Gratuities for an infant?

[SJ]

found answer

[AJI2596]

We went with our almost 2 yr old and did not have to pay tips on Carnival.

[swedane]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise. I just want to point out one thing. Maybe things are done differently in Scandinavia, but in the U.S it is not customary to take children and infants into lounges. Generally any place serving alcohol and where smoking may be going on are off limits. Lounges and bars are not viewed as appropriate venues for children. Not only would you be asked to leave, but would probably get dirty looks from other patrons.

 

Needed some time to "swallow" this comment....

Things are definately not different in Scandinavia. Never heard of anyone trying to bring infants to a bar here, as i agree this would be inappropiate and illegal too. But being on a cruise ship where alcohol is served all over the ship at all hours (pool area, theatres, public areas etc) we must admit it was difficult to avoid taking a baby in a stroller anywhere so tell me: how could we be off limits? If cruise lines alow children on board - along with parents, grandparents etc and at sky high prices too - they must be allowed to take up space anywhere on the ship. Dirty looks or not....come on!

[PattyW]

Needed some time to "swallow" this comment....

Things are definately not different in Scandinavia. Never heard of anyone trying to bring infants to a bar here, as i agree this would be inappropiate and illegal too. But being on a cruise ship where alcohol is served all over the ship at all hours (pool area, theatres, public areas etc) we must admit it was difficult to avoid taking a baby in a stroller anywhere so tell me: how could we be off limits? If cruise lines alow children on board - along with parents, grandparents etc and at sky high prices too - they must be allowed to take up space anywhere on the ship. Dirty looks or not....come on!

 

That's actually not quite true. There are a couple of shows on 7 night RCCL ships which are listed as "adults only" (at least Quest and the adult comedy show). Additionally, no one under 16 is allowed to use the fitness facilities or the solarium (unless specified), no one under 21 (or is it 18) is allowed in the casino, no one under 13(?) is allowed in Chops and Portofino during prime dining house, and of course, adults aren't really "allowed" in Adventure Ocean. So there are a lot of places where some, but not all, passengers are welcome.

 

That said, unless you were at one of the adult only shows, I am saddened that you were asked to leave because of a sleeping child in a stroller. That situation seems harmless to me.

[notentirelynormal]

That said, unless you were at one of the adult only shows, I am saddened that you were asked to leave because of a sleeping child in a stroller. That situation seems harmless to me.

 

I agree. If the baby was asleep, who cares? Its not like the kid was having an underage drink and if asleep not bothering anyone with noise, unless he/she is a big snorer! I agree, you should have been able to take the baby into the lounge. I would have thought nothing of it myself. Half the time the lounges were almost empty and even if not, adults make more noise.

[beachchick]

Needed some time to "swallow" this comment....

Things are definately not different in Scandinavia. Never heard of anyone trying to bring infants to a bar here, as i agree this would be inappropiate and illegal too. But being on a cruise ship where alcohol is served all over the ship at all hours (pool area, theatres, public areas etc) we must admit it was difficult to avoid taking a baby in a stroller anywhere so tell me: how could we be off limits? If cruise lines alow children on board - along with parents, grandparents etc and at sky high prices too - they must be allowed to take up space anywhere on the ship. Dirty looks or not....come on!

 

I understand your frustrations and agree with your first post about how wrong it was for you to be asked to leave common all-ages-allowed venues simply because you had an infant in a stroller with you. There's no reason for it unless the baby was truly disturbing others (crying, etc.). By the same token, I think that adults who disturb others with inappropriate behavior should be asked to leave too. It's not the age; it's the behavior.

 

In our experience, RCI is very welcoming of families with children of all ages. There are thousands of families who flock to RCI with their children, including infants, who rave about how good the cruise line is for families. It is a shame that your cruise wasn't a good one and that you felt the need to complain throughout it. As I don't know specifically where or when you were asked to leave, I can't say whether you should have been or not. If you are talking about adults-only places such as the spa, gym, Solarium, or casino, then I absolutely side with RCI. It's never appropriate for a child to be there, regardless of whether that child is an infant in a stroller. If you are talking about the adult-themed shows, such as Quest, then I also agree that it would not be appropriate for an infant to be there. A sleeping infant is likely to cause the adults nearby to censor themselves and be quieter then they might otherwise be. Venues that are age-specific are just that, not "age specific but it's okay to bring an infant with you." When you cruise with children, you must accept the limitations and differences from the times when you cruise with only adults. If you mean you were asked to leave the lounges, regular shows, and other "all ages welcome" places/events, then the ship's crew was wrong. I know that there are those who feel the need to give dirty looks and roll their eyes and who don't think infants belong on cruise ships. They are wrong and they are in the minority.

 

Still, you are not correct about a baby being allowed to "take up space anywhere on the ship." As PattyW points out, there are some areas and shows that are "adults only" (or similar), as well as areas that are "kids only." No one, regardless of age, is allowed in the pools or hot tubs in any kind of diaper or incontinence item. There are various age restrictions throughout the ship. Paying "sky high" fares for an infant/young child doesn't entitle that infant/young child to go absolutely everywhere on the ship. We all pay for the cruise. I'm boggled at how many people use that line that "we paid a lot of money for this cruise and therefore should be able to fill-in-the-blank" as if everyone else on the ship didn't also pay a lot of money for the cruise. Using cost as a rationalization is wrong, IMO. My DH and I pay quite a bit for our cruises, but we don't try to use the children's clubs or other kids facilities simply because we think we should be able to "take up space" wherever and whenever we want.

 

Also, I'm not sure how it is the fault of the cruise line that you chose a cabin that wouldn't accomodate a crib. If there is room for one and if you request it, they will provide one. (I think it's a "pack and play" type, but I'm not positive.) What else would have them do? Why should they compensate you for the cabin choice you made?

 

What other things or special service did you feel RCI or the crew should have provided to you or your baby? What were your expectations? I am asking seriously, not snidely, because I don't know your entire point of view, just that you were unhappy with the cruise because it wasn't what you expected. It would help to know what you did expect.

 

beachchick

[Travalerie]

I agree with most of the posters here who say you should pay for your kid. My daughter will be 1 at the time of sailing and we will pay for her. The people that work on these ships in the service areas for the most part are supporting families in their home country and make much less than people who are on the cruise. The way I see it, that extra $70 means more to them than it does to you.