Welcome aboard, Marla! Disney Cruise Line has the best
Youth Clubs at sea! The first time we sailed, my husband and I worried about the kids thinking we were abandoning them when we dropped them off in the clubs so we could go enjoy some of the Adult Exclusive venues. However, we quickly found out that they had the most magical times in the clubs and we had to beg them to go when we came to pick them up!
My daughter was so thrilled when she was finally old enough to join in on the
tween fun at Edge. She popped in for the ice breaker activities that first night and had new best friends before the evening was over. There is no Oceaneer Band for entry at Edge, as the kids just check in with the counselors there. However, my daughter and many others do wear the Oceaneer Band anyway because kids up to age 12 can participate in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab activities too. Since Edge is for 11 - 14 year olds, half of those kids are fortunate enough to get to go to the Club, Lab and Edge, depending on which activities sound best to them! So, if your kiddos fall in that 11 to 12 year-old range, register them during your online check-in for Oceaneer Club so they get Oceaneer Bands, and then they'll be free to go back and forth.
One thing to mention, though, is that while the Edge kids can come and go as they please, they will need to be checked in and out by a parent at the Club and Lab unless you sign a self check-out form for your older child when you first arrive. I forgot to do that on our last sailing, so I got a worried text from my daughter when she was trying to leave the Club to get to her favorite activity in Edge and couldn't go! I quickly popped down to sign permission and she was off with her friends to Edge!
I hope that helps as you plan, Marla!
Marcy