DawnCt

So do you think you received more generous pours, because the kids were there? There can be advantages.;)

That is a distinct possibility. I drank their share!

LOL.......how can this discussion still be going on?..we all do need a life......;):o:D

 

We have no information about how this family made their reservation, heck for all we know they could have been a relative of the Captain, they could have been comp., they might have been staying in the most expensive suite.

 

Exceptions are always made..........and rules are always broken....an people interpret guidelines differently.........it's life.

I think they were staying in one of the most expensive suites. The concierge seem to know the father quite well. I believe this is the longest thread on Cruise Critic that I have ever started. The last long thread was several years ago; "Should teens have a curfew on the Voyager of the Seas" (or be allowed to roam the decks until 4 in the morning). That got quite heated but we know how it turned out. RCCL did impose a curfew. ;)

does anyone know how many courses are served? Also, is the wine pairing a standard glass (5-6 oz) for each course served? We love food, and these types of dining experiences, so just want to make sure that it is worth $75 pp.

 

Cheers!

There were five courses; Smoked Duck Salad, Trio of Soups, Pan fried Scallops and Crab Cakes, Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Passion Fruit Creme Brulee and chocolates. Each course had a full serving, sometimes two, of the appropriate wine. Reidel Crystal was used for each pour. The history of the wine and why it was selected was explained. Most of the wine was in the $60 to $100 range.

I know. :) Just being silly! I do actually like dinners like this, but I do actually hate making chit chat with strangers IRL. We always request a table for two at dinner.

I enjoy meeting new people so this was fun for me. Did I mention that the wine was served in Riedel crystal? A funny story. On one of the previous dinners, a "guest" took a cabernet glass with him. The chef talked about having to knock on the cabin door requesting their glass back. Apparently it was valued at $90. They should have looked on Amazon. I found them cheaper. ;)

Let's not forget the OP stated the children seated at the table were 3 and 6 years old. Sorry folks...that is just not acceptable.

And while we tolerated it, and FORTUNATELY were pleasantly surprised, I do agree with you.

I did learn however in the process of discussion, that many in Brazil do not feel that the Olympics will be good for Brazil, and in fact, feel that it will leave them in debt for the next decade. That was interesting, although not necessarily worth $225. ;)

Lol. Frankly, I cannot understand why anyone would want to pay $75 a person to sit with 14ish strangers. Children or not...it reminds me of teppanyaki.. I'm going on a cruise to relax and get away, not to make idle chit chat with people I will never see again. That's what message boards are for!:)

 

That's why we booked central park. Nice quiet table for two! But actually I would be annoyed if kids were at my expensive dinner...and I have a 5 year old I love very much.

Actually it was eleven strangers. ;) but that's besides the point. We were not looking simply for an excellent meal but the thought behind the meal. How a dish was created, why and the wine choices. I found it interesting to listen to the chef explain each dish, and go into some detail about how it was prepared. We ate at Central Park as well but we were simply served an excellent meal without the dialog.

Reading some of the previous messages, I have come to the conclusion that there are some very sad and selfish cruisers out there!! We have sailed with a 2 year old and again with a 5 and 2 year old and they have joined us for all meals. They have been very well behaved (better manners than some adults around us) and their parents received numerous comments re their well behaved children.

 

As another poster said, to each his own.......but, I am happy that we have not encountered some of these posters on any of our cruises.....maybe they need to have their own 'exclusive' (i.e., snob) cruises!

Before you accuse other cruisers of being sad and selfish, would you have taken a 2 year old and a 5 year old to an adult venue where the confirmation CLEARLY stated, "no one under 21 years of age", no matter how well behaved? I certainly wouldn't. We happened to have enjoyed our Chef's Table that particular night. Good thing too, because there wasn't an opportunity for a "do over" and $225 for our family was not inexpensive.

You asked them their ages? I hope they asked you your age :D

No, I meant to say that the teens were asked their ages by a crew member. Not me~ ;)

You asked them their ages? I hope they asked you your age :D

No, I meant to say that the teens were asked their ages by a crew member. Not me~ ;)

Of course it's a holiday, for both the kids and the parents. We take our daughter on most of our cruises, although we have done a few without her as well. We have a wonderful time in both cases. She loves it and is always looking forward to them. Loves going to dinner, the shows, the activities and going to different ports. We don't take her to the specialty restaurants (to be honest, we don't go when it is just us either, we are perfectly fine in the MDR), or any of the adult shows. If there happens to be something we want to do that is not appropriate for her, she can go to the Kids clubs, which she enjoys. Most of the time she is with us anyway.

 

However, I do believe that there should be areas on the ship that are for adults only. A pool and whirlpool area, a sun deck, and a fine restaurant are a good area to have set aside for adults only. The ship is big enough, with enough events and areas, that a few set aside, and enforced, adult areas are things that should be provided.

I have to say that the Oasis was very good at making the Solarium off limits to anyone under 16. I saw two teens, who did happen to be over 16, asked their ages and they were just sitting on loungers.

You have missed the whole point of this thread"no one under 21 is allowed in THE CHEFS TABLE".

How soon will it be before the little darlings will be under foot in the casino?:cool:

Your comment reminds me of a comedy show that we attended on the Infinity. The show was a midnight and for an over 18 audience. During the introduction the CD said, "I see that there are some children here under the age of 18. (there were) So now its time for you all to leave and go back to the casino, where you also do not belong". It got a good laugh because there was truth to the statement.

