Current Youth Activities CM...

[KT2038]

Further along the lines of the "not quite 11 yrs old" crowd, should they still be registered for Oceaneer at check in, or just wait and see? Is there a pro/con to either option?

Will they have to check for capacity at Edge each time, or just the first time they want to go?

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.




For us, the worst thing was the huge age gap in Oceaneer. I'm sure you know how challenging it can be to keep a 10 yr old engaged and interested as well as a 3 yr old, while keeping the 3 yr old from getting trampled by ornery 10 yr olds. 7 yrs even for adults can have huge gaps in maturity and interest levels. I realize this may be out of YA's hands and in the hands of the powers that be at DCL, and I think you guys do a fine job with the task and resources at hand, (which imo is among the best things) but suffice to say, it's challenging. At 9 or 10 they're in between that age where they're not fully ready for the Tween stuff, but the younger kid stuff bores them or they feel they're too cool for kiddie stuff. I guess that's part of the reason why I too wanted to know if a child who isn't not quite 11 yrs old would be permitted into Edge just so the option is there.


Thanks again!

I would still register for both. It really depends on the cruise. Sometimes there's a lot of older children that want to be in Oceaneers and sometimes they all prefer edge.
At least if they are registered for both then they can go between if they meet a friend or if there is a specific program they want to do. They can always go down to edge when oceaneers closes for the night too.
When people say if edge isn't full they may let in a nearly 11 year old it means the entire cruise. So once they're registered they will not be turned away at any time.

 

[michellekcm]

Yes the toilets are segregated and no she won't be able to go into the boys toilets to help. I know the toileting thing comes up a lot and it has been said that we can't go in and help the little ones but that is not true. If there are 2 of us we can help out minimally with redressing and washing hands etc. we cannot help with actual toileting though and that is when grown ups are paged.

Thanks, it's the getting dressed again thing I'm most worried about . I'm sure he'd have no problems coming out without any pants on though. Lol. Once we have this part of toilet training down pat I'll work with him on the rest. .

 

[fab1976]

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[Maggie'sMom]

KT, I have a friend who had sailed twice on the Fantasy. Her last one was just a couple of weeks ago. When she would go to pick up her daughter from the kids club, they would find where she was and let one parent go in to get her. Is that the norm? I didn't think parents were allowed in at all? This is more curiosity on my part, I honestly didn't think anyone was allowed past the front desk or entry or whatever it is other than the kids.

I'm not KT or a CM, but my experience has been that they will tell you where your child is then let you go in to get them. Happened that way every time I picked DD up from the clubs.

 

[sclark619]

We are thinking of cruising next September. Our kids will be 9 and almost 7. When we check them into the clubs, will they leave the clubs for any reason (with a cast member, of course)? Will there be activities outside of the clubs?

 

[KT2038]

KT, I have a friend who had sailed twice on the Fantasy. Her last one was just a couple of weeks ago. When she would go to pick up her daughter from the kids club, they would find where she was and let one parent go in to get her. Is that the norm? I didn't think parents were allowed in at all? This is more curiosity on my part, I honestly didn't think anyone was allowed past the front desk or entry or whatever it is other than the kids.

Yes that is the norm. But in each and every space there are 2 CMs so having a grown up pick up a child is not a problem.

 

[KT2038]

We are thinking of cruising next September. Our kids will be 9 and almost 7. When we check them into the clubs, will they leave the clubs for any reason (with a cast member, of course)? Will there be activities outside of the clubs?

Sometimes there is a program run somewhere else and we take them and bring them back. We are very careful when we do this and practice our supervision patterns

 

[nancyjo1998]

I have a couple of questions....
1. I registered my son for the kids club online. When do I give the permission to get self check in / check out privileges? (He is 10 1/2 years old)
2. I will have my 17 year old step son with me. How do I get him registered for the teen club? I did not see an option to do that online.
3. My 10 1/2 year old is wanting to maybe check out Edge, would I sign him up for that option as well at the port, providing there is enough space? and is it possible to be registered and attend both? (We will be on the Magic if it matters)

Thanks for all your wealth of insider information

 

[Cynthia1215]

Thank you for this thread! I am cruising in 13 days on the Magic with an almost 3 (2yr 10months), 5, 8, and 14yr old all girls. Few questions:

1. My almost three is newly potty trained. I would prefer to keep her in pull ups while cruising and I know she would prefer the Oceaneer play area and being with her sisters. Could I still register her for Oceaneer? She would only be there about 1.5 hours at any given time and usually only 1-2 times per day. One of our 3 adults (which are all registered as approved pick-up) would always be available to come pick up if there was a toiling issue.

2. I'm a little concerned about my child being there without me when other parents are there for open play or to pick up. I wouldn't want other people to have access to my child. Anything you can share that would help me feel more comfortable?

3. If the Rapunzel show is playing, my 8yr old will not want to watch and I was going to bring her to Oceaneer. However, it shows open play for one area and the other is dinner (on past navigators). We have 2nd seating and will eat after the show. Can she be in the area that is not open but do something other than dinner?

4. Are there any spa type of opportunities for the 14 yr old?
Thanks again!!!

 

[KT2038]

Thank you for this thread! I am cruising in 13 days on the Magic with an almost 3 (2yr 10months), 5, 8, and 14yr old all girls. Few questions:

1. My almost three is newly potty trained. I would prefer to keep her in pull ups while cruising and I know she would prefer the Oceaneer play area and being with her sisters. Could I still register her for Oceaneer? She would only be there about 1.5 hours at any given time and usually only 1-2 times per day. One of our 3 adults (which are all registered as approved pick-up) would always be available to come pick up if there was a toiling issue.

