can my 9 & 11 yrolds stay togthr?

[hippychic]

We are planning to cruise Nov 2005 ,how strict is DCL about the ages for the kids clubs. My DD will be 11 and probably won't want to go to the club by herself, my DS will be 9 and would go alone but would have more fun with his sis'. We are only thinking of using the club for short stays. Maybe so DH and I can go out for a drink after dinner and the show with kids, or to take a hour at the adults only pool/beach. I was thinking about telling a fib about their ages as people often think they are twins or that DS is older that DD but didn't know if DCL will have their ages on file and refer to them.

 

[CM_Mom]

The key is to Talk to the Counselors. They want your kids to have as much fun as you do.

The key question is how "9" is your 9 yo? Barely 9 or almost 10? If the 9 yo is within a couple of months of turning 10 you'll have a better chance of having him move up than if he's just turned 9.

One thing to be aware of is that they can't flip flop from one group to the other.

My recommendation is to have them go into their respective age groups the first night and see how they like it. If it's not working really well, talk to the CMs about making a change.

A suggestion from another poster is to require your kids to attend ONE activity a day in the clubs so the adults have some adult time each day. The kids get to choose the activity but they must choose one activity. Sounded pretty reasonable to me.

Have a great cruise.

 

[aprilgail2]

I thought their ages were in the computer so you couldn't lie about it. I know if you try to book them on an excursion that they are not old enough for they won't even take the reservation since the computer knows how old they are.

 

[poconoboatniks]

AprilGirl2 is correct. You had to provide their ages to make the reservation and you are required to travel with their birth certificates or passport.

Your DD & DS will be in the lab together and will be able to do some of the activities together. On our trips our ds and dd have been separated. ds has been in the club and dd has been in the lab. Both kids have had very positive experiences. DD 10 is not as outgoing as ds 7 and she loved going to the lab.

You can get your kids connected with other dis kids before your cruise by checking out the cruise meets. Our dd emailed other girls before our trip.

Poconoboatniks

 

[Danemom]

The Passporter book says they will only allow kids to change groups if they are within a month of their birthday.

I don't know how strict they are though.

 

[232271]

My son will be 2 months shy of ten, my daugther will be
11, and I emailed disneycruise and they said the best thing
to do is talk to the couselor's they make the final decisions.

good luck!

 

[hippychic]

thanks for the feed back. I like that idea of requiring one activity
a day. Doesn't look like any activity last very long. I am trying to
get a feel for the club and/or lab. Is it all in the same room and the kids just have different couselors, do different activities. Or are they in two physically different places?

 

[CM_Mom]

The Club and the Lab are two different spaces but are across the hall from each other on Deck 5. Within each space the kids are divided into groups based on age, 3-4s and 5-7s in the Club and 8-9s and 10-12s in the Lab. Within each space are various other spaces but each place is physically secure with one check in/out desk where the kids come and go.

A good way to get a feel for the activities is to check out the kids and teens navigators for each cruise at www.dcltribute.com/navigators That's also a great place to look for ideas about onboard activities for the family. Be sure to check the dates on the Navigators because some of them especially for the 3 day Bahamian kids activities are fairly old.