What to do with kids when we are at Portofino?

[hockeymomof2]

Sorry for the dumb question but this is our first cruise with kids. I'd like to book Portofino one night for DH and I. BUT>..I have no clue what do to with the kids as they are under 13 (ages 9 & 12). I understand there is a kids club but at night too? Sorry, I am clueless with this.

[Cuizer2]

Yes, there is a kids club in the evenings after first seating gets out. So book your special dinner during the second seating and the kids can be in Ocean Adventure while you are dining. OR ...

 

Q: Are children allowed to dine in our Specialty Restaurants?

 

A: Chops Grille and Portofino

All guests 13 and over are welcome; children under 13 years may book only before 7 p.m. Thereafter children under the age of 13 are not allowed. All guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do;jsessionid=00006ZK79l9GzYOmiEejqEgoeLB:12hbioe0u?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqSubjectName=Food+%26+Beverage&faqId=3233&faqSubjectId=336&faqType=faq

[crusinmama06]

Yep, I take the kids to dinner early (Windjammer, Sorrento's, Cafe Promenade) and then drop them off at the kids club (which opens at 7pm)

 

I make my reservations for the specialty dining for 7:30pm or 8pm.

[hockeymomof2]

you guys are the best!!:D

 

My older son would be in the 12-14 year old group so it appears based on the RCCL site that there is no 'club' for him. It sounds like he can come and go as he pleases?:confused: I'd rather him not have that kind of freedom.

 

I also posted another question on the RCCL board about the formal nights. Michelle, we are on Indy - 6 night (leaving in 1 week from today!)...are the formal nights the same as the 'at sea' days? I don't want to book the specialty restaurant during the formal dinner.

 

Thanks again for your replies! Michelle, I love your posts (and I think I've told you already!!:p). You should be paid by CC as you offer us newbies alot of good advice!! :D

[crusinmama06]

you guys are the best!!:D

 

My older son would be in the 12-14 year old group so it appears based on the RCCL site that there is no 'club' for him. It sounds like he can come and go as he pleases?:confused: I'd rather him not have that kind of freedom.

 

I also posted another question on the RCCL board about the formal nights. Michelle, we are on Indy - 6 night (leaving in 1 week from today!)...are the formal nights the same as the 'at sea' days? I don't want to book the specialty restaurant during the formal dinner.

 

Thanks again for your replies! Michelle, I love your posts (and I think I've told you already!!:p). You should be paid by CC as you offer us newbies alot of good advice!! :D

 

Is this the 6 day Caribbean? I have my Indy review here at the Fam board and all of the compasses are scanned and included so you can see the formal nights....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=923729

 

And he will have a "club" but yes, he can leave if he wishes. But there should be activities going on for him at that time.

[hockeymomof2]

Thanks Michele!

I'll read over all the compasses tonight! Yes we are on the 6 night Western Caribbean on Indy!!

 

hmmm...I'm now thinking we should see if we can switch our dining seating time. We booked the earlier one (6pm) thinking this would allow us to catch the earlier shows with the kids. Also, we initially thought the kids would join us for the dinners, including the captain's gala, etc. However, now we aren't so sure. They would not last 2+ hours. I'm kind of surprised the Kids Club doesn't open until 7pm....if we can't switch our times then we are kind of stuck. Do your kids join you in the MDR? I think I may recall someone (maybe you?) saying the kids have dinner with you in the MDR and then after an hour you leave and take them to the Kids Club and then return to the MDR? Any suggestions? (I hate to even ask as you've been so helpful already!!):o

[crusinmama06]

My kids wouldn't last the 2 hours either. The servers made sure they were out by 7pm. So one hour for dinner.

 

There is a new program called "My Time Family Dining". I put the info somewhere around here. Don't know if the program has started yet though. The Adventure Ocean counselors actually come and get the kids in the MDR. So you may want to call and ask them about this.

 

But if all else fails, just have the servers get the kids their meals quickly so you can walk the kids up within an hour and have a nice quiet dessert without them.

[Cuizer2]

Thanks Michele!

I'll read over all the compasses tonight! Yes we are on the 6 night Western Caribbean on Indy!!

 

hmmm...I'm now thinking we should see if we can switch our dining seating time. We booked the earlier one (6pm) thinking this would allow us to catch the earlier shows with the kids. Also, we initially thought the kids would join us for the dinners, including the captain's gala, etc. However, now we aren't so sure. They would not last 2+ hours. I'm kind of surprised the Kids Club doesn't open until 7pm....if we can't switch our times then we are kind of stuck. Do your kids join you in the MDR? I think I may recall someone (maybe you?) saying the kids have dinner with you in the MDR and then after an hour you leave and take them to the Kids Club and then return to the MDR? Any suggestions? (I hate to even ask as you've been so helpful already!!):o

 

Some parents who have late seating for dinner let their kids eat dinner at the Windjammer (buffet) and then take them to Adventure Ocean. Then the parents have their own dinner with the second seating group.

