Infant Life Vests on Eurodam?

[Travalerie]

I tried to do a search and on the family section it seems to depend on the cruise line...does anyone know if they have infant life jackets for kids on Holland America? One poster said that she was told to bring her own for her 4 month old on NCL, but it could be due to her age. Our daughter will be turning one during the cruise and should be 20 pounds by then. Thanks!

[cf_chuck]

I know that they have children's life vests on board that are handed out at the lifeboat stations for the mandatory drill. I don't know anything about the sizes available, or what the protocol is for them after the drill.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I have never seen any passed out at the life boat drill for a one year old.

You should call Ship Services concerning this.

1-800-541-1576

[c-cruise]

Yes, they have infant life vests. We have cruise twice with our "infant", once at 5 months on the Oosterdam and again at 11 months on the Westerdam. The first time around they had the infant life vest in the room when we got there. The second time around we had to request it from the concierge and didn't receive it until the next morning.

Based on your booking they should know there is an infant in the room and have the vest available, but I would definitely request it through your TA or call ship services ahead of time.

One thing to keep in mind is that they don't allow the elevators to be used during the muster drill so plan on carrying your 1 yr old to and from the drill. Found out that it is very difficult to carry a child while wearing your own life vest. I ended up leaving my vest in the room so that I could carry our daughter more easily.

[Travalerie]

Yes, they have infant life vests. We have cruise twice with our "infant", once at 5 months on the Oosterdam and again at 11 months on the Westerdam. The first time around they had the infant life vest in the room when we got there. The second time around we had to request it from the concierge and didn't receive it until the next morning.

Based on your booking they should know there is an infant in the room and have the vest available, but I would definitely request it through your TA or call ship services ahead of time.

One thing to keep in mind is that they don't allow the elevators to be used during the muster drill so plan on carrying your 1 yr old to and from the drill. Found out that it is very difficult to carry a child while wearing your own life vest. I ended up leaving my vest in the room so that I could carry our daughter more easily.
Thanks
I will make sure to call ahead to make sure its there at the start of the cruise!

[sail7seas]

The vests on Eurodam are a newer style than on the other ships. You may find it easier to wear the new style and carry your baby than the very bulky style we are all used to.

[tomc]

They don't allow the elevators to be used during the muster drill. Pretty sure I've used the elevators. They are available for hp use, but not able-bodied. I can go downstairs fairly well, but up is a big problem.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I am somewhat handicapped -- got my official placard for the cars and carry a card in my wallet.

I do use the elevators -- have not had a problem during lifeboat drill.

Stairs are now a nightmare for me -- one flight - fine -- anything after that -- take me to the hospital.

[AlohaPride]

Thanks for starting this thread. It was very helpful!

[2bout2c]

Yes, they have infant life vests. We have cruise twice with our "infant", once at 5 months on the Oosterdam and again at 11 months on the Westerdam. The first time around they had the infant life vest in the room when we got there. The second time around we had to request it from the concierge and didn't receive it until the next morning.

Based on your booking they should know there is an infant in the room and have the vest available, but I would definitely request it through your TA or call ship services ahead of time.

One thing to keep in mind is that they don't allow the elevators to be used during the muster drill so plan on carrying your 1 yr old to and from the drill. Found out that it is very difficult to carry a child while wearing your own life vest. I ended up leaving my vest in the room so that I could carry our daughter more easily.
My suggestion would be to leave your cabin a little earlier than most so you could ride the elevator. We do that when traveling with friend's mother. Once the alarms sound the elevators are not to be used.

[c-cruise]

Both cruises with our daughter we were told that the elevators would not be available in an actual emergency so they were not available during the drill either. Not sure about any of our cruises before our daughter was born as we would always just take the stairs.

Glad to hear they have a less bulky life vest on the Eurodam.

[mamaofami]

I've seen the elevators available after the muster drill, but not before unless you are handicapped. I've also seen several people, on different cruises, fall down the stairs because it's hard to see the stairs with the life vests on and so many people are using them at once. One needs to be very careful.