Infants/small children...how are they accomodated

[goat rancher]

Hi,

We will be cruising on ms Ryndam next February (2008), and our group seems to keep expanding...There is already one 5 year old coming (with his grandma) and now HIS parents and his younger brother (who will be about 1 1/2 years old by that time ) are interested in coming too....

We have NEVER traveled with children on a cruise and, even though it won't be our primary responsibility to care for these guys, we have a lot of questions we need to find answers to in order to let their parents and grandmother know the pros and cons and how best to be prepared.

1)Are the balconies safe for small children (supervised) and are the doors heavy enough to prevent a small child from opening it on their own??

2)Are there children's menus in the dining rooms?Are there ways to warm up bottles if needed??

3)If you are in the casino, can the children accompany you (since they are too small to even consider trying to gamble) or must they stay with other family members that are not in the casino?

4)For shore tours, I see there are SOME that mention an age limit, but how about bus tours or taxis in Mexico....What is the policy concerning car seats??Do these little guys' parents need to bring a car seat for the 1 1/2 year old??? And is it wise to question age limits for every shore tour just to make sure not to get "surprised?"

5)Are there places designated for diaper changing areas on the ship that are accessible enough for these parents to assure cleanliness and privacy??

6)Are there any areas of the ship that the children are not allowed in...bars/lounges/shows etc??

Thanks for any info. that would be helpful...I considered asking this on the traveling with families board, but thought perhaps the answers would be too generic and needed people with experience on Holland America......

[Sale Away]

1)Are the balconies safe for small children (supervised) and are the doors heavy enough to prevent a small child from opening it on their own??

 

I personally think that if they're supervised, they're really unlikely to be opening up themselves. I've seen some people on the Family board suggest getting cheap door alarms that you can stick on the balcony door that will chime if opened. So if they do open it and your back is turned, you'll hear it.

 

2)Are there children's menus in the dining rooms?Are there ways to warm up bottles if needed??

 

Yes. The dining room has children's menus with the standard burgers, mac & cheese, chicken finger type choices that you'll find pretty much at any restaurant. As for warming bottles, they're pretty accomodating although I'd rather ask for a pot of hot water and stick the bottle in there to warm it myself.

 

3)If you are in the casino, can the children accompany you (since they are too small to even consider trying to gamble) or must they stay with other family members that are not in the casino?

 

I've never actually seen children in the casino unless they were passing through to another area. We always take turns with staying with the kids if one wants to go to the casino for a while.

 

4)For shore tours, I see there are SOME that mention an age limit, but how about bus tours or taxis in Mexico....What is the policy concerning car seats??Do these little guys' parents need to bring a car seat for the 1 1/2 year old??? And is it wise to question age limits for every shore tour just to make sure not to get "surprised?"

 

I would definitely check the age limits but most of the bus tours have no limit. Activities like horseback riding would have an age limit though. But I've never seen anyone carrying their car seats off the ship. We had an umbrella stroller but never carried a car seat with us.

 

5)Are there places designated for diaper changing areas on the ship that are accessible enough for these parents to assure cleanliness and privacy??

 

We typically just went to the cabin for diaper changes. I don't remember seeing any diaper changing areas in the public restrooms on board any ship.

 

6)Are there any areas of the ship that the children are not allowed in...bars/lounges/shows etc??

 

Children of the age you're talking about are always welcome at the shows and lounges. I personally wouldn't take mine into one of the bars though and have never seen anyone else taking theirs in one either.

[goat rancher]

Thanks........that'll give me something to pass on to the parents/grandma.......Grandma has cruised ONCE, but with no children, and the parents have never cruised at all......Still not sure if the parents and littlest one are coming...they are kinda late add ons......As it is, the dining time we have is now listed as full, so they'd be kinda vacationing WITH us and vacationing WITHOUT us, if you know what I mean.....since they might end up eating at a different time and location.......

