Nursery for 3 and under on the Fantasy

Has anyone read this?

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=255237

We are considering taking our large extended family on a holiday cruise on the Fantasy . We will have one 2 1/2 year old and i found this review frightening.

Also, she says there are 6 children for each caregiver.

In a nursery that charges an extra $9/hr./child I would expect a 2 to 1 ratio at the most.

Any comment from people with different experiences with the under 3 nursery on the Fantasy?

I haven't been on the Fantasy, but we were on the Wonder and the Dream with our daughter when she was under 1 (and for a little bit of pixie dust, one of the nursery staff members we remembered well from the Wonder was the first person we saw at the nursery on the Dream six months later). We had fantastic experiences with the nursery on both occasions-- we used it a lot, actually, especially on our Alaska cruise when DD was 15 weeks. The nursery staff was very attentive and caring, and from what we could see at pick-up/drop-off, it seemed to be a pretty low-key and peaceful environment. Babies chilling, being held or in swings or seats, while the nursery staff colored with toddlers, with a Disney movie on in the background. They also have a big room in the back with cribs for sleeping.

I don't know what happened to the woman who wrote the post, but this in no way reflects our experience with ANY age group (including the nursery) on ANY of the Disney ships.

I'll start with the statement that the personnel seemed grumpy--this alone would result in their contract not being renewed. As to being "young," the absolute minimum age to work on the ship is 18, most positions require that they be 21. In addition, most positions require experience in a similar shoreside position as well as post-high school education. Translation: while they may appear "young," most of the caregivers have a degree in early childhood education or a similar field as well as a couple of years experience.

I don't know what the max ratio permitted in the nursery is, but they normally staff so that drop-offs or last minute phone calls CAN be permitted. Also consider that many of the kids are sleeping. We've seen situations where the staffing and reservations resulted in 1 on 1 care.

Sorry, but the policy is that if a kid vomits (as opposed to a little spit up of a feeding), they are not permitted back without medical clearance. That's to protect ALL the kids. Same policy applies with older kid programming. Yes, we all know that vomiting does not necessarily equal illness, but they are very concerned about various GI viruses (including Norovirus) on the ship.

I've never experienced a strong smell of cleaning solutions in any part of the ship.

The fact that there is no interaction allowed between parents and kids in the programming area is the direct result of the actions of an adult in the programming areas. As a result of this individual's inappropriate behavior, DCL instituted a very strict policy such that no adult can possibly interact with your child or any other in any "secure" space.

And, the poster is very wrong about one thing--she and her "partner" would have been welcome to take their twins to the Oceaneer's Club to play DURING open house hours (which occur daily). Families of any age are welcome in the space and have use of all the facilities during these times.

SO...based on my experience on the ship, I wouldn't let this individual's report prevent me from using the nursery.

I've been following disney cruise line boards (several) for a couple of years now. That is the first negative thing I've read about the nursery on any of their ships.

Fwiw, I've worked in several day care centers with infant rooms. The normal ratios (state mandated) are usually 1:6 to 1:7. So that is a totally normal ratio to have and that alone would not concern me.

The poster also rated the entertainment on the ship as a "1" (lowest possible). Interesting since DCL routinely wins awards for the best entertainment at sea.

And, while she knew that babysitting was $9 per hour, she didn't mention the discount for a second child in the same stateroom. I just have some serious question about this review.

Has anyone read this?

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=255237

We are considering taking our large extended family on a holiday cruise on the Fantasy . We will have one 2 1/2 year old and i found this review frightening.

Also, she says there are 6 children for each caregiver.

In a nursery that charges an extra $9/hr./child I would expect a 2 to 1 ratio at the most.

Any comment from people with different experiences with the under 3 nursery on the Fantasy?

I am sure your 2 1/2 year old will have a lot fun in the nursery I have read this revive and this person found something wrong with everything

We will be booked on the fantasy July 26 with a 2 1/2 year in our party We have booked three sea days in the nursery 9 to 12 AM If we are not happy we can cancel the last two days

from what I understand they have so much fun you can not get them out of there

STUR DAYTON,OHIO

Thanks everyone for your replies.

