Baby 4 days too young

[Elaine5715]

Is there a minimum age requirement for an infant to sail on Celebrity Cruises?Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/Cruisetour. However, for Transatlantic, Transpacific, select South American cruises/Cruisetours and other select cruises/Cruisetours, the infant (as of the first day of the cruise/Cruisetour) must be at least 12 months old. For the purposes of this policy, any cruise that has 3 or more consecutive days at sea will require infants to be 12 months old on the first day of the cruise/Cruisetour. Denial of boarding for infants who do not satisfy these minimum age requirements may also result in the denial of boarding for one or more guests sailing with that infant. No refunds or other compensation shall be due from the cruise line to anyone as a result of the denial of boarding to an underage infant or other accompanying guests.

 

 

This information is directly from Celebrity Cruise's website. No where does it state that exceptions can be granted.

 

The fact they feel the need to state that if they deny boarding to an infant, that an additional adult will be denied boarding tells a lot.

It reminds me of the local community center advertising sign language classes for infants with the notation that an adult must be present. Yes, too Manu parents thought they could just drop off little Junior.

[herbanrenewal]

Dear OP,

Assuming you haven't become totally disenchanted with Cruise Critic after this firestorm

May I suggest that a terrific resource for young families interested in cruising is the family thread

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

[Karysa]

Yet, folks have replied multiple times that they do do make exception to infants under six months and you, not the OP, keep suggesting they will make an exception if they just call. What do you suggest the OP tell them?

 

The truth. Simply the truth. Said baby is healthy and 4 days younger than the policy. Is there any chance that the policy can be bent? That's all. If its a no then I would be satisfied with that. Again, it would be worth a phone call to me.:)

[Elaine5715]

The truth. Simply the truth. Said baby is healthy and 4 days younger than the policy. Is there any chance that the policy can be bent? That's all. If its a no then I would be satisfied with that. Again, it would be worth a phone call to me.:)

 

So, you are saying,you would just ask " my baby would be four days shy of six months on the day I wish to start my cruise, would you make an exception?"

Cruise line, "no",

You, "thanks, good bye"

 

Not buying..

[iheartbda]

My twins were 2 1/2 months early and according to cruiseship policy I could have brought them 3 1/2 months from there due date. The due date is what every neonatal doc and pediatrician goes by when talking about preemies born that early. Therefore according to doctors my babies would have been 3 1/2 months old but according to their birthdates they would be 6 months old and old enough to cruise. Not in my wildest dreams would I have done that, but I could have. A healthy term infant 4 days before her/his 6 month birth day ya, if I wanted to, and was allowed to I would have.

 

Of course illness can strike any of us. Four days just doesn't matter to me and if it was ok with the cruiseline and my child's doctor then if I wanted to cruise, then I would.

 

Honest enough answer for you?

 

If the answer was yes then i would ask that the ok be documented and i would ask for an e-mail stating this and i would bring the e-mail with me. Like I mentioned earlier, our daughters were further from our cabin than stated in the policy and nothing was mentioned at the time of our boarding. Perhaps our ok was documented or perhaps the embarkation people were just interested in the boarding pass and the ID matching.

Ha, that's the kicker. Cruise lines are not neonatal doctors or pediatricians, due date makes no difference to them. They say 6 months from the time of their birth at time of sailing.

 

Good night, have to get up early in the morning.:)

[Karysa]

So, you are saying,you would just ask " my baby would be four days shy of six months on the day I wish to start my cruise, would you make an exception?"

Cruise line, "no",

You, "thanks, good bye"

 

Not buying..

 

You asked. I answered. It's one phone call and I would make it and if the answer was no I would forget about the cruise. It would be worth the phone call to me. The fact that this is so hard for you to accept puzzles me. I never said anything other than this being worth one phone call to me.

[Essiesmom]

The OP returned to view the forum two hours after she posted, and after there were several replies. Doubt she will come back to comment unless she persuades the cruise line to make an exception...EM

[Langley Cruisers]

The doctor would be able to say weather the baby is healthy and fit to travel in his opinion. The passport or birth certificate needed to board would have the baby's date of birth.

