Question on bumping age groups in kids clubs

[epjenk]

When we sail next year my boys will be 3 1/2 and 5 1/2. I know the 5 yr old can bump down into the 3-4 yr old group so they can stay together and thrill the little one. What I wondered is whether you have to decide on an age group and stick with it? I was thinking that it would be nice for them to be together in the club and make the three year old more at ease, but if there is a particular activity in the older group that the 5 yr old would enjoy, could I sign him into that group for that activity? I know I can't ask the counselors to switch him back and forth for each activity, but could I do it when I sign him in?

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

The Passporter Guide says this: Kids may participate in an older age group in they are within one month of the minimum age for that group, but older kids cannot join younger groups. Hope this helps.

 

[JenLynn]

No, you can't switch back and forth between activities .. at least according to the CM's who helped us on our cruise. My DD was 4 1/2 on our recent cruise and DS is 6. We asked that DD be bumped up to be with her brother and they told us that she could be bumped up but if there was an issue and they moved her back to the 3-4 group (either through their action or ours) then she would have to stay in 3-4 and couldn't bounce between the 2.

And as a side note, the CM's were very good about trying to make sure the children were in a group where they would be both comfortable.

HTH!
JenLynn

 

[tkd lisa]

You can bump your child down a bit. I'm not sure if they'll let you go down 1 1/2 years, especially at that age. Other parents might have a concern with a just turned 3 year old being in the same group as a nearly 6 year old. But you can ask. They will most likely allow it on a trial basis, but require the child to go into their age group if the counselors' feel it's best.

And no, you can't bounce back and forth between the two groups. Once you've decided where you want them, they stay in that group for the entire cruise.

 

[ivanova]

Originally posted by KYCruiseCrazy
The Passporter Guide says this: Kids may participate in an older age group in they are within one month of the minimum age for that group, but older kids cannot join younger groups. Hope this helps.

Don't know why DCL states this, because they DO allow kids to move down to younger groups, but they do NOT allow kids to bounce back & forth.

 

[kcashner]

Basically, you got the rules here. A child can move up IF they are within 30 days of the birthday that puts them in the older group. They can move down with parent and counsellor. However, they cannot move back once they move down.

I would suggest that you start with the kids in their "age appropriate" groups. They will both be in the Club...just in different groups within the club. Then, if that doesn't work out for you/them, you could choose to move the older one down.

 

[Mjasp]

I would put the 5 yr old in his appropriate age group, at night all the ages are together to watch the movie. That is more likely when the little one will look for security.