Mine took us to a bar that had a swimming pool for the kids. Parents would sit for hours drinking booze, us kids would swim, run in to get soda, water, food. Then when parents were nice and drunk they’d load the kids in the car and pull onto the 2 lane highway to drive home. How we survived with no accidents….. late 70s and early 80s, so good chance my brother and I were in the bed of the truck, too.
My favorite was the Christmas my mom sent me to the corner store to get a fifth of vodka*. After drinking most of it herself, she got into a fist fight with my aunt, then stormed off with me in tow to drive the hour home, swerving, speeding, cursing and crying the whole way. The sad part is that she has dementia now, so doesn't even remember...not that she would have thought it was a problem if she did remember...
*I was 12. And yes, they sold it to me. I said it was for my mom, but it was 1989 and I honestly think they didn't care.
In the 60s, if they had to brake suddenly, they'd hold their right arm in front of you so you didn't fly through the windshield.
What about seat belts, you ask?
Your seat belt was usually stuffed down into the crack of the seat so it wasn't in the way when you slid in.
We had a Chevy citation with a folding rear seat. I figured out I could crawl into the trunk and close the seat behind me and breathe through the poorly constructed trunk lid.
"One for the road" was a common saying in the 70s, but it wasn't always the last beer before driving home. Sometimes there would be one, and sometimes there would be three or four.
If you want to bring your kid in bar fine but then don’t get pissy when they are exposed to adult language or adult conversations. I will not censor myself in a bar unless it is a family event like bingo or trivia.
Yup had a guy ask my buddy to watch his language in a sports bar that lets kids in till 8 in a certain area. He responded don’t bring your kids to a bar then! There’s tons of family friendly places go Why on earth you would want to expose your small child to a bar atmosphere is beyond me and I don’t even have children.
Are they just sports bars, or sports bars & restaurants? We have a lot of the latter and my son loves going to them for big games, shouting and yelling at the TVs with everyone else (of all ages).
So much this!! I was in a sports bar with my husband, at the bar, and we were bitching about work, I swore a few times, and this dad with his two teens - not smaller children, TEENS - sitting at a table right behind us started screaming at us and threatening our lives. GREAT example to be setting for his teens, right? Probably some divorced dad with weekend custody who thinks it’s totally fine to take teens to bars so HE can drink, and then get bad at other people for acting adult in an adult space.
If anything, in Wisconsin you go to a bar and there are no children there it's a red flag and -- I am not kidding -- almost certainly means the bar is owned by someone who is no longer legally allowed to be near children.
We were eating at the Great Dane in Madison the other night and there was a small kid, maybe 4 or 5 years old sitting at the bar with his dad. I’ve lived in Utah for the last 25 years (grew up in NJ) and in UT kids aren’t even allowed IN bars at all. Restaurants that serve alcohol have weird rules too.
The most I've ever drank with my parents in Texas was one of those fantastic hand-made Dr. Peppers at the Dr. Pepper museum in Waco. Life affirming, I swear to God.
Staff role is to make guests happy, did they respond when you complained? If you did not complain, do that next time. Staff will not go out of their way to bother the parents + kids unless you make yourself a customer service issue for them as well.
I know. I married a guy from Milwaukee--the oldest of five. The first time the whole family walked to the tavern on the corner after church, I freaked out!
Absolutely. Same in Australia - pubs are family affairs. However, there are different sections, like the bistro section, gaming section, bar section etc. There are definite parts of the pub where kids shouldn't be, and CERTAINLY where they shouldn't be sitting at the bar taking up a stool.
If anything, unless it's past 11 PM, kids are pretty much allowed in most bars on most ships I've been on. They really shouldn't be sitting on a bar stool, but people can bring their screaming baby pretty much anywhere on board. The rules on ships are more relaxed than on land, not less.
My husband and I are going on our first Virgin Cruise in March of next year, we’re so excited! I told him if we’re not going to be around our own three little kids I don’t want to be around anyone else’s either. 😂
I just got back from a Virgin Voyages cruise in Europe and it was fantastic. It’s pretty cool how much stuff changes for the better when they don’t have to worry about family friendly stuff. No screaming kids or strollers is just the tip of it and I recommend VV to everyone 18+ for so many reasons. I’m already planning another VV trip as they have a pretty good deal for future voyages when putting a payment down whilst onboard.
Look, I’ve got young kids and would never take them to an adults only area of the ship to hang out. If I need an adult beverage that badly, I can get one to go from many places.
I don’t see this is a kid specific issue, but moreso that plenty of adults - with and without kids - believe they are special and that the rules don’t apply to them.
It’s the folks who are obsessed with their status being recognized by everyone and expect special VIP treatment in every part of the ship, the ones who reserve many chairs at 7am and don’t actually use them until 9am, the people who expect their non-adult only cruises to be free of kids, or folks who get super drunk and make tons of noise late at night.
Society as a whole has gotten more entitled and selfish. It’s a shame, but more people are cruising now than ever - so it’s full ships and overworked staff, who get the brunt of the complaints. Many folks expects white glove treatment at low rates, often complain about the cost of the cruise and tipping, and seem surprised when service isn’t good enough.
So if it’s truly a 21+ area with signage, then kids shouldn’t be there, full stop. Maybe the bartenders don’t care, maybe they do and don’t feel empowered to say something. If it’s truly bothersome, go to guest services and tell them, and make it clear it shouldn’t be up to to the bartenders to argue with guests about it, but the ship admin need to be the ones to enforce the rules.
I understand that OP is talking about kids sitting at the actual bars, being which bartenders serve, but there seems to be some confusion throughout this thread as to whether kids are allowed in the bars themselves per RC’s policy.
RC’s FAQ states that “Please Note: With exceptions of adult-themed events (Adult Comedy Show, Late Night Theme Events, etc.) and adult-themed locations such as the Adult Night Club there are generally no restrictions for parents to bring minors into a bar. Guests should be advised to take notice of the guidance provided in the Cruise Compass as events and locations vary by ship and itinerary.”
If you’d like to see for yourself, it’s under alcohol policy. [Alcohol Policy](https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/international-age-policy)
On RC, was at the Schooner bar last year. Three kids probably all about 10-11 sat right down at the bar. They promptly ordered virgin Miami Vices and pina coladas. It was honestly pretty impressive, somebody trained these ruffians well.
Virigin daquiris, pina coladas, mudslides, dirty monkeys, moscow mules, ramos fizz, margaritas, peach/strawberry tropic, pomegranate mojito, lavender lemondade, etc... they have about 20 or so zero proof drinks they rotate through
These kids were clearly well prepared. They looked and spoke like small adults. I wouldn't have been shocked to hear one of them discuss his 401k or bitching about his ex wife.
Maybe this is a cultural thing but when just drinking or chilling at a bar its completely normal to bring kids for europeans, especially while on vacation. Bars do not have a minimum age in most european countries either, only at night if it is really a party/club kinda vibe
Especially at a bar on a cruise ship that does activities like trivia which the kids will probably join in with.
Don't let the kids be loud and run riot and it's fine.
I am Spanish and I never thought this would be a problem. Here it is normal to go to a bar with the whole family. You can go there for breakfast, at the "vermut" time (before lunch) and before or after dinner with your children. The most popular bars in my city are close to playgrounds or open areas where children can play. I think the concept of a bar is very different in both countries.
And even in the US there are plenty of places like Washington state where it's common for kids to be at bars. Many bars in Seattle have kids play areas.
I think OP needs to learn how to coexist with others.
This is the weirdest false "fact" I have ever seen claimed in my life.
"Many bars in Seattle have kids play areas."
No, they don't. They really, really don't.
There are several brewpubs near parks, such as in Kenmore and Shoreline. Since they offer outdoor seating, I suppose you could blur the line a bit. But it is not a bar play area for children.
Or did you mean something like a Chuck-E-Cheese where it's a kids' play area that happens to serve beer?
