Fees for children in specialty restaurants?

[queenL]

Does anyone know if they charge for a 2yr old in RCL's specialty restaurants? Our last cruise was on NCL and I know we didn't pay extra for her. Is it the same on all cruiselines?

[boulders]

Yes, they do charge. However, I see that you are sailing on Oasis. Oasis is supposed to have quite a few specialty restaurants and it is difficult to say what their policy will be.

 

On other RCCL ships, there is a 13 year old minimum age which is waived for early seatings. However, other passengers can make reservations prior to boarding while those with children are restricted from making reservations until on board. Again, Oasis is a whole 'nuther animal and at this point, no one can be sure what the policy will be for your sailing.

[junglejane]

Hope you don't mind if I add a related question onto this thread. I added this question to the OP's post on the RCCL board too. (Sorry if I should've started a separate thread.)

 

My question isn't whether I have to pay for my 9 year old, but whether she has to leave the premises by 7 pm. Some of the posts on the RCCL board say that kids "must be out by 7 pm."

 

We're new to RCCL (just booked the Mariner for Spring Break). We will be traveling with our 2 DD's who will be 9 and 13. I looked at the website reference to children in the specialty restaurants. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/custom...36&faqType=faq

 

It says "After 7 p.m. children under the age of 13 are not allowed." Do they actually mean that at 7 pm children are expected to get up and leave? Or does it mean that they don't take reservations for parties with children starting at 7 pm? Doesn't the restaurant open at 6 pm? It seems like it would be hard to be done by 7 pm even if you had the earliest time.

 

We're just thinking about including our 9 year old at Chops. She's been to Sterling Steakhouse and the Crown Grill on Princess several times and will behave nicely for a filet mignon.;) But I would hate to pay $100 for the four of us and then be expected to rush through my meal.

[cb at sea]

If you're already seated before 7pm, your entire party will be allowed to finish their meal! They just ask that children under 13 (and their families) eat much earlier than the general "adult" clientel!

[queenL]

Hope you don't mind if I add a related question onto this thread. I added this question to the OP's post on the RCCL board too. (Sorry if I should've started a separate thread.)

 

My question isn't whether I have to pay for my 9 year old, but whether she has to leave the premises by 7 pm. Some of the posts on the RCCL board say that kids "must be out by 7 pm."

 

We're new to RCCL (just booked the Mariner for Spring Break). We will be traveling with our 2 DD's who will be 9 and 13. I looked at the website reference to children in the specialty restaurants. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/custom...36&faqType=faq

 

It says "After 7 p.m. children under the age of 13 are not allowed." Do they actually mean that at 7 pm children are expected to get up and leave? Or does it mean that they don't take reservations for parties with children starting at 7 pm? Doesn't the restaurant open at 6 pm? It seems like it would be hard to be done by 7 pm even if you had the earliest time.

 

We're just thinking about including our 9 year old at Chops. She's been to Sterling Steakhouse and the Crown Grill on Princess several times and will behave nicely for a filet mignon.;) But I would hate to pay $100 for the four of us and then be expected to rush through my meal.

 

 

Ditto, my understanding is that they don't give us the boot. We the evildoers who dare bring our contraband children are still allowed to finish our meal! :D

 

Happy sailings

[junglejane]

Ditto, my understanding is that they don't give us the boot. We the evildoers who dare bring our contraband children are still allowed to finish our meal! :D

 

Too funny! On the RCCL board thread, someone acted like I was being silly to wonder. But if you read some of the posts (especially on the Oasis board) you'll definitely get the impression some people hope and expect we'll be escorted out at 7 pm sharp!

 

Anyway, we'll look forward to dining with our "contraband children" at the permitted times.

[queenL]

Too funny! On the RCCL board thread, someone acted like I was being silly to wonder. But if you read some of the posts (especially on the Oasis board) you'll definitely get the impression some people hope and expect we'll be escorted out at 7 pm sharp!

 

Anyway, we'll look forward to dining with our "contraband children" at the permitted times.

 

I know! Can't you just hear it now! ..... "Attention all cruisers WITH CHILDREN, the time is now 6:59, please take your last bite and prepare to be escorted from the premises." :D

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[SelectSys]

... But if you read some of the posts (especially on the Oasis board) you'll definitely get the impression some people hope and expect we'll be escorted out at 7 pm sharp!...

Some people may hope but it isn't going to happen. If you want a kid free dining experience on RCCL in the specialty restaurants you're either going to need to go in after 8:00 or 8:30. They may go back to a more restricted policy regarding kids once the economy turns but for now no one will be turned away.

[CruisingCatherine]

Ditto, my understanding is that they don't give us the boot. We the evildoers who dare bring our contraband children are still allowed to finish our meal! :D

 

Too funny!! I never felt like I had the plague until I mentioned I was bringing my ....[whisper] infant....on board.:p I am a Diamond member on RCCL and have always felt welcomed until I mentioned my little Navigator of the Seas suprise souvenir :eek:was joining us. Now I have been told to go on a Disney cruise more times than I can count.

[queenL]

Too funny!! I never felt like I had the plague until I mentioned I was bringing my ....[whisper] infant....on board.:p I am a Diamond member on RCCL and have always felt welcomed until I mentioned my little Navigator of the Seas suprise souvenir :eek:was joining us. Now I have been told to go on a Disney cruise more times than I can count.

