Experiences? - late seating w/ 5yo

[LogansMommy_MD]

Hi all,
I know there are a bunch of threads concerning early/late seating and kids etc, but I'd be interested in hearing some specific expericences:

I had originally requested the early seating, but then recently called my TA to change us to the late seating for a number of reasons (most of which I read on this site).

So my question is this: did most of you with youngsters schedule naps during the day, and if not, did your child fall asleep at the table during dinner OR did he/she end up at the OC? And if he/she ended up at OC, was it okay to send them in their PJ's?
(I will add, we're traveling as a single parent family)

I know of course all this will depend on my child's "internal clock", and he may not even LIKE the OC, so that might not be an option, but I'm just curious as to how others fared.

TIA,
Tracey

 

[kcashner]

Well, my DD was 7 on our first DCL cruise....so it might not be applicable to a 5 year old. However, I'll wing it. I'm a single parent too...

I'm a firm believer in "rest time." It avoids the crabbies later. I would insist on an hour in bed during the day. I'd tell her that she could read or "tell Kitty about her day" (we brought our favorite stuffed animal along but kept it in the bunk!) She'd almost always fall asleep. That made the evening much more pleasant.

Yes, it is totally appropriate to wear PJs to the club at night. Just tell the counsellors what you want them to do if your child falls asleep--let her sleep, page you so that you can take her to bed? They even have a night where they all come in pajamas and "camp in." Even if they don't fall asleep, it is wonderful to be able to just pop them into bed when you get back to the cabin.

I've lost DD at the table at dinner....at the table at Rainforest Cafe while waiting for food,e tc....the nap is a better plan. The servers were very sweet about offering to pack up her food for later, but with the room service available, I turned down the offer.

DCL is my favorite vacation because it is easy on mom too...which the parks are not.

 

[WCMouse]

Dear LogansMommy_MD;

First off, I am farily confident that your child with just LOVE the OC....

When we cruised last our son was 5 years old (a few months shy of 6). We had the late seating for dinner and all worked out well. He loved the OC so much that as soon as he woke up he wanted to go and we had to bribe him to get him to come to dinner with us. He never fell asleep at the dinner table, and ususally went back to the OC after dinner.

At the end of the night he crashed hard and fast, but by the next day he was eager to go.

Like the previous post, we wanted him to "slow" down for an hour or so in the afternoon.... sometimes a nap, sometimes just a chair on deck to relaxr, talk or read... just something so that he would not completely burn out.. HTH

 

[lotsofboys]

My DS was 5 on our first cruise and we had late seating. I too was worried about him getting enough rest. We chose late seating because I would rather have had him fall asleep at dinner than at the shows since they are NOT to be missed! Anyway, it wasn't a problem, like WCmouse's experience, he had long busy days and also chose to go back to the club after dinner for a while, but he was asleep the minute his head hit the pillow and 10 hours later he was recharged and ready for another day. You will have a great time no matter what so enjoy

 

[LogansMommy_MD]

Thanks everyone for your input!!!! I do feel alot more at ease about my son getting enough rest, having fun, etc. but you know what? WE'LL BE ON VACATION - we'll wing it!!!!!!!!






Tracey