Cruising with infants and toddlers
 

Cruise line policies vary widely -- some accept newborns, others say 1 year, others 3 years.<BR><BR>Is cruising with little ones a good vacation for the parents? How does it affect the cruise experience for other passengers?

Do you really have to ask? <BR><BR>You must have been over on CC this morning, since a baby thread has started on the Hal board. <BR><BR>How does it affect the cruise experience for other passangers?<BR><BR>First off it depends on the cruise line. Disney is kiddie city, period.<BR>I would think a good majority have kids with them and are immune at this point in their lives.<BR><BR>Other cruise lines are not geared for babies and kiddies. <BR><BR>I think bringing infants is not only stupid on the parents part, but inconsiderate to other passangers. <BR><BR>Would you want a cabin next to someone with a baby? <BR><BR>A CRUISE IS NO PLACE FOR A BABY.<BR><BR>I don't even think infants belong on a Disney ship. <BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

The railings are not close enough together to be safe-no restraints around the pools-what about cribs,highchairs?, No rooms are child-proof.<BR><BR>This sounds like a nightmare and no vacation for the parents(and grandparents) wait for 3 years old. <BR><BR>Everybody will thank you.

My sister has cruised with my nephew twice, once when he was 16 mos. and a few months ago at 2 and a half. My kids and I were with them the last time. My sister thinks it's a great vacation with a toddler. It would certainly be easier at 3 when they can join the kids programs, but she'll go again then as well.There were many infants and toddlers on our Celebrity cruise over President's week. They gave the kids toys plus they splashed in little wading pools ondeck. The staff bent over backwards for the little ones.<BR><BR>They will provide a high chair, porta crib. There is babysitting available. Keep in mind that you will pay the full 3rd or 4th passenger rate on all but Disney.<BR><BR>I don't know why you wouldn't want a cabin next to a baby. Ours was next to my nephew. He sleeps through the night and we never heard a peep. The only thing we heard came from the cabin on the other side of us, they came in late, woke us up and the man had a hacking cough. I wish there were a family with a small child on the other side of us too.<BR><BR>I don't know what railings Maryann is talking about. I don't think a child has fallen through any yet.<BR><BR>The previous posters clearly have never taken an infant on a cruise so don't have a clue. They just don't want YOU to take your child. For them there are adults only cruises. If you go during a vacation week or summer, your child will have plenty of company.<BR><BR>Family cruising is a burdgeoining business. Even Crystal is instituting children's programs and children cruise free this summer.

There are many cruisers, including myself who think the best place for infants and toddlers is at home with a doting grandmother. In all honestly parents need a time out from the constant care of little ones and a cryiing baby in the dining room doesn't make the most pleasant experience even with the most understanding cruiser..I am not anti-children.. One of my pet peeves is the &quot;killer strollers&quot; anywhere.lol... We had experience of being next to a table with little ones on a cruise and the parents were continually taking them up and out of the dining room because of crankiness..The father apologized and said &quot;never again&quot;, it was obvious that they were not enjoying their cruise. You are taking the small ones off their regular schedules of sleeping and eating and not all of them can swing withit..Yes, I've met lots of great little kids and I've also felt sorry for some of those mother and fathers who were pushing strollers day and night....The crew is very understanding and many of them miss their own children and they usually try to entertain the little ones with tricks or carry them around. Every parent thinks their children are just &quot;wonderful&quot; and will be &quot;no trouble&quot;.. and sadly it's not always true. We try to cruise before school is out and after they are back in school...yes, there are adult only cruises, but they are few and far between and I must admit I do enjoy some of the little ones and enjoy meeting people of all ages. Now all the rest of you can &quot;flame&quot; me..lol

Parrotmom, points taken, but you are of course assuming that there is a grandparent willing and able to watch the little ones. Quite an assumption, this isn't always the case. Some people either want to take their children or don't have someone to leave them with for a week.

