Children and Portofinos

[dfgf]

I find if you get drunk enough, you don't even notice the kids.......

[dfgf]

Can't we all just get along?

 

Maybe it's time for a moderator to turn off this thread.

[Sovren]

Contrary to what some of you think, I have no illusions about the world rotating around my son. He's a nice sweet kid and doesn't cause any problems. He had no idea he wasn't "allowed" in Portofino. There were probably 4 or 5 other tables occupied when we arrived. They put us way in the back room and honestly, I don't think anybody noticed my son.

 

I am sure you people live a pious life and never bend or break a rule. No speeders or jaywalkers. Some people just seem to like to complain. I see you all the time on cruise ships. Nothing is ever good enough for you. Its very sad that you must find the worst in people or a situation.

 

I want you all to believe that whoever answered the phone at Portofino that night really did make the offer to bring my son. I frankly didn't even think about declining the offer. We had eaten in there earlier in the week and it was one of the best meals I ever had. Since it was the last night of the trip, we really wanted to go there again.

 

Should RCI enforce the rules, absolutely? Do they now, or will they in the future, probably not? Their rules are more like guidelines, at least that's how they treat them. Do you really think they would want to alienate us? If the sight of a child in Portofino so repulsed you that you couldn't enjoy your meal, then they should waive the 20 dollar fee.

 

I certainly understand each of your points made above. But as I said before, it was just not a big deal. They said sure bring him up, we did, we ate, we left. Just sort of a no-brainer. Nobody gave us a look. No disrespect of the rules or other patrons was meant. I would hope that if you saw my son or any kid in there enjoying a dinner and acting properly, that none of you would make a scene.

[Schplinky]

Here's another perspective from a non-parent. It has been my experience that many of my friends think "their" children are really well behaved, that they behave better than some adults, etc. They are proud parents and some of them even have children that are well-behaved, for their age. That said, these friends are generally deluded about just how well-behaved their kids are. They are kids, not short adults. They may be easily reined in if things get out of hand but they are still children and are prone to boredom during a meal that might take two or three hours to eat.

 

Am I the only person who thinks it's a little Stepford to presume that a nine year-old would even want to act like a short adult?

[raerae]

heidict,

 

I know this is getting old but I read this entire thread and sovern clearly stated several times that he called to have them fit him and his FAMILY in. After posters told him it was wrong to ask he changed his story to say that they INVITED him.

I just wish everyone would follow the rules set down by RCI. These kids thread always cause a commotion because the parents are always telling adults that complain about kids to sail on adult only cruises. However, these are the same people that try to manipulate the rules to include their child (because they are "well behaved"). Let the adults enjoy the activities set up by RCI for "adults only" or "adults and older children" only. I don't ask to go hang out in AO. LOL!!! I'm a "well behaved" adult!!!

Cindy ;)

[Andipanda1]

...and as I stated before, your disrespect for the rules and fellow passengers permits me to complain to management about you and your son. I will not hesitate to make enough of a scene to see your son escorted out!

 

Learn some respect. The world does not revolve your son.

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

If you extend the priviledges of an adult to your children just because you can, what does the child learn? That he can have anything he wants as long as he asks for it, no matter what the rules are. Limits are a good thing.

 

It sets a bad precedent. I love children, but after our last cruise I have had enough. I don't care if your little darling IS a little darling. There are enough children out there who are spoiled, rude and disruptive that I want the rules to be enforced so I can enjoy my dinner--in an adult environment.

[Heidict]

heidict,

 

I know this is getting old but I read this entire thread and sovern clearly stated several times that he called to have them fit him and his FAMILY in. After posters told him it was wrong to ask he changed his story to say that they INVITED him.

 

I just wish everyone would follow the rules set down by RCI. These kids thread always cause a commotion because the parents are always telling adults that complain about kids to sail on adult only cruises. However, these are the same people that try to manipulate the rules to include their child (because they are "well behaved"). Let the adults enjoy the activities set up by RCI for "adults only" or "adults and older children" only. I don't ask to go hang out in AO. LOL!!! I'm a "well behaved" adult!!!

