older kids joining younger kids club group question

[MichelleB]

We are looking into going on a cruise with my in-laws. My nephew is 9 years older than my son. My DS will be approx. 6 when we go. Would they allow my nephew to go into the kids club with my son? The cousins love to spend tons of time together and are best buds. They're both very well behaved so that's not an issue. This would be important to both of them to be able to spend the time together. I know they've allowed my DDs to go down in age in the clubs but they're only a couple of yrs. apart so not such a big difference. Anyone have experience with this???

 

[lbgraves]

If you are saying there is a nine year age difference and yout nephew is around 15, then no. I seriously doubt that they will allow the 15 year old to register in the 5-7 yo group. This has the potential to cause too many problems. Honestly, as the mother of a just turned 5 yo DD when we next cruise, if I found out that a 15 yo boy was registered in the club my DD would not be allowed to go back. That is not a specific attack on your nephew or any other teen but it is inappropriate & there is a potential for trouble. The 15 yo should be in the Stack.

There will be plenty for them to do on the ship out of the clubs though. Depending on your nephew and how responsible he is, the two boys could hang out at the arcade or the pool or grab a bite to eat together.

 

[jel0511]

I have to agree with the previous poster. Moving a child down one age group to be with a younger sibling/relative is one thing, moving down a teen to be with little kids is another thing. I would be VERY uncomfortable with that as a parent who has another kid in that age group. I don't think DCL would allow such a large age gap.

 

[kcashner]

There's probably no way they will allow a mentally competent teen to be in the club. However, there are lots of family times and activities where they can be together. These include a thing where you make a race car (and race it) from vegetables, a "toad race" (the toads are not alive), pictionary, etc. There are lots of free time activities--ping pong, sports, deck parties, family dances and karoke, etc. In addition, there is "family time in the Lab" where the registered kids are elsewhere and the lab facilities are available to all ages. They will also have meals times and the shows together. They might choose to go to movies, etc.

Your teen nephew probably doesn't want to spend his entire cruise with a 6 year old. Allow them to spend some family time together, but expect each to do time in his own program. As a treat, you might want to consider listing your nephew as one of the people who can pick up your son.