How strict is Oceaneers Club & Lab with the upper age requirement of 12?

[Dug720]

This is great to know. We thought we were going to be stuck with the age requirements. It's good to know, we may have options.

You may... But just remember, the sooner they jump up, the sooner they're likely to get bored with that club so that they may be "bored" when they are the actual age for it. And there is absolutely zero age-up-early to adult only areas. You're not allowed there until you are 18 - no matter how "mature" you might act at 15 or 16 or how "bored" you are by Vibe because you started there early because you were "bored" in Edge.

 

[ChicosWife]

You may... But just remember, the sooner they jump up, the sooner they're likely to get bored with that club so that they may be "bored" when they are the actual age for it. And there is absolutely zero age-up-early to adult only areas. You're not allowed there until you are 18 - no matter how "mature" you might act at 15 or 16 or how "bored" you are by Vibe because you started there early because you were "bored" in Edge.

I think we will be okay there. We generally cruise every couple of years, so by the time the next one comes around, my youngest will be for sure in Edge. For this next trip, however, he may go back and forth between Edge and OC. I'll judge it when the time comes closer.

 

[cruiser21]

Is this for sure? How do we get permission? By the time, our next cruise comes around, my youngest will be 10 and will probably be more interested in Edge, than Oceaneer's Club (he got bored last November, as an 8 YO).

My kids started in the Edge at age 10 and have never got bored with it. One's in the Vibe know and one will be able to choose Vibe or Edge on our next cruise. I think kids either like the teens clubs or they don't. You just never now with teens. They can go from being outgoing to insecure in a blink of eye. I can't imagine a teen being bored with the vibe and wanting to hang out in the adult area. There is nothing more boring then the adult area. It's just a bunch of us old people sleeping and reading books.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Although the top age is firm, the bottom age has some wiggle room. So if there is room on your sailing a 10 year old could get permission to go to Edge.

I wonder what it is based on? Their age, personality, maturity?

Pretty much, if the space in the club hasn't reached it's maximum, they will probably be allowed in. There are XX number of spaces in each club level. It's possible that the number of kids onboard in the correct age for any given club is not the maximum number of spaces in the club. Then the CMs can make exceptions.

Yes, it is for sure that the policy is to allow flexibility at the lower age and not at the upper. (Unless the policy changes)

And as Shmoo said, it is based only on availability of the space (not too many of the 11-14 already on the ship) and the permission slip signed by the parent. They do not attempt (and it would be difficult) to assess maturity or personality, etc. Sometimes they will encourage the kid to try the club first before getting them into Edge. I recommend a "soft touch" and I think you will find they are very accommodating in this matter. Where as, trying to get an older child into a younger program is a hard and firm NO.

 

[Geomom]

I like to think about those clubs in this way: Edge is for middle school kids (grades 6-8) and Vibe is for high school kids (grades 9-12); so think about whether you want your child to be surrounded by kids in that age group--do you think he's mature enough? BTW, I'm not telling you not to ask if he can age up to Edge, just wanted to give you some things to think about.

My youngest was 12 on her first cruise...she got the oceaneer band...but that was it...went to wash her hands in oceaneer club..decided it was all too small for her and left. Edge was it--but she was fully in the Edge range--already in middle school. This coming cruise she's 14--I figure Vibe will be it for her, and I'm fine with that as she'll be entering high school a couple weeks later.

 

[cruiser21]

I like to think about those clubs in this way: Edge is for middle school kids (grades 6-8) and Vibe is for high school kids (grades 9-12); so think about whether you want your child to be surrounded by kids in that age group--do you think he's mature enough? BTW, I'm not telling you not to ask if he can age up to Edge, just wanted to give you some things to think about.

My youngest was 12 on her first cruise...she got the oceaneer band...but that was it...went to wash her hands in oceaneer club..decided it was all too small for her and left. Edge was it--but she was fully in the Edge range--already in middle school. This coming cruise she's 14--I figure Vibe will be it for her, and I'm fine with that as she'll be entering high school a couple weeks later.

Kids turn 11 in 5th grade and 14 in 8th grade. There will be a lot of 5th graders in the Edge and middle schoolers in the Vibe.