TravelerMK Posted July 16, 2012 #151 Share Posted July 16, 2012 This has been a most informative thread. I have learned that 1. Toddlers can sit still and quiet and have conversations in 2+ hour adult style eating establishments and 2. Traveling with infants and toddlers is easy and no big deal Unfortunately my kids are from 3 to 22 (sort of been there done that and now back doing it again) I regret not knowing this stuff when they were infants. Oh well now I know. LOL, cute ;) My 2.5 year old can be extremely difficult during car rides sometimes, wouldn't want to take him on a road trip either! We pray for sleep when we drive 1.5 hours into the mountains (CO)! We've also taken him to lots of restaurants and traveled a ton, including to Europe business class. Yikes, it was so hard that it really wasn't a vacation for us, hence, the cruise without the child :D Some toddlers might be perfectly fine in all of these scenarios, just not mine or most of my friend's kids! If I were bringing him, I would either find a babysitter on board (beg the Camp Carnival people to let me pay someone for 3 hours?) or skip the steak house. And, that's MY child... Working on a South Pacific cruise for next year that will include him and my parents - built in babysitters! We'll see how that goes :rolleyes: Mindy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spleenstomper Posted July 16, 2012 #152 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I had 3 kids in 2 years. We were brave at the very beginning trying to take two infants and a 2 year old out to a Mexican restaurant for my birthday. They never went anywhere again. (but, hey the two year old got a piece of cake from another party because he kept staring at them and licking his lips) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzinlisa Posted July 16, 2012 #153 Share Posted July 16, 2012 This made me laugh. I remember the no restaurant phase very well. We were thrown into it when my son threw a french fry at an elderly guy's head. Awesome aim on my son's part but not proper dining behavior. Glad to know its not just me. DD has been out to eat with us many times and usually behaves OK, but yesterday we were traveling and stopped for lunch at a Mexican restaurant and she threw an all out FIT. I think its the age. She was fine before she started walking but since then all she wants to do is go. Now she is 18 months old. Yesterday I was literally crying that I have raised a spoiled brat. But I digress. OP, you know your child best. Until you are sure that he/she can sit quietly, not want to get up and roam, and will be patient for a meal that can take hours, I wouldn't attempt it. Plus, if you want to have any kind of conversation at dinner, it will be impeded by constantly watching your youngest and wondering if they are going to act up. Sleep schedules are all messed up, there are lots of different people and experiences and that makes a perfect setting for a melt down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting_Cruiser Posted July 16, 2012 #154 Share Posted July 16, 2012 This has been a most informative thread. I have learned that 1. Toddlers can sit still and quiet and have conversations in 2+ hour adult style eating establishments and 2. Traveling with infants and toddlers is easy and no big deal Unfortunately my kids are from 3 to 22 (sort of been there done that and now back doing it again) I regret not knowing this stuff when they were infants. Oh well now I know. This is as much a generalization as those saying a disruption is a certainty or that traveling with kids is just too big a hassle. Neither is correct for all children. Some two-year-olds can and some can't do #1 and some parents find #2 very difficult and some don't--it's a continuum. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabana Girl Posted July 16, 2012 #155 Share Posted July 16, 2012 OP, you know your child best. Until you are sure that he/she can sit quietly, not want to get up and roam, and will be patient for a meal that can take hours, I wouldn't attempt it. Plus, if you want to have any kind of conversation at dinner, it will be impeded by constantly watching your youngest and wondering if they are going to act up. Sleep schedules are all messed up, there are lots of different people and experiences and that makes a perfect setting for a melt down. Such an elegant reply. A stressful dinner is hard to enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted July 16, 2012 #156 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I just don't feel the Steakhouse is a place for children period. I think the age should be over 13.;) Some of the younger ones have to be fed. Te last thing I want it to see food spewing out of their mouths all over everything:D:D. Not a romantic $70.00 dinner if you ask me..... Even Disney has age limits on some of its establishments. Both on land and at sea. Carnival would not lose that much money in establishing such guidelines but then it wouldn't be carnival. You have two choices join mr. Pete's circle or accept that parents will bring children to venues that they shouldn't even if they can. Not much of a choice I admit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfadj