Sweet Dutch Girl

I would think someone on insulin would realize that it is "up to them" to make sure their medication is kept at the desired temperature, its called responsibility for one's own health. Need it frozen: check with the medical department who would be happy to store it for you...but it is then the responsibility of the user to procure the medication at a time convenient to the staff, not them. Also, if I needed ice for a medication I'd be making a quick trip to the Lido deck or to any bar on ship, explain my need and someone would be more than happy to fill my ice bag. Why would I think it the responsibility of the room steward to keep me in ice 24/7.

I often think we expect too much from a cruise ship and a cruise staff. If we choose to sail with a medical issue of any type it is our responsibility to make sure we follow through and keep our medication safe, not the cruise line. Or am I missing something?

If anyone has actual read their Carnival facts such as "EMBARKATION CHECK-IN AND BOARDING TIMES" I think they would be surprised that Carnival does print out a list of "boarding times" for each ship and it's sailings.

Their printed literature states that "boarding time" is from x to x, usually 12:30 or 1:00 until 60 minutes before sailing.

No where does it state that anyone is guaranteed an earlier "boarding time" though they can "check in" earlier with certain restrictions at certain ports. And Carnival does state that "rooms" will be ready for occupancy at 1:30.

Also, no where that I can find does it state that lunch on embarkation day is guaranteed. Carnival does not provide an hour to hour summary of what a customer "pays" for...just the times a ship is scheduled to leave and when it is scheduled to arrive and how many "nights" you get to sleep on the ship. That is what you are paying for....the rest is just gravy if you are allowed on earlier and stay past docking.

This is where we differ, you believe the steakhouse is an adult venue, I believe its a restaurant option on a cruise for everyone. If Carnival intended it to be a adult venue, they would have rules about it, as they do for the serenity areas on the ship. Their brand ambassador even posted recently, making sure everyone knew there was a child menu in the steakhouse. Not sure why he would do this, if he did not expect parents to take their children their. In fact, by his posting this info, I believe he was encouraging parents to bring there kids.

Children are not the same as infants and toddlers. A well behaved 6 year old who is well versed in how to behave in public is not a problem. In fact they are adorable dressed up in their finery and interacting with Mom and Dad at a grown-up place.

At $35 bucks a pop and $10 bucks for kids most passengers would think twice about attending dinner at "a restaurant" option with their entire family in tow to a venue where there is a dress code and a "time" issue. Most parent's would think twice about dragging their kids and expecting them to sit quietly for 2 or 2 1/2 hours. Having sat in the MDR enough times I can state, unequivocally, that most tables with young kids rarely make it to the dessert stage.

Again, most people on this board understand the "rules"...but just like other Carnival rules they may have their qualms about them and just hope that parent's are smart and savvy enough to understand that some areas are just not kid friendly. If parents like to travel with their kids they should be aware that it should be a vacation largely focused on the family and would restrain from thinking that they are "entitled" to enjoy areas where kids are allowed but not always welcomed by other guests.

Third, since carnival allows children in the steakhouse and has a separate menu for them, why would you not expect children to be there?

Because most adults "know" where it is appropriate or inappropriate to take a child because they, as parents, should know that there are always places where kids are more of a nuisance than an enjoyment, both for themselves and for others.

A toddler does not know the "rules of the game" when they are 18 months old. They don't know how to behave in an adult venue, don't know to be respectful of others space. As a child ages they learn these things and some, by the age of early reasoning they, hopefully, have figured it out and can be trusted to act accordingly.

Just as we adults don't expect to sit and read quietly in a children's area where kids are encouraged to be kids we shouldn't have to endure children and their possible disruptive behavior in an area where the ambiance is designed to be adult. I would think most responsible parents would be able to differentiate acceptable locations to park their kids for 2 1/2 hours. Its called being gracious to others you are traveling with whether the "rules" say otherwise.

And, yes, if someone was sitting at the steakhouse with a toddler I would politely ask the host not to sit me anywhere near them. Experience is a great teacher....and for the most part I love kids and think they are a joy. Just not when I am trying to enjoy a quiet, relaxed dinner.

Unless someone is an alcohol connoisseur people rarely indicate the exact spirit they want in a mixed drink...the bar keep will use the house bottle when mixing a drink, and the house bottle is far from the most expensive. If you want the most expensive you need to hone up on alcohol and specifically ask for a certain pour. Guaranteed that most people don't give a darn...vodka to them is vodka and a bloody mary is a bloody mary whether you use absolute or poponov. Besides, unless you watch your barkeep mix every drink you won't have a clue which brand they are using.

