Edge and 11 year olds?

[emma'smom]

We just got back from a cruise where dd10 reports not really enjoying the Oceaneer Lab as much as usual. She didn't spend much time there and, while she briefly connected with one girl, didn't really make many friends...usually she makes plenty. The issue seems to be that so many of the children were really, really young....so the older kids sort of stopped coming.

For much of the time the 3 year olds were intermixing with the 10 year olds in the Lab....meaning that the games weren't challenging/fun for the older kids and much of the CM attention had to be focused on tending to younger children.

Also, we noted that many times there were these huge blocks of time that were "open houses" that for the most part meant that that particularly side of the club had limited programming---thus all of the kids of all ages ended up on the opposite side from the "open house"? What's the purpose of all these open houses throughout the week? I can see a few in the beginning while children acclimate, but after that.....let the CM do their thing--at least on the Lab side.

Anyway, we are headed out on an Alaskan cruise in June and she will have just turned 11. We are wondering how the 11 year olds fit in at the Edge? She went to one of the "out and about" activities that was in the Edge from 8-12 year olds---but it was half-way through the week--so she didn't know anyone and the others had sort of found their groups. Also, I think she felt awkward since the CM's asked them to leave the Edge as soon as the activity ended (and it ended early--so we weren't expecting her to be done yet)--like they weren't really welcome.

So...how do other 11 year olds adjust to moving from the Lab to the Edge? Especially on their own? We'll be traveling with just our family--so her sister will still be in the Lab.

[PrincessShmoo]

Originally Posted by emma'smom

We just got back from a cruise where dd10 reports not really enjoying the Oceaneer Lab as much as usual. She didn't spend much time there and, while she briefly connected with one girl, didn't really make many friends...usually she makes plenty. The issue seems to be that so many of the children were really, really young....so the older kids sort of stopped coming.

For much of the time the 3 year olds were intermixing with the 10 year olds in the Lab....meaning that the games weren't challenging/fun for the older kids and much of the CM attention had to be focused on tending to younger children.

Also, we noted that many times there were these huge blocks of time that were "open houses" that for the most part meant that that particularly side of the club had limited programming---thus all of the kids of all ages ended up on the opposite side from the "open house"? What's the purpose of all these open houses throughout the week? I can see a few in the beginning while children acclimate, but after that.....let the CM do their thing--at least on the Lab side.

Anyway, we are headed out on an Alaskan cruise in June and she will have just turned 11. We are wondering how the 11 year olds fit in at the Edge? She went to one of the "out and about" activities that was in the Edge from 8-12 year olds---but it was half-way through the week--so she didn't know anyone and the others had sort of found their groups. Also, I think she felt awkward since the CM's asked them to leave the Edge as soon as the activity ended (and it ended early--so we weren't expecting her to be done yet)--like they weren't really welcome.

So...how do other 11 year olds adjust to moving from the Lab to the Edge? Especially on their own? We'll be traveling with just our family--so her sister will still be in the Lab.

The ages for the Club/Lab is 3-12, while Edge is 11-14. The overlap ages being 11-12. As you know your child best, it's kinda up to you where you think they will fit in the best.

DCL built in the overlaps because of guest comments about having hard ages to move from one club to the next.

[Bear3412]

As difficult as it may be, try to figure out which club your child may be interested in, and go the first night when the CM's go over the possible activities. Perform recon prior to dinner. The kids seem to create clicks/groups at this time. Later it's more difficult to break into said groups.

[lbgraves]

From recent reports, they have been letting 10 yos into the Edge -- which may be the reason there weren't many 10 or 11 yos in the lab your cruise. If your DD goes to the Edge the first night after dinner/show she will meet many of the kids who will be there. Also get involved in the meet thread for your cruise and have her contact others her age before the cruise. DD12 is now in touch with 6 kids who will be in the Edge with her via email and facetime. She can't wait to meet everyone onboard.

[Rack on]

Can a child go back and forth? I have a son who will be 12 and one who will 9....can my older boy pick where he wants to be?

Pamela

[lbgraves]

Originally Posted by Rack on

Can a child go back and forth? I have a son who will be 12 and one who will 9....can my older boy pick where he wants to be?

Pamela

The official answer is no, a child needs to pick which club they will be going in. That seems to vary depending on how many kids are on each cruise with enforcement. On our last cruise on the Fantasy the mother of the 10 1/2+ yo we were with had to sign a paper allowing her child to go to the Edge also. That has been required for kids being moved up to the Vibe as well.