This trip is a big deal for us (we're taking 15 people!!!) and ,although we are mainly Princess cruisers and LOVE Princess, are paying the premium so the 6 little ones will hopefully have a more memorable time .

Depending on time of day and activity, 6:1 is a perfectly normal ratio. During more active parts of the day, I'd like to see closer to 5:1 or even 4:1 and that may be the case unless they have a lot of unexpected customers, which can happen...

I would just like to say that I agree wholeheartedly with the posters here. My DD is 2 and has been at the nursery on three separate cruises, and has always loved it. The child:crew ratio is similar to that of our local daycare.

My son was 9 months on his first Disney cruise. He was a colicky baby so getting him to nap is a bit of work. We explained the procedure and went to the movies- gone less than 2 hours. They assured us they could handle him. We also did play with him in the infant room during the one hour early morning on sea days that had open play. My son was screaming when we returned to check on him and it took them quite some time to bring him to us. They also didn't follow our instructions at all for getting him down. We didn't take him back. Obviously he was much younger that the OP's baby. But honestly my experience was slightly similar to that in the review.

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My son was 9 months on his first Disney cruise. He was a colicky baby so getting him to nap is a bit of work. We explained the procedure and went to the movies- gone less than 2 hours. They assured us they could handle him. We also did play with him in the infant room during the one hour early morning on sea days that had open play. My son was screaming when we returned to check on him and it took them quite some time to bring him to us. They also didn't follow our instructions at all for getting him down. We didn't take him back. Obviously he was much younger that the OP's baby. But honestly my experience was slightly similar to that in the review.

 

 

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It is understandable that they said they could deal with a child that has trouble settling down, but accepting one that has colic?

If you told them he had colic you either underestimated the level of one to one care he needed, or over-expected a lot more than any ship nursery service provides. They wouldn't have.

I feel sorry for your son, being put in the care of others when you knew he wouldn't and couldn't have one to one care constantly, just so you could go to the movies.

And then to blame the nursery staff for them not being able to comfort your son who was in so much discomfort, despite all of the other babies who also need care and attention.

I think you know you should have stayed with him.

ex techie

It is understandable that they said they could deal with a child that has trouble settling down, but accepting one that has colic?

 

If you told them he had colic you either underestimated the level of one to one care he needed, or over-expected a lot more than any ship nursery service provides. They wouldn't have.

 

I feel sorry for your son, being put in the care of others when you knew he wouldn't and couldn't have one to one care constantly, just so you could go to the movies.

 

And then to blame the nursery staff for them not being able to comfort your son who was in so much discomfort, despite all of the other babies who also need care and attention.

 

I think you know you should have stayed with him.

 

ex techie

:eek:

No parent should be made to feel guilty for entrusting their child with responsible caregivers (or what they assume are responsible caregivers) so they can have an occasional, often needed, break -- especially on a cruise!

My son was 9 months on his first Disney cruise. He was a colicky baby so getting him to nap is a bit of work. We explained the procedure and went to the movies- gone less than 2 hours. They assured us they could handle him. We also did play with him in the infant room during the one hour early morning on sea days that had open play. My son was screaming when we returned to check on him and it took them quite some time to bring him to us. They also didn't follow our instructions at all for getting him down. We didn't take him back. Obviously he was much younger that the OP's baby. But honestly my experience was slightly similar to that in the review.

 

 

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Just out of curiosity, how do you know that they didn't follow your instructions at all? You weren't there to know what they did or didn't do, right? Or am I missing something?

:eek:

 

No parent should be made to feel guilty for entrusting their child with responsible caregivers (or what they assume are responsible caregivers) so they can have an occasional, often needed, break -- especially on a cruise!

I agree with what you said above, to a point.

However, no parent should feel they can hand their child who is sick, over to someone else and expect them to deal with their child on a one to one basis and care for them either?

