Royal Caribbean Considers Adjusting Kids’ Curfew Amid Feedback from Guests
Royal Caribbean, a cruise line renowned for its family-friendly offerings, is contemplating changes to its kids’ curfew policy in response to feedback from adult passengers seeking a more tranquil experience. During a Q&A session aboard the Utopia of the Seas’ preview sailing, travel advisors expressed concerns about children’s behavior disrupting the ambiance, particularly on ships like the Icon of the Seas, which caters heavily to families.
An advisor highlighted instances where children were interrupting adult activities, such as splashing at the swim-up bar and weaving through dancers at nightclubs like Bolero’s, well past midnight. These disruptions have led to some guests reconsidering their loyalty to Royal Caribbean in favor of quieter, more adult-oriented cruise lines. Suggestions were made to introduce more adult-only areas or enforce earlier curfews at onboard bars to mitigate these issues. Currently, the curfew for children on Royal Caribbean ships extends to 1:00 a.m.
Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean, acknowledged the growing concerns and expressed openness to revising the curfew policies to better balance the needs of all passengers. He reiterated the cruise line’s commitment to being a family brand while also respecting adult guests’ preferences.
Royal Caribbean’s guest conduct policy holds parents and guardians accountable for minors’ behavior, urging them to utilize services like the Adventure Ocean kids’ club, which offers supervised activities for children from six months to 11 years old. Additionally, there are exclusive lounges for tweens and teens.
Travel advisors onboard Utopia of the Seas provided mixed views on potential curfew adjustments. Kristy Kompanik Mosolino of Wishes Travel supported a stricter bar curfew, suggesting that adult-only evenings could enhance the experience for groups like bachelor/bachelorette parties and girls’ getaways. Meanwhile, Shayla Ivey Northcutt of Northcutt Travel Agency emphasized the availability of adults-only spaces like the Solarium and suggested that aligning client expectations with the right cruise experience is crucial, potentially pointing those seeking a child-free environment to other lines.
The discussion underscores a broader industry challenge of balancing family-friendly attractions with the desires of adult travelers. Any changes to the curfew would aim to enhance onboard harmony and ensure all guests can enjoy their ideal vacation experience.