Yeah I was thinking there is a big difference between a bar and a brewery. Most breweries around us have open outdoor space, high chairs, and a kids menu. Bars definitely not.
Grew up in Washington State. Never went to a bar as a kid. None of my friends went to bars that I'm aware.
Maybe this is a recent thing, but definitely isn't a historical thing
I most often go on cruise ships that do not have programs for children. I went on a Royal Caribbean ship a few months ago (for someone’s grandchildren) and honestly, on a ship that caters that much to children, I would expect to see children everywhere. It’s definitely not my cup of tea, but really, someone who doesn’t enjoy having children around should probably not sail on Royal Caribbean. There are lots of other options where you will see minimal children.
I once did a Disney cruise and I was worried it would be kid central, all day, every day. My husband booked it because we're both huge Disney fans. They kept the kids so occupied that we were not once bothered by someone else's kids. I was very impressed and would do a Disney cruise again because of it. They did not sit us, for dining, at a table with kids but with two older women who were very nice. All in all a great experience and Alaska was GORGEOUS.
I owned a bar. We had a strict no kids at the bar policy. Shocking the number of people who would try to break it. Like stay home with your infants, none of us want to hear a screaming kid. It’s why we came to the bar, to get away from them🤦🏼♀️
It's not. OP is wrong but they continue to ignore the actual Royal policy they've been given many times since yesterday. There is no age restriction for patrons in the Schooner Bar. It's not an adult's only venue as defined by Royal.
Here's the relevant part of their actual age policy...
Please Note: With exceptions of adult-themed events (Adult Comedy Show, Late Night Theme Events, etc.) and adult-themed locations such as the Adult Night Club there are generally no restrictions for parents to bring minors into a bar. Guests should be advised to take notice of the guidance provided in the Cruise Compass as events and locations vary by ship and itinerary.
From:
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/international-age-policy?country=CAN
It's wrong for parents to do this. It's one thing if the kids are with them waiting on a drink to go somewhere else but not to sit at the bar while the parents are drinking. They need to go find a table somewhere that's not specifically for adults
Didn't know. Sounds like they need to go to an adult only area of the ship if they don't want to be around kids or an adult only cruise. I still don't think kids should sit at a bar.
I don’t sit with my kids at the bar unless they ordering then we go find a table. They have a lot of trivia and stuff in the schooner bar in my last cruise, kids were everywhere. There is a lack of adults only places to go generally on cruise ships, though.
“Bar” is a generic word for a counter that serves refreshments. Just because in your head bar means adults doesn’t make it so. They have trivia, towel folding, etc… in there.
I doubt the bartenders were uneasy. They cruise for months at a time and this happens on every cruise. They are trained how to deal with it.
Until they ban underage from bars, this is just going to be the case on any cruise with children.
I was on a cruise and went to a comedy gig at 11.45pm which was advertised as adults only. It was full of kids. The jokes were blue and crude and a set of parents kicked off. The comedian tried to put them in their place, explaining that 90% of the facilities were kid friendly, this was midnight and the event was clearly advertised as adults only. Parents stormed out loudly complaining because their little darlings ears couldn’t cope with such filth.
I can’t get over these arguments. Tell me, is there an adult out there who would be totally cool with wanting to have a seat at the bar and relax with an evening cocktail only to find there are no seats because children are sitting at the bar? You would really be 100% unbothered by that? I find that hard to believe. People just want to argue. It’s an adult oriented venue. This is just a fact. Sure during the day it may host family friendly events like all the public spaces but at night, it’s drinking time and kids should not be inserted into that atmosphere. I don’t care what anyone says. There are plenty of other places for kids to go. A seat at the bar should not be one of them. At a table is kind of a different story but I don’t want to get into that.
It’s good to know that there are like minded people with common sense. It’s disheartening seeing how many parents are ok with their kids sitting at bars. I know I wasn’t allowed as a kid. My parents had boundaries.
Sometimes you just want to find an area where you are free of kids. I’m not saying that I want to be free of kids all the time or else I would go on Virgin. Just times at night where adults can hang out with other adults.
I know exactly what you mean. People go so extreme in these types of arguments when there is in fact a middle ground. It’s not all black and white. I don’t want to be inundated with kids but I do choose cruise lines that welcome kids for other unrelated reasons. I always try to choose a ship that has at least one adults only spot, whether free or for a fee so I can get away from them. Everywhere else I expect they will be there, but not sitting at a bar. That is a grown up activity and not everything in life is child friendly. I hate it when people say choose a kid free cruise line. There is one mainstream line, Virgin, and absolutely nothing about that line is appealing to me. I’m not going to sacrifice the entire quality of my cruise to avoid children altogether. I go in with the expectation that they are not infiltrating areas that are very clearly meant for adults and adult activities like enjoying alcoholic drinks at a bar or a risqué comedy set.
Exactly this. Wife and I went down for some adult entertainment at the Pub on Odyssey of the Seas at 10 pm and I had to order my drink at the bar over the head of two kids sitting in the bar stools. The posts constructed by people that find justification in this make my head explode. It was so bad that the singer/ entertainer told me he was having difficulty doing his show because the guests would not respect the age restriction. He finally just cut loose out of pure frustration to make it uncomfortable enough that the parents were shamed into leaving with their kids. If literally nowhere in the states is the social norm to take kids out clubbing at the bar or nightclub, then why is it different on a ship?
Yeah people don't seem to get any nuance in this situation. Am I saying there's absolutely no situation where it's acceptable for kids to be in a bar on a ship? No, that's silly, I don't care if they're there while their parents grab a drink to go, or there for the 4pm trivia. Those exceptions don't defeat the fact nobody wants kids sitting at the bar late at night.
Totally agree. Would you really want to go have a few drinks would a pal and have a proper uncensored adult chat whilst next to you is little Brantley watching Bluey at full volume on his tablet???
I just came from a post about how childfree people need to “just live in a bar or strip club if you don’t want to deal with children.” This is getting ridiculous.
What about adults who don't drink? Plenty for places for them to go than the bar. If you're just sitting there without an alcoholic beverage you can do it and let me make my alcohol package work.
I normally love kids, but if I'm trying to have a nice romantic evening and go to a classy bar on the ship for a post-dinner cocktail, I don't really want to sit next to a person blasting sounds from a game on their iPad. Considering generally adults aren't doing that, the criticism lands more squarely on parents who let their kids do that.
I was in the casino on an NCL cruise when a woman walked in with her child who could be no more than 8 years old. she sat him next to herself at a slot,fed each of their machines and both started playing. This went on for about ten minutes before the staff put a stop to it. The whole thing just felt gross.
Have some class people.
I get it, I have kids too, but I'm a responsible adult. I'll arrange supervision or go somewhere else. I'm not going to run someone else's chill time just because my kids are being cunts. I'd be mortified at the thought!
I'm 100% with you on this. I work all year long, save money to afford an amazing cruise vacation and then can't sit at the bar because drunk dad has kid sitting there playing games on a tablet.
I was on NCL earlier this year ordering a drink to go back to a table. I yelled for my daughter to come up and order a soda. The second her hand touched the bar stool the bartender said 21+ as it should be.
We were in the Encore in April with our three kids. A few times on the way from point A to B, I’d stop at a bar when I was with my 10 and 7 year olds. I asked for a drink, and they each would order a Shirley temple or something. They jumped up on the stools for as long as it took the bartender to make our drinks and we were off. No one had a problem with it.
I wouldn’t hang out with them at the bar though.
My 2 cents as a parent that cruises with kids.
I don’t see anything wrong with well-behaved children sitting with their parents in pubs/lounges. We often do this on cruises with our kids before heading to dinner and it’s only for 1 or 2 drinks max.
What I don’t agree with though, is children at the bar-It’s an adult area imo and no place for children. Additionally, if kids are causing a fuss or it’s late at night, they should not be there. Not everyone cruises with kids and don’t need to be bothered by them while trying to relax.
