The Lollipop Road

Archive for the ‘Cruising’ Category

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

In recent years, viral outbreaks aboard cruise ships have become a more regular occurrence.  When Norovirus outbreaks began to soar in 2002, passenger related sanitation became more of a priority for both the CDC and the cruise lines.  Prior to this, the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) had mostly focused on typical crew and ship sanitation issues.

Although Norovirus outbreaks also occurred prior to 2002, they were less prevalent.  The CDC, in addressing this question, points to the growth within the cruise industry as well as the ease with which the Norovirus is transmitted. 

Fair enough, but what has been done about the problem and is cruising safe for my kids?  Let’s take a look at what the CDC has to say about the danger of the Norovirus.

“Noroviruses are highly contagious, but infections are not usually serious. People may feel very sick and vomit often or get diarrhea, becoming dehydrated if lost liquids are not replaced. Most people recover within 1 or 2 days and have no long-term adverse health effects.” – Centers For Disease Control

Although the virus itself isn’t dangerous according to the CDC, children and those with a weakened or compromised immune system may be more susceptible and experience more intense symptoms.  If you are sick, the best advice is to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.  Confining the sick party to the cabin and limiting contact with others can also help to combat the spread of the virus.

Although the Norovirus is the number one outbreak reported on cruise ships each year, in 2009, Shigella, E Coli, and Cyclospora were also reported. 
Again, these encompass reportable outbreaks, which is limited to ships subject to the Vessel Sanitation Program, carrying 100 or more passengers on sailings of 3-21 days where 3% or more of the total passengers (including crew) reported symptoms of gastrointestinal disease.

In response, the cruise lines have been proactive in setting more aggressive sanitation guidelines for passengers as well as crew.  Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, for example, provides dispensers with hand sanitizer at the entrance to all dining venues and kids areas in addition to crew members dispensing sanitizer to passengers who may have missed the dispenser.  Royal Caribbean had no reportable outbreak of the Norovirus (or any other disease) between June 2007 and December 2010. Royal Caribbean’s outbreak free streak was broken on the February 22, 2010 sailing of the Jewel of the Seas, then again on the January 3, 2011 sailing of Radiance of the Seas and the January 28, 2012 sailing of Voyager of the Seas.

A quick look at the CDC’s Outbreak Update is revealing.  During 2009, the reportable outbreaks by cruise line were:  Holland America (7), Princess (3), Celebrity (2), Carnival (1), NCL (1) and Regent Seven Seas (1).  The numbers may not tell the whole story.  For example, one event for Regent Seven Seas may be significant in light of the fact that they only have 3 ships and there are fewer cruise each year.  In contrast, one event for Carnival, the largest cruise line in the world, may be less significant.

This information should be used in conjunction with historical trends as well as the CDC Cruise Ship Inspection Scores.  Looking at historical trends for the cruise line that reported the most outbreaks in 2009 may be telling.  Holland America reported 6 outbreaks in 2008, 5 outbreaks in 2007 and 7 outbreaks in 2006.  Of course, history does not always predict the future.

So, let’s take a quick look at the results in the years since we first wrote this article. In 2010, Holland America reported (3) outbreaks, a vast improvement, while Celebrity reported (4), Cunard (3) and Carnival and Royal Caribbean (1) each. In 2011, Holland America would report another (3), Celebrity (3), Princess (4) and Royal Caribbean (1).

Note the cruise line that is missing from recent reporting – Disney. Even with the launch of a new ship, they have managed to avoid any outbreaks since 2002. Likewise, Carnival had no reportable outbreaks in 2011, which when combined with the single outbreaks in previous years is a significant achievement for the largest cruise line in the world. We should note that Royal Caribbean has had a relatively good showing, as well.

In 2012, we’ve seen one reportable outbreak for Royal Caribbean and two for Princess.

The cruise lines that continue to have sanitation issues with respect to disease outbreaks, particularly with the Norovirus – Holland America, Princess and Celebrity. We’re not suggesting that you avoid these cruise lines, but perhaps you might want to take a few extra precautions when sailing. There are a few things that you can do to help avoid becoming sick.

• Wash hands frequently
• Sanitize your hands prior to and after all meals and activities
• Make sure that kids sanitize their hands frequently while using the kid’s club facilities
• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose if your hands have not been washed or sanitized

Check out the CDC’s list of suggestions for more detail.

