| Taking An Infant On A
Cruise
Important Information about cruise lines for families with infants
As more and more families discover the pleasure of cruising for a family
vacation, the cruise lines are becoming ever more accommodating to
children of all ages. The secret to a fun cruise with your infant is
really good planning and finding out what's available aboard ship before
sailing. Here are some tips.
Ship Selection -- Check with the cruise line to determine their
policy regarding infants on board. Some do not want infants at all, on
other cruise lines or specific itineraries there's a minimum age of 6 or
12 months. Disney Cruise Line will accept infants as young as 12 weeks
with baby-sitting services available. Carnival's policy is four months.
In general the newer, larger ships tend to have better family friendly
facilities and programs for children, including infants.
Cribs -- Confirm the availability of cribs aboard the ship of
your choice and request the crib ahead of time. You may also want to
bring your own crib sheets with you as some of the lines starch the
sheets and this may irritate your baby's skin.
Cabin Selection -- Carnival and Disney ships have the largest
cabins that are most family friendly, particularly if you need a crib
set up. Aboard other ships, however, where staterooms are not spacious
to begin with, a crib may make for tight quarters. Consider spending a
bit extra for one of Royal Caribbean's family cabins. If your infant
isn't mobile and you don't bring older children, it's safe to book a
balcony cabin. We always found it easier getting the baby to sleep
during nap time if we could leave the room and sit on the balcony
reading while the baby fell asleep.
Baby-sitting -- Unless you're traveling with grandparents, a
nanny or other family members who are willing to baby-sit for you,
you'll want to check with the cruise line to see what type of in-cabin
or group baby-sitting is available, the cost and what the qualifications
of the sitters are, particularly in the evenings so you can take in some
of the shows. While baby-sitting is normally available for children aged
three and above, ask your agent to inquire about this service for
infants as well. Typically this service is group baby-sitting -- i.e.,
in a daycare setting for kids three and under. Be sure to ask your agent
to check the specifics with the cruise line of your choice.
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Diapers, Formula, Food -- If there's anything specific your baby
needs, make sure you bring plenty of it with you. You won't easily find
disposable diapers or formula onboard all ships and those that do carry
these items may not stock the specific brand of formula or diaper or
size that you prefer. You may find waiters that will gladly have the
chef puree vegetables or fruit for your baby, but I'd still bring plenty
of diapers, wipes, formula and baby food with you.
Stroller & Car Seat -- Some of the cruise lines have strollers
available, however, it's best to bring your own lightweight umbrella
stroller since the cruise line's may be just for sand and not ship
corridors. You'll really appreciate having it at the airport as well.
Sun Protection -- Waterbabies SPF 45 has worked well on our fair
skinned redhead in the tropics. Also, buy a flap happy hat with the
flaps that keep the sun off your baby's neck.
Flying -- Make sure you give the baby a bottle or pacifier when
the plane is landing so his ears don't bother him. If your baby is at
all congested before you leave, call your doctor who can prescribe some
nose drops to administer before flying to help prevent painful
decompressions.
Going Ashore -- While you can always head for a beach, consider
spending the day at a local family-friendly resort, where food and
bathrooms are readily available. Ask the purser's office for
recommendations of local hotels which allow guests to visit for the day.
End of
article
Important Information about cruise lines for families with infants
AMA WATERWAYS: AMA Waterways cruises are primarily designed for the
adult traveler. Children are allowed however there are no child-
specific programs or child minding facilities. Minimum age to sail on
AMA is 8 years.
AZAMARA: Azamara Cruises is primarily designed for the mature guest; so
while the cruise line does welcome guests of all ages, no formal
children's programs or facilities are onboard their ships. Minimum age
requirement to sail on Azamara is 6 months old, with the exception of
Transatlantic and Transpacific cruises/cruise tours, as well as other
select cruises/cruise tours, where the infant must be at least 12 months
old. As of July 30, 2009, the list of cruises to which the 12 month
minimum age requirement applies is as follows: Azamara Quest - November
8, 2009 and April 9, 2010. All Transatlantic and Transpacific cruises.
Any cruise tours associated with these cruises are also subject to the
12 month minimum age requirement.
Carnival- Carnival Cruise Lines- Carnival's Youth Program, Camp
Carnival, is designed for 2-11 year olds, but children younger than 2
can play with the toys during designated family play times (parents must
be present!). There are babysitting services during limited hours for
children younger than two at Camp Carnival; rates are $6 for the first
child and $4 for each additional child. Minimum age for sailing is 6
months, with the exceptions of Transatlantic, Hawaii and South American
cruises, which are 12 months.
Celebrity-Celebrity offers private, in-cabin babysitters. A child must
be 12 months old to qualify for this service and no more than two
children are allowed per babysitter. Parents should expect to make
requests for services at least 24 hours in advance. Minimum sailing age
on Celebrity Cruises is 6 months, with the exception of Transatlantic,
Transpacific, and select South American cruises, where the child must be
at least 12 months old. Beginning July 30, 2009, the following cruises
are also subject to the 12 month requirement: Celebrity Infinity -
January 31, 2010, February 14, 2010, January 30, 2011, and February 13,
2011. Associated cruise tours are also subject to the 12 month minimum
age requirement.