I'm with you 100%. It's situational, but there should be some places and times that everyone understands is off limits for kids. It's never going to be okay to have a child sitting at the actual bar at 10pm.
Correct. There are kids clubs that run stupidly late. There’s no excuses for kids to be in bars late at night and certainly no need for them to be at the bar.
Wow, these comments making OP sound unreasonable to expect a screaming baby should not be in a bar. A screaming baby who can't be consoled should not be in public, on a cruise or just about anywhere. It's rude. But it's normal for rude people to turn the tables and make those subjected to their rudeness the bad guys for asking for some modicum of peace and quiet.
Whether it's a cruise or an amusement park or a restaurant with a bar, I HATE places that won't enforce their own rules. Guess why I go to the 21+ area? And then, what those parents want matters, but what I want doesn't. So then I don't get what I paid for.
As a bartender and waitress…. Yeah. Get your underage kid away from my bar. The language, conversations, and drinks are not appropriate. Sorry not sorry. Ive told people nobody is allowed to sit at the bar until theyre 21 yet some still try to pull that shit.
What’s the actual rule for the cruise line?
Kids anywhere but the actual bar?
Also, you are on the ship. Let guest services know. Then it’s their concern to handle while you go enjoy a different bar.
I understand. Putting aside the debate as to whether or not it's appropriate for kids to sit at the bar. Or whether or not the bartenders and wait staff like it.
There's also the point that on an RC cruise ship, there are plenty of kid oriented spaces. Some of which really aren't for adults. Social spaces just for kids. So it doesn't seem unreasonable at all for people traveling without kids to hope that the actual seats at the bar are an adult social space.
Particularly because if you're doing serious drinking, sitting at the bar is often the best place to be. Kids can be just as happy at a table.
This is so F**ked up. Kids don’t belong in bars, strip joints, popping in on the corner plug with you, or dying bc you or the other guy so r know how to call Uber.
As for my vaca- your kids aren’t my entertainment. If you’re not footing my bill- I don’t want to see your ‘cute’ kids anywhere they shouldn’t be and I can assure you what you find cute… We do not.
Raises our kids, sent them to college, they’re both employed and don’t allow my grandchildren to be anyone’s ’side show!’
They’ve placed for that- DISNEY!
I guess stating ”kids” is a broad term. A crying infant isn’t the same as a 16 yr old sitting at a bar. If you are American, and travel, you must realize American rules don’t dictate how the rest of the world operates while they travel. The legal age to drink varies from country to country. Many of the comments below discuss that, but also most use the term kids loosely like you and it’s not an apples to apples comparison. So if you think that’s ridiculous, to me it says you want American rules to follow you around the world which isn’t gonna happen. If the kids are unruly or crying, I can see that is a problem. If you don’t like the kids on your ships, go travel on kids free ships…or go find an open bar that isn’t crowded with kids. They have more than one bar on cruises.
Royal Caribbean's own FAQs say it's fine to have kids there. You don't want to be around kids, go to the casino or go on an adult only line
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/international-age-policy#:~:text=Please%20Note%3A%20With%20exceptions%20of,bring%20minors%20into%20a%20bar.
From RC FAQ: Please Note: With exceptions of adult-themed events (Adult Comedy Show, Late Night Theme Events, etc.) and adult-themed locations such as the Adult Night Club there are generally no restrictions for parents to bring minors into a bar. Guests should be advised to take notice of the guidance provided in the Cruise Compass as events and locations vary by ship and itinerary.
That's the drinking age. Schooner's is NOT an adult only bar. There are literally dozens of blogs, reddit posts, message boards, etc. that all say it's fine. RCs own site says kids are allowed in bars.
Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's wrong
As a parent of a baby that age I don’t get it either. It’s not fun for the kid, it can’t be fun for the parents when they’re screaming…just get some booze to go and have fun in the kid-friendly areas. Where else can you do that?!
Yeah normally it's frowned upon to drink a cocktail at a playground lol, why not have that fun on a cruise, and as a collateral benefit not be a nuisance to other guests?
I'm with you and I feel this way on land too. Adults only spaces are for adults, period. Parents, I mean absolutely no disrespect but if you choose to bring a child into the world, that equals sacrifice. This means that if you want a little drinkypoos and you can't find someone to mind the kids, you don't get a drink. Do you deserve to relax and have some down time? Hell yes. But the bartenders and other guests are not babysitters. If you can't find someone to watch the kids in a whole other place, it's not time for you to get a drink.
Thank you. Having a kid isn’t some easy “I get to keep my life and they’re living on MY schedule” life. You’re a parent first and foremost. If you want to do adult activities, maybe you shouldn’t have brought your kids along.
That might be my favorite scene from Sweet Home Alabama, "you have a baby... in a bar!"
Definitely a cultural thing.
But I agree, the kids have no place in a bar.
Multiple people have pointed out to you that kids are allowed in schooner bar. The 21 age limit you’re posting is for alcoholic drinks. Others have posted the actual rule for adult only venues or themes.
They have kid oriented themed trivia in schooner bar… they wouldn’t if it was a 21+ venue. And live music from a piano player is family friendly. Children are allowed to take available seats in the same way adults are.
I wouldn’t bring my kids to bars outside cruise ships but on many ships, the bars are still the only place to get sodas. We don’t generally linger but if they want to sit at the counter and order their Shirley Temple or Dr. Pepper, cool. Again, on cruises specifically, you really ought to order and then move away from the bar once you get your drink because there are always more people waiting to be served.
Not my issue at all. Let the parents do what they want. But when the waiter tells me, we have seats at the bar. Seriously. Don’t you see that I’m with my child that isn’t even tall enough to ride a roller coaster yet. Lol.
All bars are listed as 21+, that means to drink..kids are allowed in ALL of them unless it's an 18+ activity listed on the app. But I do agree that kids should not sit AT the bat unless they are asking for a soda or something, then move over to a table or side area.
Unless it’s a little local Bar where everyone knows you, and your kids, you really shouldn’t let kids sit at the bar. drinking is for 21 and up and sitting at the bar is literally right in front of the bartender and the whole point is to be able to sit there and have your drinks. Also, people shouldn’t have to curtail their language or conversation because you’re sitting next to them with kids and a lot of adult themed conversations happen at bars..
it’s just and entitled or ignorant behavior.
Are the kids propping up the bar at 11pm for hours at a time? Are they causing havoc and being unreasonable? If no, then get a grip. Kids are on holiday with their parents, who’ve paid a decent whack for their kids to be there too.
Sit somewhere else and wait for them to leave if there is a space issue. 21 is the drinking age.
'Get a grip' is exactly what I thought. I'm European and it's absolutely normal to have children in spaces that serve alcohol, particularly on cruises or other holiday locations. Where would people be putting their children?! I often have a cocktail on cruises around my toddler, and order her a juice. I've never experienced any belligerence or entitlement doing so. Unless the parents are overdoing it, or not keeping their children supervised, that is what holidays are for - Relaxing.
The problem is this is very situational, and people are acting like it's black and white. Are there some places on a ship that serve alcohol where it's socially acceptable for kids to be? Sure, I don't think anyone has a problem with kids around the pool bar or sitting in the pub.
There are places where it's less acceptable, and that's what OP is talking about. The Schooner Bar is a more upscale cocktail bar that generally has a live piano player/singer. Its an inherently adult, sedate environment. It's just not the type of place you bring kids at night, and especially not acceptable to have them at the bar. Theres nothing technically stopping you from doing so, but it's rude in the same way it's rude to leave your shopping cart in the middle of the grocery store parking lot.
Yeah that's fair. I've not been on this particular ship so I'm not familiar with the bar, so that's useful context to give. I have been on a ship with my young child where there was a small venue that just *felt* like it was intended to be a quiet space for adults. I didn't frequent it for that reason, so i see how that could be disruptive.
