Ahoy and welcome to planDisney, Andrea! I am so happy you are here with your questions as you plan for your amazing adventure on
Disney Cruise Line. When my kids were Oceaneer-Club-age, I remember having to go to the Club so I could get them for dinner or just because I wanted to spend time with them.
Your youngest adventurer will have a great time in
Disney's Oceaneer Club. First, to your question specifically, there are Youth Counselors actively playing with the youth of all ages. You will see them in bright yellow polos with a navy blue stripe and navy pants or shorts. Their polos match their personalities: cheery, engaging, and super easy to pick out in a crowd. The Club has organized activities and free play, with kids participating as they want.
Some advice from my experience:
- Go to the Club during the Open House time the day you board. I have one child who is extremely social, the other is a bit more timid. Having time to explore during the Open House, when there are lighter crowds and with us with them, helped them know what awaited them on the other side of check-in. The first drop-off was less intimidating because they were familiar with the Club - and so was I.
- Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App each morning to see the times for specific organized activities and plan your times around them. You can get a glimpse into scheduled activities, such as character greetings, dance and play sessions, and making Flubber. It is helpful to know when to drop your child off for a specific activity so they will engaged instantly; these activities are great for making friends to play with after that activity has ended.
- Look for a Facebook group specific to your cruise. Every cruise seems to have at least one group for passengers to meet one another, share their tips, and celebrate milestones like windows opening for booking Onboard Activities and starting pre-arrival online check-in. You will most likely find other parents with the same hopes for their kids: finding others the same age so they have as much fun as the adults on board. In one Facebook group, we met parents with a son the same age as mine. We scheduled to do the same beach day Port Adventure and our two were inseparable the rest of the cruise. Many groups will suggest a meet-up on that first day (and if they don't you should). After the muster drill and just before dinner that first night is a great time for kids the same age to meet quickly and all go into the Club together for a short time.
- Talk with the Youth Counselors when you check your child in and out. As an adult, I was only allowed in long enough to collect my children, but I always felt like there were people paying attention to the kids, letting them play independently or in groups if that is what they wanted and encouraging them to join upcoming activities to let them know the options and feel encouraged to join.
My youngest just graduated from Oceaneers to
Edge and going through that transition recently confirmed what I love about Disney Cruise Line: they create age-appropriate environments that engage, excite, and care for the young cruisers.
Please come back to planDisney with any other questions.
Bon Voyage!
Jana