 

You know your kids best. However, I spent four weeks with a four year old, three six year olds and a nine year old (all boys) and all made it though dinner in the MDR just fine.

[spanner14]

We're planning to take our 10 year old to Portofino and Chops and just eat early but if you're after a romantic dinner (and why not!) then you can book your children into the Adventure Ocean kids' club and I'm sure they'll have a great time :)

 

I think the teens section sounds fine and if you're not happy about your older son being able to come and go as he pleases then could you maybe use a "check in" system?

 

Like make sure he has a watch and has to meet you at a certain location each hour or at a specified time? We do this with our daughter at home when she plays out in the street and it works fine. If you make some ground rules for his free time, i.e. no going into someone else's cabin, no going into the solarium, casino etc. and that he must behave responsibly and make sure he meets you at the correct time each hour (or whatever) then that could work. So if you want to stay longer in the MDR and he doesn't, then he can go to the teens lounge but he must meet you at a specific place after an hour. May be worth a try?

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[hockeymomof2]

It's our first cruise with kids so I'm a little unsure about how much freedom to give him. It's fine here at home where he rides his bike to school and other things.

 

I would love to include them in the specialty restaurants but they are too picky it wouldn't be worth it (they eat like birds too!) plus we were thinking of yes...a romantic dinner!

 

I think we'll play it by ear, see how they are liking the kids clubs and go from there!

 

Just booked our excursions today...we leave on Sunday on RCI's Independence of the Seas!! Can't wait!

 

Thanks for all your suggestions....this website has been such a HUGE help to us in our decisions/planning!!:)

[Onessa]

It's our first cruise with kids so I'm a little unsure about how much freedom to give him. It's fine here at home where he rides his bike to school and other things.

 

For the older one, set out some guidelines that will help him make good choices. If he is going to leave the teen area, he should be leaving you a message that clearly states where he is going and who he is with, etc. We've used the phone mail system on the larger ships and just post-it notes on the mirror of the room on a smaller ship with our DD. Make it clear that simple "wandering around" with a pack of tween/teens is not an activilty that is allowed.

 

I like to meet my DD's friends. She doesn't like hanging out with older kids and generally befriends girls her own age. As she gets older I know that their will be mixed genders and larger age differences, but so far she is not interested in either -- so I don't need to set out a whole bunch of rules.

 

I would love to include them in the specialty restaurants but they are too picky it wouldn't be worth it (they eat like birds too!) plus we were thinking of yes...a romantic dinner!

 

Good idea for the specialties but for the MDR, seriously consider including your kids on a regular basis. Our DD has always been a very "selective" eater, but she takes cruises as an opportunity to try some new things. The wait staff is good about getter her smaller portions or letting her try something and if she doesn't care for it, bringing her something else. It is a very non-threatening food environment.

 

Have a great time!

[hockeymomof2]

It is really nice (and refreshing) to read posts from kind & friendly people! I am new to CC and find there are so many negative & miserable people posting...never on the family thread (that I have seen) though!

 

Yes, we are definately taking them to the MDR each night (unless we do a specialty restaurant 1 night ALONE....still undecided).

 

This is a family trip so I do hope most of the time we are all together!:p

[VillaHappy]

Your kids are so lucky! I wish my parents took me on cruises when I was younger...

[Cuizer2]

It is really nice (and refreshing) to read posts from kind & friendly people! I am new to CC and find there are so many negative & miserable people posting...never on the family thread (that I have seen) though!

 

Yes, we are definately taking them to the MDR each night (unless we do a specialty restaurant 1 night ALONE....still undecided).

 

This is a family trip so I do hope most of the time we are all together!:p

You can always threaten to eat the one that is misbehaving. That always works for me. :)

[hockeymomof2]

You can always threaten to eat the one that is misbehaving. That always works for me. :)

 

They know I've vegetarian!! lol:D

[hockeymomof2]

Your kids are so lucky! I wish my parents took me on cruises when I was younger...

 

We went camping/cottaging/boating and stuff...no luxurious cruises when I was a kid! Never even on a plane! In fact, my mom (who is in her mid 50's) just went on her FIRST flight (she is scared of flying) a couple of weeks ago to Costa Rica. She loved it!!

 

We are leaving today so enjoy your weekend everyone....will report back once we return!