2. I'm a little concerned about my child being there without me when other parents are there for open play or to pick up. I wouldn't want other people to have access to my child. Anything you can share that would help me feel more comfortable?

3. If the Rapunzel show is playing, my 8yr old will not want to watch and I was going to bring her to Oceaneer. However, it shows open play for one area and the other is dinner (on past navigators). We have 2nd seating and will eat after the show. Can she be in the area that is not open but do something other than dinner?

4. Are there any spa type of opportunities for the 14 yr old?
Thanks again!!!

Hi! Unfortunately your nearly 3 year old will not be able to attend Oceaneers. Children have to be 3 or older. Your 14 year old also will not be able to attend. She can go to edge or vibe.
Parents who are picking up are ever alone with children and cannot stay more than 5 minutes. We are very strict on this, but do need to let parents in toget their kids. Wheni e side is inipengouse all the kids get moved to the other side. Only children who are self check can stay during open house.
If you want your child tostay with us during the show that's fine. If she is self check she can stay in open house or we put a movie on and have limited activities happening during dinner. Not everyone has to eat with us

 

[KT2038]

I have a couple of questions....
1. I registered my son for the kids club online. When do I give the permission to get self check in / check out privileges? (He is 10 1/2 years old)
2. I will have my 17 year old step son with me. How do I get him registered for the teen club? I did not see an option to do that online.
3. My 10 1/2 year old is wanting to maybe check out Edge, would I sign him up for that option as well at the port, providing there is enough space? and is it possible to be registered and attend both? (We will be on the Magic if it matters)

Thanks for all your wealth of insider information

Hi! You can register to be self check online (I think) if not its a matter of us ticking a box when you come and get his Oceaneer band on the first day. Your 17 year old just needs to and check his name off and they will register him at vibe. If there is enough room, your 10.5 year old may be able to attend Edge. Just check with the Counselors onboard. Yes he could go to both

 

[Cynthia1215]

Hi! Unfortunately your nearly 3 year old will not be able to attend Oceaneers. Children have to be 3 or older. Your 14 year old also will not be able to attend. She can go to edge or vibe.
Parents who are picking up are ever alone with children and cannot stay more than 5 minutes. We are very strict on this, but do need to let parents in toget their kids. Wheni e side is inipengouse all the kids get moved to the other side. Only children who are self check can stay during open house.
If you want your child tostay with us during the show that's fine. If she is self check she can stay in open house or we put a movie on and have limited activities happening during dinner. Not everyone has to eat with us

Thanks so much!

 

[vatchr]

We are excited for our Fantasy cruise in March. My 16 yr old DD is excited for the Vibe. My second DD will be three months shy of 14. She is hoping she might be able to go to the Vibe. Is that a possibility? We cruised two years ago and my first DD loved the Vibe as a 14 yr old. Thanks!!

 

[KT2038]

We are excited for our Fantasy cruise in March. My 16 yr old DD is excited for the Vibe. My second DD will be three months shy of 14. She is hoping she might be able to go to the Vibe. Is that a possibility? We cruised two years ago and my first DD loved the Vibe as a 14 yr old. Thanks!!

Hi! Yes there is a possibility. You will need to check with the Counselors onboard. You will also need to sign a waiver. Will you feel comfortable with your 13 year old hanging out with nearly 18 year old boys?

 

[vatchr]

Hi! Yes there is a possibility. You will need to check with the Counselors onboard. You will also need to sign a waiver. Will you feel comfortable with your 13 year old hanging out with nearly 18 year old boys?

Very true! On our last cruise my 14 yr DD was a brand new 14 and had lots of fun with a group of 14/15 yr olds. It's probably going to depend on the makeup of the group that is there. Thanks!

 

[SnowWhite2]

Very true! On our last cruise my 14 yr DD was a brand new 14 and had lots of fun with a group of 14/15 yr olds. It's probably going to depend on the makeup of the group that is there. Thanks!

It does determine the makeup of the Vibe group as to whether or not a 13+some months child has a good time. The older kids are not going to want anything to do with a 13 year old - no matter how close to 14 they are! The best tip I can give for your Edge/Vibe kids is to make it to the first night programming. That is when friendships get formed and when activities are planned. If mainly one sex shows up, the activities will be skewed to those type of events.

 

[nancyjo1998]

Hi! You can register to be self check online (I think) if not its a matter of us ticking a box when you come and get his Oceaneer band on the first day. Your 17 year old just needs to and check his name off and they will register him at vibe. If there is enough room, your 10.5 year old may be able to attend Edge. Just check with the Counselors onboard. Yes he could go to both

Thanks!

 

[schmass]

Hi, my son will turn 3 halfway through our cruise. At that point, will he be able to go to the Oceaneer's club if he'd like? If so, when would we register him for this? Our cruise begins May 7th and he turns 3 on May 10th. Thank you!

 

[KT2038]

Hi, my son will turn 3 halfway through our cruise. At that point, will he be able to go to the Oceaneer's club if he'd like? If so, when would we register him for this? Our cruise begins May 7th and he turns 3 on May 10th. Thank you!

Hi! Yes he will be very welcome on the day he turns 3!! You unfortunately cannot register him until he turns 3. This can be done at the Club or Lab and only takes a few minutes. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[schmass]

Hi! Yes he will be very welcome on the day he turns 3!! You unfortunately cannot register him until he turns 3. This can be done at the Club or Lab and only takes a few minutes. Enjoy your cruise!

Awesome, thanks!