A bit concerned about our kid on next cruise.Please help

[spiritofscouse]

Hi my wife mysekf and our daughter who will be nearly 3 will be crusiing on RCC in September.
We already been to 2 cruises on The big red boat and Royal olympic and had no problems. However since this is our first time with RCC we have some questions which we would appreciate if you could help.
1.We booked the late seating. This giveus us time to get ready etc after spending the day at port or on an excursion. On our previous cruises we were allowed to take our child in the stroller in the dining room since she would soon fall asleep. Is this allowed with RCC?

2. Same goes for the shows. We would stay at the end of the seating and take child in stroller since as before she would soon fall asleep.
We understand that for the ice skating show this might not be possible but she might enjoy that show and not sleep.

We would appreciate your replies since we are a bit concerned.

SS Ocenaic West Med 2002
Olympia Explorer East Med 2003

[raerae]

Strollers are NOT permitted in the dining rooms! Also I am not sure about the shows but I would assume not as they would block the aisles and threrfore be a safety issue. They do offer babysitting in your cabin so please consider this option so that you and the DW can enjoy the shows and dinner.

Cindy [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[spiritofscouse]

so what do handicapped people in wheelchairs do?they are not allowed in?
We dont want to leave our child with baby sitters every night

SS Ocenaic West Med 2002
Olympia Explorer East Med 2003

[madforcruising]

Well speaking of the theater there is a row for wheelchairs. I don´t know what they do if anyone comes with a stroller over there. I doubt they say anything as long your kid is sleeping and not disturbing the performance although I never saw any parents doing this.
Concerning the dining room I think it depends on the available space. For people with wheelchairs there will be a place at the table where they simply remove a chair to have place for them. I don´t know if they set up a place for your 3 year old at the dining room.
The space around the table is very limited usually and a stroller parked there will make it very uncomfortable for everybody especially the wait personnel to move around. I think it´ll be hard to find a finally answer over here and RCCL has their reasons to say no strollers in the dining room, although you´ll find enough people that had their´s in the dining room. I´m sure your fellow cruisers won´t feel disturbed if your kid is sleeping during dinner.

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[FinelyCruising]

Why on earth are you going to compare a 3 yo's stroller to the wheelchair of a handicapped person? Jeesh

Why don't you opt for early seating, begin to teach her how to sit at a table and then put her in her stroller after dinner and walk the ship and see things and shows as she falls asleep. No need for a baby sitter.

[mohendry]

I thoroughly agree with FinelyCrusing. Take early dining and have her sit at the table. At 3 years, my daughter enjoyed eating out but we never did it late nor did we let her run about the restaurant as I have seen otehr children do. Not saying that is what you would do, but do change your dining to early and let her enjoy the experience.

[w&k]

There are wonderful kids programs on almost all the ships now, and the purpose behind them is that children, parents, AND OTHER CRUISERS have a good time (JMHO).

If you want a cruise experience that is even more family-oriented, choose Disney Cruise Lines.

[Florida Beach]

I would check with RCCL to see if they have high chair or booster seat for my child. Three years old is old enough to sit through an entire early sitting meal.

Table manner needs to be taught at an early stage. We took our daughter to a nice restaurant when she was 6 months old. As soon as the main courses were served, she cried. We asked the waiter to pack our food, and left. That's the last time she acts up in public. She has been formally invited to or included in all of the weddings and black tie attire (which we attended) since she was 3 years old. She is 16.

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[Folgy]

RCCL policy is NO strollers in the dining room.
1st seating is a better time for families as little ones go to bed early.
I have never yet in 11 cruises seen anyone bring a stroller to the theater (that would be dangerous...its dark)
They accomodate wheel chairs for the handicapped/elderly.Babies can be held.Second seating theater is around 10pm ...pretty late to be taking a toddler.

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[izzyvet]

I love you Florida Beach. I have friends who have 6 and 8 year olds and they have been going out to eat at nice restaurants since they were one or two. They are the most well behaved children I've ever seen! Yes, you much teach them manners early! (by the way, they have a stay-at-home Dad who's an ex-Marine)

I also say, start teaching the 3 year old some table manners and go for the early seating. You will be doing yourself and others a favor. She's gotta learn sooner or later!

