Just Back...Cruising with a Baby!

[Wonders10]

Hi everyone,

 

My new husband and I just returned from a 5nt cruise on the Constellation. Our 8 month old daughter and my mom came as well. We stayed in 2 side by side A1 Aquaclass cabins on deck 11.

 

We ate in Blu every night, except for one because of a late excursion. The guests could not have been more welcoming and the crew was very accommodating! She slept great, loved the music by the pool and I never felt like we shouldn't be there because we had a young baby. Obviously all babies are different, but ours has been bitten by the cruise bug!

 

Feel free to ask questions about cruising with a baby or just cruising in general!

[Keith1010]

Wonderful news and so happy you had a terrific time.

 

Keith

[Clarea]

Hi everyone,

 

My new husband and I just returned from a 5nt cruise on the Constellation. Our 8 month old daughter and my mom came as well. We stayed in 2 side by side A1 Aquaclass cabins on deck 11.

 

We ate in Blu every night, except for one because of a late excursion. The guests could not have been more welcoming and the crew was very accommodating! She slept great, loved the music by the pool and I never felt like we shouldn't be there because we had a young baby. Obviously all babies are different, but ours has been bitten by the cruise bug!

 

Feel free to ask questions about cruising with a baby or just cruising in general!

Thanks for reporting, and very glad it all worked out!

[norwegianwood57]

It is politically incorrect to say anything otherwise.

[DebbieMacG]

It is politically incorrect to say anything otherwise.

 

Then why bother saying anything at all? :eek:

[Wonders10]

I choose to focus on the positive...like the families who stopped us at dinner and said how adorable and well behaved she was. Or the woman who came down to Blu on the last night and gave her a small bouquet of pink roses even though she wasn't eating at Blu that night. Not to mention the multiple crew membership knew her by name.

[cb at sea]

Listen, cruises are "family affairs"...no need to ever worry about bringing your kids on a cruise!!!! Ever!

[Ramblin Wreck Cruiser]

We were on this cruise with you and I'm so happy you had a positive experience. We saw many babies and young children on this cruise and all seemed to be exceptionally well-behaved. Every family deserves to have a good time on a cruise, no matter the age of the children.

 

My only issue on this cruise was seeing a baby in the hot tub for a good long while, in spite of the signs stating that this was a health risk. Yuck! I mean, even without the signs, you have to know that this is not acceptable, right? The pool butlers are of no help because they don't want to anger any customers, and I admit to being very non-confrontational. I just made a point of staying out of the hot tubs!

[norwegianwood57]

Then why bother saying anything at all? :eek:

 

Because there are many of us who dont see babies as blessings on cruises. Many of us who have had our holidays ruined because someone next to us thought it was a good idea to bring one. Why would a baby be on a cruise. No logical reason except convenience for parents if they are bringing their own babysitters.

 

If you see celb cruise ships as Ships R' US, I wonder how long it would be before you would look for ships that have hardly at all, so you and your babies can have peace and quiet from the others.

[norwegianwood57]

We were on this cruise with you and I'm so happy you had a positive experience. We saw many babies and young children on this cruise and all seemed to be exceptionally well-behaved. Every family deserves to have a good time on a cruise, no matter the age of the children.

 

My only issue on this cruise was seeing a baby in the hot tub for a good long while, in spite of the signs stating that this was a health risk. Yuck! I mean, even without the signs, you have to know that this is not acceptable, right? The pool butlers are of no help because they don't want to anger any customers, and I admit to being very non-confrontational. I just made a point of staying out of the hot tubs!

 

Terrible for those passengers who came on a cruise expecting to enjoy the amenities. Non confrontational? I would call is something else. I would call

it cowardly. Staff are to enforce rules. If not, then it is not just the hot tub, it is a ship run a muck.

 

Staff are to do their jobs. Dont look away and let it be someone elses problem. It is everyones problem.

[bEwAbG]

My only issue on this cruise was seeing a baby in the hot tub for a good long while, in spite of the signs stating that this was a health risk. Yuck! I mean, even without the signs, you have to know that this is not acceptable, right? The pool butlers are of no help because they don't want to anger any customers, and I admit to being very non-confrontational. I just made a point of staying out of the hot tubs!

