Kids can cruise too

Cruise Travel, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Carolyn Marple

I am writing in reference to the letter "Rude Kids, Parents, Grandparents" in the December 2004 Cruise Travel. I see only negative views in this letter and would like to add my positive input on this matter.

Our family, (my husband and I and our two children) just returned from our first cruise in 15 years on Royal Caribbean International's Navigator of the Seas. I would say there were about 600 children between the ages of two and 11 and about 250 teens onboard. During the week I must say the children, including my own, have never behaved so well. I didn't see children anywhere they didn't belong--no yelling or horseplay. But there were some adults that were being quite loud--and would run anyone down if you got in their way at the buffet line. All the children seemed to know their manners, while some of the adults could use a refresher course on their etiquette.

My whole point is maybe those people who do not wish to be social and strictly want to get away, eat, and gripe should check with their travel agent for a list of lines that have what their looking for in a cruise. There are working families that need and deserve a vacation just like everybody else. And younger people want to "get out there" too! Cruising is just not for seniors anymore! Let me remind everyone that they were a kid once too!

Carolyn Marple, Rotonda, FL