ParrotMom ... you said it all!<BR><BR>I'll bet that for every parent who says &quot;My kid is never a problem&quot;, there would be 20 people in the near vicinity who'd say &quot;You've gotta be kidding!&quot;<BR><BR>Nature gives parents selective deafness (otherwise they'd go bonkers) ... so they're USED to kids fussing and whining. They shreik, too, both in delight and anger. Parents honestly don't hear it, I think. At least, not all of it.<BR><BR>The rest of us hear it, though. Trust me.<BR><BR>

There are a number of issues to this question.<BR><BR>1. What is the policy of the cruise line. Each is different. Some will not accept passengers under a set age.<BR><BR>2.What is the demographics of the passengers on your cruise. <BR><BR>3. Are you in tune with what others around you desire, or are you only in tune with your needs.

That's all true, but more and more familys are cruising. Cruising puts everyone in close quarters, maybe some people don't like smokers, or very loud adults. Too bad, they are cruising too and you have to put up with them.<BR><BR>From my family's standpoint, we wouldn't cruise without children. The childrens' programs are wonderful and the cruiselines really cater to them. It's the perfect family vacation. The very fact that previous adult only oriented lines like Crystal and Seaborn are jumping on the kids program bandwagon should tell you something. If cruiselines want to stay in business they have to cater to kids, and they are.

Lew that's very true. That's why I would never take kids on HAL. It's just not as kid friendly as other lines. If you choose the right cruiseline, your kids will have fun and you won't annoy the antikid brigade.

I guess i always kinda thought that being a parent meant occasionally making a sacrifice. Just seems like people wanna drag a poor baby along with them everywhere (movies...theatre...restaurants)becuase they dont think &quot;a little thing&quot; like HAVING A CHILD should stop them from going on with the carefree life they had before kids. Im not saying you shouldnt take kids .period. on a cruise...just wait till they're old enough to appreciate it. it MAY mean putting your childs interests first.

OK now we will hear from NINA.<BR><BR>For every pro there will be a con.<BR><BR>Nothing wrong with that-it;s just everyone's opinion.<BR><BR>I agree that it is not fair to the child. What do you mean that you don't know what I mean about railings-look around they are everywhere. And do you want your children crawling on the floors/carpets, who knows when they were cleaned,ugh! or are you going to hold them for 7 days or keep them strapped into something all the time!<BR><BR>I would take them somewhere for the weekend-strange rooms,restaurant all the time,never on the floor and see how they do before you commit yourself or others to a baby that hates it and lets everyone know.

I've just come back from a musical review at a regional theatre..and although it was suitable for famiilies and young children I didn't expect to hear TWO INFANT crying.. I swear to you..One family sat near us (four children including the baby) and they allowed the baby to climb up and down the stairs during the performance.. I swear to you this happened.. Let's face it...it's not the childen..it's the parents...right.. Yes, not everybody has a grandparent to babysit and family cruising is very popular from Grandparents to the little ones.. I and other cruisers aren't child haters..really..I have two myself..lol But I would not choose to go on a Disney ship or when there is school vacation. As an instance we were on a ship when a little boy started urinating in the jacuzzi..as we were about to enter.. the mother told us to &quot;tell him to stop&quot;.... is she kidding!!!oron the same cruise a mother put her chaise in the adult pool to watch her children play in the water...there was a kiddie pool not that far away... It's the same in restaurants... I don't want to be seated near a family of little kids.. what a grouch...and I know I'm alone.. Question.. why don't mothers request their kids sit in their seats in restaurants and I don't mean McDonalds.. and let them roam around while people are dining..it drives me crazy..lol

ParrotMom,<BR><BR>You are not alone!

If you have to ask how having your children along may affect the experience of others, you should think of other types of vacations where you don't have to even think about that question. <BR>We changed our vacation and entertainment style depending on the needs of our children, and were never lacking of fun vacations. We spent many vacations with family, where others enjoyed being with the children and we could keep them on schedule. We'd visit in the homes of our family around the country; we'd rent condos in different locations, including the beach, Whistler and Puerto Vallarta. It was hardly a sacrifice.

To Parrotmom regarding big &quot;killer strollers&quot;. We have come to refer to these as SUS's - or sports utility strollers and believe there is a direct correlation between size of SUV a parent drives and size of stroller they choose. (Why would someone need 2 cup holders on a stroller?)

