The DS(8 year old) could have cared less where we were the entire cruise as long as he could get to the Lab ASAP. The DD(Under 3) was another story. When we signed up at Flounder's, they explained to us that the pagers would probably not work off ship anywhere in Nassau. They explained that it was no big deal if the DD did not like it very much and expressed her displeasure. It was expected. Afterall even under ideal circumstances something could go awry.
Signing up at Flounder's was the best. After fretting about getting time there to coincide with our other needs(Palo, shore excursions, etc.) it was a relief to be able to get any and all times that we wanted. When you sign up, you request three times that you want and you get them(at least we did, and our cruise was sold out).
DD's experience was quite varied though as she had difficulty adjusting to the excitement and being away from Mommy & Daddy. First day at Nassau went well just a little adjustment period and then the rrest of her session went well.
Mommy & Daddy's Date night at Palo was a different situation. With Ressies at 8:00pm at Palo we decided to put her in at 7:00pm to allow maximum primping without interuption. At about 7:40pm, while Daddy was putting the finishing touches to his tie, a pager sounds to totally change the evenings.
"DD would like to see you in Flounder's Reef Nursery"
With Fingers crossed Daddy makes his way to Flounder's while Mommy maintains hope and continues final touches of her own.
At 8:30pm the evening was officially over as initially planned.
Flounder's was very understanding and instead of charging us for our fully reserved session, they only charged us for the hour and a half that she was actually their.
Palo was also very undertanding. With Mommy & Daddy dressed to the Nines toteing their beautiful yet puffy eyed and red faced DD in her Tinkerbell PJ's they completely understood. They even scratched our name off the list and did not even charge us for the night even though it was cancelled.
The night as originally planned was over, but that's what parenting is all about...flexibility.
But what to do now? We had early sitting for Dinner, Our Restaurant was to be Triton's and we were toteing a
now happy, but PJ clad tot. It was now 8:45 and we sought out our head server. Once again, totally understanding our situation he was even able to find us a table with our assigned wait staff.
Evening was not over just yet.
But it was now her evening.
And she was really wallowing in it. She was the belle of the ball. The entire restaurant felt our saga. Winks and nods from all parents acknowledging our plight as if they were to say
"Hang in there man. Been there, Done that"
Meanwhile, the
Princess was now holding court. And now for her close up. Triton's is the formal "regular" restaurant in the rotation and of course they want you to remember your cruise with a photograph of your wonderful formal night out. There we were, Mommy & Daddy formally attired but now looking worn by their experience, a missing family member(DS) oblivious to the fun we were having and who could care less about it right now due to his Lab time fun, and DD who now is relishing the attention from her now captured Mommy & Daddy.
This pictures were her best of the cruise. Her eyes sparkled brighter, Her dimples were deeper and her smile was wider than ever before.
All is well that ends well.