Show with toddler

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Booked our first cruise for Sep 2023. At that time we will have a 4yo and 1.5yo. We got the main dining time. How do the Broadway shows work for a 5 night cruise? Are they every night? Could we skip our dinner time to go to a show? I don't know if the kids could handle a 8pm show. Do we need tickets for the shows? Has anyone brought a 1.5yo to a show and we're glad they did? I know the 4yo will love it if she could stay awake. Or do most people just have their kids stay up late?

Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

How do the Broadway shows work for a 5 night cruise?

On a 5 night, it's usually:

1) The ship's featured show
2) Juggler, magician, something like that
3) Movie
4) Juggler, magician, something like that
5) Disney Dreams

Two shows per night, each opposite a dinner seating.

Are they every night?

See above.

Could we skip our dinner time to go to a show?

Yes. You can order dinner from room service or eat by the pool and skip main dining room.

Do we need tickets for the shows?

No.

Has anyone brought a 1.5yo to a show and we're glad they did?

Not 1.5, but 2 and he loved it. Just be respectful of other guests and if the little one gets crabby and loud, take him out.

Or do most people just have their kids stay up late?

Most people seem to have their kids stay up late, but I don't. My family functions best on vacation when everyone is well rested.

 

[nancipants]

My son is 2.5 and we're cruising in August. His bedtime is 7:30-8 so right now we're planning to skip the shows, especially since some days we will be skipping naps. I would like to take him to Aladdin or Frozen since I think he would enjoy them, but it will be a spur of the moment decision.

 

[Kariyaffa]

They do show the shows on the TV in the room so if you have to miss it to put the kids to bed you could at least watch it on tv. Not quite the same but …

Or you could miss dinner and do quick service or room service before or after the early shows. Whatever works best for your family.

 

[EliOliAli]

My little one was 2 last year and was literally mesmerised during rapunzel she watched the whole thing never took her eyes off it was so enchanting for us ! We did early dinner later show with the option of skipping the show if she got too tired.

As we're on a longer cruise this time (it was only a 3 night staycation) I would eat at the buffet and see the earlier show - just the buffet restaurant wasn't open when we sailed.

I do let my little one stay up but when she looks tired one of us (or usually all of our party haha) will take back to the room. She wasn't old enough for the kids could do did nap x
Have a lovely time.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

As we're on a longer cruise this time (it was only a 3 night staycation) I would eat at the buffet and see the earlier show - just the buffet restaurant wasn't open when we sailed.

It still isn't. If you want to skip MDR, your options are pool deck and room service.

 

[EliOliAli]

Thanks ! To be honest my little one loves main dining so would stay up regardless.

 

[juxtapose]

We did main dining and kept our kids up later than normal 3 nights, 2 nights for the main Broadway shows and 1 night for pirate fireworks. They ended up sleeping in a bit next morning each time, but my kids were TIRED when we got off the cruise. I'd probably pick your favorite 2 late nights events and try those but not do every night late.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

We skipped the shows with the 2yo to put him to bed while 1 parent took the 6yo to most of the shows. I knew he wouldn't sit still and he's normally in bed by 7pm and home and as we were sailing in Alaska that was 6pm ship time the fist 2 nights and 5pm Alaska time. He would not have been a happy camper if we tried taking him to the shows.