“Am I missing out by not going to the main dining room?”
I belong to several groups on FB and this question has been posted countless times. Each time, it strikes a chord. Here is the direct question.
“I’ve been on a few RC cruises before and I’ll be going again on Grandeur. In the past, we pretty much have only eaten in the Windjammer because we have two small kids with us. Am I missing out by not going to the main dining room? Will I regret bringing the kids there? If I only choose to go to the main dining room a couple nights, are there any particular nights I should go?”
anonymous from FB community group Cruising with Kids
YES, you’re missing out!
So my answer is always YES you are missing out on dining in the main dining room with the kids. When I had to convince my husband Dan years ago to cruise one of my top reasons why cruising with our kids would be best is for the mealtime options.
For starters, I don’t want to have to think about what restaurant we go to on vacation, or let alone having to drive there and as a mom of a child with allergies that adds an entirely new component.
Even more importantly. I want to feel waited on. I want to feel that way all the time! Moms are a jack of all trades, am I right? We are the cooks, cleaners, nurses, chauffeur, teachers, entertainers, schedulers and so much more. So, why not at least on vacation let someone wait on you?
This question always leaves me wondering, why would you not want to sit down and have a meal in the dining room? Is it because you have children? Would you go to a local restaurant to eat with your kids? What would be the regret? What makes you nervous?
Will I regret bringing the kids?
Not that you directly asked me but it’s my job to be a resource and tell it like it is and so NO, you won’t regret bringing the kids.
What if my kids don’t behave?
What if they are loud or cause a fit?
To that I will say as a parent you just need to plan in advance. The dining room on any cruise line can take awhile. In my experience if you can get through the first night you’re all set. The wait staff will get to know you and your likes/dislikes and the timing.
Timing of dinner
First thing is timing dinner appropriately. We do the early or anytime dining. Anytime is just that you can choose when you eat every night. If you decide to do an early dinner one night the next you can do a later time. I don’t recommend switching it up though as it’s best to keep to a schedule. You’ll have the same waitstaff and table and the more they get to know you the more enjoyable the evenings will be. And if you dinner time is say 6:00pm by the time you actually eat it could be closer to 6:30pm so take that into account.
How to keep the kids entertained
As for preparing in advance we bring with us sticker puzzle books and on occasion our old iPhones. When we upgrade our phones we keep our old ones (currently iPhone 6 and 8). We wipe them clean and start them over for the kids. We only download educational books, games and fun apps for them to play. We do also have at least 1 movie downloaded. Most often than not we just spend time playing with a travel tic tac toe or the puzzles. And you can’t go wrong with crayons and a coloring book or even better the mess free ones by Crayola.
Which nights to actually go to the dining room?
The final part to this particular question is: “If I only choose to go to the main dining room a couple nights, are there any particular nights I should go?”
I think this depends on what you want to experience while on vacation. If you care about the food options obviously check the morning of to see what is being offered. If you can’t find something to eat then skip it.
If you want to get dressed up then make sure to take them on ‘formal’ night. It’s fun to see those who choose to get dressed up and usually the waitstaff will perform a song and dance if you’re lucky. Enjoy the time you have with the kids and opening the door to new experiences for everyone. Least you can do is try it. If it’s one thing I can say you can ask others for their opinion (we all have them after all) though you won’t know if you’re missing out unless you give it a try.
What do you think?