Posted July 16, 2012 #157 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I had 3 kids in 2 years. We were brave at the very beginning trying to take two infants and a 2 year old out to a Mexican restaurant for my birthday. They never went anywhere again. (but, hey the two year old got a piece of cake from another party because he kept staring at them and licking his lips) Very funny about the cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib4cruzn Posted July 16, 2012 #158 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Be my guest. Go ahead and try to not pay for an eaten meal because something was happening at another table to your dislike. And "ruin" to me would be something like the food was dropped on the floor, a roach visited your plate, broken glass was found in your seabass, a tablecloth pulled your plates off the table, or someone got sick in your general direction. I have to take exception to this. Many upset children can reach high C at 600,000 decibels. Definitely not conducive to a relaxing $70 dinner. Honestly I would (and HAVE) refused payment for such a display. One visits a "fine dining" establishment with the reasonable expectation that "ambiance" is included in the cost. If not, they would only offer drive-up service. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted July 16, 2012 #159 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Even Disney has age limits on some of its establishments. Both on land and at sea. Carnival would not lose that much money in establishing such guidelines but then it wouldn't be carnival. . Yes they do. They shout about all the adult venues they have on board to attract clientele who don't have kids. And those people are quite happy that we talk to. We have never visited Palo's, as they do have that age limit. So does RCCL. CCL does not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfadj Posted July 16, 2012 #160 Share Posted July 16, 2012 This is as much a generalization as those saying a disruption is a certainty or that traveling with kids is just too big a hassle. Neither is correct for all children. Some two-year-olds can and some can't do #1 and some parents find #2 very difficult and some don't--it's a continuum. :) Would imagine the vast majority of little ones could not do it and should not be put into that position if they cant unless a parent is willing to take them for a walk so as not to disturb everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted July 16, 2012 #161 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I have to take exception to this. Many upset children can reach high C at 600,000 decibels. Definitely not conducive to a relaxing $70 dinner. Honestly I would (and HAVE) refused payment for such a display. One visits a "fine dining" establishment with the reasonable expectation that "ambiance" is included in the cost. If not, they would only offer drive-up service. YMMV Actually, a good restaurant would back up the offending parties meal and send them on their way. I still remember the first time I saw someone do this at a restaurant called Capt. Bills out on Long Island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting_Cruiser Posted July 16, 2012 #162 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Would imagine the vast majority of little ones could not do it and should not be put into that position if they cant unless a parent is willing to take them for a walk so as not to disturb everyone else. I agree. Was just commenting on the generalizations. I was blessed with my fourth child being an easy traveler and calm child from birth. :D She would have been able to go to the steakhouse at an early age, but we didn't take her until she was 8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted July 16, 2012 #163 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I believe you misunderstood Mr Pete, I think he meant the common courtesy of any disruptive child or adult would be to immediately remedy the problem or remove them.Cheers, Carole Yes, he did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib4cruzn Posted July 16, 2012 #164 Share Posted July 16, 2012 And the rule is, kids are allowed, so it's not even an issue! Everybody, mange! That was a generalization. I suppose this comes with the "me-me-ME" society. Sadly, most are from the middle part of North America. :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_k63 Posted July 16, 2012 #165 Share Posted July 16, 2012 This will cause a few flames tossed in my direction, but it's my opinion nonetheless: I often wonder why anyone would want to do a vacation like a cruise or all-inclusive with a toddler. The hassle alone in getting to the destination if you're flying is insane. I know I certainly would not want to do it, nor do I wish to experience listening to a toddler crying on a 3+ hour long flight. I've had to deal with little ones kicking the back of my chair one too many times, and I have little patience for it. Be that as it may, I'm sure by now people would know what my reaction to seeing a 2-year old in the steakhouse. I wouldn't walk out and cancel the reservation, but I would ask the Maitre'D