Infants will no longer be allowed to sail on RCCI ships.

[raina*faith]

I know this is probably old fashioned, but my mother used to say before a child is 6 months old that their immune system isn't built up like ours. IMHO I would never bring an infant that young on a cruise.

[aloha43]

What are they going to require as proof of age? A birth certificate could be any child's. Perhaps use the hospital photo as a picture I.D.?:p

 

It seems that by the time a child reaches 6 months old they will have a birth certificate. They would have to do like any other child....get a passport unless there is a reason passports aren't issued to infants.....which I don't know the specifics.

[Sandytoes]

I just wanted to say I had to laugh when I read this. What a DOOM DOOM DOOM title, lol.

 

It's not like the babies are terrorists or something. Honestly, it would be difficult to sail with a child that young anyways. It's better to leave them with family and really enjoy the vacation.

 

A couple behind us on Cococay had to take turns going to the water to enjoy the day, I felt bad! I wanted to offer to watch their baby so they could both go out, but I'm just another stranger.

 

 

Well I tried to post the Web site -- CC denies it being it comes from another cruise website.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Blacklists Infants In Latest Blow To Passengers

May 23, 2008

[jerseygirl3]

The policy was changed after this incident I believe and this was posted on CC at the time also. The medical staff onboard is not equipped/experienced to treat infants so looks like they just opted to change the age limit

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352991,00.html

 

That may be what prompted this new policy, however, the infant you are referring to was 7 months old, so this new policy wouldn't have applied to them anyway.

 

Jo-Ann

[iheartbda]

What are they going to require as proof of age? A birth certificate could be any child's. Perhaps use the hospital photo as a picture I.D.?:p

 

Infants require a passport to board the same as any other passenger. International travel has always required passports for infants.

 

It seems that by the time a child reaches 6 months old they will have a birth certificate. They would have to do like any other child....get a passport unless there is a reason passports aren't issued to infants.....which I don't know the specifics.

 

Tongue in cheek.;) :D

[kingsgirl]

Well I tried to post the Web site -- CC denies it being it comes from another cruise website.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Blacklists Infants In Latest Blow To Passengers

May 23, 2008

 

No worries, I was just having a laugh at the title. I meant no offence or anything, promise!

[syotyu]

I'm going with the ICU nurse on this one. It is unwise to bring a tiny baby aboard a cruise ship. Starting an IV on a tiny baby can be difficult.

[Leafpeeper]

I'm glad we are booked on NCL for our ten night cruise next January because our twin granddaughters are being born on Memorial Day and are already booked on their first cruise when they are 8 months old. Grandma and Grampa will be swapping off babysitting during the cruise so our DD and SIL can get some R&R. Our DD would never leave her babies behind so we will come prepared with our disinfectant sprays and hand sanitizers. Our granddaughters will spend most of their time in the cabin and not in public areas of the ship. At least they will be able to enjoy the warm air when we get to the islands. I am bringing alot of books for some enjoyable reading on the balcony.

[lady_cruiser]

I am just curious as how they will handle this recent change for passengers that were already booked and were within the old policy, but now are not.... Fortunately I have no clients under this scenario :D

 

Should be interesting to say the least how they handle this potential "lawsuit" I feel confident will arise, if not "grandfathering" those previously booked or handled gently.

I am "not" flaming you but I am curious. As a TA shouldn't you have already been notified of this? And, if not, why didn't you call them and find out whether or not RCL will grandfather in passengers already booked before you even responded here?

 

 

 

[misty57]

Nonsense. Infants are no more vulnerable than 80 year olds. This is just an over reaction to a few cases. Many more 80 year olds have to be airlifted or die than infants. that being said I don't think its a great idea to take a small infant on board but its ridiculous to say its liability or the chance they may get sick. if so no one over 70 without a clean bill of health would be allowed.

More vulnerable? Yes they are. Most are not fully immunized. Their blood volume is much less. They are not just "little" adults. They react differently to illness and to the treatment of such illnesses. There is a reason there is a medical specialty for children. Not everyone and not every facility is capable of providing adequate medical care. 80 year olds are capable of making their own decisions.

[kingsgirl]

More vulnerable? Yes they are. Most are not fully immunized. Their blood volume is much less. They are not just "little" adults. They react differently to illness and to the treatment of such illnesses. There is a reason there is a medical specialty for children. Not everyone and not every facility is capable of providing adequate medical care. 80 year olds are capable of making their own decisions.

 

 

BINGO!

[jeriron]

We were on the LOS 2 weeks ago and there was a couple with a baby that was about 2 months old. They were walking around carrying it during the "Dancing in the streets" and in the casino. Think of all the smoke especially in the casino. This was late in the evening. I can't imagine what parents like that are thinking.

[Steamboatin]

OK here is a thought to consider.

 

You book a cruise a year of more out. You put down your deposit.

 

A month or two later you become pregnant. Deliver in 9 months or even earlier. New born would be less than 6 months old at time of cruise.

 

Do you get refund as the child was not conceived at time of booking?

 

OK now have I got anyone's attention.

[AMommyof2]

My DS was 12 weeks and 1 day old on his first cruise. It was DH and my first cruise, too. We kept him in our stateroom mostly, while on board. We were on Disney, and he was treated like a little prince when we did take him out. We made sure he had plenty of sunblock when on the islands, and otherwise treated him just like we would have at home.

