Oceaneer Club

[bethy]

May I ask what ship you will be on and the ages of your children?

My youngest had to be dragged out of the kids club. My oldest is more shy and we have had mixed results, but I believe that is more owing to his social awkwardness than the clubs.

But as a mom I find cruising the most relaxing and least stressful of any vacation. Not just because of the kids clubs, but overall I get real time off from all the daily decisions and mundane responsibilities and focus on fun.

Thank you for your response. I will have a 14yo, 10yo and 4yo. The older two are relatively socially awkward and so freeplay/hanging out and meeting and bonding with new people within that context has never been easy for them. They are girls and do not like video games at all. I'm not faulting Disney for the fact that my kids need structure and guidance to have fun in that setting. I'm just bummed that it quite possibly might not be a great fit for them. Oh well - it's probably good to keep my expectations reasonable. We have 2 cruises booked on the Magic.

I am still encouraged that it will still be a break for me, if not a break from parenting for an couple hours here and there. Like at Disney parks, it's a break for me when my kids are entertained and engaged - even when I'm right next to them. I'm sure it will still be great family fun!

 

[NDFAN89]

My DD is 6 and on the Autism spectrum and also has a speech disorder (MERLD). Make sure you call the SN line and get it in her file that she has apraxia and they will talk to you about it the day you register. Flying with DD at as a newly turned 5 year old (birthday in July, sailed Aug) was really tough towards the end because her ears were killing her and on the way back she was overtired. Recently this past April, as a "seasoned" 6 year old she did not cry at all either way. We had nasal spray that I would spray before the flight so I am not sure if that helped or what. I also noticed the flight wasn't as painful on my own years flying into Miami but Orlando (first cruise) was rough.

GL and your DD will have a great time! Just check on her every hour.

Can I ask what SN line is? Sorry - new to this

 

[NDFAN89]

My DD is 6 and on the Autism spectrum and also has a speech disorder (MERLD). Make sure you call the SN line and get it in her file that she has apraxia and they will talk to you about it the day you register. Flying with DD at as a newly turned 5 year old (birthday in July, sailed Aug) was really tough towards the end because her ears were killing her and on the way back she was overtired. Recently this past April, as a "seasoned" 6 year old she did not cry at all either way. We had nasal spray that I would spray before the flight so I am not sure if that helped or what. I also noticed the flight wasn't as painful on my own years flying into Miami but Orlando (first cruise) was rough.

GL and your DD will have a great time! Just check on her every hour.

Also, what kind of nasal spray?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Can I ask what SN line is? Sorry - new to this

SN = Special Needs

 

[asamklove]

For Bethy...

Our first Disney cruise was in 2013 (Fantasy/November). ATOS, my oldest was 4.5 and attended the kids club for 2-3 hours at a time, usually 1x per day. She really, really loves turtles and when I checked her in for the scheduled Turtle Talk activity, I mentioned that to the CM and asked her to make sure my daughter was in the right place when it was time for the Turtle Talk with Crush activity. Not only did they make sure she was there, front & center, they made sure Crush spoke specifically to her. And, she returned 2 more times for Turtle Talk and each time the CMs remembered her and made sure she was singled out. It was seriously a highlight for her! So, our experience with the kids clubs was positive - and she's excited to cruise again.

As far as needing a break - I totally get that as well. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with how relaxed you can be! No meal prep, so many choices, no need to think of activities, etc. Our youngest was 2 last cruise, and the servers discovered he loved strawberries. Each night following that discovery, there would be a bowl of cut up strawberries at his place at dinner - keeping him busy munching fruit while we took 5 minutes to peruse the menu uninterrupted. One night, he was having a rough evening and we were anxious to get out of the formal dining room. Earlier that evening, I had mentioned to the servers how much I loved Crème Brule and I was SO excited for dessert that night. Needless to say, my son's irritability made me rush out of there with him before even ordering dessert. As we were leaving the dining room, up flies our server with 2 to-go Crème Brule for me to enjoy in the stateroom.

So - its definitely the little things that can make the cruise special. Movies in the theatre with popcorn dressed in jammies/yoga pants, chicken tenders on the pool deck, pool towels fresh & ready with no effort on your part, room service - these are the little things that let you relax and truly enjoy your family & husband.

Oh yes! And go sit in the dining rooms for breakfast if you have young kids - much less chaotic and more relaxing because of the table service

You will have a ball - its fun stuff

 

[kmgt]

Can children request they page their parent?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Can children request they page their parent?

Yes. The CMs will send a text to the parents' Wave phone.

 

[reneaterry]

My daughter, 5 on her first cruise, has apraxia and had no problems in the oceaneers club. My 3 yr old had an accident our first cruise and she was allowed to return once we changed her clothes.

 

[NDFAN89]

My daughter, 5 on her first cruise, has apraxia and had no problems in the oceaneers club. My 3 yr old had an accident our first cruise and she was allowed to return once we changed her clothes.

Thank you so much!