Ahoy, Helen! Welcome to planDisney. I'm so glad you cruised by with this question about fun for kids aboard
Disney Cruise Line. I was talking with a friend just yesterday about our mutual adoration of Disney cruises. She commented very specifically, "It was the first trip with kids when I felt like I got a vacation, too." I feel the same way. On the cruise, I always seem to get magical moments with my kids, quality time with my spouse, and space to recharge myself. There is so much on board for everyone.
Disney's ships have an
Oceaneer Club (and a few have an additional
Oceaneer Lab), which are dedicated play spaces for children ages 3 to 10. These amazing Clubs are designed to engage and entertain your kids, with controlled access and Youth Counselors who make their time magical.
Once you are on board and connected to the ship's wi-fi, the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will show the hours the youth spaces are open each day. The hours usually go well into the night for parents who want to enjoy the
nightclubs and lounges,
adult-exclusive dining or quiet time listening to the ocean's gentle waves.
Before my kids aged into
Edge and out of Oceaneer Club, they ate their dinner with us each night. Between our appetizers and entrees, we'd take them to the Club to play. They loved not having to stay at dinner too long, and we loved having time to savor our meals without feeling rushed by them.
One tip I learned: visit the Oceaneer Club when you first board the ship. Usually, on Embarkation Day, the youth spaces have an Open House. During this time, everyone is welcome to explore and play. Visiting with my kids first helped build excitement for the Club, so they were not anxious about going later in the cruise.
Helen, I hope this information is helpful, and you are ready to set sail aboard the most magical ship at sea. If you have any other questions,
planDisney is here for you!
SEAS the Adventure!
Jana