A 1 year old onboard - Babysitting service or kids club

[mairead224]

Hi,

 

Just a quick question for one of our travel companions. We will be travelling with 6 kiddies and for 5 of them the kids club will be a god send ;). However our friends will be brining their little one who is just 1 1/2. I cant remember as we didn't avail of the service when we travelled with our baby at the time but are there supervised (adult free time) for kids that age.

 

In addition just wondering what the after hours babysitting arrangements are. I'm sure that at most we will only use this service once if even that but forearmed is forwarned!!!

[Clarksfan1]

Someone can feel free to correct me on this but I believe there is no time available for the infant. There will be times they can play but the parents would need to be present.

 

As far as babysitting is concerned.....I can't find any information to support that MSC has babysitting service (all I have read is that babysitting is NOT offered). Do no know if this applies to in room only, or if they are saying there are no extended hours in the kids club.

 

This is what I found

 

Entertainment and activities are provided for children aged between 3 and 17.

 

The complimentary entertainment with qualified staff is organized into three categories which are:-

 

Mini Club for 3 to 6 years

Junior Club for 7 to 12 years

Teenagers Club for 13 to 17 years

 

All activities cater for different languages spoken and some events are held outside the Children's Centre.

 

Mini Club remains open whilst ships are in port and supervisors are available to take youngsters to the buffet or ship's restaurant for children's meals if parents or guardians wish to leave the ship for excursions.

 

No baby-sitting service is available.

[Clarksfan1]

so I looked into Divina and found this from their website

 

NEW! MSC Babycare Service

 

MSC has thought about moms and dads too, offering you the opportunity to drop your children off at the Mini Club where they will be looked after by qualified and dedicated staff. Subject to prior booking, limited availability, for children between 1 and 3 years old (not inclusive).

 

Available at the following times*, exclusively when the ship is AT SEA:

between 1:00 and 2:00 pm and between 6:00 and 7:00pm.

 

Completion of a registration form is required. Ask the Mini Club staff once you’re on board. Diaper changing and feeding must be provided by parents.

 

*Times may vary by ship or itinerary

 

So if they really want to sit by the pool for an hour, this will be perfect....but they better contact before hand and check availability.

[mairead224]

so I looked into Divina and found this from their website

 

NEW! MSC Babycare Service

 

MSC has thought about moms and dads too, offering you the opportunity to drop your children off at the Mini Club where they will be looked after by qualified and dedicated staff. Subject to prior booking, limited availability, for children between 1 and 3 years old (not inclusive).

 

Available at the following times*, exclusively when the ship is AT SEA:

between 1:00 and 2:00 pm and between 6:00 and 7:00pm.

 

Completion of a registration form is required. Ask the Mini Club staff once you’re on board. Diaper changing and feeding must be provided by parents.

 

*Times may vary by ship or itinerary

 

So if they really want to sit by the pool for an hour, this will be perfect....but they better contact before hand and check availability.

 

 

yeah seen that too!!! Hopefully it will be available on our sailing although the times were not thought out properly!!! Anyone wit kids that age will be on the 7.30pm dinner seating which will mean its nap and dress time before that. The 1-2pm slot could work though.

 

It amazing though that no babysitting is offered for a fee

[Clarksfan1]

Only thing I can say is babysitting on most ships I have been on has been in room. And to be honest I really don't think any parents who really care about their kids (especially the young ones) would feel comfortable leaving their child alone in a room with a stranger so they can go out.

 

That being said, if your group is big enough each of the groups could take an hour to babysit each night and the parents could have a couple of hours each night to relax. It's a minor thing for others, but that hour each night may make a difference in their vacation. And if it's just you and them if you guys were to take the youngest for just an hour each night from like 7 to 8 and let mom and dad go have a few drinks, I'm sure they would greatly appreciate it.

[FMZ]

Only thing I can say is babysitting on most ships I have been on has been in room. And to be honest I really don't think any parents who really care about their kids (especially the young ones) would feel comfortable leaving their child alone in a room with a stranger so they can go out.

 

That being said, if your group is big enough each of the groups could take an hour to babysit each night and the parents could have a couple of hours each night to relax. It's a minor thing for others, but that hour each night may make a difference in their vacation. And if it's just you and them if you guys were to take the youngest for just an hour each night from like 7 to 8 and let mom and dad go have a few drinks, I'm sure they would greatly appreciate it.

