Want to hire a babysitter once we are on board.

[laurenbcl]

Is there any way to post an opportunity for a teen on board or an off-duty Disney employee to babysit in our cabin for a few hours at night? We would obviously pay them but as first time cruisers I don't know if there is any way to list our job once we arrive on the ship. Are there any bulletin boards or online means of communicating once we arrive? We are traveling on the Magic on the west coast in June with one other family and 5 of the 6 kids are old enough to go to the clubs but one will be 22 mos and the limits at Flounders seems very restrictive (no place to sleep and 10 hours max). THANKS!

 

[CraftyMouse]

Is there any way to post an opportunity for a teen on board or an off-duty Disney employee to babysit in our cabin for a few hours at night? We would obviously pay them but as first time cruisers I don't know if there is any way to list our job once we arrive on the ship. Are there any bulletin boards or online means of communicating once we arrive? We are traveling on the Magic on the west coast in June with one other family and 5 of the 6 kids are old enough to go to the clubs but one will be 22 mos and the limits at Flounders seems very restrictive (no place to sleep and 10 hours max). THANKS!

There is no way that I know of to do this...but...would you really want a stranger babysitting your kids in your stateroom? Personally, I would be hesitant to leave my kids with someone i didn't know at all, even if it was a crew member. (And I am fairly relaxed about giving my older kids freedom on the ship.) I'd also be hesitant to allow either of my teens to babysit in the stateroom of a stranger.

If you really want to do this I would suggest checking out the meet thread for your sailing. Perhaps you can find a willing teen there. Meet threads are located in a separate form and there is a link at the top of the main DCL Board page.

 

[kcashner]

Officially, no. The only system is thru Flounders. Employees are not allowed to provide such services.

You could always try the cruise meet section of this board and see if there is a teen who is willing to give up a night of vacation to babysit. Frankly, as the mother of a teen, I'm not sure I'd allow my teen to babysit for a family we don't know. Have you considered bringing a nanny along on your cruise? Yes, the older kids can sleep in the Club, but is that the best sleep environment for them? I can promise you that any who are Lab age will not sleep there (too much going on). Just thinking that with 6 kids, it might be worth an extra adult.

As one who has traveled with a nanny, I'd suggest that you define hours/duties in advance, as well as what you would pay for and what would be her responsibility.

Good luck!

 

[Jessieknj]

I don't think this is a provided service. Would you really want a strange teen watching your child? And I belive Flounders is 10hours you can book ahead of time but if there is time open on the ship perhaps you can book more once there. Will you be leaving them alot?

 

[OurMsBrooks]

As I recall, there is a separate, quiet room in Flounders with cribs. It has been a few years, but that's how I remember it. Seems to me there was a playroom in the front, and a sleeping room in the back. Anybody else know that for sure?

At any rate, I wouldn't want anybody to watch my kids in the stateroom. That would make me very uncomfortable unless I knew the person well. Also, as the mom of a babysitter, I honestly wouldn't want her to give up time on this incredibly expensive vacation to make a few bucks babysitting, when she could be out having the time of her life.

I also think that the 10 hours is just what you can book ahead. I think they'll take your child as much as you want depending on availability.

 

[laurenbcl]

Thanks everyone - very helpful!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

OurMsBrooks is correct, there are cribs in the back of Flounder's for sleeping. On several occasions I've also seen toddlers sleeping on big bean bags that they have. We have found Flounder's to be great, our DS was there when he was 4 months, and 1 year.

We booked our 10 hours online before we went. We booked the time we needed for our Palo Brunch and Palo Supper and then we booked 9-9:30 every night except the first and pirate night. There is a two hour minimum onboard however, so once we got onboard we changed the evening ressies to 9-11pm. We had late seating for supper so we would take him to supper with us, feed him, and then take him to Flounder's to play and they would put his PJs on, sometimes he was sleeping when we picked him up, sometimes not. In the two cruises, we have not had a problem adding more time once on board.

The staff in Flounder's are great and I know that they are background checked and know CPR/First Aid. I would encourage you to give them a try.

