Babies in Pool Question - Help Needed

[ekerr19]

On another thread - a poster asked the question about taking a baby in the pool wearing a swim diaper. I posted that I was under the impression that kids had to be potty trained in order to swim in the pool. She posted that her TA called HAL and was told swim diapers are ok.

I distinctly recall seeing a posted sign on the Maasdam last spring indicating "no diapers of ANY kind" allowed in the pools. I believe this policy was implemented when there was such a huge outbreak of Norwalk on cruise ships.

Personally (and this is just my opinion), I don't think taking a baby in the pool wearing a swim diaper is a good idea at all - but on the other thread several posters listed many different reasons supporting it.

I was just wondering if anyone knows HAL's policy on this. I would be curious to know what others have experienced.

[doone]

I have seen the sign of no diapers in the pool as well.

[Leslieswiger]

(my opinion) I do NOT see what business a parent has, putting the child in the pool.:eek: We have two thousand passengers onboard and care MUST be taken. Have some CONSIDERATION please.:mad:

[Esme]

After the all the Norwalk cases appeared on the ships, the kiddies wading pools have been closed.

I have also seen the signs that say "Children/Babies in diapers not allowed in pool". I think anyone with any sense would realize that children in diapers should not be taken into any public pool.

[Orcrone]

I have also seen the signs that say "Children/Babies in diapers not allowed in pool". I think anyone with any sense would realize that children in diapers should not be taken into any public pool.Those same parents will probably then just take the diaper off the child and let him use the pool.:eek:

[Bill HaHa]

In Nov. 2000 on our cruise to Hawaii, a baby lost itself in the pool. The pool was closed during the clean-up. We never use the pool so I don't know how long the pool was closed. We just happened to walk by when someone looked into the pool and saw thr mess and called an attendant. We did not wait around to see what happened.

[Ziggy7]

Since when does the HAL phone people know whats really going on , on the ships ??? DH says "ewwwwwww mini baby ruth bars floating in the pool" :)

[bepsf]

In Nov. 2000 on our cruise to Hawaii, a baby lost itself in the pool. The pool was closed during the clean-up. We never use the pool so I don't know how long the pool was closed. We just happened to walk by when someone looked into the pool and saw thr mess and called an attendant. We did not wait around to see what happened.

EEEWWWWWW!!!!!!!
:mad:

[RuthC]

It's really very simple---HAL makes "requests" of guests and expects people to comply. It is not necessary to try and out think our hosts, only comply with their considered judgement.

[Jackjenson]

I don't have a problem at all with babies wearing swimmy diapers in a public pool, or at our members only swim club, or at a hotel or on a cruise. Of course, parental judgment and involvement is really important.

For instance, too long in the pool is just looking for trouble, swimming at the wrong time (ie, some babies are "predictable" as to their schedule), failing to look for telltale signs, etc., is just unforgiveable.

I have been known, in my day (and thank goodness those days are over now) to use a swimmy diaper and then plastic pants on an infant and then play in the pool in or on a float with the baby for a while. I feel especially confident doing so when I have just cleaned a dirty and wet diaper.

Usually, if I have any doubt about "timing" I would use a float which had a bottom to play in, that way, water gets in, but none gets out if there is a "problem".

It is just another symptom, IMO, that a few bad apples spoil it for the rest of us, meaning that people have to use their judgment, and sometimes people just don't.

Making it a prohibition just caters to the worst common denominator of human nature, imo.

But if I had a baby in diapers that I was going to bring on a cruise, I would choose another line if no diapers or plastic pants were allowed. But that is just my thought.

[Starspangle1]

A rule is a rule and it is one on all cruise ships now, no babies or children in the pool that is not toilet trained. It is a known fact that it goes through and ends up in the pool, let's face it it's not that solid all the time and can leak. I do not want to have my vacation any shorter then it already is because the pool had to be closed for cleaning, take your baby to the children's pool if you all feel the same way then when an accident happens you won't be upset with each other. Another thing is I don't feel the need to be extra careful with knowing that your baby is in the pool, it's an adult pool and you should not be in there with a baby and nobody under the age of 18 should be allowed in the hot tubs but yet we saw children 10 and under and parents with infants in their arms, tell me those aren't human stew pots with norwalk all over them.

[jhannah]

I wholeheartedly agree that care should be taken. And I prefer that babies not be in the pools. That being said, no one should fool themselves into thinking that it's just babies who pee in swimming pools. Older kids do it. Grownups do it. There are always those in society who are crass and tasteless. You never have a guarantee that any pool will be totally free of it.

[lipoppop]

Maybe we need another "modest proposal" by Jonathen Swift.

Seriously, my own opinioin is that if HAL allows it and the parents exercise the appropriate care than children should be allowed.

[iluvcruzin]

I haven't checked the rules on HAL. However, on RCCL, for Health Reasons, babies in swim diapers are not allowed in the pools. It is posted.

To me this makes absolute sense. Those swim diapers don't catch it all.

Children in adult only pools (on some cruiselines they have this) and using the hot tubs as a play pool is annoying too. I'm one who wouldn't hesitiate to make a comment (it's from being Mom of 3).

[soulcruiser]

Was it just me or did it seem like that woman on the other board was looking to stir up poopy?

:(

[Cruiseoften]

Diapered babies in the pool!!!!! - :mad: :mad: :mad: It's a real sore point with us! The 'NO NO' rule is there but it's not enforced! One would think that supposedly well educated parents would observe it - 'tis not so - their 'little darlings' can do no wrong - and haven't you heard the retort when approached?....... 'we paid good money for this cruise and we'll take advantage of all facilities'..........very true! - but that does not give license to possibly cause illness to all other passengers?

Isn't it about time that all cruisers, on all cruises, complained, in writing, to the Line?

