Kids In Club or on Excursion

[encmerk]

We are traveling on the Aug 6th West Coast Cruise, and my DS (who is 6 and will be turning 7 on the cruise) has asked if he could go in the club instead of on the excursions. My dh, myself, Grammy, and dd(would rather be with us) are all wanting to go on excursions. We are only doing one excursion a day that last no more than 5 hours. My question is has anyone ever left their child in the club and went on the excursion. I will definitely be getting a pager if we decide on leaving him in the club. Also, FYI on our last cruise on RCCL we hardly saw him he was having so much fun in the clubs, and did not like going on the excursions. What should I do?????

Thanks,
Courtney

 

[encmerk]

bump up

 

[mommasita]

Hi, I think this is one of "those" questions. Everyone has a different opinion on this. Kinda like, at what age do you leave your kids alone in the room, or at home? On all three cruises my kids have loved the club, and we had to pry them out just to eat with them, but although I trust them as much as a mother can, I would never leave the boat without my kids. I personally would have too many "what ifs". GOd forbid something happened, and I did not make it back, and it sailed without me, etc..etc. We have done a couple of excursions when they were 4 and 7 and it was not always fun, but we did them.

Having said that, I do not judge anyone who does this. Everyone has their own thing, and once again this is my opinion only, what works for us....

 

[lbgraves]

My kids start whining the minute we leave the ship. It was much better when we left DS 6 in the club on the last stop. No more bickering!!! They are being well supervised and fed and medical care is available if it is needed. I would definitely let your DS stay in the club. It is his vacation too & if he wouldn't enjoy the excursion, save the money & let him enjoy spending time with his friends in the club. JMO.

 

[kg66]

We did the Feb3-6 Wonder, and prior to leaving home we discussed booking the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Ecounter with our dd's 4 & 7. The 7 year old wanted to and the 4 year old didn't. What to do? The 4 year old is a real social butterfly, and immediately said" I'll stay in the club with the other kids". Well we booked it and figured if she changed her mind she could come along and we'd just pay the $20 for her to take the boat over with us. We asked at the Club the night before our excursion and they said no problem they would keep her so we could go. The morning of the excursion, she was up and dressed ready to go hang out with the kids for the most of the day. Be advised that yes you have a beeper, but they won't reach more than I believe 1 mile from the ship, and with us, there was no way to get back early. We explained to her and the CM's we'd pick her up as soon as we got back from the Excursion, which wouldn't be before 3 pm. They took her to lunch, and she had tea with Alice in Wonderland, did crafts, didn't miss us. I know it was long, but it explains that they get to do what they want, and they are safe, and you get to do what you want....everyone is happy!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

After our experience with the kids club, or should I say my son's experience....

If your child wants to stay, I would let her. My son was 8, and loved the lab.

I do agree, though, that it depends on individual families and children. Also, keep in mind that the pagers will not work once you are far from the ship--at least that was what we were told this last trip...

 

[Bmwdsny]

I left my kids on the ship while my DH and i are on excursions. I feel vrey comftable with it. Our first disney cruise, they went with us and whined the whole time. The last 3, they loved it being in the clubs!! It really just your preference and if the kids are comfortable left on the ship.