Carnival makes impossible to go on excursions without kids

[waytoodeep03]

Onboard the radiance and my wife and I wanted some time away from our smaller kids under age 12 to do a fun excursion for the two of us.

 

Well before covid you couls drop your young kids off at the camp and go out to shore and enjoy the time away. Now they space the hours apart to times that make no sense. 

Times are

8-12pm

1pm-3pm

7pm-10pm

 

Their reasoning is cdc requires them to deep clean the room 3 times per day. 

 

With excursion times, travel times to and from the ship and any other unforseen events that would cause delays, there is just no way to make this happen. 

 

Then also the better excursions are not for smaller kids

 

 

So families be aware. If you want to spend time ashore with your significant other away from the smaller kids bring along a relative or an older teen that can watch them while you are away. We didnt have that luxury. 

Edited March 9, 2022 by waytoodeep03

[sparks1093]

A lot has changed during these COVID times and they are likely to return to normal as time goes on (or what will pass as the new normal). At least you get 9 hours of time alone, even if it isn't all at once.

[ginnibobb]

On our cruise on the Legend in early February the camp supervisor told us they would remain open all day on port days and feed the kids lunch if the adults wanted to explore in port without them. 

I can't confirm that since we always took our daughter off the ship with us but that is what they told us.

The limited hours with no meals were only on sea days.

[cruisingguy007]

8 minutes ago, ginnibobb said:

On our cruise on the Legend in early February the camp supervisor told us they would remain open all day on port days and feed the kids lunch if the adults wanted to explore in port without them. 

I can't confirm that since we always took our daughter off the ship with us but that is what they told us.

The limited hours with no meals were only on sea days.

 

Yeah this. I think OP is incorrect. Even Carnival website says this. The older kids don't start until 4 but the younger kids is still the same and lists the lunch in the dining room for the kids only, staff takes them there, they eat and then back to the kids club for the second session. 

Edited March 9, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[Oceansaway17]

well I for one do not have kids, but I would not want to travel on a ship that makes it hard for parents to take a shore excursion.

then again, I think at least one adult needs to stay on the ship (might be a rule for some cruise lines).

Only thing I can say is the adults split and take turns getting off.

 

Also, now might be a hard time for cruising for families and perhaps another type of vacation untilt hey get older.  I would suggest a driving trip, but the darn gas prices are rising now too.

It is always something.   Still I feel bad for the Op and wanting to do something without the kids.

[cruisingguy007]

• Supervised complimentary programming Kids' Choice begins from port arrival until 12:00pm; At 12:00pm Kids' Only Lunch is offered, scheduled activities resume at 1:00pm until 10:00pm followed by Night Owls. There may be family programming offered in between 4:00pm-6:00pm (time/activity may vary)

 

This is good for all the younger kids age 2 up to 12 years old. 

Edited March 9, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

Camp ocean is open all day on port days, but my real question is why bother taking the kids on the cruise if you are trying to use them as a babysitting service? Has to be cheaper just to leave them at home 

[cruisingguy007]

10 minutes ago, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

Camp ocean is open all day on port days, but my real question is why bother taking the kids on the cruise if you are trying to use them as a babysitting service? Has to be cheaper just to leave them at home 

 

I just hope the folks who are dumping their kids off all-day and all night are leaving fat tips for the kids club staff. That's like 12 hours or more, literally like a whole day.  If we are getting off, kids are too. They can go back and play at the kids club when we get back onboard.  

Edited March 9, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[ginnibobb]

1 hour ago, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

 my real question is why bother taking the kids on the cruise if you are trying to use them as a babysitting service? Has to be cheaper just to leave them at home 

Why bother using any amenity that is included in the fare you paid for? 

 

[klfrodo]

The family friendly cruiseline. Where you don't have to spend any time with your family. 😲

[PokerFaceNJ]

My kids are all grown up but I am unsure if I could leave them when they were younger on the ship while I got off at the port.  What happens if some unforeseen circumstance causes you to miss getting back on the ship?  Heaven forbid a hospital emergency and you don't return...what happens to the little ones?  Too upsetting and scary to think about it.  If I can't take the kids with me, I wouldn't go ashore anyway.  

