Switching Dinner seatings ?

[bethd]

We are a family of 10 (6 adults and 4 kids ages 11,10,9 and 3 1/2) traveling on the Zaandam for Christmas. We have been waitlisted for the 6:15 seating and have been given the 8:00 pm main seating. I personally have no problem with the 8:00 pm time. Our issue is my niece who is only 3 1/2 and usually very well behaved but, I don't think even with a nap she will do well at the later seating. I spoke with guest services today and was told we are #25 on the waitlist. Be assured, we will not allow a cranky child to ruin anyones meal in the dining room as she would be promptly removed. We were instructed to see the Matre D upon boarding and see what he can do. Is it a lost cause? I know we can take her up to the lido earlier and see about a in room babysitter while the rest of us enjoy dinner. I have never had trouble changing dining times in the past but this is an almost sold out Christmas cruise with 160 children onboard.

Any suggestions or insider tips on getting our preferred dining time of 6:15?

Thanks

Beth

[Krazy Kruizers]

All you can do is check the daily program once you get on the ship to find out the time and place for "table assignments" and explain your problem with the 3 1/2 year old.

Don't just ask for 6:15 - try even the 5:45 - you never know what can happen.

Do all of you want to change?

That could be another big problem. They may be willing to change the family that has the 3 1/2 year old only.

Christmas is a tough time to kepp families together.

[bepsf]

I have a nephew who is the same age - they're so much fun at that age, aren't they? It's also the perfect age to teach them how to act in public.

Why not give it a try w/ dinner at 8? The waitstaff are certain to be attentive to her needs - esp on a holiday cruise. She might even get so excited about being on a ship and playing "dress up for dinner" that she won't have a problem staying with the family for dinner, tho she will probably be tuckered out and ready for bed afterward. If you keep it interesting by inviting her to sit next to whomever in your party she wants, talking to her about her day and pointing out interesting things to look at in the dining room, she'll probably be happy.

If she's hungry before then (which is likely) she can always have a snack in the Lido before dinner and just have appetizers, soup and dessert w/ the family.

Worst case scenario is that she falls asleep in her chair or has a little meltdown - then it's time for someone in the family to whisk her away 'till the next evening's dinner.

The more we shield children from things that are "too hard", the less they'll learn about acting properly.

[Arubalisa]

Beth, fellow shipmate, you have my sympathies and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

We are facing the same situation with our 8 year old. We have the 8:30 seating and are waitlisted for, but not expecting, 8:00 pm. Worse comes to worse we figure a late afternoon snack followed by a nap.

We will just be thrilled if all 11 of us are seated together :) <<==expecting the worst so there is no disappointments...

[iluvcruzin]

It's possible that the reason why your family is down the list so far is because of the party of 10. There are only so many tables that can accomidate you to sit together. If the group breaks up and maybe ask for 2 tables nearby, maybe they can accomidate you. Just a thought.

[kruzkeen]

The more we shield children from things that are "too hard", the less they'll learn about acting properly.


Very wise words.

[peaches from georgia]

I'm not sure of how much long term experience bepsf has with very young children, but after 3 sons and 5 grandchildren, I'm not sure that the main dining room from 8-10 PM on a cruiseship is the place to start introducing a 3 year old to adult dining situations. It's not 1 night you are talking about coping with a toddler in a restaurant at an hour past her bedtime, but at least 7 nights which is a totally different story.

Don't forget, as we are all very aware now, that the stewards are pushed to the max already, so I wouldn't count on the waitstaff being able to be 'attentive' to her needs, especially on a holiday cruise when the ship is probably at more than 100% normal capacity with many many children to cope with. I would take iluvcruzin's advice and see if splitting into 2 smaller adjacent tables helps accomodate your party with an early dinner seating.

[Florida Lady]

We have traveled with our son on ships since he was 18 months old. The first thing we ALWAYS did upon boarding was to go to the resception desk and hire a babysitter for the cruise. The sitter would arive at our cabin and 8:00PM and we would leave for diner. We had an enjoyable dinner and he was always delighted not to have to suffer the torture of a prolonged meal.
Dinner options for our son:
1. In cabin room service
2. Lido or Deck pizza etc.
Usually young children like to eat early don't put yourself and the child through torture!!
PS. He is now 15 and eats with us at late sitting.

[xznwfd]

Here's how another couple at our table (wonderful and very well traveled) handled the situation with their 3 year old. They would feed her early, and put her to sleep in her large stroller. Then, come dinner time (8:30), they just wheeled her down and sat in the farthest corner of the table, away from the traffic. She would sleep peacefully all through dinner, and never was a bit of trouble to anyone. Now, at 5, she has been all over the world, on a couple dozen cruises, and is a little lady wherever she goes. I agree with bepsf, it's better to expose children to situations early so they learn how to act properly while still young!

[Florida Lady]

I am sorry that I disagree with you - a 3 year old should not be in the restaurant at 8 or 8:30PM. I do agree that if we expose our children to different situations they will be the better for those experiences when they become adults. I have seen some extremely well mannered children at dinner during late sitting but I have also been the kids from Hell. It's our responsibility as parents to guide our kids. I also know that they will be MUCH happier not subjected to a long and drawn out meal. We always have a family picture taken on formal nights (even when our son WAS 3) but he always went back to the cabin. He is now 15 and has learned how to dress for a formal dinner - Tux and all. His next cruise will be his 26th. He knows what is correct behavior and what is not appropriate. If you want to eat together as a family I would suggest going to the dinning room at lunch. This is what we often did with our son. There he learned what was acceptable; and it was not such a long, drawn out experience.

[Himself]

I would suspect you might have trouble getting into the first sitting. Not too many want to go from first to second sitting. Perhaps another Plan might be to take the "Alternative Dinner" in the LIDO. I am a type II diabetic and rarely get the first sitting due to certain "metaphysical subtleties" we won't go into here. Therefore, I my sugars are getting out of wack with the late sitting, I often opt for the alternative in the Lido. It might be a good solution for you.
HIMSELF

[Florida Lady]

It is likely that the Zaandam Xmas cruise will be at maximum capacity. Even if you are able to get a table at the early sitting, there is no guarentee that it will be out of the way in a corner. The waiters work very hard and having a stroller in the dining room makes their job very difficult as well as dangerous. Many restaurants on land do not allow strollers. They are to be left at the door. The Lido might be a good alternative if you want to eat early. Also remember that HAL now has 4 seating times. You will have a better chance getting the first of the four times.

[Roadwork]

Getting switched to early seating on a Christmas cruise could be very difficult, but it is always worth a try. You never know what can happen.
Another suggestion would be to feed the little one early, get a baby sitter and everyone else would enjoy dinner together.

[Thatsright]

I have a small child and I think it would be far too much to ask of any three year old to sit for dinner that late at night. We had the 8:00 sitting on our cruise in October and often - we were not finished until 9:45. It might be a "lesson" to tough to teach a 3 year old. I would see about changing the time asap after you get on board!

Lisa