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

[AKCoachie]

Bathroom break has occured many times already. One son stays behind, other walks her to the Ladies room and waits outside the door for her. If they all must go at the same time, they notify (teacher, coach or waiter then go together.) I recommend this procedure for others too. Of course all parties should be able to "take care of personal hygiene properly" ie. washing hands ect. Buddy system takes precedent at all times.

[potsie57]

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.

 

 

These are all great questions and should be considered in your decision, I am a pediatric Nurse and would feel really uncomfortable leaving these kids on their own...It's a crazy world out there, you never know!!

[sail7seas]

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[IndyDenise]

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.

 

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I think that once the OP actually boards they will realize that the thought of their children alone amongst the other cruisers is really not a good idea.

 

The ship is so much larger " in person" ...and not every cruiser will be someone you would want your children to come in contact with..this also includes the ship staff. There are some sick people out there.

 

I just keep remembering the little girl who was raped and killed in a Vegas hotel while her father gambled. He never ever intended on her getting hurt ..he never dreamed some creep would take advantage of the situation. :mad: .

[jannandjohn]

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I think that once the OP actually boards they will realize that the thought of their children alone amongst the other cruisers is really not a good idea.

I just keep remembering the little girl who was raped and killed in a Vegas hotel while her father gambled. He never ever intended on her getting hurt ..he never dreamed some creep would take advantage of the situation. :mad: .

we had a rape/ murder case on a Sth Pacific cruise...

 

 

On 23 September 2002, 42 year-old Dianne Brimble and her 12 year-old daughter, together with other family members and friends, boarded the cruise liner Pacific Sky for a holiday. Less than 24 hours later, medical staff were called to a cabin occupied by Mark Wilhelm and three other men, where Dianne was found lying on the floor. She was unconscious, and despite efforts from medical staff, could not be revived.

An autopsy revealed the presence of alcohol and toxic levels of GHB, an illegal drug that is sometimes used for recreational purposes. It has been associated with date rape because of its disinhibiting effects.

For Dianne Brimble, a mother of three, this behaviour seemed strangely out of character to her friends and family. She loved to dance and chatted to strangers – but to take drugs and have sex with strangers – that was another thing all together.

She was described by the coroner as NOT 'worldy, promiscuous or daring', but as 'a person who lived a decent and innocent lifestyle'.

[IndyDenise]

I found this which happened more recently

 

"A 14-year-old girl from Tennessee reported a sexual assault by a waiter during her cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Liberty on November 4, 2011.

The Carnival Liberty left on Saturday October 29, 2011 from Miami, Florida for a Halloween At Sea party voyage. Carnival Liberty called at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas on Sunday spending Halloween at Sea on Monday. Tuesday, Liberty arrived at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin islands before calling at San Juan, Puerto Rico then Grand Turk on Thursday. Friday November 4, Liberty was at sea, heading back to Miami, where she arrived on Saturday morning around 0800 hours..."

[Di'sGuy]

At that age our kids always wanted to order room service when we went to a hotel, they thought it was something special. In this case I would let them "order what they want" and I would feel better knowing where they are.

 

I must admit I'm a little on the paranoid side, I would worry constantly that the kids were wandering the boat alone and/or getting into trouble and would never be able to enjoy dinner.

 

Bottom line is you know your children better than anyone, only you can decide.

[Dayenu]

It's not about dining alone, it's about safety on the ship. Will you escort the kids to the restaurant, maybe even to the table?

 

What if the 6-year-old needs to go potty - on her own?? Do you realize that the ship may be unsafe?

 

After dinner, are they supposed to go to the cabin? What if somebody follows?

 

If I bring my children on ship, I wouldn't mind them to be at a separate table WHILE I AM WATCHING THEM!

[Hlitner]

If I bring my children on ship, I wouldn't mind them to be at a separate table WHILE I AM WATCHING THEM!

 

Most cruise ships will not permit minor children to dine at a table without an adult. If you have very well behaved kids and a very understanding maitre 'd perhaps you could do this, but we only recall seeing such a thing one time (on a RCCL cruise over 20 years ago) during our cruises (and we have spent more then 2 years on cruises). In that particular case there were 2 families traveling together and they arranged to have their 5 children (combined) at a table right next to theirs.

 

Hank

[paul929207]

Maybe a try out before the cruise, drop the kids at a top restaurant and see how they do.