 

DS is now 4, so we are well beyond the new ruling. I can see the cruise lines' positions, but at 6 and 12 months, they are still pretty vulnerable, so I don't see how this will make a huge difference, if the decision is based solely on potential health risks to the infants.

 

As for the family that was put off the ship because of their sick infant....they should have taken precautions in the beginning to ensure a safe, healthy trip for their entire family and be prepared for whatever might happen, given current passport regulations. I think RCCL was completely justified in putting them off the ship.

[AMommyof2]

OK here is a thought to consider.

 

You book a cruise a year of more out. You put down your deposit.

 

A month or two later you become pregnant. Deliver in 9 months or even earlier. New born would be less than 6 months old at time of cruise.

 

Do you get refund as the child was not conceived at time of booking?

 

OK now have I got anyone's attention.

 

I would think not, because the child was not part of the original booking.

[Sue L]

OK here is a thought to consider.

 

You book a cruise a year of more out. You put down your deposit.

 

A month or two later you become pregnant. Deliver in 9 months or even earlier. New born would be less than 6 months old at time of cruise.

 

Do you get refund as the child was not conceived at time of booking?

 

OK now have I got anyone's attention.

 

 

You can cancel up until final payment with no penalty. It isn't like the baby is going to be a surprise.

[aqhacruiser]

I think "Blacklisted" is a bit harsh!!

 

 

 

 

I believe this was a coincidence - Carnival changed their age limits right before RCCL did. I think they both realized how dangerous cruising can be for very young babies.

 

###

 

It very well could be and I agree with you it can be a dangerous situation and the ships medical staff is not equipped to handle a serious medical emergency with an infant. They are limited to what they can even do for an adult at sea which is why we see medical evacs from the ship but Peds is a real specialty and as one of the other RN's on here mentioned it is difficult to perform difficult procedures on infants unless a medical professional is used to dealing with infants everyday and it requires special sized instruments also which could make it harder to stabelize an infant without them. I think the word "blacklisting" is harsh also and I see it more as the cruiselines saying it's not worth the risk for a child that young. I would not bring a child onboard before the age of 3-5 years old but I know many feel differently and I respect that but depending on the itinerary and how far out to sea they may be on that cruise there is a real risk to a infant if they should become seriously ill if they are miles from land and the ship has to turn back to meet a helicopter hours away. It's a risk for an adult also of course but an infant in just more fragile when so young.

[aqhacruiser]

Not accurate, children under 18 don't need a picture ID when traveling to places a passport isn't required yet by ship.

 

 

see for example...http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/travelDocumentation.do#Dom

 

 

you can see from my signature what I think about getting passports but that shouldn't stop from giving accurate information

 

But why go thru the wait and the hassle and the expense to get emergency passports that were required for that couple to fly home when it's just so simple to get a passport to begin with? You need them to FLY home no matter what from a foreign port. Thats not an opinion, it's a fact. You do not need a passport to cruise to the Caribbean right now but injuries and illnesses and other things happen on cruises or in ports or emergencies back at home that require people to fly back home. If something happens to you in port, the ships do not wait for you and you are left behind. I wouldn't consider leaving this country without a passport so I can get back home if I ever had to as quickly as possible. That's an opinion:)

[jerseygirl3]

My DS was 12 weeks and 1 day old on his first cruise. It was DH and my first cruise, too. We kept him in our stateroom mostly, while on board. We were on Disney, and he was treated like a little prince when we did take him out. We made sure he had plenty of sunblock when on the islands, and otherwise treated him just like we would have at home.

 

DS is now 4, so we are well beyond the new ruling. I can see the cruise lines' positions, but at 6 and 12 months, they are still pretty vulnerable, so I don't see how this will make a huge difference, if the decision is based solely on potential health risks to the infants.

 

As for the family that was put off the ship because of their sick infant....they should have taken precautions in the beginning to ensure a safe, healthy trip for their entire family and be prepared for whatever might happen, given current passport regulations. I think RCCL was completely justified in putting them off the ship.

 

FYI...it's too late now, but you really should not have put sunscreen on a 12 week old infant. It is not recommended until the child is 6 months old.

[crusinmama06]

You can cancel up until final payment with no penalty. It isn't like the baby is going to be a surprise.

 

I wouldn't say that. Have you seen those people who don't know they're pregnant for 6 months? lol :eek: ;) :D

[iheartbda]

I wouldn't say that. Have you seen those people who don't know they're pregnant for 6 months? lol :eek: ;) :D

 

There are even those who gave birth and didn't know they were pregnant.:eek: :D :confused:

[smeyer418]

But why go thru the wait and the hassle and the expense to get emergency passports that were required for that couple to fly home when it's just so simple to get a passport to begin with? You need them to FLY home no matter what from a foreign port. Thats not an opinion, it's a fact. You do not need a passport to cruise to the Caribbean right now but injuries and illnesses and other things happen on cruises or in ports or emergencies back at home that require people to fly back home. If something happens to you in port, the ships do not wait for you and you are left behind. I wouldn't consider leaving this country without a passport so I can get back home if I ever had to as quickly as possible. That's an opinion:)

 

Its still not accurate and I do think people should have passports but they should get accurate information not colored by someones point of view.

 

The Department of State can issue travel authorizations by fax to airlines to allow you to travel home-without an actual passport. Its true that it isn't as easy as having a passport but people can decide themselves what they want to do without inaccurate and frankly wrong information. You are entitled to your opinion what you shouldn't do is give inaccurate information to make your opinion right.

[dforeigner]

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