oceaneer lab

[cen822]

ds 12 would like to know if anyone used the oceaneer lab while on the cruise and did you like/dislike it. What kinds of activities were there to do. Any info pro/con would be appreciated.

 

[westjones]

Look over some old navigators for his age group and you will see some of the activities listed.

My twin DDs were 11 last year on the cruise and they enjoy the Lab, but not all day. They like swimming in the morning. They want to have lunch with us, then they spend a couple of hours in the afternoon in the lab (unless there is a good movie showing in the theater). Then for dinner and the show they are with us. Their FAVORITE time in the lab is at night after the show and dinner are over---UNLESS there is a deck party, then they go after that.

So I would guess my girls spend about 2-3 hours a day in the lab and the rest of the time doing other stuff. This last cruise was our 6th one, but they have been doing this stuff for quite a while. When they were younger, they didn't want to leave the Lab! But now that they are older we give them some freedom to go get food on Deck 9, go to the arcade, go to a movie, etc. So they are enjoying the freedom of exploring the ship a little on their own.

I am sure your son will enjoy some of the Lab activities. The first night is a good time to go meet other kids. My girls have made friends that they are still in contact with on their last two cruises. They met the other kids on the first day (a couple of them at the DIS meet our cruise had--go to the DIS meet board to see who else is going on your cruise, you may be able to get him an email penpal to write to before the cruise so he already sort of knows someone before boarding, we met another family at the Goofy pool the first day for our DDs who had been writing to get together and after that they hung out through out the cruise).

DJ

 

[tkd lisa]

My son was 11 1/2 on our last cruise. He did enjoy the lab. But my DD, who was almost 13 didn't as much as when she was younger.

For the boys, they have a big variety of video games and computer games that seemed to appeal for "free time" type of activities. For the girls, there didn't seem to be as much.

Typically, my son would sleep a bit late, go into the lab for a couple of hours, then he'd sign himself out to go up to the pool and get some scoops ice cream. He'd either pal around with friends, or go to a movie, or watch tv in the stateroom most afternoons. He got into a habit of ordering a room service snack of potato chips and 2 cartons of milk in the late afternoon, then he'd usually go back to the lab. We made him at least come to dinner with us most evenings (we had late seating), but he'd usually leave after the appetizer or early in the main course, and go back to the lab until about 1 or so.

 

[cen822]

thank you for your responses. DS is outgoing so I am sure he will make friends....just had concerns about how much there was to do in lab. Have to get use to idea he is getting older and can be on his own, but then again if we are at sea where can he go right?!

 

[westjones]

I meant to give you this link so your DS could look over some old navigators for his age group:

http://www.dcltribute.com/navigators/

The cruise is a lot of fun, I'm sure you will have a good time.
DJ

 

[DonnettaR]

Does anyone know if they have any new activites? My daughter is eleven and did the lab thing last year as a 10-12. Going back this year she will be in the same group, will they offer different things than last year. She has been going on DCL every summer since she was 5 (is she spoiled or what?)

 

[westjones]

Does anyone know if they have any new activites? My daughter is eleven and did the lab thing last year as a 10-12. Going back this year she will be in the same group, will they offer different things than last year. She has been going on DCL every summer since she was 5 (is she spoiled or what?)

They do spend some time in the Stack/Aloft. I'm not sure if they did that before.

My kids really didn't mention new activities. They still enjoyed it, but they didn't spend as much time in the Lab as they did when they were young. They wanted to swim in the pool.

DJ

 

[DonnettaR]

They do spend some time in the Stack/Aloft. I'm not sure if they did that before.

My kids really didn't mention new activities. They still enjoyed it, but they didn't spend as much time in the Lab as they did when they were young. They wanted to swim in the pool.

DJ

Yes, my daughter did enjoy going to the Stack. (she felt really teenagery). Just hoped that had added new things to do. Maybe she can get to do some things that conficted with shore excursions the last time.

 

[westjones]

Yes, my daughter did enjoy going to the Stack. (she felt really teenagery). Just hoped that had added new things to do. Maybe she can get to do some things that conficted with shore excursions the last time.