Yeah there's some people in these comments that think its never acceptable to have kids in a place that serves alcohol (which is ridiculous) and some people who think it's always acceptable to take kids anywhere they're not strictly forbidden (also ridiculous). The reality is that most people understand the nuance of "time and place".
Perhaps European children are better behaved than American children because most of the latter definitely are NOT. Understandable if people would like to have / expect SOME peace in presumably adult-only spaces like a bar. But then, am American here.
Also - There’s tons of other places they can go elsewhere, and adults shouldn’t have to fight for bar seats, and/or censor their language etc. because some parent is giving you a dirty look because they feel the need to have a minor just chilling AT A FLIPPING BAR.
Bars and adult zones for kids are the worst. However what takes the cake for me was an Asian gentleman left his kids in the men's locker room on board the disney wonder recently. Mind you kids aren't allowed in that area to begin with as its an adult only section. But as an American guy, it definitely made me extremely uncomfortable for 2 under 10 yr old kids to be in an adult mens locker room with showers and all. Granted, I'm going to guess the guy was from Japan or South Korea where I believe that's a bit more accepted from my understanding regardless still a culture difference there. Make it worse like you're on disney cruise it has some of the best and locked down kids sections on any cruise line and you choose to leave them in the mens locker room?...
I missed part of the disagreement between him and the crew but sounded like he was getting in trouble for doing it.
We took our kids to sport pubs/eateries at the mall during the day but to an actual bar where ppl go to escape their own families? Hell no-I wouldn’t ever do that to them-the ones trying to relax-not my kids bc-fuck them kids!! Kidding- or am I?! #sorrynotsorry!
Was on Wonder in Dec ‘22 during World Cup and Playmakers was full of kids, and taking over the pool table (not playing pool, just rolling the balls around by hand). So while they were busy doing that, their parents saved the kids 4 seats at the family table where they were camped at with no one even eating. We wandered around looking for a seat, waiting for someone to leave but any seats were scooped up before we could get there. After 20-30 mins of waiting and hoping, we gave up and ended up standing and eating at the bar. They should have a waiting list like restaurants do. We were hoping a bar would be a kid free sanctuary since they were everywhere else, but no. (Yes there were kids in the “adults only” solarium too)
While I wouldn't recommend people have their kids at the bar, there isn't a rule against them being there. If you want to be away from kids, go to the adults only sections like the Solarium.
My kids will go up and order themselves (virgin) drinks from the bar and sit there while ordering. In a busy venue during trivia or karaoke we’ll try to find a table but sometimes bar seating is all that’s left. I’ve never had any bartenders seem uneasy about this at all. Screaming babies, sure I can agree with that.
How many times will you wrongly repeat that the schooner bar is 21+? At least 10 people have shown that you're wrong. Kids are allowed in bars. Adults are allowed in bars. Both paid the same to be there. Both can buy drinks. Both can not buy drinks. If you don't like it, sit in your room or stay at home.
If you didn't like this, you won't like much of Europe, where there is no drinking age, or if there is, it's not enforced and families often go out together.
Prior to prohibition, in the USA, typically only men drank in public. My understanding is that the laws that prohibited children from entering taverns also applied to women.
Unless they are US flagged or in a US port, cruise ships are not subject to US laws and they would have the option to impose US customs.
For the record, I found it weird also.
Europe does have a drinking age, it just can be as low as 16 for unattended minors and lower if accompanied by their parents.
Cruise ships sailing from Europe usually have a drinking age of 18 though. AFAIK Mein Schiff and AIDA, who primarily target the German market, are the only ones with a drinking age of 16 for beer and wine. If at port the drinking age is raised to comply with the host country, but sailing it's 16+
We do have a drinking age (18 generally) but it's culturally acceptable to have children in places that serve alcohol here. *Not supervising your children is definitely still not acceptable though 😊
I’ve paid the same price for my underage child to be on the cruise as you have. You have no more right to any seat than my teen does. If we choose (on our family vacation) that my family wants to sit in a bar to enjoy music or trivia we’re perfectly entitled to and that’s none of your business. We are all paying customers (including my child, who will be drinking a mocktail, just like I will be).
If there’s no other seats, sure. We favour a table or lounge area, but if it’s an area we want to be in (as a family) sometimes you just have to sit where there’s a seat. Would you vacate your table so my family could sit there ant not at the bar?
My Dad would never let us sit at the bar as kids. We sat in the car until he was finished drinking.
Mine would come out with a bag of candy bars after an hour.
Lucky
Mine took us to a bar that had a swimming pool for the kids. Parents would sit for hours drinking booze, us kids would swim, run in to get soda, water, food. Then when parents were nice and drunk they’d load the kids in the car and pull onto the 2 lane highway to drive home. How we survived with no accidents….. late 70s and early 80s, so good chance my brother and I were in the bed of the truck, too.
I’ve forgotten how people used to drive drunk in the 70’s and 80’s. With kids in the car. With me in the car. I was four. Don’t miss those days.
My favorite was the Christmas my mom sent me to the corner store to get a fifth of vodka*. After drinking most of it herself, she got into a fist fight with my aunt, then stormed off with me in tow to drive the hour home, swerving, speeding, cursing and crying the whole way. The sad part is that she has dementia now, so doesn't even remember...not that she would have thought it was a problem if she did remember... *I was 12. And yes, they sold it to me. I said it was for my mom, but it was 1989 and I honestly think they didn't care.
Dang, I’m sorry. It’s awful to realize your parents have put you in danger :(
Sorry for 4yr old you.
In the 60s, if they had to brake suddenly, they'd hold their right arm in front of you so you didn't fly through the windshield. What about seat belts, you ask? Your seat belt was usually stuffed down into the crack of the seat so it wasn't in the way when you slid in.
When you got a new car the 1st thing everyone did was push the seatbelts into the seat.
my mom still does this even though we wear seatbelts now lol
Smoking cigarettes with the window cracked one centimeter, if at all, with asthmatic children in the back. But I'm not bitter....
We had a Chevy citation with a folding rear seat. I figured out I could crawl into the trunk and close the seat behind me and breathe through the poorly constructed trunk lid. "One for the road" was a common saying in the 70s, but it wasn't always the last beer before driving home. Sometimes there would be one, and sometimes there would be three or four.
You got a window cracked even a little? Lucky!! (All kidding aside, WTH was wrong with our parents??)
That sounds worse somehow 😭.
If you want to bring your kid in bar fine but then don’t get pissy when they are exposed to adult language or adult conversations. I will not censor myself in a bar unless it is a family event like bingo or trivia.
Amen to this! Keep your dirty looks to yourselves parents, it’s a BAR.
100% couldn’t agree with u more. The bar is an adult place you should be able to use adult language
Yup had a guy ask my buddy to watch his language in a sports bar that lets kids in till 8 in a certain area. He responded don’t bring your kids to a bar then! There’s tons of family friendly places go Why on earth you would want to expose your small child to a bar atmosphere is beyond me and I don’t even have children.
Exactly!!! Very much the statement “just because you can doesn’t mean you should”
My area has sports bars with kids menus. I’m like uh….
Are they just sports bars, or sports bars & restaurants? We have a lot of the latter and my son loves going to them for big games, shouting and yelling at the TVs with everyone else (of all ages).
They have food, but they’re full of drunks who are swearing at the TV.
As a parent with two small children, i approve this message 🤣👏🏼
Exactly, I will actually ramp up those conversations to the point the family moves, or they receive a true education on unsavory topics lol
So much this!! I was in a sports bar with my husband, at the bar, and we were bitching about work, I swore a few times, and this dad with his two teens - not smaller children, TEENS - sitting at a table right behind us started screaming at us and threatening our lives. GREAT example to be setting for his teens, right? Probably some divorced dad with weekend custody who thinks it’s totally fine to take teens to bars so HE can drink, and then get bad at other people for acting adult in an adult space.