[CruiseJude]

Goat Rancher:

 

I can answer some of your questions. Our daughter, who just turned seven, has been on nine cruises. Her first was at 2 1/2.

 

1. The balconies are safe for small children. I would say the balcony railing is about 4 1/2 feet high. However, I would never leave a child out there alone. The doors to the balcony, as well as to the cabin door, would be difficult for a child to open.

2. As the above poster stated, there is a childrens' menu in the dining room which consists of most things the bigger and smaller children will enjoy.

3. I rarely, if ever, see children in the casino, though on some ships you must walk through the casino in order to access other parts of the ship.

4. We usually do our own excursions, so I can't answer this one.

5. I can't answer this one either, since our daughter was potty trained by the first cruise. I can't say I recall seeing diaper changing facilities, but I may be wrong on that one.

6. Children are not supposed to be in the aft pool - only in the lido pool. This is noted in the Club HAL paperwork.

 

I highly recommend trying Club HAL for the 5-year old you are traveling with. The counselors do a great job and the kids really enjoy it.

[peaches from georgia]

Considering there will be a 1 1/2 yr old, and you may already know this, but HAL does not allow diapers or even swim diapers in the Lido and Aft pools and there is no kiddie pool.

[kakalina]

Children of any age are not allowed in the casino at any time on any ship! With that many children I think you might do better to look at a Disney sailing they would certainly have the proper accomadations for children. HAL doesn't do children well.

[hammybee]

I think HAL does a wonderful job with young children so long as parent's understand the experience is geared towards older kids and primarily adults.

 

To the best of my knowledge, children are allowed everywhere, except in the Casino and AFT pool. That they are allowed does not however, make it appropriate, at all times. While parents might find it fun to watch their children twirling on a dance floor till they exhaust themselves, those adults who want to dance may not appreciate it and it increases the possibility that someone could fall, injuring themselves or a child.

 

The evening shows allow children. These shows are not designed to entertain children and they are prone to nod off or become antsy and could disturb those seated around them.

 

I am uncomfortable with the entire balcony deal and young children. There is furniture on the balcony that could be used to access the railing.

[sjs79]

I went on a HAL cruise on the Westerdam with our then 8 month old. HAL was great, more accomodating then we could imagine. Besides not being able to go in the Aft pool (we never tried the casino) we never ran into restrictions. As for the swim diaper in the pool, we were told as long as it was the waterproof kind, we were allowed to have him in the pool.

 

With a 1 1/2 year old, they won't be eligible for Club HAL, but we were told (by my sister who works onboard) that the people who work in reception and the front desk love to make extra money and babysit, so we had a couple kid free nights, and paid a nominal fee to have him babysat.

 

As for the balconies, a 5 year old may be able to open the door, but we felt safe with our 8 month old who was just starting to walk, and unless the 1 1/2 year old is very crafty, with supervision, the balcony should be completely safe.

 

I wasn't able to find diaper changing stations, but we were able to use our stateroom and didn't find dificulty.

 

The dinning room was very accomodating, and always had a high chair for us, and made sure we sat closer to the outside, so we could leave if he got fussy. HAL truly went out of their way to accomodate our baby.

 

The one piece of advice I gleaned from the entire experience was about strollers. We had our regular size stroller on board which we had a hard time fitting through doors and in the hallway when other people were with us. I would recommend a small folding stroller, or our lifesaver, the child backpack, which was also great on excursions.

 

Hope this helps!!

[richkinkade]

Swim diapers ar not allowed in pools on any cruise ship. This is a US Public Health Regulation, and covers all cruise ships calling at US ports.

 

"Why are children who are not toilet trained forbidden from swimming in pools on cruise ships?

 

 

 

Children who wear any type of swimming diaper or who are diaper-aged are not allowed to swim because fecal matter may contaminate the water. This can expose other swimmers to fecal matter that is potentially infectious. "

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/pub/FAQ/FAQ.htm#children

[pms4104]

Diapers and swim diapers in the pools ... my understanding is that this is CDC issue rather than a HAL policy. HAL does enforce it to the best of their ability.

