Do kids need to be reigned in more on cruise ships?
Royal Caribbean has always been a family-focused brand, providing exciting vacation experiences for all ages. However, some adult cruisers feel the number of unruly kids onboard degrades their cruising experience.
At a talk on Utopia of the Seas' preview cruise this week, one travel agent shared that she's receiving a lot of complaints from adult clients.
She claims some of her clients are even leaving Royal Caribbean for other cruise lines because of the amount of unruly children onboard.
"I'm hoping you take this as an opportunity for improvement," she said to senior management on Utopia of the Seas.
She explained that adults are having an increasing amount of problems with unruly children onboard Royal Caribbean's vessels, particularly on Icon of the Seas, a ship marketed to families.
"Icon is fantastic, but [at] the swim-up bar, there's kids splashing into your drinks."
She said that she was on the dance floor at Bolero's at midnight, and still had children crawling through adult's legs as they tried to dance.
Because of these incidents, passengers are starting to leave Royal Caribbean for other quieter, more adult-focused cruise lines.
To improve the adult experience, the travel agent suggested more adult-oriented areas or curfews at the bars onboard.
Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, responded that the cruise line hears passengers' concerns and will look into it.
Royal Caribbean will revisit curfews for kids
For cruisers ages 17 and under, Royal Caribbean has a curfew of 1:00 A.M.
Security staff onboard take measures to enforce this curfew by asking kids to return to their staterooms and checking the SeaPasses of passengers in public areas.
Michael Bayley said that the cruise line has been receiving an increased amount of written complaints about kids in public areas, so the line is willing to revisit the curfew policy.
"It's probably time for us to take a look at [the curfew]. I think the idea of curfews in some of the bars is a great idea," he said.
Other senior staff at the talk suggested an earlier curfew, especially for adult-focused bar and lounge areas, such as Bolero's or the swim-up bar.
Mr. Bayley reassured passengers that Royal Caribbean is still a family brand that welcomes kids onboard, but "we do need to make sure that we respect the adults."
"And you know what they say, everybody loves their own kids, but they're not so fond of everybody else's kids."
Royal Caribbean has already made changes in recent years to recognize customer feedback regarding kids onboard.
The Solarium, a crystal canopy pool area located at the front of most Royal Caribbean ships, used to allow guests aged 16 and over.
In September of 2023, the cruise line raised the age limit to 18 years old, keeping the adults-only name consistent.
Parents can continue to take advantage of Adventure Ocean
Royal Caribbean has a free kid's program across its fleet.
Adventure Ocean features activities for kids aged 6 months to 11 years, with different rooms and games tailored to each age range.
Parents have to register at the beginning of the cruise and sign their children in and out at each visit.
On sea days, the area is open from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M., then from 2 P.M. to 5 P.M. and from 7 P.M. to 10 P.M.
Adventure Ocean is completely free between those hours, but there is an extra charge per hour after 10:00 P.M.
On port days, Adventure Ocean is open for the entire time that the ship is docked at port.
Guests booked on Royal Caribbean shore excursions can even drop off their kids and head to their destination.
Tween and teen cruisers can also find activities in separate hangout spaces designed specifically for them.
To avoid infringing on other cruiser's vacations, parents can take advantage of Adventure Ocean and should avoid leaving their children unattended.
Royal Caribbean's guest conduct policy states that parents and guardians are responsible for the behavior of accompanying minors, and must appropriately supervise them throughout the cruise vacation.
Read more: Royal Caribbean is testing a way to track your kids on the world's largest cruise ship
Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's Senior Vice President of Travel, Trade, and Support also spoke about the activities available for kids onboard Royal Caribbean's ships.
"We are reevaluating some of the activities for the young children and also the teens to keep them more engaged with one another in our different venues like Adventure Ocean," she said.
How to choose a cruise with fewer children onboard
Royal Caribbean is a family brand, but some cruises will have more kids than others.
Adults looking to avoid mischievous youngsters can plan ahead by avoiding certain sailings.
Summertime and holiday cruises, when kids are on break from school, will have a larger amount of families onboard.
"Icon has a huge number of families," Mr. Bayley said. "Of course, it peaks during the summer with families and kids."
Read more: 4 mistakes I saw other people make on Icon of the Seas—and 2 mistakes I made
Larger ships, such as Icon of the Seas, are marketed as floating amusement parks for all ages, so they have a wider appeal to families.
Royal Caribbean's mega-ships, from the Icon to the Oasis Class, are packed with activities like waterslides, ice skating, rock climbing, mini-golf, carousels, craft lessons, theater productions, and so much more.
They appeal to families because of their ability to entertain people of all ages.
Read more: 12 differences between the big and small Royal Caribbean cruise ships
On the other hand, sailings when school is in session (September to May) and longer cruises are likely to have fewer kids onboard.
Any adults who are cruising and notice rowdy or unattended kids onboard can let Guest Services know and allow crew members to handle it.