This is what matters. The cruise line allows it, it's your decision as to whether to bring him. Only you know if he is capable of sitting and behaving. Some small kids do well and some don't.

 

And really if others don't like it that's too bad. Yes you should remove your child if he becomes disruptive but it is also unreasonable for people to say you shouldn't bring a child into a restaurant that allows it. If it was adults only that is one thing but it's not so you do what you feel is best.

Best for whom: your child, yourselves, or the people you are sharing a ship with. I'll put myself at the head of the line when it comes to self-entitlement, at my age I've earned it, but that doesn't mean I leave my common sense at home on a shelf. People are paying upwards of a hundred bucks (with dinner and wine and a drink for two) and many of them do regard the steak houses as somewhere to enjoy some romantic or quiet time relaxing over a well done dinner. They, too, are paying for their cruise and the venue.

This is what the OP posted:

We have a toddler who will be 19 months when we sail in November. Can we take him to David's with us, or is this a really horrible thing to do? We would go early...

We travel in a large family group and have one simple rule...no toddlers, or infants, or pre-schoolers allowed. Those of us of the "older generation" know that a cruise is not designed for young children and the fact of the matter is that the child won't remember the experience anywhos...but those traveling with them will, and the experience isn't always pleasant.

The one time we relaxed our rule we allowed some of the younger kids to come with their parents, but those parents also paid the fare of a darling 16 year old "nanny" whose free cruise included the fact that she would be oncall for babysitting duties when the parents wanted some adult time. (and it wasn't like she was forced to watch the kids 24/7). And a good time was had by all and sisters who didn't get to see much of each other (they lived on opposite sides of the US) got to have some good family time with their little ones.

If parents want to travel with their young ums they need to also sacrifice for them and not try and take them along to functions that are geared for other adult passengers. I don't think you can have everything on a vacation where you are sharing space with a few thousand other people. You have to be willing to compromise, regardless if the children are "allowed" into certain venues.

And, as I am sure many others will testify, oftentimes parents become obtuse to the disturbances their little ones cause and go on about their business even when they are faced with a fussy or noisy child.

I can't believe the number of people who are pulling out the "pity me, I have a disability" card, or who actually are riding the OP for not being more considerate, or more equitable, or who are actually insinuating that the OP is a bad person for not wanting a vacation they are paying for to measure up to their expectations.

Both parties are (I'm presuming) adults and they all know that (heaven help us) life is not fair. I'm not going to dumb down a vacation I was looking forward to in order to accommodate someone else's misfortune...why should I have to become cerebral to "prove" that I'm a nice person and a good friend. This isn't a single day "in the life" but a looked forward to vacation.

I wonder how many who are berating the OP would actually change their plans just to be a "good" friend. And isn't friendship a two way street where both parties are responsible to each other.

I fully understand the op's concerns. She knows her (I am assuming the she part so forgive me if I am incorrect) traveling companions, we don't. If she has some trepidation it is because she knows what may transpire because of everyone's personalities. I, for one, am amazed that someone with an injury that may slow them down considerably while on a cruise would still want to go...that's a bit selfish in my opinion, and they should be the one to let everyone else know that they don't expect anyone to go out of their way to cater to them.

Since we travel in a group we laid down certain "rules" before we every got near the ship. No one is attached at the hip, no activities are intended to include everyone, everyone is free to do what they want when they want to, no one is expected to eat with everyone else, no one has to participate in planned shore excursions, rooms are not booked together. Anyone with priority boarding just gets on board before the rest of us. Those in "grand" rooms don't need to share with the rest of us...get togethers are in communal spaces.

And for all that it is amazing how much time we actually get to spend together...not because we have to but because we want to.

To the OP: just tell your friends you have booked a suite and will meet up with them once on board. Don't curtail your activities to include the "injured" one, he and his spouse can just do something else. Don't "ruin" your vacation by worrying about your traveling companions, they are adults and should act like it. Spend what you want...if they don't want to spend the money, go without them to shore restaurants and activities.

And....have a great trip.

"Entertainment" on a ship has never appealed to me since it can never begin to compare to actual "professional" entertainment. I live in a town where the arts are revered and we get to see the best of the best. I'd much rather see an audience participation event on a cruise since that actually makes it fun rather than any third rate production show that bores me to tears.

I have never, in over 50 years of cruising, ever worried about my personal belongings once onboard and I have travled with some very expensive extras like cameras, etc and I've left my room strewn with gifts purchased while on vacation.

