Ahoy, Kristin!
There are so many benefits to families traveling aboard Disney Cruise Line like having the youth clubs included in the price of your cruise fare and the flexibility of being able to check your sailors in and out for secured programming each day. This includes port days when parents want to venture ashore by themselves. My kiddos have stayed on board several times when we've disembarked and have always had a blast enjoying all the fun in the
Oceaneer Club and
Oceaneer Lab.
The youth clubs will adjust their operating hours to accommodate early Port Adventures so you'll have plenty of time to drop off your Mouseketeers before disembarking. If your children are checked in for lunch and/or dinner, they will be fed, but breakfast is not served in the youth spaces. If you have an early excursion, you can pre-order
room service (look for a menu in the desk drawer that can be hung on your door knob before you turn in for the night) or head up to
Cabanas, one of the casual dining options onboard.
I've always felt comfortable leaving my kids in the youth spaces, Kristin. If you have any questions about it, please speak with the wonderful youth counselors once you are aboard. The first afternoon the club and lab offer Open House hours so this is the perfect time to explore the spaces as a family, take pictures of all the themed areas and get to know the counselors.
Thank you for cruising by with this great question! Please come back to "sea" us if you think of anything else!
Have a magical day!
Nancy