Dinner Time with Kids

[Trvlr76]

We cruised last Christmas with an 8 and 6 yr old. We did the late seating, and quite frankly thought we were the "savvy" cruisers for doing so. It's all a matter of what's right for you and yours. I couldn't fathom ending activities at 4:30 or earlier, to prep for dinner at 5. My kids are early risers no matter what, unfortunately -6 am sharp. We still had a later breakfast, a later lunch, and an afternoon snack on occasion. We would have plenty of time to wind down and get ready for dinner. We would see a show, then head to a lounge so my daughter could dance along to the lounge singers. She loved that part! Dinner was rarely over 1.45 hours. Were the kids tired? Yes, very much. I worried the first couple days, but they adjusted. As kids do. My friend with kiddo's the same age did a Disney cruise a couple months later, and did the main dining seating. Guess what? She reported her kids were extremely exhausted and cranky during dinner. They rarely made it to a show. So. Do what's right for you, only you know your kiddos.