Mariner Of the Seas 23rd Dec -- Will there be quiet 'kiddie free' zones?

[Goldeneye]

I booked this trip on impulse after having just returned from my first ever cruise with a couple of friends (Carnival Imagination)2 weeks ago.

It will just be my husband and myself and Yesssss I love your kids I'm sure they are great,however, after reading the forums I am concerned about the number of families versus couples that seem to be using this cruise line. Will there be adult orientated activities and quiet 'down time' areas on board?

[farmerjohn]

The people you meet on a cruise are just like those in real life. There will be lots of children over Chrismas and some of them will be very well behaved while some of them will be less so.

Most ships now have a pool area that is adults only. Also from what I have seen on past cruises, after the first day or two you will have a good idea of where the children are hanging out on the ship. They should be easy enough to avoid if you wish to do so.

[Cruise Specialist]

In February we were on the Celebrity Millenium and ported in San Juan. Sitting next to our ship was the Explorer of the Seas. We talked to a couple of passengers on the ship while in port and they stated that since it was Spring Break for most schools that there were over 900 children on the ship. Celebrity capped their child ratio to 300...made a big difference. Yes you can expect quite few kids on the ship, especially since you are on RCL.

Maybe you can find some quiet areas to get to.

[Sandy]

Golden, the major cruise lines all have excellent children's programs, which are ramped up at holiday times to accommodate the numbers of children onboard. I've been on holiday sailings where I didn't see the kids, for the most part, unless a group of "pirates" or "sailors" walked past me with their counselors on the way to an activity. If you take late dinner seating in the dining room, there will be fewer kids in the dining room and at the shows.

Sandy