 

[sftnslky]

Is there any way to post an opportunity for a teen on board or an off-duty Disney employee to babysit in our cabin for a few hours at night? THANKS!

I have no idea about the off-duty employees, but one thought might be to bring a 'built in babysitter' with you. DH and I have four small kids..all under the age of 11 and we knew we would WANT a few hours of adult time , so we are bringing [read paying] a family member [brother in law] to travel with us . He knows his main 'job' is to help us with the kids , and two of the 7 nights they will all sleep in his cabin . But we have worked out all the hours... so he can have his own time to enjoy his cruise. Hope this helps. Have a great cruise.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I am 44 and will volunteer to babysit. I want payment in Pina Colavas.

In all seriousness, I would be surprised if any teens would want to do this on vacation. There is too much fun to be had in the labs.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Get active on the meet thread--you MAY find someone you feel you ahev a good feel for and will babysit. My own DD is not a late night kid and usually retires to the room by 10:30 to read for a few hours before the rest of us are read for bed. There are a FEW families frmo our meet thread that I feel like i owuld probably be okay with ehr babysitting for if asked (not that they have asked) and she owuld love to make a bit of spending money by reading in a different room and being on the watch for a sleeping little one. So, yes there could be a willnig child (or single adult). The BIG issue would be comfort level of both you and the paretns of the sitter with one another. Best of luck finding a solution which works for you.

 

[PizzieDuster]

A different perspective from another cruise line experience....... babysitters, not a bad idea. Sometimes.

We used a babysitter on both our Royal Carribean cruises. We had fantastic experiences on both cruises.

We would use a babysitter from Guest Services two or three times during the week.

When our DD7 and then 8 - was tired and ready for bed, usually after dinner, we had arranged for a babysitter. Guest Services was great with placing a baby sitter. They could do everything but go in the pool. They went mini golfing, ice cream and even into the kids clubs. My DD 7 on the first RCL cruise was very shy. Walking into the club with her personal baby sitter was a hit! Then they would go back to the room and order room service and watch TV. This gal was so sweet and by the end of the cruise, my DD sounded like she was Australian!

On our second RCL cruise DD now 8 was constantly asking for her babysitter. Especially after long days of excursions. We would go to the specialty restuarants, the shows and always end up in the casino. The sitter would bring a book because sometimes DD was sleeping by 9 pm.

My daughter loved the one on one attention, especially in the clubs.

 

[CraftyMouse]

A different perspective from another cruise line experience....... babysitters, not a bad idea. Sometimes.

We used a babysitter on both our Royal Carribean cruises. We had fantastic experiences on both cruises.

We would use a babysitter from Guest Services two or three times during the week.

When our DD7 and then 8 - was tired and ready for bed, usually after dinner, we had arranged for a babysitter. Guest Services was great with placing a baby sitter. They could do everything but go in the pool. They went mini golfing, ice cream and even into the kids clubs. My DD 7 on the first RCL cruise was very shy. Walking into the club with her personal baby sitter was a hit! Then they would go back to the room and order room service and watch TV. This gal was so sweet and by the end of the cruise, my DD sounded like she was Australian!

On our second RCL cruise DD now 8 was constantly asking for her babysitter. Especially after long days of excursions. We would go to the specialty restuarants, the shows and always end up in the casino. The sitter would bring a book because sometimes DD was sleeping by 9 pm.

My daughter loved the one on one attention, especially in the clubs.

But in this situation the OP would have to find an off-duty crew member or teen cruiser to watch her child as DCL does not provide in-room sitting. If they did I would completely trust their sitters as I would expect they would be given background checks, etc. That would be an entirely different situation. As a PP said, if the OP can get to know some of the people on her meet thread she might find a teen that she would trust and who is willing.

 

[PizzieDuster]

But in this situation the OP would have to find an off-duty crew member or teen cruiser to watch her child as DCL does not provide in-room sitting. If they did I would completely trust their sitters as I would expect they would be given background checks, etc. That would be an entirely different situation. As a PP said, if the OP can get to know some of the people on her meet thread she might find a teen that she would trust and who is willing.

