6 month old infant (less 2 days) question

[jbiz]

Hi all,

 

I have been looking to book my 2nd NCL cruise but just found out there is a 6 month old minimum age now on NCL. My Daughter turns 6 months on Jan 7th (born 7/7/07) the sailing is an 11 night departing on Jan 5th on the Gem and we are looking at the either an AB or A3 cabin.

 

are those 32 hours (until she is officially 6 months) going to make them deny boarding and/or not let me book it? if yes, do they ever make exceptions in this situation, where they are turning 6 months the day after setting sail?

 

any advice would be appreciated. the next sailing (which is Jan 26th) is a much higher fare and does not really work schedule wise.

 

Thanks.

[Cubechick]

Why don't you just call NCL and ask them?

 

(I'm not answering as I do not know.)

[jbiz]

Why don't you just call NCL and ask them?

 

(I'm not answering as I do not know.)

 

I did.. but you get the standard quick no and dont even really know about the policy, first they argued with me that it was 1 year old min-age.

 

And since I believe it was possible to book this cruise (technically) before the policy went into effect (though I did not know to look since it wasn't an issue last time we sailed), I believe there is a good chance there will be under-6-month-old's on board anyway..

[lvtotrvl1]

I'm sorry to say, but they are very strict about the ages...an infant mainly for medical reasons. The age for sailing is considered the age at time of boarding. I'm not sure how you were even able to book the cruise? I would really suggest calling and speaking to a supervisor before you go...maybe a physicians note will do. I don't think there is a good chance of other under 6 mos being on board. I really hope things will work out for you, but as a TA and having been in these situations with clients, I would definatly talk to NCL.

[jbiz]

I'm sorry to say, but they are very strict about the ages...an infant mainly for medical reasons. The age for sailing is considered the age at time of boarding. I'm not sure how you were even able to book the cruise? I would really suggest calling and speaking to a supervisor before you go...maybe a physicians note will do. I don't think there is a good chance of other under 6 mos being on board. I really hope things will work out for you, but as a TA and having been in these situations with clients, I would definatly talk to NCL.

 

sorry I wasnt being clear, I did not book it yet.. I was looking to book it.. I was just saying that since the rule went into effect middle of Jan of this year, if someone had booked prior to that, they are likely not effected (i believe) and then can have an under 6 month old on board.. unfortunately I am not one of those people.. so I am still looking to book something.. and was hoping it to be that one.. at traveling with kids is hard enough, leaving out of our home port (NYC) just makes it that much less stressful.

 

What would a Dr's note accomplish?

[lvtotrvl1]

I was just throwing the dr's note out there as an idea...don't think it would work. I really don't think they will allow the booking, but I would be upfront about it.

[jbiz]

I was just throwing the dr's note out there as an idea...don't think it would work. I really don't think they will allow the booking, but I would be upfront about it.

 

Dr's note would have been easy.. My mother is an M.D. :)

 

I'll call and speak to a supervisor.. maybe they can help.. Celebrity used to have Platinum or Suite Services (I forget what it was called) and they would help with things like this, not sure about NCL.. (i.e. 1 month after 9/11 we were set to sail on the new Celebrity ship and I wanted to have my parents and immediate family come aboard the day of departure since they lived locally, we were told they would not be allowing anyone onboard for security reasons (understandable). That dept in Celebrity, went out of their way to get things coordinated and the day of departure they met me down at the pier to escort everyone on and my family enjoyed the day on the ship with us.)

[RichardK]

And since I believe it was possible to book this cruise (technically) before the policy went into effect (though I did not know to look since it wasn't an issue last time we sailed), I believe there is a good chance there will be under-6-month-old's on board anyway..

 

Exactly. Whatever you said...............

 

Your logic sounds a little like Yogi's -- e.g., "People don't come here any more because it's too crowded!" :)

[newmexicoNita]

Dr's note would have been easy.. My mother is an M.D. :)

 

I'll call and speak to a supervisor.. maybe they can help.. Celebrity used to have Platinum or Suite Services (I forget what it was called) and they would help with things like this, not sure about NCL.. (i.e. 1 month after 9/11 we were set to sail on the new Celebrity ship and I wanted to have my parents and immediate family come aboard the day of departure since they lived locally, we were told they would not be allowing anyone onboard for security reasons (understandable). That dept in Celebrity, went out of their way to get things coordinated and the day of departure they met me down at the pier to escort everyone on and my family enjoyed the day on the ship with us.)