One incident or one bad score should not deter you from choosing a cruise line or a particular ship, however, consistent failures or trends should be noted.  So, is cruising safe for my kids?  Yes, it is just as safe as any other vacation.  When traveling, we should always take precautions to maintain our health.  Disease outbreaks can occur anywhere, not just on cruise ships.  We’re fortunate in the fact that the CDC requires cruise lines to report these outbreaks, whereas a hotel or resort may not.  Use the information as a guide to stay healthy and enjoy your cruise!

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

Disclosure

In December 2011, Disney Cruise Line rolled out several unannounced changes in the way that it administers its extremely popular kid’s program. The chatter that ensued was quite overwhelming, so we thought it might be time (now that the dust has settled) to take an objective look at what really has changed – for better or worse.

Disney Cruise Line has always offered one of the most comprehensive and extensive programming schedules for kids of all ages. In doing so, they traditionally allowed some degree of flexibility in the age categories, which was always much appreciated by parents who sailed with children who straddled age groups. Officially, the categories are and have been: Oceaneer Club/Lab (Ages 3-10), Edge (Ages 11-13) and Vibe (Ages 14-17).

The flexibility that existed at one time would allow 18 year-old teens who were still in high school or older developmentally challenged adults to participate in Vibe at the discretion of the counselors. From what we understand, one or more incidents may have led to a change in this policy. So, as it stands today, Disney is strictly enforcing the maximum age for Vibe.

However, there still appears to be some flexibility on the lower end. We are aware of situations where a 14 year-old has been allowed to downgrade to Edge and a 13 year-old has been allowed to upgrade to Vibe with parental waiver. One thing is clear, however, this choice must be made at the beginning of the cruise and it may not be changed.

That leaves an open question with respect to the Oceaneer Club/Lab. Although the guidelines state that the maximum age is ten, the “unwritten policy” has been that children up to the age of twelve were able to participate. We have seen guidance that leads us to believe that is still accurate. We are sailing at the end of February and will return with a full report on the implementation of the new guidelines.

If this were the only change, it would have caused a bit of a stir, but probably would not have received as much attention as it has among families. The change that seems to have elicited more concern among parents is the elimination of parents in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab. According to the new guidelines, adults are only allowed into the secure space briefly for drop-off and pickup. Now, what “briefly” means is open to interpretation, but from passenger accounts it appears to translate into five minutes or less. Parents are also required to wear a badge during this time.

This change hits parents with children who are not potty-trained the hardest. Prior to this change, these toddlers were allowed to play in these spaces under parental supervision. Likewise, parents of children who require special assistance could also enjoy time with their children in these spaces. Now, they are restricted from using the space, which is what has caused the most uproar.

In order to offset the inconvenience of this new policy, Disney has added a daily open house where children and adults can participate in activities together. As a matter of fact, participating children MUST be accompanied by an adult. During this time, the opposite space (Club or Lab) runs the normal supervised program.

This setup has resulted in several complaints. First, the one secure space becomes overcrowded during open house. Second, children ages 3 to 10 are now vying to participate in activities within the same space. Third, times are not announced prior to sailing, so parents are unable to plan dinner or spa reservations with certainty. Finally, passengers have complained that the duration (3 hours) is too long. Our response – this is a work in progress and Disney will undoubtedly make adjustments that make sense for their passengers.

In the past, we’ve given Disney high marks for the flexibility in the kid’s program. Honestly, it really is what sets them apart from most other cruise lines. With this move, we’ve seen them move closer to Carnival or Celebrity in their implementation, so only time will tell if this will hurt their rating and popularity among cruising families.

Check back with us in early March for a complete first-hand account! In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts and experiences.

After covering the topic of safety at sea in depth in light of the November 2010 incident aboard Carnival Splendor, I never dreamed that I’d feel compelled to address this topic again just 14 months later. Well, unfortunately, serious safety related questions have arisen in light of the recent tragedy aboard Costa Concordia.

On the evening of January 13, 2012, Costa Concordia struck a solid object off the coast of the Italian island of Giglio. The twelve hours that followed will undoubtedly become legendary in a very short time, but we as cruise passengers must react to this tragedy with swift action today by changing some of our behaviors now.