 

Umm, perhaps, but this info still won't get Jr. on the cruise ship. Karysa, you just don't get it, I'm afraid.. seems like you are hoping for that sweet fairy tale ending and it's not going to happen. I for one would be upset if OP got the OK from any line to circumvent this rule. I'd be choked, actually.

 

The guy made ONE post and just listen to the responses....

 

And what, are we wrong? Seems like only one person in this entire thread seems to think she can take baby on this cruise. The rest of us know she can't. *shrug*

[leaveitallbehind]

You asked. I answered. It's one phone call and I would make it and if the answer was no I would forget about the cruise. It would be worth the phone call to me. The fact that this is so hard for you to accept puzzles me. I never said anything other than this being worth one phone call to me.

 

Langley Cruisers was absolutely dead on correct - you just don't get it! (Or you do and just take pleasure in stirring the pot!)

 

You apparently only believe your view is correct and refuse to recognize that certain policies are not able to be made the exception to - for reasons that likely are valid and in the best interest of the passenger. And to ask because you believe they should be IMO is selfish and pointless.

 

Hopefully the OP gets it and recognizes the reasoning behind it rather than follow your misguided advise.

 

Too much time spent already on this thread for a clearly obvious answer - which I'm certain the OP has received.

[notentirelynormal]

And what, are we wrong? Seems like only one person in this entire thread seems to think she can take baby on this cruise. The rest of us know she can't. *shrug*

 

It's not that anyone is right or wrong... it's just seems to be a little hostile to the OP who has no clue, came on this board to ask an simple honest question and the answers have been kind of heated. Some guys post once to say "hi" and 15 people say "welcome". This guy had a huge debate with no one welcoming him to the boards and well, some not nice comments.... Can't we just assume that the new poster was asking an honest question and really was just wondering how it works and not trying to get away with anything? How about giving the OP the benefit of the doubt that he/she was, frankly, just wondering how cruising works and explain it without being hostile .... as at least one person has been? We all know if he calls the answer will be no - and that was the OP's question. I'll bet he's sorry he asked for guidance.

[Starlaker]

Need a "like" button for your post, Notentirelynormal. If I were the OP I would not feel very welcomed. It was a simple question and while there were many who just answered the question, there has been a lot of hostility. Not CC's finest hour.

[burm]

I totally get why you would want to cruise with a six month old. Children are more portable at that age that they will be for the next 20 years. For you, NZ is not too far away and you could get home quickly in an emergency.

 

But do you really have your heart set on this particular cruise or could you take another similar one? After having survived the early, sleepless months, you could use some pampering at this stage and I would cruise on a different ship that leaves a week later. If this is your first child, travelling will never be quite so easy again for years.

[Karysa]

Umm, perhaps, but this info still won't get Jr. on the cruise ship. Karysa, you just don't get it, I'm afraid.. seems like you are hoping for that sweet fairy tale ending and it's not going to happen. I for one would be upset if OP got the OK from any line to circumvent this rule. I'd be choked, actually.

 

 

 

And what, are we wrong? Seems like only one person in this entire thread seems to think she can take baby on this cruise. The rest of us know she can't. *shrug*

 

This is what I don't understand. Why on earth would you be upset that something good happened to these people?

[spookwife]

No you didn't quote the whole post. Shouldn't be allowed IMHO.

 

I think that her purpose for asking for a doctor's note would be to state the baby was thriving. The poster I was responding to thought that the OP would ask her doctor to LIE about the baby's birthdate. Of course a doctor lying about a baby's birthdate would not happen and it wouldn't work as the birth certificate or passport would have the child's proper date of birth. It's 4 days. 4 days instead of waiting a year and the OP was asking for our help. Would have been nice if she had gotten a little more or at the very least, nothing.

 

regardless of wat the OP will ask the doctor to write.. IT WILL NOT MATTER.

 

no doctor's note can or will change the cruise line policy./stance on the age limit. period.

 

if you are not at least 6 months old the first day of the cruise YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TOP BOARD. no doctor's note will change their minds nor persuade them to grant an exception to policy.

[beachchick]

The OP is never going to come back. He is a newbie that asked a simple question and his parenting has come under attack, being attacked for thinking he entitled when all he asked was "Is there a way to still go on this cruise?" Not once did he say he thought he could get away with it or that he thought he was special. He was just a newbie asking a simple question about the rules. Asking for clarification. I didn't take it he was trying to get around any system. He was just wondering if it happened. Geesh, give the guy a break.