Izzy

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[Hoopster3145]

Second seating on ships were between 1030-11 (Depending on ship).

Handicapped were accomidated with handicapped rows where it goes chair, open space, chair, open space for wheel chairs.

Strollers are NOT permitted in dining room

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[KStevens79]

If your daughter is going to sleep through dinner, when will she eat?
I, too, agree with the early seating suggestion so the three of you can enjoy your meal as a family! Isn't that what a vacation is for?

Karen

Brilliance of the Seas
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[Meeky63]

We have 3 kids, and went on the RCCL Navigator last summer when our youngest was 3. Even though we had the early seating, there were a couple dinners during which she was so tired from the day's activities that she obviously needed to lie down and rest/sleep for a bit. We were lucky enough to have a table in the corner, and our waiter nicely offered to put two chairs together next to the wall, which was perfect for her to get a little nap in while we ate dinner, without interfering with the wait staff or other diners. Perhaps you could request a corner table for this purpose. I would recommend the early seating, though, as several of the other posters have already done. Hope you have a great cruise!

[VickiVSN]

I'm not sure a 2 - 2 1/2 hour formal dinner is a good first introduction to a 3-year old for learning table manners. Not that I'm against teaching these things young, but I've yet to meet a 3-year-old that can sit comfortably through a 90-minute Disney movie let alone a formal dinner that is twice as long.

Getting back to [B]spiritofcruises[/B] question - we always do late seating and I've never seen a stroller in the dining room or the theater. I wasn't aware there was a rule against it. I also have not seen young children at late dining. Many peope, us included, get late dining in part because we are more comfortable in the mostly adult setting. Again, I don't think the cruise line would stop you from doing late dining with a 3-year-old. And given there efforts to match demographics with table mates, you are not likely to end up at a table with 7 other people who would be put-off by your daughter.

But I think other options are available that are worth considering including: early dining, find out if your ship offers the Ocean Adverture program [url="http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/experiencetype/home.do;jsessionid=0000KL1bPwPYTcP7tt5hv4K9eAP:v29bc4qk?exTypeCode=8"]Aquanats Ages 3-5 Years[/url], in-room babysitting, or plan on taking your meals in other venues when not using the in-room babysitting.

Vicki
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[KShea]

Spiritofscouse you asked a simple question. Instead of a simple answer...you got lectures on when you should start teaching your 3 year old table manners. People telling you that you should change your seating to a later one.
"raerae" answered the question...done...no strollers allowed.
Since there in no "booze" allowed to be brought on and people do that all the time why not just ask the head waiter when you get there....
Have a great cruise no matter what you do.....!!!!

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[byefairwind]

We cruised a couple of years ago on Enchantment, 7 day Eastern with our 2 soon to be 3 year old son and his 7 and 5 year old brothers and ate at the early seating. Didn't miss a meal. We made sure we were on time and ready to give our orders without staring at the menu for 15 minutes. We certainly didn't rush through dinner but we also didn't linger until the very end. The boys did great. Chocolate milk and crayons with a game sheet were waiting for them each night. We also dressed them appropriately - jacket and clip on for formal nights. What a great experience for them and we must of had a dozen compliments from fellow passengers on how well behaved they were. Of course they couldn't see the kicks under the table.

That being said since our youngest was under 3 he couldn't be a part of Adventure Ocean. Didn't leave much relaxing for just Mom and I. We had a blast but if we could have changed anything we would have waited a few months so he could take part in AO. We only had the other 2 in AO during the mornings which I believe was from 9-12 and if all 3 had been able to partake it would have given the missus and I a few relaxing hours by the pool.

Have fun!

Empress of the Seas
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[spiritofscouse]

Thanks Kshea.I dont know if these professors have ever cruised with children but from our experience during our last two cruises in which we took our daughter with us,we were glad that we took the late seating since we had ample time to get ready for dinner.I will take my advice and dont worry about it. When we are there we'll see. We've already travelled allot in our lives Thank God and surely we aint gonna leave our daughter with a baby sitter she does not know in order for us to see all the shows. We wouldnt mind if we do not go and see all the shows.Cant have all in life ;O)

SS Ocenaic West Med 2002
Olympia Explorer East Med 2003

[yarlenna]

On my recent Brilliance cruise, there was barely enough room to walk between the tables. I don't know how the people in wheelchairs got into the dining room. There was one route to walk between the door and my table. If there had been a stroller or a wheelchair in the path, I would have had to fly.

