In Room Babysitting on Liberty TERMINATED!

[invtime]

just an FYI- currently on the liberty and they no longer offer in-room babysitting. They said they cancelled it last week, said the reason was staff not showing up for work the following day since they were working late.

 

Didn't really apreciate not having any warning since it was one of the reasons I booked...

 

also said they will be phasing it out fleet wide over the next few weeks, dont know if thats true but its the info they gave me, plan accordingly...

[24Sox]

So what's the option for people with small children? My son won't need it - he's 13 - but I'm also traveling with my sister and her 3 little ones (ages 3, 5, and 7).

[flannbarr]

There is still Late Night Kids Club after 10pm for $5/hour until 1am (2am one night). That assumes your child will stay awake in the AO club. If not, try and find a teenager who wants to babysit during their cruise. Good luck!

[Travelgrrl]

Um, perhaps the adults can take turns watching (and enjoying) the kiddies in the evenings?

 

I can't understand taking the wee ones on a trip like a cruise unless you are planning to be with them most of the time. Since Adventure Ocean is available most of the day, I can't see shucking off the kids every night too. I never felt comfortable about the in-room babysitting on RCI as they are random staff who did it as a way of making extra money - not child care professionals. Even when I had a babysitter at home, it was always with someone whose family I knew and trusted - I wouldn't have dreamed of having a stranger there.

 

Last week there was a news program about little Madeline McCann - the parents and their friends went out to the nearby tapas bar EVERY NIGHT, leaving the kids (Presumably the McCann's 3 kids in their room, and other parents' kids in their rooms) alone from about 9 PM - 1 AM. Not just once. Every night of their holiday. I can't fathom this - why couldn't the parents have taken turn watching over all the kids, night by night?

 

I vote for: either leave the kids with a loved one at home, wait until they are older to cruise, or else stay in the staterooms in the evenings or late nights and do family stuff.

 

It's not that I don't like kids - I do - and I brought mine on cruises when they were young - but I also brought crafts and games and things to amuse us in the evenings.

 

This is not a slam against any other poster or parent - just some random thoughts - I am sure RCI's decision, if it is fleetwide, has more to do with undesirable incidents that have happened, rather than a few sleeping in babysitters...

[scooter06]

That's why we always bring Grandma! The Disney Cruise has a wonderful nursery. I took my twins when they were 2 on the Disney Magic 7 days and the nursery staff was top notch. At the end of the cruise they surprised us with polaroids of my twins with disney characters who had visited them in the nursery.

[bridedoll1026]

Um, perhaps the adults can take turns watching (and enjoying) the kiddies in the evenings?

 

I can't understand taking the wee ones on a trip like a cruise unless you are planning to be with them most of the time. Since Adventure Ocean is available most of the day, I can't see shucking off the kids every night too. I never felt comfortable about the in-room babysitting on RCI as they are random staff who did it as a way of making extra money - not child care professionals. Even when I had a babysitter at home, it was always with someone whose family I knew and trusted - I wouldn't have dreamed of having a stranger there.

 

Last week there was a news program about little Madeline McCann - the parents and their friends went out to the nearby tapas bar EVERY NIGHT, leaving the kids (Presumably the McCann's 3 kids in their room, and other parents' kids in their rooms) alone from about 9 PM - 1 AM. Not just once. Every night of their holiday. I can't fathom this - why couldn't the parents have taken turn watching over all the kids, night by night?

 

I vote for: either leave the kids with a loved one at home, wait until they are older to cruise, or else stay in the staterooms in the evenings or late nights and do family stuff.

 

It's not that I don't like kids - I do - and I brought mine on cruises when they were young - but I also brought crafts and games and things to amuse us in the evenings.

 

This is not a slam against any other poster or parent - just some random thoughts - I am sure RCI's decision, if it is fleetwide, has more to do with undesirable incidents that have happened, rather than a few sleeping in babysitters...

 

You sound like a great parent & I agree with your thoughts!

[Travelgrrl]

On Disney, it's more of a communal nursery with professional child care workers, not the more informal 'in room babysitting' that Royal Caribbean offers.

[kathyemma]

I tried to book it last week and they said it was all booked for the week. I thought that was very strange since I tried to book within hours of boarding. I wanted to be able to stay out late the night of the quest and didn't want her awake at kids club until midnight. But it worked out well - she was tried from running around the past few days and ended up taking a nap that afternoon - so i let her stay at kids club until midnight and then let her sleep in the next morning.

 

But I do know many parents book knowing they have inroom babysitting - I would be very upset to book and then find out while on the ship that it was no longer an option.

