Kids clubs

[disneymommy1979]

Hi everyone! We are considering changing our cruise plans from DCL to RCL. We are a family of 5 (dd6, dd4, ds18 months). Can anyone give me some insight as to how well your kids have enjoyed the clubs? I'm wondering if Mickey ears are worth the extra 3k! Yes, the price difference is 3k thanks to their kids sail free promotion!

 

[momto2js]

My kids are 7 and 4. They both loved the RCI kids club. What they lacked in physical structure, they more than made up for with amazing programing and staff. My kids didn't want to miss a thing.

Depending on the boat, we found on RCI the magic age was 6 to do the deck activities. There wasnt much for my 4 year old to do. Both kids had a great time. On either ship there will be a lot of look but don't play for your youngest. Especially the pools. It can be pretty close to torture.

I would have a tough time parting with that much more, but your kids are the prime age for DCL.

 

[sunryzez]

I have similiar questions. Im debating booking an rcl cruise in Nov because of the ksf promotion but want to make sure my kids will enjoy it. My kids will be 6, 8, 12 at time of cruising. What kind of activities do they have? Is it still secured programming like in dcl? How are the preteen club area? My dd is very shy and still prefers the kids club even though she is 12...so I worry she wont enjoy the older club.

 

[travelgirl06]

We haven't used the clubs on Royal yet, but I've been getting a lot of info on the family section of cruise critic. I think someone over there posted a few sample activity schedules and whatnot.

My girls will be 3 and almost 1 when we sail, so I've been mostly looking at the Aquanauts (3-5) stuff and the nursery. I like that the programming is more divided by age, because I don't really see my 3-year-old holding her own around 11-year-olds just yet. The 3-5 programming looks fun and like stuff she will enjoy (looks like there are lots of themes and activities). Also, for the nursery it looks like they have play group (where parents go too) and paid drop-off (like DCL). As I understand you can't pre-book the nursery, but you can go sign up for times once onboard.

Also, I believe only some ships have a splash area (diapered babies) and drop-off nursery. So double check the ship you are considering if these are important to you (we are doing Independence which has both).

 

[cwnhokie]

We sailed the Freedom of the Seas when my boys were 4, 9, and 11. The middle one loved the club, the older one went but could take it or leave it. The little one refused to go. We went on Disney this past year when they were 6, 11, and 12. The middle one loved the Edge Club, the older one just played miniature golf the whole time and the little one loved the kids clubs. I liked that on Disney his brothers could go in with him and they had a lot of activities that we could do in there with him so I think that got him used to the idea and then he was ready to go alone. Also he was two years older and that probably was a factor. They still had plenty to do on RCI. They loved the splash park, the Dreamworks characters, mini golf, karaoke, ice skating, and their favorite part was the food. I have to give Disney the edge for kids clubs and shows. That being said, DH and I still can't say for sure that it's worth the extra money or if we will do it again.

When people ask, he says, "If you have the extra money, try Disney, at least once. If you don't, you really can't go wrong with the others."

 

[hgon76]

I'm curious about the kids programming as well. I've seen the compasses on CC, but only saw the 6-8 & 9- 11 year old programs. What do the ages 12+ kids do? Is it still structured programming? Are they with the teens, 16+? Can they go into the club with 9-11 age group? We're looking at Oasis if that makes a difference.

 

[stlkeeler]

I'm curious about the kids programming as well. I've seen the compasses on CC, but only saw the 6-8 & 9- 11 year old programs. What do the ages 12+ kids do? Is it still structured programming? Are they with the teens, 16+? Can they go into the club with 9-11 age group? We're looking at Oasis if that makes a difference.

I'm wondering this same thing. My DGD will be 13 yo next summer when we go on FOS. Will she want to go to the club or will she just have to find her own friends at the pool?

