Carnival lost my daughter from Camp Carnival

[law638]

I agree with Wentworth. Although, Camp Carnival is part of the cruise experience for children, would you leave your child in a hotel on vacation in a strange city. My parents would never have left us anywhere, (even though I'm sure they thought about it) even if there were so-called responsible adults in charge. They are still strangers. No one is more responsible than the child's parent. Let the flaming begin.

[Nuttycruisegirl]

I am glad the child was not "lost" as the headline states. It is a shame that she was asked to sign out and confused and upset by it. I think that system may need a bit of tweaking. To me, 9 is too young to be able to sign out alone, but that's just me. And maybe I'm one of the odd men out...but I would worry just as much on a ship about something happening to my kids as I do on dry land. They don't do a criminal background check when we book. It's just like any city...who knows who is around the corner. I've never understood those who think they are safe and secure just because they are in that "small" environment.

[tink24]

I think the OP has achieved what they wanted from this post (which I am not even convinced is a REAL event). Everyone is freaking out. Must be entertaining to watch.:cool:

[Rowan555]

For those kids that have "full run of the ship"....what happens if someone grabs them into one of the cabins? :eek: These are floating cities. I just can't be that trusting. :(

 

And I can't be that paranoid. My kids ride their bikes around the neighborhood, they take walks, and they are allowed a certain amount of independence on board our cruises as well. They know and follow the rules which we set forth, and I simply don't feel the risks outweigh the benefits of giving them that bit of freedom on board.

[kyrisong1]

For those kids that have "full run of the ship"....what happens if someone grabs them into one of the cabins? :eek: These are floating cities. I just can't be that trusting. :(

I am so glad you brought this up, I'm reading a lot of people letting their kids roam free on the ship, if I'm reading it you can bet there is a pedophile or two reading it too.

Our society has a lot of predators, I'm not one that would take a chance on letting my grandchild or any family kid roam free on anywhere, even a ship.

JMO, Carole

[djhsolara]

i am so glad you brought this up, i'm reading a lot of people letting their kids roam free on the ship, if i'm reading it you can bet there is a pedophile or two reading it too.

Our society has a lot of predators, i'm not one that would take a chance on letting my grandchild or any family kid roam free on anywhere, even a ship.

Jmo, carole

 

 

amen!!

[falconfan]

Puleeeeze.... the child is 10 years old... do you hoenstly believe she could find her way back to the stateroom at that age ? She did the right thing and sat crying followed by possibly a staff member or other passenger offering assistance and taking her to the pursers desk.

 

My son did. He was 10 when we were on the Mariner of the Seas and he know the layout of that ship very well. He know how to get anywhere he wanted to go. At 11, the next year, he learned the layout of the Carnival Glory. A ship infamous for its odd layout. The first thinge we do is figure out how to get back to the cabin then how to get to our muster station. I want him to be able to get to both places on his own.

 

To the OP, I feel for you and your daught. I know that we had to specify that our son was allowed to sign himself out. If your daughter was not expecting to be told to sign herself out I can only imagine the thoughts that were rushing through her mind. I hope everything works out.

[Rowan555]

I am so glad you brought this up, I'm reading a lot of people letting their kids roam free on the ship, if I'm reading it you can bet there is a pedophile or two reading it too.

Our society has a lot of predators, I'm not one that would take a chance on letting my grandchild or any family kid roam free on anywhere, even a ship.

JMO, Carole

 

 

Do your grandchildren play in the front yard at home, or ride their bikes without supervision? Or do they seriously never go ANYWHERE without a guardian present?

[jameybano]

Why didn't your daughter just go back to your cabin? I'm just confused as to why she would sit somewhere and cry instead of heading back to the room.

 

WOW

 

 

flaming a 10 year-old? Really?

[Rowan555]

WOW

 

I am guessing you are childless

 

flaming a 10 year-old? Really?

 

I have an 8 and 9 year old. And if you think I was "flaming" the child, you are mistaken.

[LemurCat]

Lotsa holes in the original post ...

 

1. Was the kid allow to sign herself out?

2. Did the kid tell the Camp Carnival people she felt ill to get out of Camp Carnival?

3. Why didn't this family have an emergancy plan should something of this nature happens?

4. What was the approximate elapsed time between when the kid was taken to the front desk and when the parents showed up?

[notme1955]

Lotsa holes in the original post ...

 

One more, if you don't mind?

 

According to the OP, this occurred on the last night of the cruise. What happened on the rest of the days/nights?

