Question about Edge

[elvispursley]

Background: I have 2 sons, 12 & 10. When we sailed 18-months ago we registered them for the kids club...and they hated it! Mainly because they felt it was geared so much towards the younger kids that they felt out of place--plus we sailed in the off-season when there weren't as many older kids, maybe?. The activities they did have for them at the time (they were 9 and 11) were always taken. They lasted about 30 minutes each time before we were paged and then that was it...they begged NOT to go back.

So for this upcoming cruise, I think my oldest son would like Edge, but there is no way he will go without his younger brother. And there is no way his younger brother will even attempt to go back to the younger kids club. So here's my question (finally!): Does DCL ever make exceptions and allow kids who are close to the age-limit to bump-up to the next club? If not, no big deal. If my oldest does for some reason decide to go, I'd be really happy that he's branching out of his introverted shell (but I can just about guarantee he won't). But my youngest will, sadly, be stuck with mom & dad because, again, he hated the "baby" club

 

[disneyfab]

Background: I have 2 sons, 12 & 10. When we sailed 18-months ago we registered them for the kids club...and they hated it! Mainly because they felt it was geared so much towards the younger kids that they felt out of place--plus we sailed in the off-season when there weren't as many older kids, maybe?. The activities they did have for them at the time (they were 9 and 11) were always taken. They lasted about 30 minutes each time before we were paged and then that was it...they begged NOT to go back.

So for this upcoming cruise, I think my oldest son would like Edge, but there is no way he will go without his younger brother. And there is no way his younger brother will even attempt to go back to the younger kids club. So here's my question (finally!): Does DCL ever make exceptions and allow kids who are close to the age-limit to bump-up to the next club? If not, no big deal. If my oldest does for some reason decide to go, I'd be really happy that he's branching out of his introverted shell (but I can just about guarantee he won't). But my youngest will, sadly, be stuck with mom & dad because, again, he hated the "baby" club

Surprisingly, my kids had similar complaints. They didn't dislike the clubs so much that they didn't want to return, but the tween especially kept saying it was too many little kids. He had a strong preference for the Edge, but didn't always want to be there without someone or walk alone to get there. They liked the kids club, but did not love them. Maybe DCL might consider letting ages 3-7 occupy one side and 8-12 the other switching times & activities.

Someone on my cruise mentioned registering their 10 year old for the Edge. They were weeks away from their 11th birthday. From what I could tell, you give special permission, but there has to be space in the club. Also, it sounded like you have to be fairly close to your 11th birthday for the request to be granted.

 

[Ofinn]

My kids had the same complaints. Fortunately they were always able to go the edge when they were 10. You will have to sign a waiver. Some people on these boards will tell you they dont always allow it, but Ive never seen that. I think the last few years its been standard practice to allow 10 year olds in. My son turned 10 the second day of the cruise and was allowed in. It has nothing to do with how close you are to turning 11.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Background: I have 2 sons, 12 & 10. When we sailed 18-months ago we registered them for the kids club...and they hated it! Mainly because they felt it was geared so much towards the younger kids that they felt out of place--plus we sailed in the off-season when there weren't as many older kids, maybe?. The activities they did have for them at the time (they were 9 and 11) were always taken. They lasted about 30 minutes each time before we were paged and then that was it...they begged NOT to go back.

So for this upcoming cruise, I think my oldest son would like Edge, but there is no way he will go without his younger brother. And there is no way his younger brother will even attempt to go back to the younger kids club. So here's my question (finally!): Does DCL ever make exceptions and allow kids who are close to the age-limit to bump-up to the next club? If not, no big deal. If my oldest does for some reason decide to go, I'd be really happy that he's branching out of his introverted shell (but I can just about guarantee he won't). But my youngest will, sadly, be stuck with mom & dad because, again, he hated the "baby" club

Whether a child not in the proper age group wants to "age up" will be allowed depends on how many children of the proper age are onboard. If they have maxed out the number of kids in the 11-14 range booked for the cruise, then younger kids cannot move up. If they haven't maxed out, then they will be allowed (generally) with the proviso that, if there are any issues, they will not be allowed to continue.

