Does anybody leave their kids in Camp Carnival while they do adult excursions?

[Drew B]

We are talking about doing that with my nieces and nephews in November, but I am not clear on how this works (rules, costs if any, etc.) or if it is a good idea. Obviously, if we're off cave-tubing or something, the camp counselors would not be able to reach us in case of emergency. I assume they are capable of handling matters for a few hours, but I wanted to find out what other parents have done and how it has worked out.

 

Thanks!

[crusinmama06]

Every few weeks this topic comes up. The easy answer, you do what YOU are comfortable with.

 

DO I do it - NOPE - but we had a medical emergency onboard the ship with my youngest. She was medevacced. If I hadn't been there, then she could have been sent to a hospital in another country from me. :eek:

 

Do others do it...yes. Some cruiselines do not encourage it though. Some cruiselines don't care.

[szubieta]

Every few weeks this topic comes up. The easy answer, you do what YOU are comfortable with.

 

DO I do it - NOPE - but we had a medical emergency onboard the ship with my youngest. She was medevacced. If I hadn't been there, then she could have been sent to a hospital in another country from me. :eek:

 

Do others do it...yes. Some cruiselines do not encourage it though. Some cruiselines don't care.

 

They are equipt to handle most emergencies, which is great, but I really couldn't feel totally comfortable either. Can't imagine it's actually an option.

She's right, check out the other threads on this...it's an eye opener. Children having no parent on board and staff staying in your stateroom over night until you catch up to the ship.

But do what you feel comfortable doing. Just know what can happen.

[Drew B]

Sorry. I had gone back a couple of pages and didn't see this topic for Carnival, but rather for RCCL. While the principle is similar, I didn't know if the rules/policies were the same.

 

The possibility of not getting back before sailaway hadn't even occurred to me. I was talking more about what do they do if the kid skins her knee and wants her mommy... I'm naturally cautious, terminally punctual, and have never even been CLOSE to missing a departure. Still, even the remote chance of being left behind while the kids are aboard is pretty terrifying...

 

We're going to be 5 adults and 4 kids in our group. Maybe we'll just work it out so that one of the adults always stays aboard. We can schedule it so that each adult gets to go ashore for excursions in at least three of the four ports. And when the excursions don't take up the entire time in port, we can certainly "swap out"... That way, if something unforeseen were to happen, the little kids wouldn't be completely abandoned...

[quincytoo]

Sorry. I had gone back a couple of pages and didn't see this topic for Carnival, but rather for RCCL. While the principle is similar, I didn't know if the rules/policies were the same.

 

The possibility of not getting back before sailaway hadn't even occurred to me. I was talking more about what do they do if the kid skins her knee and wants her mommy... I'm naturally cautious, terminally punctual, and have never even been CLOSE to missing a departure. Still, even the remote chance of being left behind while the kids are aboard is pretty terrifying...

 

We're going to be 5 adults and 4 kids in our group. Maybe we'll just work it out so that one of the adults always stays aboard. We can schedule it so that each adult gets to go ashore for excursions in at least three of the four ports. And when the excursions don't take up the entire time in port, we can certainly "swap out"... That way, if something unforeseen were to happen, the little kids wouldn't be completely abandoned...

 

That sounds like a good plan :)

My youngest is going to be 17 in Dec and I couldn't imagine doing an off ship excursion without him for the very reasons that have been listed.

[mcfam5]

. . . I agree, the idea of leaving kids on the ship while I am touring a foreign country SCARES me. Too many possibilities . . .:eek:

[miraclecavs]

Hi guys - after a 2 year cruise hiatus, we've booked the Inspiration for Spring Break 2009 :D . This time, we're taking our 9 and 7 year old kids with us and Camp Carnival was a major reason. As SCUBA divers, we (and they) were stoked at the possibility of having fun supervision while Mom and Dad dive in the morning. So, putting aside the question of whether we SHOULD leave the children (and you've brought up some very good points:eek: ), can someone answer whether we CAN leave the kids at Camp Carnival as early as SCUBA excursions leave?

[crusinmama06]

Hi guys - after a 2 year cruise hiatus, we've booked the Inspiration for Spring Break 2009 :D . This time, we're taking our 9 and 7 year old kids with us and Camp Carnival was a major reason. As SCUBA divers, we (and they) were stoked at the possibility of having fun supervision while Mom and Dad dive in the morning. So, putting aside the question of whether we SHOULD leave the children (and you've brought up some very good points:eek: ), can someone answer whether we CAN leave the kids at Camp Carnival as early as SCUBA excursions leave?

 

Yes, Camp Carnival opens at 6:45am on port days so that you "can" drop the kids off and leave to Scuba.

 

http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb196/cruisinmama06/

 

It's up to you to decide the "should" ;)

[gkrnjlr]

I'm the odd ball here and will say that I have left my kids in Camp Carnival while in port. (Please...no one bash me.) We were on a Canada cruise and had a city tour excursion and the kids just didn't want to go. I let them stay at Camp Carnival and we came back to the ship to check on them as soon as we were done.

 

I am not sure if all sailings work the same (I am assuming they would) with Camp Carnival....but while in port they are open to watch the kids.

[crusinmama06]

I'm the odd ball here and will say that I have left my kids in Camp Carnival while in port. (Please...no one bash me.) We were on a Canada cruise and had a city tour excursion and the kids just didn't want to go. I let them stay at Camp Carnival and we came back to the ship to check on them as soon as we were done.

 

I am not sure if all sailings work the same (I am assuming they would) with Camp Carnival....but while in port they are open to watch the kids.

