I would like some feedback as to what to expect when I cruise with my children. I believe that I have raised them ok, but I want to check to see if there are any special etiquette rules that I should prepare them for while on the cruise.

Do not let the kids run. This creates a dangerous situation for other passengers. Also, do not allow them to talk loudly (definitely no yelling) and please remove them from public areas if they begin to whine or cry. A good public spanking works wonders.

If your kids are in diapers, keep them out of the pool – even if they wear swim diapers! Don’t try and justify it at all. No room for interpretations. No diapers in any pool or hottub.<BR><BR>The urine that adults and kids place into the pools is bad enough, let’s not add diarrhea and crap seeping from diapers. <BR><BR>Kids in any type of diapers in a pool or hottub are nothing more than a fecal teabag.<BR><BR>If I hear “I made kakka mommy” I better not be looking at a kid near a pool.<BR>

I agree with Brian. Children in any type of diapers do not belong in a public pool. <BR><BR>Also, children being loud is not pleasant for fellow passengers.<BR><BR>Children running is not safe for anyone. I read some postings from some people that actually have tripped kids that were running in the halls (so keep that in mind if your kids are not supervised).<BR>

Swim diapers are just fine for babies in pools. (my company makes them).<BR> You will find a lot of kid-haters on this board. Many people who take cruises to escape their pitiful reality hate to be reminded that there are those in the world who can and do lead a "normal" life and are able to cope with the awesome challenges of parenthood. Cruises are also becoming popular with the "alternative" types...Also, some of these people are just plain mean, deserving of a solo journey in a lifeboat a la Captain Bligh(Bligh made it through alive, but he was smart and competent)

Just be sure you keep them out of the way of the drunken, staggering,falling down drunk adults that have taken over cruising.

Ages please.<BR>

Paul, my children are 10, 12, and 14 years old. Papa, are you crazy? Just because your company makes swim diapers does not mean that you should believe the claims they make about safe in pools. You can let your kids go in YOUR pool with swim diapers on, but please not in public pools.<BR><BR>I think that most adults with a middle school education know about the bacteria in childrens' feces and that swim diapers might contain large stool. However, it should also be obvious that some liquidy stuff might leak out. They shut down water parks a few summers ago because of diseases in children's diarhea.<BR><BR>Anyway, I am talking about children in the older age ranges.<BR><BR>I don't think that I should be expected to watch my kids like a hawk, like some of you suggest ALWAYS supervising them. I am on vacation too!

You go girl! My kids will be the exact same age when we sail on the Disney cruise later this summer. We chose this cruiseline specifically because we didn't want old farts looking down their noses at us.<BR><BR>But now I'm worried about the "murky" pool water. Our kids are WAY beyond the age of this being a worry, and yet they will have to be in the same pool as some of these little ones with the "swim diapers" on, that as we all know only holds in the solid stuff, til it dissolves anyhow.<BR><BR>Now I'm wishing that instead of a family pool there was the adults only pool, the kiddie pool (say up to age 6) and then the tweener/teen pool. Think Disney will take me up on my suggestion? LOL!<BR>

In the dining room, the kids also must comply with the dress code. This means on formal night, the little ones best be wearing a suit or tux.

Are you serious? You want cruise lines to have 2 or 3 pools designated for different aged kids? That means only one (or no) pool(s) for the adults (depending on how many pools the ship has).<BR><BR>Crazy! Just eliminate the wntire problem by enforcing a policy of no diapers (of any type) in any pool. Rock solid policy. Easy for even the idiots to understand. Eliminates fecal matter in all pools.<BR><BR>The same security guys that tell adults to not drink/smoke in the pools can also enforce the no diaper rule. <BR><BR>Nice and simple solution.

While I agree with the rule -- no kids in diapers in pool -- I have yet to see parents actually comply with this logical rule since that would mean denying their kids and most parents won't do that. Also, not everyone who doesn't want to swim with the feces hates kids! It's just a sad fact that many parents refuse to follow the rules, especially when it interfers with their fun. Too bad. All they are doing is teaching their kids to break the rules when they don't like them. In all seriousness, kids should be allowed to play in the pool area, though not run wild, they should dress up cute for dinner (what a great opportunity to teach them about dressing up!), they should have the chance to learn about formal dining -- it's up to the parents to teach their kids how to behave and to benefit from the experience. Unfortunately, those raised in a barn tend to raise kids in like manner.

Jack you must be kidding. They don't enforce any rules on ships. Short of killing someone or smuggling. I think as long as there is money to be made or lost, the cruise lines will turn a blind eye to just about anything.