[jdvmd]

I haven't read any of the responses to this thread other than the first page.,,,,Just wanted to add our experience. We were on RCCL's Adventure of the Seas as well as the Celebrity Millenium when we let our two children dine by themselves at our table of four (Millenium) and with our other tablemates (Adventure).

On the Adventure, we had booked a specialty restaurant because of our anniversary and our kids didn't want to go. I want to say they were 12 and 5 at the time.

The other time, we were invited to the Captain's table. My kids are very mature and well mannered. On the Adventure, they had gotten to know our tablemates very well. In fact, I found my kids dancing in Johnny Rockets with our tablemates.

I think it is a case-by-case thing. If your kids are mature enough, sure. If not, I would not want to bother anyone and wouldn't even consider it. Ours felt comfortable enough with the wait staff and our table companions (on the Adventure) to go sans parents.

[ducklite]

I haven't read any of the responses to this thread other than the first page.,,,,Just wanted to add our experience. We were on RCCL's Adventure of the Seas as well as the Celebrity Millenium when we let our two children dine by themselves at our table of four (Millenium) and with our other tablemates (Adventure).

On the Adventure, we had booked a specialty restaurant because of our anniversary and our kids didn't want to go. I want to say they were 12 and 5 at the time.

The other time, we were invited to the Captain's table. My kids are very mature and well mannered. On the Adventure, they had gotten to know our tablemates very well. In fact, I found my kids dancing in Johnny Rockets with our tablemates.

I think it is a case-by-case thing. If your kids are mature enough, sure. If not, I would not want to bother anyone and wouldn't even consider it. Ours felt comfortable enough with the wait staff and our table companions (on the Adventure) to go sans parents.

 

I hope your table mates weren't just being polite. I would have felt like you were expecting me to babysit. If you had asked in advance if it was OK, I would have politely said I wasn't at all comfortable with it. And the fact is that you don't get to know people "very well" in a few days.

[bplazo]

I hope your table mates weren't just being polite. I would have felt like you were expecting me to babysit. If you had asked in advance if it was OK, I would have politely said I wasn't at all comfortable with it. And the fact is that you don't get to know people "very well" in a few days.

 

I agree with you.

 

At that age, they are your children and your responsibility and should be with the parents or at the childrens club. Every parent thinks that their children are polite, well behaved, mature and everyone likes them.

[LegalCat]

I agree with you.

 

At that age, they are your children and your responsibility and should be with the parents or at the childrens club. Every parent thinks that their children are polite, well behaved, mature and everyone likes them.

 

I agree as well. Not to beat a dead horse but I would be really upset if I was at a table with someone elses children unattended. What if there was a problem? I would never impose that kind of responsibility on a stranger with my own kids no matter how capable or well behaved I might think they would be. I really hope this doesn't make me sound like a horrible person but if I found myself at a table with someones unattended kids, I would probably bring it to the attention of the appropriate staff and voice my concerns and probably ask to be moved.

[cindyleigh]

I haven't read any of the responses to this thread other than the first page.,,,,Just wanted to add our experience. We were on RCCL's Adventure of the Seas as well as the Celebrity Millenium when we let our two children dine by themselves at our table of four (Millenium) and with our other tablemates (Adventure).

On the Adventure, we had booked a specialty restaurant because of our anniversary and our kids didn't want to go. I want to say they were 12 and 5 at the time.

The other time, we were invited to the Captain's table. My kids are very mature and well mannered. On the Adventure, they had gotten to know our tablemates very well. In fact, I found my kids dancing in Johnny Rockets with our tablemates.

I think it is a case-by-case thing. If your kids are mature enough, sure. If not, I would not want to bother anyone and wouldn't even consider it. Ours felt comfortable enough with the wait staff and our table companions (on the Adventure) to go sans parents.

I'm just curious, why would it depend on what your children felt? Children have not yet fully developed judgment and are by nature egocentric. That's the nature of childhood, and why we parents must assume responsibility for our children, which supersedes our own wants and desires (like for an evening alone). They are not just miniature adults. It has nothing to do with parenting style or wishes or the child's track record. They are physiologically and neurologically and experientially "not adults". I would never leave my 5 year old alone or on the company of a 12 year old attendant or expect table mates to serve in loco parentis or as suggested earlier, leave them at a local restaurant for two hours and ask a waiter to keep an eye on them. And on land, child protective services would agree that to do so is negligent.

[ducklite]

Why is it that every parent who posts about their children on cruise critic has "very mature for their age" kids? It seems to be a growing trend. Somehow CC must suck the super parents with the especially gifted and talented and mature children out of the Interweb vortex and onto it's boards, leaving behind all of the "normal" kids. The statistical anomaly amazes me.