I’m about to sail on my 32nd cruise and each and every time I step aboard, I wince when thinking about having to sit through yet another muster. Well, perhaps it is important after all. New passengers who boarded Concordia in Rome didn’t have the advantage of a general muster and organized safety briefing. Perhaps that exercise may have saved their lives that night – we’ll never know.

In accordance with SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), cruise lines are required to perform a general muster of passengers within 24 hours of sailing from an embarkation port. In the case of Concordia, she has three ports of embarkation, so the decision was made to minimize the discomfort by performing a single muster for both Rome and Savona passengers on Saturday. That day would never arrive for some.

Thankfully, most cruise ships departing from North America conduct a general muster prior to sailing, even during heavy rain or other inclement conditions. However, in the event that it does not occur prior to sailing, there a a few things that you can do to prepare yourself. It may even be a good idea to perform these few simple steps even if your muster does occur prior to departure.

1. Check your cabin to be sure that all lifevests are present and in good condition. If you have children, their lifevests should be weight appropriate. Any issues should be immediately addressed with your cabin attendant. (Note that on the world’s largest ships, Oasis and Allure of the Seas, lifevests are not kept in cabins)
2. Review the map on the back of your cabin door. Not only will your muster station be clearly marked, but the evacuation path will be highlighted. Make it a priority to memorize this path and any alternates as you begin exploring the ship.
3. Take 5 minutes to do a trial run. Walk from your cabin to the muster station, then to the lifeboat embarkation area. Note any landmarks that would help you to navigate this path in the dark. Having a small flashlight is an essential item for your packing list.
4. Make a plan for your family to follow in the event of an emergency. We cover this topic more extensively in our book – Cruising With Kids.

Keep in mind that your muster station may be a lounge or other public area. Not only should you familiarize yourself with this location and the various entrances and exits, but also familiarize yourself with its location relative to your lifeboat and other lifeboats.

Costa Concordia was an unusual situation in many respects. Within a few short minutes of impact, the ship began to list. By the time the order to abandon ship was given, the ship was listing so badly that launching the lifeboats became a rather difficult process. So, what do you do when your lifeboat is unavailable? Luckily, there are canister launches that inflate upon hitting the water, so a lack of lifeboats is rarely an issue, although in extreme circumstances there may be a shortage of usable launches. Ships are required to have enough capacity for all passengers and crew plus 25%.

In the past, we’ve always advised passengers to follow the instructions of the crew. Unfortunately, this event has us revisiting that mantra. While crew instructions are typically accurate and based upon the most updated information from the captain, the chaos on the Concordia proved that perhaps we as passengers need to be partly self-reliant, as well. For example, if the ship is listing at 20%, returning to your cabin might not be a wise idea, despite what a crew member may tell you. Lifeboats are only designed to launch up to a 20% list. I guess what I’m saying is that we need to utilize common sense. Lifevests are always available at your muster station, so you will not be without one should you not retrieve it from your cabin.

Never wait to react. Take precautions and always put safety ahead of comfort. Having said that, do not overreact. Know your surroundings. Before sailing, you should research your route, becoming familiar with water temperatures and conditions. Also, pay close attention to the daily report from the bridge and other posted information regarding route and weather conditions during your cruise. Having this information in the back of your mind might be useful in the event of an emergency. Many passengers jumped from Concordia in an effort to swim to nearby land. For some, the cold waters were unexpected and deadly. It is never a good idea to jump into the sea unless it is a last resort.

Remain clam, listen closely for information updates and don’t be afraid to consult seasoned cruisers who might be able to provide valuable information. Thankfully, tragedies such as this are infrequent. However, they do remind us of the things that we take for granted. Crew members train for these emergencies each and every week. Cruising is safe, but the risks can’t be ignored. Prepare yourself and your family for potential emergencies and you’ll feel much more confident and in control if and when an emergency situation arises.

Yet another reader recently commented on our much controversial Norwegian Jewel Review that we posted almost 18 months ago. Surprisingly, it continues to be the number one article in terms of views each month and it also continues to elicit heated, and sometimes angry, comments. In this instance, we moderated the comment due to its vitriolic tone and its direct attack on a specific group of individuals, so it isn’t available for the public to read (sorry – this is a family-friendly website). However, some of the observations made by the writer has led us to finally address head-on the notion that “You get what you pay for” and the frequent complaint that “I can’t afford a Disney cruise”.

