Guidelines for entering pool?

[DDreamer]

I'm not saying I would do this--but how does DCL know if your toddler is REALLY potty trained when they go into the pool? How do parents verify that they are trained?I was just curious to know what I would be swimming in. LOL! Is the water chlorinated?

 

[cathyrob]

From what we saw on our cruise, I guess DCL figures the average child is potty trained around 3. So, when they spot check the pools(although there was always someone at the Mickey Pool) they approached children who were obviously under three because of looks, they were with a parent, had a diaper on, or were using some sort of float.

When the Mickey pool was not crowded, we asked if your 16 month old son could play in the blue section of the pool, this is where the water shoots up at a given times of the day, some of the "pool watchers" allowed us, but there was one who always refused.

Honestly, the Mickey pool gets soooo crowded and becomes so foggy, I wouldn't want my son in it, especially with the illness going around.

If you are traveling with a nonpotty trained child, here is what we did. We trapped our son using the chairs, table, and railing as a barrier. He had a nice spot in the center, we all sat around him, and he played with his sand toys and a bucket which we kept filling up with water. He had a blast! We did this by the Goofy pool.

 

[jel0511]

First off, the first thing they look for are swimming diapers, and then by age. Also, I don't believe any of the pools on DCL are treated during the day. The water might be treated upon refilling them in the morning, but during the day there is no filtration or treatment of the water. So, the pools are MUCH cleaner in the morning than they will be in the afternoon.

 

[hilltopfamily]

Originally posted by jel0511
First off, the first thing they look for are swimming diapers, and then by age. Also, I don't believe any of the pools on DCL are treated during the day. The water might be treated upon refilling them in the morning, but during the day there is no filtration or treatment of the water. So, the pools are MUCH cleaner in the morning than they will be in the afternoon.

YUCK!!!!! No wonder they have so many problems with ill people on board. I cannot understand why they don't treat the water in the pools. How can I take my kids on a cruise in the summer, spend 3 days at sea, and tell them the water in the pools is too dirty for them to swim in? this needs rectified, if this is truly how the pools are! Anyone know more about this? Tell me they chlorinate the water or something? Pleeease!

 

[queenof4hearts]

I would never think that the pools are not chlorinated but I am no expert. Are you referring to cruise ship pools only?
I know that if my child is not potty trained he would be in a swimmy diaper, wouldn't they all? Diapers burst when wet and wouldn't you be embarassed if your son went #2 w/ no swimmy diaper? I could not let that happen!!

 

[jel0511]

I believe the water is chlorinated, but it isn't treated during the day, and there is no filtration system. like other pools. That's the reason by the end of the day, the water is VERY murky. I wouldn't let my DD swim after 12:00, it was just too dirty in my opinion.

 

[Univfire]

Hmmm, now this makes me wonder. My DD 20 months IS potty trained and has been for about 4 months now. She never has had an accident, even at night time. So will I be asked to take her out of the pool because of her age? If that is the case they should put an age limit or something up. I know 3-4 year OLDS who are NOT potty trained so the general rule of 3 is questionable, to me.

BTW, I'm not trying to start a debate on this, but I was planning on taking my DD in the pool a few times. I thought it'd be no problem since she is potty trained...we won't even have diapers with us! That just kinda irks me that b/c my DD is so young people will question my honesty about her being p.t.ed

 

[Michelle]

They most DEFINITELY treat the water in the pools and they measure the bacteria levels every hour or so; I've watched them do it. If there are ANY problems they shut down the pool, drain it, clean it and fill it again.

Univfire, you're a lucky parent to have a child trained so early. Although you may be questioned, if your child is in a regular swimsuit without swim diapers and you explain your situation you should be fine.

 

[mcnuss]

Thank you Michelle for providing correct information. DCL would be SHUT DOWN by the CDC if they did not have a pool filtration system or monitor the water.

Having said this, it is true that the water does not look sparkling clean late in the day. (As a pool owner, I could tell you the many reasons that this happens despute adequate chemicals, etc... but it would be too boring! ) To me, the major problem at the Goofy pool anyway was a) too many kids b) parents who looked the other way (or were not present) when kids were violating the rules -- jumping in was a particular problem - and c) the design of the pool is such that you have to be right on top of it to see in, so all the parents crowd around the edge.

 

[tecdavidt]

The pools do get dirty from sunscreen. It does wash off and it will make the water cloudy. Those pools are chlorinated, they are filtered and the water is changed. Kathy

 

[hilltopfamily]

whew!! thanks for the many positive responses. I know I was getting worried with talk of "cloudy" non-treated water and couldn't believe we would not be safe using the pools. I didn't think DCL could operate that way and am soooo relieved to hear that it should be safe for my family. Now I can go back to looking forward to some great fun!

 

[inkkognito]

And just in case all of these posters haven't reassured you, I can show you several swimsuits from both hubby and I that have been bleached out after only a couple of uses in the adult whirlpools! We each have certain swimsuits especially for the cruise.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[DDreamer]

Thanks everyone! I just got to reading all the replies for this post and I must say that I was getting very nervous after reading the first half of them. Thanks Michelle for clearing this issue up--you're really great! I can now rest assured that our kids will be able to swim safely while on our cruise. I can't imagine being on a ship for 4 days and not being able to swim!