 

The guy made ONE post and just listen to the responses.

 

But, but, but......don't you get it....I WANT this...and I won't take "no" for an answer!!!!! I will yell and scream at every customer service rep I speak with until I get my way!!!!!!

 

It was a straight-forward question and some responses were a bit mean. But the fact is that they are indeed wondering if they can "get around the system."

 

No you didn't quote the whole post. Shouldn't be allowed IMHO.

 

I think that her purpose for asking for a doctor's note would be to state the baby was thriving. The poster I was responding to thought that the OP would ask her doctor to LIE about the baby's birthdate. Of course a doctor lying about a baby's birthdate would not happen and it wouldn't work as the birth certificate or passport would have the child's proper date of birth. It's 4 days. 4 days instead of waiting a year and the OP was asking for our help. Would have been nice if she had gotten a little more or at the very least, nothing.

 

It doesn't matter if the baby is thriving because babies can have sudden, serious, even life threatening health problems. The cruise lines have determined (based on experience with previous passengers) that 6 months or 12 months is the cut off, period. You keep comparing it to unrelated other situations. Sneaking alcohol onboard is not comparable; having kids a few cabins down the passageway is not comparable.

 

It simply doesn't matter that it's only 4 days. They will not bend this rule and would have a real problem with their liability carrier if they did.

 

They will probably say no, but it doesn't hurt to call and ask.

 

Just yesterday there was a thread about a cruise line making an exception and refunding someone's entire fare though they had not bought insurance.

This of course does outline the joy of parenthood.

We had to put off our first family cruise by a month waiting for our child to reach 6 months. (he was 6 months, 1 day at departure)

Later had to go on a line that we weren't excited about so he could participate in their younger aged kid club.

We've put off yet another cruise for 2 months while we wait for him to turn 3. Finally we're waiting for him to turn 9 so he will be mature enough to go on a luxury line which is where we'd really rather be. :)

 

Good luck

 

That is a nice gesture, certainly an uncommon one, that is also a public/customer relations issue. The age minimum is a health and safety and liability issue. The cruise lines have the option to bend their refund rules; they do not have the option to bend their liability/legal rules.

 

 

If the OP wants to call, then no problem. The response will be no. But the bottom line here is that no one here has any experience with the cruise line bending the rules because the cruise line will not do it. There is simply no advice or other suggestions any of us can offer.

 

beachchick

[Karysa]

It was a straight-forward question and some responses were a bit mean. But the fact is that they are indeed wondering if they can "get around the system."

 

 

 

It doesn't matter if the baby is thriving because babies can have sudden, serious, even life threatening health problems. The cruise lines have determined (based on experience with previous passengers) that 6 months or 12 months is the cut off, period. You keep comparing it to unrelated other situations. Sneaking alcohol onboard is not comparable; having kids a few cabins down the passageway is not comparable.

 

It simply doesn't matter that it's only 4 days. They will not bend this rule and would have a real problem with their liability carrier if they did.

 

 

 

That is a nice gesture, certainly an uncommon one, that is also a public/customer relations issue. The age minimum is a health and safety and liability issue. The cruise lines have the option to bend their refund rules; they do not have the option to bend their liability/legal rules.

 

 

If the OP wants to call, then no problem. The response will be no. But the bottom line here is that no one here has any experience with the cruise line bending the rules because the cruise line will not do it. There is simply no advice or other suggestions any of us can offer.

 

beachchick

 

I agree that the answer will probably be no. But if it's yes. :) I have never suggested that it will be a yes and have only stated that to me it would be worth a phone call.

 

And to those that seem to think that I suggested to get a doctor to write a letter, I did not. I was merely trying to interpret why the OP thought that a letter from the babies doctor would be something to consider to help plead their case. One cc member thought that the OP had melishious intentions and that the OP wanted the doctor to lie about the babies birthdate. How could anyone think that? First off it is offensive to the OP and second off the birth certificate or passport would state the baby's age and this is what would be used by the cruiseline. I interpreted the OP's ? about asking the cruiseline if a doctor's note would help them be able to take this cruise with their baby differently. I think and hope that she/he just thought that the offer of a note from the attending physician that the baby who is 4 days too young to sail is thriving, would be of some weight as they plead their case.

