Babysitter onboard DCL Wonder?

[KathleenFL]

I just found out that DCL doesn't offer an in-room babysitting service ~ I'm wondering if it's possible to arrange this directly with a crew member (room steward...)? Has anyone ever done this onboard?

 

[MagicMe]

I don't know about having someone directly in your room but they do have a wonderful nursery that you can use (for a fee) called Flounders. I've heard nothing but great things about this area.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

As you said, there is no in room babysitting service. CMs on board are kep very busy and have specific duties, I don't think there is time for them to do private babysitting. DCL offers wonderful children's programs. If your tot is under 3 years old, they will be very happy in Flounders. There are cribs and beds in there for them to go to sleep if you wanted to have some late night time alone. They do charge per hour and you can reserve up to 10 hours on line in advance.

The Club also has down time where movies are shown and mats are put out for the 3-7 year olds to fall asleep to late at night.

 

[mmouse37]

Even if a crew member was willing and had time....DCL does not allow it. Think of the liability if anything happend....DCL just does not allow in room babysitting by their crew.

MJ

 

[PizzieDuster]

That was one of the the things we loved sailing Royal Carrib. The in room personal babysitters. They asked questions and tried to send the person who would fit my DD. We only had a sitter after dinner. The sitter would bring a book (to read when DD feel asleep but I would always show them were my magazines were). They were allowed to go anywhere on the ship except the pools. Sometimes the sitter would take DD somewhere we had YET to make it to like the library or Ben & Jerrys, or fries and a shake at Johnny Rockets (we would give the sitter permission to use DD's card). And let me tell you, when she's with a staff member, she was treated so special, she got spoiled. Picture your DD/DS walking hand in hand with their personal cruise staff member who knows where to go and what to show them and knows every one on the ship. My DD was shy on our first RCCL and went with the sitter to the kids club and introduced her to the staff where she became more comfortable. They mini golfed, got room service and it was great as DD was so tired from excursions, she would always fall asleep very early. My DD loved the personal attention so much she wanted a "sitter" every night. But we only did it about three nights (after the first time, she kept begging and we were sometimes able to get the same sitter). Those nights we went to the Specialty restuarants and then to dancing or the casino! They were always such sweet gals with accents that my DD would end up trying to copy It was truly a one on one experience - perfect for a shy little girl. One of the reasons it was so easy to get my DH to rebook for the Freedom then now for The Liberty.

The "sitters" were crew members who signed up for this service for the extra pay and tip. Guest Services has a list to make the best "match". But I could understand how scarey that may sound to some. But it wasn't at all... thankfully

For babies, Flounders is great, I've heard, never used it. When my kids were younger, the loved the DCL clubs. As my two boys got into their teens, they outgrew DCL and wanted the other ships. For my DD8 and then 9, the baby sitter really was a wonderful experience for my DH and I - made a fantastic vacation for all of us.

 

[AndymanGA]

Flounders is excellent.

 

[UK-Simon]

Unfortunately it's a law suit waiting to happen these days.

 

[lbgraves]

The one night we had Palo with our cruise friends one of their DDs who was 12 "babysat" DD8. We sat with them at dinner and the kids all went to dinner with the other couple who we were cruising with who chose not to go to dinner that night. They went to the show and we met with them outside the theater. We originally cruised with them in 2006 and have visited a few times since then since they only live about 4 hours away. It worked out very well for us that night. The DD loves Liz!

 

[KathleenFL]

Thanks so much for your replies! It's too bad that DCL doesn't allow this ~ I was asking, for a friend whose 8 yr. old daughter has special needs ~ it would have given them a chance to go to Palo.

" The Club also has down time where movies are shown and mats are put out for the 3-7 year olds to fall asleep to late at night. " Maybe they could ask about this, when they get onboard...??

I agree with you, PizzieDuster ~ Royal Caribbean has a great setup for babysitting ~ it works out well for everyone ~ the kids, parents, & crew....

 

[kcashner]

If the child is 8, that would make her the age for the Lab. However, depending on the special needs issues, she might be a better fit for the Club. This is something that would need to be worked out with the CMs after the family boards.

If her needs are such that she can be handled in either the Club or the Lab, she will have programming available during the time that the parents would go to Palo. Thus, there would be no childcare issue other than that they would have the beeper in the event of an emergency. I'd suggest booking Palo later in the cruise (rather than the first night or 2) so the CMs would have time to know the child and her needs and the child would have time to become comfortable in the environment of the club or lab.