Hi there, Lindsay! How exciting to be planning your son's first Disney Cruise. My pals and I are so happy to help.
My very first Disney Cruise was when my daughter was three and I had some similar concerns. I'd love to give you my best tips so that you can enjoy an
adult-exclusive dining experience while your little one gets to play!
I recommend that you stop by
Disney's Oceaneer Club on the afternoon of your first day onboard for an
Open House. This is a time you can enter the youth activity spaces with your son. It provides a great opportunity for you to meet the Counselors, ask questions, and for your son to get excited about and feel familiar with the offerings that are just for him. The Open House hours and operating hours for Disney's Oceaneer Club and Disney's Oceaneer Lab will be listed in the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and you'll have access to this information once you step aboard the ship.
On the day of your dining reservation, it's a good idea to make sure your son has had a meal before you drop him off. There will be plenty of dining options onboard to choose from, including complimentary
room service. As you plan ahead for his meal time, you can reference opening hours for all dining options and take a peek at the menus from the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. At this time, meals and snacks are not served in Disney's Oceaneer Club or Lab.
When you take your son to Disney's Oceaneer Club, speak with the Counselor as you check him in about your plans. Let them know you will be enjoying a dining reservation. This extra information can be helpful for them. You can also let your server for your dining reservation know that you have a child in the youth club that may be wary of being separated. They can do their best to speed up the service if you'd like them to do so.
If you do get a notification that your son would like to be picked up, it is up to you how quickly you would like to make your way down to check on him. You may wait between courses and pop down to say hello and encourage your child to stay a while longer. If you feel it is necessary that your son be picked up, you could request your final dishes to go if necessary. Your server will want you to have the best experience possible and will help you however they can.
I highly recommend all of the adult-exclusive dining experiences onboard the ship. My husband and I make an effort to dine at
Palo at least once every time we set sail. It's my wish that you can enjoy a very relaxing meal while your son has an amazing time playing games, interacting with the excellent cruise staff, and enjoying the immersive environments in the youth spaces onboard.
I know that every child is different, but my kids have LOVED their experiences onboard at every age. I hope the same for you! I always look forward to both the time I spend with my kids on the ship and the time I get to spend relaxing while they are happily at play.
Have a wonderful sailing, Lindsay! Please cruise back to planDisney if you have any further questions. We'd love to see you again!
Adrianna