 

[arlopop]

Our son was 10 last October and they let him do Edge. He liked the young clubs too having done them on previous cruises so we registered him for those but the Edge was a better fit. As long as you're ok with him checking himself in and out there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[closetmickey]

We have never had a 10 year old denied. My kids loved being 10-12 onboard. The sweet spot for being able to attend both clubs

 

[FigmentSpark]

Hmmm... any chance a 12 year old will get into the Vibe, then?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hmmm... any chance a 12 year old will get into the Vibe, then?

That's pretty unlikely. When kids are allowed to move up, they're usually within a few months of the correct age. Not years.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I suppose it's worth a shot, but that's the answer I would expect. I know my 14 year old will tolerate being in a club (Edge) with 12 year olds, but he might not care for it if there are a bunch of 10 year olds. My 12 year old will probably be happiest in the Edge, but I'd rather the boys could stay together, which is why I asked.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I suppose it's worth a shot, but that's the answer I would expect. I know my 14 year old will tolerate being in a club (Edge) with 12 year olds, but he might not care for it if there are a bunch of 10 year olds. My 12 year old will probably be happiest in the Edge, but I'd rather the boys could stay together, which is why I asked.

And therein lies the problem. That's why kids want out of whatever club they're "supposed" to be in - because the kids are all "too young in there". Because too many want to be in the "older" club.

 

[Ofinn]

Whether a child not in the proper age group wants to "age up" will be allowed depends on how many children of the proper age are onboard. If they have maxed out the number of kids in the 11-14 range booked for the cruise, then younger kids cannot move up. If they haven't maxed out, then they will be allowed (generally) with the proviso that, if there are any issues, they will not be allowed to continue.

And you know this from personal experience?

And therein lies the problem. That's why kids want out of whatever club they're "supposed" to be in - because the kids are all "too young in there". Because too many want to be in the "older" club.

Nope never seen this either. You're making quite an assumption about why kids may want to move up.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

And you know this from personal experience?

Nope never seen this either. You're making quite an assumption about why kids may want to move up.

From personal experience with people I've traveled with. As well as the answers from others who've experienced it, and the answers from the various DCL Youth Activity CMs that pop in here from time to time.

OK, I've made that second assumption, mostly because posters like the OP here, who said, "Mainly because they felt it was geared so much towards the younger kids that they felt out of place" when stating why their kids would probably want to go up a level in the clubs. As well as another poster here who said "Surprisingly, my kids had similar complaints. They didn't dislike the clubs so much that they didn't want to return, but the tween especially kept saying it was too many little kids." Not an uncommon comment on why they want to move their kids up a level.

If the younger kids were kept in the younger kids programs, then the older kid programs could be geared for the older kids.

 

[Ofinn]

From personal experience with people I've traveled with. As well as the answers from others who've experienced it, and the answers from the various DCL Youth Activity CMs that pop in here from time to time.

OK, I've made that second assumption, mostly because posters like the OP here, who said, "Mainly because they felt it was geared so much towards the younger kids that they felt out of place" when stating why their kids would probably want to go up a level in the clubs. As well as another poster here who said "Surprisingly, my kids had similar complaints. They didn't dislike the clubs so much that they didn't want to return, but the tween especially kept saying it was too many little kids." Not an uncommon comment on why they want to move their kids up a level.

If the younger kids were kept in the younger kids programs, then the older kid programs could be geared for the older kids.

I can tell you from my experience, and I have a lot of first hand experience with kids in the Edge that hasn't been the case. My 13 year old loves the Edge because the activities are geared towards his age group, and he can come and go as he pleases. It doesn't bother him in the least that 10 year olds are in there. He just doesn't hang out with them. He did when he was 10. The club activities are geared towards little kids that's why so many 10 year olds get bored. 3-12 is a huge age spread. 10-13 is not that big a difference. If DCL would come up with better activities for the 9-10 year olds I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue, but I think they have decided the solution to the problem is to just let 10 year olds into the Edge if they want.

I suppose it's worth a shot, but that's the answer I would expect. I know my 14 year old will tolerate being in a club (Edge) with 12 year olds, but he might not care for it if there are a bunch of 10 year olds. My 12 year old will probably be happiest in the Edge, but I'd rather the boys could stay together, which is why I asked.

