Dining Times/Kids/Jet Lag

[Chemist]

We just booked our first cruise, Fantasy, Eastern Carribean for seven nights next summer.

I booked main dining, as that seemed reasonable for my kids (8 and 3 at time of trip).

However, when I look at jet lag, I start to re-think things.

My boys generally prefer to eat dinner around 6 pm and go to bed at 8 pm.

However, we have a 3 hour time difference coming from the West Coast.
I can't imagine them wanting to eat dinner at 2:45 in the afternoon! I assume they'll get acclimated, but I don't even know if I completely WANT them to.

Although, if I don't time shift them, they will never get up and want all their meals at funny times.

Except, I know they will time shift, they always do, then by day 4 they can't possible eat late dinner, they will want to go to bed?

Any other West Coasters with younger children have thoughts on my dilemma?

Thanks!

 

[jburge12000]

We are from CA and always do the later dinner. We felt the same that it would be to early for the main dinning. My kids were around 6 and 9 the first cruise we did and we have never had a problem with the late dinning. Going on our 6th cruise next month and every one has been second dinning. They always want to stay up late doing things anyway on the cruise. On port days we usually grab a quick bite for them, like pizza or chicken strips, when we get back to the ship and have them eat while we are getting ready in the room. That usually holds them over while we go watch the show that night before we actually have dinner.

 

[scm]

Another vote here for second seating from a west coast family with younger kids (12,8,5). They normally eat by 5pm at home but dining options all over the ship can fill in whenever you want. You also get that dine and play option that is priceless, and less rush to disembark.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm not from the West Coast, but live in CT and just did back-to-back European cruises on the Magic. We chose early dining knowing we were all going to, eventually, do the time shift. I don't know how long it will take your children, but it only took my DS one day to acclimate to the new time. One night, we actually got switched to the late dining time just for the night (long story) and it was way too late for all of us, we barely ate. I think it's really up to you and the kind of schedule you want to keep while on the trip, but if you want to acclimate quickly, I, personally, would choose early dining. Even if you get hungry later, there are always places to grab a bite or even order room service.

 

[Weedy]

I always find my kids stay up much later than normal bed times on the cruise. So you may find that there is "no bed time" on a cruise I'm always amazed at the number of young kids dancing in the lobby before the late dinner seating lol. The kids clubs have fun events at night that they like to attend. There is plenty of food available if you miss a normal meal time. food is always avaible on the pool deck, you can order room service and Cabanas ( the buffet restaurant) goes from breakfast right to lunch.
We are from Florida and sailed once out of Calforina and once from Alaska and still did late dining.
So I suggest late dining

 

[JW9DVC]

Late dining works well for us from the California state. Even after becoming acclimated. It still feels weird to eat earlier. If they are hungry. You can always order something small and share at the quick service or room service.

Hope this helps.

JW

 

[ajo]

We flew in from the west coast and the little ones on our cruise (ages 2 and 3) fell asleep during main dining. Either Mom or Dad ended up holding them during the meal. One night, our servers took dinner back to the room for Dad who drew the short straw that night! For the older kids (5-11), the main dining worked out great.

 

[Saamh]

Another west coast family here who does late seating always. Our youngest was 2 on our first cruise and that's all that was available when we booked and it worked great. Now we always book late seating (cruise #10 is in 73 days). We usually sleep in a little later than we would at home but that's what vacations are for, right?

 

[closetmickey]

Another west coast family vote for late dining! Our youngest was three on our first cruise. I must admit that she fell asleep once during dinner - but I much preferred that to falling asleep during the shows! The stage shows before second seating are so fun for the kids- I was glad they were always able to enjoy them! And when she fell asleep in the dining room, our servers quickly pulled over an extra chair and made a bed for her. All were happy!

 

[Lizzards]

We are a west coast family and just completed our first cruise in June! You are going to love it!!!! We did main dining and were very happy with that. My kids acclimated to the time change quickly. Stayed awake for dinner and shows. Ages are 7 and 5. Of course they are always ready to eat or snack or go some place! It never felt like we were eating early. Of course they went to bed much later than they do at home and slept in later. Pretty much up by 8:00am and asleep by 9:30-10:00.

 

[SwimMom2]

I just did a Disney cruise with main dining and a 6 hour time change. My kids' regular routine was interrupted by the time change as well as vacation excitement. They are 9 and 3 and are typically early to bed, early to rise types at home.

We liked being on early dining because the kids were not at all sleepy then, but appreciated the down time after a busy day in port, so they were set up for success in the restaurant behavior arena (I have a 3 year old so this is still a big consideration when dining out). Then after dinner, they were energized and ready for the kids clubs! We also didn't eat much during the day because we were busy, so we were ready to eat at 6. On two nights we took them to shows in the theater, and this helped them wind down.

It will be difficult to prevent your kids from adjusting because it will get dark by second seating. This is exaggerated if you have a verandah. (Our cruise was different in that it didn't get dark until almost 11, but this was still an issue).

3 hours is really not a big difference. Even crossing continents, kids tend to adjust within 24 hours of arrival regardless of what you do or don't do.

You will have a great cruise! Enjoy the Fantasy and post a trip report when you get back!

 

[kuhltiffany]

We're from the West Coast too and did late dining, we didn't try to adjust and tended to stay sort of in between on time. It was fun to stay up for things like the pirate party and fireworks, as all other cruises we had taken (while living on the same time zone as FL) it was just too late for the kids!

 

[Chemist]

Thanks Everyone!

I'm leaning towards switching to late dining, we'll see how it goes.

Its my understanding though that switching to late is easy, so I'll hang on to my early dining for awhile.