Bringing Blow Up Pool on Ship

[cccole]

Unfortunately the Navigator does not indicate that it has a kiddie pool, so a blow up pool on the balcony seems like the best alternative. If there is a time of day when the pool deck clears out a bit we may take it up there. We picked a cruise with only 2 sea days so it won't be an issue very much of the time.

 

Thanks for your report.

[cruisy]

We have brought a little inflatable one-ring kiddie pool also. We did not use it/plan to use it on board. Instead we brought it for the beaches. We were able to inflate it, fill it and keep it under an umbrella away from the real water so I'd have a chance to relax. Even our older kids enjoyed playing in the little pool.

[crusinmama06]

We just got off of the Explorer last weekend, and I was walking around trying to picture blow up pools on the deck. The ship was full, and there wouldn't have been much room for one. They had a great kiddie pool in the back, it was only a foot deep and it had a cute little slide in it. They also had a large hot tub size pool with jets, but I think it was a little deeper. This whole area was shaded. Around the main pools there is a large ledge that is only inches deep and goes into the main part of the pool. This is sufficient for the tiny ones, as long as you are right there of course.

 

We just booked this ship for September, so my potty training is now moving up a few months. Even that kiddie pool doesn't allow toddlers in swimming diapers. So I just may be one with a blow up pool on the balcony.

[StaySea]

We are going on the Glory on 5-6 & have a 2yo who loves the water so I am glad to see this thread. I too was thinking about bringing the blow up pool, read on the boards it was a good idea!!! Anyway my family seems to think it would be a MAJOR issue on the ship. I called Carnival & the response was as long as it does not interfer with the other cruisers!! I can use it on the balcony or at the aft pool as the Glory does not have a toddler pool. :) :) Only 16 days left so will let you know although a friend of mine who has a little one just got back from a cruise & stated that her kids never wanted to leave the camp!!!!!

[cruisinqt]

When our girls were little we used the little blow up pools and they worked great for us. Some things to remember when using one is to be sure and get a very small one. Ours was only 2 or 3 feet in diameter. A tiny one like this can easily fit into a small corner far, far away from the pool in a not so busy area. Next to the pool it's very crowded, but farther away there are a few empty areas. We usually went up the stairs to the level above the pool area. This place usually has lots of empty spots and is not used as much as the regular pool area.:)

There are always some quiet not so busy areas, you just have to find them. But I agree that right next to the pool in the main pool area is usually quite crowded. I would never put a small blow up pool in a crowded area and bother people. But if you look around, there are always a few areas that are out of the line of traffic, where people won't be so bothered, you just have to look for them. Don't get discouraged by the negative comments. Bring a blow up pool for your little one, he or she should enjoy their vacation too. Just be sure to not put it in the way of traffic or in a crowded area. Also, try to keep it as small as possible, it will makes things a whole lot easier.;)

[missycj96]

Why must people be so judgmental and unpleasant. Obviously families are trying to plan nice vacations. You can't bring a small child in the heat on a caribbean cruise and reasonably expect the child to just sweat on deck all week while the rest of the family enjoys swimming. So parents are trying to find sensible solutions within the limits of strict ship rules (like bringing an inflatable pool). So let's be helpful to each other. Especially here on the family board where we are all (literally) in the same boat.

[stbmom]

Well - I will let people know how brining the pool goes for us in Dec. We are bringing a pool because since we had to pay full price for my son (on RCCL) - he gets to enjoy the ship just like everyone else. No, we won't be in anyone's "way", but we have as much access to the ship as everyone else.

I am shocked that people are acting as if families are doing something wrong brining a 3 foot pool on a boat that is thousands of feet in length. Come on people, lets be reasonable. The ship is big enough for a couple inflatable pools. If someone actually has to step around it - I'm sure it won't ruin their cruise. Just like it won't ruin our cruise having to step around someone smoking, or step around someone in a wheelchair, or step around someone who got a little too drunk and decided to lie down in the hall (yes, I have had to do that).

[SUNSHINEONME]

Why must people be so judgmental and unpleasant. Obviously families are trying to plan nice vacations. You can't bring a small child in the heat on a caribbean cruise and reasonably expect the child to just sweat on deck all week while the rest of the family enjoys swimming. So parents are trying to find sensible solutions within the limits of strict ship rules (like bringing an inflatable pool). So let's be helpful to each other. Especially here on the family board where we are all (literally) in the same boat.