Your 14 year old can go to Vibe. If he does stay in the Edge the kids tend to make friends and hang out in groups that they click with. They come and go, eat together, go to movies, play sports. He's not forced to hang out with any 10 year olds. It's a much different environment than the Oceaneers clubs. The activities in the Edge are always the same.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The club activities are geared towards little kids that's why so many 10 year olds get bored. 3-12 is a huge age spread. 10-13 is not that big a difference. If DCL would come up with better activities for the 9-10 year olds I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue,

Another part of the problem. Time was that Oceaneer's Club was ages 3-7 and Oceaneer's Lab was ages 8-12. Then the programs were much more age specific. BUT, there apparently were many complaints about "But I want my kids to be together" that DCL merged the two. I agree the age span is too big, but DCL was apparently trying to meet the requests of the parents.

As with any decision making - whatever DCL decides, there's always someone who wants it "the other way". Unfortunately, they can't please both factions.

 

[Ofinn]

Another part of the problem. Time was that Oceaneer's Club was ages 3-7 and Oceaneer's Lab was ages 8-12. Then the programs were much more age specific. BUT, there apparently were many complaints about "But I want my kids to be together" that DCL merged the two. I agree the age span is too big, but DCL was apparently trying to meet the requests of the parents.

As with any decision making - whatever DCL decides, there's always someone who wants it "the other way". Unfortunately, they can please both factions.

It is what it is and it's been that way for a while. OP wanted to know if her 10 year old could get into the Edge, and the answer is yes. Like everything on this board it has to turn into a parenting debate.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It is what it is and it's been that way for a while. OP wanted to know if her 10 year old could get into the Edge, and the answer is yes. Like everything on this board it has to turn into a parenting debate.

I'm not turning this into a parenting debate. I was only giving a little background. Personally, if a 10 year old is allowed in the club or not is no skin off my nose. I'm only trying to answer questions here, not case debates.

And the answer is not always "yes". Sometimes it's "no" (just not on the cruises you've been on).

 

[elvispursley]

Thanks for all the replies! My youngest son is used to hanging out with his brother and his older friend and is pretty mature for his age. It also doesn't help that he and his brother are very tall for their ages and look "older"--which was another issue in the younger kids club: they stood out like sore thumbs! Like a few have said, and my DH and I have discussed, there is a huge difference in interest/maturity level in ages 8-11 than grouping them with the under 6 crowd. But it is what it is. I'm hoping that Edge will be less crowded since we're traveling during "off-season"; but then again, it is the last Halloween cruise, too

So for those of you who have moved your 10 yr-old up, did you register them for the Oceaneer's club online and then talk to the registration desk in the cruise terminal or did you have to go up to Edge? Sorry, I'm one of those must-have-all-the-details-months-ahead-of-time mom's

 

[arlopop]

Thanks for all the replies! My youngest son is used to hanging out with his brother and his older friend and is pretty mature for his age. It also doesn't help that he and his brother are very tall for their ages and look "older"--which was another issue in the younger kids club: they stood out like sore thumbs! Like a few have said, and my DH and I have discussed, there is a huge difference in interest/maturity level in ages 8-11 than grouping them with the under 6 crowd. But it is what it is. I'm hoping that Edge will be less crowded since we're traveling during "off-season"; but then again, it is the last Halloween cruise, too

So for those of you who have moved your 10 yr-old up, did you register them for the Oceaneer's club online and then talk to the registration desk in the cruise terminal or did you have to go up to Edge? Sorry, I'm one of those must-have-all-the-details-months-ahead-of-time mom's

That's exactly what we did. Registered our 10yr old for the club and then checked about letting him in Edge on board. Just wanted the option for him (he was actually leery about it.) He looked in on it with us and said he would try it. From then on we couldn't get him out. Met friends and hung out playing games and being buddies. I could see it not working for some kids but if the maturity is high enough and your comfort is as well it can work.

 

[elvispursley]

This has been super helpful! I figure it doesn't hurt to ask and if they say "no", well, we're no worse off then we were last cruise. But I have visions dancing in my head of having time just a moment of alone-time with DH in the "adults-only" section while my kids are off having adventures of their own! hehe

 

[FigmentSpark]

You could tell them they have to spend a little time there, like an hour a day or something like that. It might make it bearable for them and they might make friends that way. You'll get that alone time, as well.