Work like a dog. Live like a pauper. Save all your money. Then Cruise!

[bobbie0253]

Three year olds are so much fun! If I had one, I would not hesitate to bring my child.

I disagree with a lot of what has been said here. On the other hand I agree with one thing.....

I would not do second seating with kids ever again. We tried that once with our kids ages 8,9,11,12 at the time. It was just too late for them to enjoy dinner and the shows, And they had to miss their nightime adventure ocean groups.

I personally think any three year old I know would love most the shows, and would do very well in the dining room most nights. The waiters are very attentive to children. Especially if the child is "behaving" by that I mean sitting in her seat. Think about it.... what three yr old complains about something being cooked wrong? Or not hot enough? Or their meat being too tough? Or not having the right brand of Ketchup? Kids are so easy to please, and I would take a table of three yr olds over some of the people we have had the pleasure of dining with <smirk>. Well, maybe not a table of them, but at least a couple....

Adventure Ocean does offer a pj's party once or twice a cruise. I would suggest you consider that, just for a little alone time, and also some extra fun for your child. They get to color pillowcases and watch movies.



Enjoy the family time with your child [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] We plan on cruising with our kids as many times a year as we can afford to. The family time is priceless. So what if we have to miss a show here and there? We once skipped formal dinner because the kids decided they would rather rock climb [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] It's all worth it!


Bobbie

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[gene624]

Often the child's fussing is a function of HUNGER.
We have learned, with our grandchildren, that some crackers or such should be available so that the child has something to eat while courses are being served.
We took our 4 yr old grandson on Monarch a few years ago and he was a delight. With that experience we are taking his 3.5 years old brother on a trip in late July.
Gene in Birmingham

[Cruising Fool]

I saw a stroller in the theatre on the Brilliance, and yes - it was dangerous!!! Everyone was having a hard time trying to get around the stroller. Also, if you miss the theatre that night, you can always catch it on your tv in your stateroom the next day! That's one thing I've always loved on Royal Caribbean.

Marianne
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[DFritz]

As a foster parent of children of all ages here is my two cents worth:

I would ask for first seating instead of second and come back from your ports of call an hour earlier so the child can get a small nap if needed and a snack to hold them over until dinner. This nap time will give you the chance to shower and dress for dinner. I would then attend the shows with the child but I would change them into their pj's before the show and go to the show in the pj's. I noticed a lot of parents that did that and it was great because if the child falls asleep you already have them ready for bed. Then if you decide to go out to the lounges for an hour or two you can get the sitter to come in and the child is already asleep or you can skip the show in the evening and take the child to adventure ocean if you like. They do have ocassional pajama parties for the younger kids that your child would probably really enjoy. As to the stroller: I don't think they will be permitted in either location but I would ask about a fold up umbrella stroller. All they can tell you is no. Another option is to consider taking an aunt , older cousin, or grandparent with you to assist you during this week. Many cabins have capacity for 4 and the additional person may not cost much.

No matter what you choose have a great cruise and enjoy this vacation together. It belongs to your child as much as you.

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'Til my next cruise

[fireguy091]

My God whats this world coming to 3 yr olds on a cruise. The cruise directors of the 60's must be turning over in there graves,lol


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[Shellyb]

Our daughter was 3 on our last cruise and she had a wonderful time in the dining room. We had first seating and she always took a little nap right before dinner while we were getting showered. They have a special menu for children that included all her favorites. She liked some of the shows but not others. By the way, she loved Adventure Ocean as well so sometimes we took her there after dinner too.

Whatever you decide to do have a wonderful time!

Shelly

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[DecafMom]

We're taking our 3 year old on his first cruise in June. I won't be taking a stroller into the dining room, but only b/c I know he won't fall asleep in it. LOL The little guy doesn't need much sleep, much to his mom and dad's dismay. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] He hasn't napped since he was 18 months old, and even then it was rare.

I hope you have a great time on your cruise. I think it's great when families get to travel together. Some of my fondest memories were of family vacations.

DecafMom
Nordic Empress, 6/12/04
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