[LemurCat]

WOW

 

 

flaming a 10 year-old? Really?

 

That's not a flame, that's a legitimate question. I would sincerely hope that all of the parents on this board who are so terrified about their kids getting snatched or abused would have some sort of protocol in place within their families should something out of the ordinary happens on a cruise ship -- like going to the information desk immediately. Or, in this case, arguing with the Camp Carnival people until a parent is called.

[crusinmama06]

Do your grandchildren play in the front yard at home, or ride their bikes without supervision? Or do they seriously never go ANYWHERE without a guardian present?

 

Can I answer this? No, my kids never ever go anywhere without a guardian present. Ever.

 

Yes, I remember the days of coming home from school by myself (at 8), cooking some dinner, then heading out for the rest of the night until my parents came home from work. Those days are over.

 

We are talking about 2nd and 3rd graders here. :(

[LemurCat]

Can I answer this? No, my kids never ever go anywhere without a guardian present. Ever.

 

Yes, I remember the days of coming home from school by myself (at 8), cooking some dinner, then heading out for the rest of the night until my parents came home from work. Those days are over.

 

We are talking about 2nd and 3rd graders here. :(

 

You think kids didn't get abducted or abused when you were a kid? That's a bit naive. Of course they did. It's just certain organizations did a better job of covering it up and there was no true national media at the time. Abduction and abuse are crimes as old as time.

[kyrisong1]

Do your grandchildren play in the front yard at home, or ride their bikes without supervision? Or do they seriously never go ANYWHERE without a guardian present?

my granddaughter is 9 years old and does not roam around alone, in this day and age where you hear of children snatched or molested almost daily we will not take the chance.

If she is out riding a bike or hanging out in the park she is with at least one other kid her age, or an adult.

You do what you want with your kids, we'll do what we think is right with ours, maybe you "can't be that paranoid", we just can't take the chance of having her beautiful little world marred.

Believe me, I've worked in medical at the local prison, there are TONS of child predators out there and most of them look like grampa or uncle Ned, very nice personable guys that don't at all set off alarms.

I think being too confident can just bite ya once in awhile, we'd rather be careful

Carole

[Rowan555]

Can I answer this? No, my kids never ever go anywhere without a guardian present. Ever.

 

 

Well, I guess that works for you - but it wouldn't work for us. I homeschool my kids and they get more than enough adult interaction and supervision. I also trust their judgment, even at 8 and 9, enough to allow them to play in the front yard, ride their bikes around the neighborhood, etc. Likewise, I have no problem with them going to the Lido Deck for ice cream, playing mini golf, or doing certain other activities without us on a cruise.

 

I've worked in the criminal justice system, and I'm aware of the dangers out there. I'm also aware that for me, a life ruled by fear is not a workable way live.

[Rowan555]

Believe me, I've worked in medical at the local prison, there are TONS of child predators out there and most of them look like grampa or uncle Ned, very nice personable guys that don't at all set off alarms.

I think being too confident can just bite ya once in awhile, we'd rather be careful

Carole

 

Well, frankly, most of the child predators ARE Grampa or Uncle Ned - and as was already stated, they're a greater threat to your child than a stranger is.

[Kurbanfan]

I'm replying to a few posts (but I don't know how to quote multiple posts)...I do not have children, but am in total agreement with you. I am completely appalled at the attitude of some who think it could not happen to their child. It could happen to anyone...anywhere. If someone is on the ship that is meaning harm to someone, then it is going to happen to whomever this person chooses as their victim...no matter how much you seem to think that you are exempt from it.

 

As far as "falling" overboard...I didn't see the poster mention "falling" overboard. I see them mentioning being thrown overboard. There are certainly parts of the ship that are not busy areas or hallways and what happens if a predator just happens to be ready to attack their prey and steps out in the hall and drags someone into their room, attacks them and then just disposes of them off of the balcony. Away they are and although I've heard that nothing is off camera on the outside of the ships...but think about it...if it is dark I cannot believe that it wouldn't be possible to put someone overboard without being seen...and it could be hours later until the person is known as officially missing...and they are floating in the ocean somewhere downstream.

 

I don't care what Carnival's policy is, but if I had children I would never allow someone that young to be out alone in a ship. I think back to when I was a child and I remember travelling with my parents to lavish resorts and hotels and "having the run" of the resort or hotel...but that was a different day and time...25-30 years ago. You just didn't hear so much about the kind of things that you hear about today.