 

Kathy

[cruisedude135]

There is still Late Night Kids Club after 10pm for $5/hour until 1am (2am one night). That assumes your child will stay awake in the AO club. If not, try and find a teenager who wants to babysit during their cruise. Good luck!

 

This has nothing to do with the cruise but i was on the same cruise!!:eek: :D

[JanineM]

We sailed Mariner in September with friends who have a 3-year old. He is not completely potty trained, so the "Adventure Ocean" and kid's clubs are not an option. If you kids are not fully trained, you can't leave them there.

 

My friend had horrible experiences trying to book sitters --- like they would confirm and not show up; or they would not confirm and would show up. All they wanted was about 90 minutes a couple of evenings to have a drink with us after dinner. That's hardly "horrible parenting". He was asleep at 7:30-7:45 every night, so they just wanted someone to sit with him for awhile in the evening.

 

Needless to say, they were put off by the lack of professionalism and organisation by Guest Services, and so after 2 evenings of waiting for sitters they took turns staying "in" with him each evening. I guess the lesson we learned is that the sitters are not reliable, so it is better to just plan for one parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/whatever to stay in with the little one each night. A big disappointment, to be sure!

[sagiv666]

just an FYI- currently on the liberty and they no longer offer in-room babysitting. They said they cancelled it last week, said the reason was staff not showing up for work the following day since they were working late.

 

Didn't really apreciate not having any warning since it was one of the reasons I booked...

 

also said they will be phasing it out fleet wide over the next few weeks, dont know if thats true but its the info they gave me, plan accordingly...

 

Quite honestly, I think it is nonsense. Enough of the crew stays up late anyway. I think this is just another cutback and another reason why (even though we do not have children needing babysitters) we are choosing not to cruise for a while.

:mad: Of course, there is one other idea: bring the children up to the bridge, which is manned 24/7.

[RetireeWannabee]

Um, perhaps the adults can take turns watching (and enjoying) the kiddies in the evenings?

 

I can't understand taking the wee ones on a trip like a cruise unless you are planning to be with them most of the time. Since Adventure Ocean is available most of the day, I can't see shucking off the kids every night too. I never felt comfortable about the in-room babysitting on RCI as they are random staff who did it as a way of making extra money - not child care professionals. Even when I had a babysitter at home, it was always with someone whose family I knew and trusted - I wouldn't have dreamed of having a stranger there.

 

Last week there was a news program about little Madeline McCann - the parents and their friends went out to the nearby tapas bar EVERY NIGHT, leaving the kids (Presumably the McCann's 3 kids in their room, and other parents' kids in their rooms) alone from about 9 PM - 1 AM. Not just once. Every night of their holiday. I can't fathom this - why couldn't the parents have taken turn watching over all the kids, night by night?

 

I vote for: either leave the kids with a loved one at home, wait until they are older to cruise, or else stay in the staterooms in the evenings or late nights and do family stuff.

 

It's not that I don't like kids - I do - and I brought mine on cruises when they were young - but I also brought crafts and games and things to amuse us in the evenings.

 

This is not a slam against any other poster or parent - just some random thoughts - I am sure RCI's decision, if it is fleetwide, has more to do with undesirable incidents that have happened, rather than a few sleeping in babysitters...

 

I guess I don't understand this either. I do get wanting to do adult things and can see having some special nights out during the cruise, but not every night.

 

But I think it's really bad business to suddenly discontinue a program like this. Inconsiderate at the very least.

 

My crackpot theory is that this will end up hurting the bar business as more parents are forced to stay in the cabin instead of whooping it up in the bars and casino all night.

[Dr_DNA]

Um, perhaps the adults can take turns watching (and enjoying) the kiddies in the evenings?

 

I can't understand taking the wee ones on a trip like a cruise unless you are planning to be with them most of the time. Since Adventure Ocean is available most of the day, I can't see shucking off the kids every night too. I never felt comfortable about the in-room babysitting on RCI as they are random staff who did it as a way of making extra money - not child care professionals. Even when I had a babysitter at home, it was always with someone whose family I knew and trusted - I wouldn't have dreamed of having a stranger there.

 

Last week there was a news program about little Madeline McCann - the parents and their friends went out to the nearby tapas bar EVERY NIGHT, leaving the kids (Presumably the McCann's 3 kids in their room, and other parents' kids in their rooms) alone from about 9 PM - 1 AM. Not just once. Every night of their holiday. I can't fathom this - why couldn't the parents have taken turn watching over all the kids, night by night?

 

I vote for: either leave the kids with a loved one at home, wait until they are older to cruise, or else stay in the staterooms in the evenings or late nights and do family stuff.