Here is a question since you brought up SUV's. Why are the drivers of huge SUV's inversely proportional to the size of the SUV. Meaning, the largest SUV's always seem to have a driver the size of Tatoo on Pleasure Island. Is it the same with these SUS's?<BR><BR>They never seem to be able to handle the vehicle.

Undersize drivers of oversize strollers.<BR><BR>Under-age, too!<BR><BR>Seems the Lido deck is a favorite spot for perfecting driving skills. 4 year olds (midget wannabe Dale Earnharts) entertaining the 2-year old cheerleader. Keeps them out of mom's hair and on everyone else's bunions.

Just checked NCL and they have programs starting at 2 year old...but how many parents or kids would think to enroll their children. Remember sharing a breakfast with a mother (so help me, I couldl't possibly make this up)..and her son and daughter came to the table and she wanted to know &quot;what time they went to bed..it seems they went to the disco---these were not older teens) and the mother said that her children didn't need a &quot;program&quot;.. Meanwhile both of the kids ordered almost every breakfast item and turne up their nose when it arrived. The next day it was announced no one under 18 was allowed in the disco...and don't you just love it when you find kids on the elevators pushing buttons... On the other hand I know a couple who took their daughter on a cruise and could't get her off the ship she just loved the special programs and didn't even want to eat her meals with them..she was having a ball. Nina..it's not that we don't like or love kids...but in truth it's the parents who let their kids loose on the other cruisers trying to enjoy their time away and unstress. They believe the ship is a safe place to let them run loose perhaps this is what we object to...parents leaving the discipline (heaven forbid) to others..Oh yes.. I have seen childen who were enrolled in programs going on &quot;treasure&quot; hunts... and having a ball and the little ones with patches, pails and scarves on candy treasure hunts.

Maryann, Do you even HAVE children, because honestly, you sound like you don't have any idea. I love people who think parents and their kids should remain quarantined at home until a certain age. Oh my god, they might crawl on the CARPET! That would be horrifying I know.<BR><BR>First of all, I see so many arguements that don't make sense. Why do people assume you are taking children off their regular schedules on a cruise? Why do they think you can't let your child nap and eat at their usual times, because it really is done quite easily.<BR><BR>Why do people think the baby isn't enjoying themselves? The toddlers and babies I saw were having so much fun playing in the baby pool, just being with their parents which I suspect not all of them get to do on a daily basis (maybe mom works?). And anyway, if parents waited until their kids could remember or appreciate a vacation, they could stay home for years.<BR><BR>I still don't know what Maryann is talking about with the railings. Maryann, this may come as a surprise to you, but parents have to watch their toddlers every minute, whether they are home in their child-proofed house or on a cruise ship. I have to laugh at this notion of toddlers and infants wandering or crawling around without supervision. It just isn't happening.<BR><BR>Hall Monitor isn't considering taking a young child, she just wants to stir up a debate. Isn't that right Hall Monitor?<BR><BR>Small children don't belong in movies, theatres or fine restaurants. On a cruise ship there are kids programs, babysitters, alternate dining and room service so that everyone can enjoy a cruise.<BR><BR>If a family has the means to vacation every year, or several times a year, why should they wait until &quot;the baby can appreciate it?&quot;, that would be a very long wait. Call me selfish, but I have traveled with my kids from 3 months on. When I look at the photos of their smiling faces and hear them talk about their vacations, I really don't think it was a hardship on them or anyone else.<BR><BR>And when my husband and I vacation alone, we steer clear of cruises, resorts with kids programs or anyplace else that caters to kids. If I don't have mine I don't want to see anyone elses. It really is quite easy to avoid children on vacation with minimal effort.