[believinthemagic]

There was a 10 yr old checking into edge in front of us on the fantasy last week. They were telling him he could do lab/club or edge. Either one. They also told my 13 yr old that if I signed a consent form he could go to vibe, which I didn't expect because I thought you had to be 14.

I told him he could go to vibe if he wanted, but he chose to stay & do the edge stuff and not try out vibe.

[lbgraves]

Originally Posted by believinthemagic

There was a 10 yr old checking into edge in front of us on the fantasy last week. They were telling him he could do lab/club or edge. Either one. They also told my 13 yr old that if I signed a consent form he could go to vibe, which I didn't expect because I thought you had to be 14.

I told him he could go to vibe if he wanted, but he chose to stay & do the edge stuff and not try out vibe.

REALLY hoping that they have too many kids on our spring break cruise to let the 10 yos in the Edge!!! DS14 really wants to go to the Edge, and he is in the posted age group for it, but if there are a bunch of 10 yos running around that will probably change.

[lanejudy]

Originally Posted by emma'smom

... Also, we noted that many times there were these huge blocks of time that were "open houses" that for the most part meant that that particularly side of the club had limited programming---thus all of the kids of all ages ended up on the opposite side from the "open house"? What's the purpose of all these open houses throughout the week? I can see a few in the beginning while children acclimate, but after that.....let the CM do their thing--at least on the Lab side.

The purpose of the "Open House" times is to allow children (or adults) of any age to have an opportunity to enjoy that space. It could be the child is not the appropriate age to use the space usually, or could be someone with developmental needs who requires adult assistance. Adults are no longer allowed into secured programming areas and DCL went through a major transition in the past year or so with regards to ages and access to kids clubs. The result is these "Open House" times that allow anyone to visit the space and participate in the programming. I know it can vary cruise-to-cruise, but we found it was typically an hour per day in each space.

[believinthemagic]

Originally Posted by lbgraves

REALLY hoping that they have too many kids on our spring break cruise to let the 10 yos in the Edge!!! DS14 really wants to go to the Edge, and he is in the posted age group for it, but if there are a bunch of 10 yos running around that will probably change.

I do think it made it less fun for the 13,14 yr olds with a bunch of younger ones in there. My son went for maybe an hour or two in the evenings most days, and he said there were 2or 3 other 13 yr olds, and the rest were all a lot younger. But I think he was afraid he wouldn't like being one of the youngest in vibe.

I told my sister they were letting 10 yr olds in, because my niece is 10, and she said "DO NOT tell her!". She didn't want her to have quite that much freedom to come & go as she wanted.

[kcashner]

As above, the purpose of the "open house" hours is to allow anyone/everyone to use spaces that are otherwise restricted to kids of a specific age. Prior to December, 2011 parents were allowed into the Club and Lab areas where they could interact with their child or bring a younger, possibly not toilet trained child into the Club. Following an issue involving a developmentally challenged adult creating issues for other guests, much more strict rules were instituted. Along with becoming much more strict about the maximum age in some spaces, the "open house" concept was expanded to allow guests who might not fit the rules to have time in the spaces, while children who had been dropped off were in "secure" programming and not interacting with those in the open house.

The good of the open house--family play time, time for kids to show "their" space to older/younger siblings, time for challenged individuals to play under family supervision. The bad--secure programming kids are forced into spaces that are not age or size appropriate, and cramming 3-12 together is a bit of a wide range under the best of circumstances.

I do wish that DCL would quit allowing younger kids to "move up." They already have a transition age (11-12 can do Lab or Edge, 14s can do Vibe or Edge). When they allow kids younger than the transition ages into the program, it results in the appropriate age kids wanting to bail. Sorry, but the 13--14s don't want to "play" with 10 year olds in the Edge, The 13s were removed from the teen programming years ago due to concerns about the interaction with older teens...so how is it OK to move them back in? There is nothing wrong with making a kid wait till they attain the appropriate age for activities/spaces...especially given that the overlap years are in place. And, when the 10s are allowed to move into the Edge, it results in the Lab/Club becoming a "baby" group that is far less attractive for those 9s and 10s (and some 11s and 12s) in that group.

While I understand the reasoning behind some of the changes, others are just a pain.

