App for Kids Club Communication

[sammykster]

I've been in ya for over three years now and I tell every family that I register about the wave phones and than it our only way to contact you easily.

But if your off to the spa (or palo or getting off the ship or any other event) just let us know. We can put a note on the child's info and then we can at least explain to them that they're grown ups are busy until .... Or will be back as soon as they're done... Or just go do this activity and then come back and we'll send a message, just makes it a little easier on the kids!

This really makes me feel better. We have been on 2 DCL cruises and I am yet to leave the kids behind. We are going in November and will be sending the 5 y/o to the club and using the nursery a bit for my 2 weeks shy of a 3 year old. I worry that they'll be worried or a mess if we're doing something and can't get there immediately. I'm going to try to set expectations early so they know but I'm glad it helps to let the CM know what you're doing too ! Thanks for the info

I also wish the app could work for kids clubs. We're not at an age yet to give them cell phones obviously but the wave phones should be fine. I just have to remember to check it. I kept missing texts from other family last time because it was in my bag!

 

[bbel]

This really makes me feel better. We have been on 2 DCL cruises and I am yet to leave the kids behind. We are going in November and will be sending the 5 y/o to the club and using the nursery a bit for my 2 weeks shy of a 3 year old. I worry that they'll be worried or a mess if we're doing something and can't get there immediately. I'm going to try to set expectations early so they know but I'm glad it helps to let the CM know what you're doing too ! Thanks for the info

I also wish the app could work for kids clubs. We're not at an age yet to give them cell phones obviously but the wave phones should be fine. I just have to remember to check it. I kept missing texts from other family last time because it was in my bag!

we usually try to encourage kids to stay about 20-30 minutes before sending any messages. If they're really upset then well usually send a message like '...is upset and were working to calm them', then its your choice. Also a tip, if your dropping and your kids are unhappy/upset by it, drop and go, hanging around, or coming back for a peek often doesn't help us, you and especially the kids, like I said, we'll send a message if we need to. One final tip, be honest with your kids, if your gonna be three hours tell them. Ive seen kids be dropped off being told its just for 5 mins while i pop back to the room and on the way out the parents tell us they're getting off for the day. The kid doesn't understand why they've been left and then the next day they don't want to come in because they 'hate the kids club'...
We're pros at distracting kids. Id say around 90% of our time is distracting/redirecting/entertaining upset/unhappy/'bored' kids. You drop them off and they're unhappy, don't worry, we got this, we understand that you guys need some kid-free time so don't feel bad.

And we don't use the app purely because the messages don't always go through. The internet is pretty unreliable at sea and on some itineraries can be down or slow for days. And in an emergency (which is the main reason for parents to carry the wp) we're gonna call - so we know you know and come if you need to!