Wow so not helpful to OP. The post wasn't "give me your opinion on the topic". And pretty rude to suggest people that have a babysitter don't care about their kids. [emoji107]

 

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[Byron_1978]

Wow so not helpful to OP. The post wasn't "give me your opinion on the topic". And pretty rude to suggest people that have a babysitter don't care about their kids. [emoji107]

 

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Uncalled for indeed and probably too harsh as well, but I do understand the basic comment in the message.

 

I have a 2 year old myself, and wouldn't feel comfortable with a stranger babysitting him in our cabin.

 

I wouldn't go as far as saying that parents who do let a stranger babysit are parents that don't care about their baby. But I for sure wouldn't allow it.

 

However, on our Celebrity Eclipse cruise last year (when he was 1,5 years old), we did let our head waiter take him for a walk. She didn't take him out of our sight and neither would we have let her.

This was at 10pm when the MDR was closing down, so it was easy to keep an eye on her.

[mairead224]

Only thing I can say is babysitting on most ships I have been on has been in room. And to be honest I really don't think any parents who really care about their kids (especially the young ones) would feel comfortable leaving their child alone in a room with a stranger so they can go out.

 

That being said, if your group is big enough each of the groups could take an hour to babysit each night and the parents could have a couple of hours each night to relax. It's a minor thing for others, but that hour each night may make a difference in their vacation. And if it's just you and them if you guys were to take the youngest for just an hour each night from like 7 to 8 and let mom and dad go have a few drinks, I'm sure they would greatly appreciate it.

 

Yes, thankyou for your opinion.

 

As I stated when we travelled with our infant on MSC, I did not research or avail of any said services as it wouldn't be for us. I am however researching for travelling companions of ours and I would like to be armed with as much information as possible and let them make their own decision.

 

I know on Carnival they extend the camp hours for group babysitting and there was a nominal charge per hour (used it 1 night so we could have a flutter in the casino ... wish we didn't ;)), does anyone know if something like this is offered?

 

Thanks

[Clarksfan1]

Wow so not helpful to OP. The post wasn't "give me your opinion on the topic". And pretty rude to suggest people that have a babysitter don't care about their kids. [emoji107]

 

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So nice to know that you are in favor of leaving a little one alone with a complete stranger who may or may not have the same values as you do.

 

BTW....I stand by my words....if you are selfish enough to leave an infant alone in a room so you can go out on a cruise ship you are not winning any parent of the year awards anytime soon.

 

And the reason for this not being widely offered anymore is because of accusations of abuse both of a physical and sexual nature towards the very young children......but by all means if you can find a ship that does this......DRINK UP!

[mairead224]

So nice to know that you are in favor of leaving a little one alone with a complete stranger who may or may not have the same values as you do.

 

BTW....I stand by my words....if you are selfish enough to leave an infant alone in a room so you can go out on a cruise ship you are not winning any parent of the year awards anytime soon.

 

And the reason for this not being widely offered anymore is because of accusations of abuse both of a physical and sexual nature towards the very young children......but by all means if you can find a ship that does this......DRINK UP!

 

As I stated (twice!!!) when we travelled with our infant on MSC, I did not research or avail of any said services as it wouldn't be for us. I am however researching for travelling companions of ours and I would like to be armed with as much information as possible and let them make their own decision.

 

Maybe saying this a third time will work!!!

Edited March 5, 2016 by mairead224

[Clarksfan1]

As I stated (twice!!!) when we travelled with our infant on MSC, I did not research or avail of any said services as it wouldn't be for us. I am however researching for travelling companions of ours and I would like to be armed with as much information as possible and let them make their own decision.

 

Maybe saying this a third time will work!!!

 

Who ever said we were talking about you? Aren't we all speaking in general terms? Calm down and take a breath dude....quotation....quotation....quotation....LOL

[FMZ]

So nice to know that you are in favor of leaving a little one alone with a complete stranger who may or may not have the same values as you do.

 

BTW....I stand by my words....if you are selfish enough to leave an infant alone in a room so you can go out on a cruise ship you are not winning any parent of the year awards anytime soon.

 

And the reason for this not being widely offered anymore is because of accusations of abuse both of a physical and sexual nature towards the very young children......but by all means if you can find a ship that does this......DRINK UP!

You are incorrect. I did not state I was or was not in "favor" of it. What I said is that you were stating your opinion in a very harsh manner when it was not asked for or necessary. I think you could have gotten your point across (if you really needed to) in a much nicer manner.