[JnDRader]

Originally Posted by kcashner

I do wish that DCL would quit allowing younger kids to "move up." They already have a transition age (11-12 can do Lab or Edge, 14s can do Vibe or Edge). When they allow kids younger than the transition ages into the program, it results in the appropriate age kids wanting to bail. Sorry, but the 13--14s don't want to "play" with 10 year olds in the Edge, The 13s were removed from the teen programming years ago due to concerns about the interaction with older teens...so how is it OK to move them back in? There is nothing wrong with making a kid wait till they attain the appropriate age for activities/spaces...especially given that the overlap years are in place. And, when the 10s are allowed to move into the Edge, it results in the Lab/Club becoming a "baby" group that is far less attractive for those 9s and 10s (and some 11s and 12s) in that group.

While I understand the reasoning behind some of the changes, others are just a pain.

I understand your point. IMO DCL needs to make the Lab more appealing to those 10-12yo's. My daughter had just turned 10 for our cruise last year and was bored out of her mind in the Lab. Practically no girls her age were there. Maybe they were in the Edge? Don't know. She begged to be allowed to roam the ship with a friend or two and we let her. She was much happier. In the Lab they need some dedicated CM's to work with the 10-12 age group with appropriate activities. No way a 10-12yo will want to play with 7-8yo's, or younger, or be seen doing the same activities.

Seems to me that the Edge might be better suited to 10-13yo's and the Vibe for 14-17yo's.

DCL just needs to make a new club for 9-11yo's!

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by JnDRader

I understand your point. IMO DCL needs to make the Lab more appealing to those 10-12yo's. My daughter had just turned 10 for our cruise last year and was bored out of her mind in the Lab. Practically no girls her age were there. Maybe they were in the Edge? Don't know. She begged to be allowed to roam the ship with a friend or two and we let her. She was much happier. In the Lab they need some dedicated CM's to work with the 10-12 age group with appropriate activities. No way a 10-12yo will want to play with 7-8yo's, or younger, or be seen doing the same activities.

Seems to me that the Edge might be better suited to 10-13yo's and the Vibe for 14-17yo's.

DCL just needs to make a new club for 9-11yo's!

Well, originally the OC was for 3-7s and the OL for 8-12s with the Stack/Aloft for 13-17...and the parents complained because their 7 year old couldn't be with the 9 year old sibling/cousin/friend. And DCL realized that maybe 3-7 wasn't the best split, and the better might be 3-6 and 7-12 so they tried this....and the parents complained that their 6 year old couldn't be with their 8 year old. They complained that 12s couldn't be in the teen program AND that the 17 were corrupting their innocent 13s. Go figure.

There have been MANY evolutions of the age groups over the years, and nothing suits every family. The overlap ages and the idea of separating kids by activity choices rather than by ages is the latest attempt. No matter what choice DCL makes, there are parents who object. DCL is just like Lake Woebegon--all the children are above average and at least 25% of them need to be advanced to the next older program regardless of being outside the overlap age.

[sjlnv]

So the 17 yr olds are sad there is a 13 yr old... The 13yr old is sad there is a 10yr old... and the 10yr old is sad there is a 3yr old... I think that if a parent feels their child is mature enogh and within the 6-9mth range of the next club it should be allowed. My son is 10, yet he is in the classroom with 11-13yr olds every day at school! That 10 is just a #! We actually had one of the 13 yr olds cry because he wasn't invited to my son's party! Just yesterday, he was out side playing football with a group of friends he being the youngest at 10, and then the oldest being 15! At the end of the night, the 15 yr old and my 10 yr old were texting, asking to spend the night... It all depends on the kid! I'm sure if the younger child was being an issue to the others that CM would speak up about it! My son will be 6mths away from 11 when we cruise, and I was planning on taking him to both the Lab (again) and the edge, and finding where he fells better off!

[wallawallakids]

Originally Posted by lbgraves

The official answer is no, a child needs to pick which club they will be going in. That seems to vary depending on how many kids are on each cruise with enforcement. On our last cruise on the Fantasy the mother of the 10 1/2+ yo we were with had to sign a paper allowing her child to go to the Edge also. That has been required for kids being moved up to the Vibe as well.

Has this changed? Because shoreside concierge told me my DD could go back and forth? She turns 11 in Feb (our cruise is in April). I was told that DD could go with her 3 siblings one day and to the Edge the next. I really hope so. I don't know how much she is going to want to be in the Edge, but I would love it if she could keep an eye on the younger set as I have one who will probably cry at drop off if her big sis isn't there with her. (Of course I could not have her go, but I think she would be happy if big DD was there and that would allow DH and I to at least have dinner at Palo one night!)