We’d like to believe that the quality of a cruise and the level of service provided by the crew are directly related to price. While I believe that is a fair generalization, I’ve sailed on the best and the worst cruise lines - the cost of the best isn’t always justified and the hidden costs of the worst is shocking. This leads to one of the most frequently asked questions – which cruise line is the best value? Well, that is quite simple with respect to families – Carnival Cruise Lines and Disney Cruise Line. Hold on one minute – how can Disney, the most expensive of the mass market lines, be the best value? Simple, they provide an amazing product, along with amazing service, at a price that is less than luxury or upscale lines, such as Cunard or Crystal.

One of the biggest misconceptions with respect to Disney Cruise Line is that their cruises are not affordable. To that, I say, nonsense! You just need to be patient, have a good travel agent, or simply follow us on Twitter. We tweet all of the significant promotions available to the general public before they sell out. For example, we’re booked on the Disney Wonder for a prime week at the end of February. Our Deluxe Outside Cabin for four cost us a whopping $1,965 total, plus we get a $100 onboard credit. You’ll pay more than that on most other mass-market lines.

Okay, so you missed out on that special promotion or simply were not interested in those voyages – now what? Well, try Carnival Cruise Lines. While the quality and service doesn’t compare to Disney, the kid’s program is quite extensive and the facilities (including Waterworks and mini-golf) keep families entertained. A family of four can regularly sail for a week with Carnival for less than $2,000. That is affordable for most families, not to metion a good value for your money.

On the other hand, we consider any money spent with Norwegian Cruise Line to be a bad investment. No, we aren’t snobs, nor do we expect to receive 5-star service for a 3-star price, but we do expect NCL to compare favorably to Carnival Cruise Lines, the other mass-market cruise line within NCL’s price category. From a family persepctive, they fail miserably on that front.

So, if you’re looking for value, my recommendation is to wait for a super sale on Disney Cruise Line, or alternatively, give Carnival Cruise Lines a try. While the situation has improved slightly with the launch of Norwegian Epic, NCL continues to provide a mediocre product, albeit at a low cost, at least initially. If any of our readers who have sailed both Carnival and NCL would like to put together a head-to-head comparison, I’d be happy to post it. Until then, I’ll stick with my assessment and recommendations as it relates to NCL.

Bon Voyage!

Disclosure

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

If you choose to cruise with a child under the age of 3, you’ll want to consider the availability of babysitting or other supervised activities when deciding on a cruise line.  The availability of these services varies widely amongst cruise lines and can even vary by ship or time of year. 

In order to help you in your decision making process, we’ve put together the top 7 cruise lines with babysitting and supervised activities for children under 3.  UPDATED October 2011!

