Question about children's activities

[Susieab]

We have never been on a cruise before although have been to DW many times. We are thinking about a cruise in late September, although I really have to get planning. Anyway my question, our kids are now 4 and 5. However the week before we would leave my daughter (oldest) would turn 6. I think that I saw somewhere that 4-5YO are in separate kids areas than 6YO. My son who will be 4 1/2 will not be OK with staying by himself however would easily stay if his big sister was there. I don't want to lie about her age bc that is also the cutoff for the cost I believe. However will they let her stay with him in the younger age group?

Susie

 

[ErinC]

I've read several reports about them letting slightly older siblings stay with younger ones. They just don't like you to move them back and forth from the club to the lab. I think your kids are close enough in age that it won't be a problem. Mine will be DD9 and DD6, so I hope mine can get along without each other. We are cruising on the Magic Sept. 24th. If you decide to book, please come sign in on the cruise meets thread. We were just discussing yesterday about how to get our kids more aquainted before the cruise, maybe this could help you out too!

 

[beachpal]

My husband met a family through the disboards before our cruise last summer who had a son the same age as ours (6 at the time). They corresponded through email and sent pictures to each other before the cruise. When they met, they had a great time. They would see each other at the pool or on excursions and play together. They would also go to the kids clubs at the same time. It really helped my son to have someone his own age there. We are going to try it again for our November cruise. This time, I need to find a 5 year old boy for my younger son to meet too.

 

[suesings]

Hi,
The groupings are 3-4 year olds and then 5-7 year olds. If your son is 4-1/2 they will probably let him go in the 5-7 with your 6 year old. I would think that your 6 year old would be way too bored going down to the 3-4 year olds, especially if it is a week where there are mostly 3 year olds in there?

 

[rejobako]

On last week's Wonder cruise, I noticed a few "multiple child" families being permitted to keep their kids together despite the fact that some children were beyond the age cut-off for a particular group, etc.

 

[Luckysas]

Hi,
I was a CM in the 5-7 group 2 1/2 years ago on the Magic. In your case you could either move your DD down or your DS up. My advice to you is to take a look at the programs they have for both age-groups and let your kids decide which age-group they would rather be with. Ask a CM at the oceaneer club for more info about the activities, I'm sure they will be more than happy to tell you all about them.

Keep in mind that the ratio for the 3-4's is 1-15 and the ratio for the 5-7's is 1-25. If your DS is moved up, it will be on a trial basis, as long as your DS can cope with the 5-7 group and is having fun there shouldn't be a problem.

Have fun planning your trip.

 

[lbgraves]

You can print out copies of recent kid's navigators so that you can go over them with your children & see which ones they would rather participate in. http://www.dcltribute.com/

 

[Susieab]

Thanks so much for all the help. I think that my DS would be fine moving up, he is used to playing with older kids so that will probably be the best option.

Susie