Late seating and kids?

[HelloPhoto]

Hi!

The only way we were able to book our room category was to take late seating. The TA said that we might be able to switch on board. My kids are 5 and 6 1/2.

At the time we booked, I figured we would do room service all together as a family, or maybe 1 or 2 nights feed the kids first then put them in the Oceaneer's Club in their jammies so when we're done they can go right to bed after brushing their teeth.

After hearing so many good things about the restaurants on board, I'd love for us all to experience them and not be stuck in the room eating room service or having to separate as a family.

Has anyone had late seating with kids close to my kids age? What did you do? Thanks for your help!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi!

The only way we were able to book our room category was to take late seating. The TA said that we might be able to switch on board. My kids are 5 and 6 1/2.

At the time we booked, I figured we would do room service all together as a family, or maybe 1 or 2 nights feed the kids first then put them in the Oceaneer's Club in their jammies so when we're done they can go right to bed after brushing their teeth.

After hearing so many good things about the restaurants on board, I'd love for us all to experience them and not be stuck in the room eating room service or having to separate as a family.

Has anyone had late seating with kids close to my kids age? What did you do? Thanks for your help!

Hi with your kids ages I really would try to get on an early sitting at 6pm, there is so much to enjoy at the meals and they are an age when imho they will enjoy it more at 6pm rather than later.

Animators palate for the black and white to color show is great for kids and the food and the servers add to th whole atmosphere in the dinning rooms.

Room service would be missing out.

The later meal your young kids could be tiered after all the excitement of the day at the pools or onshore, or in the clubs, and also they might, like mine hit the fast food on deck 9 if they eat later, I like my kids to eat well in the restaurants, try to be changed or wait listed to early.

 

[kcashner]

Step one--book late seating but tell them you want to be wait listed for early.

Step 2--when you board, go to "dining changes" and ask to be moved to main (early) seating.

Yes, you can do late seating with kids, but some of the best club/lab activities occur during the late dinner time. The only way I'd recommend it is if you are from the west coast and keeping them on "home time." If the kids are hungry before dinner time, you can always get fruit/snacks on deck 9 or order something light from room service.

If you have late dinner, ask your server to bring the kid food as soon as it is ready (rather than serving in courses). The kids can eat and you can excuse yourself for a minute between courses to take them to the club....then come back and finish dinner with your spouse. That way they don't miss the programming.

 

[HelloPhoto]

Wow Andrew DEREK! You're quick! Thank you so much for your prompt reply! From what I understand, the best way to change one's seating time is when you check in at the Port? I think that's what the TA said to me?

I forgot to add that they usually go to bed at 8. 2 years ago, they would be sleeping at 8 on the nose. Nowadays they're up until about 8:30-9. But, it's quiet time and they're in their beds.

Thanks again. I've got my fingers crossed!!

 

[4Ollies]

We have late seating too but asked for it. May have to see how they do and use kcashner's idea of taking them to the club if they want to go.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Wow Andrew DEREK! You're quick! Thank you so much for your prompt reply! From what I understand, the best way to change one's seating time is when you check in at the Port? I think that's what the TA said to me?

I forgot to add that they usually go to bed at 8. 2 years ago, they would be sleeping at 8 on the nose. Nowadays they're up until about 8:30-9. But, it's quiet time and they're in their beds.

Thanks again. I've got my fingers crossed!!

Yes get to the port early and ask to be swapped, keep nagging DCL regularly they give in to persistence. With young kids they will try.

Good luck and enjoy, and they will love the cruise and the meals.

 

[HelloPhoto]

You guys are amazing! Kcashner you answered my question as I was writing it!! How cool is that?

Thank you so much!

Step one--book late seating but tell them you want to be wait listed for early.

I booked through Dreams Unlimited and told them about my seating preference. Come to think of it, I may already be on a wait list for early seating. I've got to pick up my DD from school, but will check on that as soon as I come back. Thanks!!

 

[HelloPhoto]

I just checked and yes, I'm waitlisted for first seating.

kcashner, those are great tips, thank you! It never would have occurred to me to ask the server to bring out the kids food first so they could do the programs at the club! I feel like we have options now, that's great.

4Ollies - How old are your kids?

Andrew DEREK - Nag? Ask my husband about how well I nag! If it's left to nagging then I'll be in first seating. Just kidding, I don't think I'm that bad!

Has anyone been in the late seating and seen kids have major meltdowns? (Not that I'm worrying about this or anything...)

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

You guys are amazing! Kcashner you answered my question as I was writing it!! How cool is that?

Thank you so much!



I booked through Dreams Unlimited and told them about my seating preference. Come to think of it, I may already be on a wait list for early seating. I've got to pick up my DD from school, but will check on that as soon as I come back. Thanks!!

They will try their best for you DU are good.

I just checked and yes, I'm waitlisted for first seating.

kcashner, those are great tips, thank you! It never would have occurred to me to ask the server to bring out the kids food first so they could do the programs at the club! I feel like we have options now, that's great.

4Ollies - How old are your kids?

Andrew DEREK - Nag? Ask my husband about how well I nag! If it's left to nagging then I'll be in first seating. Just kidding, I don't think I'm that bad!