 

I believe the health risk is associated more with the risk to the baby in heated water and getting too hot than in its lack of toilet training (which is also a big yuck for me, too). But, yes, kids who aren't out of diapers shouldn't be in public pools. I would have told security if the pool butlers wouldn't do anything about it. Some people don't read signs and others think they don't have to follow the rules.

[norwegianwood57]

Thank you for not posting just to flame me.

 

Those of you who know me, know that this is an issue that has nothing to do with how I feel about babies, toddlers or kids in general.

 

You also know about a couple of horrific cruises we had when next to a crying baby next door, or a ship overun with kids, whose parents totally abdicated control. Knocking on doors in the middle of the night, etc, etc.

 

So I appreciate being able to say, it is never about a few quiet kids on board. A couple of babies that bother no one and are ogled over.

[Wonders10]

Yikes, a hot tub? Besides the no babies in the pool rules, I would never put her in the hot tub of all things. Seems very unsafe.

 

There were a couple moments where our DD got a little louder than I would like during dinner, and I quickly scooped her up and brought her out to a quiet spot and then returned when I felt she was calmer. I also saw 3 8-10 year olds running and playing hide and seek in the adult pool area. Now that was annoying.

[Oceangoer2]

Maybe I'm germ-a-phobic, but I don't even go in the hot tubs...never sure who's been where before they enter, so I would NEVER put a pristine pure little body into what I consider a potential health risk; and that goes for little kids as well who have not built up immunity to what could be swimming in that tub. BTW..happy you enjoyed your trip with your bundle; parents need these holidays and if you can PARENT the child (some don't know how in the slightest) then good for you for considering others around you.

[DebbieMacG]

Because there are many of us who dont see babies as blessings on cruises. Many of us who have had our holidays ruined because someone next to us thought it was a good idea to bring one. Why would a baby be on a cruise. No logical reason except convenience for parents if they are bringing their own babysitters.

 

If you see celb cruise ships as Ships R' US, I wonder how long it would be before you would look for ships that have hardly at all, so you and your babies can have peace and quiet from the others.

 

I sympathise with you for having noisy baby neighbours but that's really not the OP's fault.

 

I laughed at the "you and your babies" comment, my youngest baby of four is 27!

 

The truth is that Celebrity welcomes passengers of all ages, so if that doesn't suit maybe an adults only ship would be better for you? I don't cruise during holiday times because I'm not a fan of ships full of children so try and avoid busy times. Maybe instead of people with babies avoiding Celebrity you should avoid cruises with babies so that your terrible experience isn't repeated? ;)

 

Oh and young babies should never go in hot tubs you are spot on there. For themselves as much as others.

Edited March 25, 2016 by DebbieMacG

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report.

[BubMunkeyBles]

Sounds like a great time! I think babies are often easier than kids. We toted ours around Europe a ton when we lived in Italy. I love having those memories still and photos of us all together in front of major European land marks.

[LabGuy64]

While Celebrity "welcomes" children as well as adults I think you can agree that the current primary demographic of Celebrity cruisers does not tend to small children ..or babies. that rather than suggesting that the adult poster find another cruise without babies....( difficult to do at the very least as you never know where they will turn up :rolleyes: ) perhaps the OP might try a Disney cruise where all the pax expect there will be children and babies.

 

 

 

 

I sympathise with you for having noisy baby neighbours but that's really not the OP's fault.

 

I laughed at the "you and your babies" comment, my youngest baby of four is 27!

 

The truth is that Celebrity welcomes passengers of all ages, so if that doesn't suit maybe an adults only ship would be better for you? I don't cruise during holiday times because I'm not a fan of ships full of children so try and avoid busy times. Maybe instead of people with babies avoiding Celebrity you should avoid cruises with babies so that your terrible experience isn't repeated? ;)

 

Oh and young babies should never go in hot tubs you are spot on there. For themselves as much as others.

[Wonders10]

A Disney cruise is definitely on our radar as is a return on the Oasis of the Seas, but I will proudly book with Celebrity again in the future. And judging by the number of babies and young families I met on this cruise, I think I will not be the only one. This cruise, our honeymoon technically, was a great trip and until Celebrity tells me otherwise, I will continue to cruise with them when it fits with our schedule.

