Anyone who brought babysitter/nanny with them?

[actuary cruiser]

We are thinking about bringing our babysitter with us for a cruise with our 21 month old. Has anyone done this before? My biggest hurdle is really just paying the single supplement for a room for her. Wondering if anyone had any tips on avoiding that or finding a cruise line that has a lower single supplement. Also any other tips about how this worked out specifically for your situation.

 

Thanks.

[newbiecruiser09]

Can't answer specifically for a crusie but we have taken a sitter with us both skiing and to the beach. I would recommend that you state specifically what you are paying for (cruise, transfers, etc) and what is up to her to cover (drinks? souveniers? extra food charges, casino, etc). Also make sure you state clearly (and she agrees to) the terms of the babysitting. Will you expect her to be available all day/night? Will she have time in port by herself or will she be with you and the baby? Assuming she is over 18 and you are not legally responsible for her behaviour, I would still make up a contract specific to the cruise and outline all the expectations and money issues. We did this when we took a sitter both times and it worked out great. We had some time with our older child to ski etc and she also had some time to herself to enjoy the resorts, etc.

[Camlott]

We are thinking about bringing our babysitter with us for a cruise with our 21 month old. Has anyone done this before? My biggest hurdle is really just paying the single supplement for a room for her. Wondering if anyone had any tips on avoiding that or finding a cruise line that has a lower single supplement. Also any other tips about how this worked out specifically for your situation.

 

Thanks.

 

We just did this last week, actually we brought my SIL to help with our kids. Why not just book the child in the room with sitter? It doesn't matter once you are onboard where everybody sleeps... its only for booking purposes. This could also work out potentially saving you money depending on the room types you are booking. Sometimes the 3rd passenger rate for certain categories of rooms are more than 1st & 2nd passenger rates in a lower category room.

 

For example: 4/22/12 Freedom of the Seas

 

Junior Suite 1st&2nd = $1699/ea

3rd passenger = $1059/ea

 

Interior Promenade view 1st&2nd = $769/ea [$1369 is the single supplement for this room]

 

Its cheaper to book your child in the promenade as a second passenger than in a JS as a 3rd passenger. This is only an example since I don't know when, where, cruise line, or category of rooms you are interested in.

 

NCL Epic has a small number of single "studio" cabins that they don't charge the supplement for, might give that a try.

 

MSC doesn't charge for children in room with two adults, this could also make up for a single supplement in another room.

 

If you want to give more specifics of what you are looking for I may be able to find other solutions for you. I'm not a TA, but I do have lots of time on my hands for research! :D

[actuary cruiser]

Can't answer specifically for a crusie but we have taken a sitter with us both skiing and to the beach. I would recommend that you state specifically what you are paying for (cruise, transfers, etc) and what is up to her to cover (drinks? souveniers? extra food charges, casino, etc). Also make sure you state clearly (and she agrees to) the terms of the babysitting. Will you expect her to be available all day/night? Will she have time in port by herself or will she be with you and the baby? Assuming she is over 18 and you are not legally responsible for her behaviour, I would still make up a contract specific to the cruise and outline all the expectations and money issues. We did this when we took a sitter both times and it worked out great. We had some time with our older child to ski etc and she also had some time to herself to enjoy the resorts, etc.

 

These are all great points to keep in mind. We'll make sure we have an agreement written up. Thanks!

[actuary cruiser]

We just did this last week, actually we brought my SIL to help with our kids. Why not just book the child in the room with sitter? It doesn't matter once you are onboard where everybody sleeps... its only for booking purposes. This could also work out potentially saving you money depending on the room types you are booking. Sometimes the 3rd passenger rate for certain categories of rooms are more than 1st & 2nd passenger rates in a lower category room.

 

For example: 4/22/12 Freedom of the Seas

 

Junior Suite 1st&2nd = $1699/ea

3rd passenger = $1059/ea

 

Interior Promenade view 1st&2nd = $769/ea [$1369 is the single supplement for this room]

 

Its cheaper to book your child in the promenade as a second passenger than in a JS as a 3rd passenger. This is only an example since I don't know when, where, cruise line, or category of rooms you are interested in.

 

NCL Epic has a small number of single "studio" cabins that they don't charge the supplement for, might give that a try.

 

MSC doesn't charge for children in room with two adults, this could also make up for a single supplement in another room.

 

If you want to give more specifics of what you are looking for I may be able to find other solutions for you. I'm not a TA, but I do have lots of time on my hands for research! :D

 

So did you book your child in with your SIL? I thought about doing this, but I would want my son to sleep in the room with us. And since we would be requesting a crib for him to sleep in I thought the room steward would know he is not in the room he was actually booked in (with the sitter). Wouldn't the cruise line know about this and charge us after the fact. Has anyone else on here done this?

