Toddler on Star

[LiisaP]

Re: NCL Star May 2006
I have been trying without any luck to find some tips on taking a child under 2 on the Star. I read that the childminding rule of age 2 and up is not set in stone...is that true? Any restaurants we should avoid? I read that diapers are not allowed in the pool, but what about "Little Swimmers"?

Unrelated, is there a Chocolate Buffet on the 3-day repositioning cruise?

Any other tips would be wonderful.

[Heidi528]

The only thing I can help you with is the swimming issue. Diapers of any kind are not permitted. Or so they say.

[Ron Clark]

And I will add that NCL is very strict with age limits at the Kids Crew too.

It is set in stone........

[LisaP]

Diapers and swim diapers are not allowed in the pools, and I have seen this enforced. With a child so young, I'd avoid any restaurant that charges a fee -- in fact, there are age restrictions on some of them.

For some tips, click HERE, but please note that the diaper restrictions have been added since the time I wrote the article.

[Heidi528]

FYI - you can make use of the Kids Crew facilities at certain times, with 1 or 2 parents with the child. You can't leave the child there.

Kids Crew will not change diapers on any age child either. Fair enough! If a child is still in diapers and in the facilities, you get beeped for a diaper change.

[LiisaP]

Thank you for your replies. LisaP: I read your article, it was very good. I can see you've been cruising with kids for quite some time!

Heidi: thanks for your note on Kids Krew...I was wondering if I could go in and play with my toddler. I hope we can as it looks like it would be lots of fun for him.

One thing I have noticed with the online cruise boards is that everyone seems to have a different answer so I'm beginning to think that it really varies by cruise, staff, etc.

[LiisaP]

Me again!

I was wondering about safety in the cabins. Can you tell me if I will need to block off access to anything? I presume the door to the balcony can be locked?

With the pool issue, if I put a regular bathing suit on my toddler, he can go in the pool? It seems kind of silly since the swim diapers are designed to hold in any "accidents" whereas the regular swim suit will not.

[Ron Clark]

If the child isn't potty trained, you shouldn't put the child into any public pool, no matter what they are wearing.

It's very unhealthy for eveyone else. Read this CDC web page:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/...rovirus-qa.htm

Specifically::

Are noroviruses contagious?

Noroviruses are very contagious and can spread easily from person to person. Both stool and vomit are infectious. Particular care should be taken with young children in diapers who may have diarrhea.

How long are people contagious?

People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery. Some people may be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery. Therefore, it is particularly important for people to use good handwashing and other hygienic practices after they have recently recovered from norovirus illness.

There's a reason for the rule! I highly recommend following this rule.

Instead, pack a small blow up wadding pool for your child.

[LisaP]

Liisa, even if he is not in a diaper, the pool attendants will likely ask him to leave the pool as most kids are not trained at his age. Ron's suggestion of a portable waiting pool is a good one. Enlist an attendant's assistance for filling it and, more importantly, emptying it (as it cannot be emptied into the main pool).

As far as the balcony locks, no need to worry.Sometimes even I have trouble unlocking them. I'd also suggest moving anything he can climb away from the balcony railing.

[LiisaP]

Well, my little guy will be very disappointed he can't go into the pool since he is in a swim program here in Canada (do they not have toddler swimming lessons in the U.S.?), but even though he has never had an "accident" in the pool before, I suppose since there is always a chance I don't want to upset anyone.