement is necessary: “The cruise lines have to have rules. When a cruiser gets woke up by banging on doors, running down the halls. Yes! If should be enforced. Parents are responsible for their children.”
Some even called for the curfew to apply to more passengers. Curtis Pete Ellison said: “Hell, I think the curfew needs to extend to 25 years and under. So I totally agree with Carnival.”
Elsewhere, cruisers continue to complain about the lack of cruise options out of Melbourne.
Rowan Humphries said: “As much as we would love to cruise from Melbourne we’d only do it if Royal Caribbean ships were able to so as we love cruising with them.”
David Bowker wrote: “Carnival just presume everyone will fly into a port to take a cruise but not everyone can fly. It wasn’t even that long ago that 3 ships were home-ported in Melbourne.”
John Gercken added another take: “Much as I’ve loved cruising down to Tassie many times, most people want to cruise to warmer places, particularly if you know Melbourne weather and Melbourne is one day longer in each direction to reach ports in Fiji, Vanuatu and New Cal.
“Plus cruise lines want to encourage visitors from other countries and Port Phillip doesn’t have the appeal or foreign recognition of Sydney Harbour.”
Please keep those comments coming!
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I think kids should be not seen or heard after 9pm. I think we’ve all had horror nights with kids running amok, completely unsupervised with no accountability whatsoever. The corridors and cabin walls are not exactly soundproofed…mind you, the same should apply for constant door bangers, how difficult is it to close the cabin door yourself, rather than let it slam?
I’m glad that they are doing that , my last time I was on cruise was 4 years ago and I was disappointed as I went on the cruise to get away from screaming kids running up and down pressing the lift buttons and riding then up and down with out supervision, children should be not allowed to run around and when they are in lounge areas sit with there families
Absolutely fair. So sick of parents going on holidays from parenting. They should also be barred for life.
Of Course kids should be banned from ships when they are roaming around after curfew. Stupidity of parents allowing this should mean they would also be banned. Safety besides Stupidity comes into affect and managing all of this by the Ship’s Crew is simply not on.