 

Here here!! Well said!!!

[SUNSHINEONME]

Well - I will let people know how brining the pool goes for us in Dec. We are bringing a pool because since we had to pay full price for my son (on RCCL) - he gets to enjoy the ship just like everyone else. No, we won't be in anyone's "way", but we have as much access to the ship as everyone else.

I am shocked that people are acting as if families are doing something wrong brining a 3 foot pool on a boat that is thousands of feet in length. Come on people, lets be reasonable. The ship is big enough for a couple inflatable pools. If someone actually has to step around it - I'm sure it won't ruin their cruise. Just like it won't ruin our cruise having to step around someone smoking, or step around someone in a wheelchair, or step around someone who got a little too drunk and decided to lie down in the hall (yes, I have had to do that).

 

I'm with you on this one!!!! It seems like so many on these boards are so Anti children, its very sad, because our children are our future! The attitude that somehow an infant is second rate is absurd! So I couldn't agree with you more!!!

[katyjeka]

Hi. We sailed NCL Dawn, Dec 05. With a total of 34 kids onboard.(3 which were ours) We had connecting balcony rooms, and plenty of room for a blow up pool if needed. We spent most of our pool time at the kid's pool. It was truly fantastic! I meet a lady who had a blow up on deck by the kids pool and I must say there was more than enough room. What amazed me was the "adults" who would enter the clearly marked kids pool and complain about the noise, and yes, the blow up pool. Thankfully the crew members would explain that this area is reserved for children, and they would probably enjoy the chairs by the adult pool better. Because of the attitude of the staff on the Dawn, we passed on Disney World this December and booked the NCL Spirit. We had alot of respect for the lady with the blow up pool, who by following the rules, kept my children safe, the water somewhat clean, and had a very happy little girl. Janice

[cccole]

We took a blow up pool on the Navigator in August for my great-niece. It was easily inflated and drained on our balcony and worked out great. Because we spent 4 days in ports she really only used the pool on sea days. Having the pool was a nice way to keep her cool and entertained (she is 1yr old.)

[browniegirl]

Seems like alot of people with "opinions" about pools. However, from doing alot of reading on this subject, alot of cruisers have taken them and used them with no problems whatsoever and their little ones enjoyed them without inconveniencing others. Most said they poured the water down the drains on the deck....and most people will probably still use a "swimmer" diaper on their little ones as well, makes sense, in these little pools. What is the problem? I think taking one is a fantastic idea and keeps little one happy, which makes parents happy!!! I don't think it's anyworse than people sitting in the pool bar for hours on end....where do they go pee?

 

Leah

[crucero]

We just got home on Sunday from our cruise on the Carnival Elation. We brought a blow up pool for our 10 month old and used it on deck on sea days. It is a small 1 ring pool and took up no more space than a deck chair. I feel like my child paid to be on the cruise just as much as anyone else and he deserves his "space" on the boat as well. We actually set up by the children's pool and since there was no bar, no band, & no smoking back there, there weren't all that many people back there anyway.

[cathi007]

Good for you, as a parent of older children, 20, 17, and 14, I wish I had thought of that! It kills me to see ppl get so mad, since most of them are probably parents and just forgot what it's like to have young ones. I'm with all you young parents, bring your pools and I'll gladly move out of the way for you, enjoy your cruises, Cathi P.S. I might be the drunk one in the hall, lol

[Lady_Gamecock]

We're on the RCCL Legend March sailing and Baby_Gamecock will be nine months old. We plan on putting her into a swimming class in January, and after reading the thread concerning the little pools, I'm going to bring her one, too.

 

I agree, she's on vacation, too. It's so sad to read how people regard children aboard ship.

 

We'll be in the shaded area - I hope that other Mommies and Daddies bring their babies by - we'll keep the formula on ice! :D

[ccturner26]

Never thought about this, but there is a balcony drain? We are RCCL's Mariner, in what 9 days, and thought about where I'd dump out the water. Hmmmm....

[crusinmama06]

Never thought about this, but there is a balcony drain? We are RCCL's Mariner, in what 9 days, and thought about where I'd dump out the water. Hmmmm....

 

Balcony drain, as in your cabin's balcony? I don't know but I don't think so. In the case of using them on the balconies, parents have talk about just filling it slightly with water, then draining it in the tub (if you have a JS or higher)

 

There is a drain on the pool deck.

