Can 12 year old ,10 and 6 dine alone in MDR?

[AKCoachie]

sorry (sp) "knowledge"

[Cruisin' Chick]

camp is closed from 5pm til 7pm every day. Camps will feed the kids from 6pm (prompt please) starts at 6pm. you take the kids to the buffet and they get a few choices. (very few choices compared to whats offered)

dinner lasts about 45 minutes and the kids are taken back to the camp.

(in my cruises I have seen very few kids partaking in these dinners

 

I guess you're talking about when the Camp Carnival counselors take the kids to the buffet for the kids' dinner. If I'm remembering correctly, parents drop off their kids at the lido at 7 for the dinner (we've haven't been on Carnival since 2002, but I'm guessing it still runs that way; that's how Princess does it). Afterwards, the staff will escort the kids to the kids' area for the evening activities. So if parents are planning to dine at a specialty restaurant, they'll probably schedule their reservation for later than that.

 

Why don't you just order room service for your kids and get them a movie to watch in the room?

 

IMO, I wouldn't leave kids that young in the cabin w/o adult supervision. I would rather that they be with the Camp staff.

[jannandjohn]

. Are other loud and rowdy patrons excluded from "having a good time" or,

are they given attention by those in charge, busy doing their jobs, to guide them to exhibit more acceptable behavior?

yes, I have seen this a few times, adult people have been asked to leave a table for being too obnoxious and loud,

and I have seen others escorted away..

 

maybe you need to be on the ship to see how the dining room operates, before you decide to leave them on their own to eat...

I for one would not be happy to have 3 children that were not mine left at our table unattended by their parents...

and personally think 8.15 dining for kids is way too late, even with parents..

sometimes it can be 9.30 before the main even arrives, and up till 10.30 to finish dessert..

Children get restless....especially if left on their own...

 

I see most of the posters on the "Carnival" forum think it's not really a good idea either...

[CanWeGoYet?]

Under usual curcumstances we would take the kids to the steakhouse with us. since there are so many other prepaid options on a cruise, we are going to make an exception and splurge for our anniversary dinner.

 

I don't think kids that age can be seated in the steakhouse, so definitely make plans to celebrate your anniversary & I would have the kids dine with the kids club. I don't know if the dining with the kids club is an option every night - is it possible to try to contact carnival to see if this happens on only 1 night during the cruise? And if so match up this evening with the steakhouse reservation.

 

I think it's wise to have your kids be supervised so you can enjoy a lovely relaxed dinner and not have nagging worries about your kids during this time. Even the most capable and mature 12 year old might run into some problem supervising a 10 and 6 year old - and the steakhouse is not going to be a quick dining experience. I don't think being poolside is any safer than walking the corridors of the ship - different types of risk involved but just not a good idea. Think of the ship as a few thousand (or how ever many will be on board your ship) strangers, some % will be people you don't want your kids to be around especially when you are not there. Even some of the crew could be a problem.

 

Yes if they dine in the MDR they could misbehave & get disapproving looks from the adults - to me this is the least of the hazards they could face. Carnival has a decent kids club program - why not take advantage of it?:)

[Iluvcruising2]

I have not seen young kids alone.

 

We bring our young kids (5 and 6) with us to MDR but obviously we keep them with us.

[Bluekat74]

Having a 12, 10 & 8 yo I doubt I would be able to relax having dinner with them away from me especially on a ship. That being said, if I wanted to arrange something like that, I would try to do it on a night the kids club was open, get them an early dinner even if it were room service and then put them into the club before being able to go and relax over my meal. Will be taking my 12 yo on a cruise in 2013, but I dont think I will be letting her out of my sight too much. Just to be on the safe side, or at least til we are both relaxed on the ship.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

I don't think kids that age can be seated in the steakhouse, so definitely make plans to celebrate your anniversary & I would have the kids dine with the kids club. I don't know if the dining with the kids club is an option every night - is it possible to try to contact carnival to see if this happens on only 1 night during the cruise? And if so match up this evening with the steakhouse reservation.