 

Yeah, that kind of stuff just chaps my hide! How dare they suggest we be confined to Disney. You'd think they owned these ships. And that last guy who said he wanted his money back if he was seated next to me and my tot. :eek: I'm too sleepy right now to even address that. If I ruled the ship, I'd give him his money back for his entire cruise fare too, in hopes he would keep his grumpy behind at home! :D This is my first kid, so I'm just realizing how many people would rather us hide in caves until our children come of age. We are just not that family. We were die hard travelers before kids and we are going to stay that way. I guess, we should just stick to Chucky Cheese and Monkey Joes until our kids turn 18! NOT! :D

[smoothy]

Yeah, that kind of stuff just chaps my hide! How dare they suggest we be confined to Disney. You'd think they owned these ships. And that last guy who said he wanted his money back if he was seated next to me and my tot. :eek: I'm too sleepy right now to even address that. If I ruled the ship, I'd give him his money back for his entire cruise fare too, in hopes he would keep his grumpy behind at home! :D This is my first kid, so I'm just realizing how many people would rather us hide in caves until our children come of age. We are just not that family. We were die hard travelers before kids and we are going to stay that way. I guess, we should just stick to Chucky Cheese and Monkey Joes until our kids turn 18! NOT! :D

 

Ah, that other guy is a toad, I wouldn't give his money back, that'll teach him to book on a family-friendly cruiseline and expect no kids. Some people are all bluff and bluster on the (apparently) anonymous internet, I'd like to see him open his mouth in real life on the ship.

 

Rather than having all families go to Disney, why don't all kid-haters go to Azamara or Seabourn where there are no kids clubs, no merry-go-rounds, no rock walls, no babysitting services, no splash zones, no kids menus (wait, is it me, or does it seem like lines such as RCCL actively attempt to make their ships family friendly?)

[SelectSys]

Yeah, that kind of stuff just chaps my hide! How dare they suggest we be confined to Disney. You'd think they owned these ships.

 

The people suggesting this wouldn't really want this to happen. There is a reason that lines line RCCL, Carnival, and NCL invest so much in kids facilities - to make money off of families. Without families those lines would be much smaller and more expensive.

 

BTW - unless things have changed Disney does not allow young children into Palo.

 

... so I'm just realizing how many people would rather us hide in caves until our children come of age. We are just not that family. We were die hard travelers before kids and we are going to stay that way.

 

Your kid will thank you some day. We have always been the same way in terms of travel. Our kids have been fortunate enough to travel many places with us and I really think it has helped them be more confident, responsible and open to trying new things and unfamiliar surroundings.

 

We have many great family memories travelling and we are starting to dread the day when it will be harder to get everyone to go.

[CruisingCatherine]

I couldn't agree with everyone more. My children have learned more from cruising and traveling than at any other activity closer to home. They have learned about poverty first hand. They already have a love of their country as they really don't want to live the way that many do on the islands. They love to try new things, have a tolerance for all types of people, and have learned to appreciate the differences in all cultures.

 

I look around the small town we live in and there are many people who have never left the state and their whole world consists of the sports leagues in town. My children know that their is a whole world out there full of different cultures and experiences. Now that we have our little addition, he is fitting into our lives not the other way around.

[beachchick]

Too funny!! I never felt like I had the plague until I mentioned I was bringing my ....[whisper] infant....on board.:p I am a Diamond member on RCCL and have always felt welcomed until I mentioned my little Navigator of the Seas suprise souvenir :eek:was joining us. Now I have been told to go on a Disney cruise more times than I can count.

 

I'm glad you don't listen to the naysayers. It bothers me when people say those kind of things to parents. Or the delightful (said mockingly in this case): "Young children, especially babies, don't belong on cruises. Just leave the little beast at home" (or words to that effect). Truly, you will find that nearly all other passengers will welcome you with your [sshh...] little sweetie--even most passengers who don't or who no longer cruise with children. I think (and hope) you'll have a wonderful time.

 

beachchick

[junglejane]

I'm tired of all the posts that say something like: "When my kids were young we went to the beach/camping/Disneyland" followed by a suggestion that taking your kid on a cruise is an act of selfish child abuse. I've especially seen this on threads about Mediterranean or other European cruises.

 

It seems to me that some people fail to recognize that times change. The cruising industry has changed, as evidenced by all the moaning and groaning about the good old days of traditional cruising. We got hooked on cruising precisely because it's been a win/win vacation for us and our kids.

[crusinmama06]

I know! Can't you just hear it now! ..... "Attention all cruisers WITH CHILDREN, the time is now 6:59, please take your last bite and prepare to be escorted from the premises." :D

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

The Portofino Maitre D "Hey kid, put DOWN that breadstick and kindly make your way to the door, it's 6:59" :D

 

Queen - to answer your original question, I was under the impression that yes, they did charge for the kids. I haven't tried it out personally because I barely made it through the 2-3 hour Portofino meal so I knew my kids wouldn't. ;)

[Brae&Ang]

Anyone know Carnivals rules/costs for children in their supper clubs?