Children on cruises?

Our cruise ship was a child free ship, but lots of cruise companies cater hugely for children. After going on my first cruise, I think I`d be terrified of taking young children on a ship, I wouldn`t dare take my eyes off them, even to blink!

Can't imagine why you would take young children on a cruise ship. They'd be happier mucking about on a beach on the Isle of Wight. ( or any other safe beach not too far from their home)

Numberplease, yes, that's exactly how I would be, interesting that you have been on one and feel like that, answered my question perfectly, thank you.

Suzied - I wasn't and our closest beach is 80 odd miles away, the OP was to query the safety of a cruise ship for a child.

It would be very easy for small child to fall overboard - many decks have open rails. I saw a father lift his toddler son up to show him what it looked like over the edge. My heart was in my mouth until he put him back down. Older children are ok, dependent on how sensible they are, but certainly little ones would be a huge worry.

Can't think of anything worse for kids (mind you for adults too- unless a small boat round the British Isles, or a river boat on the Duro.

Had 2 cruises - 1 ship had kids, 1 adults only. Kids seemed to enjoy it but personally I would never relax - never let them out of sight even teenagers!

I've been on 8 cruises. They have a childrens club, where you leave your children for a certain amount of time. This is a secure place, just like a nursery. I've seen the older kids with some sort of radio so they can find their parents on the ship. I can't see a child falling overboard as there are high barriers around the decks. Of course little ones have to be supervised at all times.

I have been on many cruises. Never seen a deck open to the sea!!!! Rails are chest height on an average adult. Shoulder height on me.
The stories of people 'falling' overboard are either stories of people jumping (for whatever reason, illness, bravado or stupidity), or more commonly drunk youngsters sitting on balconies. I have never seen railings that be climbed on, there are solid panels, of metal or very thick shatter proof perspex type material.
There is no way a child could fall overboard.
They have fantastic children's clubs and activities and the larger ships have their own dedicated splash pools etc.

It's a fantastic way to holiday. We always cruise and last year took our grandchildren (7 & 10). We all had a super time - choose a ship with a children's club (they nearly all have) and on days at sea you won't see them. We all enjoyed the ports of call (although grandson spent a lot of time shopping for Lego). They made lots of friends and cried when we had to say goodbye. 4 berth outside cabin if you can. Do it - you won't regret it.

Have been on many cruises. Royal Caribbean cater for all children's ages from nursery to teenagers. They have a wonderful time.
Princess cruises more for adults I would say.

We have cruised generally on ships which cater for older passengers with no children's clubs however some children are often aboard. The children formed up in age related groups and roamed the ship at will, running shouting and generally being a risk and nuisance to older passengers often with mobility and other problems. They seemed intensely bored and therefore got up to mischief. We didn't enjoy it either. The larger ships do have children's clubs and you often see them wandering around following a young person in charge but to my mind could easily get lost among the passengers. Choose cruise line carefully Ensure children are catered for onboard , but these are often the huge ships and personally I would not relax if my children/grandchildren were on board. In Terms of safety and also of everyone's enjoym,ent. I think they would be miles happier on dry land where they can safely run around and expend their endless energy.

Other people's children on ANY holiday are a nightmare. I adore my 6 grandchildren but I make sure we take our breaks out of school holiday time as other people's children yelling & splashing are not my idea of a breaK!
If I take my GC away that is fine- I am expecting lots of children but I want a nice quiet beach/pool to read by all day & relaxing long evenings at lovely little local restaurants.
We do sometimes get Bulgarian (I think) families with smallish children but they are so well behaved & they tend to come out in the late afternoon when the heat is cooling down a bit & are delightful.
Never fancied a cruise (I like peace & quiet & not too many- if any-other British people)but I'm sure I'd spend all the time watching our for stray children in case of accidents & not relax. anyway.

My daughter, husband and 4 children ranging from 8 to 14 and my husband and me all went on a Caribbean cruise. We all had a fabulous holiday and we thoroughly enjoyed the company and fun of the family and grandchildren.

Children and cruise do not go together

Trouble is that the parents were upstairs in the bars while their children were running around unsupervised on other decks, affecting other passengers and parents appeared to be completely unaware of havock created, presumably thinking all were having a good time. This is our experience, others will have different views.

Remember they might be sea sick. We had friends who took children with them and this was the one thing they had not thought about and the kids were seasick.

Have been on 2 cruises with children and grandchildren, the first time they were aged 9 months, 7 and 10, and the next time was 2 years later. Both holidays were a great success and the children were no trouble and had a fabulous time. The older ones joined the clubs and went there when they wanted to, the rest of the time they were swimming or doing other activities. The youngest one was spoiled by the staff and also enjoyed swimming in the little pools. Our children were well behaved and as far as I could see so were the many other children on board and I wasn't worried about their safety at all.

Agree with you grandmac. Our grandchildren are also well behaved and well supervised. Of course there are always 'those' types who should be on the fuddy duddy cruises. There's plenty of geriatric cruises to choose from ?

A bit below the belt that, really!

Just annoyed me to presume all children are hooligans and parents are sat boozing all night.
Just saying .....

Well yes- but. So when or rather if we ever take a cruise, we will make sure it's a 'no children' cruise. Especially if these days going out of term-time is no garantee.

And we are definitely not fuddy duddy, and we adore children.

No comment ?

We went to one holiday in Tenerife, making well sure we went mid September a long way from the end of school holidays. We had just looked after grand-children for 1 week, which we loved- but needed a good rest. We had kid's club doing the lambada and kareoke all day long next to and around the pool.

NO! We asked to be moved to another Hôtel - peace and quiet- bliss.

Our idea of a holiday with grandkids is to be in the woods, or by the sea- away from it all- exploring nature, looking at beach pools, doing sport and fun activities and games. Each to their own of course. If I ever di go on a cruise, it would be for a total cabbage holiday. For me, personally, a cruise with kids just does not compute.