 

There is no age restriction in the steakhouse. We have taken our Son since he was little without any problems.

[Hlitner]

This is a fascinating topic and one which we have never seen on CC (or other boards). After reading all the posts and giving it some thought I feel the answer is quite simple. My suggestion resides in a question which is......When you are home would you allow your 12, 10, and 6 year old to go out to a restaurant on their own? I suspect the OP would answer no! So then why would you allow it on a cruise ship?

 

Hank

[simplelife]

Might I suggest making a reservation for 7:15.

Get the kids to the camps at 7pm and make your way to your reservation.

 

No way would I want to send the kids that young to the dining room alone with out an adult.

Even eating at the buffet for a 6 year old with no adult.

 

Something else to consider-- by taking that late seating the kids will have a lot of down time-

Camps are closed from 5 pm til 7pm with activities really picking up at 8pm.

 

So you see, while you are at dinner the kids will be missing out on those activities. and will have nothing to do between 5 and 8 (except get ready for dinner as most of the other kids will be at the early seating

 

The earlier dining time for the kids might work very well, if there is a kids program later. This would solve any problems of what thay would do when they finsihed thier meal.

IMO, though, it is far easier for them to manage the MDR than the buffet - fewer choices, not having to move around and manage plates etc.The waitstaff in the MDR would being doing basically the same thing they do for adults- answering questions about the menu. serving, clearing etc. I think many kids would enjoy the "grown up" dining experience and would be on their best manners.

(I've noticed over the years that it's ADULTS that really have the ettiquette prpblems - kids will rise to the expectations communicated to them )

[sail7seas]

Congratulations to your 12 year old wrestling champion but do you really want to 'tote' that out as protection for the three of them? Huh? He's a child.

 

Of course, You know him and we do not but no matter how mature and responsible, is it really fair to him..... he's still a boy himself.

 

 

 

[luvtheships]

yes they can..mine have done it but they were 8 12 14 and 18 at the time. we just told the servers the night before and evverything was fine...of course 18 is quite a bit older than 12...and while everyone here will say that at 12yo they were babysitting infants with no problem:rolleyes:...

 

I believe that the 2 younger kids will be rather nervous and uncomfortable with just the 12 yo in the MDR. What if there is a bathroom run? or a choking incident?

 

regardless, many if not most will say it is OK at their ages...but you say that they would be fine with just pizza anyway...so why not just go that route and have no worries?

[luvtheships]

Why don't you just order room service for your kids and get them a movie to watch in the room?

too young to be left alone in the room...better to use the Camp that night.

 

Too many others have access to the room..stewards for example

[AKCoachie]

Good idea Loves, our original idea was to reserve for 7:30, it was not available. that's why we are dining (early for us), at 6:30. Some thought has gone into this. We didn't choose the first night, beacause we will have just started our voyage, second night is elegant night, we want to enjoy that as a family, 4th night,going to return from diving,as a family, too late, 5th night cucunas de capitano, around 7ish, as a family, then to a show, together, at 10, (not R rated comedy), last night New Years EVE. this also our true anniversary, we'll dine together, then take the kids to the kids club parties that are scheduled to begin late and last we'll into the early hours. 10 year old has a group within 6 year old's camp;so she will never be far from him. 12 year old will be supervised with his new tween friends. As much as possible we want to have a low stress, enjoyable cruise. There are lots of things we want to fit in however. Some planning and educated scheduling is what we are counting on to enhance our experience. You may notice that there is a great time slot for Pizza, buffet and room service on the 3rd night. Thanks to you and everyone for their thoughful and thought provoking posts.

[AKCoachie]

there are curcumstances where I might plop them at a familiar restaurant, let the server or manager know, compensate them with a gratuity, and come back in two hours. We have not done this at dinner, we have for ice cream or drinks (NA of course) We also live in a small town, Not on a ship full of 5000 strangers. 12 year is very mature and knows lots of people, and they all outgoing well adjusted kids with lots of travel and multi-course dining experience.