[Nautical Wheeler]

Isn't it about time that all cruisers, on all cruises, complained, in writing, to the Line?[/QUOTE]
From what I have read on this board, and others as well, not all cruisers on all cruises share your feelings on this topic.
Just as you would have the right to complain to the cruise lines so would the parents of babies have the right to express their feelings. I imagine the cruise line has already heard from both sides.:)

[kryos]

Diapered babies in the pool!!!!! - :mad: :mad: :mad: It's a real sore point with us! The 'NO NO' rule is there but it's not enforced! One would think that supposedly well educated parents would observe it - 'tis not so - their 'little darlings' can do no wrong - and haven't you heard the retort when approached?....... 'we paid good money for this cruise and we'll take advantage of all facilities'..........very true! - but that does not give license to possibly cause illness to all other passengers?

Isn't it about time that all cruisers, on all cruises, complained, in writing, to the Line?
Sadly, many people feel that "I paid my money and my if my lil darling wants to play in the water, that is perfectly okay with me." Like someone else says ... if the sign says no diapers, hell ... the parents will just take the child's diaper off if doing so will get around the rule.

Bottom line ... you swim in a public pool, you take your chances. Do you honestly believe all children (and even some adults, I'm afraid) necessarily take the time to leave the pool if they are having fun ... and have to urinate? Hell, they'll just go in the pool. After all, who will know? :(

It is precisely for this reason that I am hesitant to use the pools all that much. Even at the "Y" ... where I know they use generous amounts of chlorine to disinfect the water ... I am hesitant.

In summary, swim at your own risk ... that's my motto.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Pudgesmom]

Joke!

I think infants should be allowed in the pools as long as they conform to the dress code for the evening. Flaunting posted signs, conventions and other traditions is indicative of the deterioration of our society.

I also believe it is inappropriate for infants to smuggle alcohol on board in their luggage. This deprives the cruise line of revenues and prevents infants from meeting other passengers in public venues, such as the Ocean Bar and the Disco.

Infants should be allowed to order as many entrees as they can possible consume in Main Dining Room. Several volcano cakes will NOT cause any late night problems for Mom and Dad, and will produce deightful photo opportunities for white and ivory clad tablemates.

No more than 4 infants may use a cabana at Half Moon Cay at a time. Crawl-ins should not be permitted.

Infants who miss the last tender should be accomodated at local orphanages until their parents can return on a later cruise.

:rolleyes:
Beth

[stanjj111]

I do not like to have infants in the pool. I put up with it in my condo. However, on a ship with a captive audience I perfer not to deal with childen pooping in the pool.

Enjoy the ool. Notice the "p" is missing.

[dot73]

I would be scared to put a baby in a public pool. Isn't the chlorine quite high in these pools? How about bringing one of those little inflatable pools on board. I'm sure you'd be able to get some warm water to put in it. There is very little water in those things and I'm sure it could easily be disposed off at the end of the day. This way everyone has a good time and no rules are broken.

[ColoradoJuli]

I just wish that there were more adult only cruises. Then you don't even have to mess with any kids in the pool or running down the hallway. We always try to take our cruises when school is in session. That way there are fewer children running around.

[superstein61]

Anyone who thinks a pool is safe because babies are banned is fooling themselves. As another person here noted, lots of kids and even some adults don't bother getting out to urinate. When I used to be Presdient of our local community Pool board, you would be surprised what you learn.

[bepsf]

Joke!

I think infants should be allowed in the pools as long as they conform to the dress code for the evening. Flaunting posted signs, conventions and other traditions is indicative of the deterioration of our society.

I also believe it is inappropriate for infants to smuggle alcohol on board in their luggage. This deprives the cruise line of revenues and prevents infants from meeting other passengers in public venues, such as the Ocean Bar and the Disco.

Infants should be allowed to order as many entrees as they can possible consume in Main Dining Room. Several volcano cakes will NOT cause any late night problems for Mom and Dad, and will produce deightful photo opportunities for white and ivory clad tablemates.

No more than 4 infants may use a cabana at Half Moon Cay at a time. Crawl-ins should not be permitted.

Infants who miss the last tender should be accomodated at local orphanages until their parents can return on a later cruise.

:rolleyes:
Beth
ROFL!!!!!!!
:D :p

[cruzincurt]

The pools are not my worry, it's the ocean. Just think what those fish have been up to and there's no chlorine in there!

[ColoradoJuli]

LOL(There isn't a smile face with his mouth wide open and laughing! So insert your own image here :-)

[trubey]

I cannot think of one single situation when I would voluntarily go into a public pool or hot-tub, with the possible exception being if I were on fire and rolling on the ground didn't put it out.

lane

[HeatherInFlorida]

Joke!

I think infants should be allowed in the pools as long as they conform to the dress code for the evening. Flaunting posted signs, conventions and other traditions is indicative of the deterioration of our society.

I also believe it is inappropriate for infants to smuggle alcohol on board in their luggage. This deprives the cruise line of revenues and prevents infants from meeting other passengers in public venues, such as the Ocean Bar and the Disco.

Infants should be allowed to order as many entrees as they can possible consume in Main Dining Room. Several volcano cakes will NOT cause any late night problems for Mom and Dad, and will produce deightful photo opportunities for white and ivory clad tablemates.

No more than 4 infants may use a cabana at Half Moon Cay at a time. Crawl-ins should not be permitted.

Infants who miss the last tender should be accomodated at local orphanages until their parents can return on a later cruise.

:rolleyes:
Beth
ROTFL!!!:D Beth, thanks for the wonderful laugh this morning!!! This is hysterical. Now I can't wait all the more to meet you next Sunday!!! Whatever it's costing me on this silly dial-up while my computer is hospitalized is worth every penny just to read this post. It is golden! I miss everyone!!!