[SpoiledTraveler]

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

 

REALLY? Oh my gosh I would have totally eaten that up as a kid!! My aunt used to take me to the ballet and opera, I was well socialized with adults, and could never wait for our next "fancy" adventure. I would have loved that environment, so would my oldest daughter. I guess it just depends on what activities the kids are used to participating in.

 

The OP sounds like they have come to a great solution to the original question. I think the kids will LOVE NYE at the clubs!

[bplazo]

I'm just curious, why would it depend on what your children felt? Children have not yet fully developed judgment and are by nature egocentric. That's the nature of childhood, and why we parents must assume responsibility for our children, which supersedes our own wants and desires (like for an evening alone). They are not just miniature adults. It has nothing to do with parenting style or wishes or the child's track record. They are physiologically and neurologically and experientially "not adults". I would never leave my 5 year old alone or on the company of a 12 year old attendant or expect table mates to serve in loco parentis or as suggested earlier, leave them at a local restaurant for two hours and ask a waiter to keep an eye on them. And on land, child protective services would agree that to do so is negligent.

 

Very well said.

[Sea42]

REALLY? Oh my gosh I would have totally eaten that up as a kid!! My aunt used to take me to the ballet and opera, I was well socialized with adults, and could never wait for our next "fancy" adventure. I would have loved that environment, so would my oldest daughter. I guess it just depends on what activities the kids are used to participating in.

 

The OP sounds like they have come to a great solution to the original question. I think the kids will LOVE NYE at the clubs!

But would you have wanted to do that type of thing without an adult? At age 6?

[LegalCat]

I guess it just depends on what activities the kids are used to participating in.

 

Regardless of what a KID is used to participating in, they are still KIDS and its pretty inconsiderate to put the responsibility of kids on total strangers who are trying to enjoy their own vacation... no matter how well raised or responsible or mature a kid is, you can't predict that the evening will go off without a hitch. If something were to happen, you are putting total strangers in the spot of having to step in.

[paul929207]

Why is it that every parent who posts about their children on cruise critic has "very mature for their age" kids? It seems to be a growing trend. Somehow CC must suck the super parents with the especially gifted and talented and mature children out of the Interweb vortex and onto it's boards, leaving behind all of the "normal" kids. The statistical anomaly amazes me.

I have noticed this with the children's program. There are often post from a parent whose child is below the cutoff for a group and wants this "mature" child moved up. I don't recall ever seeing one wanting to move the immature child down a bracket.

[breeze123]

Everyone keeps focusing on the 6 year old and forgetting that there are two older children in this group as well. The 12 year old and/or 10 year old would be able to assist the younger one with reading the menu and going to the bathroom (although a 6 year old should be able to go to the bathroom alone).

 

Personally, I would feel awkward sending my kid to the MDR without me, but that's not to say I would feel somehow burdened by someone else doing so.

[cindyleigh]

Everyone keeps focusing on the 6 year old and forgetting that there are two older children in this group as well. The 12 year old and/or 10 year old would be able to assist the younger one with reading the menu and going to the bathroom (although a 6 year old should be able to go to the bathroom alone).

 

Personally, I would feel awkward sending my kid to the MDR without me, but that's not to say I would feel somehow burdened by someone else doing so.

 

This is still too young to be assuming responsibility for younger children in the absence of the parents. Most law enforcement or child protective services who might happen upon this age child being responsible for a 10 and 6 year old, even in their own home, would initiate action to protect the children and evaluate the parents for their suitability to retain custody of their children.

Send them to a children's program on board, or have your date night at home when you can hire a responsible, age appropriate babysitter.

[sail7seas]

If we were the 'other guests' seated at that table, I would feel burdened for the parents to not be present with the children and the implied expectation is for those adults present to oversee these children. What responsible adult would not feel a responsibility even though they barely know these young people?

 

Foregoing one's preferences and pleasures in favor of the children goes along with being a Mom and Dad.

[bplazo]

Everyone keeps focusing on the 6 year old and forgetting that there are two older children in this group as well. The 12 year old and/or 10 year old would be able to assist the younger one with reading the menu and going to the bathroom (although a 6 year old should be able to go to the bathroom alone).

 

Personally, I would feel awkward sending my kid to the MDR without me, but that's not to say I would feel somehow burdened by someone else doing so.

 

Well, I still would not allow a 10 or 12 year old to roam around a ship by themselves.