Yes, that's why I said from a "different cruise line" perpective.

Maybe someone/some people will start asking DCL to provide this service. Not a bad idea. Maybe someone on DCL is reading this right now

 

[mommasita]

Yes, that's why I said from a "different cruise line" perpective.

Maybe someone/some people will start asking DCL to provide this service. Not a bad idea. Maybe someone on DCL is reading this right now

I honestly don't think this will EVER happen on DCL.. There are just too many possibilities of things going wrong..

When DCL first started there was a service of Mickey Mouse tucking the kids in, and after one too many complaints it was over...

This is just an accident waiting to happen IMHO..

 

[CraftyMouse]

I honestly don't think this will EVER happen on DCL.. There are just too many possibilities of things going wrong..

When DCL first started there was a service of Mickey Mouse tucking the kids in, and after one too many complaints it was over...

This is just an accident waiting to happen IMHO..

Actually, I think the character tuck-in service took place on The Big Red Boat, not DCL. We've been cruising with DCL since it inaugural year (when our kids were 3 & 6) and, as far as I know, there has been no tuck-in service.

I agree that we will never see DCL offer in-room babysitting. In these sue-happy times t's a lawsuit waiting to happen, IMO.

 

[Schachteles]

I honestly don't think this will EVER happen on DCL.. There are just too many possibilities of things going wrong..

When DCL first started there was a service of Mickey Mouse tucking the kids in, and after one too many complaints it was over...

This is just an accident waiting to happen IMHO..

Actually, I think the character tuck-in service took place on The Big Red Boat, not DCL. We've been cruising with DCL since it inaugural year (when our kids were 3 & 6) and, as far as I know, there has been no tuck-in service.

I agree that we will never see DCL offer in-room babysitting. In these sue-happy times t's a lawsuit waiting to happen, IMO.

That is too bad that they got rid of the Mickey Mouse tucking in the kids, my DDs saw that on a TV show (likely on the travel channel) and asked about having that done.

 

[CraftyMouse]

That is too bad that they got rid of the Mickey Mouse tucking in the kids, my DDs saw that on a TV show (likely on the travel channel) and asked about having that done.

They actually didn't get rid of it. DCL never offered it. It was The Big Red Boat, which was part of Premiere Cruise Lines, that offered it. Before DCL came along Disney partnered with Premiere and allowed them to have the characters on their sailings, including the tuck-in service. Once DCL started, that partnership was dissolved. We sailed with DCL 7 months after they first began and the tuck-in service was not offered. Nor was it offered the following year on the Wonder. It would be lots of fun for the kids, but IMO it would just be a lawsuit waiting to happen.

 

[happymommy]

Is there any way to post an opportunity for a teen on board or an off-duty Disney employee to babysit in our cabin for a few hours at night? We would obviously pay them but as first time cruisers I don't know if there is any way to list our job once we arrive on the ship. Are there any bulletin boards or online means of communicating once we arrive? We are traveling on the Magic on the west coast in June with one other family and 5 of the 6 kids are old enough to go to the clubs but one will be 22 mos and the limits at Flounders seems very restrictive (no place to sleep and 10 hours max). THANKS!

I have a friend whose sister's family brought along a college student (got the cabin booked last minute cat 12 not too expensive for just her helper) to assist with their youngest son, who has autism. It worked out well for them. She'd take him back to the cabin when he'd had enough and needed some quiet time.

I think trusting someone you only met online with your child is a BAD idea.

I guess the cast members are so busy, they have very little free time for themselves. And I don't think they'd be allowed to babysit.

If Flounders isn't enough, I'd bring a sitter, or reconsider the cruise. You may be surprised, with all the stuff to see, and how child friendly the restaurants sound, you may do fine with just a couple of hours a day at Flounders. After all, you won't be in a casino! That's the draw for me actually - most everything is so family oriented.

Either way, I'd steer clear of others you only met here to babysit. Plus, if it were my family with the teen, I wouldn't let my daughter babysit anyone we didn't know on our vacation!