5 Reasons Kids Shouldn't Be Allowed in Cruise Ship Hot Tubs
1. Small Children Can't Regulate Their Body Temperature "I am a long-time cruiser," writes Ilene Karp , "with over 40 years of cruising and, until recently, kids in hot tubs were not an issue. It has, however, become way out of control. I have seen parents put infants in the hot tubs and I said to one that all she needed were some carrots and potatoes because she was literally cooking her child from the inside." Vivid yet disturbing imagery aside, it is true that young children can become easily dehydrated in hot water. According to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP), "Children who are big enough to be in a hot tub should not use it for more than five minutes at a time, especially at the maximum temperature of 104 degrees. Infants and toddlers should not be permitted in a hot tub at all as babies' thin skin makes them more susceptible to overheating." And even then APSP advises, "All persons, and especially young childr...