Pay Restuarant Policy on RC

[thebean1998]

We are going on our first RC cruise on the Mariner of the Seas and we heard that they dont allow children in any of the pay restuarants. Does anyone know if this is true, if so not very family friendly - and will surely send me straight back to NCL - anything you could provide on the subject would be appreciated - Thanks!

[MakinGold]

We are going on our first RC cruise on the Mariner of the Seas and we heard that they dont allow children in any of the pay restuarants. Does anyone know if this is true, if so not very family friendly - and will surely send me straight back to NCL - anything you could provide on the subject would be appreciated - Thanks!

 

 

Small children are not allowed. I think 13 is the minimum age for the specialty restaurants. Of course, children are allowed in Johnny Rockets. I've heard some reports that children under 13 may be allowed at certain early times in Chops or Portofino, but I think that varies depending on the ship and the demand for these restaurants. I don't have any direct experience with that.

 

Edit: These restaurants generally are just not an atmosphere that most younger children would enjoy.

[Sue L]

We are going on our first RC cruise on the Mariner of the Seas and we heard that they dont allow children in any of the pay restuarants. Does anyone know if this is true, if so not very family friendly - and will surely send me straight back to NCL - anything you could provide on the subject would be appreciated - Thanks!

 

 

 

It is a adults only venue and children have to be 13 or older. They might make an exception for the first reservation at 6pm. It is a very long dinner and your children may not want to sit there for 2 hours. There is also a adults only solarium where you have to be 16 to use it. Family friendly doesn't mean that they can't restrict kids in certain areas.

[Tranquil Waters]

We are going on our first RC cruise on the Mariner of the Seas and we heard that they dont allow children in any of the pay restuarants. Does anyone know if this is true, if so not very family friendly - and will surely send me straight back to NCL - anything you could provide on the subject would be appreciated - Thanks!

 

I guess it depends on the age of your children as to whether NCL will keep you as a customer.... :D

[Rala]

I believe the age limit for the specialty restaurants is 13 and older. These restaurants are very elegant and the dinners usually run about 2 hours (sometimes a bit longer). I think a young child would have difficulty sitting through a dinner this long. However, on SOME sailings they do allow younger children for the first reservations at about 6 pm. You will have to check when you get on the ship to see if this is the case for your particular cruise.

 

There are many "family-friendly" venues and activities onboard RCI ships and there are some that are reserved for "adults only" for those who want that experience.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise.

[reallyitsmema]

We are going on our first RC cruise on the Mariner of the Seas and we heard that they dont allow children in any of the pay restuarants. Does anyone know if this is true, if so not very family friendly - and will surely send me straight back to NCL - anything you could provide on the subject would be appreciated - Thanks!

Welcome to Cruise Critic. The Mariner is very family friendly, my DS loved it. Have fun on your next cruise.

[MakinGold]

Another family-friendly tip, if you're a first-timer on RCI, is that the Adventure Ocean childrens program will generally have a least a couple nights where you can sign younger children up for a group AO dinner (usually at Johnny Rockets). If you want to have a more intimate dinner with just the wife/hubby at one of the "pay restaurants."

 

What are the ages of your children, btw?

[nanfromatlanta]

Chops and Portofino, thankfully, do not allow children under the age of 13. The dining experience easily runs for 2 1/2 hours, which is often far too long for a child to sit through. Both restaurants are among the few places on the ship which are do not allow children.

 

I have nothing against children, however, it is wonderful to be able to enjoy a wonderful 5-course meal in an adults only atmosphere. There are tons of other places on the ship for the children to enjoy their vacation. As a matter of fact, adults are not allowed in the kids only Adventure Ocean. I have never complained about that. :rolleyes:

[snl]

We will be going on the Liberty in December. My son has gone to each of the specialty restaurants every time we cruise. He is 10 this year. But keep in mind its how your child can behave in an atmosphere that is basically for adults. It is a long dining experience, just so you know.

 

 

Liberty OS 12/2007

Crown Princess 12/2006

Carnival Liberty 12/2005

Mariner OS 12/2004

Radiance OS 12/2003

Carnival Imagination 12/2002

[Cruiserccl]

It is a adults only venue and children have to be 13 or older. They might make an exception for the first reservation at 6pm. It is a very long dinner and your children may not want to sit there for 2 hours. There is also a adults only solarium where you have to be 16 to use it. Family friendly doesn't mean that they can't restrict kids in certain areas.

 

Yeah your right i hated eating in Chops or Portofino's so on those nights i ate in the dinning room by my self (with table mates) i dont find dressing up on a cruise fun!

[99florida]

We have taken our boys (ages at the time 9 & 15) to Chops for a 7:30 dinner and had no problem.

 

However, my boys, can sit like gentlemen for a couple of hours and actually enjoy a delicious meal.

 

I would not take children knowing they can't sit still for that long of a time as it can ruin your dinner enjoyment along with table mates next to you.

 

By the way, our younger boy could pass as an 8 year old due to his small size so if your child(ren) can sit in dress clothes, behave with good table manners, and speak in a low voice, I don't see a problem.