 

I don't mean to sound so negative here, but I just think that anyone who thinks that it couldn't happen on a ship is seriously mistaken. As the poster said, a ship is a floating city...and I would never send a 10-year-old out alone in a city.

 

That's my two cents...and I'm sticking to it. :) :)

 

I could have wrote this post myself:) Total total agreement here......

[sailaway anyday]

may not be anything honest to this post. there has been no response to any other posts on this thread. sound phony to me. would have been more belevable if the poster responded to other posts and not just having one post on the site. it is a terrible thing to happen to a child if true

[trock]

I could have wrote this post myself:) Total total agreement here......

 

Emotionally I am in total agreement.. I could not imagine allowing a 10 yr old to wander a ship..

 

 

Then I read a site like http://www.personalsafetyadvice.co.uk/NotTooSafe.html

and I think about the consequences of overprotection..

 

There has to be a happy medium somewhere!

 

What are the Real Risks?

 

 

The best way to protect your children is to identify the real risks – and act to prevent them.

• Road accidents – today’s children are MUCH LESS likely to be run over by a car than they were 30 years ago. Even though there are more cars on the roads, child accidents have been reduced by a third since 1922.
  
• Abduction – your child is no more likely to be abducted than you were. Thirty years ago, the risks of abduction were the same as they are today; the media paints a frightening picture, but statistics tell us to stay calm. One in 882,300 children were abducted in 2002/03.
  
• Obesity – In 1971, 80% of children walked to school on their own, a valuable way to build independence and fitness. Today only 9% walk or cycle to school. Combined with increased computer usage, these factors have caused the child obesity rate to soar. Right now 16% of 6-year-olds are officially obese – and if the rate continues rising, that figure could go up to 50% by 2020.
  
• Internet risks – the government’s research showed that a horrifying 46% of children had given out personal information online. Even worse, only 5% of their parents were aware of it.
  
• Isolation risks – being unable to socialise and relate with other children can be a risk, hindering a child’s ability to deal with social issues and problem solving. Some organisations have warned parents to loosen the reins after a survey showed that 43% of parents don’t think children should be out unsupervised before the age of 14.
  

Secret Supervision

 

Of course it isn’t easy to give children freedom when you’re an anxious parent. But there are ways around it. Many parents operate a ‘surveillance’ programme to give their children the feeling of independence without losing touch. Neighbouring parents often allow children to play together on the street green or a local park, ensuring there is somebody nearby to keep a discreet eye on everyone.

 

 

Parents who can’t allow their children to walk to school arrange trips to safe places such as playgrounds and beaches, where kids can let off some steam within adult supervision. Other parents arrange school-walking groups, accompanied by a different parent every day, to get their children active and sociable. Then there’s the mobile phone monitoring system, which you can use to check on your child’s whereabouts at all times. Whatever you do, make sure that your child protection policy includes some time for your children to be alone and discover things for themselves. We all need to fall out of a tree now and again...

 

 

But I would imagine if I had a 10yr old.. my emotional side would win out..at least while they were 10... a 14 yr old..not so much

[G'ma]

My son was 9 on the Glory last October and I did not approve for him to have sign out privileges. He will be 10 this October on the Glory again and I will not approve it again. I don't think my 10 year old is mature enough yet for the right to roam freely around the ship. I'd be scared of him falling overboard or getting lost or someone doing something to him. I'll re-evaluate when he's 11 next year. For now, if he wants to go to Camp Carnival, that's where he'll stay until they call me that he wants to be picked up or until I'm ready to go get him. Each year so far I've canceled the charging privileges on his sign and sail card too. This year I think I'll put a set amount on it and see if he can use it responsibly and when that amount is gone, then there's no more arcade or shopping money for him.

 

I agree. Each parents is the best judge of his own child. If the child is not mature enough or if the parent doesn't want him running on his own, that's the parents choice. However, it then becomes the parents responsibility to check in frequently with the Camp to make sure all is OK....and, most important, teach their youngster what to do if everything doesn't work out perfectly.

 

Camp Carnival is not a babysitting service. Knowing that a child can sign himself out at a certain age requires some forethought by the parents. Either remove the sign out privilege or keep track of the kid. In any case, in all situations, the child should know what to do... In this case, the child had no instructions from Mom and Dad on where they could be found, what to do if you're "lost" or much of anything else.