[LakeWobegon]

25 minutes ago, PokerFaceNJ said:

My kids are all grown up but I am unsure if I could leave them when they were younger on the ship while I got off at the port.  What happens if some unforeseen circumstance causes you to miss getting back on the ship?  Heaven forbid a hospital emergency and you don't return...what happens to the little ones?  Too upsetting and scary to think about it.  If I can't take the kids with me, I wouldn't go ashore anyway.  

I hear ya. Our teenagers have been going on cruises with us since they were little ones. They've never even been to a kids club of any type. We have a good time together and we've only got so many years left with them before they're adults.

[Lane Hog]

Honestly, the kids might be better cared for on the ship if you had a medical emergency than if they were with you in a foreign hospital...

We cruised with our kids when they were younger and they did all the excursions, although in their teen years, they might have rather stayed onboard without us on a few of them.

Edited March 10, 2022 by Lane Hog

[cruisingguy007]

7 minutes ago, Lane Hog said:

Honestly, the kids might be better cared for on the ship if you had a medical emergency than if they were with you in a foreign hospital...

We cruised with our kids when they were younger and they did all the excursions, although in their teen years, they might have rather stayed onboard without us on a few of them.

 

That's what your spouse if for, to pick up the baton if you fall and keep it moving. As far as on the ship, older kids sure, they make friends and can mostly fend for themselves with lots of dining, entertainment options and lots of staff around that they could ask for help from if needed. The really young ones though? That's much tougher, they require much more supervision. I'd be worried the entire time if they were away for an all day type deal. With my little guy, I'll still cruise by the kids club to check up or check-in, for the older ones, keep in constant touch via chat app and keep an eye out for them getting ice cream or hanging out on the various decks. It's not hard to keep an eye on them onboard. If you're off the ship, you are simply hoping for the best. They could have an emergency too, trip/fall, choke or some other type injury. Boarding is for pets, not kids lol. My kids love the kids club too but you don't just check them in and forget about them or dump them off for 12 hours or more and cast you cares. That seems crazy to me.    

[waytoodeep03]

21 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Yeah this. I think OP is incorrect. Even Carnival website says this. The older kids don't start until 4 but the younger kids is still the same and lists the lunch in the dining room for the kids only, staff takes them there, they eat and then back to the kids club for the second session. 

 

 

No i am not incorrect. I am literally on the radiance right now (today is sea day) and these are the rules they have now. 

 

I would not make this post if it were not to make others aware. 

 

Please do not come on board and expect things to be different than what i have stated. 

[waytoodeep03]

15 hours ago, PokerFaceNJ said:

My kids are all grown up but I am unsure if I could leave them when they were younger on the ship while I got off at the port.  What happens if some unforeseen circumstance causes you to miss getting back on the ship?  Heaven forbid a hospital emergency and you don't return...what happens to the little ones?  Too upsetting and scary to think about it.  If I can't take the kids with me, I wouldn't go ashore anyway.  

 

 

I get this

However 1 day out of a 7 day the parents should be able able to enjoy one another. Do things that they did when they were dating before the kids. 

 

Every couple with kids should be able to understand this.

 

Camp carnival is not boarding but its sole purpose is to watch the kids while parents can enjoy each other for a while. 

 

Carnival just makes it impossible to do this with excursions. That is all I am saying 

[TravelGirlinDallas]

15 hours ago, PokerFaceNJ said:

My kids are all grown up but I am unsure if I could leave them when they were younger on the ship while I got off at the port.  What happens if some unforeseen circumstance causes you to miss getting back on the ship?  Heaven forbid a hospital emergency and you don't return...what happens to the little ones?  Too upsetting and scary to think about it.  If I can't take the kids with me, I wouldn't go ashore anyway.  

100% this!!!! 

 

Personally for us, we encouraged (made) our son try out the kids' club a few times on our first couple of cruises with him. He said that it felt like daycare to him, and he didn't enjoy spending his vacation in daycare. And I don't blame him one bit. He hangs out with us, instead. 

Edited March 10, 2022 by TravelGirlinDallas

[famof4togo]

11 minutes ago, waytoodeep03 said:

 

 

I get this

However 1 day out of a 7 day the parents should be able able to enjoy one another. Do things that they did when they were dating before the kids. 

 

Every couple with kids should be able to understand this.

 

Camp carnival is not boarding but its sole purpose is to watch the kids while parents can enjoy each other for a while. 

 

Carnival just makes it impossible to do this with excursions. That is all I am saying 

I agree its about balance....family time, alone time, couple time...you need a balance...now personally I have never and would never leave my kid on ship and go on an excursion but I don't feel bad in the slightest to take a night to ourselves without the kid etc.....I love vacationing with my kid, I miss him when I vacation without him but that doesn't mean Mom and Dad don't need a bit of alone time too.

[TechDiva]

19 minutes ago, waytoodeep03 said:

 

 

I get this

However 1 day out of a 7 day the parents should be able able to enjoy one another. Do things that they did when they were dating before the kids. 

 

Every couple with kids should be able to understand this.

 

Camp carnival is not boarding but its sole purpose is to watch the kids while parents can enjoy each other for a while. 

 

Carnival just makes it impossible to do this with excursions. That is all I am saying 

I don't think that anyone takes issue with parents taking time for themselves.  I think that there is a fine line between leaving the kids in Camp Carnival while the parents are onboard, at dinner, a show, the casino, etc. and leaving the kids in Camp Carnival while the parents completely leave the ship. 

 

That's just not something that I would ever feel comfortable with.  Although my kids are 16 and 24 now and can now stay onboard if they like, when we cruised when they were younger, if I was off the ship, then so were they.

[Buckeyefrank100]

22 minutes ago, waytoodeep03 said:

 

 

I get this

However 1 day out of a 7 day the parents should be able able to enjoy one another. Do things that they did when they were dating before the kids. 

 

Every couple with kids should be able to understand this.

 

Camp carnival is not boarding but its sole purpose is to watch the kids while parents can enjoy each other for a while. 

 

Carnival just makes it impossible to do this with excursions. That is all I am saying 

Except the fact that you would be leaving your kids in a foreign country without you.  I would NEVER have thought to leave my kids on the ship alone.  Way too many things can happen that will keep you from making the ship.  

 

And doing the things you did when you were dating before you had kids, takes like 10 minutes generally and it's kinda discouraged in public...  

[sparks1093]

40 minutes ago, waytoodeep03 said:

 

 

I get this

However 1 day out of a 7 day the parents should be able able to enjoy one another. Do things that they did when they were dating before the kids. 

 

Every couple with kids should be able to understand this.

 

Camp carnival is not boarding but its sole purpose is to watch the kids while parents can enjoy each other for a while. 

 

Carnival just makes it impossible to do this with excursions. That is all I am saying 

And there is nothing to suggest that this is more than a temporary thing.

Edited March 10, 2022 by sparks1093

[Kanyon71]

I think my main issue would be leaving the child onboard while we are off. If something happens to the child and heaven forbid they get hurt in some way, mom and dad will have no way of knowing what's going on until they return from the excursion.

 

PURELY my opinion though.

 

Our daughter has gone to camp many times (mostly by her own choice) and my wife and I chill and do things on the ship. One time she got a bloody nose and they paged us and we immediately went up there (turned out to be he nose was just really dry and some saline spray we had fixed that up).

 

We have times away from her but she is usually with someone we trust who can get a hold of us or can also be responsible for her well being while we are away.

 

I think the last time we went off the ship while she stayed on it, her grandparents were on the cruise with us and she was with them. 🙂

[cruisingguy007]

1 hour ago, waytoodeep03 said:

 

 

I get this

However 1 day out of a 7 day the parents should be able able to enjoy one another. Do things that they did when they were dating before the kids. 

 

Every couple with kids should be able to understand this.

 

Camp carnival is not boarding but its sole purpose is to watch the kids while parents can enjoy each other for a while. 

 

Carnival just makes it impossible to do this with excursions. That is all I am saying 

 

It doesn't sound impossible, sounds more like "not all daym day and night" is a more apt description. I can understand your frustration on some level and do appreciate you taking the time to inform others of the conditions on the ground; or is it on the water? Anyway, thanks for the info.