 

My preference is to sail out of NY/NJ or Boston, since both are within driving distance. We like NCL, but would be open to any line really for a Caribbean cruise maybe in May/June or October. So if you see anything let me know!

 

BTW, I don't mind paying something for the single supp, like 20% - 40% or something. just don't want to pay an extra 100%! The sitter would be in an inside room anyway.

[VikkiGarcia]

I have not brought a sitter but have switched around who slept in each cabin for every cruise we have been on. Do not worry that someone will "report" that certain people are not sleeping in their "assigned " spot. This is a non-issue once onboard.

[cb at sea]

It doesn't matter who sleeps where...they really do NOT care! Youu can play "musical rooms" every night, if you want! Switch, rearrange room occupants...doesn't matter!

[newbiecruiser09]

If you book the sitter and the baby in the interior across from your room just move the crib. No one will care who sleeps where once you are on board.

[actuary cruiser]

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like we could try booking our son in with the sitter. That would save some money!

[Camlott]

So did you book your child in with your SIL? I thought about doing this, but I would want my son to sleep in the room with us. And since we would be requesting a crib for him to sleep in I thought the room steward would know he is not in the room he was actually booked in (with the sitter). Wouldn't the cruise line know about this and charge us after the fact. Has anyone else on here done this?

 

My preference is to sail out of NY/NJ or Boston, since both are within driving distance. We like NCL, but would be open to any line really for a Caribbean cruise maybe in May/June or October. So if you see anything let me know!

 

BTW, I don't mind paying something for the single supp, like 20% - 40% or something. just don't want to pay an extra 100%! The sitter would be in an inside room anyway.

 

We actually have two children, we booked one with us and the other in SIL's room. They don't care who sleeps where once you are on the ship. Both our children ended up sleeping in SIL's room. No, the cruise line will not charge you after the fact

 

Some people book a large suite for entire family but only list two people in it to pay the minimum for the room and then book rest of family in cheapest interior even though they never intend to sleep or use the interior room. The cruise line/ship personnel could care less, in fact you can even have your key cards changed to different rooms when on the ship so long as originally booked person for the room agrees to it.

 

We had room stewards for both rooms give us a pack-n-play so we could rotate sleeping arrangements with our 1YO if needed for naps etc. In the end we ended up never using the one in our room.

 

We did tip SIL's room steward extra since they ended up taking care of a room for three instead of the original two booked in it. We didn't remove any tip from our room steward even though they got paid for a third person that wasn't in the room ever. Just something to consider if you do it that way.

 

So, an interior for the sitter... what type of room for you guys?

[Camlott]

Here are some examples I found.

 

Carnival Miracle - New York 8 night (Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, Nassau - October 2011

 

Early Saver Rates

Extended Balcony Room: 1st&2nd = $929/ea

 

Extended Balcony Room: 3rd = $329

 

Interior Room: 1st&2nd = $1418

 

Interior Room: Single = $1418

 

Option 1:

 

Balcony 1,2 & 3 = $2187 + Interior (single supp) = $1418 = $3605 (plus taxes etc.)

 

Option 2:

 

Balcony 1&2 = $1858 + Interior 1&2 = $1418 = $3276 (plus taxes etc.)

 

RCL Explorer of the Seas – New Jersey 9 Night (San Juan, St. Thomas, Samana, Labadee) - October 2011

 

E1 Balcony Room: 1st & 2nd = $1399/ea

E1 Balcony Room: 3rd = $619/ea

 

Interior Room: 1st & 2nd = $879/ea

Interior Room: Single = $1589

 

Option 1:

Balcony 1,2,&3 = $3417 + Interior Single = $1589 = $5006 (plus taxes etc.)

 

Option 2:

Balcony 1&2 = $2798 + Interior 1&2 = $1758 = $4556 (plus taxes etc.)

[actuary cruiser]

We actually have two children, we booked one with us and the other in SIL's room. They don't care who sleeps where once you are on the ship. Both our children ended up sleeping in SIL's room. No, the cruise line will not charge you after the fact

 

Some people book a large suite for entire family but only list two people in it to pay the minimum for the room and then book rest of family in cheapest interior even though they never intend to sleep or use the interior room. The cruise line/ship personnel could care less, in fact you can even have your key cards changed to different rooms when on the ship so long as originally booked person for the room agrees to it.

 

We had room stewards for both rooms give us a pack-n-play so we could rotate sleeping arrangements with our 1YO if needed for naps etc. In the end we ended up never using the one in our room.

 

We did tip SIL's room steward extra since they ended up taking care of a room for three instead of the original two booked in it. We didn't remove any tip from our room steward even though they got paid for a third person that wasn't in the room ever. Just something to consider if you do it that way.

