How is the Lifeboat Drill Handled with Young Children (2 yrs & 4 yrs)?

[yvettpal]

When we cruised last year on the Wonder my then 4 year old niece refused to put on the life jacket and the CM's said it was OK and she didn't have to wear it.

 

[maddiemom]

The boat drill experience for us was completely miserable. Our dd (6) was OK with the whole thing...I don't remember her even complaining. BUT our 10 month old DS screamed terribly the whole time. There was no way any one in our group could hear anything that the CM was saying. DS was over tired, over stimulated and just plain mad about having to be precariously hanging on my hip in the hot sun(which it was very hard to hold on to him with my lifevest on)

A CM dismissed he and I a little early (little is the key term....like 30 seconds before everyone else!!)

Luckily after that everything got better after an afternoon nap. Just grin and bear anything that may happen and know the rest of the trip will be happy and fun!!!

 

[jodifla]

Hydster, that just sounds horrible for you and your son to have had to put up with. It's one thing to make sure safety procedures are followed, and quite another to be a jerk about it, especially to a preschooler. There is no excuse for CM's behavior, and he should not be working at Disney.

And woe to the cast member who tells me I have to keep my child facing in the hot son.

I'm glad you were able to move past it and enjoy your cruise, though.

 

[rsjj]

thank you Hydster!

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by JJsmama
Who are the lucky staterooms that get to have lifeboat drill out of the sun and inside? I've heard some do.

Last time we were deck 7 aft and had it in Animators palate. I didn't even kow some people had to stand out in the sun until I read it on here. We went in, sat down, I took my dauhgters life vest off, no one said anything about it. We had a cabin number check and then we all left, it was painless...though I am not happy about the thought that maybe we will be outside this time since we are in a different cabin this time (6608 if anyone knows??)

 

[tas190]

boy do I feel fortunate

The last cruise on disney I had a 1 year old and a 2 year old (plus a 9 & a 11)

When we got to our station with ALL of the life vest on the CM came over and said that I could take off not only the two youngests life vest, but to go ahead and remove mine (I was holding the 1 year old) I was HAPPILY shocked and surprised, knowing all the rules that the coast guard make you follow, but it certainily help and I was so appreciative of the CM and let him know it. Also I found the one CM who is in charge of ALL of the stations in our location and complimented the first CM to the lead(the lead was an officer)

 

[natdencro]

CM are usually more than capable of dealing with families with young children - and there is NO excuse for rudeness.However, there is no excuse for rudeness from guests either: which we experienced on our drill in AP on 6th March. The drill is for everyone's benefit - it's not a game.

If a CM sees that a child is particularly stressed, then they will usually make exceptions to the vest-wearing rule. Sadly, the rude guest in front of me - let her child carry it's vest and I tripped over the long straps - almost falling down a flight of stairs. Thankfully, this was only a drill!

For those guests who are on the outside decks: the drill should not take too long if you LISTEN to the intructions clearly. Ive heard many stories from CM's who say that they regularly have guests who cant abide by the simple instructions they give. (ie: stand in height order).

The vast majority of guests are fantastic during the drill - but it only takes a couple of thoughtless people to ruin a very well-organized routine.

To those of you with small children who are tired and "stroppy" during the drill - I feel sorry for you. We witnessed several mothers trying to placate their young child - while having other guests "tutting" at them. Please folks, - drill doesnt take long - and the sooner its over, then you can head off to have fun!Just have a little patience.

Nat

 

[KarenP99]

My 2 year old had a really hard time with the life vest (she's small for her age so that didn't help). The CM's were great, and once we got to the station we only had to stand there a minute or so.

She cried the whole time...I felt terrible, she didn't quite understand the importance of it!

Good luck