Disembark while kids are at Oceaneer Club?

[IlliniAmy]

I’ve searched but not found anything definite - not here or on the DCL site or the Moms’ Panel.

If my DS (4) is in the kids’ club, can DH and I disembark for a Port Adventure *not* on Castaway Cay?

Not trying to “ditch” my kid...but he’s too young for the PA we’d really like to try on Tortola.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

You can do that and plenty of people have done it before. You do need to consider your comfort level. Will you worry about him being on the ship and you not? Are you looking at a DCL port adventure or something you book on your own? I'd be more comfortable with a DCL port adventure if I were leaving my child on the ship, especially if it is something that will take up most of the day in port and get you back close to the all aboard time.

 

[DCL_Wonder]

I’ve searched but not found anything definite - not here or on the DCL site or the Moms’ Panel.

If my DS (4) is in the kids’ club, can DH and I disembark for a Port Adventure *not* on Castaway Cay?

Not trying to “ditch” my kid...but he’s too young for the PA we’d really like to try on Tortola.

I'll answer your question: yes

 

[lilsonicfan]

Yes, absolutely you can. Agree with Maggie's Mom that sticking to a Port Adventure through DCL is the way to go (sounds like that's what you want to do anyway).

 

[MomOTwins]

The official answer is yes. I will say that I twice had to cut short on-board activities (once spa and once bingo) because I got the text that my kids needed to be picked up (one got picked on by another kid and was upset; the other one fell and hurt himself). I know my kids are a bit on the emotionally needy side though, so I guess it is a know your kid thing.

 

[DahliaRW]

Yes you can! Just let the club/lab know you'll be off ship (that way they can distract your child since they can't call you to pick up). Do know that if it's an all day excursion, they do not "force" children to come and eat lunch. In that case, you'll want to talk to your child about making sure to go and eat when it is announced.

 

[darnheather]

Just know that even with a DCL port adventure they can't hold the ship indefinitely. So there is always a chance no matter how small that you will get left behind.

 

[cheermom2four]

Yes you can and we have personally done it with our youngest at age 5, 6, and more than likely will again at age 7. She prefers to stay in the club (even when we booked her on an excursion to Rome which sucked cause we ended up having to pay for it but she loved the club) . Its definitely your comfort level that will dictate if you do or not. We've done both DCL and private excursions when we've left her and personally I fretted more when we did private for some reason.

 

[xQuizx]

Yes you can. We left our baby in the nursery when we we went to Cayman Islands and it all worked out well. We didn't go on a Disney excursion, just went to the beach with the older (3 and 5 year old) kids.

I see your DS is 4, is he good at going to the bathroom by himself? If he has an accident the CM's can't change him.

But like what the other posters have said it's up to your comfort level.

Cheers!

 

[AgentMama]

We've left both of ours in the kids club to go one excursions they weren't interested in doing with us. We've had no issues and would do it again.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do know that if it's an all day excursion, they do not "force" children to come and eat lunch.

Direct opposite to what my son has experienced. When he was there at lunchtime on Dream they have shut things down and gathered everyone. He had already eaten and they would not let the non-eaters do anything but sit there.

And he’d already eaten, bc the first Dream Cruise they wouldn’t let him eat the cheese sandwich he wanted until they confirmed with us that he is vegetarian. They called the ROOM, where we were not, and we didn’t get the message until after we’d picked him up later in.

So the next times he went with a full belly, and they still didn’t let him do anything.


My son’s experience is good for the OP if it happens that way.

 

[DahliaRW]

Direct opposite to what my son has experienced. When he was there at lunchtime on Dream they have shut things down and gathered everyone. He had already eaten and they would not let the non-eaters do anything but sit there.

And he’d already eaten, bc the first Dream Cruise they wouldn’t let him eat the cheese sandwich he wanted until they confirmed with us that he is vegetarian. They called the ROOM, where we were not, and we didn’t get the message until after we’d picked him up later in.

So the next times he went with a full belly, and they still didn’t let him do anything.


My son’s experience is good for the OP if it happens that way.

Interesting. That was not my experience on the magic. Might vary by ship and club staff.

 

[lilsonicfan]

My kids had the same experience as DahliaRW on the Fantasy - they don't do anything other than mildly announce lunch (so at least one of my kids missed eating, sigh). It wasn't a port day, I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[hubbard53]

we never thought about doing an excursion without our son (wild imagination - what if we dont get back to the ship?) But now that he's older, I dont think it would bother us but now that he's older, we're going to just take him with us. . . as for lunch in the club, for some reason, our son loves to eat lunch in the club despite its meager offering.

 

[IlliniAmy]

Thank you so much, one and all! I had not thought about the microscopic chance that even on a DCL “approved” PA we might not get back. We’ll be cruising with a group of friends so he’d be cared for, although I’d have to put one of them down to get him out of the club.

He is very good about the bathroom so no worries there, and he’s not shy about telling people when he’s hungry! #GetsHangryLikeHisMom

All good things to consider for sure!

 

[lanejudy]

he’s not shy about telling people when he’s hungry!

The point about eating is that lunch (and dinner) is only served at a specific time. If he doesn’t eat then...he will be hungry later with no food available. I suggest chatting with him, and telling him that he must go eat lunch when it’s announced.

Enjoy your cruise!