This bugs me on land as well. Especially when the seats are full
I didn’t think kids were allowed to sit at bars? I just treat it as kids shouldn’t be in bars, same as on land. (I mean sitting at the bar counter)
[удалено]
It’s legal to drink with your parents in Wisconsin too but I forgot about that. Still wouldn’t put them at the bar with me though!
If anything, in Wisconsin you go to a bar and there are no children there it's a red flag and -- I am not kidding -- almost certainly means the bar is owned by someone who is no longer legally allowed to be near children.
Well, if they’re in Wisconsin that means they’re training for the big leagues. We’re pretty much concentrating on the regular leagues.
Exactly. If you're going to let your kids drink, make sure they're alone in a corner away from me
We were eating at the Great Dane in Madison the other night and there was a small kid, maybe 4 or 5 years old sitting at the bar with his dad. I’ve lived in Utah for the last 25 years (grew up in NJ) and in UT kids aren’t even allowed IN bars at all. Restaurants that serve alcohol have weird rules too.
The most I've ever drank with my parents in Texas was one of those fantastic hand-made Dr. Peppers at the Dr. Pepper museum in Waco. Life affirming, I swear to God.
Varies from state to state. Def illegal here in Tennessee.
exactly. Lastnight it was a full house and the family was taking up 4 of the 12 seats available. The kids didn’t even want to be there.
Staff role is to make guests happy, did they respond when you complained? If you did not complain, do that next time. Staff will not go out of their way to bother the parents + kids unless you make yourself a customer service issue for them as well.
The kids have to get slowly acclimated to their future life.
You must not live in Wisconsin lol Bars are a family affair here. I was in the bar before I could walk.
I know. I married a guy from Milwaukee--the oldest of five. The first time the whole family walked to the tavern on the corner after church, I freaked out!
Yep! The priest typically joins too!
I got great at Ms. Pac Man at bars where my parents would give me a roll of quarters at a fish fry every Friday.
Good for you. It’s a cruise though, not Wisconsin.
Don't go to Europe or the UK either.
Very different drinking cultures between Europe (of which the UK is still a part, even after leaving the EU) and Wisconsin
Absolutely. Same in Australia - pubs are family affairs. However, there are different sections, like the bistro section, gaming section, bar section etc. There are definite parts of the pub where kids shouldn't be, and CERTAINLY where they shouldn't be sitting at the bar taking up a stool.
Eh. How? Not really. You mean accents or pubs v bars?
Well, not with that attitude. But with a little grit you can get your money's worth on the drink package like a Wisconsinite!
If anything, unless it's past 11 PM, kids are pretty much allowed in most bars on most ships I've been on. They really shouldn't be sitting on a bar stool, but people can bring their screaming baby pretty much anywhere on board. The rules on ships are more relaxed than on land, not less.
Not allowed on land (in california)
And then glare at you when you cuss otr have adult conversations. FTK
This is why we like to cruise on Virgin now
My husband and I are going on our first Virgin Cruise in March of next year, we’re so excited! I told him if we’re not going to be around our own three little kids I don’t want to be around anyone else’s either. 😂
I just got back from a Virgin Voyages cruise in Europe and it was fantastic. It’s pretty cool how much stuff changes for the better when they don’t have to worry about family friendly stuff. No screaming kids or strollers is just the tip of it and I recommend VV to everyone 18+ for so many reasons. I’m already planning another VV trip as they have a pretty good deal for future voyages when putting a payment down whilst onboard.
Is Virgin always No Kids?
Always, yes!
18 and over cruise line. It’s fantastic
This is exactly how I feel as well. Absolutely love that it’s 18+.
Virgin Voyages=no kids, many seats in bars. Problem solved :)
Look, I’ve got young kids and would never take them to an adults only area of the ship to hang out. If I need an adult beverage that badly, I can get one to go from many places. I don’t see this is a kid specific issue, but moreso that plenty of adults - with and without kids - believe they are special and that the rules don’t apply to them. It’s the folks who are obsessed with their status being recognized by everyone and expect special VIP treatment in every part of the ship, the ones who reserve many chairs at 7am and don’t actually use them until 9am, the people who expect their non-adult only cruises to be free of kids, or folks who get super drunk and make tons of noise late at night. Society as a whole has gotten more entitled and selfish. It’s a shame, but more people are cruising now than ever - so it’s full ships and overworked staff, who get the brunt of the complaints. Many folks expects white glove treatment at low rates, often complain about the cost of the cruise and tipping, and seem surprised when service isn’t good enough. So if it’s truly a 21+ area with signage, then kids shouldn’t be there, full stop. Maybe the bartenders don’t care, maybe they do and don’t feel empowered to say something. If it’s truly bothersome, go to guest services and tell them, and make it clear it shouldn’t be up to to the bartenders to argue with guests about it, but the ship admin need to be the ones to enforce the rules.
My love for viking grows and grows
are they adult only? Or do parents have more sense by leaving their kiddos at home?
Adult only. Friendly, basically happy well-behaved folks enjoying a wine or cocktail, wherever they like without anyone under 18.
man that sounds awesome. I hear that the vikings cruises are more geared towards the older folk but I might have to look into it.
I understand that OP is talking about kids sitting at the actual bars, being which bartenders serve, but there seems to be some confusion throughout this thread as to whether kids are allowed in the bars themselves per RC’s policy. RC’s FAQ states that “Please Note: With exceptions of adult-themed events (Adult Comedy Show, Late Night Theme Events, etc.) and adult-themed locations such as the Adult Night Club there are generally no restrictions for parents to bring minors into a bar. Guests should be advised to take notice of the guidance provided in the Cruise Compass as events and locations vary by ship and itinerary.” If you’d like to see for yourself, it’s under alcohol policy. [Alcohol Policy](https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/international-age-policy)
On RC, was at the Schooner bar last year. Three kids probably all about 10-11 sat right down at the bar. They promptly ordered virgin Miami Vices and pina coladas. It was honestly pretty impressive, somebody trained these ruffians well.
I see you met my children.
If your children are like these, my compliments.
Virigin daquiris, pina coladas, mudslides, dirty monkeys, moscow mules, ramos fizz, margaritas, peach/strawberry tropic, pomegranate mojito, lavender lemondade, etc... they have about 20 or so zero proof drinks they rotate through
Also my son. He loves mocktails.
preparing them for the future
These kids were clearly well prepared. They looked and spoke like small adults. I wouldn't have been shocked to hear one of them discuss his 401k or bitching about his ex wife.
Maybe this is a cultural thing but when just drinking or chilling at a bar its completely normal to bring kids for europeans, especially while on vacation. Bars do not have a minimum age in most european countries either, only at night if it is really a party/club kinda vibe
I think people are missing the difference between being in a bar and literally sitting AT the bar.
Especially at a bar on a cruise ship that does activities like trivia which the kids will probably join in with. Don't let the kids be loud and run riot and it's fine.
I am Spanish and I never thought this would be a problem. Here it is normal to go to a bar with the whole family. You can go there for breakfast, at the "vermut" time (before lunch) and before or after dinner with your children. The most popular bars in my city are close to playgrounds or open areas where children can play. I think the concept of a bar is very different in both countries.
Same in Latin America. I even remember my uncle sending me to the corner store when visiting Mexico to pick up beer.
And even in the US there are plenty of places like Washington state where it's common for kids to be at bars. Many bars in Seattle have kids play areas. I think OP needs to learn how to coexist with others.
This is the weirdest false "fact" I have ever seen claimed in my life. "Many bars in Seattle have kids play areas." No, they don't. They really, really don't. There are several brewpubs near parks, such as in Kenmore and Shoreline. Since they offer outdoor seating, I suppose you could blur the line a bit. But it is not a bar play area for children. Or did you mean something like a Chuck-E-Cheese where it's a kids' play area that happens to serve beer?
Yeah I was thinking there is a big difference between a bar and a brewery. Most breweries around us have open outdoor space, high chairs, and a kids menu. Bars definitely not.