[DebbieMacG]

While Celebrity "welcomes" children as well as adults I think you can agree that the current primary demographic of Celebrity cruisers does not tend to small children ..or babies. that rather than suggesting that the adult poster find another cruise without babies....( difficult to do at the very least as you never know where they will turn up :rolleyes: ) perhaps the OP might try a Disney cruise where all the pax expect there will be children and babies.

 

There are cruise lines that have adult only cruise ships, there will be no children at all on those. I don't agree that the current demographic of Celebrity does not lend itself to small children at all. During holiday times there are hundreds of children on board! That's why I avoid holiday times because I don't want to cruise with hundreds of children.

 

It's really bad luck that the person had a noisy baby in the cabin next door, but it could have been a door slammer (had more than one of those) or someone who shouted a lot or was very loud, anyone's cruise could have been ruined by any of these things, it's not just babies that can make a lot of noise!

 

If I have a problem with a certain "demographic" on a cruise ship, should it be down to them not to cruise on Celebrity so that I can enjoy myself more? Of course not! :eek:seriously :rolleyes:

[Tommy3putts]

Wow! This is entertaining.

 

We are a DINK late 40s and early 50s couple. I personally do not want to be exposed to cracker crunchers on a cruise ship. I sympathize with all the screaming kids horror stories. I have a few of my own. With that said, this thread sure got hijacked in a hurry. The OP was just relaying her experience on her cruise. I'm happy it turned out well for her.

 

Cheers

[james'mommy]

Glad you had a great time. DS started cruising when he was 5 months old. He learned to walk on an Alaska cruise. He was almost 3 the first time we took him on a land based vacation. He wasn't able to grasp the concept of a hotel so we explained it was like a cruise ship that didn't go anywhere. My only complaint is he doesn't earn loyalty points because he is under 18.

[jpc27]

Headin to the reflection with 4 under 6. Should be fun. Leave Saturday.

[PartyAllDaTyme]

My DW says she is used to cruising with a baby. Funny thing is it's almost always just the two of us:rolleyes::D.

 

A baby should not be in a hot tub or pool because of hygienic reasons. I believe there is an age restriction on gambling in the casino as well, or it brings a whole new connotation to "Baby needs a new pair of shoes!" They do not belong in settings where a crying or fussy baby could disrupt other patrons, where quiet ambience or a vocal performance would be impinged. The simple solution there, though, is if the baby becomes a problem, get up and leave. We raised two children, and that's what we did.

 

I understand that's not a practical option in a cabin, but that's a different story, since that's living space-- you have to put your head down somewhere. I think everyone's had the experience of a crying child in a hotel room next to theirs-- not really much you can do. When it happens to me, I just realize it's the luck of the draw and thank my lucky stars that I'm not in the same room with them. I figure if the kid's parents are willing to put up with the torture instead of handing them off to a relative for a week, they're more likely to be attentive parents who will see to it that their child's raised right. It's a small price to pay to maybe avoid being mugged by that same kid twenty years from now.

 

Celebrity is not an adults-only line. True, they cater to older cruisers, but families and passengers of all ages should feel welcome. It's certainly possible the OP could have left the kids with a sitter, but that's their decision to make, based on what they feel is best for their child. Babies are a fact of life, and are sometimes noisy. If I want a cruise that's completely free of the threat of a noisy baby, I'll look for one that does not allow them, or else I won't cruise.

 

So if you want to bring your baby on a cruise, you're welcome to book the cabin next to ours. Just keep the kid out of the poker tournament.:p

[Big_G]

There you go, exactly the sort of cruiser that ruins it for others. But keep in mind, when you find people like that, with kids that ruin other peoples holidays, or babies that cry all night next to you, dont tolerate it, get moved up, ask for compensation. We have learned to do that. It doesnt do much for the ruined cruise but it saves money on the next one.

 

Yes we always travel off season, and for longer cruises. But not everyone can. If more complain about Celebrity delivering a "modern luxury" experience rather than camp, Celeb will take note, especially if it costs them compensation.

 

And for the poster that didnt report a baby in the hot tub and chose not to get involved, it is people like you that those that bring their babies and kids hope the ship is filled with.

 

If you find staff ignore the rules, rather than enforcing them, take their names and report them. So in the future they will not be afraid of enforcing rules, but of being reported for not doing so.

 

See post #27.