.jpg)
Even on family-friendly cruise lines, children can become a contentious issue.
This is because leaving some children unattended can lead to chaos.
Some parents board the ship and decide that their children can run wild on board. This is acceptable for some children, but it is not uncommon to see mischievous teenagers running through the aisles, banging on doors late at night, and even stealing or tampering with things on the passenger cabin doors.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line Responds to Controversial Dining Decision
Of course, most parents are responsible and watch their children. Many children know how to behave and do not cause any disturbance. But a few mischievous children can cause major problems that disrupt the vacation of other passengers.
It’s a difficult situation for cruise companies because the line between inconvenience and enforceability is a bit gray.
It’s hard to know when security should step in and when it’s too much. Raising other people’s children rarely goes well, so crew members only step in when there’s a serious violation.
However, passengers are never shy about expressing their opinions. Thousands of them spoke out on the controversial topic of the youngest children on Carnival Cruise Line ships.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or first) cruise.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Brand Ambassador Tackles Tough Subject
Carnival has a number of rules regarding children on its ships.
“Infants must be at least 6 months old at the time of boarding to sail,” the company says. “Children must be at least 12 months old at the time of boarding for ocean voyages and long-distance voyages where there will be more than two consecutive days at sea.”
Once a baby is six months old, they can sail on most cruises. This has led to situations that some passengers find controversial. Carnival brand ambassador John Heald addressed the issue on his Facebook page.
“Is it wrong for a guest to be walking around the lido deck this morning at Carnival Sunrise with a baby, in a sling/scarf, while nursing?” Heald wrote. “A fellow guest wrote me and was very upset about this. Surely that’s okay… right?”
The question of when it’s appropriate to breastfeed has become a hot political topic, but Carnival passengers seem remarkably united on the issue. More than 3,200 people publicly commented on Held’s post, and most of them shared the same sentiment.
Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.
Carnival passengers talk
Although Heald’s post was in response to someone who was offended by the idea of a woman breastfeeding on a public surface, most passengers were very supportive.
“I don’t see any problem with that,” wrote Judy Morris. “I breastfed my daughter in the dog show ring in the 1970s. I’m sure some people were appalled, but I didn’t care. Oh, I grew up raising show dogs. Maybe that kid at Carnival will grow up to be a brand ambassador in 30 or 40 years.”
Several commentators pointed out that the pool deck is not exactly a place known for modesty.
“I doubt he saw anything more offensive than some swimsuits on the plane. I’m sure they were covering the baby’s face,” Linda McLean wrote.
Jennifer Harrell shared a different version of the same idea.
“I once saw a woman in the bank breastfeeding her baby without a sling or a blanket or anything else. Babies need to eat too. I was more offended by the old man in a skimpy swimsuit in the pool than by someone breastfeeding his baby.”
Many posters fully supported this and pointed out that covering the child is not a mandatory requirement.
“Even if breastfeeding is uncovered, that’s okay. I doubt any of us eat with a cover over our heads,” Terry Lynn wrote.
Read also: Top Travel Agents Share How to Get the Best Price for Your Cruise
Amanda Martin echoed this sentiment even more forcefully.
“If anyone says cover up, please set the thermostat to 98 degrees and put a blanket over your head the next time you eat,” she added.
Related: Get the best cruise tips, deals and ship news from our cruise experts.