[aohkay]

When did restaurant servers and managers become glorified babysitters? I must have missed something. :confused:

[AKCoachie]

My point was that I'm not expecting some type of snatch and grab from a public place to be pulled off successfully. 10 and twelve are certified divers and are trained in the buddy system, CPR and Emergency Oxygen.

[AKCoachie]

They are not glorified babysitters, You may have missed something. People do however pay them to serve on them, feed them and clean up after them.

[LarryL]

AKCoachie, I think, based on your replies, your kids will be fine. I think peoples comments are sometimes indicative of their own upbringing or parenting style. Some people simply don't like kids. I was raised in a very strict environment, as was our daughter. We were all very well trained on how to act in public and God help us if we acted up. When we were away from our parents they would always follow up and ask the questions about our behavior. We did the same with our child.

 

The staff will be very professional in their service and in no way will they appear to babysit. In fact my experience is that they will be very engaging with your kids from the start. I think as you have it planned, they will have a wonderful experience dining with your trust in mind.

 

Larry

[jannandjohn]

I love statistics!!

out of all the posters here...

 

27.. said probably no

 

9....suggested other options

 

1 ...said a definite yes

 

I think you have your answer...

 

and I still can't imagine a 6, 10, and 12 yr old feeling comfortable , on their own amongst this..

[PBC29]

I've seen kids about that age eating alone in MDR Parents came with them seated them an walked out to someplace. The kids were well behaved only issue I saw with how the dinner ended up was they didn't finish their veggies and did have the ice cream. :eek:How dare they :p

 

Go for it and enjoy your meal.

[sail7seas]

Where are the children supposed to go on their own when they are finished with dinner?

 

Are they to roam the ship?

Go directly to their cabin?

What if the little girl needs to use the restroom? Do you want her going alone? The boys certainly cannot take her.

[jannandjohn]

Where are the children supposed to go on their own when they are finished with dinner?

that's a good point.

especially as the Specialty restaurants dining(for the parents) usually takes a bit longer..

 

maybe the kids will hit the Casino..after all ,they are starting to sound like James Bond;)

 

(10 and twelve are certified divers and are trained in the buddy system, CPR and Emergency Oxygen.

..lots of travel and multi-course dining experience

...the Ak State champion wrestler )

[Hlitner]

When our daughter was about 8 or 9 (she was already a cruise veteran) she asked if she could go browse the shops with one of her shipboard friends (also 8 or 9). It turned out that they stopped at one of the bars afrer their shopping where they had a good time drinking virgin dacquaris (we found out about this when we saw our onboard bill). :) Now, many many years later she still likes to go to the bar.

 

Hank

[CanWeGoYet?]

There is no age restriction in the steakhouse. We have taken our Son since he was little without any problems.

 

Yeah, after I posted that I saw I was mistaken. I'd seen an age restriction on some premium carnival dining experience - but it was only age 5 & under.

 

In any case my feeling is I would be more concerned about the kids getting to & leaving the main dining room - yes they'll know their way back to the cabin, but will they go straight back or roam the ship? I'm more concerned for safety than any disapproving looks they could get for dining without parents in the MDR.

 

Ships are full of good people, and also some who you would not want anywhere near your kids. I'm not just talking criminals or pedophiles, I mean people who have had too much to drink & may be angry jerks to begin with. My .02 it's too long & too much responsibility on the 12 year old to be the responsible party for his younger siblings in this setting. Thousands of people you don't know in the close quarters of a cruise ship.

[AKCoachie]

We love stats too, thanks for the tally. PS also love dictatorship AKA parenthood,lol... answer is still "thanks for the thoughtful opinions we'll decide when we have more info, and they'll probably want pizza, buffet, sushi and or room service."