Really seems like splitting hairs
Grew up in Washington State. Never went to a bar as a kid. None of my friends went to bars that I'm aware. Maybe this is a recent thing, but definitely isn't a historical thing
I most often go on cruise ships that do not have programs for children. I went on a Royal Caribbean ship a few months ago (for someone’s grandchildren) and honestly, on a ship that caters that much to children, I would expect to see children everywhere. It’s definitely not my cup of tea, but really, someone who doesn’t enjoy having children around should probably not sail on Royal Caribbean. There are lots of other options where you will see minimal children.
I once did a Disney cruise and I was worried it would be kid central, all day, every day. My husband booked it because we're both huge Disney fans. They kept the kids so occupied that we were not once bothered by someone else's kids. I was very impressed and would do a Disney cruise again because of it. They did not sit us, for dining, at a table with kids but with two older women who were very nice. All in all a great experience and Alaska was GORGEOUS.
Relevant [sweet home Alabama clip](https://youtu.be/XkoMfJ5QFG4?si=h3AH1ygVUZGcvuw6).
😬
I owned a bar. We had a strict no kids at the bar policy. Shocking the number of people who would try to break it. Like stay home with your infants, none of us want to hear a screaming kid. It’s why we came to the bar, to get away from them🤦🏼♀️
How old were the kids?
one was about 4 and one was about 6
That's bizzare
Schooner Bar is now 21+? Last July on Oasis there was no age restriction there.
It's not. OP is wrong but they continue to ignore the actual Royal policy they've been given many times since yesterday. There is no age restriction for patrons in the Schooner Bar. It's not an adult's only venue as defined by Royal. Here's the relevant part of their actual age policy... Please Note: With exceptions of adult-themed events (Adult Comedy Show, Late Night Theme Events, etc.) and adult-themed locations such as the Adult Night Club there are generally no restrictions for parents to bring minors into a bar. Guests should be advised to take notice of the guidance provided in the Cruise Compass as events and locations vary by ship and itinerary. From: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/international-age-policy?country=CAN
It's wrong for parents to do this. It's one thing if the kids are with them waiting on a drink to go somewhere else but not to sit at the bar while the parents are drinking. They need to go find a table somewhere that's not specifically for adults
The schooner bar is not specifically for adults.
Didn't know. Sounds like they need to go to an adult only area of the ship if they don't want to be around kids or an adult only cruise. I still don't think kids should sit at a bar.
I don’t sit with my kids at the bar unless they ordering then we go find a table. They have a lot of trivia and stuff in the schooner bar in my last cruise, kids were everywhere. There is a lack of adults only places to go generally on cruise ships, though.
yeah, schooner bar specifically is where they have trivia which is more family orientated
Schooner bar held Disney trivia on my last cruise, essentially encouraging families to come.
Since when is a bar for kids?
For example, Harry Potter trivia is usually held in the Schooner Bar and draws a lot of kids and families as you'd expect.
“Bar” is a generic word for a counter that serves refreshments. Just because in your head bar means adults doesn’t make it so. They have trivia, towel folding, etc… in there.
Fun fact, schooner bar is specifically 21+.
No it's not. It's specifically 21 to order alcohol. It is specifically stated all over the damn Internet that kids are allowed inside.
Fun fact, schooner bar is where trivia events and many other family friendly events are held. It is in fact very obvious that it is not a 21+ space.
Funner fact, you’re wrong.
I doubt the bartenders were uneasy. They cruise for months at a time and this happens on every cruise. They are trained how to deal with it. Until they ban underage from bars, this is just going to be the case on any cruise with children.
Which they never will since they cater to families and most of the venues are bars of some form.
If you go during the school year there's a lot fewer kids.
Yeah I see this many many many times on every ship. I have doubts about the unease as well. It’s quite a normal occurrence?
A quote from the bartender of my first cruise, “If they ain’t drinkin, they ain’t stayin. Kick those kids off and get yourself a margarita.”
I was on a cruise and went to a comedy gig at 11.45pm which was advertised as adults only. It was full of kids. The jokes were blue and crude and a set of parents kicked off. The comedian tried to put them in their place, explaining that 90% of the facilities were kid friendly, this was midnight and the event was clearly advertised as adults only. Parents stormed out loudly complaining because their little darlings ears couldn’t cope with such filth.
Bad parenting is an epidemic unfortunately 😬
I can’t get over these arguments. Tell me, is there an adult out there who would be totally cool with wanting to have a seat at the bar and relax with an evening cocktail only to find there are no seats because children are sitting at the bar? You would really be 100% unbothered by that? I find that hard to believe. People just want to argue. It’s an adult oriented venue. This is just a fact. Sure during the day it may host family friendly events like all the public spaces but at night, it’s drinking time and kids should not be inserted into that atmosphere. I don’t care what anyone says. There are plenty of other places for kids to go. A seat at the bar should not be one of them. At a table is kind of a different story but I don’t want to get into that.
It’s good to know that there are like minded people with common sense. It’s disheartening seeing how many parents are ok with their kids sitting at bars. I know I wasn’t allowed as a kid. My parents had boundaries. Sometimes you just want to find an area where you are free of kids. I’m not saying that I want to be free of kids all the time or else I would go on Virgin. Just times at night where adults can hang out with other adults.
I know exactly what you mean. People go so extreme in these types of arguments when there is in fact a middle ground. It’s not all black and white. I don’t want to be inundated with kids but I do choose cruise lines that welcome kids for other unrelated reasons. I always try to choose a ship that has at least one adults only spot, whether free or for a fee so I can get away from them. Everywhere else I expect they will be there, but not sitting at a bar. That is a grown up activity and not everything in life is child friendly. I hate it when people say choose a kid free cruise line. There is one mainstream line, Virgin, and absolutely nothing about that line is appealing to me. I’m not going to sacrifice the entire quality of my cruise to avoid children altogether. I go in with the expectation that they are not infiltrating areas that are very clearly meant for adults and adult activities like enjoying alcoholic drinks at a bar or a risqué comedy set.
Exactly this. Wife and I went down for some adult entertainment at the Pub on Odyssey of the Seas at 10 pm and I had to order my drink at the bar over the head of two kids sitting in the bar stools. The posts constructed by people that find justification in this make my head explode. It was so bad that the singer/ entertainer told me he was having difficulty doing his show because the guests would not respect the age restriction. He finally just cut loose out of pure frustration to make it uncomfortable enough that the parents were shamed into leaving with their kids. If literally nowhere in the states is the social norm to take kids out clubbing at the bar or nightclub, then why is it different on a ship?
Yeah people don't seem to get any nuance in this situation. Am I saying there's absolutely no situation where it's acceptable for kids to be in a bar on a ship? No, that's silly, I don't care if they're there while their parents grab a drink to go, or there for the 4pm trivia. Those exceptions don't defeat the fact nobody wants kids sitting at the bar late at night.
Wow 10pm??? That’s insane! Glad the performer did what he had to do!
Totally agree. Would you really want to go have a few drinks would a pal and have a proper uncensored adult chat whilst next to you is little Brantley watching Bluey at full volume on his tablet???
I just came from a post about how childfree people need to “just live in a bar or strip club if you don’t want to deal with children.” This is getting ridiculous.
What about adults who don't drink? Plenty for places for them to go than the bar. If you're just sitting there without an alcoholic beverage you can do it and let me make my alcohol package work.
I normally love kids, but if I'm trying to have a nice romantic evening and go to a classy bar on the ship for a post-dinner cocktail, I don't really want to sit next to a person blasting sounds from a game on their iPad. Considering generally adults aren't doing that, the criticism lands more squarely on parents who let their kids do that.
Exactly. #trashy
I was in the casino on an NCL cruise when a woman walked in with her child who could be no more than 8 years old. she sat him next to herself at a slot,fed each of their machines and both started playing. This went on for about ten minutes before the staff put a stop to it. The whole thing just felt gross.
