Hot off the press, let’s talk about a hot-button issue currently causing waves onboard Carnival Cruise Line ships: should children, specifically infants who might require breastfeeding, be allowed in the supposedly adults-only Serenity area? The debate was ignited when Carnival’s amiable Brand Ambassador, John Heald, was approached with a delicate question via his bustling Facebook page on June 28, 2024. The query involved a mother seen with her infant in Serenity, an area designed exclusively for adults aged 21 and over. Unsurprisingly, an uproar followed.
The controversial comment that set sail on this journey came from a woman named Kathleen Ruffino. She took to Heald’s Facebook page with a statement worth pondering: “This is a mother that is carrying their child in a sling. They are not continually feeding. It is a breaking of the rules because it is only a convenience for the mom. Not having to have a sitter while on Serenity. You don’t allow it for any age that is bottle-fed.”
While the original post included a photo of the mother and child, Heald removed it for privacy reasons.
Interestingly, the struggle here isn’t just between a rule and a rebel. It symbolizes a clash of ideals, values, and expectations. On the one hand, you’ve got the Serenity area, epitomizing tranquility and adult respite—an oasis away from the joyful chaos of family-friendly activities. Here, you’d expect to lounge, sip a mojito, read a novel, or simply nap under the sun without a hangry baby screaming down the cabana.
On the other side, we’ve got nursing mothers, the champions of multitasking and the unsung heroines of the vacation world. For them, the need to breastfeed is entwined with both the natural duties of motherhood and their desire to savor a sliver of adultness even amidst diapers and teething toys. Breastfeeding, a natural and necessary act, shouldn’t technically banish them from enjoying serene spaces meant for adults, right?
Infants Onboard: A Delicate Balance
Peeling away the layers of this situation uncovers some pretty interesting nuances. For instance, we hardly know the full context. Was the mother with her child just momentarily in Serenity, perhaps searching for another family member? Or, maybe she was simply taking a shortcut through the area? Did the infant create any disruption, or was the baby sleeping sweetly against the mother’s chest? These grey areas make it hard to have a cut-and-dry ruling.
According to Carnival’s policies, infants must be at least 6 months old to embark on any sailing and at least a year old for more extended routes like transatlantic cruises. So, regardless of the specifics, it’s reasonable to say the mother in question adhered to the age requirements for bringing an infant onboard. But, does being allowed onboard equate to free rein in adult-only zones? That’s the million-dollar question.
Of course, responses to this conundrum have been diverse. Many cruise-goers firmly believe that Serenity should remain sacrosanct—a child-free haven for adults needing a break from the delightful pandemonium of family-oriented areas. It’s not that they are anti-baby; it’s that they crave a rare slice of peaceful, child-free time. Think of it as the genteel version of an adults-only swim-up bar at an all-inclusive resort.
Carnival does offer alternatives. Families can revel in fun at the Carnival WaterWorks, arcade, miniature golf course, or enjoy the open deck areas. But even for the quiet solace needed for breastfeeding, suggestions abound. There are less frequented lounges, serene promenades, and charming hidden gardens on Spirit-class ships. The options for tranquil environments are not in short supply.
Another point of discussion emerges with Carnival’s babysitting services—or the lack thereof. Unlike some other cruise lines, Carnival doesn’t provide in-stateroom babysitting. The Night Owls program does offer evening babysitting for a fee, but this takes place in the Camp Ocean area rather than the privacy of individual cabins. During the day, caregiving parents must juggle between their needs and the demands of looking after young ones. Adding to the complexity, children under two aren’t eligible for most youth activities, though there are designated ‘Under 2’ playtimes.
John Heald, true to his diplomatic nature and disastrous-Dad-joke humor, handled the inquiry with caution. He affirmed Carnival’s inclusive breastfeeding policy without sternly addressing the core issue of the infant’s presence in an adult-only zone. He stated, “If a mother is breastfeeding a child we are not going to have a crew ask them to stop. Honestly, I can’t say any more than that until somebody gives me a specific detail about when this is happening and if it’s happening now, I will pass it onto the management.”
This scenario underscores a larger question about modern travel and hospitality rules—inclusivity versus exclusivity. Can an adult-only area maintain its serenity if exceptions are made, however justified? Should nursing mothers be frustrated to leave their infants behind to enjoy a short-lived escape? These aren’t easy questions and might need an approach beyond black-and-white rules.
Most cruise lines, including Carnival, have policies that allow nursing mothers to breastfeed in public without the necessity to cover up. While this policy is pretty emboldening for new mothers, showcasing a step toward progressive inclusivity, it sidesteps the real issue for Serenity seekers—age exclusivity.
Reflecting society at large, cruise ships are microcosms teeming with diverse, overlapping needs. With limited space and high expectations for every dollar spent, cruise lines grapple with mediating between conflicting desires for solitude and familial inclusion.
To mediate situations like these, cruise lines might consider designating flexible or mixed-use areas within adult zones. These could offer temporal sanctuaries for caregivers with infants without encroaching on adult-only regions more permanently. An unwritten but understood set of etiquette guidelines might help—quiet space during specific hours for nursing mothers, balanced with strictly enforced adult zones during other times.
Personally, as someone who has trotted along various cruise lines, I can vouch for both ends of the spectrum. I remember the thrill of discovering an adults-only area and sagging into a lounger with a palpable sense of peace. Yet, I’ve also witnessed parents, especially mothers, dragging themselves through strenuous days, forever on duty, rarely afforded respite. Their need to sneak in a few moments in a secluded space shouldn’t be underestimated.
The balance is precarious, though I lean towards flexibility. Establishing clear yet empathetic guidelines, that respect the essence of Serenity without ostracizing caregiving parents, seems to be the lifebuoy needed in this choppy sea of opinions.
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