First timers with a few questions…

[40somethingswiththreekids]

Experienced and/or recent cruisers, I have a few questions…
For some background. We have three kids, boy 9, girl 8 and boy 3. I wouldn’t say my kids are huge character kids, they could take it or leave it. We are cruising on the Fantasy, mid April 2022

1) Kids club… do the kid club times have to be pre-booked? Is there any random drop off times available? I’ve also heard that if there is any illness/COVID symptoms in the kids club that you are quarantined to your room for the remainder of your cruise. Does anyone know if this is true?
2) Are you COVID tested mid cruise?
3) For disembarking at the different destinations, is there any testing when getting back on the ship? I’m just wondering if there are any advantages in staying on the ship when it’s docked vs getting off
4) We weren’t able to book any excursions through Disney (most were sold out). Are there independent companies that book these once you’re off the ship?

This is our first time on DCL. I’m still pretty nervous about our trip being interrupted by COVID protocols but I am also at the point where I’m tired of missing out on opportunities for memory making family vacations. Just trying to be as prepared as I can be while realizing that possibly (and hopefully) even more restrictions will be lifted in the next 39 days

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. Yes, they do. 30 days out, you book 1 slot per day for each child. Additional slots MAY be available when you embark, but it depends on how many kids are on the sailing. If your kid is in club with a kid who tests positive, they will be quarantined, in a different room than your original. At least one parent must quarantine with the child.

2. Only unvaccinated children. So your 3YO will be tested on day 5, I believe.

3. No.

4. If you have any unvaccinated children in your party, you may only disembark the Fantasy on a DCL excursion. With a 3-year-old, this would be your group. Your 3YO cannot disembark save on a DCL excursion anywhere but Castaway under current policy. (Other family members could, but even if you could get multiple Kids Club bookings to cover, one of your adults would need to stay on board to check child out and back in between sessions.)

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Agree with all of the above, and I'll add for #1, we didn't pre-book any kids club activities but there was availability pretty much every single day and every single time slot once we were on board. Days at sea and dinnertime would probably be the hardest to get.

 

[Mommb]

1. Kids will be separated into different groups as they enter the Club/Lab. If a child in your child's group tests positive for COVID, your child may be quarantined. A DCL castmember has reported that this is rare, but it is possible.

4. If the policy changes and allows unvaccinated children to get off the ship in ports without needing to be on a Disney-booked excursion, you can research and book from independent companies in advance of the cruise. You could see what's available when you disembark, but it's better to line something up in advance. Most companies won't charge if the ship is unable to dock at the port, but that is worth checking before you book.