How would you feel? Child accidentally left at kids club lobby during registration

[hazeleyes46]

Unless it has changed, the reason he wasn't allowed in as they do not have the kids club the first night of the cruise. It is just a registration night.

[spookwife]

I am shocked by nimbernof posters who are ok with RCCL’s behavior. Now if OP put down son for sign out privelage for child I would feel differently. How would people feel if this happened at school or a mall? Still think the 9 year old would be just fine being sent home?

 

But assuming no sign out allowed I would be LIVID. Yes of course husband made a mistake but I don’t see this any different as a lost child anywhere on ship. To send a 9 year old off on their own is UNACCEPTABLE. The fact it was by a child care staff makes it even worse. They should have had parent paged or taken child to guest services. What would have happened if child couldn’t find room and someone up to no good found child? Or child jumped off ship? Ok I know both scenarios are unlikely but they COULD happen.

 

OP As I said I’d be LIVID and lodging major complaints (and I’m not a complaint lodger ever). 100% unacceptable. I would never trust my child in their care again.

 

I have lost track of the number of older kids I’ve seen wandering around trying g to find their room. These kids are well over 9. A couple of them in full tears (we helped them). Nope my 9 year old is not being left to wander a huge ship himself.

 

So glad it ended ok.

 

reread the original post: kid was NEVER IN THE CLUB TO BEGIN WITH, so even if he did have sign out privileges there was nothing to sign out of. furthermore he was of an age where an adult has to sign him in tot he club..,and he was sans adult since dad legged it for the casino without verifying his role was done.

 

Junior was trying to ENTER the kids club at an age where the 'rents need to formally hand him over to the care and custody of the AO staff. he was asked if he could get back to his cabin on his own, responded affirmatively and they instructed him to do so.

 

about the only thing I MIGHT have considered to be a further appropriate action on the staff's part was asking Junior where he thought Mum and Dad were after not getting an answer at the cabin. had he responded: casino, they possibly could have called down there to ask a staff member there to find them. but we don't know how busy it was with other parents checking their kids in( my guess is pretty busy)

 

at this point there was no reasonable exception that a ship wide announcement for Mr or Mrs So and So to please report to AO was necessary.

[Big_G]

not necessarily. plenty of kids that age are Diamond in their own right and so would be well versed in shipboard navigation. Kid said he knew how to get back to his cabin. crew member took him at his word. ultimately fault does lie with dad for not making sure the process of signing in was completed.

 

furthermore, at nine I would expect the wherewithal to find a crew member if he truly was lost and ask for assistance.

None of us know the OP's 9 year-old nor did the counselor. They should have erred on the side of caution. They could have easily allowed the kid in until the parents came for him. Instead they sent him packing. Not much common sense there.

 

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[NateUpNorth]

Your husband made an initial mistake, yes, but the cruise line should have handled this MUCH better.

There is no way a child of 9 should be wandering around a ship of that size unattended or alone, EVER. It's naive and ignorant of the world we live in to ignore the reality that this is a dangerous situation.

Perhaps a GROUP of responsible kids that age being allowed to go out together, but alone, 100% NO.

 

And for those Ok with the cruise line response, I have to ask, do we also find you in the other threads complaining about unattended children wandering halls and ruining your cruises?

[hazeleyes46]

reread the original post: kid was NEVER IN THE CLUB TO BEGIN WITH, so even if he did have sign out privileges there was nothing to sign out of. furthermore he was of an age where an adult has to sign him in tot he club..,and he was sans adult since dad legged it for the casino without verifying his role was done.

 

Junior was trying to ENTER the kids club at an age where the 'rents need to formally hand him over to the care and custody of the AO staff. he was asked if he could get back to his cabin on his own, responded affirmatively and they instructed him to do so.

 

about the only thing I MIGHT have considered to be a further appropriate action on the staff's part was asking Junior where he thought Mum and Dad were after not getting an answer at the cabin. had he responded: casino, they possibly could have called down there to ask a staff member there to find them. but we don't know how busy it was with other parents checking their kids in( my guess is pretty busy)

 

at this point there was no reasonable exception that a ship wide announcement for Mr or Mrs So and So to please report to AO was necessary.

