Recent experiences with the potty trained almost 3 year old?

[peachygreen]

Can you share your recent experiences with a fully potty trained almost 3 year old? Were they allowed to register on board for the Oceaneers Club?

We are going on our 3rd cruise in March. My youngest turns 3 in April. She has been potty trained since July and is completley independant when it comes to the potty now. She is also very verbal for her age and follows instructions well. Her teachers joke that she is there littlest 4 year old because she acts like a 4 year old.

She would be with her big sister in the club who is almost 7.

She and I were watching a video of the Fantasy and anything in the kids club she got so excited for, but was completely disinterested with the baby room as she called it. I wouldn't even bother putting her in the nursery as I know she wouldn't like it. I don't really plan to send her to the club frequently but I know she would not be happy if her sister got to go and she didn't. She wanted to go to the club last July.

I told her we would see if she could go to the club when we got on board but I couldn't promise it. She understands that and would accept being with mommy all day if she had to but I know she would love to hang out in the club with her sister.

Are they letting the potty trained almost 3 year old in the club still?

 

[happy55girl]

When I had inquired last year while on board the csm said if their birthday is within 3 weeks of your cruise

 

[Aggiegrl]

Don't forget the open house times in the club. It doesn't help you with adult only time, but if she is denied registration she can still get to enjoy it a bit. Good luck.

 

[Jujubee727]

Bump... Wondering if there are any other experiences with this. From what I have read I thought they could be more then three weeks out from their birthdays....

 

[kcashner]

The rule has always been if they were 30 days or less from the birthday, it was allowed with no special authorization needed. Not sure where the 3 weeks came from or if whether that represents a misunderstanding or very recent policy change.

More than 30 days from the birthday requires a discussion with the CM and usually a trial period in the OC. If the child does OK during the trial period, they will be welcomed for the rest of the cruise. However. IF there are a lot of kids in the 3-5 age range booked on your cruise, they may not be able to allow a child of less than 2 years 11 months to participate during the secure hours. Anyone is welcome during the open house times, but you'd have to be with the kids.

 

[moore523]

Fingers crossed for us, too!

I have a 6 year old daughter and a 2 year old son. He is also potty trained--and goes on his own, but he'll be about 60 days from being 3. I'm not expecting them to say yes, but we thought we'd try!

 

[Belle4]

We sailed on Magic on Dec 1st. Our son will turn 3 on March 21st. They allowed him in the club since he was fully trained. A friend of ours sailed on the Dream on Jan 20th. Her daughter will be turning 3 in May. She was also allowed in the club after a quick chat with the club CM's. i thought we got lucky because the Magic wasn't at capacity but my friends sailing was sold out.

 

[AZMermaid]

Do they ever "force" a child into the clubs? My son will be about 7 weeks away from 3. He is potty trained now (at almost 2.5) and if I put him in the right clothes now, he can do the whole thing himself so I imagine 5 months from now that will only improve. He is 100% high energy boy (like jumps down 4 steps, climbed up a 10 foot slide at 15 months etc)- they tell me at daycare he is very well behaved, so I imagine he would be in the nursery, but he runs and runs and runs. I will also have a 17 month old in there, so I would prefer to keep them together- but I guess I am a little worried they will push us into the club. He is pretty go with the flow, but the idea of him at 2 years old in there with 10 year olds without a sibling/cousin looking out for him makes me nervous- and I am usually super easygoing about such things. Has anyone heard of that happening? I do plan on taking both the kids to the Club during Open House hours, but I also plan on using the nursery in some form for most dinners and a Palo brunch.

 

[kcashner]

Do they ever "force" a child into the clubs? My son will be about 7 weeks away from 3. He is potty trained now (at almost 2.5) and if I put him in the right clothes now, he can do the whole thing himself so I imagine 5 months from now that will only improve. He is 100% high energy boy (like jumps down 4 steps, climbed up a 10 foot slide at 15 months etc)- they tell me at daycare he is very well behaved, so I imagine he would be in the nursery, but he runs and runs and runs. I will also have a 17 month old in there, so I would prefer to keep them together- but I guess I am a little worried they will push us into the club. He is pretty go with the flow, but the idea of him at 2 years old in there with 10 year olds without a sibling/cousin looking out for him makes me nervous- and I am usually super easygoing about such things. Has anyone heard of that happening? I do plan on taking both the kids to the Club during Open House hours, but I also plan on using the nursery in some form for most dinners and a Palo brunch.

They may suggest the Oceaneer's Club, but they can't force you to use something other than the designated age appropriate space.

On the positive side, yes, there can be 2-12 year old kids in the OC and Lab. However, they are separated by activities. I've never seen a 10 year old want to do a 3-5 activity (but it could happen). The CMs are there to look out for him--it isn't the job of an older sibling or cousin. After all, it's their vacation too. While I've read some stories on the boards of CMs ignoring a child, etc. I can honestly say that I've never seen that happen. The areas are well staffed and the kids are well supervised (at the younger age groups).

 

[AZMermaid]

Thanks- I am open to the idea of him being in the club (hey, it's free and I think he would probably LOVE it) but my understanding is once they switch, they can not switch back- is that the case? I understand not constantly switching, but if he is way overwhelmed/lost (which really is unlikely for him actually), I would hate to lose the ability to bring him to the nursery!

 

[kcashner]

Thanks- I am open to the idea of him being in the club (hey, it's free and I think he would probably LOVE it) but my understanding is once they switch, they can not switch back- is that the case? I understand not constantly switching, but if he is way overwhelmed/lost (which really is unlikely for him actually), I would hate to lose the ability to bring him to the nursery!

That is not our experience. There have been times when older kids had to choose between Teen/tween programs or tween/lab....but not between nursery and Oceaneer's Club. Placing him in the Club will not eliminate your ability to place him in the nursery, especially if the issue is that the OC didn't work for him.

Again, others may have had other experiences. I can only report what occurred in our group.