Kids clubs

[TheOnlyOne]

Yes, you can register for the kids club even if you don't use it. No problem. The ship has enough room for all the kids to use the clubs, so you aren't putting anyone out if you register but don't use it. Have fun!

Awesome, thank you!

 

[bbel]

Great info here! Just double checking...if we pre-register online our child for Oceaneers Club, and then later decide we might not want to partake at all, that is ok?

I understand we will still have to put down the $$ for the band. Fine with that. I just don't want to force kiddo to hit the club if we are having fun doing something else.

and just so you know, you can pre-register and you won't pay the 12.95 deposit until you actually have the band. If you never pick up band you won't be charged. Equally if you get the band and return it before the end of the cruise the charge is returned to you, if you used it a million times or not at all..

 

[gotomu212]

What is yall's experience of having kids around 8 check themselves out? I trust my son to make good choices (like not to climb on railings or go swimming without me) but how do the kids find you? Especially on the Fantasy/ Dream... This part worries me so I guess I will not give him self check out privledges just so he doesn't get lost and frightened...

We gave my 8, turned 9 during cruise, son check out privelages a few weeks ago and he did fantastic. We had the rule that he couldn't go into anyone's stateroom, let anyone in ours, and that he could go straight to our room, or stop by deck 9 for pizza/soda, but I f he wanted to do anything else he had to text us first. The time we really loved it was after dinner. He usually stayed in the club until 11 and we'd be back in our room. It was so nice that we could change into pjs and not be on call to wait and go get him when he was ready to leave. More importantly he felt so grown up and responsible and it gave us a chance to let him try a little more freedom and see how he'd handle it.

 

[msmama]

I gave my 8 year old check out privileges but he didn't use them. Before I left I told him where I would be (usually up on deck relaxing) so he could come find me if he wanted. He never did. I usually just went to pull him out for meals.

 

[PurplePencil]

A small magnet board on the inside (or outside) of the door is helpful with kid that have self-checkout. Record your whereabouts on the board

 

[thornton0511]

I have a question about the club/lab. We are doing 3 night Dream in March, over Spring Break, and our 10 year old DD will be a month shy of turning 11. She was excited about this kids club until she found out the age range is so vast. Are there generally lots of kids in the 10-12 age range or will she be in the minority because of her age? I think her biggest concern is that she is around kids her age if that makes sense. Has anyone had experience with this and having older kids in Oceaneer?

 

[bbel]

I have a question about the club/lab. We are doing 3 night Dream in March, over Spring Break, and our 10 year old DD will be a month shy of turning 11. She was excited about this kids club until she found out the age range is so vast. Are there generally lots of kids in the 10-12 age range or will she be in the minority because of her age? I think her biggest concern is that she is around kids her age if that makes sense. Has anyone had experience with this and having older kids in Oceaneer?

There's a wide spread of ages. Always is.
From my experience there's always a group or two of older girls and older boys who sometimes mix if they're feeling adventurous. They can usually be found in the craft/ animation areas or hanging around the card/board games. Or playing with just dance or four square. Although the navigated activites may not appeal to older children, once they get over that, there's actually quite a lot for older kids available, which are going on during navigated activities too. IMO there's more for older kids to do in the club and lab.

Yes, at almost 11 she could potentially move up to Edge. But then the same problem is just created for the older ones who move up to vibe and then the older kids in vibe really don't have anywhere to go, as people make it clear they don't want an almost 18 year old hanging out in their spaces.

Try out the club/lab. If after a day or two she really really hates it, go and talk to the counselors in edge.

 

[bbel]

With self check privileges, you can give them and take them away as much as you like. So if you give them and then regret it or you make rules/agreements that aren't kept you can take them away again. And give them back later if you chose.
Or if you want to get off in port and make sure they stay in the club you can take them away and give them back once you're back on board.
Same with if you're not sure at first, want them to get to know the ship, you can give them after a few days.

No child is automatically a self check. Even a 11 and 12 year olds that are edge age, that one often gets people.

 

[TheOnlyOne]

and just so you know, you can pre-register and you won't pay the 12.95 deposit until you actually have the band. If you never pick up band you won't be charged. Equally if you get the band and return it before the end of the cruise the charge is returned to you, if you used it a million times or not at all..

Great info, thx!

 

[thornton0511]

There's a wide spread of ages. Always is.
From my experience there's always a group or two of older girls and older boys who sometimes mix if they're feeling adventurous. They can usually be found in the craft/ animation areas or hanging around the card/board games. Or playing with just dance or four square. Although the navigated activites may not appeal to older children, once they get over that, there's actually quite a lot for older kids available, which are going on during navigated activities too. IMO there's more for older kids to do in the club and lab.