Has anyone been in the late seating and seen kids have major meltdowns? (Not that I'm worrying about this or anything...)

Nag is the way to do it, on a cruise be persistent against any 'NO'.

I have never been on late so cant discribe any meltdowns but I would say its more 'sleep' then anything, even at early one of my lot fell asleep once and didnt eat.
Enjoy your cruise and the kids will love it!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Plus, the late seating time won't be over until around 10:00p! That will be really late for them to be up, let alone eat. Good luck with your swich.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Plus, the late seating time won't be over until around 10:00p! That will be really late for them to be up, let alone eat. Good luck with your swich.

 

[HelloPhoto]

Plus, the late seating time won't be over until around 10:00p! That will be really late for them to be up, let alone eat. Good luck with your swich.

10 PM?!?!? Uh oh, that definitely won't work for us. They'll be sleeping in their plates.

Thank you for the vibes, I'll need them!!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

When we went to late seating I can not remember hardly any small kids
It would be nice if you could enjoy it.

 

[MOMMYMOUSEOF2]

We had late seating with my kids ages 2 and 5. I actually really enjoyed it. I asked for the 8:00 late seating and we were out a little after 9. It was very nice. My kids really enjoyed seeing the shows and then we would get dressed and head to dinner. We were able to spend more time out exploring the islands as well because we didn't have to get ready before seeing the shows.

I thought it worked out great and we actually ended up requesting late seating for our next cruise.

 

[samily]

We have had late seating on all but our last cruise (kids were ages 13 months, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 6, 7 at various times) and we always enjoyed it. Our last cruise we decided to try main seating. We always grab something to eat on deck 9 and bring it back to the room with the kids late in the afternoon for nap/quiet time anyway before getting ready for dinner/shows. I actually found that we took the time to see more shows when we had the late dinner; I don’t think we saw one this last cruise! Also, the servers were always very good at getting dinner done quickly for us (maybe a little more than an hour or so). If you aren’t able to switch your dining time, don’t sweat it – you’ll be surprised how quickly the kids adapt!

 

[Scrappingjen]

Thanks for your advice. we have late seating and my kids will be 6 and 4 but if we were done by 9 that wouldn't be too bad.

 

[HelloPhoto]

We have had late seating on all but our last cruise (kids were ages 13 months, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 6, 7 at various times) and we always enjoyed it. Our last cruise we decided to try main seating. We always grab something to eat on deck 9 and bring it back to the room with the kids late in the afternoon for nap/quiet time anyway before getting ready for dinner/shows. I actually found that we took the time to see more shows when we had the late dinner; I don’t think we saw one this last cruise! Also, the servers were always very good at getting dinner done quickly for us (maybe a little more than an hour or so). If you aren’t able to switch your dining time, don’t sweat it – you’ll be surprised how quickly the kids adapt!

We had late seating with my kids ages 2 and 5. I actually really enjoyed it. I asked for the 8:00 late seating and we were out a little after 9. It was very nice. My kids really enjoyed seeing the shows and then we would get dressed and head to dinner. We were able to spend more time out exploring the islands as well because we didn't have to get ready before seeing the shows.

I thought it worked out great and we actually ended up requesting late seating for our next cruise.

Thank you SO much for the good news!

Thank you samily for the tip on heading to deck 9 for some snacks while we get ready! What a great idea. We'll be on deck 8, so it will be easy to get to! I'm really looking forward to seeing the shows, so this is great news!!

Mommymouse, it's great to hear that you were out by nine! YES! I never really considered having extra time on the islands! Me thinks I'm worrying too much. (Can you tell I'm a first time cruiser?)

If we aren't able to switch it's so good to know that it's not the end of the world. My son would LOVE to get to stay up until 9, I thought it might be part of the magic for him! So, if they don't move us to the main dining, I'll try extra hard to get the 8 PM eating time. If we aren't able to switch it's so good to know that it's not the end of the world. My son would LOVE to get to stay up until 9, I thought it might be part of the magic for him! So, if they don't move us to the main dining, I'll try extra hard to get the 8 PM eating time.


Thanks again!!

 

[TiaMaria]

Naps!

I'm a big believer on late afternoon naps. Trust me - kids will still be up and ready to go no matter how late they were up - the good news about that is - 2 hours of so of peace and quiet in the afternoon!

It will work out fine - please don't feel you will have to miss out on the evening activities or restaurants. It may just take some adapting if the waitlist doesn't clear.

 

[Malagueta]

We're sailing this weekend and have late seating ( 6, just 5). We're waitlisted for early, but talked it over and are keeping late. As a working mom, I usually don't get dinner together until around 7 pm when we're home, so I can't see eating so early when we're not. On our trips to WDW, we typically do the parks early, swim, and then pass out until 5 or 6, then hit the parks again and eat--so I'm not too worried about them eating late. My 2 are also grazers and seem to have the metabolism of hummingbirds (so unlike their parents), so they'll be eating all day anyway without gaining an ounce

Counting the days till Wonder Sunday

 

[OurDogCisco]

My 2 are also grazers and seem to have the metabolism of hummingbirds (so unlike their parents), so they'll be eating all day anyway without gaining an ounce

Isn't that the truth!!! LOL..