If you’re thinking a Disney Cruise is only for children and children and more children, think again. Now, there are PLENTY of areas for kids, but Disney thinks of EVERYONE and knows that adults are also on their vacation and they make sure to take VERY good care of you too. Whether you’re adults traveling with kids, traveling alone, or on an adult-only trip, you may be surprised to see all the activities and adult only areas created especially for you.
Let's suppose you are a parent or grandparent that have brought your children to experience the magic of a Disney Cruise, there are oodles of programs and fun planned just for them. You can send your children and teens off to special programming in the coolest spaces, so there’s no need to feel guilty about dropping them off.
Let's start with what to do with those children you brought with you:
For the youngest children, It's a Small Work Nursery is dedicated to the youngest guests. Children from 6 months - 3 years old (or from 1 to 3 years old on Transatlantic and Panama Canal itineraries) can play games, make crafts, watch movies or even take a nap while you embark on adventures of your own. You can pre-book a select amount of nursery time, then book more upon availability once on board.
Let's suppose you are a parent or grandparent that have brought your children to experience the magic of a Disney Cruise, there are oodles of programs and fun planned just for them. You can send your children and teens off to special programming in the coolest spaces, so there’s no need to feel guilty about dropping them off.
Let's start with what to do with those children you brought with you:
For the youngest children, It's a Small Work Nursery is dedicated to the youngest guests. Children from 6 months - 3 years old (or from 1 to 3 years old on Transatlantic and Panama Canal itineraries) can play games, make crafts, watch movies or even take a nap while you embark on adventures of your own. You can pre-book a select amount of nursery time, then book more upon availability once on board.
For Children 3-12, Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab is the place to be. Upon boarding the ship on Embarkation Day, both children and parents must check in either in the cruise terminal or at the club/lab location on the ship. Parents will fill out final paperwork and children will receive a Disney Cruise Line Youth Activities wristband, which grants them access to both Disney’s Oceaneer Lab and Disney’s Oceaneer Club. You can decide at that time if you will allow your child to check themselves in/out of the club or if they will require a registered adult to do so. During this confirmation process, parents are invited to tour the facility, meet the counselors and learn more about the many activities offered. No adults, besides cast members are allowed within the clubs including the other designated clubs, Vibe (teens) and Edge (tweens), except during designated open house times.
Now, because while we were on the ship, it was open house times, there were a lot of kids and parents in the clubs. I did not want to be accidentally getting photos of kids, so my picture taking was limited.
We did NOT get a chance to visit Edge (11 - 14 yr olds), which bummed me slightly as this year will be the first year my daughter can go there. I will get photos during open house on our June cruise and add them to a later blog.
And yes, before you ask, Disney is very strict in honoring their age policies. It never hurts t ask if an 'on the edge of the next club level' is allowed to move to a different club, but do NOT assume they will allow it. Even if your friend that knows everything about Disney Cruises tells you otherwise, NEVER assume Disney will bend a rule for you (even if they did so in the past).
Now, because while we were on the ship, it was open house times, there were a lot of kids and parents in the clubs. I did not want to be accidentally getting photos of kids, so my picture taking was limited.
We did NOT get a chance to visit Edge (11 - 14 yr olds), which bummed me slightly as this year will be the first year my daughter can go there. I will get photos during open house on our June cruise and add them to a later blog.
And yes, before you ask, Disney is very strict in honoring their age policies. It never hurts t ask if an 'on the edge of the next club level' is allowed to move to a different club, but do NOT assume they will allow it. Even if your friend that knows everything about Disney Cruises tells you otherwise, NEVER assume Disney will bend a rule for you (even if they did so in the past).
Oceaneer Lab/Club: Ages 3-12
Vibe: Age 14-17
Part Two of this blog will be all about what adults are able to do now that we know where the children will be. Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for part Two.