Yes, at almost 11 she could potentially move up to Edge. But then the same problem is just created for the older ones who move up to vibe and then the older kids in vibe really don't have anywhere to go, as people make it clear they don't want an almost 18 year old hanging out in their spaces.

Try out the club/lab. If after a day or two she really really hates it, go and talk to the counselors in edge.

Thank you for this! She is excited about Oceaneer and all of the activities, so that is not it at all, it is completely the age thing. But if there are a good amount of kids her age group in there as well she will be good to go. I think when I mentioned the age range for that kids club the thing that worried her was a scenario where it's her and a bunch of little ones , an no kids her age. I guess we will just scope it out when we get there and see what happens. I don't want to move her up to the EDGE unless there is no one her age in Oceaneer and it's allowed, because I completely get the allowing younger kids into the older clubs. I also have a 15 year old and he would probably not want to go to the VIBE if there were a bunch of 13 year olds. I think the age ranges for the two older ones is completely appropriate, but I do think putting 3-12 year olds together is a bit of a mix up. There is a huge maturity difference in between an almost middle school kid and a 3rd grader, and even preschooler.

 

[bbel]

Thank you for this! She is excited about Oceaneer and all of the activities, so that is not it at all, it is completely the age thing. But if there are a good amount of kids her age group in there as well she will be good to go. I think when I mentioned the age range for that kids club the thing that worried her was a scenario where it's her and a bunch of little ones , an no kids her age. I guess we will just scope it out when we get there and see what happens. I don't want to move her up to the EDGE unless there is no one her age in Oceaneer and it's allowed, because I completely get the allowing younger kids into the older clubs. I also have a 15 year old and he would probably not want to go to the VIBE if there were a bunch of 13 year olds. I think the age ranges for the two older ones is completely appropriate, but I do think putting 3-12 year olds together is a bit of a mix up. There is a huge maturity difference in between an almost middle school kid and a 3rd grader, and even preschooler.

Yes kids aged 3-12 are in a room together, but they're not really together unless they choose to be. Theres so many options that they don't have to mix. While they're totally allowed in both spaces, younger kids are often attracted to the club and older to the lab. While the rooms might look more attractive to younger kids, as do the names of the programmes offered, once inside Id say the older kids are more catered for: iPads, computers, animation, the majority of the crafts, a lot of gaga ball/4square is played, the wii, card games, board games. Although a lot of 10+ are 100% sure they're going to hate the club/lab and want to age up, I honestly believe that if they go in with no pre-concieved ideas, they'll actually find a number of things that they like and enjoy.

But like I said, they'll be kids of all ages. There's a fair mix across all age ranges. Ive seen kids that are complete strangers become best friends within a few days.

I always tell the older kids (especially the girls), if they really don't have any friends, go and sit and talk to the counselor thats in the craft/animation area or pixie hollow, do a craft with them or play a game, and 99% of the time, another kid their age will come over and join in because they feel like they don't know anyone, and eventually theres a little group going and by the end of the game you know where everyones from, how old they are, who they're cruising with, how many cruises they've been on...

 

[thornton0511]

Yes kids aged 3-12 are in a room together, but they're not really together unless they choose to be. Theres so many options that they don't have to mix. While they're totally allowed in both spaces, younger kids are often attracted to the club and older to the lab. While the rooms might look more attractive to younger kids, as do the names of the programmes offered, once inside Id say the older kids are more catered for: iPads, computers, animation, the majority of the crafts, a lot of gaga ball/4square is played, the wii, card games, board games. Although a lot of 10+ are 100% sure they're going to hate the club/lab and want to age up, I honestly believe that if they go in with no pre-concieved ideas, they'll actually find a number of things that they like and enjoy.

But like I said, they'll be kids of all ages. There's a fair mix across all age ranges. Ive seen kids that are complete strangers become best friends within a few days.

I always tell the older kids (especially the girls), if they really don't have any friends, go and sit and talk to the counselor thats in the craft/animation area or pixie hollow, do a craft with them or play a game, and 99% of the time, another kid their age will come over and join in because they feel like they don't know anyone, and eventually theres a little group going and by the end of the game you know where everyones from, how old they are, who they're cruising with, how many cruises they've been on...

Thank you for reassuring me. I am sure she is going to have a blast and she is very much looking forward to the kids club

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

It wouldn't hurt to register just incase your kids don't like Edge (your 9 year old won't be allowed there just an FYI).