 

 

And...if I am correct (from having kids with me and on other cruises where the kids are never in the kids clubs the first night), the kids club is not opened the 1st night. The OP said this was their 14th cruise. They didn't know this?

[NateUpNorth]

And...if I am correct (from having kids with me and on other cruises where the kids are never in the kids clubs the first night), the kids club is not opened the 1st night. The OP said this was their 14th cruise. They didn't know this?

 

Coulda been the kids first cruise? Or the first one they wished to use the kids club services?

[cruisegirl1]

I must be missing something because I read it as your husband did not properly drop your son at the kids club but rather signed him up and left. Should the title be "husband accidently left child at kids club lobby registration. "

 

It seems your son was not actually checked in and perhaps that is why the staff let him go to the cabin. While it seems unsafe for a child to roam the ship, we see it all the time.

 

If I misread the post, I'm sure someone will let me know.

M

[hazeleyes46]

Coulda been the kids first cruise? Or the first one they wished to use the kids club services?

 

"We were just off the Allure on Sunday and had a few issues with the kids cub that we have not had on any of our 14 other cruises on multiple lines"

Maybe they were never on RCCL?

[Havingfun2010]

Two things, I noticed. First, kids roam unattended on the ship all the time and is not uncommon. Second these are seasoned travelers, including the kid. The kid also had a communication device. Now the other thing that was mentioned is that the Father, left their kid in a hallway on the ship to go to the casino. A sign up table, for kids' clubs, beverages, spa treatments, and permission forms are all over the place. This is not the kids club, but a table set up in a public area, and the kid was left behind.

 

We have become a society of let's blame someone else, when we make the mistake. It was clear, the parent made the mistake of leaving a kid alone. The kid was asked if they needed any help, and he said no. He had a phone with him. The parent left. The blame is on the parent.

[hazeleyes46]

Two things, I noticed. First, kids roam unattended on the ship all the time and is not uncommon. Second these are seasoned travelers, including the kid. The kid also had a communication device. Now the other thing that was mentioned is that the Father, left their kid in a hallway on the ship to go to the casino. A sign up table, for kids' clubs, beverages, spa treatments, and permission forms are all over the place. This is not the kids club, but a table set up in a public area, and the kid was left behind.

 

We have become a society of let's blame someone else, when we make the mistake. It was clear, the parent made the mistake of leaving a kid alone. The kid was asked if they needed any help, and he said no. He had a phone with him. The parent left. The blame is on the parent.

 

I am surprised the child, the 1st day figured out how to get back to the cabin (on the 17th floor which is all high end suites if I am not mistaken-lofts) already. I just went on the Anthem and was afraid I couldn't find my room as it was hidden away lol

[hazeleyes46]

Hmmm...the child also has medical problems from another thread she started so the father was just running without speaking to the crew???

 

I searched the forums but couldn't find information on this. We are sailing on the Allure in a couple of months and this will only be our second time on RCI. Our first RCI cruise was 8 years ago on the Freedom. Anyways, our son has medical problems but is an active, stable 9 year old. On NCL, we were told that someone has to stay on the ship at all times while he is in the kids club due to his medical problems. I am wondering if anyone knows whether royal carribean has the same policy or not? I would not be interested in taking an excursion away from the ship but maybe walking around the port area. And I have international service on my phone so I could be contacted in case of an emergency. Thank you in advance for any information you can provide regarding this.

[Tapi]

Husband with an 8 year old son here.

 

- First, if I had registered my son to AO and then walked away without actually checking him in, you can bet that I would’ve been fully responsible for that gross mistake (and my wife would’ve made sure that I knew it! [emoji23]).

 

- Second, while you may be looking for ways to point fingers at the AO staff for your husband’s mistake, they are not responsible for your child until he is duly checked into their facilities. Up until then, your child is just one of many children who is allowed by their parents to roam freely around the ship. It’s not uncommon to see children walking around without adult supervision.