Nina says: &quot;If I don't have (my kids) I don't want to see anyone elses.&quot; The postings here indicate most people are actually more tolerant than she is. <BR><BR>People don't seem to mind SEEING kids, but they're not keen on constant kid noise or dodging them (and their equipment). <BR><BR>

That may be true. I plan my vacations for optimum enjoyment. As a matter of fact, my husband can't tolerate being on a cruise period. He only went on one with us and that was enough. He wants privacy and relaxation on vacation.<BR><BR>I don't understand why anyone who is going to complain about kids on cruises (especially a Disney cruise), would go on one that wasn't an adults only line, or didn't have a kids program. <BR><BR>I't reminds of a dinner with my sons baseball team at a pizza place. There were lots of little, loud boys. It was a family restaurant at 5:00. There was a man with his date who kept glaring at the kids. He was obviously perturbed by their presence. What kind of moron takes a date to a family restaurant at 5:00 in the evening and expects a quiet romantic evening? It works both ways.

yes,I have kids and 3 grands(all under 5), we would not spend thousands to watch them every minute as we would do at home much easier.<BR><BR>There are vacations, like weekend trips-condo rentals,that work better for very young children.<BR><BR>Parents are not watching their children every minute-babies are drowning, falling down stairs,etc. all the time because nobody was watching.<BR><BR>As for the carpets,of course, they crawled around my house and others-but I would never put them down in a dept. store or other places where the area is questionable. Ever walk around your cabin or hotel room barefoot and your feet are black,and those toys on the floor are going in their mouth? enough said.<BR><BR>We go on cruises when school is in session and very often there are babies on board, they and their parents are not smiling all the time!<BR><BR>The adult-only cruise is a good idea but I'll bet some of the oldies can be as cranky as the babies.<BR><BR>Have fun on your next cruise

Yes they can, and those wheelchairs can hurt your ankles every bit as much as a stroller!

Hello All, We mustbe the family everyone hates. We travel on 2-3 cruises a year with a 19mo and 4 yo.<BR>My oldest sone has been on 7 cruises and we never once had to take him out of the dining room, Although we usually only eat there once or twice a week. Out of respect for those who can't stand children, I take them to the outdoor cafe's , pizza parlors or the evening buffets to eat. We stay to ourselves and usually find other families to go around with. My children have always travelled and know what type of behavior is expected. If they act up they know its back to the room to color as I will not let them whine all day. Trust me, a few ground rules set early on, and they will comply. What kid wants to be sent to his room w/ Dad or Mom when there are movies and games and parties to go to.<BR><BR>I think its really the parents. (i'm not perfect..or anywhay close) but manners and behaving are top priority for me with my children. <BR><BR>I will say that nightime can be boring, vs a cruise with no choldren, but we've found ways around that. If you have two children, try to get 2 adjoining inside cabins. It will give you some extra space (and privacy :)<BR>). We also swich off going in at night with the kids. I schedule all my spa treatments for the nights I'm FREE. Hubby will jam away at the casino on his night. <BR>Not sure if my two cents helps, but please do not leave your kids behind. You will come away with wonderful memories and who knows. Your children may surprise you!<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><B R>

&quot;Trust me, a few ground rules set early on, and they will comply.&quot;<BR><BR>Concur, but that's not common. And you seem to understand your conduct affects others...also uncommon.<BR><BR>What started all of this was a post wanting to bring a 3 month old on a cruise. The 3 month old was being bottled fed.

Well if it's the poster who wants to bring the baby on HAL, I'd say it's a moot point. I understand they don't allow children that young.<BR><BR>She'll have to find a cruiseline that allows infants, and anyone who can't tolerate infants would be best avoiding a line that accepts them.

I've got to agree with Parrotmom. I love my kids and wouldn't trade them for a million dollars, but when I pay A LOT OF MONEY to go on a cruise, or for that matter even to a nice dinner house, I also pay for baby sitters. When I pay for baby sitters, I don't want to hear other peoples kids making a ton of noise and fussing and running and being totally oblivious to other adults enjoyment. Kids have many many places to be kids, and I feel that as a parent I have an obligation to not impose my kids on people who choose not to have them.

That a way to go!!!

gottago,<BR><BR>You are one heck of a person.<BR>What a way to go !!!!!!!! <BR><BR><BR><BR>

Let me see if I have this right gottago, You don't believe that a cruiseline that prides itself on having great kids programs and playrooms, kids menus, kid sized robes in the staterooms and that advertises itself as an ideal family vacation is an appropriate place for parents to bring their children on vacation? This is the case with Disney, RCCL, Carnival, Celebrity, and Princess.<BR><BR>That's almost as absurd as saying you don't think that people should bring their kids to Disneyworld.

