Are kids allowed at the daytime beverage tastiings?

[jjje]

On our cruise there were almost always kids at "adult" activities. Sometimes cast members would sort of make a joking comment about it but no one ever left or removed their kids. It was irritating but what can you do? If it had been at a paid event (like a tasting) I would have asked for a refund. There's no reason for kids to be at an event like that.

 

[mareed]

Interesting... On the 2 cruises I've been on on the Magic, at all of the activities listed under the "Adults" section of the Navigator, they made a point to talk about "protecting us from the children". On the walking tour that started in Palo, they asked one young adult how old she was before letting her stay (she was 18 and stayed), so I'm sure they would have made anyone leave who was under 18. We specifically asked because we thought about including our 13 year old son (perfectly behaved of course - LOL! ) and were told it was adults only.

My other experience was at the Art of Entertaining cooking sessions where they made the "protect from the children" comment, but there were no children there already. Now, there were some adults who showed up last minute and acted like children as they noisily found seats, but I guess Disney can't ask them to leave for that.

 

[AZMermaid]

I tend to agree. If I am paying $11 an hour for my kids to be in the nursery to do a tasting, I would be annoyed if there were children in there. I doubt I would ask for a refund unless the child was a real problem (and coming up to Mom more than once or twice to me would be a problem in that enviornment). I think it comes down to a choice, if you (general you, not attacking OP who asked an innocent question) want to do the tasting, you gotta figure out something for the kid- either stay with dad, Grandma, whatever or tell the kid he has to go the club for an hour. Don't make it a choice. Or, you don't go to the tasting.

 

[allears]

Not directed at any poster, no matter how mature,well behaved or unable to leave your side, your child should not be intruding on the adults only activities. I have cruised with and without my kids. When I cruise without them I understand that by cruising Disney, kids come with the package. However, Disney promises an experience for all ages so I expect the adult activities and venues kids free.

Parents, play by the rules and if your family dynamic is such that your kids can't be apart, then adjust your expectations and understand that you won't be able to do some of the activities. It will have to be about family time. And if that doesn't work then a cruise may not be for you.

 

[su_A_ve]

These are ADULT ONLY events. If you can't leave your kid on a club, then don't attend. Can an adult 'hang out' at Lab/Edge/Vibe? No.

If you want them to see the bar, go during the daytime hours, when there are no events being held.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

I say find another mom & do the taste testing with her & let the dads hang with the kids!

 

[stsomewhere]

It is listed as an adult activity. I would hope not. I would never bring a kid.

 

[tukkerlove]

Whoa apparently a hot button topic. Thanks to those who managed to reply respectfully He's 7, but is very introverted. We tried him in the clubs before when we were on the Dream and he was miserable, wandering around. The CM's were not able to give him what he needs in terms of getting him to be social (not thier fault, lots of kids). We missed a lot of adult activities on our last cruise, and so the question came to mind.

I had thought a daytime tasting would be a little tamer than those held in the evening, but apparently not. My thought was that he would be in a far corner away from the adults, playing his kindle or the like, not sitting next to me. After reading through, I appreciate that even a daytime environment would not be appropriate, and realize that if he can't stay in the clubs, it is not a viable option. Thx.

 

[youalleverybody]

He may be fine in the kids clubs this time.

My youngest didn't want to stay in the club on our first cruise, but the next cruise, one year later, and she was happy to go.

Especially if you tell him it's only for an hour and then you promise to come get him!

Mixology was a blast. It was just Dh and I, plus two other couples. Worth the effort to try to make it happen.

FWIW, it wouldn't bother me at all if your child was quietly reading or playing on ipad in a corner seat.

 

[tinkermom1964]

Minology classes and other adult activities are a special time for my husband and I to relax. I certainly would not enjoy the experience as much if there were children present, no matter how well behaved. I really hope that parents would not bring their children to such an event! I would hope that they would instead choose an activity that their entire family can enjoy, until their children are ready to separate for a couple of hours. Allowing a few adult only activities to remain as such! IMHO

 

[carpenta]

Whoa apparently a hot button topic. Thanks to those who managed to reply respectfully He's 7, but is very introverted. We tried him in the clubs before when we were on the Dream and he was miserable, wandering around. The CM's were not able to give him what he needs in terms of getting him to be social (not thier fault, lots of kids). We missed a lot of adult activities on our last cruise, and so the question came to mind.

I had thought a daytime tasting would be a little tamer than those held in the evening, but apparently not. My thought was that he would be in a far corner away from the adults, playing his kindle or the like, not sitting next to me. After reading through, I appreciate that even a daytime environment would not be appropriate, and realize that if he can't stay in the clubs, it is not a viable option. Thx.

It may be able to take the tasting in two shifts so as each parent enjoy an adult activity and still have one parent with your son. That way you gt to experience two different tastings on two subjects and compare notes. Hope it works out.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Whoa apparently a hot button topic. Thanks to those who managed to reply respectfully He's 7, but is very introverted. We tried him in the clubs before when we were on the Dream and he was miserable, wandering around. The CM's were not able to give him what he needs in terms of getting him to be social (not thier fault, lots of kids). We missed a lot of adult activities on our last cruise, and so the question came to mind.

