Childproofing a verandah cabin

[firsttimecruisin]

Hi all - we will be sailing on the Fantasy in December. Since we booked this rather last minute, the only cabins we could get that were side by side (going with my parents as well) were Verandah cabins. At the time, my kids will be 5 and 7. I know the doors have childproof locks, but I was curious how they work. Are they high up enough that kid can't reach? Is there anything extra we should request/bring to make the doors childproof?

We of course won't be leaving the kids alone in the cabin so we will have an eye on them at all times, but I want to make sure there is no way they can open those doors on their own.

Thanks!

 

[Weedy]

The veranda doors are difficult to open. There is a childproof lock located at the very top of the door. Also to open the door it is a handle and you have to rotate it.

Here is a video someone posted on Youtube that shows the lock. It is about at 1:49 in the video.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm 5'4" and an adult and fairly strong, and sometimes I cannot open that lock. It's NOT easy.

 

[ImDMous]

Like Bumber said, I have problems opening the door. It's heavy and locked all the way at the top. I wouldn't worry about, they are not going to sneak out.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Even if the kids escape, the railing at the verandah is high enough they shouldn't be able to climb up and over it. If it makes you feel better you can ask the room steward to remove the verandah furniture, but it really isn't necessary.

Our DDIL was a real worrier about the kids falling overboard til she got on the ship and saw how secure it actually is.

 

[firsttimecruisin]

Thanks everyone for your quick responses - this was all so helpful!

 

[bumbershoot]

Even if the kids escape, the railing at the verandah is high enough they shouldn't be able to climb up and over it.

And it's covered in Plexiglas.

You can ask your room attendant to take the balcony furniture away, but wait to see how the kids deal with the door first. Might ease your mind.

 

[coloradocutie]

Also, keep in mind that if the verandah door is open and someone goes to open the stateroom door, you can create a wind tunnel that could cause the stateroom door to crash closed. On our cruise we saw a family whose child's finger got caught in the door. OUCH!
Enjoy your cruise!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The door lock is way at the top of the door:


Lock instructions about midway up the door frame:


The lock itself:


Verandah rules:

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Word of advice, move anything " movable" away from the door, such as the little stool that can be rolled to the door and stood on, get the host to take it away.

One enterprising boy of 4 did it....my son. On a challenge to stop his mum worrying I asked him if he could do it, he went and rolled the stool to the door stood on it and opened it in a few seconds, it's not possible without it.

 

[Weedy]

Easy solution. Don't tell the kid that there is a lock at the top of the door.

 

[lucigo]

Not sure how difficult the Disney doors are because we had a handicapped room, but also be vigilant of the doors leading out into the corridor. When my son was 2 he crawled over my sleeping husband, opened the door and was walking down the hall looking for me. Luckily I was coming back with coffee just as a neighbor noticed him and was trying to ask him where he belonged. He wasn't very verbal at the time and we learned a big lesson. I have recommended the magnetic alarms for my spectrum friends who worry their child might wander, might be worth considering for all toddlers.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Not sure how difficult the Disney doors are because we had a handicapped room, but also be vigilant of the doors leading out into the corridor. When my son was 2 he crawled over my sleeping husband, opened the door and was walking down the hall looking for me. Luckily I was coming back with coffee just as a neighbor noticed him and was trying to ask him where he belonged. He wasn't very verbal at the time and we learned a big lesson. I have recommended the magnetic alarms for my spectrum friends who worry their child might wander, might be worth considering for all toddlers.

Wow!!! I'm glad everything turned out fine. Thx for the warning.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm stunned he could open the exterior door. But like you said, maybe the handicap room's door is different.

 

[lucigo]

I'm stunned he could open the exterior door. But like you said, maybe the handicap room's door is different.

It was the Carnival Conquest, all he had to do, even with the door locked from the inside, was to pull down on the handle. On the Disney Fantasy in the handicapped room all you have to do is push the button and the door automatically opens. I realize most toddlers wouldn't wander off by themselves, but for those who might think a midnight trip for ice cream or a swim is a good idea, I just wanted to point it out

 

[orion2185]

my wife can not open the door at all

I must admit that at times I struggle myself to open it