HAL Kid's Clubs - What Happens When the Ship is in Port?

[CI66774]

Hi Everyone!

 

What if a parent wants to go on a HAL-sponsored excursion but the child (eight years old) would rather play in the club? Does HAL allow this? I believe Cunard doesn't. Thanks!

[Kona921]

Hi Everyone!

 

What if a parent wants to go on a HAL-sponsored excursion but the child (eight years old) would rather play in the club? Does HAL allow this? I believe Cunard doesn't. Thanks!

 

Yes! You take them to kids club before heading out--feed them breakfast first😊.

 

Let the staff up there know if they will be eating lunch with them or if you will return in time to pick them up. Easy!

[CI66774]

Yes! You take them to kids club before heading out--feed them breakfast first.

 

Let the staff up there know if they will be eating lunch with them or if you will return in time to pick them up. Easy!

 

Wonderful! Thank you!

[RMLincoln]

Maybe wonderful if all goes well... but please think through what would happen if someone gets hurt - either the adults on shore, or if the child gets hurt on board. At least explore the communications and contingency options with the staff before you leave your child on board without a parent.

 

There have been rare times that ships have had to suddenly leave port ahead of schedule, leaving passengers and crew (and parents) on shore were escorted by HAL back to the ship when possible but I can recall a couple of episodes when that meant over a night or even two. Stuff happens. m--

[sammiedawg]

Maybe wonderful if all goes well... but please think through what would happen if someone gets hurt - either the adults on shore, or if the child gets hurt on board. At least explore the communications and contingency options with the staff before you leave your child on board without a parent.

 

There have been rare times that ships have had to suddenly leave port ahead of schedule, leaving passengers and crew (and parents) on shore were escorted by HAL back to the ship when possible but I can recall a couple of episodes when that meant over a night or even two. Stuff happens. m--

 

I'm surprised HAL allows children to be dropped off while a ship is in port. Disney does not allow this for the reasons previously described.

We are just off Disney Fantasy,. On port the kids clubs are open house only, a family member stays with the child. There is no secured babysitting option which was fine with us. We had no intention of leaving little ones onboard.

[Kona921]

I'm surprised HAL allows children to be dropped off while a ship is in port. Disney does not allow this for the reasons previously described.

We are just off Disney Fantasy,. On port the kids clubs are open house only, a family member stays with the child. There is no secured babysitting option which was fine with us. We had no intention of leaving little ones onboard.

 

It sounds like, as with many things, each line makes their own policy. HAL has chosen to extend the hrs of club hall on port days. Not limit them. Furthermore, the OP specially sited goin on a HAL sponsored shore excursion. The ship is not going to "take off" without them. When signing the forms to enroll them in the club you give them contact information including a cell number and when leaving th ship even without a child on board I would being contact information for the ship I was sailing on.

 

Unexpected tragedy can occur at home or abroad. As parents we do our best to make sound decisions with our children's safety and comfort in mind. I have no problem leaving our daughter on a secured ship with a competent staff who's job it is to care for my child.

[dakrewser]

It sounds like, as with many things, each line makes their own policy. HAL has chosen to extend the hrs of club hall on port days. Not limit them. Furthermore, the OP specially sited goin on a HAL sponsored shore excursion. The ship is not going to "take off" without them. When signing the forms to enroll them in the club you give them contact information including a cell number and when leaving th ship even without a child on board I would being contact information for the ship I was sailing on.

 

Unexpected tragedy can occur at home or abroad. As parents we do our best to make sound decisions with our children's safety and comfort in mind. I have no problem leaving our daughter on a secured ship with a competent staff who's job it is to care for my child.

 

Very well said.

[CI66774]

Maybe wonderful if all goes well... but please think through what would happen if someone gets hurt - either the adults on shore, or if the child gets hurt on board. At least explore the communications and contingency options with the staff before you leave your child on board without a parent.

 

There have been rare times that ships have had to suddenly leave port ahead of schedule, leaving passengers and crew (and parents) on shore were escorted by HAL back to the ship when possible but I can recall a couple of episodes when that meant over a night or even two. Stuff happens. m--

 

I appreciate your comments. :) However, my question pertained only to the HAL policy. I appreciate and understand all of the possible issues - whether on a ship, at school, with a babysitter, etc. I've cruised two-26-day Transatlantics with DD (one to Baltics, one to British Isles), as well as several other shorter cruises. Rest assured I take all precautions and engage in meaningful communications with the club staff.

[CI66774]

I'm surprised HAL allows children to be dropped off while a ship is in port. Disney does not allow this for the reasons previously described.

We are just off Disney Fantasy,. On port the kids clubs are open house only, a family member stays with the child. There is no secured babysitting option which was fine with us. We had no intention of leaving little ones onboard.