[Sue L]

Yeah your right i hated eating in Chops or Portofino's so on those nights i ate in the dinning room by my self (with table mates) i dont find dressing up on a cruise fun!

 

 

 

HUh?! are you sure you are responding to the right statement? I love dressing up and I love both Chops and Portofino's.

[reallyitsmema]

HUh?! are you sure you are responding to the right statement? I love dressing up and I love both Chops and Portofino's.

That poster is 13, I think that was the part of your post they were commenting on.

[Sue L]

That poster is 13, I think that was the part of your post they were commenting on.

 

 

Thanks for the clarification, now it makes sense. I missed the little blurb in their signature that they are 13, good eyes.

[isujim]

One post and wants to run to NCL???:D Welcome to Cruise Critic........

 

and I agree that certain adult only venues doesn't make the cruise line not kid friendly.......The Mariner is a large ship;)

[sustyse]

We just got off the Mariner last Sunday. There is a sign up outside Portofinos an Chops stating that 13 is the minimum child age. We brought our three teenage daughters with us, 14, 16 and 18, they were the only "young" ones in the restaurants on both nights!. Personally we preferred the meal in Chops. They always make a big issue about booking these restaurants as soon as you board, which we did - 8.o'c both nights. However on the nights we were there the restaurants were only about half full. Would do Chops again but not Portofinos - thought it was not worth the extra $.

 

Enjoy your cruise, you will love every minute of it. If you can't make it let me know and I just might allow myself to take your place....:o

[katiel53]

We just got off the Mariner last Sunday. There is a sign up outside Portofinos an Chops stating that 13 is the minimum child age. We brought our three teenage daughters with us, 14, 16 and 18, they were the only "young" ones in the restaurants on both nights!. Personally we preferred the meal in Chops. They always make a big issue about booking these restaurants as soon as you board, which we did - 8.o'c both nights. However on the nights we were there the restaurants were only about half full. Would do Chops again but not Portofinos - thought it was not worth the extra $.

 

Enjoy your cruise, you will love every minute of it. If you can't make it let me know and I just might allow myself to take your place....:o

 

There is a reason the restaurants are only half full. The waiters/assistants have a specific number of tables to handle. The restaurant will not overbook so that you get great service and since the food is cooked to order, it won't be cold etc.

 

If every waiter/assistant had every table full at the same times, your service, food etc would go down the tubes. I am sure RCI knows how many people want to dine on x night, but they also know on y night, the crowd will be less, so they staff the restaurant based on averages or whatever their formula is.

 

Just go to Portofino, my favorite, or Chops and enjoy and not worry about empty tables. They are that way for a reason most nights.

[MGoodyear]

Actually they do make exceptions, we took our 1 year old to Chops on our last Mariner cruise, they sat us at the very back right beside the exit door just in case she got fussy, so we could take her out without bothering the other guests (she rarely ever got fussy at that age) and they did not seat anyone at any of the tables directly beside us.......several of the other guests came to our table to see her and complimented us on her behavior.

[Tranquil Waters]

I know everyone that is taking their younger children into the specialty restaurants are happy to be able to do so. :)

 

But it does seem to be another example of RCI making policies that they then do not follow. :rolleyes:

[PhoenixCruiser]

I know everyone that is taking their younger children into the specialty restaurants are happy to be able to do so. :)

 

But it does seem to be another example of RCI making policies that they then do not follow. :rolleyes:

 

No kidding! We pay the extra $$ for an adult atmosphere/experience. If we are disturbed by kids we will demand a refund. :mad:

 

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[guy999]

i think the way to solve that is to increase the supplement. I would imagine that I wouldn't go to a nice restaurant that is supposed to be the equivalent of a $100 per person dinner and have 6 or 7 year olds hanging around unless they are very well behaved. I wouldn't take my kids there.

[Tranquil Waters]

i think the way to solve that is to increase the supplement. I would imagine that I wouldn't go to a nice restaurant that is supposed to be the equivalent of a $100 per person dinner and have 6 or 7 year olds hanging around unless they are very well behaved. I wouldn't take my kids there.

 

Or they could just enforce their currently posted/advertised policy - and tell people they are sorry but no one under 13 is allowed to dine. :) I think I, personally, would prefer my solution...... :D

[Sue L]

Or they could just enforce their currently posted/advertised policy - and tell people they are sorry but no one under 13 is allowed to dine. :) I think I, personally, would prefer my solution...... :D

 

 

I second that!!! It would be unique :rolleyes:

[bplazo]

I do not think that they should allow exceptions at all!. If the minimum age is 13 it should be followed. I also believe that they should have more adult only areas.

 

I never allowed my daughter in the solaruim untill she was 16 and in the casino till she turned 18 and she will not have an alcohol drink until she is 21. I do not pick and choose which rules to follow. Doesnt matter how well I think she behaves.

 

I try to set a good example and do not even try to share her soda card!

[Tranquil Waters]

I second that!!! It would be unique :rolleyes:

 

Thank you. I was trying very hard not to roll my eyes again.;) I have been a bit sarcastic lately :o and was trying to break the habit. You took care of it for me. :D