/As lvtotrvl has mentioned, most cruise lines for various reasons are quite strict about ages and cruising. If NCL says 6 months that is what they mean. go ahead and give it a try, I know you really don't want to hear what we are telling you, but don't count on them bending, good luck,, I hope you prove us wrong.

 

NIta

[CC Help Michell]

/As lvtotrvl has mentioned, most cruise lines for various reasons are quite strict about ages and cruising. If NCL says 6 months that is what they mean. go ahead and give it a try, I know you really don't want to hear what we are telling you, but don't count on them bending, good luck,, I hope you prove us wrong.

 

NIta

 

I agree -- and I would get ABSOLUTELY everything in writing, including at least one document confirming the booking and containing the infant's REAL birthdate on it. If that doesn't happen, I'd be very leery about spending money booking this cruise. Even if the scheduling isn't ideal, in that case it might be safer to book the later cruise when you know the infant is above the required age.

[isles1]

Aside from the fact I cannot rationalize why anyone would think of bringing such a young child on a cruise ship (and I am sure there are medical reasons advising against this), if you insist on doing so, why not schedule a trip later in the month/year such that age will be a moot point (the kid will be over 6 months old)?

 

Yes, I read your OP. It is more expensive and inconvienient to book later. All part of being a parent I suppose...

[garycarla]

Not sure what a Dr's note would have to say that would make any difference??

 

Dear NCL:

This child is okay to travel, so let him board even though you have a rule that says infants under 6 months can not sail with you. I am a Dr and I know more than you do.

Thank You.

 

 

A fake Birth Cert would be easier to deal with... hey, who said that?

[iheartbda]

If NCL makes an excetion for 2 days, why not 3,10,20...47..........?

Where does it end? There will always be those people who will push something to the enth degree so making it 6 months and STICKING to it avoids any confusion.

 

OP, unless the parents have kept them well hidden, I have yet to see any tiny babies on any cruise. Not saying there have NEVER been any just don't think there is a good chance that there will be other under 6 months old as you stated.

[electricron]

If NCL makes an excetion for 2 days, why not 3,10,20...47..........?

Where does it end? There will always be those people who will push something to the enth degree so making it 6 months and STICKING to it avoids any confusion.

 

NCL has this information on its web site for all to see.

This rule probably wasn't even made by them, but by their insurance company, or by government regulations.

 

It's not a type of rule they are going to bend a little, or look the other way.

 

It's not poor customer service when they will not over look a rule. It's the customer expecting them to bend a rule that's being bad.

[honeydog714]

you could book it and not list the baby just to get the booking settled and then I guess if you were determined bring a different birth certificate (yes I know it's not honest but it is doable) you could borrow a friends child's one or something, I mean how do they know who that baby really is anyhow, it is not like he or she has a photo id.

[jaja]

Aside from the fact I cannot rationalize why anyone would think of bringing such a young child on a cruise ship (and I am sure there are medical reasons advising against this), if you insist on doing so, why not schedule a trip later in the month/year such that age will be a moot point (the kid will be over 6 months old)?

 

Yes, I read your OP. It is more expensive and inconvienient to book later. All part of being a parent I suppose...

 

I am sorry , but I agree...

 

jaja

[newmexicoNita]

you could book it and not list the baby just to get the booking settled and then I guess if you were determined bring a different birth certificate (yes I know it's not honest but it is doable) you could borrow a friends child's one or something, I mean how do they know who that baby really is anyhow, it is not like he or she has a photo id.

you are certainly not serious are you?

 

Nita

[cruizinwithkids]

you could book it and not list the baby just to get the booking settled and then I guess if you were determined bring a different birth certificate (yes I know it's not honest but it is doable) you could borrow a friends child's one or something, I mean how do they know who that baby really is anyhow, it is not like he or she has a photo id.

 

So, then you have to go through the paperwork involved in bring their child. What if the child needs medical assistance. Who's permission is needed and who's insurance will cover it.

 

That is really a BAD idea.

[iheartbda]

you could book it and not list the baby just to get the booking settled and then I guess if you were determined bring a different birth certificate (yes I know it's not honest but it is doable) you could borrow a friends child's one or something, I mean how do they know who that baby really is anyhow, it is not like he or she has a photo id.

 

What Nita said.

BUT, in case you are serious, borrow a friend's child's birth certificate??? Are the names going to match for starters? Bottom line, it's not doable and it's DISHONEST. If the OP were to book it, try some hairbrained scheme then is "found out" when trying to board and denied boarding at the last minute, the whole thing would be a total disaster.