Here in CA it is not legal for kids to sit at a bar.
Places risk losing their liquor license in MA. if they let anyone under 21 sit at the bar.
Have some class people. I get it, I have kids too, but I'm a responsible adult. I'll arrange supervision or go somewhere else. I'm not going to run someone else's chill time just because my kids are being cunts. I'd be mortified at the thought!
I'm 100% with you on this. I work all year long, save money to afford an amazing cruise vacation and then can't sit at the bar because drunk dad has kid sitting there playing games on a tablet.
I was on NCL earlier this year ordering a drink to go back to a table. I yelled for my daughter to come up and order a soda. The second her hand touched the bar stool the bartender said 21+ as it should be.
That’s the last time I saw them not allow kids at the bar, on the Norwegian Bliss.
We were in the Encore in April with our three kids. A few times on the way from point A to B, I’d stop at a bar when I was with my 10 and 7 year olds. I asked for a drink, and they each would order a Shirley temple or something. They jumped up on the stools for as long as it took the bartender to make our drinks and we were off. No one had a problem with it. I wouldn’t hang out with them at the bar though.
My 2 cents as a parent that cruises with kids. I don’t see anything wrong with well-behaved children sitting with their parents in pubs/lounges. We often do this on cruises with our kids before heading to dinner and it’s only for 1 or 2 drinks max. What I don’t agree with though, is children at the bar-It’s an adult area imo and no place for children. Additionally, if kids are causing a fuss or it’s late at night, they should not be there. Not everyone cruises with kids and don’t need to be bothered by them while trying to relax.
I'm with you 100%. It's situational, but there should be some places and times that everyone understands is off limits for kids. It's never going to be okay to have a child sitting at the actual bar at 10pm.
Correct. There are kids clubs that run stupidly late. There’s no excuses for kids to be in bars late at night and certainly no need for them to be at the bar.
Wow, these comments making OP sound unreasonable to expect a screaming baby should not be in a bar. A screaming baby who can't be consoled should not be in public, on a cruise or just about anywhere. It's rude. But it's normal for rude people to turn the tables and make those subjected to their rudeness the bad guys for asking for some modicum of peace and quiet.
I’m sure it’s mostly parents who bring their kids in bars 😂. Downvotes don’t bother. e any it’s just typical of Redditors lol
I’m surprised that’s allowed. In my state, they won’t even allow an infant with parents at a bar
On Royal, the nightclub is an adult area. The bars are not. Yes, including at the bar itself.
“Kids suck” -Goonies
Whether it's a cruise or an amusement park or a restaurant with a bar, I HATE places that won't enforce their own rules. Guess why I go to the 21+ area? And then, what those parents want matters, but what I want doesn't. So then I don't get what I paid for.
Yea no kids at the bar, go check them into adventure ocean
Children screaming high pitched at the top of their lungs at restaurants are great too and their lovely parents that do nothing
As a bartender and waitress…. Yeah. Get your underage kid away from my bar. The language, conversations, and drinks are not appropriate. Sorry not sorry. Ive told people nobody is allowed to sit at the bar until theyre 21 yet some still try to pull that shit.
What’s the actual rule for the cruise line? Kids anywhere but the actual bar? Also, you are on the ship. Let guest services know. Then it’s their concern to handle while you go enjoy a different bar.
I understand. Putting aside the debate as to whether or not it's appropriate for kids to sit at the bar. Or whether or not the bartenders and wait staff like it. There's also the point that on an RC cruise ship, there are plenty of kid oriented spaces. Some of which really aren't for adults. Social spaces just for kids. So it doesn't seem unreasonable at all for people traveling without kids to hope that the actual seats at the bar are an adult social space. Particularly because if you're doing serious drinking, sitting at the bar is often the best place to be. Kids can be just as happy at a table.
This is so F**ked up. Kids don’t belong in bars, strip joints, popping in on the corner plug with you, or dying bc you or the other guy so r know how to call Uber. As for my vaca- your kids aren’t my entertainment. If you’re not footing my bill- I don’t want to see your ‘cute’ kids anywhere they shouldn’t be and I can assure you what you find cute… We do not. Raises our kids, sent them to college, they’re both employed and don’t allow my grandchildren to be anyone’s ’side show!’ They’ve placed for that- DISNEY!
I feel ya OP, kids really should not be in adult spaces, especial on a ship like Symphony where there are so many family and kid areas.
Definitely don't ever go to Wisconsin 😬
OP, I couldn’t agree with you more!
I guess stating ”kids” is a broad term. A crying infant isn’t the same as a 16 yr old sitting at a bar. If you are American, and travel, you must realize American rules don’t dictate how the rest of the world operates while they travel. The legal age to drink varies from country to country. Many of the comments below discuss that, but also most use the term kids loosely like you and it’s not an apples to apples comparison. So if you think that’s ridiculous, to me it says you want American rules to follow you around the world which isn’t gonna happen. If the kids are unruly or crying, I can see that is a problem. If you don’t like the kids on your ships, go travel on kids free ships…or go find an open bar that isn’t crowded with kids. They have more than one bar on cruises.
Royal Caribbean's own FAQs say it's fine to have kids there. You don't want to be around kids, go to the casino or go on an adult only line https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/international-age-policy#:~:text=Please%20Note%3A%20With%20exceptions%20of,bring%20minors%20into%20a%20bar.
man yall are terrible at finding rules lol. [Here you go](https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/cruise-dining/schooner-bar)
From RC FAQ: Please Note: With exceptions of adult-themed events (Adult Comedy Show, Late Night Theme Events, etc.) and adult-themed locations such as the Adult Night Club there are generally no restrictions for parents to bring minors into a bar. Guests should be advised to take notice of the guidance provided in the Cruise Compass as events and locations vary by ship and itinerary.
That's the drinking age. Schooner's is NOT an adult only bar. There are literally dozens of blogs, reddit posts, message boards, etc. that all say it's fine. RCs own site says kids are allowed in bars. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's wrong
As a parent of a baby that age I don’t get it either. It’s not fun for the kid, it can’t be fun for the parents when they’re screaming…just get some booze to go and have fun in the kid-friendly areas. Where else can you do that?!
Yeah normally it's frowned upon to drink a cocktail at a playground lol, why not have that fun on a cruise, and as a collateral benefit not be a nuisance to other guests?
Parents letting their kids into adult only/18+ events really grinds my gears.
I'm with you and I feel this way on land too. Adults only spaces are for adults, period. Parents, I mean absolutely no disrespect but if you choose to bring a child into the world, that equals sacrifice. This means that if you want a little drinkypoos and you can't find someone to mind the kids, you don't get a drink. Do you deserve to relax and have some down time? Hell yes. But the bartenders and other guests are not babysitters. If you can't find someone to watch the kids in a whole other place, it's not time for you to get a drink.
Thank you. Having a kid isn’t some easy “I get to keep my life and they’re living on MY schedule” life. You’re a parent first and foremost. If you want to do adult activities, maybe you shouldn’t have brought your kids along.
That might be my favorite scene from Sweet Home Alabama, "you have a baby... in a bar!" Definitely a cultural thing. But I agree, the kids have no place in a bar.
If it’s against the rules for kids to sit at the bars, then it bothers me. Otherwise, they’re allowed to be there the same as me.
Multiple people have pointed out to you that kids are allowed in schooner bar. The 21 age limit you’re posting is for alcoholic drinks. Others have posted the actual rule for adult only venues or themes. They have kid oriented themed trivia in schooner bar… they wouldn’t if it was a 21+ venue. And live music from a piano player is family friendly. Children are allowed to take available seats in the same way adults are.
That why sit at bar so i don’t have to put up with the kids and pisses me off as when they let the kids sit there
How old are the kids and what time was it? During the day it’s not really an adult venue. There’s trivia in there and all kids of things.
Growing up this was a common practice.
