checking kids in online

[oklamomof4boys]

It's been a long time since I had a little one on a cruise so I'm not sure how things are done now. I'm asking for a friend. They register their kids for the clubs online before the cruise, correct? Then when they get to the terminal, do they wait in that line I see all the parents waiting in to finish registering their kids and do the kids get a bracelet thing?

 

[cmph]

Yes to the online part, and maybe to the other part. If the line is long, they can skip it and just take care of that part at the kids' club entrances on-board. If you have to wait in the terminal to board anyway, they might as well stand in that line, but if you're able to board quickly - there is no point waiting in that line. It's the exact same process on-board.

 

[apathetic]

It kind of stinks that even if you register online you still have to wait on the line to get the bracelet. However, if everyone does the online part, the line moves quickly. Like mentioned above, if you have to wait to board, might as well do it while you wait in the terminal.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

If they get the bracelet at the kid's club can they go any time to do that or is there a certain time?

 

[cmph]

If they get the bracelet at the kid's club can they go any time to do that or is there a certain time?

The DCL web-site makes it sound like you must do it on embarkation day... I'm not entirely sure why, except to prevent confusion with kids trying to go that evening who haven't been fully registered. I doubt kids would be turned away if the showed up for the first time to register later on into the cruise. It's probably also b/c they want the kids to wear the magic bands in case they get lost or something. In any case, yeah, plan to do it the first day during open house if you haven't done it in the terminal. It's a chance for all the adults to go with the kids into the club/lab to check stuff out anyway!

 

[oklamomof4boys]

The DCL web-site makes it sound like you must do it on embarkation day... I'm not entirely sure why, except to prevent confusion with kids trying to go that evening who haven't been fully registered. I doubt kids would be turned away if the showed up for the first time to register later on into the cruise. It's probably also b/c they want the kids to wear the magic bands in case they get lost or something. In any case, yeah, plan to do it the first day during open house if you haven't done it in the terminal. It's a chance for all the adults to go with the kids into the club/lab to check stuff out anyway!

Thank you- so maybe just have them head to the kid's club after they eat lunch on embarkation day?

 

[cmph]

Thank you- so maybe just have them head to the kid's club after they eat lunch on embarkation day?

Yes, that's what I would tell them to do. They certainly don't have to do it before they eat, the club/lab are in open house most of the afternoon. We had lunch in Triton's on the Wonder, which is not a buffet, but lunch with wait service and menus, then I verified allergy notes with the dining staff and signed up for alcohol tastings, then registered the kids... definitely no need to rush straight there. I prioritized mixology over everything else LOL!

 

[eeyore29]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but if my daughter has no interest in going to the kids club, do we still need to get her a bracelet? She tried it last time, and wasn't a huge fan (she said it was too loud). And if she changes her mind once we're on the ship, can we still register her at a later time or another day?

 

[bbel]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but if my daughter has no interest in going to the kids club, do we still need to get her a bracelet? She tried it last time, and wasn't a huge fan (she said it was too loud). And if she changes her mind once we're on the ship, can we still register her at a later time or another day?

You don't have to register and get a bracelet if you don't want to. However, depending on age, you might want your child to get one. If they ever get separated from you they'll get taken to the clubs, and its just a scan of a bracelet to get in touch with you, and it can take longer if they don't have a band on.
And you can register whenever you want, I had a kid register at 11.30pm on the last day of a 7 day cruise before, which means they only had their band and access to the clubs for 30 minutes, but its done!

 

[mernin]

Another tip I read somewhere is that on embarkation if you do go to the club to get the bracelet and there is a line at the desk, there is a CM in the back in the room between the club & lab doing the same thing. When we went she had no one waiting for her.

 

[cmph]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but if my daughter has no interest in going to the kids club, do we still need to get her a bracelet? She tried it last time, and wasn't a huge fan (she said it was too loud). And if she changes her mind once we're on the ship, can we still register her at a later time or another day?

I would still get her a magic band at some point, personally, b/c kids can be so darned fickle and she may end up wanting to go some time! But if the band is not going to be a souvenir with fond memories associated - don't forget to return it later on and get your deposit back! I only mention this b/c my kids decided they were done with the club/lab around day 3, and then my youngest didn't like wearing the band either (he doesn't like the way magic bands feel)... so they ended up ditched into a drawer, forgotten.

 

[dani24]

When checking kids in online, they ask for a password for the kids clubs. How exactly is this used for the kids club? Do you say the password to the CM, or type it in? And do you use it every time you check your child out, or for some other purpose?

 

[millticket]

When checking kids in online, they ask for a password for the kids clubs. How exactly is this used for the kids club? Do you say the password to the CM, or type it in? And do you use it every time you check your child out, or for some other purpose?

Verbal password confirmation. Highly suggest you do not use a normal internet password for that (i.e. Numbers/Symbols).

 

[dani24]

Verbal password confirmation. Highly suggest you do not use a normal internet password for that (i.e. Numbers/Symbols).

Hmm, that doesn't seem very secure... what if someone else hears us saying it?

 

[cmph]

Hmm, that doesn't seem very secure... what if someone else hears us saying it?

It does seem weird until you do it, I agree, but the reality is that it's kind of busy when you're actually doing it... so a person would have to be trying really hard to listen, and basically either be ignoring their own kids' check-in/check-out, or be a super-obvious creeper w/o kids loitering around the CMs. I wouldn't use a password you care about, obviously! But in terms of security for the kids (and not having someone who doesn't know them try to check them out) - I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Hmm, that doesn't seem very secure... what if someone else hears us saying it?

You still have to show your key to world card and your name has to be on list to pick up child. A stranger hearing your password will not be able to get your child.