I think Gottago is saying the same thing as Nina, actually -- sometimes, they simply don't want to be bugged by their own or anyone else's kids. The difference is that Gottago appreciates that other people have the right to go on vacation without being bugged by anyone's kids! <BR><BR>It's been my observation that by the second or third day, kids are UNDER-whelmed by the experience and start to get bored and fussy, then everyone wishes they were back home with regular playmates.<BR><BR>Also -- the idea of &quot;giving them good memories&quot;. Fact is: the brains of children under 5 are hardwired for &quot;here and now&quot;. I'll bet 30 days after a cruise, if they are given a choice of another cruise or a Happy Meal, they'd take the Happy Meal! <BR><BR><BR>

Interested Bystander, I understand and agree that people don't want to be bugged by other people's kids while on vacation, that being the case, why would you choose a vacation that you know is going to cater to families? That makes no sense to me.<BR><BR>In a poll I read in T&amp;L's Family Vacation magazine last year, cruises were voted the NUMBER 1 family vacation, followed by Disneyworld, Dude ranches and ski trips. Obviously many families choose a cruise for their vacation. Why would anyone who doesn't want to be bugged by kids choose a vacation that is so popular with families? That is what I don't understand.

You say: &quot;Why would anyone who doesn't want to be bugged by kids choose a vacation that is so popular with families?&quot;<BR><BR>Here's from a cruise advice column: &quot;Bringing your children or grandchildren? Choose a line with lots of other kids, such as Carnival or Disney Cruises, or go during school vacations. If you'd rather not be bothered by kids, choose the opposite.&quot;<BR><BR>That's exactly why many adults cruise off-season, choosing Seabourn, Crystal, HAL and others such as that. Not because they hate kids. They just don't want the noise and skirmishes.<BR><BR>What else can they do? Where are their rights for &quot;quiet enjoyment&quot;?<BR><BR>One can only hope the parents will realize their particular family is just a very small part of a larger community (especially on the more mature-oriented lines) and will assure their kids are &quot;good neighbors&quot;.<BR>

Interested, I agree with you 100%. That's why when we cruise (which is only with kids), we choose Disney, RCCL and Celebrity, and are considering Princess for our next cruise because it gets high marks for it's kids programs. We ONLY cruise during vacations, because in our case, the more kids the merrier.<BR><BR>I have to believe that if people cruise right after a school vacation, or on a less kid-friendly line like those you mentioned, that they aren't going to run into many, if any kids.<BR><BR>The people with kids don't want to cruise with an adults only crowd anymore than the adults want to cruise with them, believe me!

I just returned home from a baby-free cruise vacation. We decided to leave her home since my mom volunteered. We had 14-18 foot seas and my husband was so seasick he wanted to die. I was SO GLAD we left her home so she didn't have to live through the rocking and rolling and lerching the ship was making. I would have felt AWFUL if she had been sick too!<BR><BR>A good reason to leave children at home, if at all possible. If you still want to go, definitely go with a kiddy friendly ship.

Fascinating thread.... I think that everyone is basically expressing variations of a theme that is the same for ANY public outing with children, which boils down to the following: Children do need to learn about places away from home, and it behooves parents to give them social enrichment-- but there are places and situations where children will not act appropriately to their surroundings, and parents must respect other people's desires to NOT be exposed to it. &quot;Adult-oriented&quot; cruises, just like any other entertainment venue (movies, theatres, restaurants, etc.), are not set up to give kids things to do that are geared to their interests and attention span. And parents should steer clear of such venues. &quot;Family-oriented&quot; entertainment venues are sure to have lots of kids involved, so adults looking to get away from the li'l rugrats should steer clear from these. Simple.<BR><BR>If we can all learn to respect each other, and to accept responsibility for our actions, we can all get along-- even on a cruise ship. Agreed?