 

It's not that I don't like kids - I do - and I brought mine on cruises when they were young - but I also brought crafts and games and things to amuse us in the evenings.

 

This is not a slam against any other poster or parent - just some random thoughts - I am sure RCI's decision, if it is fleetwide, has more to do with undesirable incidents that have happened, rather than a few sleeping in babysitters...

 

I think that you can combine the two; family time and adult time. I don't see anything wrong with having a sitter come in to watch our son (3 1/2) after he falls asleep. This allows Mom and Dad go out and enjoy a show, a drink, a moonlight stoll, etc. for a couple of hours. I don't feel that we neglected him in any way by doing so (he slept right through it) and it didn't affect the family time that we spent together.

 

Also, I wanted to add that we took a cruise to spend family time together. Our son loved the kids club but didn't get to spent as much time in there as HE wanted because it was our family vacation. In fact, he went kicking and screaming to go whale watching (which was what he talked about the most for 3 months pre-cruise) because he wanted to go to the kids club instead. So, "shucking" your kids to AO might not be that to some, especially a 3 1/2 year old that is having a great time with other 3 1/2 year olds doing what 3 1/2 year olds do. :D

[Travelgrrl]

I didn't mean to sound as if I disapprove of Adventure Ocean or grownups going out at night - just that it seems well to have a balance between family time and adult time, as has been noted.

 

Some posts I've seen on CC (not this thread) really seem to imply that the parents both want to bring the kiddies along but also can't wait to get rid of them day and night.

 

Anyway, glad mine are now 17 and 19! (Usually!) :rolleyes:

[bike1964]

So what's the option for people with small children? My son won't need it - he's 13 - but I'm also traveling with my sister and her 3 little ones (ages 3, 5, and 7).

 

I guess the option would be to leave them @ home with a relative, or plan to spend time with them since your bringing them on your vacation?

[crusinmama06]

Oh come on RCCL! What a stupid move! :rolleyes:

 

No, I personally don't use the babysitters. Never needed to.

 

BUT, there are many parents who bring kids ages 1-2 onboard who cannot use AO. And maybe, just maybe those parents just *might* want to catch a show or have some dinner at Portofino without the baby for one night.

 

That in cabin babysitting has always been a huge draw for parents of younger kids. RCCL is sending the message that if you have a 1 or 2 year old you would be better off on Disney (Flounders Nursery) or NCL/Carnival who accepts 2 year olds. :rolleyes:

 

I really have NO idea why RCCL is making all of these hairbrained decisions lately.

 

Just reading the Family board I see how many families choose to do RCCL based on incabin sitting. Guess RCCL can kiss those dollars goodbye. Very smart.

[Lyncruiser]

I've always wondered why parents trust complete strangers to watch their children in-room. I've also always wondered why RCCL chose to accommodate the desire for in-room babysitting. Thus, I'm not surprised at all to see it coming to an end. It seems to me to be an area fraught with the possibility for lawsuits against RCCL. At WDW, a maid isn't allowed to enter and clean the room if children are present, unless at least one parent or supervising adult is also in the room (we learned this the hard way when we left our 12-year-old twins in our Grand Floridian room for a few minutes and missed out on having our room cleaned that day). In this day and age, there is just too much possibility for he said/she said and the subsequent recriminations and liability.

[Fritz265]

I guess the option would be to leave them @ home with a relative, or plan to spend time with them since your bringing them on your vacation?

 

Hmmm, love the lectures here....

 

We've used the service and had a great experience with it. We didn't bring our kids onboard just to toss them to AO or a babysitter. We used a babysitter to stay with them after they've fallen asleep so we could get some adult time in to see a show or something else onboard. Trust me, they were with us from sunrise to sunset and they were pooped out.

 

The topic here is in-cabin babysitting not a lesson on how to best spend vacation time with your kids or don't cruise....

[Fritz265]

I've always wondered why parents trust complete strangers to watch their children in-room. I've also always wondered why RCCL chose to accommodate the desire for in-room babysitting. Thus, I'm not surprised at all to see it coming to an end. It seems to me to be an area fraught with the possibility for lawsuits against RCCL. At WDW, a maid isn't allowed to enter and clean the room if children are present, unless at least one parent or supervising adult is also in the room (we learned this the hard way when we left our 12-year-old twins in our Grand Floridian room for a few minutes and missed out on having our room cleaned that day). In this day and age, there is just too much possibility for he said/she said and the subsequent recriminations and liability.

 

I suppose if you want to get technical, leaving two 12 yr olds in a room alone could be risky as well. The McCanns only left their children for a few minutes too....

