Cruise line to teens: Stay out of this area on our ships
In response to requests from some of its most loyal cruisers, Royal Caribbean has changed the age limit for the Solarium, the adults-only sun deck and pool area on its ships.
The minimum age, which for years has been set at 16, will now be raised to 18. In a statement, Royal Caribbean said the changes will go into effect Oct. 1.
"At Royal Caribbean International, a key part of delivering memorable vacations is reviewing the experiences we offer on board and ashore on an ongoing basis," the statement said. "A recent evaluation has informed a decision to update the age requirements to 18 years and older for the Solarium. This change will keep the age requirement in adult-only areas consistent across our ships and private destinations."
The decision to make the change was handed down two months after the line's annual President's Cruise from Galveston, Texas, when some of the highest-tier members of the Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program voiced concerns about age limits at both the Solarium and Hideaway Beach, an adults-only area scheduled to open in 2024 on Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. (The line recently revealed the minimum age at Hideaway Beach will also be 18.)
A passenger on the President's Cruise who identified herself as Elaine from Florida raised the issue during a Q&A with Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley. The event took place in the Amber Theater aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, which was hosting the President's Cruise.
"'Adult' does not start at 16," the passenger said, speaking to a room full of Royal Caribbean fans. "The Solarium [minimum age] is 16. I've never seen an adult 16-year-old."
Following her statement, a thunderous roar erupted throughout the theater. Some of the brand's most elite cruisers were gathered for the Q&A, which was one of several President's Cruise activities scheduled during the voyage.
Passengers almost unanimously supported Elaine's idea, with some suggesting the age limit be set at 21 instead of 16. Another shouted, "Thirty-five!" to even more cheers when Bayley paused to consider what the appropriate cutoff would be.
"Listen, I like that, but I wouldn't be here next year if I did it," Bayley said, eliciting chuckles from the audience.
"Remember ... when the ships are sailing from non-American ports, the drinking age is typically 18," Bayley said. "So we probably would go to 18 from 16 in the Solarium. I don't see anything wrong with moving to 18, but remember, we're all, like, old people in here, so we're happy to kick out the young kids. At some point we're going to have to face them."
As for other issues that cruisers brought to Bayley's attention during the Q&A, there were plenty, and passengers didn't hold back.
They asked whether priority embarkation-day boarding would return for the loyalty program's most elite members, but the answer was no. The line said its goal is to make the experience as great as possible for everyone, eliminating the need for priority boarding. (By checking in on the line's app prior to the sailing, I was able to board in less than 10 minutes, and so were most other passengers.)
Other issues executives said they would look into included allowing Royal Caribbean Group shareholders the ability to use their shareholder benefits (free onboard credit) on complimentary sailings, particularly those earned through casino play; delaying customer feedback surveys for back-to-back passengers until the conclusion of their final sailing; and inviting crew members who have worked for the company for 25 years or more to attend "welcome back" parties thrown for Crown & Anchor members on each voyage.
And, in a potential indicator of things to come, Bayley cryptically alluded to the potential for onboard sports betting to be added to the fleet's list of activities and hinted at a possible private island for passengers sailing from Texas.
"Ooh. What a great idea," Bayley said of the latter when a passenger from the Lone Star State asked if it were possible. "Can there be a private island for cruisers out of Texas for a seven-day cruise? It's a great idea. I would love to say more, but I cannot. But I can tell you I completely agree with that idea. It's a great idea. It's on our wish list of things that we're going to get done at some point. Next question."
Have cruise questions? TPG has answers:
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.