If it states somewhere clearly that no one under a certain age is permitted then I 100% agree that the kids should not be in there. However, it seems that there is some discrepancy as to whether this is a rule or rumour. Having said that, we are cruising with our two for the first time soon. We have gone alone. We have asked for a table for 4 or if not available, to be seated with another family. I know that if I were on an adults only I would appreciate no kids at my table. But they are also (as you agreed) 100% entitled to a wonderful family vacation and we are all lucky to be able to give them this.

Here is a copy of the email that I received confirming our reservation;

Good Day Mr. and Mrs. XXXX,

 

I apologize for the delay.

We have made reservations for a party of 3 at the Chef's Table for January

9, 2011, for booking number XXX, XX, XXX, and XXX YYY, per

your request. I have used the spellings within the reservations.

Reservations are for 7:30 PM and dinner is approximately 2 ½ hours long.

Dress is smart casual except on formal nights where formal attire is also

appropriate. Charges will be made to your Seapass Account once you are

onboard. Cost is $75.00 per person and includes gratuities, guests must be

21, and penalty for cancellations within 24 hours is $25.00 per person.

 

The Chef’s Table is located on the upper level of the Concierge lounge. Due

to the size of the venue all requests and confirmations are handled

manually. Please let this act as your only confirmation. I hope you enjoy a

fabulous evening hosted by an Oasis of the Seas Chef.

 

Regards,

Rob McGregor

Specialty Dining – Chef’s Table

Royal Caribbean International

800-398-9819 option # 3

I would not want my kids listening in on some conversations about certain current events, celebrity antics, political opinions that are expressed too strongly, etc. Kids hear everything and there are sometimes adult conversation, even if it is not racy/illicit, is not appropriate for them IMHO.

Then it would be up to you to remove your children, not up to me to change my plans.

DH and I just discussed this dilema. We agree...we would have walked out and requested our money back. Sorry.

We were on a ship with 6500 passengers. The chances of being rebooked for the Chef's Table would have been non existent. I made these reservations back in October. Had we not attended, we would have missed out on a wonderful dinner and a very interesting experience. Sort of like biting one's nose to spite one's face.

I understand both sides. We have kids (11 & 2) and can see how can kids can ruin and great dinning experience as our kids have done that pleanty of times to us, but on the other hand they both can be great at dinner. But you wouldnt want to sit there and then after you start the experience you find out that the kids are yelling and screaming and all over the place. As some of other posters have said well behaved kids can make for a pleasurable expeience. Im not sure if we would take that chance of waiting to find out though. So im kind of on the fence with this one.

If my experience had been anything but wonderful, I would have demanded a refund. When I saw the family with children en tow, arrive, I fully intended to do so and said as much to DH. As the dinner progressed, it was evident that I would have had absolutely no grounds to ask for a refund. What would I have said? There were short, cute people at my table?

As with dining at a large table in the main dining room, I do not like children at our table. Subject matter may not be appropriate for children and I do not like to feel as though our conversation must be censored. Adults want to have adult conversations at times and this would be prohibitive with children at the table. I'm not referring to inappropriate language..just the subject matter. This is why DH and I always request My Time Dining on RCCL.

 

It is simply not acceptable to have children seated in The Chef's Table. This is a special dining venue which should be for adults only. I'm very disappointed in RCCL to find they are allowing children in this dining venue.

I can't imagine what I would discuss with perfect strangers that couldn't be discussed in the presence of children.

I cannot understand why anyone would take small kids on any cruise.It is no holiday for the little ones or Mum and Dad, and as this post shows folks will be unhappy with children in certain venues.

Take the little darlings to Disneyland or let Granma and Grampa spoil them for a week.Thats what my family does.

Grandma came on the cruise!

OMG! When I read this I am just hoping RCCL will not try to put children at our table as that will be unacceptable. We are booked for Chef Table on Jewel in March and we are so looking forward to this as we missed out on another Chef Table due to the NORO virus on a previous cruise. Thanks for heads up as I will definatly be contacting the Chef to avoid this at our table, no matter how well behaved they are. Who wants to eat with sleeping children.

Especially when you are paying so much for a special dinner!

Well, since it has been well known that RCI has not enforced either no shorts (on adults mind you) or no kids under a certain age after 6:30 in Portofino and Chops, I guess it is just the next small step to allow young children at the Chef's Table.

 

I would be one unhappy camper though. And getting the money back is the least of it. Most people really look forward to Chef's Table as a very special night....... :(

I was definitely prepared to be an unhappy camper. In fact, I was shocked when they were seated, but even more shocked when they didn't have any negative impact on the evening what so ever. They were absolutely perfect. A sleeping child is out of sight and out of mind and extraordinarily quiet. They ended up leaving before dessert.

Why even bother to have rules if you are not going to enforce them??:rolleyes:

That was my thinking too. I feel that we "lucked out" in that they were so well behaved and we enjoyed talking to the father. It could have been a disaster however and after spending $225 for not just the meal but the experience, I would have FLOWN to guest services to have it removed. Luckily everything was wonderful.

I have to say, when I first sat down this really surprised me, and in fact, I was initially annoyed. A family from Brazil arrived with two little girls, age 3 and 6. We were seated next to the father. Their mother sat next to them and they were accompanied by their grandmother and uncle. We brought our 23 year old son. When we first reserved, I saw one notification, "Must be over 21". Then I saw another, "must be 16" so i wondered how they were seated. Having said that, they were extremely well behaved and when the three year old got bored, she fell asleep. The six year old was not only well behaved, spoke perfect English when spoken to. Her father was an very nice, interesting man. Grandmother and uncle spoke no English and the mother's English was limited.