Some Carnival cruisers want kids in bars banned – others say let them stay

Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. This week we look at the issue of kids in bars. On family cruise lines, kids are generally allowed in bars, but some cruisers feel that limits or curfews need to be put in place. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters. 

Cruisers have been debating whether kids should continue to be allowed in bars on cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Generally, on family cruise lines, kids are allowed to be in bars and lounges as long as they’re accompanied by an adult.

For parents, this can mean that they can enjoy bars, karaoke and parties even though they’re travelling with children. However, others feel that having kids in these spaces can dampen the atmosphere, and even create safety risks.

It’s also a common complaint on family cruise ships in general that kids often aren’t supervised closely enough and can end up running around on their own and disturbing other guests. This can of course be exacerbated by alcohol, making parents less watchful as the night goes on.

Some cruisers feel that part of sailing on a family line is accepting that kids will be around, and simply trying to enjoy your cruise. Others feel that earlier curfews in alcohol-serving venues or more adults-only spaces on family cruise ships would be a plus.

After a cruiser complained about kids in the Red Frog Bar on a popular Carnival Cruise online forum, plenty of cruisers shared their opinions.

Cruiser Amanda Thomson said: “There’s no rule that kids can’t be there, and there weren’t that many kids between 6pm-10pm while I was there. They were dancing and having fun and weren’t hurting anyone.”

Phil Caminiti took a similar line: “Isn’t that literally the whole idea of it. Kids and families all enjoying time together?”

Other cruisers agree and point out that kids are paying to be onboard as well, and there are other spaces just for adults.

“Considering every child pays the same amount to be on the ship as you do as an adult, they have the same right to be there. If they were genuinely out of control, then security should have been involved.

“If you choose to cruise on a family-oriented ship but want an adults-only space, then the onus is on you to use the adults-only areas provided. If you didn’t like the atmosphere at the RedFrog, move to the adults-only nightclub. It opens at 10:30 most nights.”

A mum who cruises with her kids says she finds it frustrating when people feel that her kids shouldn’t be allowed in the bar with her.

“There is an adults-only section on the ship, is there not? We got off the Splendor this week and a lady was whinging that my kids were in there at 4 pm- sorry but kids club is closed then, and we pay the same amount as everyone else so entitled to use the area with our kids.

“I get it if parents don’t supervise and the kids are disruptive, but it’s a cruise ship for all ages to enjoy at the end of the day.”

Another cruiser took the opposite stance, arguing that parents in bars rarely watch their kids properly and can ruin the atmosphere.

“People who take kids never think they are a problem, but personally I don’t with kids being in any bar area where people are intoxicated late at night, as parents are half-tanked and don’t watch their kids. We need some adult time away from kids for people without kids.

“Your kids are your problem not everyone’s. It’s not great parenting to include your kids in adults situations with alcohol and no supervision.”

Another cruiser agreed that they would like to see some change in the rules.

“Perhaps there should be a compromise: kids can stay for the first hour to enjoy some fun and dancing, but then there should be a cut-off period so the adults can dance without fear of stepping on a child, knocking them over or having an adult fall over, especially the older generation who like to do the ballroom style. 

“Also, some of the music has swear words that kids don’t need to be exposed to, and some of the commentary from the band members.”

Another cruiser felt similarly.

“Totally agree. More than happy for kids to be there so long as they behave – but they don’t. Last cruise I was in they had karaoke in the Red Frog. It should have been renamed kids karaoke.”

Another cruiser tacked on: “I think the kids have a really late curfew of about 1am which I think is ridiculous. I’m all for kids having fun but feel there needs to be more areas for adults to chill and relax, listen to some music and have a dance, if they want.”

What do you think? Should there be a curfew for kids in the bar?

Please keep those comments coming!

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