Oceaneer Club - children can move freely?

[luvpooh]

Hi all,

I tried to search this, but couldn't find the right words to query, apparently. I also may not be able to articulate this appropriately, so if it appears confusing I apologize.

My DS will be nearly 4 when we sail, and in reviewing the information for Oceaneer's Club/Lab, it states that children can 'move freely between the two'. Now, what exactly does this mean? Are there no counselors there to provide some sort of structure, or keep like-aged children grouped together?

Obviously there are plenty of younger kids who go to the club, and 'live to tell the tale'. I am just curious, though, if my son would be running around with 10-12 year olds or, would be kept in a group of 3-5'ish kids. The thing is, if given the choice, I have a feeling that DS would try to gravitate more towards the older kids (or the adults, for that matter) than those of his age - which I can only imagine could be a bit trying on the older kids...

Again, if this isn't clear, or if I'm missing a very obvious answer, I apologize!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi all,

I tried to search this, but couldn't find the right words to query, apparently. I also may not be able to articulate this appropriately, so if it appears confusing I apologize.

My DS will be nearly 4 when we sail, and in reviewing the information for Oceaneer's Club/Lab, it states that children can 'move freely between the two'. Now, what exactly does this mean? Are there no counselors there to provide some sort of structure, or keep like-aged children grouped together?

Obviously there are plenty of younger kids who go to the club, and 'live to tell the tale'. I am just curious, though, if my son would be running around with 10-12 year olds or, would be kept in a group of 3-5'ish kids. The thing is, if given the choice, I have a feeling that DS would try to gravitate more towards the older kids (or the adults, for that matter) than those of his age - which I can only imagine could be a bit trying on the older kids...

Again, if this isn't clear, or if I'm missing a very obvious answer, I apologize!

On the Dream & Fantasy, Oceaneer's is really a large room roughly divided between the "club" (ages 3-7) and the "lab" (ages 8-12). Each area has activities aimed toward the age group for that area, however any child in the Club/Lab space can participate in whatever activities appeal to them, regardless of age.

There are CMs there who monitor interactions between kids, but won't specifically steer kids away from a "younger" activity, if that's where they're headed. Same for younger kids who want to do "older" activities.

 

[baileyfamily]

Our kids were 3 and 6 when we went on our last DCL cruise, and the kids could go back and forth to the Club and Lab when both were open. There are different areas all over both centers, and the kids could move from area to area as they pleased. That way they could switch activities as they got bored. There are lots of CMs everywhere, though, so I never felt that they were not being supervised. They also usually had structured and unstructured activities going on at the same time that kids could choose from.

 

[lanejudy]

The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are both open to kids ages 3-12. The programming in the Club tends more towards the younger set and the programming in the Lab more towards the older ones. The CMs do not necessarily keep the kids in small groups by age, but there are plenty of CMs and the kids are free to participate in whichever activities interest them. Each space (Club and Lab) have smaller rooms or alcoves with various activities -- it varies by ship but an area for crafts, an area for computer games, an area for climbing play, an area for dress-up, etc. It's possible to have younger and older doing the same activity, but mostly the kids tend to separate themselves more closely by age and interests anyway.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[luvpooh]

Oops, forgot to say we will be on the Magic.

Thanks for the info. While he goes to school every day, they don't really mix the different classes often, and even if they did, the oldest kids would still only be 5.

We've never left him in a group setting like this, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts or to what he gravitates. He's very outgoing, but still only 3, and as you may know, it's an unpredictable age!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Oops, forgot to say we will be on the Magic.

Thanks for the info. While he goes to school every day, they don't really mix the different classes often, and even if they did, the oldest kids would still only be 5.

We've never left him in a group setting like this, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts or to what he gravitates. He's very outgoing, but still only 3, and as you may know, it's an unpredictable age!

OK, now, on the Magic (and Wonder) the two club spaces are separated (Lab forward, Club aft) on deck 5 by the atrium. There is a "secret passageway" along the starboard side (separate enclosed passageway) between the two, but I'm not sure it's still being used (wasn't the last time we were on the Magic). CMs "escort" small groups between the two spaces (through the public space) to ensure kids make it to the other side.

 

[Weedy]

The secret passageway
(enclosed hallway) was open on the Magic in December.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The secret passageway
(enclosed hallway) was open on the Magic in December.

OK, well there you go. Thanks.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

The secret passageway
(enclosed hallway) was open on the Magic in December.

I thought I read that during the latest dry dock, they made some changes that would allow this hallway to remain open and allow kids to more freely move back and forth between the Club and Lab. But I could also be remembering completely wrong.

 

[michellekcm]

On the Magic you can use the passageway to go back and forth between the Club and the Lab, except when one is in Open House, then it's closed off. You don't need to wait for a CM any more, kids just go through whenever they want.

As others have said, the activities in each area are aimed at different age groups. So while your 3 year old might want to go through to the Lab, they will probably be a bit bored and come back to the Club. Eg the computer games are easier in the Club, there is colouring in in the Club and Animation Drawing in the Lab (and harder colouring), the movies and TV shows are aimed at younger kids in the Club, there is Andy's Room with slides and a dress-up area in the Club that younger kids love.

Hopefully he'll love it as much as my daughter does!

 

[luvpooh]

On the Magic you can use the passageway to go back and forth between the Club and the Lab, except when one is in Open House, then it's closed off. You don't need to wait for a CM any more, kids just go through whenever they want.

As others have said, the activities in each area are aimed at different age groups. So while your 3 year old might want to go through to the Lab, they will probably be a bit bored and come back to the Club. Eg the computer games are easier in the Club, there is colouring in in the Club and Animation Drawing in the Lab (and harder colouring), the movies and TV shows are aimed at younger kids in the Club, there is Andy's Room with slides and a dress-up area in the Club that younger kids love.

Hopefully he'll love it as much as my daughter does!

This was very helpful to put it in perspective, thank you!