Hello, Josephine! Thank you for visiting planDisney with your question as you prepare for your upcoming cruise.
It's true that Disney Cruise Line just updated the age policy for
Disney's Oceaneer Club and
Disney's Oceaneer Lab. For cruises departing on or after December 21, 2023, these youth spaces will now be open during secured programming to cruisers aged 3-10.
I have to just commiserate with you for a minute. I have an eleven-year-old who is sad about the age policy change that is going into effect. As a mom, I tried my best to comfort her and to remind her that she would still be able to play in Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab during
Open House times the next time we cruise.
Your son will be invited to join in the fun at
Edge, the hangout for tweens ages 11-14 on the ship. The Crew Members that run the activities in Edge are great at getting the kids to interact and get to know one another. On the first night of the sailing, they typically hold icebreaker activities. I recommend that your son swing by to make some friends.
Once you are onboard the ship, I encourage you to look over the Daily Activity Schedule within the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app often. All of the activities will be listed, including the Open Houses in the youth spaces that I mentioned. You may even see that there will be a time when the kids in Edge "invade" parts of Disney's Oceaneer Club and your son can do some of the activities he was looking forward to.
I'm wishing you and your family a happy sailing and happy holidays!
Adrianna