Cruising with Kids: Adventures in Babysitting

Having small children should not be a hindrance to taking a cruise. Not only is it difficult to find someone trustworthy who has the time in their life to care for your baby for the duration of your cruise, but you know you will worry and fret about your tiny tot while you are separated. Sometimes, the best choice is to take the baby with you, but will you still be able to enjoy your cruise?

The good news is that there are a number of cruise lines which have added facilities and activities for these littlest of passengers. Before booking your cruise, be sure to check the cruise line’s compatibility with your needs.

There are some cruise lines that simply do not have the capabilities for dealing with children under three years old. Others may provide babysitting services for passengers traveling with small ones, but for a limited time only. Such is the case with Disney Cruise Lines, whose Nursery service charges a fee of around $5.00 per hour, and parents are limited to ten hours per cruise. They do, however, accept babies as young as twelve weeks old. Complimentary care for your child that is three or older is provided. The Cunard Line cruise ships, Queen Mary II and Queen Victoria, are equipped for caring for children one year and up, with no limits on their free care.

All major cruise lines are recognizing the growing trend of family cruising, and as result, some are upgrading their child care facilities to enhance the family cruise experience. Royal Caribbean, for example, is set to launch their newest vessel, Oasis of the Seas, in November of 2009. One of their signature features on board the cruise ship is the first fully staffed nursery, where children can be dropped off for professional care either day or night. Another bonus for passengers on board a Royal Caribbean vessel is their in-stateroom care of children one year old and up. While a cost of $10.00 per hour is applied for this private service, RCI is the only cruise line that has gone so far to accommodate passengers cruising with children.

When considering taking children on a cruise, be sure to check with the cruise line before booking to help you understand their childcare policies ahead of time. Knowing what to expect will ensure that you will have a more enjoyable experience, knowing your baby will be well cared for.