One of the things I find on this forum is the people who presume to know something that is not in your original post. That add to MY commentary to go out and complain. Never in my post did I say that we took up extra time to engage in friendly chat or that at any point did I ask or expect them to do anything extra for me. Read where I said that he guided us without anyone asking or expecting it, also no one even mentioned the soft drink and he brought it. Just a cheerful chat and treating someone with true respect and sincerity goes a long way, and only takes a few seconds.

Also if some people were more engaging and less critical and looking to have some fun at dinner with others and not critiquing what is going on around them, they might not be cruising alone so much.

This has worked great for all involved, we get more personalized service and they gets more tips.

I'm sorry I thought I read in your initial post that you went out of your way to meet up with staff who you had befriended and the end result would be more personalized service for you....sorry if I read that incorrectly.

I think a large portion of cruisers, especially those who are seasoned travelers, are also friendly to the staff and engage them whenever possible, not for any "extra" personalized service but because most people, that I know, really like other people and enjoy getting to know about them and their history. What concerns me is that if you get a surly or uncommunicative staff member who does their job excellently but misses out in the "tip" department because they aren't chatty Kathys.

I think there is a big difference with "chatting" up the staff and tying up their time when they have other duties.

A little common sense goes a long way. Save big discussions for the dessert round when other tables have cleared and people have had their dinner....then it is great to get to know your staff. And if they are working in other areas during the day, of course say hello and recognize them but don't expect personalized treatment or little extras that aren't part of their job.

Motive is also of concern. If you like people and like getting to know them have at it. If you are doing it to get your own personal "butler"...enough said.

Good morning,

Since your rooms aren't connecting you should be able to have the divider opened and share balcony space.

As pointed out you did choose a cabin area that will have activity below most of the day and night. That being said, if you are seated on your balcony people can't see you, but when you stand you and those in the hot tubs will have a direct line of sight between you, so not much privacy.

If you are a people person you will get lots of entertainment and interaction while out on your deck. And the location is convenient to elevators and stairs.

Have a good trip.

With a little help ,being hit by a foreign object " Chair " a person could easily jump in a upper motion projecting themselves over the rail.

If a person could "jump" that high they would have won a medal at the Olympics. You are beginning to sound a bit silly...sometimes it is better to let someone else win an argument than show complete ignorance.

And, Bo, guess I should head out to sea to gather myself some lawn furniture since in your scenerio the ocean must be crawling with the stuff "blown" overboard.

Sorry, but I (and most people) don't have the same mass to surface area of a lounge chair (I weigh more and am not basically a flat surface), so my aerodynamics are way different than a lounge chair. There is a video out there where a Washington state news reporter was blown over by 100 mph winds, but she never left her feet, or was lifted off her feet.

Good morning, Chengkp75, and thanks for all your excellent posts. It's nice to have someone on these boards with the ability to understand basic physics and the principals of ship design that keep us safe and healthy on our cruises.

I don't understand how people can, with a clear conscience, continue to rattle on about how "simple" it would be to fall off a ship. If I remember correctly most public areas of a ship where activities occur are protected with not only a railing that is chest high for me (and I'm tall) but with plexiglass screens and angled wind screens above.

If someone wants to "fall" off of a ship they need to choose their spot carefully and they usually need to find a way to "climb" up and over a railing. When architects design they do so with the most stupid person in mind...making sure that no matter how intoxicated someone is that can't stumble and fall off a great height. We call it designing for idiots.

Just my two cents...you're the parent and he's the child. Yes child. If you want him to go it's your call, not his. Just be matter of fact about it.

What do you, as a parent, gain from forcing an older teen from following your will...probably a child who may be grumpy and uncooperative on a vacation and will, most likely, spoil everyone else's vacation. And the scars inflicted on everyone will raise their heads, again, at many an inopportune time.

Once children are given responsibility and find their place in the scheme of things it should be imperative to "listen" to them...and an 18 year old isn't a child, he is a young adult with a mind of his own, as much as some parents can't seem to grasp that.

The longer apron strings are kept tightly pulled the harder it is for their offspring to move forward, to make meaningful decisions about their paths, to become a part of a world they will inhabit for, hopefully, the next 60 years.

I would give him 2 choices. 1 you go on the cruise with us or 2. you make your whole family miss their vacation so you dont have to miss 4.5 hours of practice. but if you choose choice #2 then you will spend every other minute with the family. no cell no internet. no friends, no girl. we will have a cruise to our living room. and since mom would be on vacation and having the ship cook and clean for everyone and he is the only one that does not want to go he is depriving all the family of being pampered. then he can do all the cooking and cleaning. Watch he will magically no longer care about that 4.5 hours of practice. if he knows he cant see or talk to the girl then he would be willing to cruise. it might just teach him the world does not revolve aroung him. oh and my favorite choice # 3 when you pay the mortage, buy the food, pay for the insurance, you can choose when and where we go on vacation.