 

Cindy ;)

I wish people would follow the rules that RCI has also. It gets under my skin also when I see kids in the pool with diapers on, or someone in shorts and a tank top on formal night. But the passengers aren't going to follow the rules unless RCI enforces them. They seem to think that if they enforced them that nobody would sail with them. Actually, I believe that people would sail with them, just a better and more polite class of people.;)

[raerae]

I wish people would follow the rules that RCI has also. It gets under my skin also when I see kids in the pool with diapers on, or someone in shorts and a tank top on formal night. But the passengers aren't going to follow the rules unless RCI enforces them. They seem to think that if they enforced them that nobody would sail with them. Actually, I believe that people would sail with them, just a better and more polite class of people.;)

 

AMEN!!!! :D

[Folgy]

The issue as I see it is ,the decline in any form of adult venues available to adults . Rules are being broken and the cruise staff is endorsing them to do so. My fustration grows as I continue to see the 'it's my cruise and I am going to do as I please irregardless of the rules or who ever feathers gets ruffled'.

The guilty parties as I see it is the vain *parents* that figure the world revolves around them. (not all ... just some)

 

Oh look what I made twin poopers *drool , blurp!. waaaaa... goo goo,- don't you just think they are the sweetest frappppp!!! *stench, ralph! ...Hurl!!! :D

[goodml]

Folgy, nobody says it like you do hon.:D

[familycruzer]

The problem is that even if a child is well behaved, other adults are paying to dine at the specialty restuarants and want to enjoy a kid free adult only meal.

 

I cruise with children who are under the required age and will not eat in Chops or Portofinos until they are at the correct age. If people would just stick to the rules many of the cruisers here would not complain so much about having kids on board.

[gerif]

On our last cruise, we traveled with DS, DIL and DGS (age 8). While he is a very well behaved child (DIL watches him like a hawk), DH and I went to Portofinos by ourselves one night. DIL wanted to play slots and couldn't understand why DGS could not just sit quietly next to her - I told her under no uncertain terms that it was against the rules and he could not - end of discussion.

[lauram]

I wasn't going to say anything, but...

 

I think it just comes down to respect for others on all counts. I've been in situations where I've been invited to an adult party but unable to attend because of a babysitting issue. The hosts have said politely that I could bring my daughter who was about 9 but I chose not to because I knew it was an adult party. I knew that it would make others uncomfortable and I had enough respect for my hosts and the others in the party not to bring my daughter. Yes, she is a good child and would have probably behaved well, but I didn't feel it was right to bring her.

 

On the other hand, if I was in an adult restaurant and there was a 9 yr old behaving well, I wouldn't say anything out of respect to the other diners. Why disrupt service for no reason? Maybe a quiet word on the way out to the waiter or something but not a big deal.

[PhinsAndGills]

Would you have the same argument if you went to a very upscale restaurant in a big city and had kids at the next table? There you are paying $150.00 pp for dinner. Would you complain if kids were disturbing your dinner?

 

I guess I would complain if the rules stated that children weren't supposed to be there. Even if the restaurant said "Oh we allowed an exception this once..." I would bring up the issue being I walked into the restaurant with the understanding that there would be no children under a certain age. Now, I feel that I wouldn't have a leg to stand on if there was no age rule... no matter how expensive the dinner.

 

On the personal, non-teacher side of me... I need a break from kids, well behaved or not. That's what keeps me teaching with the love and dedication I have... I get breaks. ESPECIALLY because I have to cruise during school breaks because I don't take a week off for personal vacations. If I'm paying for a non-child service, that's what I expect, no children. Your son could've come in wearing a halo, reciting Shakespere, solving world peace, and speaking 4 languages fluently, and I still would've been a little miffed that I was paying for a posted adults-only dining experience with children.

 

I, like many posters, have NO problem with children, especially if they are well behaved. I teach 2nd grade and I can think of many of my students who would have been alright in this situation and would have behaved themselves and everyone could have a wonderful experience. However, I can think of just as many of my students who would've raised a holy commotion all through dinner. The staff member surely doesn't know which child is which, being it takes ME almost a half a school year to figure out, and I have them 7 hours a day.

[Skitter]

We will be sailing on the Navigator soon. We were planning on dining at chops at least once or twice during our cruise. Before I make any reservations I will ask if the are allowing children to dine there. If they say yes, we will not make any. I then will ask why do they not follow the rules that they themselves set. If enough of us let them know our feeling about this maybe they will stop bending the rules for the people that think they are special. Just my 2 cents.

Skitter

[Host Jacquelyn]

It sounds this debate has run its course (and then some ;) ), and this thread is now closed.