My mother-in-law is taking the family on a cruise in September. I have a 4 year old girl and everyone is trying to talk me into putting her in Camp Carnival when we go. To say that I am very nervous about that would be an understatement. My daughter has a very outgoing personality so I don't think she will be scared without mommy or daddy, the problem is more from my end. I only allow family members to babysit her at home. I am very concerned with allowing her to be on a ship in the middle of the ocean with people that are not family. I am concerned on the safety of check in/check out from camp carnival and how strict they are with that and just a safety issue. Yes I know I am a paranoid mom! Can anyone help me put my mind at ease?

Well thats underderstood to be nervouse, espicallt if this is your only daughter and this is your first cruise. Dont be so worried. I went on a cruise ship this past september, I am 15 I also have 3 siblings 10, 10, and 9.
My parents signed them up for camp carnival and one of the days we were there I went to go to camp carnival to get mi sister to take her out for ice cream because it was her birthday, and the camp carnival wouldnt let my take my sister unless my parents were there with their sail and sign card to prove they were the parents. During the day att Camp Carnival there is tons of things your daughter could do...My siblings came back with sand art, candy art, different kinds of finger paintings, they got to do tours of the boat, they wouldnt let them go near the edge! They got introduced to the captain of the ship when they did the tour...they got ice cream cones and went ad had lunch all togeather, it was alot of fun, and your daughter will enjoy every minuite of it!

Have fun on your vacation..!
Meghan

It is perfectly understandable for you to be concerned about the safety of your daughter. And I hope Meghan's comments will ease your concerns.

However, you must accept that you cannot protect your child from EVERYTHING whether at home, on a cruise, or with family. You and your daughter will be a lot happier the next 14 years if you allow yourself to let go a little. And, she will be going to school soon. It will be a lot easier to let go then if you start now.

I do know exactly how you feel as I have an outgoing daughter as well. Enjoy your cruise and let her enjoy the experience of being around other children other than family.

By the way, are there any other children in your family going on the cruise? Camp Carnival goes up to age 11 so if there are other children in the family in that age range then you won't be leaving her completely alone.

Hi sprklbry, and Welcome to Cruise-Chat!

I understand your concern as well. They are very strict about the check in and out procedures as baby-balouga so excellently noted. No worries.

Dwayne

Hi sprklbry, and welcome to cruise-chat.com!

As a parent, I understand your concerns. Our son is now 14, but we've been cruising with him since he was a baby. Carnival does, in fact, have a strict sign-out policy when it comes to kids your daughter's age.

My suggestion is for you and your family to go to the Camp Carnival orientation they will have the first night of the cruise. This is usually held in one of the smaller lounges. The counselors will tell you about the programs and explain their safety procedures.

I'll also add that it's not mandatory that your daughter use the program. We have many fond memories of our son hanging out with us when he was younger. (Actually, he still does.) Yet, it is nice knowing that the program is there, so I do suggest signing her up that first night. She doesn't necessarily have to go for hours every night... our son was usually satisfied with a couple of hours after dinner depending upon the activities offered.

I put my 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter with reservations but they quickly took away any issues I may have had. They are very secure in check in and unless your name matches with your sail and sign you do not take your kids out. It is a great program and I would have no problems putting them back in again.

That is good to know for me as well my 8 year old neice and 7 year old girl cousins are going and I was a little concerned myself so hopefull it will all be okay.

quote:

Originally posted by sprklbry:
My mother-in-law is taking the family on a cruise in September. I have a 4 year old girl and everyone is trying to talk me into putting her in Camp Carnival when we go. To say that I am very nervous about that would be an understatement. My daughter has a very outgoing personality so I don't think she will be scared without mommy or daddy, the problem is more from my end. I only allow family members to babysit her at home. I am very concerned with allowing her to be on a ship in the middle of the ocean with people that are not family. I am concerned on the safety of check in/check out from camp carnival and how strict they are with that and just a safety issue. Yes I know I am a paranoid mom! Can anyone help me put my mind at ease?

Everyone had great answers and I agree. I would add only 1 suggestion. At the orientation meeting tell the councelors about your concerns, they will not only explain the procedures but know that you especially want them enforced strickly with your daughter.

I hope that I can calm your fears.

We started cruising with our 2 boys when they were 5 and 8....now the youngest is headed out on his 22nd cruise in May. (He is now 16)

We have experienced every age group on some 14 different ships (some ships multiple times) and have never had a bad Camp Carnival experience.

Since our youngest son has autism...I have a PhD in being overprotective. Camp Carnival staff have always gone above and beyond to alieve my fears.

You will also have a pager, so that they can contact you anywhere on the ship...should she need you.

I can only speak from lots of personal experience that she will be well cared for and you can have a great time!!

Thank you all for all of your great ideas and thoughts. I feel a lot better!

Thats really good. Glad to be of help...and if you keep worrying, you will have a horrible time. All you will be doing is thinking about what your little girl is doing. But there will be so many other kids, she will have a blast...

Our daughter went on her first cruise in Nov '05 as a newly turned 5 year old & was hooked from the moment she stepped on board. She totally loves Camp Carnival & all the activities they have to offer. We are headed out on what will be her 6th cruise this May & she is already talking about Camp. We go to the first night orientation as a family & have such a wonderful time. They have games in the disco & make your own ice cream sundaes afterwards. During orientation you are told about the camp & how it runs & asked to fill out some forms about allergies & things concerning you child. If your child is 5 & under you are also issued a pager to use throughout the whole cruise. This is in case you child is at Camp & is unhappy or just wants to leave. They page you & you can go pick them up. Also get the Camp Activities list, this has the whole week planned out hour by hour. Our daughter goes over this the night before & tells us which activities that she wants to join in on. She has such fun there & often choses to eat diner with "her class" as she calls it instead of us. No matter if your child is in camp or hangs out with you I know that you guys will have a wonderful time.

I agree with the others. Mine are 7 and 4, and have been in the Carinval Camps before as well. The first time was tough, but I can tell you Carnival has the best kids program anywhere. They have a ton of fun. It they don't like it or want to leave, you'll have a pager they give you and they will call you. You are always in touch. My daughter never stays more than an hour, my son would stay the whole time if he could.

I totally understand. We have temporary custody of our granddaughter who is now two and a half. We had the opportunity to check out Triumph's Camp Carnival WHEN NO ONE WAS THERE because we hope to use it this fall. It was like getting through Fort Knox and all we wanted was a quick look-see and to buy a youth-size robe. I can tell you we got only a quick glance and that was it. No one is getting in there unless they're allowed. I compare it to a hospital nursery - your child has a tag and you have a tag - you get that as soon as you embark not even when you're JUST in Camp Carnival. You are also traveling at a great time - schools are back in session so that means less kids in Camp Carnival. Try it once, see how it goes. If it goes well, then you know you'll use it again and again - at least to allow yourselves some respite time. From reading CC's information, it sounds like they have even revamped it, to make it even more secure and to break down the age groups even more since we cruised in October 2007. You may even see a more mature child when your cruise disembarks, maybe even a more personable child. If your child is personable already, you may have a future cruise activities director on your hands!

Hi crzcpl, Welcome to Cruise-Chat!

Dwayne