Children's Nightlife

[takemeaway]

I am going to be cruising on the Wonder with a DS 7 and DS 4 1/2 year old. I was wondering from people who had children in a similiar age group, how late you were able to stay out at night. I realize that all children are different and I know that they show movies at the Oceaneer Club; however, I am curious as to the time your children paged you to come and get them at night.

If anyone has some feedback as to when their children were ready for bed, I would appreciate your reply.

Thanks so much.

 

[GenieDana]

Our DD3 and DS7 would have us paged around 12:00 A.M. to come get them, or would fall asleep on the mats. Our DD9 had checkout, so she would come to the room and sleep when she felt tired. The activity winds way down for the younger ones that late (most are already picked up or asleep).

I guess it depends on your kids, and their getting to sleep habits (even though a trip like this will throw all sleep habits out of whack).

Also, consider how late versus main dining seating might effect your plans. And too when you check them in for the evening - we would check-in immediately after later dinner (usually about 9:45 P.M.), or would take them to an after dinner movie or swim.

Have fun!

 

[rae519]

Yes, your sleeping habits will change dramatically and the children will want to stay up with the others even though they may be "dead tired"!

Don't force them to eat with you at night in the dining room if they want to be with their friends - it only makes for a difficult time for both. And be prepared to order room service after you collect them from the Clubs - Michael is usually "ravenous"!!!!

Rae

 

[KaitlinsMom]

I also just wanted to add that it really depends on your kids -

We would check our daughter(4ys at the time) in after late dinner and each night would be different - SHe loved being there, but it did depend on if she had a nap earlier, if she liked the movie they were playing, etc.

 

[takemeaway]

Thanks so much for your input.

I asked the question because I was curious about how much alone time hubby and I would be able to steal at night. I will just relax, (not easy for a type A personality) , not force the kids to eat dinner with us, and be grateful for every uninterrupted minute DH and I get to spend together.

Thanks again!

 

[rae519]

With that kind of attitude, takemeaway, you will have a long and happy marriage and your children will benefit from having parents who love each other - always remember to take the time to be a couple first!!!

Rae

 

[jfis1020]

I agree with rae519, you will be surprised how late they will stay up. We would show up in the club between 12-12:45 and DS6 would be at the computer "What are you doing here"? DD4 would be contently asleep on her mat having fallen asleep watching a movie. DS9 would leave the lab at 1:00 when it closed. In fact, I was the one wanting to go to bed.

 

[jfis1020]

BTW - I highly recommend the room service cheese plate. Makes for a nice afternoon snack with a glass of wine (and the kids are at the clubs!). Being a type A as well, it took me a day or two to relax, but I certainly got the hang of it!!!

 

[takemeaway]

Thanks for all the great advice.

DH (love that guy) read this thread and surprised me with an upgrade to a verandah. He wanted to make sure we got some alone time. So, no matter what time the kids are ready for bed, we will be able to come back to our room and be together on the verandah (with that cheese plate). Now if only I could get some diamonds from Tiffany's!

 

[Michelle]

Awww, nice husband! My DD has been cruising since age 5 (she's almost 10) and we have to drag HER to bed every night. My DH and I got EVERY night out on our last cruise, DD is happy to hang in the clubs.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[jfis1020]

Maybe not Tiffany's but there sure are many duty free jewelry stores! DH bought me a tanzanite/diamond necklace in Cozumel last month for our anniversary...........MAGICAL?

 

[CindyAnn]

Takemeaway - I think you and your DH are going to love that balcony! Every child is different, but just to show the flip side of that coin, my 2 (DS 9 and DD 6 on our last cruise) have always been early risers, especially DS and that didn't change during our cruise. Because we booked late we could only get the later seating for dinner. I always made sure DS sat to my left or DH's left, because on at least 3 occasions he fell fast asleep at the dinner table on our shoulders. Immediately after dinner they would stumble to bed most nights, but we'd already seen the shows at 6:00 or 6:30 before dinner in any case. Once they were in bed we headed to the balcony with a nice glass of wine and some books. We were ready for bed fairly early, too, maybe by 10:00 or 11:00 because DS was getting up at 6:00 or so and in one room it's hard to stay really quiet. On the other hand, I have to tell you those pools aren't very crowded at 7:00 a.m. either.

 

[takemeaway]

Thanks for the great reply Cindy.

My kids are early risers too so I am glad that we got the balcony. A glass of wine, a good book and some long conversations without interruptions should be great.

We have a late dinner seating too. We are on a waiting list for early seating. If we are stuck with the late seating, I will remember your suggestions and try and do everything before dinner. And, thanks for the 7 am pool tip. I will keep that in mind.

I have a feeling with the beach and water excursions, my children will be in bed early and up at the crack of dawn.

 

[professorandmom]

Although my twins are 9, they might help you see both sides - one son feel asleep right after late seating dinner in the cabin watching disney movies and the other was DRAGGED out out the club when it closed each night....(even though the formal activities were done, he loved the computer games)
still it all worked for me since both were happy
Barbara

 

[CindyAnn]

You're welcome takemeaway. Another thing I thought I'd mention...

What really worked for us, with our early risers and the late seating was to go to our cabin around 5:30 p.m. and have our showers and baths then to clean up all the sunscreen/salt/sand and change for dinner. Bathing them before bed just wasn't an option. As soon as we got to the cabin we would order something from room service (e.g. PB&J for the kids and an appetizer for the adults) so that they would at least have something in their stomachs. Then they could (a) last until dinner or (b) go to bed without eating any dinner at 8:30 if they were too tired to eat at the table. Then we were good to hit the 6:30 main show (for people with second seating) and the 7:45 extra family show (magician, comedian, etc) before dinner.

That way we all ended up clean, entertained AND fed by the end of the day. By the way, room service is free, except for a tip to the person delivering it.

 

[takemeaway]

Sounds like a great idea Cindy. I wouldn't have thought about ordering something for them before dinner. But with late seating, I think we should take your advice and order room service.

Thanks