 

[bumbershoot]

I actually snagged a bit "vacation planner" book from my local AAA office, and ages over 12 are listed in one part of their Teen Program. It says:

Teen Program
Teens (12-14, 15-17 years)
Our teen programs for 12-14 and 15-17 year olds will be cool enough for them to hang out and relax.

They will NOT be in with the Voyagers (9-11, who as I've mentioned on our cruise were in with the 6-8 year olds in the 6-8 year old room, and 9 year old DS still had a great time), and I think they'll be separate from the 15-17 year olds, but I don't know how much structure they'll have.

 

[herdadditions]

We have cruised disney multiple times and just cruised with rci this spring. Extended family trip with kids ranging from 18 months- 18. The teens in our group called this "the best trip ever". However I would not recommend this for kids. Our 8 yo visited the kids club during open house and never went back. We did try going for a specific activity one afternoon and found the club locked and dark. Same kid literally tried to live in the kids club on the Dream last year. The shows were not kid friendly and our younger bunch spent every night racking up a huge arcade bill.

 

[bigtony777]

Our children ages are 6-9 and they very much enjoyed the kids clubs on Royal. We have taken them on 2 Disney cruises and one Royal cruise. We asked them which they would prefer to go back on and all say Royal. Great answer for the bank account!

The one drawback compared to Disney is that the clubs are not connected as they were on the Fantasy and Dream. This may create an issue is your children were to be in different clubs due to ages and one would not do well in that situation.

 

[ldo]

disneymomma1979, my 3 kids LOVED the kids club when they were under 12--they would stay for hours. They loved making simple crafts, playing simple games, etc. It is very structured. Yes, it is very secure and you can leave them when you are in port. There is a nominal fee if you are gone during lunch time. Plus, they have a great drop off center over on their private island. WE checked DD and DS (3-5 age range) in in the AM and at lunch they didn't want to leave--but we insisted to do family stuff. They were busy making sand tunnels will all sorts of funnels, wheels, etc. I don't know what they offer for 18 months--was nothing when we cruised--but I hear that has changed.
I am sorry to say that at 12+, they really didn't like the RCCL kids clubs as much. RCCL tends to be open in the pm, but the teen club was not open/attended during the day. Rather they have some active/sports stuff--dodge ball @ 2pm, basketball tourney, etc., which my shy kids did not want to do. We actually (partly) chose NCL in Europe last summer b/c the kids club went thru age 12--guess what, DD12 did not go the entire week! However, I got the schedule and they did have secure, structured activities up thru age 12. I think 10-12 was together.
It's weird, but my tweens/teens all preferred DCL more when they got older--both for the Movie theater and the staffed clubs with activities. DD16 loved making the zombie movie at the Vibe.
Now, I will say DCL Edge was not perfect. DD12 went 2X to do a craft listed on the Navigator and they were doing something different in the Edge. But, they still like the "younger" things they do in the Edge--cupcakes, pizza-movie, making bracelets, etc.
If you have outgoing or sports oriented kids, then RCCL teen clubs will be a good fit. I just don't think they work for shy teens as much.
We find that for our shy teens, we need to be more involved and do more family things---putt-putt, a Movie (most ships show at least 1-2 Movies during the cruise--some have a small movie theater), shuffle board, play a board game together, etc.
Bottom line--under 12--I would cruise RCCL without a worry. At 12+, I would have to think about it and really look at what my kids would do on the ship. On DCL a movie theater really helps with the 12-15 age range, IMHO. We have another RCCL booked for when kids are 14-15, b/c of great ports and great price. I made sure there was a small movie theater on board (Radiance class supposedly has them).

 

[ILMomTo3]

One of our biggest disappointments on DCL was the kids club, esp bc this was 1/2 the reason we chose them last Nov and our 3, 5 and 7 yr old could all be together. My 3 DD and 5 DS hated it and my 7 DD liked it better and did go for a few cooking activities by request but since it was a fight with the other two we really didn't benefit from it. We are trying RCCL in 2015 and hope they like the age groups and more structure better.