Jack:<BR><BR>Apparently you do not know "jack" about the Disney cruise ships. They ALREADY have 3 pools designated for different ages; an adults-only pool, a family pool and a kiddie pool. I think the above poster was only (half-jokingly) suggesting that the family pool be designated for the older, don't-poo-in-the-water crowd, and let the familes swim in the kiddie pool with their own kids and their fecal teabags (LOVE that phrase).

Smitty makes a good point about Disney's policy about childrens pools. However, I have never been on a single ship (other than those few run by Disney) that has any special pool for kids and an adult-only pool.<BR><BR>I think an adult-only pool is a wonderful idea. (Heck, I think and adult-cruise is a wonderful idea). However, I would not want to place my children in a kiddie pool if there are going to be kids with diapers in that pool. How can the cruiselines satisfy the parents that do bring their kids on cruises? <BR><BR>Simply by keeping the fecal teabags away from the adult pools is not enough. I agree with the person above that said if you think kids in diapers are ok in a pool, do so in your own pool at home. Do not do that in a pool used by others. No diapers in any public pools.<BR><BR>As for the older kids, please teach them to restrain themselves from unrinating in the pools.

Smitty makes a good point about Disney's policy about childrens pools. However, I have never been on a single ship (other than those few run by Disney) that has any special pool for kids and an adult-only pool.<BR><BR>I think an adult-only pool is a wonderful idea. (Heck, I think and adult-cruise is a wonderful idea). However, I would not want to place my children in a kiddie pool if there are going to be kids with diapers in that pool. How can the cruiselines satisfy the parents that do bring their kids on cruises? <BR><BR>Simply by keeping the fecal teabags away from the adult pools is not enough. I agree with the person above that said if you think kids in diapers are ok in a pool, do so in your own pool at home. Do not do that in a pool used by others. No diapers in any public pools.<BR><BR>As for the older kids, please teach them to restrain themselves from unrinating in the pools.

What is the uproar agianst wearing swim diapers? What about me and my golden year friends who all wear our depends when we going swimming while we cruise? Hollan Amaerica is our favorite line and they never complain against any of us seniors wearing depends while swimming - so why worry about the little ones and there diapers?

Interesting thread. Of course parents should have enough brains to not let their diapered children into the pools. Apparently there are some who do not. Security people will certainly not approach parents since they are not cops. They do not wish to confront angry parents. It is a no-win situation.<BR><BR>Chlorine will kill bacteria but who knows how much chlorine is used in cruise-line pools. The pools are drained every night and refilled. Most Princess' ships have fresh water pools and are chlorinated.<BR><BR>Laura's children are 10, 12 and 14. If they use the buddy systen there should not be a problem. They will want to stay up all night as with all the others. I have never seen any causing a disturbance. They just gather in groups and talk, giggle and play kid's stuff games. Mostly on stairs and elevator areas (who knows why). <BR><BR>For single children, parents should beware. Problem they are either naive or just do not care. Young kids CAN get in quite a bit of trouble on a cruise ship. They can and will get liquor from older men.<BR>The CAN get dragged into a cabin. The CAN fall overboard. After little Mary reports the abuse to their parents the following day the parents attempt to sue the cruise line. This happens more than one imagines. It is public knowledge known by all attorneys in the states. Parents should always know where their children are. They do have the strange idea that the security force will watch their children. The only thing that security people will do is give a kid a ride home (in a wheelchair). This again results in angry parents since they claim it is also their vacaton.<BR><BR>Bottom line. If siblings are together, parents should demand they stick together. For those on their own, parents beware.<BR><BR>Paul<BR>

Take kids on Disney or expect people to express their dislike for children to both you and your children.

Phwew....for awhile there, I thought just maybe Paul snapped out of his life long coma and joined the real world - but no - he's back!<BR><BR>Where are you getting all of this parent experience - have you cruised with your 10, 12 and 14 year old children? Did yours take alcohol from older men (or did you as an older man give alcohol to someone else's child?), did yours get dragged into a cabin or fall overboard?? Yikes, get real here Paul!! All of this is what parents live with every day - not just on a cruise. If parents don't have common sense built into their relationship with their children as they raise them, then they're going to be in trouble at school, the mall or anywhere else in life.<BR><BR>The best advice for teenage children on a cruise is for them to check out the teen program on their ship the first night. Some will form a relationship with the program staff and some will meet other teens that they'll "chill" with the rest of the cruise. We always make it a point to spend time with our teen's new friends to determine if they're the type we want them to be with until 1:30-2:00 in the morning.<BR><BR>Paul - stick with subjects you know something about - your credibility will improve dramatically.