If any parent feels guilt for passing their sick child over to anyone other than a family member, trusted friend, or doctor, that is because they deep down they have been selfish.

Daycare, nursery, "caregivers" are not there to take care of sick kids, bring them up, teach them how to behave and interact etc. They are not a substitute for mom or dad.

That is up to Mom and Dad, and if that spoils mom and dads cruise, thats the breaks. Thats parenthood.

You had a child and now you have to cope with the up's and down's and sleepiness and worry.

Not the fault of a daycare worker looking after your knowingly sick child.

And do not blame someone if they have the balls to point it out to them. (even if they are on a cruise)

ex techie

Just out of curiosity' date=' how do you know that they didn't follow your instructions at all? You weren't there to know what they did or didn't do, right? Or am I missing something?[/quote']

 

Doubt your missing anything.

IMO dump and run parents (it's Disney, it will be fine) then pissing and whining because the kid is upset when picked up.

 

ex techie

My son was 9 months on his first Disney cruise. He was a colicky baby so getting him to nap is a bit of work. We explained the procedure and went to the movies- gone less than 2 hours. They assured us they could handle him. We also did play with him in the infant room during the one hour early morning on sea days that had open play. My son was screaming when we returned to check on him and it took them quite some time to bring him to us. They also didn't follow our instructions at all for getting him down. We didn't take him back. Obviously he was much younger that the OP's baby. But honestly my experience was slightly similar to that in the review.

 

 

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Are you blaming Disney for your screaming baby? Maybe he had separation anxiety or the fact he was colicky would have been a good clue. If I had a baby who was colicky and irritable, I would be incredibly happy that Disney took him at all. You can't expect the Disney personnel to be your personal nanny.

When I was on the Fantasy, I saw a Dad literally shove his four-year old into the kid's club. The kid vomited all over the entrance as well as the counselor. The Dad just kept walking. Another counselor had to run after the Dad and tell him to take the kid back. Then Disney had to cordon off the area and wear hazmat suits. People can't expect to unload their kids onto the counselors even if those kids may be sick. It was shocking that the Dad didn't seem to care and wanted Disney to "parent" his child even with vomit everywhere. Shame on those types of parents.

I went on the Dream last August with my 23 month old son. we went to the open house checked out the nursery and spoke to the staff and checked out the space. My son enjoyed the space and we mainly sent him during his nap time or bed time and each time I dropped off there was a little goodbye hesitation but i would call 10 minutes later and he was fine and I would call every 1/2 hour or so to find out if he had fell asleep or what he was up. It was great. The caretakers were great and I never once had a problem. I used them every day of our cruise. We will be cruising again this august will he will be two days shy of 3 years old so I will see how he will like it this time around.:D

Are you blaming Disney for your screaming baby? Maybe he had separation anxiety or the fact he was colicky would have been a good clue. If I had a baby who was colicky and irritable, I would be incredibly happy that Disney took him at all. You can't expect the Disney personnel to be your personal nanny.

 

When I was on the Fantasy, I saw a Dad literally shove his four-year old into the kid's club. The kid vomited all over the entrance as well as the counselor. The Dad just kept walking. Another counselor had to run after the Dad and tell him to take the kid back. Then Disney had to cordon off the area and wear hazmat suits. People can't expect to unload their kids onto the counselors even if those kids may be sick. It was shocking that the Dad didn't seem to care and wanted Disney to "parent" his child even with vomit everywhere. Shame on those types of parents.

While this is an extreme example, the Disney ships are full of "entitlement parents." They have paid a lot of money for this cruise, and by golly, they are going to have THEIR vacation. They seem to forget that parenting doesn't stop once they step onto the ship. We've seen many examples; they all have in common the fact that these parents seem to feel that the stated rules and common sense don't apply to them or their children. Sorry, but we've seen a 2 year old allowed to run around the dining room creating a hazard to all servers and assistants as well as irritating nearby diners (NO, I don't want your child's hands on my table!).