 

So, an interior for the sitter... what type of room for you guys?

 

This is very helpful. It sounds like just the type of situation we would want to do. I would want to have an interior for the babysitter and we would like either a balcony or a suite across the hall from her. We are looking at Carnival or NCL right now as our preference.

[Jenner9]

On Norwegian Epic they have single studio cabins you can book. They are specifically for singles.

[3onOurWay]

We are thinking about bringing our babysitter with us for a cruise with our 21 month old. Has anyone done this before? My biggest hurdle is really just paying the single supplement for a room for her. Wondering if anyone had any tips on avoiding that or finding a cruise line that has a lower single supplement. Also any other tips about how this worked out specifically for your situation.

 

Thanks.

Contact offline if you want to have along talk but we have taken help on two cruises and 4 other long trips. We lay out what we plan, what the expectations are and we have had our daughter sleep in her room on the cruises. Each time everyone has been very happy and no complaints.. we usually let help hang out in our room watching tv etc, if we plan to go out at night, so that our daughter can sleep well and easy in her room. Once we get back help either goes back to her room, or heads out. Either way baby monitor works well to hear what goes on in the room, as we listen in on our daughter. One cruise was an adjoining room, once was seprate side by side interior rooms. April 2012 is booked side by side again,,

[actuary cruiser]

I appreciate all the responses so far, they have been very helpful!

 

Some people book a large suite for entire family but only list two people in it to pay the minimum for the room and then book rest of family in cheapest interior even though they never intend to sleep or use the interior room. The cruise line/ship personnel could care less, in fact you can even have your key cards changed to different rooms when on the ship so long as originally booked person for the room agrees to it.

 

As I was looking at some possibilities and thinking of getting a suite for us another question came up. If we are booked in a suite and our sitter and son in an interior then would we still be able to take advantage of the suite perks of priority embarkation/disembarkation. Like on one cruise line, it says you get escorted to your room, but I won't want to leave my son and sitter behind. Would we all be able to take advantage of those perks do you think?

[Camlott]

I appreciate all the responses so far, they have been very helpful!

 

 

 

As I was looking at some possibilities and thinking of getting a suite for us another question came up. If we are booked in a suite and our sitter and son in an interior then would we still be able to take advantage of the suite perks of priority embarkation/disembarkation. Like on one cruise line, it says you get escorted to your room, but I won't want to leave my son and sitter behind. Would we all be able to take advantage of those perks do you think?

 

Each cruise line probably will be a little different about this. I know with RCI you just link your reservations and it's not a problem, this also links you together for dining as well. If you were trying to do this with one suite and a whole bunch of other regular rooms you would have issues, but this situation shouldn't be a problem. You can always call whatever line you choose and tell them your concern about your son and they can give you an answer.

[actuary cruiser]

Contact offline if you want to have along talk but we have taken help on two cruises and 4 other long trips.

 

I've searched around but couldn't find how to contact someone offline. Can anyone help me with this?

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I did take a sitter and it worked out great. It was a big expense though and once I found out that you could have evening sitters on Celebrity- that was just a more cost effective option for me.

 

I took my sitter with us on excursions and also gave her ample time to herself. In the end it cost me over $2000 for this with air, stateroom etc. I also took her again on another cruise and got two cabins and put one child in with her. I never paid her a salary just the free cruise. The second time she paid for her own air.

 

You have to spell out your expectations in advance of booking the cruise. It isn't fair for either party to change the rules midstream. For example, she had baby duty (the first cruise) from 12-3 on sea days and every night from 8-11. The rest of the time was her's. On port days she went off the ship with us but we shared the baby duty. On the second cruise my son was 5 and she was only a mother's helper. She had no set hours but we knew each other well and she trusted that I wouldn't abuse her.

[Camlott]

I've searched around but couldn't find how to contact someone offline. Can anyone help me with this?

 

CC doesn't allow for private messages like normal boards do. The person would have to provide you with their contact info in a post.

[timothy998]

Club HAL on Holland America Line was open from about 9-11a and from about 1p--5p, then from 7p-10p. After 10pm they charged $5/hour/kid--cash (directly to the counselors). Plus they did have limited hours on port days, so if you want to save the cash, leave the sitter at home, unless it's a kind of "thank you" gift.

 

Our kids would have spent more time in Club HAL had we let them, and the after-hours hours were just too late for our kids. But...we had booked two connecting VEs on Nieuw Amsterdam, so DD was officially with DW, and our two DS's were with me, but once we got onboard, the kids were in one cabin & DW was with me!!

 

We were thus able to keep an eye on the kids without having to turn the lights off & read in the bathroom...and we could have the television on at night if we desired (or order room service!).