Was wondering if children must be of a certain age to be seated at the dinner tables? Since we are seated with people we do not know is there a chance we would be seated with a family with small children?

Sad to say, yes. On my first cruise (Carnival) I requested late seating and a large table to meet people (I was traveling solo). Imagine my dismay to find myself with mom dad and 5 kids ranging in age from 3 to 15. See the maitre'd soon after you board to make sure this doesn't happen to you.

If it's a big concern, then ask for a table for two.

When you are going to the dining room request a "no-children" table...should not be a problem.. I understand completely...

Hi, Milly. I was recently on a Carnival cruise and it seemed that the cruise line tries to seat people of similar ages and family status together. My family of 4 was seated with other families with children our kids' ages, next to us was a table of four young couples (no kids), and also near us was a table of seniors couples, etc. If you don't like your seating arrangement on the first night, ask the Maitre D' to change it. They are very accommodating. <BR>Have fun!

If you want to avoid eating with kids do yourself a favor and avoid cruises. You not only can get stuck with kids at your table but they are all over the dining room - frequently indulging in food fights, whining, fussing, etc. Not my idea of a good time. By the way, most cruise ships have a VERY limited number of tables for two and they are very very hard to come by. If you like eating at McDonald's a cruise is perfect. We found out the hard way and will never take another cruise again, personally I like having control over who I eat with and where and what time. Kids are fine and I don't hate kids, but misbehaving children have no place in a dining room and the parents are to blame for allowing their children to disrupt other diners meals. I do not think any cruise line makes an effort to accommodate anyone specifically with regard to meals and/or seating assignments. If you are lucky you get what you want, but when you see the lines of people wanting to change tables/times, etc. you have to realize they do nothing when you make your reservation to accommodate your wishes. Good Luck

Thank you all for the responses! I will now check with the reservations about dinner. I too love children but after waiting a lifetime (MY children are grown) I dont want to eat dinner with wee ones! I will let you all know when I get back.