Parents encouraged or discouraged to stay w/ kids in Oceaneer???

[jwolfe]

Hi~~question for veteran cruisers or anyone else that wants to answer . We have 3 little ones that will be cruising with us. Are the parents encouraged or discouraged on staying with their kids in the Oceaneer Club/Lab? I'm a little leary about leaving my children for periods of time and basically am wondering how their system works. I know the parents receive pagers,etc. but was really wondering on if we're welcomed in the kids clubs or if they would just rather us run and do something else. I really wanted to visit the spa at least once but am unsure on leaving my kids with anyone else. Guess I'm just another overprotective mom. Any thoughts??????

Juli

 

[dis4me]

I felt the same way on our first cruise. WE were never encouraged to stay however we were not stopped from staying No one ever discouraged us either.One time my daughter paged us because Captain hook was in the club and she was scared.Dh asked if he could stay with he rso she could participate and they said Of course so I would imagine you could stay for whatever you want HOWEVER you are not required to stay.
How old are you kids?

 

[bennett]

I thought they were great as far as letting us come and go as we pleased ---also they never made you tell them when you were coming or going with your children-we could drop them off anytime (except when they had moving time--like to and from eating or an activity)--which was only 15 minutes--they did ask us when we were getting off in St. Maartin about what time we were thinking we might be back-we really didn't use the club much but it sure was nice being able to shop off board without the children-they would have done fine shopping the first hour or so-but they loved the club so we had no hesitation leaving them-when a character was coming to the club, we would all just go and hang out during that time then leave. The do like the children to participate in at least five activities (which isn't hard to do) at the club in order to get a special gift in the end (a special fanny pack water bottle)

 

[jwolfe]

Our children are: DD6, DD8, DD5. All are pretty close together. My DD8 just turned 8 and I was hoping that disney would let her be with her sisters instead of being in the older group. I'm glad that it's pretty easy to go in and out of the Oceaneer Club/Lab, I was wondering about that. My youngest has expressed the most interest in the kids program. The others want the pools . We'll try it out and see what happens!!!

Juli

 

[Otisp]

I seem to remember other posters saying that it is a little easier for a slightly older sibling to slip down a notch than a younger going older. We had considered trying to get our DS6 and DD8 combined in the same group, but decided that they needed some time apart (they're close, but they had a bit too much of each other while we were in the parks before the cruise). They reported having a great time with their own groups, meeting new friends and talking with counselors. They still had plenty of time together at meals, shows, movies, and at the pool.

jwolfe, I actually "stumbled" upon our kids doing activities with their groups around the ship. Nobody seemed to have a problem with me hanging out to watch, but the kids were so absorbed in their activities they barely paid any attention to me (sigh). There are also "family times" in the Club and Lab during periods when organized activities aren't taking place. We never took advantage of it, but there was also one room that was stocked with board games that a counselor said we could use.