On our last 2 cruises, there were tables of "children only" with the adults sitting reasonably nearby but completely ignoring their "delightful" offspring" These were kids who SHOULD HAVE been old enough to behave, but were not! We witnessed the approximately 10 year olds stealing stuff from the servers station, waltz around the room, etc. In one instance there was ONE set of parents who did report to the kid table with instructions and discipline...but he/they didn't or couldn't do anything about the cousins.

Parents escort their offspring thru adult only areas, actually bring them inside the Cove Cafe...I've seen them pulled out of the adult pool....and as noted, bring sick children on board, dump then into the programming, etc.

I'm not saying the DCL personnel are perfect, but they are often doing the best they can in dealing with difficult parents. "Parent" is also a verb....and some of these just don't get it!

While this is an extreme example' date=' the Disney ships are full of "entitlement parents." They have paid a lot of money for this cruise, and by golly, they are going to have THEIR vacation. They seem to forget that parenting doesn't stop once they step onto the ship. We've seen many examples; they all have in common the fact that these parents seem to feel that the stated rules and common sense don't apply to them or their children. Sorry, but we've seen a 2 year old allowed to run around the dining room creating a hazard to all servers and assistants as well as irritating nearby diners (NO, I don't want your child's hands on my table!).

 

On our last 2 cruises, there were tables of "children only" with the adults sitting reasonably nearby but completely ignoring their "delightful" offspring" These were kids who SHOULD HAVE been old enough to behave, but were not! We witnessed the approximately 10 year olds stealing stuff from the servers station, waltz around the room, etc. In one instance there was ONE set of parents who did report to the kid table with instructions and discipline...but he/they didn't or couldn't do anything about the cousins.

 

Parents escort their offspring thru adult only areas, actually bring them inside the Cove Cafe...I've seen them pulled out of the adult pool....and as noted, bring sick children on board, dump then into the programming, etc.

 

I'm not saying the DCL personnel are perfect, but they are often doing the best they can in dealing with difficult parents. "Parent" is also a verb....and some of these just don't get it![/quote']

 

What a great post!

It is understandable that they said they could deal with a child that has trouble settling down, but accepting one that has colic?

 

If you told them he had colic you either underestimated the level of one to one care he needed, or over-expected a lot more than any ship nursery service provides. They wouldn't have.

 

I feel sorry for your son, being put in the care of others when you knew he wouldn't and couldn't have one to one care constantly, just so you could go to the movies.

 

And then to blame the nursery staff for them not being able to comfort your son who was in so much discomfort, despite all of the other babies who also need care and attention. But THANK YOU for your parenting advice since you clearly know a better way to parent my son.

 

 

I think you know you should have stayed with him.

 

 

ex techie

He "had" colic. Meaning that at a point in his life, he was a cry baby baby. However, at the time he was at the nursery for an hour and 50 minutes, he was just a baby that didn't go down for a nap on his own- he had to be rocked. which we told them, and they said they could handle. Also, he wasn't 3 weeks old and didn't need to be swaddled which is what they were attempting to do when we go there. And he didn't go down in a swing which is what they were attempting to do when we checked in on him 5 min after we left... So, yes, I know they didn't do what I said because they told us that specifically. My point was to point out the original poster that not all things Disney are perfectly magical. The day care room didn't work for us. And we attempted it once for less than 2 hours. How would we know without trying it. They should be aware that if they have a child with any special needs, instead of a super happy go-lucky child, then they should be aware, Disney may not do things the way the parent wants... They indicated that they could rock my son to sleep which is why we left him in their care, they assured us of this in fact. We also asked them to call us if there were any issues, and they didn't call us. Those 2 things are on the nursery. We didn't need to go and see the showing of Frozen, we just thought it might be fun, and since they had a nursery, we would try it...

But THANK YOU (all) for your parenting advice since you clearly know a better way to parent my son.

I should also add that there a fair number of judgmental people on this board that make judgments and don't even know what they are talking about.