[caribbean dreams]

Balcony drain, as in your cabin's balcony? I don't know but I don't think so.

 

First let me say i am NOT against tiny kiddle pools on the pool deck, let them have their fun, I am against pools on the balconies because twice i have been below them and twice the parents just dumped the pool water right out onto the ground and my balcony was dripping water within seconds, now i'm not saying all parents do this but these are the ones who ruin it for everyone.

 

~~I have never seen a drain on a balcony.

[crusinmama06]

 

First let me say i am NOT against tiny kiddle pools on the pool deck, let them have their fun, I am against pools on the balconies because twice i have been below them and twice the parents just dumped the pool water right out onto the ground and my balcony was dripping water within seconds, now i'm not saying all parents do this but these are the ones who ruin it for everyone.

 

~~I have never seen a drain on a balcony.

 

Yeah I'd have to say I agree with this one. I wouldn't want a dripping balcony either. :(

[cccole]

When we had a blow up pool on an aft balcony in August. We twice emptied it into the drain/gutter that runs along the back of ship. It is the same drainage that is used when they hose down the decks and windows. I assume that there is a similar drain/gutter that runs along the sides of the ship. I know that we did not empty water onto balconies next to us or below us.

[wrp96]

When we had a blow up pool on an aft balcony in August. We twice emptied it into the drain/gutter that runs along the back of ship. It is the same drainage that is used when they hose down the decks and windows. I assume that there is a similar drain/gutter that runs along the sides of the ship. I know that we did not empty water onto balconies next to us or below us.

 

I have never seen the drain that you are referring to. I've had aft balconies before and have had my balcony get wet when they've washed down the decks above. For example on the Serenade the drain in the Windjammer just directed the water down onto our balcony.

[xraygal38]

I'm a first time cruiser so I may be missing something here but if all the babies being on board are inconveniencing you all, then why not go on an all adult cruise? Aren't there cruises out there for people that have no tolerance for young people? I had to pay for my 2 year old to cruise so he is entitled to all the amenities of the ship as anyone else. personally i'm upset that these ships don't have somewhere these kids can splash around in, that i'm going to have to bring a blow up pool with all the pools on board. But, seriously, if you don't like vacationing with children and you know children will be on the ships why not sail where there are no kids??? Am I missing something here?

 

Eli's mom:rolleyes:

[Onessa]

~~I have never seen a drain on a balcony.

 

 

I have - Radiance of the Sea cabin 8666 for example (just got off). All of the decks have drainage and drains - because, guess what the ocean is made out of water :D The drain may not be on your balcony but next door, scope out the situation prior to "dumping".

 

The kiddie pools really don't hold much water - and with an infant or toddler, you really don't want much more than an inch or two tops -- they are for splashing not for the backstroke! If you bring a sponge you should be able to remove most of the water with the same small pail or cup you filled it with and then sponge up any remainder - so you won't even need a drain

[crusinmama06]

I'm a first time cruiser so I may be missing something here but if all the babies being on board are inconveniencing you all, then why not go on an all adult cruise?

Eli's mom:rolleyes:

 

Believe me, I have learned from listening to all of the complaints here that there is basically no such thing as an adult only cruise. Or at least not with the main cruise companies there aren't.

 

I wish I could go on a family only cruise though. ;) :p

[bmgaritty]

I'm a first time cruiser so I may be missing something here but if all the babies being on board are inconveniencing you all, then why not go on an all adult cruise? Aren't there cruises out there for people that have no tolerance for young people? I had to pay for my 2 year old to cruise so he is entitled to all the amenities of the ship as anyone else.

Actually, your child is not entitled to al the same amenities, think about it - casinos? On some ships 2's are not allowed in the children's program. If not potty-trained then, not in the pool either.

 

personally i'm upset that these ships don't have somewhere these kids can splash around in, that i'm going to have to bring a blow up pool with all the pools on board.

 

You may want to try Disney, they do have an "Ear" of Mickey for those in swim diapers.

 

But, seriously, if you don't like vacationing with children and you know children will be on the ships why not sail where there are no kids??? Am I missing something here?

 

I think many people get upset with the attitude of "entitlement". No, your child is not entitled to all of the same amenties. People in general will welcome a well behaved, polite child. If your child causes a disruption, for instance at dinner, remove them and quiet them down. Some parents are pretty oblivious to other passengers. It makes it difficult for parents who try to do the right thing.

Anyway, have a great trip!