I had thought a daytime tasting would be a little tamer than those held in the evening, but apparently not. My thought was that he would be in a far corner away from the adults, playing his kindle or the like, not sitting next to me. After reading through, I appreciate that even a daytime environment would not be appropriate, and realize that if he can't stay in the clubs, it is not a viable option. Thx.

Have you checked out your Cruise Meets group? Perhaps another family from the DIS has a 7-yr-old who would like to be friends with your son on the cruise. If they "know" each other before the cruise, perhaps they would want to do stuff together, and that would help ease your son into the club.

 

[4mousefans]

I can relate to the question...we, too, had our youngest who didn't want to go to the kids clubs for the first three cruises that we were on. We tried to get her to engage and it wasn't that they didn't look fun, she just was shy and wanted to be with her dad and I . The oldest daughter was another story...she left us and never looked back!

The suggestion to check out your cruise meet is a great one and one that I can say really worked for us. Once our youngest found others her own age and could "meet" them online prior to the cruise, she couldn't wait to get on the ship and see her friends in person. While she still liked being with us, having already-made friends in the kids clubs really allowed us to be able to enjoy some of the adult activities.

It is pretty funny because now that our youngest is a teenager...who has to be reminded that dinner as a family is not optional...she wonders why she didn't want to be in the clubs from the beginning!

 

[lilpooh108]

Whoa apparently a hot button topic. Thanks to those who managed to reply respectfully He's 7, but is very introverted. We tried him in the clubs before when we were on the Dream and he was miserable, wandering around. The CM's were not able to give him what he needs in terms of getting him to be social (not thier fault, lots of kids). We missed a lot of adult activities on our last cruise, and so the question came to mind.

I had thought a daytime tasting would be a little tamer than those held in the evening, but apparently not. My thought was that he would be in a far corner away from the adults, playing his kindle or the like, not sitting next to me. After reading through, I appreciate that even a daytime environment would not be appropriate, and realize that if he can't stay in the clubs, it is not a viable option. Thx.

Which ship are you going on? My husband did a tequila tasting in Diversions on the Wonder. My DD and I were looking for him (miscommunication) and found him there. (It's a long story but his phone wasn't working, and GS actually called Diversions to see if he was there and they told us to meet him there.)

We sat and waited by the windows where other kids were playing board games while they did their tasting, waaaaaaaay over by the bar. On the Wonder, Diversions is all-ages during they day so it wasn't a problem. The bartender did not clear out the room or anything, but obviously I wouldn't have sat with my child next to my husband during the tasting. We were simply in the same room (opposite corners). HTH.

 

[k3chantal]

Is our son allowed to come and watch the tastings, or are these strictly adults only? He is not a kid who likes to be separated in new environments, so I fear the kids club may not be an option for us, but we'd like to partake in a couple of these. Just not sure if he could be in the room with us in a quiet corner somewhere....

I would not like to find a child at one of these tastings. It is an adult activity and your child should know that there is a line he can't cross. You should explain that you are going to go to this event for an hour and during that time he will stay in the kids' club. You are the parent.

I have three kids and one gets very anxious. He knows however that there are times when he must go out of his comfort zone and try new things and activities. It is not only best for him but for us.

If you can't separate from him; I would advise not to make the whole group of adults uncomfortable by having him at the tastings.

 

[oliverdj]

Not sure if this has been suggested, but how about preparing your child before sailing? Like taking them to a kids club locally & say this will be similar to the cruise (as far as time is concerned) start off with 30 min, & increase every few days?

Maybe this will help with the shyness??

 

[jm106]

I have a 7 year old ds as well. Honestly, I would not want to take my child into an adult area and wait while I had drinks. Not out of respect for other adult passengers and because that isnt really the atmospher for children.

If he is really unable to participate in kids club, can't he go and play his DSi there as he would in the tasting? He wouldnt need to get to know kids, just a safe child friendly place for him while you enjoy adult atmospher.
But I would do like pp said and try to connect with another cruiser before the trip, maybe even let them face time or email, IM with you and another mom. Not sure when your sailing but if you are on April 27 wonder lmk. I hope he finds a friend on the ship, for both of your enjoyment.

 

[iloverags2]

Kids can go into bars on the ship as long as it is not one of the new ships at night.

The adult entertainment district bars on all ships, both Magic and Dream classes, are adults only in the evening. Not just the new ships.

 

[cruisecrasher]

The adult entertainment district bars on all ships, both Magic and Dream classes, are adults only in the evening. Not just the new ships.

And anytime there is an adults only activity, whatever space it is in becomes adults only. I've seen them ask a (quiet, perfectly behaved, middle school aged) kid to please go enjoy some of the more age appropriate entertainment when he showed up with his parents for the Art of the Theme tour. If they don't enforce "adults only" then there'd be no point to have adults only activities.

 

[cris0809]

Everything everyone else said: it's listed as an adult activity in the navigator, no bringing kids is not an option.

The tastings I have participated in have most certainly NOT been kid friendly. One group was having a rollicking good time after 5/6 drinks, one group was more subdued but there were plenty of adult jokes thrown around and the third group was slightly insane and there were several comments about some being worried they'd fall asleep in their soup at dinner.