 

In the end, aren't we talking about the health, safety and hygiene of ALL passengers here? The common good should take precedence over other issues!

[Jemima]

Aren't there also age limits in the Crows' Nest and possibly elsewhere late evening?

[RuthC]

Although children are allowed in the lounges they are not allowed to sit at the bar.

Last March on the Noordam there was a woman who would bring her 5/6-ish year old son into the Piano Bar around midnight :rolleyes: and sit him at the piano. She was told that the child could stay, but would have to sit in a chair.

[Sale Away]

Although children are allowed in the lounges they are not allowed to sit at the bar.

 

Last March on the Noordam there was a woman who would bring her 5/6-ish year old son into the Piano Bar around midnight :rolleyes: and sit him at the piano. She was told that the child could stay, but would have to sit in a chair.

 

You have to really wonder about a parent dragging around their 5 year old at midnight and to a bar at that... wonder what they do with him at home!

[goat rancher]

Thanks for all the added info... I had not realized that the aft pool was off limits, which is good to know so I can tell them (our cabins are very close to that pool and we figured on using it...so now we know to send the kids to the lido area instead...well at least the older one, with supervision of course...if they want to go in the water.)

Personally I am kinda glad, if these 2 children come, that I am not personally responsible for watching them. They are actually really good kids and grandma, at least, keeps a great eye on them....the older child is used to being around adults and is well mannered...but I have enough time keeping myself going that I selfishly don't want to be entertaining anyone else or having to watch all the time like I did at home when my own children were small....However they would have their grandma, an aunt who is extremely close to them, and their parents, so I am off the hook as far as the details go.....

I just wanted to prepare them all for how things would be ship-board, so they would know what to bring and a bit more what to expect...Switching to Disney just is not an option for us....the main core of us are WELL into adulthood and the original plan of the trip was for us adults....

[seniormiss]

Do not switch to Disney!! Hal does wonderful with children. My 3 year old granddaughter was on the Oosterdam last month and had a wonderful time. The counselors were great, lots of attention, face painting, games, theme nights, story telling.

I do believe anyone that tells you differently just doesn't want kids on thier cruises.

[kakalina]

I do believe anyone that tells you differently just doesn't want kids on thier cruises.

 

Ya think?

[newmexicoNita]

Do not switch to Disney!! Hal does wonderful with children. My 3 year old granddaughter was on the Oosterdam last month and had a wonderful time. The counselors were great, lots of attention, face painting, games, theme nights, story telling.

I do believe anyone that tells you differently just doesn't want kids on thier cruises.

I don't necessarily agree: I am a travel agent and I can assure you my cliants prefer other lines to HAL when traveling with the really little ones. This is not saying the the kids camp isn't great and HAL is trying to attract more families, but especially when we are talking about an 18 month old. Not to mention the OP is asking about lounges, bars, casinos etc. Obviously the family likes a good night life (I don't blame them) I don't know what time of the year you traveled. This makes a difference as well.

 

NMNita

[goat rancher]

Hi,

Thanks again everyone for all your comments....I definately did NOT take offense when offered a different cruise line choice. Honestly, if these children were my own and I was younger, I would either choose a short Disney like cruise or maybe not go at all at this time...just my personal preference. One of my coworkers took her two young children on Princess late last year and had a fantastic time...I think a lot depends, not only on the ages of the children, but on their temperaments as well as the temperaments/needs/flexibility of the parents. I am not really all that flexible in that kind of a situation, and would be a nervous wreck...probably not enjoy myself on the trip the way I can now that my kids are grown and it is husband and I. Again, personal preference, and I think we are ALL different in that regard. All of us in this group (except the parents of the 5 year old and 1 1/2 year old) will be in the 50-70 year range....Our wants and needs are a little different than young parents....At this point the 5 year old will be coming, with his grandma and an aunt to oversee....but the parents and younger child may not....It will just be a matter of choosing who ISN"T going to the casino that night as to which will watch him, since I don't imagine we'll be putting him into childcare while there (the whole point of bringing him is he wanted to go with grandma :) ...He went on a starvation diet last time grandma cruised without him....AND he really is a good guy, well behaved and used to a lot of adults.....

