Birthday dinner for folks traveling with kids?

[the_dylaness]

Hi,

We're going on our first (sort of--- stay tuned) RCCL cruise in a few weeks.  We have opted for a suite which involves a Genie.

 

(I sailed on Legend of the Seas in 2002 so it is not technically my first RCCL cruise but obviously the product has changed so much I'm essentially a newbie. Experienced cruiser, just not this line.)

 

They have been in contact and want us to set a dining plan in advance. #FirstWorldProblem but this seems kind of stressful to me; I've not been on many cruises that you need to have basically all your dinners planned out in advance.  The last night of the cruise is my birthday and we are debating what to do for it... ideas range from "robe party" in our room with room service (kids don't get too squirrels, and I've done this before on another line and it was really fun, in a silly kind of way) to CP150 with everyone to CK with everyone to just an adult dinner one of those places... we are all over the place.

 

We already have reservations for Chef's Table and Izumi Hibachi (the Genie suggested making those in advance and then getting refunded later).  Our kids are 8 and 11 so while they can be patient for a restaurant meal, if it is TOO long they get a little squirrely and bored.  We don't permit electronic devices at the dinner table.  

 

What might make the most sense in this circumstance, or perhaps what considerations have we not taken into account?  RCCL feels like a very different kind of cruise than any of our prior experiences and I am a little unsure what to expect.

 

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

 

[Biker19]

24 minutes ago, the_dylaness said:

What might make the most sense in this circumstance, or perhaps what considerations have we not taken into account?

Explain all this to the genie and leave it to him/her to arrange things for you. 

[Broken07]

25 minutes ago, the_dylaness said:

Hi,

We're going on our first (sort of--- stay tuned) RCCL cruise in a few weeks.  We have opted for a suite which involves a Genie.

 

(I sailed on Legend of the Seas in 2002 so it is not technically my first RCCL cruise but obviously the product has changed so much I'm essentially a newbie. Experienced cruiser, just not this line.)

 

They have been in contact and want us to set a dining plan in advance. #FirstWorldProblem but this seems kind of stressful to me; I've not been on many cruises that you need to have basically all your dinners planned out in advance.  The last night of the cruise is my birthday and we are debating what to do for it... ideas range from "robe party" in our room with room service (kids don't get too squirrels, and I've done this before on another line and it was really fun, in a silly kind of way) to CP150 with everyone to CK with everyone to just an adult dinner one of those places... we are all over the place.

 

We already have reservations for Chef's Table and Izumi Hibachi (the Genie suggested making those in advance and then getting refunded later).  Our kids are 8 and 11 so while they can be patient for a restaurant meal, if it is TOO long they get a little squirrely and bored.  We don't permit electronic devices at the dinner table.  

 

What might make the most sense in this circumstance, or perhaps what considerations have we not taken into account?  RCCL feels like a very different kind of cruise than any of our prior experiences and I am a little unsure what to expect.

 

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

 

Enjoy your cruise!  We’ve loved our genie experiences this far.  You could probably have the best of both ideas. Maybe have birthday lunch in suite with party vibes and cake and ice cream with the kids. Then later dinner for 2 at a specialty. I have a 9 year old and she is laid back and does dinner service well but it’s their last day and maybe they would like to explore while you dine. Idk. Just some thoughts.  Our genie did a really great party for my bday in suite with food from 150. He set up an ice cream and cupcake bar for my little with party decor and the such. You have a genie so you can have it all lol. Let us know you what you end up doing.  

[the_dylaness]

15 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Explain all this to the genie and leave it to him/her to arrange things for you. 

 

Thanks... it seems like they want a lot of this done in advance, so we haven't even had the chance to meet.  I am not sure how well they can know my personal taste especially with never having met!  

[the_dylaness]

15 hours ago, Broken07 said:

Enjoy your cruise!  We’ve loved our genie experiences this far.  You could probably have the best of both ideas. Maybe have birthday lunch in suite with party vibes and cake and ice cream with the kids. Then later dinner for 2 at a specialty. I have a 9 year old and she is laid back and does dinner service well but it’s their last day and maybe they would like to explore while you dine. Idk. Just some thoughts.  Our genie did a really great party for my bday in suite with food from 150. He set up an ice cream and cupcake bar for my little with party decor and the such. You have a genie so you can have it all lol. Let us know you what you end up doing.  

 

That's a good idea, splitting it that way.

 

Did you feel like the quality of in-room dining was pretty close to dining in the restaurant? Do they do course-by-course or all at once?

 

My 11 year old does pretty well with a longer dinner but my just-turned-8-y/o is less patient with this type of stuff.  

[Broken07]

2 hours ago, the_dylaness said:

 

That's a good idea, splitting it that way.

 

Did you feel like the quality of in-room dining was pretty close to dining in the restaurant? Do they do course-by-course or all at once?

 

My 11 year old does pretty well with a longer dinner but my just-turned-8-y/o is less patient with this type of stuff.  

We’ve had in suite dining course by course and all at once. The quality was on par to dining in. I honestly preferred all at once it was quicker lol. The genie would love to know any specific request upfront. Like specific decorations or things that may not necessarily be on the ship. However, the benefits of having the genie is having the ability to have some spontaneity. Be specific in the must haves but leave some room for genie magic. You may get on the ship and have a total different plan.