May I please say something as I find this topic very interesting. We have no children, I need to say that first.

I agree and disagree with all the posts here.

If you have children, then I see nothing wrong with takeing them on a vacation regardless of the cost. If the ship/hotel/resort accepts them than this is the way it is. I don't think a child will grow up not understanding things if it's explained to them. Perhaps the problem is with Radisson accepting them?

My husband got to go to Aspen skiing as a child, got what would be considered luxury vacations, not because he wanted them, because his parents did and they took the kids because they had no choice and they refused to settle for less. He was expected to behave as any adult would and was taught something important, manners, by being in that kind of environment. He was taught that these vacation were a privilege because his father got an education, worked hard and earned the right to that privlidge. It showed him what it meant to be succesful and he strived for that, it instilled a good work ethic and manners. He knows how to earn money the honest way and does, and as the old saying goes "the value of a dollar". He said it was a joke, because when he was 10 years old he ordered a lobster and knew how to eat it, doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate the fact of the price of a lobster or that he earns the money now to buy that lobster.

I think these days, it's not because of the money a trip costs, but I think in some cases, (and this is something I talk about with my friends all the time and is in no way directed at anyone here), both parents work and to have some peace, they give their kids what they want "they buy their peace".

I see this on a regular basis, a 13 year old in a mall with a $2,500 handbag, diamond earrings, cell phone in hand, designer sunglasses. I see this more damaging than a luxury vacation.

Takeing a child on a luxury cruise/vacation doesn't mean they have to earn it, they earned it by being the child and you not leaving them home.

Giving a child a handful of money to go out and buy those desinger $300 glasses, $2500 handbag etc etc is perhaps more damaging than a family vacation, i.e., the vacation they may not know how much it costs, and if they have never experienced less costly how will they know it's top of the line?

I personally don't think that takeing a child on a luxury vacation is a bad thing, maybe it shows hard work pays off. That going to school, getting an education, and working hard allows you to achieve these things. In my opinion it's all about how it's handeled by the parents. Now personally I don't think a 5 year old will understand this maybe (the values) wheather it's on a Disney cruise or a Radisson cruise. I mean I just don't see a 5 year old calling for room service or understanding the difference.

That's how my hubby saw it, he saw his father work hard and earn the money and he followed in those footsteps.

When I go out to a nice upscale restaurant, and there are children allowed to run free, go under my table and upset my evening, come up to me to chat and take things off the table (and yes this has happened) that to me is worse, than having well behaved kids whom I didn't even notice. If parents are willing to accept the responsiblity of bringing the children on a cruise and makeing sure they don't annoy other people (but I would expect this on any ship regardless of price) then I personally don't see a problem.

I could take it a step further and ask, what about private school vs public school? Mercedes vs a Chrysler (nothing wrong with Chrysler, just using it as a price thing)? Does that mean that parents don't get to have a big house and their children live in it because it's more expensive than a small house? All these things are luxury with price tags.

The children that misbehaved on that Radisson cruise, I blame it on the parents, they did not control their children, it's not because they were on Radisson, it's because they were not brought up properly in my opinion. Where were the parental supervision and responsibllity of the parent to "know what the kids were doing" when not in a "child supervised program".?

I think that if you want to take your children anywhere, they must be supervised at all times, not given free rein to run free. If you want "free time" then they are in a "child supervised program", when that's not available, then the parent must take responsibility and not have free time, or they must behave the same as at home, I mean would a kid just call up and order a lot of takeout? But I would expect this anywhere, at home, or on any vacation regardless of the cost.

Personally I think that a commercial on TV that says "kids first" etc and I think most people here know what I'm talking about, in today's society, it's all about "kids first", is more damaging. Kids don't necessarily understand the meaning of that expression and therefore "demand" things. I personally don't think it's the luxury vacation that is harmful, I think it's everyday life that is not teaching the values and lessons, like respect, manners, and charity (giving/helping less fortunate). A good friend of mine who is 51 said, when he grew up he grew up with "respect your elders", men got up to give ladies their seats or an older person on a cane his seat, now, he says it's almost all gone from the younger generations. Maybe that is the "bigger" problem than a luxury cruise.

I hope I didn't step on anyone's toes or offend anyone. My post is in no way directed towards anyone here, it was a general opinion about a topic that I have very often with friends and find very interesting and I hope it is viewed that way.