Kid club age break down

[LisaT91403]

I would wonder what he didn't like, and why?

He said the activities in the club were too babyish, and the ones in the lab were too difficult. Maybe almost 7 is an in between age? Honestly, I don't think he really tried the activities. He only went after late-seating dinner, and maybe he was just too tired to have fun. If I had it to do over, I would have sent him during the day for a specific activity so that he could have gotten the hang of it all.

My son likes "anyone can cook", GAGA ball *sometimes* (he prefers the way Royal plays it, but I cannot tell you anything more because I have NO clue what gagaball is in the first place), Get the Hook, some Stitch adventure thing.

He did try GAGA because he loves that game (from camp), and was really excited about it. But he said that they didn't play it the right way, and he therefore didn't like it.

It tends to be very important to show up as early as possible on the first evening, to get to know the counselors, get to know what's going on, etc. I'm not sure that club/lab kids really make friends with the strangers there, but they get to recognize each other, which makes them feel like they belong. If you don't go until the 2nd day you can feel left out (I've heard this gets to be stronger as they go to Edge). And if you go to the ones that have multiple steps, like the Stitch thing and especially Get the Hook, then you really feel part of something bigger.

He did go on the first night, but again, it was at around 9:30pm. He never got to know any CM's. I went to speak with them at open house because I knew DS wasn't connecting. The 2 CM's I spoke with didn't offer any solutions, and nobody offered to keep an eye out for him and/or help him get involved.

Again, I'm not saying that the clubs weren't great. This is probably just a thing with my child, ya know what I mean? They are all different, and he just didn't click with the club. He really enjoyed the club at Aulani, though, so go figure.

 

[bumbershoot]

The first trip is so hard with the club/lab. We had a hard time too, especially since it was a trip with cousins. My cousin expected her kids to be there far longer than they could handle, and I hoped DS would stick with the closer-in-age cousin. It didn't happen, or if it did it happened the opposite way. The cousin wanted to go, so DS wanted to go. Sigh.

Second time we really looked at the Navigators. We didn't know what things were but we picked things and sent him for those things. If he wanted to stay later that was fine, but it was very activity-oriented. Things went much better then and on the cruises since then.

Glad to know that DCL plays gagaball wrong.

 

[KBinCO]

man, my girls were 4 and 5 and I don't think they would have minded being separated. They both loved the club/lab but I don't think they ever spent any time together in there.

 

[LisaT91403]

The first trip is so hard with the club/lab. We had a hard time too, especially since it was a trip with cousins. My cousin expected her kids to be there far longer than they could handle, and I hoped DS would stick with the closer-in-age cousin. It didn't happen, or if it did it happened the opposite way. The cousin wanted to go, so DS wanted to go. Sigh.

Second time we really looked at the Navigators. We didn't know what things were but we picked things and sent him for those things. If he wanted to stay later that was fine, but it was very activity-oriented. Things went much better then and on the cruises since then.

Glad to know that DCL plays gagaball wrong.

We would do it differently next time, for sure. I should have sent him during the day, when he wasn't as tired and there were some different activities. Again, I really don't have anything bad to say about the clubs...it just didn't work out for us this time.

I wonder if DCL knows they play gaga ball wrong ;-)

 

[Melissa S]

I was very nervous when DD was 3 and we brought her to the club for the first time. On a previous sailing the club said they would take her even though she was under 3 and I declined because I had this image of her being trampled by 12 years olds. We hesistantly brought left her for a couple hours the first day and to my surprise I found her with a counselor and a group of girls her age playing with a puzzle. It was the case each day, even when she went to the lab.

My cousin was really upset sailing Carnival. She took her two daughters who are two years apart and their cousin who was two years older. All three girls were in seperate clubs. They refused to go without each other and were miserable the whole cruise and followed their parents around the whole time. I like how there is a large range on DCL for that reason as long as they keep the kids safe, which it seems they do.

 

[cdoc29]

I too worry about the age difference. My son will be 4 and 3-12 seems like a big age range. Looking at navigators people have posted seems like there are a lot of scheduled activities for his age. Are there any that I should avoid with a 4 year old. Thanks

 

[bumbershoot]

I too worry about the age difference. My son will be 4 and 3-12 seems like a big age range. Looking at navigators people have posted seems like there are a lot of scheduled activities for his age. Are there any that I should avoid with a 4 year old. Thanks

Try to stick with the Club activities, and take him *for* those activities, reminding him what he's doing. Not sure it's as easy with a 4 year old as with my 10 year old, but it's worth a try. Head to the open house activities the first day or two, make sure he understands what's on the Club side. Maybe ask the counselors where they would meet for certain activities and what they are, so he can see what's going on?

The Lab, at least on Dream, is videogames and screens and a dance floor...not as visually kid-like as the Club is, IMO. I'm not sure why any littler kid would ever go to the Lab side, since there's a big room to pass through to get there, and you're leaving all the fun-looking stuff behind.

And remember, the bigger kids usually don't want to be around the little ones (they get underfoot and trip you!) any more than the little ones want to be trampled by the big kids. When I've gone into the Lab to find DS I haven't yet seen the older kids running around at all. Dancing on the dance floor, lazing on the floor, sitting at tables...not running.

 

[JulieL0616]

He did try GAGA because he loves that game (from camp), and was really excited about it. But he said that they didn't play it the right way, and he therefore didn't like it.

This made me laugh, I can completely see one of my kids saying that!

Try to stick with the Club activities, and take him *for* those activities, reminding him what he's doing. Not sure it's as easy with a 4 year old as with my 10 year old, but it's worth a try. Head to the open house activities the first day or two, make sure he understands what's on the Club side. Maybe ask the counselors where they would meet for certain activities and what they are, so he can see what's going on?

