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.

 

[DVCjj]

Well deserved PAY.

There would not be enough money for me (as mother of 2) to babysit on a cruise of 6 boys, one of which is autistic. Let alone no pay.

Nope.

 

[jdb in AZ]

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

Just wondering if there's a standard protocol. Sounds like everyone is in agreement.

 

[Pinkjgray]

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

You’d be surprised! A colleague of mine was offered a free plane ticket to Europe and a hotel stay—but in exchange, she had to help watch four kids for two weeks. Was there any extra pay? Not at all. But since it was her only shot at seeing Europe, she took the deal.

 

[Marrila]

Just wondering if there's a standard protocol. Sounds like everyone is in agreement.

You mean should a babysitter or nanny be paid for providing childcare?
Yes.

 

[dreamer17555]

Also if they are placing a child (or two) in her room without a parent she does not really get “off time” during the evening and should be compensated for overnight care.

 

[GoingSince1990]

They should pay her VERY generously. She is NOT getting a cruise, she is having to do hard work, and the fact that she is doing it while everyone around her is having fun does not make it better for her.

 

[tvguy]

I would hope she is paid for actual hours worked. Any expenses related to WHERE she is working should NOT be considered compensation.
I was lucky to be assigned to do stories on a cruise ship for a TV show I was working on. It was a two week cruise, and required flying cross country from California to Florida and back. 12 people worked on the show and went. The only concession we had to make was there was to be no overtime, we would get our regular 80 hours pay for the two weeks. One perk, our Union contract required that we be paid $50 flat rate a day for meals (this was 1980) if we are working more than 75 miles from the station. Well, meals of course, are included on a cruise. That was my gambling/alcohol money.

 

[ShaneDJ]

...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.

It's somewhat offensive to think that this caregiver would NOT get paid.

We have a family member with special needs and we pay well to the caregiver for all sorts of trips.

This "nanny" (actually caregiver for a special needs child) should both be PAID and given their own stateroom (so that they can recharge and have some privacy).