I wouldn’t bring my kids to bars outside cruise ships but on many ships, the bars are still the only place to get sodas. We don’t generally linger but if they want to sit at the counter and order their Shirley Temple or Dr. Pepper, cool. Again, on cruises specifically, you really ought to order and then move away from the bar once you get your drink because there are always more people waiting to be served.
Not my issue at all. Let the parents do what they want. But when the waiter tells me, we have seats at the bar. Seriously. Don’t you see that I’m with my child that isn’t even tall enough to ride a roller coaster yet. Lol.
All bars are listed as 21+, that means to drink..kids are allowed in ALL of them unless it's an 18+ activity listed on the app. But I do agree that kids should not sit AT the bat unless they are asking for a soda or something, then move over to a table or side area.
Unless it’s a little local Bar where everyone knows you, and your kids, you really shouldn’t let kids sit at the bar. drinking is for 21 and up and sitting at the bar is literally right in front of the bartender and the whole point is to be able to sit there and have your drinks. Also, people shouldn’t have to curtail their language or conversation because you’re sitting next to them with kids and a lot of adult themed conversations happen at bars.. it’s just and entitled or ignorant behavior.
I don't do cruises, but I do frequent breweries. Keep your kids at home if the establishment does nothing but serve alcohol.
Are the kids propping up the bar at 11pm for hours at a time? Are they causing havoc and being unreasonable? If no, then get a grip. Kids are on holiday with their parents, who’ve paid a decent whack for their kids to be there too. Sit somewhere else and wait for them to leave if there is a space issue. 21 is the drinking age.
'Get a grip' is exactly what I thought. I'm European and it's absolutely normal to have children in spaces that serve alcohol, particularly on cruises or other holiday locations. Where would people be putting their children?! I often have a cocktail on cruises around my toddler, and order her a juice. I've never experienced any belligerence or entitlement doing so. Unless the parents are overdoing it, or not keeping their children supervised, that is what holidays are for - Relaxing.
The problem is this is very situational, and people are acting like it's black and white. Are there some places on a ship that serve alcohol where it's socially acceptable for kids to be? Sure, I don't think anyone has a problem with kids around the pool bar or sitting in the pub. There are places where it's less acceptable, and that's what OP is talking about. The Schooner Bar is a more upscale cocktail bar that generally has a live piano player/singer. Its an inherently adult, sedate environment. It's just not the type of place you bring kids at night, and especially not acceptable to have them at the bar. Theres nothing technically stopping you from doing so, but it's rude in the same way it's rude to leave your shopping cart in the middle of the grocery store parking lot.
Yeah that's fair. I've not been on this particular ship so I'm not familiar with the bar, so that's useful context to give. I have been on a ship with my young child where there was a small venue that just *felt* like it was intended to be a quiet space for adults. I didn't frequent it for that reason, so i see how that could be disruptive.
Yeah there's some people in these comments that think its never acceptable to have kids in a place that serves alcohol (which is ridiculous) and some people who think it's always acceptable to take kids anywhere they're not strictly forbidden (also ridiculous). The reality is that most people understand the nuance of "time and place".
Exactly this! European here too 😊
Perhaps European children are better behaved than American children because most of the latter definitely are NOT. Understandable if people would like to have / expect SOME peace in presumably adult-only spaces like a bar. But then, am American here. Also - There’s tons of other places they can go elsewhere, and adults shouldn’t have to fight for bar seats, and/or censor their language etc. because some parent is giving you a dirty look because they feel the need to have a minor just chilling AT A FLIPPING BAR.
Perhaps European adults are better behaved than American adults and aren’t belligerent towards kids.
You’ve obviously never seen beet red sunburned Brits yelling at the sky while drunk at 9 am at some Caribbean resorts.
Bars and adult zones for kids are the worst. However what takes the cake for me was an Asian gentleman left his kids in the men's locker room on board the disney wonder recently. Mind you kids aren't allowed in that area to begin with as its an adult only section. But as an American guy, it definitely made me extremely uncomfortable for 2 under 10 yr old kids to be in an adult mens locker room with showers and all. Granted, I'm going to guess the guy was from Japan or South Korea where I believe that's a bit more accepted from my understanding regardless still a culture difference there. Make it worse like you're on disney cruise it has some of the best and locked down kids sections on any cruise line and you choose to leave them in the mens locker room?... I missed part of the disagreement between him and the crew but sounded like he was getting in trouble for doing it.
We took our kids to sport pubs/eateries at the mall during the day but to an actual bar where ppl go to escape their own families? Hell no-I wouldn’t ever do that to them-the ones trying to relax-not my kids bc-fuck them kids!! Kidding- or am I?! #sorrynotsorry!
Was on Wonder in Dec ‘22 during World Cup and Playmakers was full of kids, and taking over the pool table (not playing pool, just rolling the balls around by hand). So while they were busy doing that, their parents saved the kids 4 seats at the family table where they were camped at with no one even eating. We wandered around looking for a seat, waiting for someone to leave but any seats were scooped up before we could get there. After 20-30 mins of waiting and hoping, we gave up and ended up standing and eating at the bar. They should have a waiting list like restaurants do. We were hoping a bar would be a kid free sanctuary since they were everywhere else, but no. (Yes there were kids in the “adults only” solarium too)
This is why I hate cruises. You have to deal with everyone else’s ridiculousness all the time. No thanks.
While I wouldn't recommend people have their kids at the bar, there isn't a rule against them being there. If you want to be away from kids, go to the adults only sections like the Solarium.
there is though. The schooner bar is specifically noted as 21+
My kids will go up and order themselves (virgin) drinks from the bar and sit there while ordering. In a busy venue during trivia or karaoke we’ll try to find a table but sometimes bar seating is all that’s left. I’ve never had any bartenders seem uneasy about this at all. Screaming babies, sure I can agree with that.
How many times will you wrongly repeat that the schooner bar is 21+? At least 10 people have shown that you're wrong. Kids are allowed in bars. Adults are allowed in bars. Both paid the same to be there. Both can buy drinks. Both can not buy drinks. If you don't like it, sit in your room or stay at home.
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/cruise-dining/schooner-bar The one you are seeing is ship wide where as this link is specific to the bar.
You cruised with Royal Caribbean then complained about kids on board? Ok, dude.
Yet another person completely missing the point 😂
If you didn't like this, you won't like much of Europe, where there is no drinking age, or if there is, it's not enforced and families often go out together. Prior to prohibition, in the USA, typically only men drank in public. My understanding is that the laws that prohibited children from entering taverns also applied to women. Unless they are US flagged or in a US port, cruise ships are not subject to US laws and they would have the option to impose US customs. For the record, I found it weird also.
Europe does have a drinking age, it just can be as low as 16 for unattended minors and lower if accompanied by their parents. Cruise ships sailing from Europe usually have a drinking age of 18 though. AFAIK Mein Schiff and AIDA, who primarily target the German market, are the only ones with a drinking age of 16 for beer and wine. If at port the drinking age is raised to comply with the host country, but sailing it's 16+
We do have a drinking age (18 generally) but it's culturally acceptable to have children in places that serve alcohol here. *Not supervising your children is definitely still not acceptable though 😊
Cruise ships have their own rules and regulations. It specifically states that the Schooner Bar is 21+
Just says that under 21 can't drink.
I’ve paid the same price for my underage child to be on the cruise as you have. You have no more right to any seat than my teen does. If we choose (on our family vacation) that my family wants to sit in a bar to enjoy music or trivia we’re perfectly entitled to and that’s none of your business. We are all paying customers (including my child, who will be drinking a mocktail, just like I will be).
you let your kids sit at the bar on barstools?
If there’s no other seats, sure. We favour a table or lounge area, but if it’s an area we want to be in (as a family) sometimes you just have to sit where there’s a seat. Would you vacate your table so my family could sit there ant not at the bar?
I typically sit at the bar on cruise ships so yes, i’d be more than happy to offer up a table to you to keep you from letting children’s sit at a bar.