Evening childcare on RCCL

[CaribbeanCrush]

We will be traveling with the entire family on our next cruise, which will include our 5 yr, and 6 mo. old grandkids. Do they offer any kind of child care in the evenings for an hour two?

[6rugrats]

From their webpage - looks like you are out-of-luck for the baby:

 

Time for Mom and Dad

As a vacation for the whole family, Royal Caribbean also provides quiet time for Mom and Dad. That can be during the day, while the kids are at their own Adventure Ocean programs, or at night, while the kids are with babysitters. Babysitting is offered both in a group setting, and individually in your stateroom. In stateroom babysitting must be booked through the Guest Relations Desk (Purser's Desk) at least 24 hours in advance.

 

It cannot be booked prior to the cruise vacation and there is no guarantee that sitters will be available. The service is offered when personnel is available.

 

Children MUST be at least 1 year old.

Approximate Rate: $10.00 per hour for one or two children within the same family or $15.00 per hour for three children within the same family.

 

Times and prices are subject to change without notice. Payment must be made in cash.

[AmMom]

If you want to experience any of the night life all together, bring a babysitter. We went on Freedom in July with our 8 month old - as said above, they will not offer any babysitting services for any child under 1. My husband and I took turns during the naps and in the evening. We were never able to do anything together during those times. We are leaving in a few weeks on Liberty and this time we are taking a sitter to stay in the room with her during naps and later on in the evening. Don't get me wrong, we loved spending time with our daughter, but sitting in the room during naps and bedtime (8pm on) was pretty boring considering all that was going on on the ship at any given moment.

 

FYI - depending on the size of the group, you can get a family room (oceanview or interior) that will accommodate 6 people - the first two people pay the full price and then the remaining 4 people pay the reduced 3rd/4th person rate. They will only let you book this room if you are a "family" meaning parents with kids (and/or a sitter). It is cheaper than a balcony or getting two separate rooms.