Cruising Minus the Kidsby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 12 May 2008 10:20 PM As I mentioned in a previous blog my pal and her husband would never dream of going on a cruise without their children. Conversely, I know there are some travelers out there who wouldn't dream of taking a cruise with kids. For the latter group there is good news today from Royal Caribbean. The popular cruise line, which markets itself heavily to families (almost as much as kid-friendly Carnival Cruise Lines), is taking steps that will undoubtedly please guests who are looking to sail the high seas minus the wails of screaming tots. Starting this fall, Royal Caribbean is banning infants under the age of six months from its ships. The restriction is a first for the cruise line, which until now has never imposed age requirements on any of its vessels. The new policy goes into effect in October 2008 and essentially requires that infants must be six months old by the first day of the sailing in order to board. However, on trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, Hawaii and some South America cruises, the policy is even stricter. On those voyages children of adult passengers must be at least 12 months old by the first day of the sailing. According to leaders in the cruising industry, Royal Caribbean is not fooling around with its new policy. Experts say that passengers who try to bring a child on-board who does not meet minimum age requirements will be denied boarding and not reimbursed for the missed sailing. Responding to the new age restrictions, Royal Caribbean execs say the policy change comes from the cruise line's recognition that infants "have special needs and at times may require medical attention that can only be provided for at shore-based hospitals" and not from the numerous complaints lodged by guests who were bothered by the noise generated by infant cruisers. What's your take on Royal Caribbean's new policy? Have you ever gone on a cruise with an infant? Related Articles: Cheap (But Stylish) Caribbean Cruises Cruising the Hawaiian Islands on a Dime Cruising Chicago and the Caribbean Cruise News: Luxury Sailings, Toy Story on Water, and Hollywood on the High Seas Cruise Into 2008---Eating Your Way Across the High Seas Cruise Ships Cabins-Whose Is Best? Part 2 Cruise Ship Cabins-Whose Is Best? Ways To Avoid Getting Sick On A Cruise Luxury Travel-Cruising In Style Hitting The High Seas On A "Bloggers Cruise" Choosing the Right Theme Cruise For You Is A Theme Cruise Right For You? Get More When You Cruise For Less Setting Sail on the World's Largest Cruise Ship Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags cruise, cruise with kids, family travel, Travel, travel with kids Discuss this article
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