How to keep in touch with your children?

[Hopelesslu]

This is our first cruise with our boys, 16 and 9. I'm a little concerned about my 9yr old gettng lost or misplace on the ship. He is old enough to sign himself in and out of the chilrens program and I would love to figure out a good plan on how to communicate with him. Wondering if walkie talkies work on the ship or if anyone else has an idea. I don't want to be a fun sponge and pester him but really just a little concerned with him having all that freedom o the ship.

 

Thanks!

Hopelesslu

[Carnivalcruiselady]

Bring Walkie Talkie's with you to stay in touch. They do work

[serene56]

We tried walkie talkies the first cruise - they were more a PIA then anything else. Trying to find a channel that was easy to hear. All those kids screaming for mom or dad to pick up. (if you go that way- find a nick name)

and please tell your kids to turn them off when watching a show.

 

You will have a copy of your ships activities and a copy of the camp activities- at night you all sit and figure out where you will be and at what time.

 

Cabin phones are equipped with voice mail- set it up when you get to the cabin- direct your boys to use the phones located at the elevators to leave messages.

 

 

Even though your 9 year old may sign himself out- he needs to do that in order to particiapte in scavenger hunts- tell him that he can only sign himself out and go directly to where you will be.

 

Kids can find themselves around the ship quicker then an adult.

There are maps at every elevator

 

You also want to tell the kids to stay out of the cabin areas and stay in the public areas- do not go to any ones cabin for any reason

[Keith1010]

When we sailed with our children who were the ages of yours we would put in place rules so that we had designated times and places to meet. If they were in the children's program we would be very clear that they were not to leave until we came by to pick them up. We had set times to get together such as for meals. We never had any problems.

 

The key is to discuss a couple of weeks before the cruise all of this with the children and to then go over it again when you are on the ship.

 

Keith

[cb at sea]

It's not as hard to locate each other as you might think. Yes...the ship appears large, but most of it is cabin space....no need to be anywhere but YOUR hallway! As far as public space, you'll find you gravitate to the same areas over and over. The kids will be on the sports deck, pool, or arcade, and you're likely to be at the pool, casino or a bar!

 

Tentative daily plans and regular meet-ups is what will work! I would not give a 9 year old "run of the ship"...unless he had a specific reason to go somewhere, he'd be with parents! The 16 year old is fine, as long as he does regular check-ins.

[johneeo]

This is our first cruise with our boys, 16 and 9. I'm a little concerned about my 9yr old gettng lost or misplace on the ship. He is old enough to sign himself in and out of the chilrens program and I would love to figure out a good plan on how to communicate with him. Wondering if walkie talkies work on the ship or if anyone else has an idea. I don't want to be a fun sponge and pester him but really just a little concerned with him having all that freedom o the ship.

 

Thanks!

Hopelesslu

 

First, do not rely on walkie talkies for anything except aggravation. We had them, and honestly, they were worthless.

 

It is pretty easy to stay in touch. If he is not with you and participating in some program, you will know where he is. You tell him (or show him) where you will be for that duration. For instance, here are our seats at the pool. If you leave your program, you come right here, and report to us.

 

After he reports in, maybe he wants to go to the miniature golf area or the basketball court. See ya, but, again, he goes there and nowhere else. When he leaves that area, again, he comes directly back to you, and reports in.

 

It is not that difficult. Relax and have a great cruise.

[Marie51]

In my opinion a 9 year old is too young to be wandering the ship by himself. Would you let him wander around a strange city alone?

[Happy ks]

When we sailed with our children who were the ages of yours we would put in place rules so that we had designated times and places to meet. If they were in the children's program we would be very clear that they were not to leave until we came by to pick them up. We had set times to get together such as for meals. We never had any problems.

 

The key is to discuss a couple of weeks before the cruise all of this with the children and to then go over it again when you are on the ship.

 

Keith

 

 

This post gets my vote. Our kids were not allowed to check themselves out, even if they were old enough.