 

I would make the call OP. I would take no for an answer if that's what I got and move on. Good Luck and I hope it works out for your family and ps don't give up on cc because of this thread.:)

[iheartbda]

Karysa,

I think by now everyone knows that you would make the call. Why do you feel the need to post it over and over and over?

[leaveitallbehind]

Karysa,

I think by now everyone knows that you would make the call. Why do you feel the need to post it over and over and over?

 

Thank you!

 

In this case what apparently continues not to be understood is that this is a written policy that is based not in an arbitrary manner but likely on liability and insurance guidelines - also most likely by a third party to RCI. And it is for the passenger's protection. Calling to challenge this - regardless of how close to the cutoff someone may be - makes no sense.

 

But that has been said repeatedly and doesn't seem to register.

[Karysa]

Thank you!

 

In this case what apparently continues not to be understood is that this is a written policy that is based not in an arbitrary manner but likely on liability and insurance guidelines - also most likely by a third party to RCI. And it is for the passenger's protection. Calling to challenge this - regardless of how close to the cutoff someone may be - makes no sense.

 

But that has been said repeatedly and doesn't seem to register.

 

 

Why? It's only a phone call.;)

[Elaine5715]

Why? It's only a phone call.;)

 

Because your repeated insistence that this phone call will make a difference suggests to a novice that it is possible the caller will get another answer than "no".

[Karysa]

Because your repeated insistence that this phone call will make a difference suggests to a novice that it is possible the caller will get another answer than "no".

 

Please post the entire post that you think I said that this phone call will make a difference. I said that I would make the phone call. I said that I think most likey the answer would be no. I said that I would then move on.

 

Stranger things have happened in life so I would give it a shot. :)

 

My family would howl reading this thread because at our house, I'M known as the pessimist.:D

[sail7seas]

I totally get why you would want to cruise with a six month old. Children are more portable at that age that they will be for the next 20 years. For you, NZ is not too far away and you could get home quickly in an emergency.

 

But do you really have your heart set on this particular cruise or could you take another similar one? After having survived the early, sleepless months, you could use some pampering at this stage and I would cruise on a different ship that leaves a week later. If this is your first child, travelling will never be quite so easy again for years.

 

 

Good advice, IMO :)

 

Wait a week or two and take bubs on his first cruise.

[spookwife]

Karysa,

I think by now everyone knows that you would make the call. Why do you feel the need to post it over and over and over?

 

furthermore everyone has already stated the answer will be no.. so why on earth would you waste time on hold when you already know what the answer will be?!

 

 

it is pretty much common knowledge that 98% of the information you get on CC is far more accurate and indicative of what really goes on than the vast majority of any phone calls that are made.

 

seems to me a tempest in a teapot...

[Karysa]

furthermore everyone has already stated the answer will be no.. so why on earth would you waste time on hold when you already know what the answer will be?!

 

 

it is pretty much common knowledge that 98% of the information you get on CC is far more accurate and indicative of what really goes on than the vast majority of any phone calls that are made.

 

seems to me a tempest in a teapot...

 

 

I'm good at multi-tasking so I would just make the call while browsing cc and hope that my question falls into the other 2%. :)

[CantanaLobo]

If I were talking to the OP in a cafe, I'd tell the OP to call the cruise line for a definitive answer. I'm thinking of the numerous threads on CC about getting children into kids programs they're a month or two shy of. Some cruise lines seem to have fuzzy age limits. Maybe not the six-month rule, but I don't know for sure. If they say no, don't get upset. If they say yes, get it in writing.

 

I'd also give the OP the gratuitous advice that I wouldn't have taken my kids on a cruise at six-months, 'thriving' or otherwise. While I think it's good to exercise their immune system by not keeping them in a plastic bubble, I'd be afraid of the consequences of my child getting noro or some such that young. I'd tell them to wait a year and let the baby mature a little more. But that's just me and my children. Other people can make their own decisions based on what they're comfortable with.

 

I am not a doctor, but I've seen plenty of actors playing doctors on T.V.