Kids program

[Mowiteem]

I am a mom of a 7 year old and 14 year old. What should I expect from the youth program. I'm a little nervous about letting my kids go off on there own on a big ship, especially my 7 year old. I am a bit of an overprotective mother. I have dreams of being able to go off for a few hours, on scooters, with my husband. But then I don't know if I will be able to leave my kids without worrying. Not sure if the ship would let me leave my kids on board anyway.

 

 

Vicki....

Proud to be a Jersey Girl

[NMLady]

If you are planning to leave your child on the ship while you and your husband go off the ship, you are right to worry, especially if you are on scooters. What happens to your child if you two are in an accident, or for some reason are unable to get back to the ship on time.

 

The kids club is not for that. It is for children to enjoy activities with other children while the parents are enjoying time/activities On The Ship, without kids. Your 7 year old will not be all over the ship since parent must check the child out in order for the child to leave. Kids Club is great for children enjoying themselves while parents have adult time, On The Ship.

[Mowiteem]

Ok, thank you. I don't know how this youth program works at all. I guess I thought it is like a baby sitting service. Someone gave me the impression that once they go on the ship they are busy with the youth program the whole time. And I might only see them for meals and bedtime and when we are at port.

 

 

Vicki....

Proud to be a Jersey Girl

[spookwife]

I am a mom of a 7 year old and 14 year old. What should I expect from the youth program. I'm a little nervous about letting my kids go off on there own on a big ship, especially my 7 year old. I am a bit of an overprotective mother. I have dreams of being able to go off for a few hours, on scooters, with my husband. But then I don't know if I will be able to leave my kids without worrying. Not sure if the ship would let me leave my kids on board anyway.

 

 

Vicki....

Proud to be a Jersey Girl

 

you need to ask this on the specific cruise line's board.. and name the specific ship. also ask in the family cruising section. everyone's policy varies to some degree.

[Mowiteem]

Ok thank you

 

 

Vicki....

Proud to be a Jersey Girl

[kitty9]

The clubs aren't considered a babysitting service, although some parents view it that way. They have specific hours of operation, and anything after hours has an hourly fee And while some parents leave their kids in the program while they go off and tour, it can be a bad idea. I don't think your "dream" of going off on scooters is the greatest idea. The traffic on the islands can be insane and dangerous---you won't believe how bad the drivers can be. What would happen to your kids should you have an accident? And, ships don't wait for late passengers----they leave port right on time. I was on a cruise where two couples left their kids on board, and they were involved in a traffic accident. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but they missed the ship and their kids, including an infant, were left without parents for two days until they caught up with the ship in the next port. Can you imagine how scared the kids were?

 

Depending on what ship you're on, the youngest may not have sign out privileges. That means you have to take the child and pick him/her up from the club. As for the 14 year old, just remember, ships are like cities----there are good and bad people on board. Teens can easily get into trouble if left to their own devices for too long. If you do some reading, you'll find that just recently a 14 year old girl was indecently touched by another passenger-----and that's not the first time things like that have happened. And the teen will be able to come and go as he/she pleases---so unless you set limits and have rules, the teen can go just about anywhere on the ship. I'm not trying to put you off cruising, but it sounds like you're a new cruiser and may not know much about the ins and outs. But keep reading here and keep asking questions. That's the only way to learn.

[Cruisin' Chick]

As someone said, you really knew to find out about the kids' program on the ship you're going on. Go to the cruiseline's website and there should be info there about policies. Some have a port day program (for a fee or not) that will keep your kid if you're going off of the ship.

 

You'll get a packet of info about your kids' age grouping when you first board (or when you go to the registration meeting). This should have the details about hours of operation, day to day activities, etc. When you go to officially sign your children up, you'll meet the staff.

 

When our girl was small, we went on some Carnival cruises. If we left her on the ship, we always stayed within walking distance of the port. More to checkout the nearby sights and do a little shopping. But if you do leave your child for port-day sitting, you were supposed to pick your child up once you return to the ship, at least those were the rules then. You did need to sign up ahead of time if you were considering port day or post 10-pm sitting (the latter was basically movie watching -- or sleeping -- or playing video games). But then we haven't been on Carnival since 2002, so I can't say what's changed since then.

 

The girl was 5, 7, 8, 13, and 15 years on our Princess cruises, and they have free port time sitting (a charge for post 10-pm), but you do have to sign up ahead of time. Same thing if we had left her onboard, but again mindful of not doing any activities and staying close by the port. The last three cruises, she was with us while we were exploring the ports. And even when she was 8, she didn't have the freedom to sign herself out at any time -- my choice. The teens do have a lot of freedom, so you have to give yours rules (no going into anyone's cabin without your permission, always keep an eye out on your drinks, etc.) before the cruise.

 

And when it comes to actual attendance, that's up to you and your kids. They can be there first thing when it opens each day (her first few cruises my daughter would ask if "ship's school was open yet) til they close for meals, or stop in when their favorite activities are scheduled. If they want to go swimming, hopefully it'll be while under your supervision.

 

Some cruiselines will also have special kids' dinners. Carnival and Princess both do -- you drop your kid off at the location (Princess has then on one side of the Horizon Court that will be closed for a "private party"). After dinner, the kids' staff will escort the kids up to the kids' area for the evening activities. On other nights, you'll be responsible for getting your kids fed, whether they eat with you in the main dining room or if you take them to a casual eatery on board and then drop them off at the kids' area before you two go to eat.

[Mowiteem]

Thank you all for the advice. We will be skipping the scooters.

 

 

Vicki....

Proud to be a Jersey Girl

[Keith1010]

Vicki, also, be sure to post on the Family Cruise Line Board and do note what the cruise line is. You will learn a lot from that board.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

I see that you found the RCI board and Family Cruisers.

That is where you should ask questions about your ship and the children's program.

I would never go off the ship do anything and expect the children's club to babysit my children.