 

Sorry but that wasn't my experience. I've been on several Disney cruises (including the Fantasy) and DD (who at the time was 4, 5, & 6 during those cruises) has stayed in the kid's club while I was out in Key West, etc. Now, Disney's policy could have changed. My last Disney cruise was 1.5 years ago.

Edited May 19, 2016 by CI66774

[Kona921]

I appreciate your comments. :) However, my question pertained only to the HAL policy. I appreciate and understand all of the possible issues - whether on a ship, at school, with a babysitter, etc. I've cruised two-26-day Transatlantics with DD (one to Baltics, one to British Isles), as well as several other shorter cruises. Rest assured I take all precautions and engage in meaningful communications with the club staff.

 

Exactly! Enjoy this next adventure! :)

[sammiedawg]

Sorry but that wasn't my experience. I've been on several Disney cruises (including the Fantasy) and DD (who at the time was 4, 5, & 6 during those cruises) has stayed in the kid's club while I was out in Key West, etc. Now, Disney's policy could have changed. My last Disney cruise was 1.5 years ago.

 

We were on board Fantasy the week of May 7, the Oceaneers club was open house on all 3 port days. There was no secured babysitting, we were not interested in that option anyway. I was not interested in the ports and stayed behind with a 1 and 3 year old. We spent a couple hours each day in the Toy Story area for open play with family member.

I don't know if Small World was open for babysitting, we didn't investigate as we were not interested.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

Sorry but that wasn't my experience. I've been on several Disney cruises (including the Fantasy) and DD (who at the time was 4, 5, & 6 during those cruises) has stayed in the kid's club while I was out in Key West, etc. Now, Disney's policy could have changed. My last Disney cruise was 1.5 years ago.

 

Most cruise lines will watch the children if you are on a ship sponsored tour. Practically all youth programs are open on port days, but will ask in advance if you plan to be on a ship tour that departs before 9AM. If so- you need to let them know in advance because they will only open early if someone needs this service. If you aren't on a ship sponsored tour they will not open early for you.

 

I have left my child on the ship in various ports. Sometimes a family member was still on board- other times not. I would probably ONLY do a ship sponsored tour if I was going to be an hour or more from the ship. Just for peace of mind. I think it also depends if your child has done well with the youth program. I wouldn't want them to feel sad or afraid if Mom wasn't available for whatever reason.

Edited May 19, 2016 by rebeccalouiseagain

[1of4]

The policy seems to change as per the Club Hal staff on the ship. Our first cruise on HAL we were strongly discouraged by all Club Hal staff over leaving the ship while one or both of our children were in their care, not that we would have done it anyway. I just could not enjoy the excursion as I would be worried about all the issues that could happen. We have had some urgent and sudden health issues with our son.

 

But that is me. I don't pay much attention but I remember on our last cruise that there was a special sign up sheet the day before for each port day for parents' to sign if they wanted to enroll their child in the full day. Normally the club is closed from 11:30 to 1:00 so the staff can have lunch. The schedule has to be planned ahead of time and appropriate age appropriate activities.

 

enjoy your cruise.

[CI66774]

Most cruise lines will watch the children if you are on a ship sponsored tour. Practically all youth programs are open on port days, but will ask in advance if you plan to be on a ship tour that departs before 9AM. If so- you need to let them know in advance because they will only open early if someone needs this service. If you aren't on a ship sponsored tour they will not open early for you.

 

I have left my child on the ship in various ports. Sometimes a family member was still on board- other times not. I would probably ONLY do a ship sponsored tour if I was going to be an hour or more from the ship. Just for peace of mind. I think it also depends if your child has done well with the youth program. I wouldn't want them to feel sad or afraid if Mom wasn't available for whatever reason.

 

Absolutely - I've only done ship-sponsored excursions. On Princess, the club will even allow your child in before opening time (and stay after closing) if you're on a ship-sponsored excursion. I would prefer to take the kid on all excursions but, as in St. Petersburg, she had no interest in wandering around The Hermitage and various palaces, etc., and preferred to make crafts, etc. The ship never left without me. :)

[CI66774]

We were on board Fantasy the week of May 7, the Oceaneers club was open house on all 3 port days. There was no secured babysitting, we were not interested in that option anyway. I was not interested in the ports and stayed behind with a 1 and 3 year old. We spent a couple hours each day in the Toy Story area for open play with family member.

I don't know if Small World was open for babysitting, we didn't investigate as we were not interested.

 

It's very possible DCL has changed its policies in the past year or so. I went on DCL-sponsored excursions and they assured me they wouldn't leave with me. :) I'm more concerned (on a daily basis) about what's going to happen to my kid on the school playground. When at Castaway Key, they have a nice on-island kid club that DD really liked!