 

But I agree that they probably discontinued the service due more for risk management than anything else.

[MINIDRVR]

I've always wondered why parents trust complete strangers to watch their children in-room. I've also always wondered why RCCL chose to accommodate the desire for in-room babysitting. Thus, I'm not surprised at all to see it coming to an end. It seems to me to be an area fraught with the possibility for lawsuits against RCCL. At WDW, a maid isn't allowed to enter and clean the room if children are present, unless at least one parent or supervising adult is also in the room (we learned this the hard way when we left our 12-year-old twins in our Grand Floridian room for a few minutes and missed out on having our room cleaned that day). In this day and age, there is just too much possibility for he said/she said and the subsequent recriminations and liability.

 

Well said and loads of truth in your statement.

 

We love our son but there is no way we would have taken him on a cruise with us before he was, say 30....:eek:

 

He is now 40 and has a daughter 3 and if they ever decide to go on a cruise we hope they'll ask us to go too so we can go and hang out with her:D

[bike1964]

Hmmm, love the lectures here....

 

We've used the service and had a great experience with it. We didn't bring our kids onboard just to toss them to AO or a babysitter. We used a babysitter to stay with them after they've fallen asleep so we could get some adult time in to see a show or something else onboard. Trust me, they were with us from sunrise to sunset and they were pooped out.

 

The topic here is in-cabin babysitting not a lesson on how to best spend vacation time with your kids or don't cruise....

 

 

You may the exception to the rule. I personally know/have seen families who drop off the kids in the a.m., get their little beepers, then leave the ship, or go and sit @ the bar all day and pick them up as late as possible. Great family vacation. You may want to try the "cruising w/kids board? Try this http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=663014

[crusinmama06]

You may the exception to the rule. I personally know/have seen families who drop off the kids in the a.m., get their little beepers, then leave the ship, or go and sit @ the bar all day and pick them up as late as possible. Great family vacation. You may want to try the "cruising w/kids board?

 

 

That would be awful if it were true. But since RCCL (and most other cruiselines) close down their kids clubs during lunch and dinner hours, it is vitually impossible to leave them from early am till night. And even on nights that they are open for dinner, they shut down for a few hours in the afternoon so that parents can't leave the children all day long.

 

To the OP - you may want to post this at the Family Board so you can avoid the lectures from those who have NO experience cruising with kids.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

[bike1964]

Easy mama. I have 2 boys that have been on 5 cruises. Their first cruise was when they were 12 and 13. How can you insinuate that I have no experience cruising with kids? I waited until my kids could/would enjoy their experience and I/we didn't have to walk around with a diaper bag/pacifier, and a stroller everywhere we went. I have seen your name around on a lot of these threads. I wish I was an expert on everything like you are? I merely suggested that the OP utilize the family boards for questions pertaining to their concerns. Yes, I have seen people drop off their kids and literally not see them for several hours. Maybe, they had a sitter take them to their cabin for a nap, maybe they made other arrangements with a friend, but I have seen this happen, and its not only on RCCL.

[crusinmama06]

Easy mama. I have 2 boys that have been on 5 cruises. Their first cruise was when they were 12 and 13. How can you insinuate that I have no experience cruising with kids? I waited until my kids could/would enjoy their experience and I/we didn't have to walk around with a diaper bag/pacifier, and a stroller everywhere we went. I have seen your name around on a lot of these threads. I wish I was an expert on everything like you are? I merely suggested that the OP utilize the family boards for questions pertaining to their concerns. Yes, I have seen people drop off their kids and literally not see them for several hours. Maybe, they had a sitter take them to their cabin for a nap, maybe they made other arrangements with a friend, but I have seen this happen, and its not only on RCCL.

 

First of all my comment about people with no experience cruising with kids wasn't directed at you. If you have been around a while and have seen my name on these threads then you know that EVERYTIME someone mentions anything to do with kids on THIS board, there is always someone to jump in and say to leave the kids at home with Grandma. :rolleyes: While that is a wonderful idea, not everyone has an option to leave the kids at home. And not everyone wants to leave the kids at home on their family vacation (as in the case with my family)

 

And I guess I'll take it as a compliment that I am an "expert" on everything. Some find my comments helpful.

[sas80]

Personally...I call TROLL!

 

This is a hot button topic that was bound to get a LOT of different opinions and people posting their non-judgmental views in their non-judgmental posts :rolleyes:

 

Go to it people! I always need a controversial thread to float near the top of the stack so that, when I have a few minutes to take a break at work, I have some good reading!!!! :D