Man overboard...help

[Kayraras]

Help, my dh is terrified that our rambunctious five year old will get away from us, climb the side of the ship, and somehow fall overboard. Is this even remotely possible or is he being paranoid? How can I calm his fears?

Thank for all of your help, you guys have been great.

 

[tkd lisa]

The railings are all covered with plexiglass on the inside. He wouldn't be able to "climb" the railings like a ladder. Now he could drag a chair over and climb on it, but that's relatively unlikely. I don't think you can ever say never, but I have never heard of a kid falling overboard yet.

Before anyone beats me to it, there was a teen (14ish) who on a dare, jumped overboard, but that wasn't an accident.

 

[tammy bell]

We were very nervous about my 4 year old DS and 4 year old Dnephew also. It really wasn't an issue. Mostly we were on deck 9 (that is where the pools are) and it is almost completely glassed enclosed. They could not climb the railings because they are covered with plexi-glass. If you have a verandah (we did), he could possibly pull the furniture over and climb up but it is unlikely. I was pleased to find that the verandah furniture was relatively low. It is also very difficult for a child to open the verandah door. All that being said, you just have to watch them carefully. You will have a great trip, we did. There is so much to keep their attention that their little devious minds do not have time to go into action(LOL).

 

[Niagara2]

On our first cruise with a 4 and 5 year old we choose a room with no balconey as I was nervous they would climb. The ship had many child safeguards in the public area's and by the next cruise we moved up to balcony's and glad we did. There is a high lock plus the plexiglass. As long as you keep an eye on your kids you will be fine. It is the parents who let 5 and 6 year old kids run around and away from them that make me nervous. They don't have to be glued to your side but within sight and they will be OK. The chairs on the deck are the only problem and I never let them out there alone. We were fine.

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

The only places with handrails are deck 4 and deck 10 (and your verandah), so just keep an extra eye on your kids there. As the others have said, it would be very difficult for a five year old (or anyone for that matter) to fall overboard from one of the DCL ships because of the high railings and Plexiglas coverings.

That being said, a five year old could find a way to fall overboard from a submarine.


Bruce

 

[Dodie]

But...let's be honest....Is your 5 year old any different from the tens of thousands of kids who sail on DCL every year? Just think about it. If there is a "kid friendly" and "kid safe" ship, it would have to be the Disney one.

He needs to relax. Keep your eye on your kid, but relax.

 

[jrabbit]

deck 4 now has plexiglass on the inside of the railings. It would be really hard for a little one to get up and go over the side of the ship anyhwhere on the Magic or Wonder.

 

[Beezle2]

Originally posted by tkd lisa
[
Before anyone beats me to it, there was a teen (14ish) who on a dare, jumped overboard, but that wasn't an accident. [/B]

>>>

OMG! What happened to him? I hope he was ok so his parents could kill him! I'm soooo kidding, I hope he was ok, please say he was.

alisa

 

[lbgraves]

I think that he was made to stay in his room and got in alot of trouble for that stunt. It's not like he could get away with it. He needed to get back onboard and the KWTW card wasn't swiped that he left the ship. Not to mention the fact that he was soaking wet.

 

[Gupsmom]

I was very happy with how safe the decks were.

On our first cruise (Carnival) our kids were 2, 3 and 4. I was so scared on deck with them that I could hardly breathe. I had a death grip on them.

The next year we took our first Disney cruise (kids: 3, 4 and 5). It was soooo much better. I'm not sure you could fall off deck 9 if you tried. The plexiglass comes up from about 3 inches off the deck and well over your head. I (and I'm pretty paranoid about kid safety) was able to sit my kids at a table on deck and walk 30 ft away from them to get juice from the self service counter. I also let my 5 yr old get out of the Mickey pool and walk around the corner to the stairs for the slide. I would have never done that on Carnival.

We didn't have a Veranda (again, I'm paranoid) so I cannot tell you about those. The only deck that actually had a hand rail was deck 10 Even there the railings had plexiglass (no climbing them) and came up to about mid chest on me (I'm 5'5"). It would take a real effort to fall/jump off. ....and the only thing up there was the sports area (fully netted in and more of a teen/adult hang out anyway).

Jess

 

[Kayraras]

Thanks everyone. This makes me feel a lot better. I will have my DH read your comments and hopefully that will calm his fears.

Happy cruising.

 

[debm]

We have an 8 year old with Down sydrome who will find a way to do anything it seems. So on our first cruise I was tremendously scared!!!! And the 2nd cruise and the 3rd. But each time when I actually got on the ship I was fine. It is SO safe. I think it is the "thinking about it" that gets me "thinking." Honestly I have dreams a few weeks before we cruise that make me wonder if I really want to go. But once I get over that fear I am fine. And actually once we get on I feel so comfortable. Disney does a great job. We have never had a verandah but will have one on the 14 night repositioning but he will be older then. And the lock is very good. I think it is more that I have a fear of falling over and get very nervous myself looking over the verandah. Just be aware that if your husband is like me it is a very real, very scary thing. My hands are even sweating writing this. Yet on 3 cruises, nothing has come close to happening and we have 2 more cruises booked. One thing though is that we hardly ever walk outside on Deck 4. To me it is very windy and I don't like looking over the edge--guess I said that before. There is plenty to do on the ship to keep them busy. And if he is in the Club they only transition for some things and walk inside I'm sure or on Deck 9 which is all Plexiglassed in. Have fun!!! Debi

 

[DBBN]

This might work for you. If you have a balcony cabin and you find your child uses the table or chairs as ladders simply ask the cabin steward to remove the furniture. I'm sure they'll be able to comply with your request.

Have a nice vacation.

 

[TheWog]

He will be fine. I think looking over the side is scary than wanting to go. Our DS6 had no desire to try and climb or anything like that. He loved the verandah and to watch over the edge with me holding him, but beyond that it is not that attractive to them. Good luck and have a great time.

 

[professorandmom]

Ah, the dream! Yes, the horrible nights filled with terror before the cruise - they are going over you are sure! - I have twin boys (were 9 at the time) and I was certain that someone would give me a cardiac arrest! Well, I was SO SO SO relaxed on the outer decks - the railings are at a perfect height (by the way, one WDW travel book describes deck 9 as wrapped in plastic wrap)! We did have a verandah and, there, I did have the death grip on them but I really didn't need to.
Trust me, I think I am an award winning worrier and it was OK,
You will have a great trip and you will sleep much better once on the ship!
Enjoy!
Barbara

 

[CAMICKEY]

I had the same feelings when we took our first Cruise when my DS was 5. Needless worrying on my part although one should always keep their eyes on their children if the balcony door is open - exactly the same mentality as you would if they were in a swimming pool. - Mike

 

[jrabbit]

I did have the death grip on them but I really didn't need to

If you want to know what a real "death grip" is take your kid to the grand canyon. I think I cut the blood flowing to the kids hands from holding on to thier wrists (tightly) anytime we were outside near the edge of the canyon!! It is a sight to see but I wouldn't go again untill the kids are teens - to much stress on me.