About Julia Elzie Expertise I have been a travel consultant, specializing in family travel since 1993. I love to help families plan their vacations! Every family has a different blend of relaxation and activity, but everyone (including parents!) wants to have fun and return refreshed.
Experience I have been planning vacations for families since 1993. I love to travel and I love children and families. I know the details for family-friendly destinations and cruises, especially to Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, family-friendly cruises, Disney, soft adventure trips and international travel. I offer first-hand knowledge and information for your personalized itinerary, designed to suit specific requests, interests and budget.
Education/Credentials I am trained in elementary education, and educational and developmental psychology with teaching experience in the primary grades. I am a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge and the on-site agent education programs at Disneyland, Disney World and Disney Cruise Line. I also have extensive experience with creating travel arrangements to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and international travel. I am completing my Master Cruise Counselor certification with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). My certification as a Family Travel Specialist through the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is pending.
Past/Present Clients Family travel include clients from Microsoft, Starbucks, Albertsons, Micron Technology, IBM, and include doctors, lawyers, technology consultants, engineers and university professors.
Question Hello Julia,
I have two children, aged 2 and 4. I hear that a cruise is a great family vacation, but my husband refuses to try it. he has terrible fears that the kids will fall overboard. he wants reassurance that the kids cannot fall overboard--photos of the ship showing plexiglass fronted railings or something like that would be a help. is there any way I can get safety info about cruises for him? Also, I've heard that children who are not toilet trained cannot go in the pool on cruise ships. is this true?
Answer Dear Alison,
Thank you for your question.
The risk that a child would fall overboard is minimal. The railings are almost 5 feet high on all decks. A child would have to climb up the railing to fall overboard and the railings are made of plexiglass. Decks on the ships are also staggered. I recommend an oceanview stateroom for families instead of a balcony stateroom to eliminate additional risk.
The policy about toilet-trained children varies between cruise lines. Some cruise lines allow swim diapers, others require toilet training. You will need to check on the specific rules for each cruise line.
Please let me know if I can offer any further assistance.
