Some cruise passengers remain rooted in the past, even if that past never really existed.
They long for the days when everyone put on formalwear for dinner and kids were perfectly behaved because distractions like iPhones and iPads had not been invented yet. Never mind that kids certainly found ways to be distracted and misbehave before technology took hold. Some parents take a different attitude and want Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) to make some changes.
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"My children are ages 7, 11 and 15. We are a good Christian family, We do not allow them to take their phones or tablets to the dining room for any meal. We have the same rule at home. We do not buy the internet package so no one uses them to call or text. There is a no technology rule when we cruise together," wrote an unnamed passenger.
That passenger, however, is not content with simply setting the rules for their children, they also want to decide what's appropriate for other people's kids.
"I am horrified that we seem to be the only family on the Carnival Dream who have this rule. We are there to spend time together. In my eye, Carnival should enforce a no phones and no tablets at the dinner table at least. Carnival should set a precedent that would set Carnival apart from other cruise lines," she wrote.
The preachy parent clearly believes that their parenting choices are correct and the only option for training kids.
"Seeing families all on their phones at dinner is appalling. My children have been raised correctly. They never ask for their phones or tablets on a cruise. I make sure I’m not on my phone in front of them, too. It’s so important for children to communicate verbally, learn eye contact, and feel like they’re listened to. Carnival is letting families down by allowing this," they added.
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Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival responds to call for technology ban
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald was patient in his response.
"Thank you, and I do hope you are having (sorry, had) a wonderful cruise. Parenting is never easy, and, with respect, it is also a personal thing, and not for us as a cruise line to decide if children should be allowed to use their electronics in the dining room," he wrote.
Heald has a teenage daughter, whom he sometimes writes about.
"I know as a parent myself it is hard to take a child’s smartphone, especially once they get used to having it all the time. I know that personally and having tried to shove that genie back in its bottle and slammed the barn door behind that bolting horse. For some parents, it is easier to get a child to eat a plate full of kale," he added.
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Heald, likely because he knew his readers would not be as diplomatic as he chose to be, asked them for comment.
"I wonder then what your thoughts are on this? Eye phones and Eye pads I think remain generationally divisive," he shared.
(Heald never spells product names correctly.)
Carnival passengers push back
Nearly 300 people commented on Heald's post, and many took issue with the idea that not using phones in the dining room was a condition of being a "good Christian family."
"Kudos to the parents for having rules they stick by in their family. Now having said that, why should Carnival be responsible for every family following your rules? Are you going to require all restaurants to have this same rule as well? Are you trying to say only those who follow your rules are a 'good Christian family?' posted Missi Brown.
Brad Kimberley took a similar stance.
"I’m not sure that using phones at the table disqualifies people as 'good Christian families.' If that’s your family’s rule due to faith, awesome. Good for you. But I’d be careful to not impose your faith on others…especially those who worship at the altar of Steve Jobs or any other religious figure…as their faith and how they operate their families may be different," he wrote.
Some posters had a different issue with the idea of banning technology in the dining room.
"When I am in the dining room, and I am looking at my phone, it means I am engrossed in the book that I am reading. Having books on my phone has become very important. I love reading but am unable to handle holding paper books now. So I guess at a table by myself, I should not be allowed to read my book and enjoy my breakfast or lunch?" shared Catherine Hooper Thomas.
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Paul Bunce summed up what most commenters seemed to be saying.
"As you said, parenting is a personal matter, and Carnival is not who should decide how to raise a child. As far as devices at the table, we did not allow it; however, it is again up to the parents to decide what is acceptable behavior," he wrote.
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