The Lab, at least on Dream, is videogames and screens and a dance floor...not as visually kid-like as the Club is, IMO. I'm not sure why any littler kid would ever go to the Lab side, since there's a big room to pass through to get there, and you're leaving all the fun-looking stuff behind.

And remember, the bigger kids usually don't want to be around the little ones (they get underfoot and trip you!) any more than the little ones want to be trampled by the big kids. When I've gone into the Lab to find DS I haven't yet seen the older kids running around at all. Dancing on the dance floor, lazing on the floor, sitting at tables...not running.

I can agree to this My younger son only seemed to be in the Lab when he was looking for his older brothers and when he was sitting on the floor watching the Mario Kart tournaments. The Club definitely appealed to him more.

 

[Kenny1113]

I can see both sides of the mixed age argument. As a kid I would not have done anything if my 3 siblings and I were separated. However my son's (10) frustration with the lab last year helped me see the other did of this. He felt that the activities were too babyish and the CM talked to them like they were babies also. (His words). this was disappointing because he loves science experiments and was looking toward to many of the activites.

 

[DisMom1981]

My three year old was in the nursery. He wasn't thrilled but did enjoy the extra attention of being the big helper. He just wasn't ready to be on his own among 3-12 year olds and I was more able to enjoy the adult time because I knew he was safe and secure. We also only left him for an hour or two at a time. Now he is six and doesn't even remember the trip- so it certainly didn't hurt him in any way!

 

[mznia504]

We just got off of the Dream today and I was really not pleased with the huge age range for the Oceaneers Club and Lab. I have an 8 yr old and a 3 yr old and while they love to be together, the fact is that they also love to do different things. The first issue I noticed immediately is that the club stayed PACKED and children were running from place to place like a mad house. I took my kids in for the open house and they sat through a Toy Story how to be a toy soldier presentation and both boys were participating and having fun in the crowd and the "drill sergeant" told the kids to stand up and then she said "That wasn't fast enough so sit back down! Now STAND UP!" This scared my newly turned 3 yr old b/c he thought they were in trouble. He started to cry but couldn't be heard over the noise. I went to get him and then went to ask a counselor if there was a special room for the younger kids and if someone was in the room with them at all times. Nope. There are counselors through out, that rotate, but the kids just wander to where they want to play. IMO, 3 yrs old is still too young to be expected to walk around independently with kids as old as 9-12. That's scary for some kids. I know it was for mine. I even watched a few parents and kids get turned around b/c the club was too packed to take more kids. Oh and the one night that I was able to get him to go to the club, he fell asleep and they called us to come and get him. So then what's the point? I just ended up paying to send him to the nursery. It was a much more calm experience for him and he was able to fall asleep without me having to come and pick him up. I left a comment on the comment card that suggested a closed in Andy's room for the younger kids so that they can still have free range if desired but to offer a sense of security to some of the more sensitive littles like my little guy. And that they also have a cot area for the kids that may fall asleep so that the parents can enjoy some night life time.

 

[lbgraves]

That is a shame that they didn't allow him to just rest out of the way of the other kids. On the classics they have mats that are put out for the younger kids to watch movies at night. I have seen kids off in a corner by the desk taking a nap on one of them during the day before.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

My girls will be 3.5, 5, & 6.5 years old when we take our cruise on the Dream in September. I'm glad that they will all be in the same area even though I know they will separate. I know my oldest will love it! She's very social. I think my middle girl will do okay. Not sure about my youngest. I know she won't be afraid and she's pretty independent. So I hope she'll do okay!

 

[TestingH2O]

Mznia, I thought 3 year old were no longer allowed in the nursery.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Mznia, I thought 3 year old were no longer allowed in the nursery.

They aren't.

 

[mznia504]

Yes, my 3 yr old did go to the nursery. I asked the girl at the desk if they took 3 yr olds and she said yes Im glad they did and I'm hoping that he won't be as shy and reserved for our next cruise and that the club won't be as crowded on te Magic as it was on the Dream.

 

[tekaye]

We are sailing on the Wonder this December and my kids will be 10 and 13. I wonder if my 10 year old daughter will be able to go to the tween club with my older son...I think she'll enjoy herself more with him...

 

[TestingH2O]

Yes, my 3 yr old did go to the nursery. I asked the girl at the desk if they took 3 yr olds and she said yes Im glad they did and I'm hoping that he won't be as shy and reserved for our next cruise and that the club won't be as crowded on te Magic as it was on the Dream.

That's good to hear that there is still an option for 3 year olds. I misunderstood the new rules and the hard age limits. I've been worried about not having a choice since the clubs seem touch and go for that age.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

That's good to hear that there is still an option for 3 year olds. I misunderstood the new rules and the hard age limits. I've been worried about not having a choice since the clubs seem touch and go for that age.

I wouldn't go expecting a 3 year old to be allowed to use the nursery. Others have posted that their 3 year old was not allowed in since the age crackdown.

You can ask once onboard, but please don't be disappointed if the answer is "no".

 

[TestingH2O]

I wouldn't go expecting a 3 year old to be allowed to use the nursery. Others have posted that their 3 year old was not allowed in since the age crackdown.

You can ask once onboard, but please don't be disappointed if the answer is "no".

Ok, not trying to be dense here, but what's the rule then? When I posted above that 3 year olds can't use the nursery, you made sure to tell me I was wrong. But here it seems like you're saying they are allowed. Or might be allowed. Or...?

I've never cruised DCL, and you appear to be the expert. Please clarify since, what I've also learned from reading your posts, I can't rely on anyone shoreside at DCL having accurate information.