Many kids at formal nights?

[l_josiah]

:) I was just wondering if you see many kids at formal night. We were out shopping for the cruise and I was thinking that maybe the kids might want to sit this one out. I definately want them there but whats the norm??

Hey let me know before we by these suits!!!

[HunnyBunnyTink]

I have always gone to formal nights with my parents (I am now 17) and have seen many other kids doing the same.

[cactuscruiser]

I've never noticed a substantial drop in kids at dinner for formal nights. My DD and DS always went with us. They never even asked to NOT go.

[runner15km]

Just bring slacks, dress shirt and tie form them. If the kids decide not to attend formal night then you will not be upset for spending the extra cash for the suits.:)

[cruzinnh]

My DD never minds dressing up. :) We have my son (11) wear dark slacks, white shirt & tie. No suit.

It is a good opportunity for a family picture so keep that in mind.

 

Kathy J

[threeofus]

Our daughter always liked dressing up - as they get older they like it even more (but it gets more $):eek:

[boingy300]

We found NEW tuxedos on Ebay for $25 plus S&H. My boys LOVE dressing up. We all act like we're in a James Bond movies. WE get great photos and then I make them change right after dinner the first night. And YES, they wear them both nights. Less to pack, lots of fun. Cheaper than a suit, or even shirt and tie! We have a blast.

Karen

[barbaragrace]

:) I was just wondering if you see many kids at formal night.

My girls are now 10 and 18 and have ALWAYS done the formal night with us. We love dressing up (my oldest daughter does change after dinner to hang out with her friends though). Makes GREAT family pictures!

We have our dresses all ready for our June cruise.

[HookLine&Sinker]

Please don't shy away from bringing your kids to formal night. I've seen many young people dressed in slacks, shirts and ties and sometimes blue blazers and young ladies in dresses and they look so sweet. It's only for a hour and then they can go change but it's such a great learning experience around proper table manners and social behavior in a "fancy" setting. Then they can go change and have fun!

 

The young people I have observed seemed to be enjoying themselves and the proud look of their parents when others complimented them on the sharp look was priceless :)

[katiel53]

My son is now an adult, but on recent cruises we have seen many children dressed to the nines. They do look so nice and seem to be so happy in how they get complemented.

 

On our Mariner cruise though, some people we met had young grand children and they didn't want to miss anything that was going on with Adventure Ocean. The parents had expected them to be in the dining room on formal nights, but it seems that that's when AO had dinner in Johnny Rockets. The kids wanted to go with their friends rather than be at dinner with the family.

 

My advice would be buy the suits just before the cruise but don't take off the price tag. If the kids don't want to be in the dining room on formal night, return the suits when you get home. In any case, enjoy your cruise.

 

 

Katie

[MrPete]

The kids shine on these nights. They seem to love the attention.

[vator90]

Our 2 have always gone to formal night. It is part of the "cruise expierience" to us.

[photonut4]

My kids always love getting dressed up for formal nights. There are so few times in life that we, as a family, get to get all dressed up and enjoy a formal evening that it is a real treat that we all enjoy.

[jtwisconsin]

Our kids (DS 10 and DD 11) enjoyed formal night as well. We noticed a bunch of kids at formal night on both our cruises.

[valita1984]

I saw many children at formal night (on the Splendour) and ALL of the young people (4 boys, ages 13-17) from the family at our table were there.

 

As we went down to dinner, the children in the next suite (two boys, about 10-11) came out into the hall in dress shirt, tie, nice pants...I said "Gentlemen, how nice you look!" They replied (in stereo!) "Thank you, ma'am!".

 

"Company manners" are something that all kids can learn (now, if we could work on a few adults!:))

[ali07]

My kids always liked the formal nights (especially the girls)...they wouldn't think of missing them. This time we rented a tux for my son (who is now 14 and tall). It was easy and he looked great, and it was cheaper than buying a suit.

[Schplinky]

We've never noticed fewer kids on formal nights. I think the people who tend to "live" in the buffet do that every night, not just formal night.

[TurtleMomma]

This will be our first cruise with our sons (11 & 13) and they can't wait to dress up! They are really looking forward to formal night, and I can't wait for the photo's!

[1bigsexy]

Our girls (10,11,14) always join us for these nights. It's very exciting for them..starts with going shopping for their dress etc..to getting all dressed-up and enjoying the night itself. They especially like the comments from people who usually say how beautiful etc they are.

 

* We just hate it when the photographers comes by the table and starts bugging us if we want pics.. NO.. we just want to enjoy the moment and the food :D

 

Which man wouldn't want 4 beautiful ladies with him at dinner!

[l_josiah]

A huge thanks goes to everyone who was able to comment on this topic for me. I really appreciate your opinions and I agree it does seem like

formal evenings should be a part of the "cruising expereince"!!!!

[Happy ks]

We always see a lot of kids on formal night, I get a kick out of seeing them all dressed up, laying on the floor of the Centrum while waiting to get formal photos done (wish I could get away with it!).

 

We've always managed to be seated between tables with bunches of kids, there goes the theory that there are less children at late seating :rolleyes: . Last cruise, one table of nine next to us, 4 adults, 5 kids under the age of ten. Table on the other side of us, six adults, 4 kids, two older (say 10-12) 2 toddlers.

 

It's all good, everyone had a great time :)

[dougp26364]

I've never noticed a drop off in kids on formal nights and we generally go with the early seating, which seems to be the favorite amongst families with young children.