Can parents go an excursion and leave kids in OA

[John&LaLa]

I think I clearly read the op incorrectly. I must have missed where they asked anyone's permission if they can leave their children. I could have sworn they asked if it was a service provided.

 

People are always so dramatic about this. How many times have you heard about a child left on board with parents that missed the ship? I'm sure if it happened even semi regularly it would be all over these boards. If it was such a risk the ship wouldn't have it as an option. They don't want to take care of someone's children for days without the parents.

 

And just because it could be a family vacation doesn't mean parents shouldn't have any alone time and the kids have some time to play with other kids.

 

How about not giving parenting advice and instead try to answer the question.

 

FWIW, a father and minor were just up the hall from us on Freedom. On the 5th day daddy either got left behind or tossed in the brig because they had a security guard posted outside the room 24/7. So the do watch the kids if they have to

[sjb317]

I think I clearly read the op incorrectly. I must have missed where they asked anyone's permission if they can leave their children. I could have sworn they asked if it was a service provided.

 

People are always so dramatic about this. How many times have you heard about a child left on board with parents that missed the ship? I'm sure if it happened even semi regularly it would be all over these boards. If it was such a risk the ship wouldn't have it as an option. They don't want to take care of someone's children for days without the parents.

 

And just because it could be a family vacation doesn't mean parents shouldn't have any alone time and the kids have some time to play with other kids.

 

How about not giving parenting advice and instead try to answer the question.

 

I think you read correctly :D, the simple answer to OP's question is "yes".

 

For me personally, I would be uncomfortable leaving my children on the ship to go on a 5 hour tour; my husband, however, said he would!:rolleyes: The OP knows her children and her family and gets to decide what is best.

 

Sherri:)

[Alter Ego]

I don't have children, so I understand if my opinion is moot. I personally would feel more comfortable taking a cruise excursion in this instance and am surprised they don't require it (more $$ for them, after all.)

[Lionesss]

WOW.

 

On the off topic on this thread about finding parents on board by looking for their last use of their sea pass card................................................

 

Here's one for finding children

 

Another side note when we sailed the Oasis this summer on a sea day there were RCI workers and security with a mimeographed picture of a child looking at the children in the pools, it was for a missing child on board.

They printed it from the picture on her sea pass.

 

They were at it for quite awhile, we did hear the girl was found but no other details released.

 

Just saying.

Thanks for letting me hijack thread:eek:

Edited December 19, 2015 by Lionesss

[cindyscruise]

As a former school librarian, I can tell you that many times we could not reach parents in emergencies. I am sure that you have a cell phone. You could contract for international calls so that you would be in reach if they needed you. I realize that it would take a while to get back to the port. As for the AO being strangers, unless your children have anxiety problems they will immediately bond with the staff. Each year in school children have to not only learn to interact with a new teacher, but also new students, art teacher, pe teacher, music teacher, and librarian as well as many other support staff. No one can make the decision for you as to whether you will be comfortable with leaving the ship. You asked the question of whether you can and that is all we should address. I would check when you board to make sure about the "closed for lunch" or call beforehand to get the information. Whatever you choose to do is your decision.

[lynncarol]

If you take an excursion through the ship, isn't there some way to be contacted? I would hesitate to take a young child on some excursions. Years ago while we were at stingray city in Grand Cayman a little girl (maybe 5 or 6) was absolutely terrified by the stingrays, even with her dad holding her above the water. She kept screaming in terror until he took her back on the boat and even then we could hear her muffled sobs.

[Coralc]

WOW.

 

On the off topic on this thread about finding parents on board by looking for their last use of their sea pass card................................................

 

Here's one for finding children

 

Another side note when we sailed the Oasis this summer on a sea day there were RCI workers and security with a mimeographed picture of a child looking at the children in the pools, it was for a missing child on board.

They printed it from the picture on her sea pass.

 

They were at it for quite awhile, we did hear the girl was found but no other details released.

 

Just saying.

Thanks for letting me hijack thread:eek:

 

LOL!:D Mimeographing is one of those "age defining" words Sue. I know what it means, but I don't think it is in common use anymore. :D;)

[John&LaLa]

LOL!:D Mimeographing is one of those "age defining" words Sue. I know what it means, but I don't think it is in common use anymore. :D;)

 

Loved the smell of fresh mimeograph. Great scene in Fast Times

[funfamilyfun]

I'm not going to defend my reasons for wanting to take this excursion without the kiddos.

 

However, this discussion does bring up an interesting point. How DO they contact the parents should something happen? I know on the Disney ships you can get walkie talkies, or something like that and at home (in school) I can be reached via phone. Those options aren't available on board. So how do they find the parents in case of emergency??

 

When we were on the private island, we noticed that there were very few children in the child care area. I don't think it would be much fun for the child with only a few children.

 

I know you didn't ask this, but why not choose an excursion that the entire family can enjoy?

[tlatrice]

As a former school librarian, I can tell you that many times we could not reach parents in emergencies. I am sure that you have a cell phone. You could contract for international calls so that you would be in reach if they needed you. I realize that it would take a while to get back to the port. As for the AO being strangers, unless your children have anxiety problems they will immediately bond with the staff. Each year in school children have to not only learn to interact with a new teacher, but also new students, art teacher, pe teacher, music teacher, and librarian as well as many other support staff. No one can make the decision for you as to whether you will be comfortable with leaving the ship. You asked the question of whether you can and that is all we should address. I would check when you board to make sure about the "closed for lunch" or call beforehand to get the information. Whatever you choose to do is your decision.