[newmexicoNita]

Hi,

Thanks again everyone for all your comments....I definately did NOT take offense when offered a different cruise line choice. Honestly, if these children were my own and I was younger, I would either choose a short Disney like cruise or maybe not go at all at this time...just my personal preference. One of my coworkers took her two young children on Princess late last year and had a fantastic time...I think a lot depends, not only on the ages of the children, but on their temperaments as well as the temperaments/needs/flexibility of the parents. I am not really all that flexible in that kind of a situation, and would be a nervous wreck...probably not enjoy myself on the trip the way I can now that my kids are grown and it is husband and I. Again, personal preference, and I think we are ALL different in that regard. All of us in this group (except the parents of the 5 year old and 1 1/2 year old) will be in the 50-70 year range....Our wants and needs are a little different than young parents....At this point the 5 year old will be coming, with his grandma and an aunt to oversee....but the parents and younger child may not....It will just be a matter of choosing who ISN"T going to the casino that night as to which will watch him, since I don't imagine we'll be putting him into childcare while there (the whole point of bringing him is he wanted to go with grandma :) ...He went on a starvation diet last time grandma cruised without him....AND he really is a good guy, well behaved and used to a lot of adults.....

Sounds like they have everything under control. You are right about who should and shouldn't cruise with little ones. Personally I think kids under 5 do better being left at home. We are about to become great grandparents and our granddaughter has already said she wouldn't cruise with hers until it is 5. that is just our feeling. I do think child care is fun for the kids though. IF he can keep busy, will not disrupt the other passengers and will have a good time, good for all of you. This is a debate that will go on forever: kids and cruising; there isn't a right or wrong answer. NMnita

[kryos]

I do believe anyone that tells you differently just doesn't want kids on thier cruises.

I don't agree with that at all.

 

Maybe kakalina is just trying to say that children in certain age ranges aren't well served by HAL and thus it might not be a good fit for them? I can't understand why any parent would choose HAL. If you want to take an elegant cruise on a HAL ship, then my advice would be to leave the toddlers and young children home. There is nothing for their entertainment on HAL. No trampolines, no kids' clubs if the child is really young, can't go in the pool with diapers, etc., etc. Why bring the child at all? The entertainment onboard is not geared toward children and I can well imagine a child becoming bored in the show and starting to cry, disturbing everyone in the immediate area until someone can carry him/her out.

 

It's not that kakalina or I, for that matter, don't want kids on our cruises. It's just that there is not a lot onboard a HAL ship to keep them engaged and occupied. Yes, a very young child may do well since he wouldn't be into the shipboard activities anyway, but you'd better believe he's gonna start screaming and crying when he realizes that he can't go in the pool where all the other children are playing.

 

I agree with others who have posted to this thread. There are far better vacation alternatives for young children. Disney and RCCL come to mind for seafaring ones. There are also land vacations that offer a wealth of activities for children of all ages. I'd sooner take the children to those venues and save the cruise on a HAL ship for when they are a bit older. But, if you are planning to bring the children regardless, just make sure you have a clear plan for who will be charged with keeping them entertained on a daily basis ... because you're not gonna be able to depend upon the cruise line to do it very effectively ... especially with the very young one.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Jemima]

I've observed that most children on HAL seem to be enjoying the cruise. Those few children who aren't happy usually have parents who also aren't a good fit for HAL.

As to no diapers in the pools, that's the same on all cruiselines. Also most cruiselines have some locations or times in the location that are age restricted. I understand that this is even true of Disney.

HAL is a great choice for some families, others would be happier on another cruiseline and still other would be wise to make a different vacation choice.

We didn't start cruising until DD was an adult. We wished we'd started earlier and on HAL.