 

 

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[Clarksfan1]

If I am forward when I speak it's because as a member of Law Enforcement, I don't see the need to beat around the bush when dealing with these types of situations. We are all adults and should be able to handle a conversation that isn't sugar coated. If people don't like being presented with opinions in a forward manner that is unfortunate.

[Nic6318]

Who ever said we were talking about you? Aren't we all speaking in general terms? Calm down and take a breath dude....quotation....quotation....quotation....LOL

 

Hi Just have to say that I agree that you were out of line.

 

Just reread your post #9.

 

You were specifically saying you...you...you.

 

Trying to make excuses later doesn't mean much when an apology would have been more appropriate. The English language is perfectly able to say what you had intended but you chose not to phrase it that way.

 

Just my opinion

Edited March 6, 2016 by Nic6318

[Clarksfan1]

Hi Just have to say that I agree that you were out of line.

 

Just reread your post #9.

 

You were specifically saying you...you...you.

 

Trying to make excuses later doesn't mean much when an apology would have been more appropriate. The English language is perfectly able to say what you had intended but you chose not to phrase it that way.

 

Just my opinion

 

You could not be more wrong.....you could try......but it would be impossible.

 

mairead224 started the post.

I replied person whom I referred to in post #9 was poster FMZ

The comment in the post #11 you referred to was mairead224

 

So again....you can't say that I owe mairead224 an apology for something I said in post #9 that wasn't referring to them.

 

So let me say that again.....you could not be more wrong.....you could try....but it would be impossible.

 

Maybe you should do a little more research on the "English Language" and give me that apology you owe me.

Edited March 6, 2016 by Clarksfan1

[Tissy t]

I'm seeing MSc cruise for kids under 3 only do service for 1pm and 2pm and then 6pm and 7pm 1 hour really what can parents do in an hour by the time we drop them off and walk to where we're going it's already 30 minutes do what can we do in 30 minutes msc system is the worst y'all have alot to work on alot of things to change I hate yall policies JUST WACK!

Edited March 20 by Tissy t

[perakcruiser]

4 hours ago, Tissy t said:

I'm seeing MSc cruise for kids under 3 only do service for 1pm and 2pm and then 6pm and 7pm

What you see is not what MSC offers. 

 

This: 

On 2/25/2016 at 6:05 AM, Clarksfan1 said:

Times may vary by ship or itinerary

 

And you are commenting things from 2016, on one special ship in 2016. Maybe it was not even correct at this time. 

[Morgsmom]

12 hours ago, Tissy t said:

I hate yall policies JUST WACK!

??? now that response is "JUST WACK" (sp?) if you ask me 😉

 

[Tissy t]

Friend bye I said what I said WACK

[JamieLogical]

13 hours ago, Tissy t said:

I'm seeing MSc cruise for kids under 3 only do service for 1pm and 2pm and then 6pm and 7pm 1 hour really what can parents do in an hour by the time we drop them off and walk to where we're going it's already 30 minutes do what can we do in 30 minutes msc system is the worst y'all have alot to work on alot of things to change I hate yall policies JUST WACK!

 

 

Where are you seeing this information? I just went back through some dailies for one of my recent sailings and it shows that the Baby club is open from 9:00am-11:00pm. I don't know if there are restrictions on how long you can leave your baby there at a time, but those are the hours listed.

 

Edited March 20 by JamieLogical

[Tissy t]

1 hour ago, Morgsmom said:

??? now that response is "JUST WACK" (sp?) if you ask me 😉

I  what I said 

[Tissy t]

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

 

 

Where are you seeing this information? I just went back through some dailies for one of my recent sailings and it shows that the Baby club is open from 9:00am-11:00pm. I don't know if there are restrictions on how long you can leave your baby there at a time, but those are the hours listed.

 

For  msc it's on their  site and I even called them that's what they told me 

Edited March 20 by Tissy t

[Tissy t]

H

[JamieLogical]

6 minutes ago, Tissy t said:

For  msc it's on their  site and I even called them that's what they told me 

 

That does seem very limiting. I wonder what the standard in the cruise industry is when it comes to babies/toddlers.

[raino144]

Maybe Europe is different, my live thread from last October with much more baby club is here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2968848-live-from-the-grandiosa-october-21-28-yc-duplex-with-children-5-and-2/

 

Edit: key club times copy pasted from my review: There are 3 slots on port days (9-10, 13-15 and 18-20) of which you can book 2 to leave them with the kids club staff, the day before.

Edited March 20 by raino144