Ahoy, Lisa!
It sounds like you are looking forward to setting sail with the cutest captain and crew on the high seas, Captain Mickey and his seafaring gang!
You've asked an excellent question, Lisa and I'm happy to fill you in. All Guests do receive "Key to the World" cards during check-in at the cruise terminal. For the younger sailors in your family, they won't be needed for much, but will serve as their cruise ID. Each Guest is required to present their "Key to the World" when embarking and disembarking the ship. When my children were younger, I always carried around their cards in my lanyard so they didn't get misplaced. As they got older and became more responsible, they began carrying them around in their own lanyard.
If your little one is between 3 and 12, he or she will receive an Oceaneer Band that will be their "key" to all the fun in the
youth spaces. It looks similar to a MagicBand, but will be locked with a small circular clasp that keeps it secure during the cruise. The Oceaneer Band is waterproof and works using Radio Frequency technology so all your child's information is linked to their individual wristband. The technology is activated once the band is tapped on the Mickey head at the entrance of the space, and the youth counselors can use the band to locate them anywhere in the club or lab once they are there. There is no fee for the Oceaneer Band, but it can be kept as a souvenir for around $13.00. If the band is not turned in by closing on the final night of the cruise, it will be charged to your stateroom account. (My son has an Oceaneer Band collection and can still remember which ones he wore on our different cruises!) The bands can be picked up in the terminal or in the Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab once you are onboard.
Lisa, thank you for sailing by! Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Nancy