Taking a Nanny on a Cruise

[jdb in AZ]

Some friends with six boys (oldest is 12) is cruising and took along a teenager to help out. The teen does a lot of babysitting for the family so the kids know her well. If you were the parents, would you pay the teen nanny, or would the cruise count as a nice gift/payment? BTW one of the boys (about 6 yrs old) has Downs Syndrome. He's a good kid and the bros love him.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Proper etiquette would be to pay the babysitter. I work in business management (fancy way of saying accountant for the rich and famous) and nanny’s always receive the maximum daily rate even though they get to travel to exotic places we all dream off. Ultimately they’re still working.

 

[dreamer17555]

It is not a vacation if they are working. Especially considering they will be taking care of a child with high needs. Also, everything needs to be very clear upfront. The hours they will be working, the pay they will receive, the time off they will have and any expenses that they are expected to cover themselves

 

[Bruno33]

She’s not getting a vacation. She’s working. I would have arranged this with a flat rate offered upfront.

 

[Flea]

Definitely pay them, as someone who has nannied (or similar to) in the past, they won't be on a relaxing break. They will be working, even if the destination is different.

 

[Lewisc]

Your friends are on the cruise. Are they paying the nanny?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Your friends are on the cruise. Are they paying the nanny?

They're well-to-do. I can't imagine them expecting her to do it for free.

 

[Pinkjgray]

Will she have her own room? I hope so!

 

[lanejudy]

They're well-to-do. I can't imagine them expecting her to do it for free.

Then I’m confused about the point of the question…

 

[Skippyboo]

If it’s thanks for watching our kids , come with us on vacation as our guest , that’s different from come on our vacation and watch our kids is a different scenario especially when cruises have kids clubs .

 

[mjkacmom]

Of course!

 

[dreamer17555]

If it’s thanks for watching our kids , come with us on vacation as our guest , that’s different from come on our vacation and watch our kids is a different scenario especially when cruises have kids clubs .

The OP mentioned a child with needs who may or may not be able to be in the kids club during secured programming. Whatever the plan is- it needs to be VERY clear to everyone (maybe even in writing) about what the expectations are.