 

With all of that said, if your child had told the AO staff that he was lost and couldn’t find his way back to you, then they should’ve dug deeper. But we don’t know what specific conversation your child had with the staff. It seems like your child was confident enough to tell them that he could take care of himself. If the staff had asked my 8 year old son if he could find us or go back to our cabin, he would’ve totally said yes and gone on his happy way. He’s a very confident and capable (for his age) young man.

 

But if the same situation had occurred with our 6 year old daughter, the scenario would’ve played out very differently. She probably would’ve freaked out and started crying at which time I hope that the staff would’ve stepped in to help her locate us.

 

But overall, I don’t see fault in the part of the staff’s handling of the situation. I respectfully believe that your husband is responsible for what happened. I fully relate to his desire to drop the kids off as soon as possible in order to move on to more adult activities, but a few more minutes of his time and a couple extra questions most likely would’ve avoided this entire scenario.

 

 

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Edited June 19, 2018 by Tapi

[bouhunter]

The kids fine. Let it go. Sounds like your husband was a little too anxious to get to the casino. Lesson learned?

 

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Perfect summation.:p

[tinkertwo]

Your husband messed up by leaving your child in what was clearly an unsecured, open to the public area (given that your husband could enter and leave at will).

 

An unaccomapnied child (yours) tried to enter the secure area---staff stopped him and told him a parent had to sign him in. They asked something along the lines of if he knew where his cabin was, most likely as a way to ascertain if he was lost or merely unacompanied and his answers did not indicate he was lost, nor does sit appear he asked for help (he did not tell them you were in the casino and ask you be contacted, etc).

 

It sounds to me that your son was confident in himself and nothing he did or said would indicate to staff that he was lost and in need of babysitting/help.

 

It seems you would have staff take control of any unaccompanied child (even those behaving well and not asking for help) and force them to stay at guest service until parents are located, simply assuming all are lost.

 

I have to say, I would have been furious if what you advocate for had happened to one of my children when we had been sailing and they enjoying time onboard and then suddenly, without doing any wrong, held and forced to stay with staff, then us parents every moment for the rest of our cruise.

 

I had independent, capable kids who were used to having a fair amount of freedom both at home and on vacation. Not all kids or parents are ready for that freedom, which is fine, but the kids/parents who are should not be restricted becuase some dad forgot to check his kid, whom he wanted babysat, into the program.

While I, in a million years, would never let my 9 year old wander the ship alone I fully respect the rights of those who do allow for this. I think your response is spot on. Reading through this thread I kept thinking this very same thing in my head. The staff was dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. If the staff had acted in the way the op wanted and they did in fact support the child being okay on his own then all hell would break loose in the opposite direction. 'How dare RCCL question the childs right! Everyone agree?'

Since Dad dropped the child off and then went on his way it would indicate to me that he is okay with the child being on his own and if there is one thing I have learned from this site its do not question a parents right cause Mama Bear will get you ;). Also, was this on the first night? Someone mentioned that the club is not open on that night.

In this situation, in my house, it would be my husband who would have the explaining to do. The safety of my child comes before the casino. You want to make sure you saw him walk into the door of the kids club if that is where the child is expected to be. Even if he feels the CM is going to take him there himself you better watch them both walk through that door.

[spookwife]

And...if I am correct (from having kids with me and on other cruises where the kids are never in the kids clubs the first night), the kids club is not opened the 1st night. The OP said this was their 14th cruise. They didn't know this?

 

 

I thought it opened after dinner is ended for the late night activities for the adults?

[The Sunset Glow]

Husband with an 8 year old son here.

 

- First, if I had registered my son to AO and then walked away without actually checking him in, you can bet that I would’ve been fully responsible for that gross mistake (and my wife would’ve made sure that I knew it! [emoji23]).

 

- Second, while you may be looking for ways to point fingers at the AO staff for your husband’s mistake, they are not responsible for your child until he is duly checked into their facilities. Up until then, your child is just one of many children who is allowed by their parents to roam freely around the ship. It’s not uncommon to see children walking around without adult supervision.

