First timer Qs: kids club & cell service

[DisneyJade]

Questions from a Disney cruise newbie! I'm feeling a little underwater in two areas.

Cell Service:
These questions are for Verizon customers. Hoping for some shared experiences!

• I have Verizon, and it looks like my options are either travel pass or international, but it seems one works at ports and one works on ship. Am I supposed to get both??
• I would like to have full access to my phone as usual, including calling/text/data/downloads/etc. Is this even possible, or am I at the mercy of ship WiFi regardless of what Verizon plan I get?
• If I want to stay connected, will I need to get an onboard WiFi package regardless of my cell phone plan?

Oceaneer Club/Lab:

• Looking at past navigators, I see multiple times for family/open hours. During these times is the club considered open or closed? I found conflicting information in some older forum threads, so trying to get clarification. If the clubs are open for supervision, then how do they keep kids secure during these times?
• We are hoping to book Palo or Remy (or both) and plan to have our children in the club during that time. But since we won't know club hours until onboard, how can we book these adult dining experiences with confidence in advance? (see above question. we would not want to book a brunch and then find out that's open hours at the club.)
• What is the staffing ratio? Are counselors always in all spaces, or are children ever in any of the areas unsupervised?
• Disney treats Oceaneer Club and Lab as separate offerings, but from what I can see on deck plans and what I'm reading, it's all just one big area. Are there separate check ins? Or is this just marketing to name them separately?

Thanks in advance. I'm so grateful for these boards and the wealth of information they provide.

 

[lanejudy]

"Open House" times in the Club/Lab are typically scheduled at least a couple of hours each day in each space. This is NOT secured programming and children must be accompanied by a parent/adult/over-14. However, open house only occurs on one "side" at a time so while there is open house at the Club the Lab is in secured programming (and vice versa).

The Club/Lab is generally open at least 9am until 11pm each day, sometimes early/later. As mentioned above, one location Club or Lab is always in secured programming. The only exception is during Castaway Cay day when secured programming moves to the island and onboard is only open house until mid/late afternoon.

I can't speak to the exact staffing ratio. In my experienced there has always been a staff member in each "room" as well as some floaters and those positioned at the entrance/exit and near the restrooms.

There are separate check-ins for the Club and Lab, as well as separate spaces within each though there is a connector (depending on ship what constitutes that "connector" space varies, possibly a hallway, possibly a group space). The programming in the Club is generally aimed at the younger ages 3-7 while the programming in the Lab is generally aimed at the older set 8-12. But yes, both spaces are open to all ages 3-12.

 

[gotomu212]

Can’t answer phone questions.

During open house kids can come and go and adults can come in with them. It’s not secured.

The Club and Lab are connected with one side being geared to younger (club). However, either side can be visited and kids of all ages can find something to do. When they have an open house (other than the first day) they secure the other side. So if you book Palo during a Club open house you’d leave your child in the Lab. Before an open house starts they’ll move all the checked in kids to the other side so you don’t have to worry about coordinating any of that if the switchover happens while you’re child is there.

Counselors are always in the space and other than inside the restrooms there aren’t really spaces the kids are alone- it’s basically one big open area with “rooms” off the side but these are large open rooms as well so standing at the entrance they can see everything in both spaces (and I believe there’s one that stands outside the bathroom area to monitor that a little as well).

 

[gotomu212]

"Open House" times in the Club/Lab are typically scheduled at least a couple of hours each day. This is NOT secured programming and children must be accompanied by a parent/adult/over-14. However, open house only occurs on one side at a time, so while there is open house at the Club, the Lab is in secured programming (and vice versa).

The Club/Lab is generally open at least 9am until 11pm each day, sometimes early/later. As mentioned above, one location Club or Lab is always in secured programming. The only exception is during Castaway Cay day when secured programming moves to the island and onboard is only open house until mid/late afternoon.

I can't speak to the exact staffing ratio. In my experienced there has always been a staff member in each "room" as well as some floaters and those positioned at the entrance/exit and near the restrooms.

There are separate check-ins for the Club and Lab, as well as separate spaces within each though there is a connector (depending on ship what that "connector" space is). The programming in the Club is generally aimed at ages 3-7 while the programming in the Lab is generally aimed at the older set 8-12. But yes, both spaces are open to all ages 3-12.

Just to clarify, kids do NOT need to be accompanied by an adult during open house but the space is unsecured. They will let unaccompanied children in and out of the club during this time. If you had a teeny tiny child wandering in they’d stop and ask some questions since it would be more of a lost child, but otherwise if you’re letting your kids wander the ship without adults they can visit open houses.

 

[lanejudy]

Just to clarify, kids do NOT need to be accompanied by an adult during open house but the space is unsecured.

Ah, ok. They used to require a parent accompany the younger kids.

 

[DisneyJade]

These answers were extremely helpful and comforting. Thank you @lanejudy and @gotomu212!

 

[Jason Martin]

Regarding the phone coverage. The Verizon travel pass will work while you are docked in Nassau and Castaway. On the ship you should use WiFi calling through the internet package to avoid the per minute charge for satellite phone coverage ($3 per min)

 

[DisneyJade]

Regarding the phone coverage. The Verizon travel pass will work while you are docked in Nassau and Castaway. On the ship you should use WiFi calling through the internet package to avoid the per minute charge for satellite phone coverage ($3 per min)

Thanks! I’m worried about relying on Wi-Fi. I don’t want to miss any calls or texts while on board. We cruised RCCL a few years ago, and I can’t recall what Verizon plan we had, but what’s offered now doesn’t look familiar.

I just don’t want to miss an emergency call from my family.

 

[Flying Fish]

My experience has been that any plan or cell service you try to have aboard will be spotty at best. I used to worry about being out of touch for too long, but I have since realized there is really nothing quite that urgent. Anything that happens while you're at sea will still be there when you get to shore at any of your destinations. There is nothing you can do while at sea. Just my two cents, but I would just go and have a good time.

Make your brunch reservations. Put the kids in kids' club during that time. Get a plan that will allow you to check messages and/or email when in port.