The Risks of Taking Children on a Cruise Lawlor, White & Murphey (2024)
For many families with young children, taking a cruise seems like an attractive option for their next vacation. And cruise ship vacations do indeed offer many youngster-friendly perks, often featuring both onshore and onboard child care excursions, kids clubs, and sweeping buffets that can satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Yes, cruise ships can be a treasure trove of fun activities for young passengers, with pools, water slides, game rooms, and more.
However, before deciding to take your young children on a cruise, it’s important to understand the risks. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common cruise ship risks for young passengers.
Health concerns. In a heavily populated confined space like a cruise ship, disease and illnesses such as the flu and norovirus can spread very quickly. Young children are at a particularly high risk, since immune systems are more vulnerable at this age.
Drownings. Even after numerous tragedies and much public outcry, many cruise ships continue to not staff their pool with lifeguards. Cruise ship pools can become very crowded, and all it takes is one moment for a child to slip underwater and out of sight while their guardian is looking away.
Dangerous surroundings. Unfortunately for parents of very small children, cruise ships are not baby-proofed. You cannot let young children play without close supervision, since there are plenty of unguarded pools to fall into, high-traffic stairways, and older children running around play areas unsupervised. And while going overboard on cruise ships is a rare incidence, it does happen occasionally – young children that climb on the railings are particularly at risk.
Kids roam free. While cruise ships are confined areas, they are large and full of safety hazards. Despite this, kids are generally allowed to roam freely, and can check themselves in and out of organized programs. It’s fairly easy for parents to lose track of their kids, which can be a frightening experience in the event of an emergency.
Sexual abuse. Many people are surprised to learn about the prevalence of sexual abuse and assault on cruises. There have been many cases over the past few years involving sexual assault, including the rape and sexual abuse of minors. Oftentimes, parents are lured into a false sense of security, and leave their children unattended. In many instances, cruise ships have neglected to provide adequate background checks on their employees, only to discover criminal histories down the road – after something has already happened. In addition, many cruise ships fail to offer adequate security, employing only a handful of security guards to patrol the ship at night.
In general, cruising makes for a wonderful family vacation, and disastrous child accidents are mercifully few and far between. Even so, as a parent, it pays to be aware of the risks and hazards of cruising with children, and to prepare your kids by taking time to explain safety rules and guidelines before your voyage.
But even the most vigilant, caring parent can’t eliminate the threat of child accidents entirely. Cruise lines have a responsibility to protect passengers of all ages, and they should be held accountable if they fail to live up to this standard. If your child was injured due to negligence or dangerous conditions on a cruise ship, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills and overall pain and suffering. Contact a seasoned personal injury lawyer with experience handling cruise ship cases, and take the first step towards protecting your family’s rights.
About the Author:
Since 1995, seasoned litigation and trial lawyer Anthony B. White has helped thousands of accident victims seek damages due to injuries sustained as a result of another party’s negligence. Included in America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals and selected to the 2012, 2013, and 2014 editions of Florida Super Lawyers, Mr. White specializes in car accidents, insurance disputes, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice cases. He is a longstanding member of the Florida Justice Association and the American Association for Justice and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Broward County Justice Association.
In general, cruising makes for a wonderful family vacation, and disastrous child accidents are mercifully few and far between. Even so, as a parent, it pays to be aware of the risks and hazards of cruising with children, and to prepare your kids by taking time to explain safety rules and guidelines before your voyage.
Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail. Children must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation to sail on trans-ocean crossings and remote itineraries, where there are more than 2 consecutive sea days. We do not carry baby food or formula on board our ships.
Absolutely! Each Disney Cruise ship offers lots of experiences the whole family can enjoy together, as well as many activities geared specifically to different age groups. Parents of children under 3 years old can sign their little ones up for group babysitting and playtime at It's a Small World Nursery on all ships.
Unfortunately, the actual number of annual disappearances from cruise ships is unknown. It is estimated that over 200 passengers have gone missing within the past twenty years.
For cruise lines and itineraries in more far-flung destinations, such as South America, Hawaii, and Europe, kids often need to be at least 12 months. Remember that a newborn's immune system needs time to develop, and travel provides many chances to come into contact with harmful viruses and bacteria.
Cruise ship kids clubs provide a safe space for young travelers to meet and hang out with peers and enjoy age-appropriate activities in inviting spaces. The drop-off programming allows parents and caregivers to get some alone time to enjoy the ship's spa, upscale dining venue or adults-only spaces.
Cruises are fun for kids of all ages, and there are plenty of activities to keep your toddlers entertained. Kids under the age of 3 can enjoy Toddler Time at the ship's playroom, where they'll be able to play with educational toys and interact with other kids around their age.
We don't mean to scare you: a cruise vacation is about as safe as a holiday can get and while most people never have a problem, cruises are -- like anything else in the world -- not exempt from things like theft, fights and sexual assaults -- not to mention bad behavior that has led to falls and physical injury.
If you agree that your child is too precious to risk, follow our guidelines to keep them as safe as you can. Unless they have your permission, they are to keep within your sight at all times. Turning a corner or dashing across the deck isn't allowed.
Kids sail free is a limited time promotional offer that allows for guests 12 or younger to receive a free cruise fare. This offer is only available during active dates. To secure a Kids Sail Free promotion on a reservation, all applicable names and dates of birth must be given when making a reservation.
Although Carnival Cruises has the most cases reported, this does not describe the magnitude of the situation. Under the industry's safety act, cruises must report incidences when they sail from any ports in the United States.
There are no police officers on cruise ships, but most vessels have small jails known as the brig, and unruly passengers could find themselves locked up if the ship's security team determines that they have violated the cruise line's code of conduct.
Cruise fares are per person which includes children and infants. When traveling with 2 full fare guests, additional guests in the same stateroom pay a discounted cruise fare. Children less than 2 years of age are not required to extend gratuities.
Under 21s – or under 18s if sailing outside North America – can only sail if they're in a room with a guest who's 21 – or 18 if sailing outside North America. The only exception is when they're next door, or immediately opposite, their parent or legal guardian.
For decades, citizenship in these cases has been a sticky legal problem, and there have even been international treaties to address it. Today, people born in transit are generally considered citizens of the nation in which the vessel is registered.
These ships are built to prevent anyone from falling overboard. You can't just fall over. The only people who go overboard are those who jump, are pushed, or get drunk or are stupid and climb on the rail. The only children I would worry about are teens.
There's so much to do on a cruise, there's little likelihood you'll hear your kids complain, “I'm bored,” once you're on board the ship. Indeed, there are ample amenities and activities on a cruise ship to appeal to all ages, making it the perfect vacation solution for multigenerational trips.
Guests must be at least 18 years of age or older to gamble in the casino, except for Alaska sailings, for which guests must be 21 years of age. Minors are permitted to walk through the casino but are not permitted do loiter or be left unattended.
The intimate ships of high-end lines like Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (or ultra-premium lines, such as Oceania Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Azamara and Viking Ocean Cruises) are refined, dignified and geared to adults.
Kids sail free is a limited time promotional offer that allows for guests 12 or younger to receive a free cruise fare. This offer is only available during active dates. To secure a Kids Sail Free promotion on a reservation, all applicable names and dates of birth must be given when making a reservation.
Baby cruising happens around the same time as your baby pulling themselves up: some time around the 8-12 months mark. Some babies crawl long before they cruise, but not all do.
Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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