Have her look over the navigators posted at the link I included in message #5. I usually print out recent navigators for my girls to look over and then we make a 'tentative' plan for what things they really want to do. Most of the time, they liked the afternoon activities.

For my girls, once they made a friend or two, that was reason enough to go to the lab. Make sure she goes the first night. They tend to make friends at that time.

DJ

 

[cen822]

westjones......thanks for the navigators.....will have ds look at it....looks like there are lots of things that would interest him.

 

[Cherta]

Does anyone know if they have any new activites? My daughter is eleven and did the lab thing last year as a 10-12. Going back this year she will be in the same group, will they offer different things than last year. She has been going on DCL every summer since she was 5 (is she spoiled or what?)

DonnettaR--I have an 11 year old daughter as well and this is her first cruise ever. She is introverted ( I call her my "velcro baby" because I'm always trying ot untick her from my side ) and I'm a little worried about her making friends on the boat. Since you and your daughter are DCL cruise vets, are there any tips you can offer her to make the experience easier or more fun? I know it's ultimately up to her to put herself "out there", but maybe if she sees this thread, she'll feel more at ease. Thanks in advance!
(BTY-I also see we're on the same July 17th cruise-we're closin' in on cruise time and the days can't go by fast enough, can they? )

 

[DonnettaR]

DonnettaR--I have an 11 year old daughter as well and this is her first cruise ever. She is introverted ( I call her my "velcro baby" because I'm always trying ot untick her from my side ) and I'm a little worried about her making friends on the boat. Since you and your daughter are DCL cruise vets, are there any tips you can offer her to make the experience easier or more fun? I know it's ultimately up to her to put herself "out there", but maybe if she sees this thread, she'll feel more at ease. Thanks in advance!
(BTY-I also see we're on the same July 17th cruise-we're closin' in on cruise time and the days can't go by fast enough, can they? )

I will ask my daughter for "her" tips when she gets home. Maybe I can get her to PM your daughter especially since they will be on the same cruise. My daughter can be shy at first, but then when she gets going....look out.

I too am getting excited about the cruise...just which I knew more about what was planned although last year it was nice to be suprised with the special Puerto Rico blanket and pirate party.

 

[Cherta]

Thanks DonnettaR-looking forward to your daughter's reply!
They HAVE to be planning something special-after all, we are setting sail on the actual 50th anniversary date!!

 

[Bacon Bits]

Cherta, are you on the 4 day Nassau Wonder cruise on July 17, '05 too?

 

[Cherta]

Hi Bacon Bits,
My family and I are on the 6-day Mexican Riviera Magic cruise leaving July 17, 2005 from San Pedro, CA.

 

[Bacon Bits]

Oh well, thought we found more people on our cruise.... Hope you have a great one anyway....

 

[Cherta]

Hi Bacon Bits (LOVE the pic-Toy Story 1 and 2 are two of my favorite Disney movies!)
Just wanted to tell you that I read your thread on the cruise meets awhile ago--I thought it was soooo sweet that your "better half" kept you company until someone else responded!! Keep the faith--our thread took awhile to get started too!
Wishing you "happy sailings" as well!!!

 

[Lisa D]

They were 10 and 12, just got off the Wonder last Thursday. They especially enjoyed the afternoon activities on Castaway Cay (said it was like "Survivor"). There were some times they had to miss things in lab to do some other things - on Monday it was either Golden Mickeys and Animator's Palate with mom & dad, or dinner with the kids and a movie. They chose to go with us, and were really happy when the movie had turned out to be "Ice Princess" instead of "The Pacifier"!

They received shirts on the last night which their counselors signed for them. All in all they had a great time.

Lisa

 

[ImMarcik]

We are going on our first cruise, the wonder cruise at Thanksgiving. My DD will be 12. I think as long as she goes the first night and makes friends she will be okay. She can be a bit shy, but only until she has friends. And, well if she doesn't like the lab, she is welcome to stay with us. I am hoping this is a very good age, since she is old enough to do a bit more venturing then if she was younger.