[seniormiss]

I don't agree with that at all.

 

Maybe kakalina is just trying to say that children in certain age ranges aren't well served by HAL and thus it might not be a good fit for them? I can't understand why any parent would choose HAL. If you want to take an elegant cruise on a HAL ship, then my advice would be to leave the toddlers and young children home. There is nothing for their entertainment on HAL. No trampolines, no kids' clubs if the child is really young, can't go in the pool with diapers, etc., etc. Why bring the child at all? The entertainment onboard is not geared toward children and I can well imagine a child becoming bored in the show and starting to cry, disturbing everyone in the immediate area until someone can carry him/her out.

 

It's not that kakalina or I, for that matter, don't want kids on our cruises. It's just that there is not a lot onboard a HAL ship to keep them engaged and occupied. Yes, a very young child may do well since he wouldn't be into the shipboard activities anyway, but you'd better believe he's gonna start screaming and crying when he realizes that he can't go in the pool where all the other children are playing.

 

I agree with others who have posted to this thread. There are far better vacation alternatives for young children. Disney and RCCL come to mind for seafaring ones. There are also land vacations that offer a wealth of activities for children of all ages. I'd sooner take the children to those venues and save the cruise on a HAL ship for when they are a bit older. But, if you are planning to bring the children regardless, just make sure you have a clear plan for who will be charged with keeping them entertained on a daily basis ... because you're not gonna be able to depend upon the cruise line to do it very effectively ... especially with the very young one.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

I don't believe you read my entire post, I will repeat, my 3 year old granddaughter had a wonderful time and my daughter couldn't praise Club Hal enough. Club Hal does keep the kids entertained.

A family vacation is just that and it is up to the family to decide what is best for them. I think those who say Holland America doesn't do kids well is doing a disservice to HAL and to the readers of CC.

As for the bars and casino, of course kids do not belong there, and a screaming kid belongs back in thier room.

[kryos]

I don't believe you read my entire post, I will repeat, my 3 year old granddaughter had a wonderful time and my daughter couldn't praise Club Hal enough. Club Hal does keep the kids entertained.

A family vacation is just that and it is up to the family to decide what is best for them. I think those who say Holland America doesn't do kids well is doing a disservice to HAL and to the readers of CC.

As for the bars and casino, of course kids do not belong there, and a screaming kid belongs back in thier room.

I am certainly glad your granddaughter had a great time on HAL. I'm not saying no children will like HAL ... just that the vast majority of them are better served elsewhere. HAL has it's nice features ... and believe me, I love them. But I honestly can't see where HAL would be considered a kid-friendly line ... not when there are so many better alternatives out there.

 

Just my opinion.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[m&dluv2cruise]

Please take your children on your cruise with you. We took our 18 month old daughter on a 10 day cruise over Thanksgiving last year and a good time was had by all. The dining staff went out of their way to make sure she was accommodated at every meal. They do have a children's menu and will try to fill your every request. They made little rabbits and birds out of paper and other animals out of napkins for her at almost every meal. They would walk by and talk to her and wave at her, and give her extra special attention. We found that crew members all over the ship told us about their own children and some even showed pictures of their little ones. We took our daughter to the shows in the evening and she slept through a few and she watched and clapped her hands for the rest. We found that passengers as well as crew gave her lots of attention! We took her to Club HAL on 3 different occasions, there were no children there so we let her play on the slide and with the other toys. "There were not many children on this cruise, probably because it was ten days long"

We are looking to book another cruise with HAL this December and would not hesitate to take our daughter again

[Sale Away]

I've observed that most children on HAL seem to be enjoying the cruise. Those few children who aren't happy usually have parents who also aren't a good fit for HAL.

 

This really hits the nail on the head. Different cruiselines are going to be a fit for different people which is why there's so many choices out there. The same children that HAL will be a good fit for now are the adults who will choose to sail on her later in life. As some adults don't need to be entertained 24/7, neither do some kids.