 

Your not an "odd ball"....there are many people that do go on excursions sans kids. And before our medical emergency, I probably would have felt the same. ;)

 

I guess we never think it will happen to us until it does. :(

[gkrnjlr]

I wasn't familiar with this particular board for family cruising beforehand or I probably would have reconsidered it!

 

Scary that you had to go through an emergency!

[madiandcindy]

What scares the heck out of me is that ALL the staff on board knows youre not on the ship. I am way more scared of people than actual emergencies, seems that people hurt children more than the typical accident. Thats just me. I have heard too many horror stories to leave my kids at camp carnival while I go into another country. No thanks. We plan on using camp carnival for a few hours and always keep our eyes on the kids. But thats just me. I understand its probably easier and more comfortable to not be so paranoid, and trust me I wish I could. Good luck everyone!

[Drew B]

What scares the heck out of me is that ALL the staff on board knows youre not on the ship. I am way more scared of people than actual emergencies, seems that people hurt children more than the typical accident. Thats just me. I have heard too many horror stories to leave my kids at camp carnival while I go into another country. No thanks. We plan on using camp carnival for a few hours and always keep our eyes on the kids. But thats just me. I understand its probably easier and more comfortable to not be so paranoid, and trust me I wish I could. Good luck everyone!

 

 

Eh. If somebody on staff wanted to do something bad to the kids, they could do it just as easily if the kids are there for an hour and we're on the ship as they could if the kids are there for 5 hours while we do an excursion off the ship.

 

I'm generally pretty suspicious, but this doesn't concern me at all. I assume that Carnival has a HUGE vested interest in ensuring that their Camp Carnival staff is of the highest caliber and that there are several checks and balances in place to make sure that nobody could harm a child even if they were so inclined. Think about the business CCL would lose if word ever got out about a child being harmed while under the care of Camp Carnival!

[Georgia Peach2]

We've left our DD7 onboard in the Kids Club at leaset once on each of our 4 cruises, starting when she was 3. (The first time we only left her for a couple hours.) She MUCH prefers to say onboard & have fun with her peers than tag along with mom & dad.

 

To each his own....we're comfortable with it but I can understand how others wouldn't be.

[crusinmama06]

I'm generally pretty suspicious, but this doesn't concern me at all. I assume that Carnival has a HUGE vested interest in ensuring that their Camp Carnival staff is of the highest caliber and that there are several checks and balances in place to make sure that nobody could harm a child even if they were so inclined. Think about the business CCL would lose if word ever got out about a child being harmed while under the care of Camp Carnival!

 

I was thinking the same thing. Of all the things I worry about, this isn't one of them. There are always more than one counselor in each age group. And there are security cameras all over the place that monitor every inch of the camp. Parents can even see the security monitors on some of the Carnival ships.

[madiandcindy]

Eh. If somebody on staff wanted to do something bad to the kids, they could do it just as easily if the kids are there for an hour and we're on the ship as they could if the kids are there for 5 hours while we do an excursion off the ship.

 

I'm generally pretty suspicious, but this doesn't concern me at all. I assume that Carnival has a HUGE vested interest in ensuring that their Camp Carnival staff is of the highest caliber and that there are several checks and balances in place to make sure that nobody could harm a child even if they were so inclined. Think about the business CCL would lose if word ever got out about a child being harmed while under the care of Camp Carnival!

 

Actually that isnt correct, most incidents of child abuse happen to children who are alone or less supervized by their parents to put it in nice terms. Predators are always seeking after children who are more vulnerable and alone. Furthermore, most parents that go through these awful experiences never thought it could happen to "them". Also Cruiseships will do the necessary paperwork to keep things legal but I am sure they dont do background and fingerprinting in every country so I bet most employees could easily get hired with a questionable background?

[Kerry's Girls]

Actually that isnt correct, most incidents of child abuse happen to children who are alone or less supervized by their parents to put it in nice terms.

 

Huh? My understanding is that most incidents of child abuse happen with family members and friends.

 

In any case, I feel secure knowing, as Michelle said, that cruise lines have a vested interest in keeping our children safe (not just to have the paperwork in case of a lawsuit, but to avoid any hint of lack of safety for potential passengers and their $$). Clearly, different parents have different comfort levels, but it's great that the cruise lines offer the option of kids programs and babysitting for those who are not afraid to use them. For those who want to be with their children 24/7 on vacation, they can be happy as well. I don't have statistics to back myself up, but my guess is that our drive to the port is much more dangerous for my children than being left in a supervised kids' program on board. So, of course, the safest thing would be to stay home!

 

Best to everyone.

 

- Mia

[mohavemommy]

To me it would depend on the age of the kids... and how comfortable you are leaving them.

[JackieH]

For me, the answer would be no..BUT for each family it is different. On our next cruise our kids will be 14,9, and 4..And I couldnt imagine leaving them onboard and not letting them experience what we do.. Granted my kids have a great time in the kids club. BUT...we do family vacations so we can be together. They have plenty of time at the kids clubs on sea days and after dinner...exploring new and exciting places is for the family:) (well at least for our family)

Id say do what you feel is comfortable.

[stbmom]

After being on the boards a while I can say - as long as you actually leave them in camp Carnival - that is okay.

Now, we would never leave the ship without our kids, but I have actually read threads where people leave thier kids in the cabins sleeping at night and leave to go dancing or to the casino and even leave the ship while thier children wander around. So, leaving them in camp is definitely a good option. Kind of like leaving them at daycare when you go to work:)

 

Well, except for the whole foreign country thing:(