 

As for charging privileges.....I've always set my grandson up with an account of his own with a certain amount of money in it. He knows when that is gone, it's gone. I set it up with cash after boarding. I have his gratuities charged to my room. As he grew old, many times he had his own money to add to his account if needed. This gives him the freedom to play games, buy something in the gift shop, have a piece of cake and some hot chocolate at the gourmet dessert bar, etc., without having to look me up.

 

It's worked fine.

[mrdrdoso]

To the OP, however the situation happened (doesn't sound quite right) as a parent that had to be a scary situation. My daughter was 13 when she started going on cruises. Prior to us even getting on board we had safety discussions. The first day I took her to the kids club and we discovered the boat together. This year on EOS, she was to meet us somewhere and she told me she wasn't sure how to get there. I took her there myself. Its a vacation but things have to be planned. One night she wasn't in the teen club her and a few kids went for ice cream but it was after 10, they were instructed by staff they need to go to there room. Even now at 15 she doesn't roam the ship at night. To some it might be overprotective, but to us its being responsible, yes you have to give them opportunities but not at the expense of safety no matter what the age. Always have a plan in advance.

[G'ma]

For those kids that have "full run of the ship"....what happens if someone grabs them into one of the cabins? :eek: These are floating cities. I just can't be that trusting. :(

 

Some of us don't buy into the horror stories of predators waiting down every hall, in every corner, behind every game in the arcade. We have taught the kids normal safety things.....and, let them go to school alone..either by bus or walk...let them go to the movies...let them go out and play.....let them have a life. They are armed with the teachings of many years by caring parents on safety, how to behave in public, what to do if there's trouble.

 

I've over 250 cruises under my belt---on most of the major oceans and rivers of the world over 35 years. I've never been on a ship where a child was injured by a predator...or even approached.

 

Life is full of risks. It's our duty to do the best to prepare our children for that life.......but keeping the kid under the wings all the time isn't good for them...or for the parents.

[Kurbanfan]

Emotionally I am in total agreement.. I could not imagine allowing a 10 yr old to wander a ship..

 

 

Then I read a site like http://www.personalsafetyadvice.co.uk/NotTooSafe.html

and I think about the consequences of overprotection..

 

There has to be a happy medium somewhere!

 

What are the Real Risks?

 

 

 

The best way to protect your children is to identify the real risks – and act to prevent them.

• Road accidents – today’s children are MUCH LESS likely to be run over by a car than they were 30 years ago. Even though there are more cars on the roads, child accidents have been reduced by a third since 1922.
  
• Abduction – your child is no more likely to be abducted than you were. Thirty years ago, the risks of abduction were the same as they are today; the media paints a frightening picture, but statistics tell us to stay calm. One in 882,300 children were abducted in 2002/03.
  
• Obesity – In 1971, 80% of children walked to school on their own, a valuable way to build independence and fitness. Today only 9% walk or cycle to school. Combined with increased computer usage, these factors have caused the child obesity rate to soar. Right now 16% of 6-year-olds are officially obese – and if the rate continues rising, that figure could go up to 50% by 2020.
  
• Internet risks – the government’s research showed that a horrifying 46% of children had given out personal information online. Even worse, only 5% of their parents were aware of it.
  
• Isolation risks – being unable to socialise and relate with other children can be a risk, hindering a child’s ability to deal with social issues and problem solving. Some organisations have warned parents to loosen the reins after a survey showed that 43% of parents don’t think children should be out unsupervised before the age of 14.
  

Secret Supervision

 

Of course it isn’t easy to give children freedom when you’re an anxious parent. But there are ways around it. Many parents operate a ‘surveillance’ programme to give their children the feeling of independence without losing touch. Neighbouring parents often allow children to play together on the street green or a local park, ensuring there is somebody nearby to keep a discreet eye on everyone.

 

 

Parents who can’t allow their children to walk to school arrange trips to safe places such as playgrounds and beaches, where kids can let off some steam within adult supervision. Other parents arrange school-walking groups, accompanied by a different parent every day, to get their children active and sociable. Then there’s the mobile phone monitoring system, which you can use to check on your child’s whereabouts at all times. Whatever you do, make sure that your child protection policy includes some time for your children to be alone and discover things for themselves. We all need to fall out of a tree now and again...

 

 

But I would imagine if I had a 10yr old.. my emotional side would win out..

 

 

There can be a happy medium........my child at age 8 was not made fearful or overprotective........he simply did not roam around the city by himself........a ship can be considered a small city.......

But I have to say I whole heartily disagree with everyones comment that

your child is no more likely to be abducted today then when we were children.......puleeze.......with the internet nowadays:rolleyes: