Michael

I have seen a lot of tempers flare and fingers point over this issue! <BR> <BR>On a cruise on the SS Norway last year, there was a sign in the disco that said "No one under 21 yrs of age after 10pm". This was totally ignored and the place was packed with teens every night. None of them caused any real trouble, but it was odd they way they roamed in packs, stared and laughed at everything, and pointed and made fun of us old fogies on the dance floor...and I'm 31! The teens were drinkin' and smokin' the night away! <BR> <BR>I've also seen on my 4 trips on QE 2 teens dancining and drinking the night away, but on QE 2 the teens seemed more aware of the elegant surroundings and remained "low-key" through out the night. <BR> <BR>I think that the cruise lines should ban teens after 10 or 11pm from the bars & clubs, and I also think the parents should take some responsibility. For example, if a teen is found in the disco after 11pm, he should be asked to leave by security. If he returns, security should then escort him back to his parent's cabin, no matter how late it is! Any parent who becomes "annoyed" at this intrusion should be ashamed of themselves! It's not the cruise lines fault that the child is breaking the rules! <BR> <BR>BOTTOM LINE TO PARENTS ON A SHIP: YOU WANTED TO HAVE KIDS = YOU WATCH THEM & DEAL WITH THEM, OR LEAVE THEM HOME WITH A PERSON YOU PAID TO DEAL WITH THEM!

Greg Gallagher

Michael, Good For You! <BR> <BR>I am in the middle of a major problem with RCCL. At this was one of my biggest problems. I was on the ship Sovereign of the Seas. I asked the crewperson several times to ask the children to leave. He informed me that he didn't want to upset any one. Now bear in mind these children couldn't have been more than fourteen. Just to put things in perspective I have been in Radio and the music industry for almost twenty years and learn to take things with a grain of salt, but not on my vacation. In this circumstance it is the cruise lines fault because they failed to not only enforce the rule of no one over twenty-one (which was prominently posted), but encouraged it through their lack of action. And this cruise line claims to have events set up so the kids don't misbehave. GOOD SHOW!

Michael

The cruise lines should have "late" night (10pm to 12 or 1am) for older teens. <BR> <BR>I remember at ages 14 -16 spending yearly Easter holidays at a CHEEZY Catskills resort and they always had late night "cool" activities for us older teens (horror movies on video, hide 'n seek in the woods, etc.) This things didn't cost the hotel much, and they kept us busy & out of the adults hair!

mom of a teen

Michael: <BR>I have read various responses to your general query on different boards. I have never responded until now. <BR>Drinking for people under the age of 18 is a huge issue for those parents who are "honest" about the issue. This does not mean that their teen or my teen is the issue, it simply means that alcohol consumption, abuse and the like are significant issues. The horrible consequenses of drinking are truly drilled into the heads of teens through various programs. Now the media and advertising out spends those programs and the behavior of role models and parents can either help,hinderor mix the message. <BR>Some parents today want to be "friends" with their teen AND they want to be friends with the friends of their teen. Hence, the PARENT will host parties and provide the keg and other "necessary" party favors. They will look the other way while strippers, charged to their credit cards, and the like are going on right under their noses...so, on a cruise ship: <BR>Some "parents" will feel offended if "society",the cruise ship, the principal or head of the school, the police, the clergy, security, Aunt so-in-so, Uncle "Michael",the neighbor, you, me or even the Greg's(smile all) of the world have a contrary opinion about the consumption of alcohol by their teen on "our" cruise. WE really should care about this issue beyond "our cruise". (my two cents worth) <BR>My husband and I are cruising in a couple of months. Our teen was "respectably" livid that he will not be joining us. The travel industry really encourages the 3rd person to travel by reduced fares and cabins etc. Cost is not the issue here we simply feel that some vacations should be for the two of us adults. I intend to have a great time however, teens who are drinking on the cruise that we are on will probably want to keep it in their or their parents cabins. We do not tolerate ridicule of any sort from any age group. Should my husband decide to dance, the teen/s who giggles is also in for a solid lesson called "respect". You do not want to antagonize a lady who loves to dance and who gets her husband to dance...not wise to do on a cruise, in a club at a resturant, during a street fair, at a wedding...etc. <BR>As for cruise ships who"look the other way" money/tips can have a great influence on how long they want to look the other way.

Greg Gallagher

Hi Mom of a Teen. It's nice to hear someone that has a valid opinion concerning an issue without slamming previous posters including myself. Onr thing though. I would suspect they were looking the other way as a result of tipping. And unfortunately abuse is rampant in many forms. Any way you phrase it the cruise is responsible to adhere to their own guidelines for the benefit of all. Not to ignore them for a small few that happen to be louder than the rest off us. If they plan on ignoring their own rules, don't post them. If you say one thing and do another, I was always taught that's telling a fib.

Maggie

I've never seen people under 18 drinking on a ship. Anyone under 21 on Princess gets a cruise card with a hole in it identifying that person as underage. They don't even let them into the Disco unless they can prove they are 18.

Cathy

I think this is a problem on all cruise lines these days, ( and it is a sad commentary on how IRRESPONSIBLE and DEFICIENT some parents are) and I think the only way to handle it is for every cruiser to insist that the cruise ships do something about it and if everyone writes a letter to the cruise companies, there will be an effect. If enough people complain, the cruise lines will respond. I am OUTRAGED that ships allow this because it is ILLEGAL to sell drinks to minors. I believe cruise ships that sail out of the US are subject to US laws. <BR>I am an educator and I always cruise in the summer because it fits my schedule. I have been lucky enough to have been on cruises where the majority of teens are well entertained and well behaved in that they do not bother adult passengers. But I have seen some teens drunk. On my last cruise, there were some 16-18 yr old Brazilan teens who were roaming around the ship drunk. We complained to the purser's desk about them and I didn't see this group around again. If I were EVER on a ship that didn't do anything about drunken teens, I would promptly tell them that I will notifiy US law enforcement when I get back for violation of laws regarding minors and drinking. <BR>

Ron

re/kids drinking,etc on cruises. <BR>Anytime one mentions kids (conduct)on cruises,it's like opening a can of worms.The cruise lines are going to HAVE to enforce their own rules, but the main problem I have seen is with the parents.Many seem to have the attitude "we paid for it, so Jr. and Missy can damn well do as they please and if you don't like it,too bad". <BR> I complained to the Purser (on RCCL) <BR>once about a band of kids running everywhere throwing things and as I was talking to him they came charging down the stairs-- his comment was "I don't see anything"---nuff said. <BR>One good way to stop something like that would be to follow the kids to their cabin and when Dad opens the door,give him a good stiff punch in the snout and tell him why, after he wakes up.Farfetched,but I bet it would work! <BR>

Paul Therault

<BR>Message to Michael: <BR> <BR>Cruise lines are addressing the problem of teen drinking by installing teen clubs on their mega-ships. <BR> <BR>This is the result: The teens do not want a club where there is a chaperone. They are growm up you know. The would rather do the "taboo" thing of joining the disco crowd where alcohol is available from their new-found over 21 year old friends. <BR> <BR>We all have to think back to when we all were teens. <BR> <BR>Parental guidance is the only alternative. Too bad it is so lacking. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>

greg gallagher

Paul back when we were teens they enforced the rules. The last poster is exactly right about RCCL. They couldn't care less as long as they make money. <BR> <BR>As far as writing letters Cathy, good luck. They take a standard 6 - 12 weeks to respond and it in form letter fashion. The only way to get them to respond is to put it in the publics eye. I.E. newspaper, radio, T.V. etc... <BR>That is the only thing they respond to.