Not Home Alone but Afloat Alone!

I know that this much talked story about parents being left on the quayside after being late back to the ship in the Bahamas is perhaps more dramatic then it seems.  They did leave their children on-board but it was not quite what it seemed as the children were left in the care of an Uncle and Family members when the Mother was late back. They were not alone. The Husband left the ship to try and facilitate the mothers safe return back onto the vessel and ended up being left behind himself.

However it does pose a question. Many cruise line children’s clubs allow parents to leave their children on-board whilst they go on Excursions or have a wander round on their own. Not all families are travelling with other family or friends so what would happen if the parents missed the boat and the children were left on-board Afloat Alone! So to speak.

I have seen lots of comments in forums from people asking if they can leave their children and lots responding who have done this themselves.

I have seen people commenting that they should not leave their children and that they are bad parents.

Personally and I know it may not be what many parents want to hear but I would never have left my son on-board whilst going off on an excursion.  The thought that anything could go wrong and mean he was left alone on the ship is more than I can bear thinking about but that is just me.  Many parents are quite happy as they know their children are safe on the ship and I do not dispute this. Neither do I dispute that the cruise line would do everything possible to get the parents back on-board safely but sometimes ports of call can be far away and getting to the next one is not always as easy as it seems.

If you had left a child in a club what would you expect the cruise line to do if you were late?

The ports have tight schedules and the ship cannot just decided to stay longer. If the port say they have to go, then they have to go.

You need to ask yourself this question. Is it worth the risk? How would your child deal with this?

It is only then that you will know the answer to this question.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this either in favour or against.