Infant on NCL

reynon · #1 (**permalink**) July 22nd, 2008, 02:24 PM

I am going to the Bahamas in November on the NCL Sky with my 11 month old infant - he will be that age at the time of cruising. I just found out about the pool situation and no swim diapers and now I found out there is NO babysitting at any hour for him. I thought there might be night time babysitting so my husband and I can go to dinner, but I guess not. Is this all true and if it is any ideas what to do with an 11 month old??????

CA Cruiser · #2 (**permalink**) July 22nd, 2008, 02:52 PM

You could bring a blow up pool and grandma or an 18 yr old. We have seen many families bring a babysitter with them giving them some free time too.

lfgaynor · #3 (**permalink**) July 23rd, 2008, 08:46 AM

Yes, unfortunately that's all true for NCL. Their group care starts for two year olds and as on all ships, diapers are not allowed in pools. The tiny blow up pool is a possibility as posted below.

Hopefully you'll still enjoy some quality family time on the cruise.

Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor

P.S. RCI has private babysitting for those over 1 year...next time!

Divemaster · #4 (**permalink**) August 3rd, 2008, 09:33 AM

Brought my 12 mo aboard HAL's old Westerdam, had a great cruise, and my son was at all the dinners, including the formals, with no problem. Well, maybe no problem - the now teenager just bugged me to death to take him out of school 3 days for cruise number 11.

On the flip side, I have seen many parents (mainly wives) a bit frazzled caring for their critters - depends on how fussy your kiddo is?

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynon

I am going to the Bahamas in November on the NCL Sky with my 11 month old infant - he will be that age at the time of cruising. I just found out about the pool situation and no swim diapers and now I found out there is NO babysitting at any hour for him. I thought there might be night time babysitting so my husband and I can go to dinner, but I guess not. Is this all true and if it is any ideas what to do with an 11 month old??????

kimbo · #5 (**permalink**) August 9th, 2008, 05:17 PM

We are in the same predicament. We love ncl, but they don't have babysitting for babies. We will have a 6month old at the time we are looking to cruise but we are looking at going to Bermuda where you are basically docked at the island for a few days...free to come and go. This seems to me would be a little less stressful and can do things around the baby's schedule instead of the ship's schedule. I believe ncl offers dinning on the island too at specific restraunts thats included in the price.

We are also considering bringing grandma since she has never been on a cruise and maybe for exchange for her cruise fare, she would watch the baby for us some of the time? It's just hard to find a boat that has rooms that hold 5 at a time. So we are still undecided about bringing grandma.

lfgaynor · #6 (**permalink**) August 12th, 2008, 03:19 PM

There aren't many options for infants as far as babysitting and pools/diapers.

Here are some options:
RCI: Babysitting for those over 1 year (in room/private/hourly fee)
RCI's Freedom class ships have a small splash area for those in diapers

Carnival:
Group babysitting for infants after 10 p.m. and also a.m.'s on port days.

Disney:
Babysitting for infants and toddlers (nursery room/group/hourly fee) and there is an area on both ships with splashing water for those in diapers.

Hope this helps.

Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor
Family Cruise Editor