Queen Mary 2 Play Zone

1. Cunard Cruise Line - Surprisingly, Cunard takes the number one spot.  Staffed in the British tradition, nannies and youth counselors care for infants and toddlers from ages 1 to 6 in their Play Zone/Nursery.  They will change diapers, feed and care for your little one during scheduled daytime and evening hours, which vary by itinerary (generally 9AM-Midnight with closure from Noon-2PM and 5-6PM except the first and last days).  Also offered is evening group babysitting, which allows mom and dad to have a night out on the “town”.  The best part…there is no limit on the number of hours your child can spend there and it’s free!  Your tiny tots under 1 year old may play in the Play Zone too when accompanied by a parent or guardian (2012 itineraries will require parental supervision for children under 2 years of age).
2. Disney Cruise Line – Babysitting for infants and toddlers from 12 weeks to 3 years is available in the Flounder’s Reef Nursery (or It’s a Small World Nursery onboard the Disney Dream) from 9AM until 11PM each evening  (5PM-11PM on the first day) at a cost of $6/hour for the first child and $5/hour for each sibling (two hour minimum).  There is an activity area as well as a quiet area for napping infants and toddlers.  Nursery staff does change diapers if you provide them with supplies.  You may reserve up to 10 hours in advance of sailing (18 hours for 7-night sailings, 28 hours for 10-12 night sailings and 35 hours for 14-night sailings). Additional hours must be booked onboard on an as available basis.  This is the only cruise line that offers babysitting for infants under 6 months of age.
3. Carnival Cruise Line – Camp Carnival is unique in that it offers daily activities for toddlers beginning at age 2 and the youth staff will change diapers.  Free activities continue throughout the day (generally open at 9AM on sea days and 15 minutes before arrival on port days) until 10PM.  There are also breaks during the day to allow for supervised free play by younger toddlers and infants (6-24 months).  After hours group babysitting for children aged 6 months to 11 years is available from 10PM to 3AM every evening for $6.75/hour (plus 15% gratuity) as part of the new “Night Owls” program.  Several different parties are also offered during the cruise for fees ranging from $13 to $33 (plus 15% gratuity). There is no limitation on the frequency of visits and participation, making this the most comprehensive program for two year old toddlers.
4. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line – RCCL (along with its sister, Celebrity Cruises) is the only major mass market cruise line to offer in-cabin babysitting.  From 8AM-1AM each day, you may reserve a private babysitter (two are required, but you pay a flat fee) who will care for your children in the comfort of your own cabin for $19/hour (for up to three children in a family). They will feed, change and entertain.  This is the perfect situation for late night fun while the kids sleep soundly in their own bed.  All children must be at least one year of age, although, I’ve heard of numerous (successful) accounts of families rounding up when they make their reservation.  Another option for young children is the Royal Babies (6-18 months) and Royal Tots (18-36 months) programs, which are limited in scope and require parental participation. Oasis Class ships, along with Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas,  also have an onboard nursery that offers full services for children aged 6-36 months.  The fee is $8/hour and hours of operation vary according to each day’s itinerary (generally 10AM-Midnight on sea days with a closure from 4-5PM and opening 30-minutes prior to arrival on port days). The nursery is not open for babysitting on embarkation day. Reservations are first-come, first-served and you can only pre-book up to 20 hours. Additional hours are released on a space available basis.
5. Celebrity Cruises – In-cabin babysitting is offered under the same terms as RCCL’s program.  In addition, Celebrity offers Toddler Time, which designates varied hours each day as free play time in The Fun Factory for children under 3 who are accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Fun filled treasure chests, containing lots of infant and toddler friendly toys, can also be signed out and brought to your room for the entirety of the cruise.
6. Norwegian Cruise Line – NCL is the other cruise line that offers daily supervised activities for toddlers beginning at age 2.  However, diaper changing is not available.  You will be left with a pager that will summon you should their diaper become soiled.  Group babysitting for children aged 2 and up is also available from 10PM to 1AM each evening and while in port for $6/hour for the first child and $4/hour for each additional sibling.  The only activity area for children under the age of 2 is the Under 2 Zoo, which is basically a conference room (on most ships) with a dozen or so well worn toys where parents can play with their kids and meet other families. No real activity programs or babysitting is available for little tikes under the age of 2, making this one of the least appealing programs for infants.
7. Crystal Cruises- In-cabin babysitting is available for infants starting at 6 months, subject to availability.  The fee is $10/hour for one child, $15/hour for 2 children and $20/hour for 3 children.  There is also a children’s playroom available to children under 3 year old when accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Children’s programs and activities may be limited outside of peak summer and holiday seasons.
   

   Royal Tots Playtime

Our top pick for a 2-3 year old is Carnival Cruise Line as a result of their willingness to change diapers and no charge activities on port days, not to mention the ability to obtain group sitting until 3AM!  For infants under one year, Disney Cruise Line wins the competition hands down, providing the most comprehensive babysitting options.  Finally, in the aged 1 to 2 category, we’d have to go with Cunard Cruise Line due to it’s unlimited complimentary nursery and toddler program (this will change in 2012 when one-year-old children require parental supervision).  Although, if it’s in-cabin babysitting that you’re looking for, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line or Celebrity Cruises is the way to go.

No matter which cruise line you choose, be sure to confirm the availability of the program for your sailing.  Sign up immediately upon embarkation (or in advance if allowed) and partake in the various family activities that many of the cruise lines offer.  The Family Treasure Hunt was one of the highlights of our last cruise!  Cruising with little ones is possible if you choose the right cruise.

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

Disclosure