COSTA- There are no organized activities for children under the age of
three, but during the low season/off-peak times families can access the
children's areas. Costa also provides a group baby-sitting service in
their "Miniclub" (between 11:30pm-1:30am) so that parents may take part
in cruise entertainment. Costa also provides, on request, cribs, high
chairs, baby bath, bottle warmers and liquidized food. Minimum age to
sail on Costa is 6 months.
CRYSTAL- Crystal does not have a formal program for children under the
age of three, but babysitting services are available. Arrangements can
be made through the concierge; parents should expect to provide 24 hours
notice and pay a nominal charge for babysitting services. The minimum
age to sail on Crystal Cruises is 6 months.
Cunard-On Cunard's sips, the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth 2,
parents will find well-equipped nurseries and children's centers,
featuring toys, games and activities. These children's areas are
supervised by nannies and youth staff, but children must be one year old
to participate without parents; children under one are welcome with
parental supervision. Both ships offer a family pool area, and there is
complimentary group child-sitting available in the evenings. Minimum
sailing age on Cunard is 6 months on Alaska, Canada/New England,
Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, Trans-canal and Australia/New Zealand
voyages. All other voyages, including Transatlantic and Transpacific
itineraries, require an age of 12 months.
Disney Cruise Line- Already well-known for being a family-friendly line,
this cruise line is also among the best for infant programs. Flounder's
Reef Nursery accepts children from 12 weeks to 36 months; the counselor
ratio is 1:4 for infants and 1:6 for toddlers. Amenities include: baby
swings, walkers, books, toys, games, a television and DVD area. There is
also a soft play area and separate nursery with cribs. Parents should
expect to carry a pager (attendants do not change diapers) and pay $6.00
per hour for the first child, and $5.00 per hour for each additional
child. The minimum age to sail on Disney is 12 weeks old.
HOLLAND AMERICA- Holland America does not provide children's programs or
babysitting for children under three, but a limited number of high
chairs, booster seats and cribs are available to cruisers at no charge.
Parents should expect to reserve these items in advance, at the time of
booking. The minimum age to sail on Holland America is 12 months.
Norwegian Caribbean Line: NCL offers youth programs and group
babysitting for children ages 2-12, including a 'FreeStyle Play" period
where all age groups play together. Group babysitting outside of the
complimentary Kid's Crew program runs $6 per child per hour, and $4 per
hour for additional siblings. NCL does not have programs in place for
children under age two, and no private babysitting is available. The
minimum age to sail on NCL is 6 months.
OCEANIA- Oceania's cruises are designed for adults and do not provide
care, entertainment, or supervision for children. Oceania's minimum
sailing age is 6 months.
P&O CRUISES- P&O offers a children's program- The Reef- starting at age
two. Splashers', for 2 - 4 year olds is a day program filled with
activities and designed for young children. In the evening, parents can
take advantage of the cruise line's supervised night nursery. Parents
should be aware that this service is operated on a first-come,
first-serve basis, and infants must be settled and sleeping before they
leave. Minimum age to sail on P&O Cruises is 12 months.
Royal Caribbean- Designed for babies 6-18 months, all Royal Caribbean's
ships have incorporated a "Royal Babies" program into their cruises.
These playgroups are 45-minute sessions (parents must accompany the
child) that include activities like baby gymnastics and musical
inspiration. On the newest ship, Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean also
provides a nursery, with child watch options day and night. Children are
divided into two age groups within the nursery: Babies (6-17 months) up
to and including 1 day less than 18 months, and Tots (18-36 months).
Parents should expect to carry a phone, and the charge is $8 per hour,
per child. Each session must be a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 6
hours. The minimum age to sail is 6 months on most itineraries, but is
12 months on all Transatlantic, Transpacific and Hawaii cruises. Some
South American and other cruises are also 12 months, be sure to check
age requirements for your specific cruise.
RSSC- Regent does not provide formal activities for young children on
their sailings, but the line does provide in-suite babysitting services
(expect to pay $25 per hour!) The minimum age to sail on Regent Seven
Seas Cruises is 6 months.
SEABOURN- Tailored for the adult cruiser, there are no onboard
facilities for kids, nor does Seabourn offer a supervised children's
program. Minimum sailing age is 1 year for trans-Atlantic cruises, and
World cruises. Minimum age is 6 months for all other sailings.
SEADREAM YACHT CLUB- SeaDream Yacht Club does not provide
activities/amenities specifically for children. The minimum age to sail
on a SeaDream is 12 months.
SILVERSEA - This luxury cruise line's programs are designed for adults
and they do not provide care, entertainment, or supervision for
children. Minimum sailing age on Silversea is 6 months.
UNIWORLD- Uniworld's position is that most children (specifically those
under 8) do not enjoy or appreciate the river cruise experience. There
are no special arrangements, activities or accommodations for children
on Uniworld river cruises and tour programs. The minimum age to cruise
on Uniworld is 4 years.
VIKING RIVER- Viking River Cruises does not maintain facilities or
services for children due to the nature of their cruises. Minimum age to
cruise on Viking River is 12 years.
WINDSTAR CRUISES- Children, especially infants and toddlers, are not
encouraged aboard Windstar cruises, and the cruise line does not provide
care, supervision, or entertainment of children. Minimum age to cruise
on Windstar is 2 years.
Source:Cruise Compete
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