 

With all of that said, if your child had told the AO staff that he was lost and couldn’t find his way back to you, then they should’ve dug deeper. But we don’t know what specific conversation your child had with the staff. It seems like your child was confident enough to tell them that he could take care of himself. If the staff had asked my 8 year old son if he could find us or go back to our cabin, he would’ve totally said yes and gone on his happy way. He’s a very confident and capable (for his age) young man.

 

But if the same situation had occurred with our 6 year old daughter, the scenario would’ve played out very differently. She probably would’ve freaked out and started crying at which time I hope that the staff would’ve stepped in to help her locate us.

 

But overall, I don’t see fault in the part of the staff’s handling of the situation. I respectfully believe that your husband is responsible for what happened. I fully relate to his desire to drop the kids off as soon as possible in order to move on to more adult activities, but a few more minutes of his time and a couple extra questions most likely would’ve avoided this entire scenario.

 

 

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Totally agree with your summation. Tapi.

 

Plus, unless things have changed there's no adventure ocean on the first night, just registration for it, so the dad was really off base.

[hazeleyes46]

I thought it opened after dinner is ended for the late night activities for the adults?

 

Unless it changed as when we had our kids on other cruises, they had nothing for them the first day and that is why you always see the kids around until the 2nd day. The teenagers might get together to hang out but usually the younger kids stayed with the parents that first night.

[spookwife]

Hmmm...the child also has medical problems from another thread she started so the father was just running without speaking to the crew???

 

I searched the forums but couldn't find information on this. We are sailing on the Allure in a couple of months and this will only be our second time on RCI. Our first RCI cruise was 8 years ago on the Freedom. Anyways, our son has medical problems but is an active, stable 9 year old. On NCL, we were told that someone has to stay on the ship at all times while he is in the kids club due to his medical problems. I am wondering if anyone knows whether royal carribean has the same policy or not? I would not be interested in taking an excursion away from the ship but maybe walking around the port area. And I have international service on my phone so I could be contacted in case of an emergency. Thank you in advance for any information you can provide regarding this.

 

 

depends on the problems. they will not, for instance, dispense meds, change diapers or provide other assistance.

[later]

I am shocked by nimbernof posters who are ok with RCCL’s behavior. Now if OP put down son for sign out privelage for child I would feel differently. How would people feel if this happened at school or a mall? Still think the 9 year old would be just fine being sent home?

 

 

 

But assuming no sign out allowed I would be LIVID. Yes of course husband made a mistake but I don’t see this any different as a lost child anywhere on ship. To send a 9 year old off on their own is UNACCEPTABLE. The fact it was by a child care staff makes it even worse. They should have had parent paged or taken child to guest services. What would have happened if child couldn’t find room and someone up to no good found child? Or child jumped off ship? Ok I know both scenarios are unlikely but they COULD happen.

 

 

 

OP As I said I’d be LIVID and lodging major complaints (and I’m not a complaint lodger ever). 100% unacceptable. I would never trust my child in their care again.

 

 

 

I have lost track of the number of older kids I’ve seen wandering around trying g to find their room. These kids are well over 9. A couple of them in full tears (we helped them). Nope my 9 year old is not being left to wander a huge ship himself.

 

 

 

So glad it ended ok.

 

 

 

He was registered not signed in. There is a difference but I do agree if I had a 9 year old I wouldn’t want them walking in he ship alone.

 

Another question was the employee who talked to the child the same one that registered the child? Unfortunately I have seen many young children walking the ship alone late at night but that is not my decision to make it is their parents.

 

 

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[allison0523]

I feel like you’re just fishing for people to agree with you so you feel justified in your anger. IMO, both your husband and the counselor had roles to play here. I’m guessing this was your first Royal Cruise, but for seasoned cruisers that use the kids club, he should have known the child wasn’t dropped off - we all know they’re behind “locked” doors after being signed in.