when they're leaving and to inform me when they're gone so I can come back to a peaceful meal. With very rare exception, there is no such thing as a quiet 2-hour dining experience with a child under the age of two. The only way they can be quiet that long is when they're asleep. You most certainly won't get flamed by me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare stevenr597 Posted July 16, 2012 #166 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Unless you are absolutely, totally, positively sure that you children will behave I would suggest that you not bring them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeagleOne Posted July 16, 2012 #167 Share Posted July 16, 2012 That was a generalization. I suppose this comes with the "me-me-ME" society. Sadly, most are from the middle part of North America. :-( Wow, talk about a generalization! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K.T.B. Posted July 16, 2012 #168 Share Posted July 16, 2012 You most certainly won't get flamed by me. Thanks! It's hot enough in Chicago already, I don't need flames. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K.T.B. Posted July 16, 2012 #169 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Wow, talk about a generalization! They were saying the US, not the midwest. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indianaseadog Posted July 16, 2012 #170 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I must be a whole lot more patient and understanding than many here. I'm sure that a noisey child is bothering their parents a whole lot more than they are me. If I were in a high end restaraunt, what I would expect the management to do at MOST, is ask the parents to just take the child for a walk outside until they calm down. I surely wouldn't ever expect any compensation to me because my experience was "ruined" by a child being a child. If I was that big of a bore or snobbish I would be sure to go to a place with age restrictions. I dont think the steak house is THAT much of a high end restaurant to have age limitations on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bplazo Posted July 16, 2012 #171 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Have you tried cruising, leaving your child home, your heart aching to see her while you can't? And I'd like to see ANY table quiet for 2 hours. With or without children. I guess some confuse the steakhouse with a library. I did not leave my child while I went on vacation, I stayed home with her. Toddlers do not need to go on vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeagleOne Posted July 16, 2012 #172 Share Posted July 16, 2012 They were saying the US, not the midwest. ;) I realize that. It was still an inappropriate generalization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggieworkman Posted July 16, 2012 #173 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Except the Serenity deck,the casino, the spa and fitness center (no one under 12, and 12-16 year olds must be accompanied by an adult). So, no, they cannot go into any public space. No. I think the point was that anyone (child or adult) who is causing a disruption in any public venue should leave if it was disturbing others in the area. We weren't (at least I wasn't) saying that children should be allowed in any public venue. Go back and read that part of the thread again. Maggie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pafam4 Posted July 16, 2012 #174 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I did not leave my child while I went on vacation, I stayed home with her. Toddlers do not need to go on vacation. I guess toddlers don't NEED to go on a vacation; however, I'm very glad my parents felt that toddlers could enjoy vacations. I was taken on family vacations from infancy. We did the same with our kids. Believe it or not, my sister and I learned very early how to behave in nice restaurants and hotels, because we were exposed to it frequently. Family vacations, be they on a cruise ship, at a beach house or just a weekend away, provide some of the best memories for all family members. Vacations are also great learning experiences for kids too, whether they are toddlers or pre-teens or teens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggieworkman Posted July 16, 2012 #175 Share Posted July 16, 2012 OP, I hope you get to enjoy the Steakhouse somehow. Is there anyone in your roll call you'd trust enough to watch the baby for this time and pay for babysitting? I think you can get a babysitter on board some ships. We brought Grandma along on our first cruise to help watch the kids. And the kids were 10 and 13! She helped them get ready for dinner and took the youngest to camp carnival during our early dinner so DH & I could finish dinner in peace. It was a trade off - we paid for her cruise and she helped with the kids. I know not everyone has that option. But I recommend it if you do. (The only problem is that Grandma still insists on coming on the cruises with us and the kids are now 20 and 17! We've set up an expectation!) Maggie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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