Ahoy, Crystal! Fresh from the christening cruise for the Disney
Dream, I can honestly tell you that this is one from which you're not going to want to wake! As for the Oceaneer's Club and Oceaneer's Lab...it's a place of wonder and discovery tailor-made for your kids and mine.
Since your cruise is already booked, you can proceed to the Planning Center and register your children for the Oceaneer's Club/Lab to get the essential information entered. On Embarkation Day, you'll want to swing by Deck 5 to complete the registration process at the Open House. Here is where you'll be briefed on procedures and have a chance to meet the counselors. As far as the organized activities, you and your kids will be able to plan and choose based on what is published in the daily Personal Navigator -- which you'll receive in your stateroom. However, there's plenty of free play, too. All the Youth Clubs aboard the Dream are drop-in except for It's a Small World Nursery -- reservations and an extra fee are required.
Let's see...my favorite tips about cruising with kids:
- Bring a pillow case, t-shirt or a hat with different colored Sharpies. Leave them at Guest Relations on Embarkation Day for characters to sign, and the item will be returned to you by the last day.
- Pack an inexpensive clear plastic shoe organizer and some magnetic hooks for the back of the bathroom door for toiletries.
- Keep track of teens/tweens by posting a magnetic white board on the family's stateroom door.
- Ask for the later dinner seating/early show time when you have young children. Feed them quick service before the show and book a reservation for the nursery for dinner. Or, you can ask your server to bring their meal during the appetizer and take them to the kids' clubs while the adults linger over the entree and dessert portions.
I hope this helps! Have a wonderful day and a magical vacation. Bon voyage!