 

It’s been mentioned already, 9 year olds may sign themselves in and out, so obviously Royal believes they’re old enough to take care of themselves (a point with which I disagree - when my 8 year old turns 9 he won’t be allowed to do this). Since your son wasn’t officially signed in, I’m not surprised AO didn’t let him stay without knowing whether or not he had those privledges.

 

Yes, if this was my child, I would have been upset. But if it was my child, it wouldn’t have happened in the first place.

 

In the future, the best place to address this is on board. If I were in your shoes, I would have scheduled a meeting with the Adventure Ocean manager ASAP. I’m glad your son was safe.

You are totally wrong on so many levels. I am glad that you are such a perfect parent. Yes, my husband made a mistake. But I think its ridiculous that the staff didn't try and ask where we were or treat my child as they would a lost/abandoned child. We have never been on that ship before and he thought it was the kids club sign in. They were literally inside the doors of the kids club at tables. I think the staff could have told people they had to go further inside to properly sign their kids in. I don't know that I would have known it either. And I am not angry. I am just seeing what everyone else thinks to decide if its something I should pass on so it doesn't happen to any other children. Also, my son has medical issues and was not authorized to sign himself out. But, I guess that's somehow my husband's fault too. It's a shame this board has turned into to people trolling and attacking other people when they simply ask for advise.

[hazeleyes46]

You are totally wrong on so many levels. I am glad that you are such a perfect parent. Yes, my husband made a mistake. But I think its ridiculous that the staff didn't try and ask where we were or treat my child as they would a lost/abandoned child. We have never been on that ship before and he thought it was the kids club sign in. They were literally inside the doors of the kids club at tables. I think the staff could have told people they had to go further inside to properly sign their kids in. I don't know that I would have known it either. And I am not angry. I am just seeing what everyone else thinks to decide if its something I should pass on so it doesn't happen to any other children. Also, my son has medical issues and was not authorized to sign himself out. But, I guess that's somehow my husband's fault too. It's a shame this board has turned into to people trolling and attacking other people when they simply ask for advise.

 

Sorry you feel that way but I don't think anyone was attacking you and there really is no advice after the point. I am thinking it was a sign up for the entire cruise as I don't think there is kids club the 1st night. They probably assumed you knew. If your son said he could get back to his room then they wouldn't question where you were and for the first day on a new ship, that is pretty good for a 9 year old to find your room, IMO.

[allison0523]

depends on the problems. they will not, for instance, dispense meds, change diapers or provide other assistance.

Yes. This is my child and the registration paperwork was all completed will all information about our child disclosed. My husband didn't realize that he had to physically walk him down the hall to the age appropriate room AFTER he registered. On other cruises we were always given a phone in case of an emergency due to our son's medical problems.

[reallyitsmema]

Yes. This is my child and the registration paperwork was all completed will all information about our child disclosed. My husband didn't realize that he had to physically walk him down the hall to the age appropriate room AFTER he registered. On other cruises we were always given a phone in case of an emergency due to our son's medical problems.

 

Did your husband ask for a phone due to your son's medical issues? Don't they still have pagers for the younger group or nursery? People have had success in the past getting one after leaving an older child with a medical issue.

 

Where was your son when your husband left? I still can't see how he could just walk away and leave him standing there.

[peach section]

Allison,

I’m sorry your son had to go through that, and glad that he was able to message you and your husband. I empathize with your son. Kids are trained to do what adults in leadership positions say. He may not have thought to question the AO staff or ask for help.

 

I would like to thank you for posting the thread. It is a good reminder that on our next family cruise, we need to discuss with the kids (9 and up) what to do in certain situations. We will make sure they know they can- and should- ask for help if needed.

 

Thanks for posting!

[Kowale]

I think the correct statement is: "Hopefully that was the last time you trusted your husband with your son. Your husband needs some training...."

 

In any case, your son answered yes to the question on if he could find his way back to his cabin and they let him do so.

 

If you find it unacceptable that he was left on his own, then the onus is on you and his father to make sure he is not left alone.

 

Your husband made the mistake, not the crew.

I've gotta' agree with this. Sounds like they made the right call.

 

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