He "had" colic. Meaning that at a point in his life, he was a cry baby baby. However, at the time he was at the nursery for an hour and 50 minutes, he was just a baby that didn't go down for a nap on his own- he had to be rocked. which we told them, and they said they could handle. Also, he wasn't 3 weeks old and didn't need to be swaddled which is what they were attempting to do when we go there. And he didn't go down in a swing which is what they were attempting to do when we checked in on him 5 min after we left... So, yes, I know they didn't do what I said because they told us that specifically. My point was to point out the original poster that not all things Disney are perfectly magical. The day care room didn't work for us. And we attempted it once for less than 2 hours. How would we know without trying it. They should be aware that if they have a child with any special needs, instead of a super happy go-lucky child, then they should be aware, Disney may not do things the way the parent wants... They indicated that they could rock my son to sleep which is why we left him in their care, they assured us of this in fact. We also asked them to call us if there were any issues, and they didn't call us. Those 2 things are on the nursery. We didn't need to go and see the showing of Frozen, we just thought it might be fun, and since they had a nursery, we would try it...

 

But THANK YOU (all) for your parenting advice since you clearly know a better way to parent my son.

Okay - now you've clarified that the nursery personnel specifically told you they didn't follow your instructions, etc. That changes things. If Disney personnel assured you they would rock him, etc., and they neglected to do that - then - you're right - that's on them. Thanks for clarifying your experience.

He "had" colic. Meaning that at a point in his life, he was a cry baby baby. However, at the time he was at the nursery for an hour and 50 minutes, he was just a baby that didn't go down for a nap on his own- he had to be rocked. which we told them, and they said they could handle. Also, he wasn't 3 weeks old and didn't need to be swaddled which is what they were attempting to do when we go there. And he didn't go down in a swing which is what they were attempting to do when we checked in on him 5 min after we left... So, yes, I know they didn't do what I said because they told us that specifically. My point was to point out the original poster that not all things Disney are perfectly magical. The day care room didn't work for us. And we attempted it once for less than 2 hours. How would we know without trying it. They should be aware that if they have a child with any special needs, instead of a super happy go-lucky child, then they should be aware, Disney may not do things the way the parent wants... They indicated that they could rock my son to sleep which is why we left him in their care, they assured us of this in fact. We also asked them to call us if there were any issues, and they didn't call us. Those 2 things are on the nursery. We didn't need to go and see the showing of Frozen, we just thought it might be fun, and since they had a nursery, we would try it...

 

But THANK YOU (all) for your parenting advice since you clearly know a better way to parent my son.

Just so you know - I was also offended by the snide and mean remarks made to you.

Your description (and warning) sounded very clear and plausible to me. I'm the mother of 4 and grandmother of 6 . You didn't do any of the things you were accused of. 2 hours isn't exactly "dumping" your child. The nursery shouldn't be there if they can't take care of children.

I went on the Dream last August with my 23 month old son. we went to the open house checked out the nursery and spoke to the staff and checked out the space. My son enjoyed the space and we mainly sent him during his nap time or bed time and each time I dropped off there was a little goodbye hesitation but i would call 10 minutes later and he was fine and I would call every 1/2 hour or so to find out if he had fell asleep or what he was up. It was great. The caretakers were great and I never once had a problem. I used them every day of our cruise. We will be cruising again this august will he will be two days shy of 3 years old so I will see how he will like it this time around.:D

IF your child who is 2 days shy of 3 years old is "fully potty trained," you will have the choice of using the nursery or the Oceaneer's Club. The nursery is obviously geared toward younger kids, but has more "hands on" care and supervision. The OC has more "fun" activities with no fee. Which is more suitable for your child is your choice.

A child who is not trained must be in the nursery.

We're on the Dream in October with our 2-almost-3 year old and may book her in the nursery for a session or two. This review does not concern me. The woman is suspect in my opinion. I found it strange that she has so many negative things to say about the situation after the very first experience but took her kids back not once but twice more. And she would have done it again if they hadn't prevented her!