 

I TOTALLY agree!

[BND]

Can you? Yes, would we have ever? No.

 

Family vacation was just that, a vacation with the family, everyone included in everything. We wouldn't have done excursions they couldn't do too. (If we could have afforded vacations like that when our kids were young). There have been reports here of things happening that made parents miss a ship or kids having accidents, etc and just because parents have a cell phone doesn't mean they'll have it with them (water and cell phones don't work well together) most of the time.

[cruzeluver]

To the OP: Not sure why you came to cruise Critic for parenting advice....oh yeah.....you didn't . Ignore those who dole out the unwanted advice so bravely put forth anonymously from behind their keyboards.

 

Royal can accommodate what you want and that is all that matters. Have a great cruise!

[Paulxyz2004]

To the OP: Not sure why you came to cruise Critic for parenting advice....oh yeah.....you didn't .

 

Even though the OP didn´t, s/he definitely should have. Fortunately many the very Kind CC members have given some great parenting advice anyway, the OP should have asked for from the beginning.

[BeachChik]

Can you? Yes, would we have ever? No.

 

Family vacation was just that, a vacation with the family, everyone included in everything. We wouldn't have done excursions they couldn't do too. (If we could have afforded vacations like that when our kids were young). There have been reports here of things happening that made parents miss a ship or kids having accidents, etc and just because parents have a cell phone doesn't mean they'll have it with them (water and cell phones don't work well together) most of the time.

 

Yes because parents spending five hours without their children one day makes it not a family vacation. :rolleyes:

 

People here are so ridiculous. It's amazing with all the perfect parents here that on a cruise you still see children running all over the place.

 

And I have been on this board for years and have never read one single story about parents being left behind and the ship sailing off with their kids.

 

To the op, do what works for you and ignore the people that think they know what works for everyone. If it was such a risk the cruise ship wouldn't offer the service.

[tlatrice]

Yes because parents spending five hours without their children one day makes it not a family vacation. :rolleyes:

 

Right! Dropping them off at AO so parents can go get spa treatments or visit the casino or have dinner in a specialty restaurant and then maybe go dancing are also activities that parents can do without their kids on a "family" vacation.

 

One of the reasons my kid loves to cruise is because he gets to have his own fun without me. :D

[Paulxyz2004]

 

And I have been on this board for years and have never read one single story about parents being left behind and the ship sailing off with their kids.

 

 

I have. It has happened.

[gerif]

I have. It has happened.

 

I have as well. Counselor from AO was assigned to care for the kids until the parents could rejoin the cruise at the next port.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

I have as well. Counselor from AO was assigned to care for the kids until the parents could rejoin the cruise at the next port.

 

I sincerely hope that counselor was financially compensated for that assignment (preferably by the parents who missed the ship) since they would not have had any of their scheduled time off (nights, etc. when the club is closed) because of it.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Right! Dropping them off at AO so parents can go get spa treatments or visit the casino or have dinner in a specialty restaurant and then maybe go dancing are also activities that parents can do without their kids on a "family" vacation.

 

One of the reasons my kid loves to cruise is because he gets to have his own fun without me. :D

 

 

The comments here have been about leaving young children in AO while parents are ashore. This does not compare to on-ship activities.

[spazzyjanet]

"Family vacation was just that, a vacation with the family, everyone included in everything. We wouldn't have done excursions they couldn't do too."

 

Not even for a few hours? That's great if that's your parenting choice, but you have no business butting in and judging this parent. You can have a perfectly balanced family vacation that involves one day where parents and kids each have their own type of fun.

[spookwife]

Right! Dropping them off at AO so parents can go get spa treatments or visit the casino or have dinner in a specialty restaurant and then maybe go dancing are also activities that parents can do without their kids on a "family" vacation.

 

One of the reasons my kid loves to cruise is because he gets to have his own fun without me. :D

 

all of those options are under 5 hours and ON BOARD.

 

the length of the excursion is what bothers some people. it is NOT the same as leaving them at school or dropping them off at a friend's house for the same amount of time.

[BeachChik]

all of those options are under 5 hours and ON BOARD.

 

the length of the excursion is what bothers some people. it is NOT the same as leaving them at school or dropping them off at a friend's house for the same amount of time.

 

And it doesn't matter if it bothers you.

 

The question was is this a service provided and the answer is yes.

[RubyGold]

Don't forget you can pick up the emergency contact number for the ship. If anything looks like it might delay you or stop you returning then you can call and let them know.

[Biker19]

I sense a film sequel about a young blonde boy whose family left for an annual Christmas excursion and left him on a cruise ship by himself while two criminals tried to break into his stateroom and he used his youthful ingenuity to catch them.

 

It'll be an annual Christmas comedy movie.

 

Sailing alone?

 

Biker, who assumes once the moderators come in this morning this thread will be locked.

[Paul65]

the length of the excursion is what bothers some people. it is NOT the same as leaving them at school or dropping them off at a friend's house for the same amount of time.

 

Of course it's not exactly the same, but it's a similar concept. Any time you leave your kids somewhere, while you do something else, there is a chance that something could happen to you that prevents you from getting back to them when expected, or to them, when you're not there to take care of them. On a cruise, there are some different things that could happen, but still, conceptually, it's not a totally different worry.

 

So, as has been said several times already, the answer is yes, this is something that can be done.