Guess you think a family is all about the parents being demigods and their children their "servants" and children should be seen and not heard and their feelings and interests and obligations don't matter a hoot. No wonder so many kids fly the coop at 18 and are rarely seen or heard from again.

Luckily, in our family, we have always thought of the unit as a safe place for personal expression and personal interests and everyone has a voice and a vote, no matter how young or how small.

The world, and a family, is so much better when love and compromise are part of the equation.

Lots of ways to meet people on a ship.

Go jogging, work out in the fitness center, sit on the pool edge, take a dip in the hot tub, join the line dances, spend a few dollars in the casino, ride the water slides, go to the dining room for breakfast and brunch and ask if there are other kids their age to sit with, ask a group if you can join them for trivia, go to the bars in the evening (you don't need to be 21) and sit close to people in your age group. Meeting people is all about putting yourself "out there" and starting up conversations...people are pretty receptive to nice, friendly people who project an interest in other people.

When you turn 18 or 19 you no longer have the comfort of forced socialization like you do in high school...for most new jobs or college is all about meeting new people and getting to know them. I think the best thing parents can do on cruises is to make sure they push the kids out of the nest and not expecting them to join the parents for meals and activities.

Having traveled quite a bit during spring break I can say that the demographic is much younger...but that doesn't mean just "kids and parents".

As the OP probably knows the lido deck is a great place to meet other young adults...and I don't think that your sons would necessarily want to sit on the serenity deck with "adults only". Also, if there are outdoor activities like slides, bb court, miniature golf your sons will have a great time and, if our experiences have been usual, they can easily join with others who use the same facilities.

If your sons are beyond the "shy" stage conversation on a ship is easy. Just because someone is not "legal" doesn't preclude them from having fun.

I have mentioned this before but I will reiterate:

Some people don't mind paying for some extra perks but I'm not one of them.

Out experience has been that if you plan your morning well...leisurely wake-up, breakfast near the hotel, pack up and exit room by eleven. Every hotel we have stayed out is very accommodating in storing our luggage for a few hours while we either take a walk around the area, or else we visit in the lounge until about 12:30 and then we are off to the port. If the hotel has a service to the port they have also been helpful in driving us later. If not it is usually a short taxi or limo ride.

When we get to the port we rarely encounter an outside line. We head to check-in and almost always board immediately. By then the rooms are open so we drop off our carry-on and head to lido for our lunch...encountering plenty of open tables, plenty of food, and a much more relaxed lunch experience.

We schedule our shore activities at tender ports to make sure it isn't necessary to get the first tender out. And FTTF doesn't help with the return to the ship. If we "ever" need guest services we just time our visit when no one else is there. We don't remove tips, bring along enough cash, don't book a cabana, and use our room phone if we need to contact a particular dept.

We book a later flight home, leave the ship with the last group, don't do self-assist debarking.

Can't see any reason to pay additional monies for things we wouldn't ever use. A little planning and some patience is all we need to make our cruise very enjoyable.

And, to top it off, our cruise fare stays reasonable what with Carnival making extra money and profit off of a service that costs them absolutely nothing. A win for us.

Sounds like the OP purchased a suite, which gets priority boarding, and booked an interior. For whatever reason she divided the adults and only one adult is listed as a suite occupant. She would like to keep the family together when boarding.

I don't know the answer to your dilemma. Rules state that only suite occupants and their minor children can board with them....so it seems the husband is the odd man out. Will they let you all board together...all the OP can do is ask. If the check-in people say no then it would sound reasonable for everyone that gets priority embarkation to just wait until the husband's number is called.

Have I over-simplified this?

As others have said an out of country birth certificate will not work without further documentation to prove your legal status to ensure you can cruise from your embarkation port. Before I had a passport I had to also carry my naturalization papers. Any foreign national sailing from a US port needs a passport...and unless you can prove otherwise since you are sailing with an out-of country birth certificate you need to prove your "current" nationality.

I'd invest in a passport...if you have one that is all you will need.

Just a hunch, but you see the line swell when they add the gratuities to peoples account. You can bet you get a lot of them questioning that....Again, just a hunch, but there are more than a few of those passengers requesting they be removed too....MOOCHES

But that is just the last evening, right? What do people need the rest of the time? I can use the phone in my room to make requests for extras or leave a note for my steward which is always followed through by them.

I can't ever remember using the guest services line since "billing" has been sent to our room TV. What do people use it for, anywhos?