What Do Cruise Ship Balconies Require to Be Child Safe?

Balcony staterooms are considered to be the best for families. The absolute pleasure of spotting marine wildlife and watching sunsets from the comfort of your balcony is an exclusive experience. The balconies also add an extra advantage if you’re traveling with kids since they open up spaces for them to play and spend time. While you may enjoy all the joys of booking a balcony cabin or stateroom, you may find yourself in a constant fear of your kid facing possible risks. 

What Do Cruise Ship Balconies Require to Be Child Safe?

The following points must be kept in mind to ensure the safety of your kids while booking a stateroom with a balcony:

A) Check for necessary arrangements in your balcony stateroom:

While booking a balcony stateroom, make sure that it is equipped with safety precautions that may curb any accidents or mishaps. Kid-friendly cruise lines prioritize the safety of their younger guests by adding safety elements to the cruise ship balconies.

• Heavy balcony doors: Balcony staterooms in most luxury cruise lines have heavy sliding glass doors in steel frames. The doors are usually hard to open. This prevents toddlers and younger children from having access to balconies without the presence of adults. 
• Child safety lock feature: The doors to the balcony in a stateroom often come with two locks; one of them is a child safety lock located at the top of the glass door. 
• Tall railings and walls: The walls and railings on most of the cruise ship balconies are at least 42 inches high. The height makes it a challenge for kids to climb over the railings. The railings are also sturdy enough to avoid any damage inflicted by people.

B) Precautions for adults with kids in a balcony stateroom:

While booking accommodation with balcony access on a cruise ship, adults also must follow certain precautions to keep their kids safe.

• Keep your kids under close supervision: You must keep a close check on kids when they’re playing on the balcony. Accompany toddlers and younger children on the balcony as they tend to climb over raised platforms. Adults must explain to kids about their safety and list out certain rules while on a cruise ship balcony. 
• Keep balcony furniture at a safe distance: Cruise ship balconies are usually furnished with sitting areas. If you’re concerned with your kid climbing the furniture, ask stateroom attendants to remove them from the balcony railing. 

C) Choosing the right cruise line with secure balconies:

Some of the respected cruise lines worldwide include suitable staterooms to accommodate families. They also incorporate arrangements for balconies that are safe for kids.

• Disney Cruise Line: The cruise line is known for providing a range of kid-friendly entertainment and activities. The balcony rooms at Disney Cruises feature private balcony doors with kid-proof locks and plexiglass railings. The exclusive Family Verandah Rooms of the cruise line include expanded balconies that are exceptionally spacious for kids.
• MSC Cruises: MSC Cruises are known to provide a range of accommodations, which include cabins, duplex, and studio rooms. The family cabin of MSC Cruises majorly includes two balconies, completed with elements to ensure child safety. You can choose from various family cabins on these cruise ships according to your preferences.
• Royal Caribbean International: The cruise line offers various types of luxurious staterooms that are equally safe for kids. You can find options from standard cabins to suites that feature balconies. Each balcony at a Royal Caribbean cruise is built with safety elements. The balcony doors contain a manual lock at a satisfactory height, away from younger kids.
• Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Cruises are highly preferred by families. The cruise ships offer exciting programs that allow kids to socialize and learn new skills. It also offers a range of accommodations that are kid-friendly. The balcony staterooms feature childproof balcony doors, along with solid, thick walls.

Also Read: What are kid activities on a cruise?

Conclusion: 

Balcony staterooms on a cruise ship allow parents to spend great quality time with their kids. The privacy of these balconies allows kids to play and interact with their families freely. Both parents and the cruise line must ensure the safety of kids on a cruise ship balcony. You must look for cruise lines that provide kid-friendly balconies, which may include sturdy balcony doors, child safety locks, and sturdy railings.