Welcome aboard, Jennifer!
Thanks for bringing this great question to our planDisney cruise crew – I hope it means that you’re planning a
Disney Cruise Line vacation sometime very soon. The youth clubs are such a special part of these adventures, and I’m happy to share the details of how to have your kids signed up and ready to go have some fun! There are different spaces onboard distinguished by age so that the environment, activities, and peer group are appropriate for each developmental stage of your children.
“it’s a small world” nursery is intended for children ages six months (or one year, depending on itinerary requirements) to three years old. This specialized care must be reserved once onboard, on a first-come, first-served basis during the Open House hours or anytime throughout your cruise. There is a fee for this service, and it cannot be cancelled within four hours of the reservation time.
The Oceaneer Club and
Oceaneer Lab are designed for children from ages three to twelve years old. These sprawling spaces offer smaller themed rooms for art, gaming, science projects, connections with youth counselors, character interactions, and imaginative play in immersive themes. You can pre-register children up for these spaces during your cruise’s
online check-in process;
that date will vary based on your Castaway Club Member status. You can finalize this registration at the departure port and visit the spaces during Open House hours to take a tour, have questions answered, and be assured that your child will find their own special place when they enjoy time here on your cruise. You may also wait until you are onboard to register your children at the front desk in person at the Oceaneer Club.
There are several
cool hangout spaces for tweens and
teens on each ship, but these do not require a separate registration process. You can visit during an Open House, and your child can also introduce themselves to the youth counselor team and have any questions answered. The first day is a great time to attend any icebreaker events held so they can connect with friends early in the sailing; there are often teams formed that hold throughout the cruise for cumulative points during friendly competitions. At this age, the kids are allowed to come and go from the youth spaces on their own rather than a parent formally checking them out. My family sets boundaries for my son as to where he can roam or when to meet us, and he enjoys a safe taste of independence that isn’t as possible back on land in our reality.
My son has had so many fun times onboard in the Oceaneer Club, Oceaneer Lab, and now Edge. These comfortable spaces for him also allow my husband and I to enjoy some
adults-exclusive dining knowing our son is having a blast in a safe space on vacation. When we reconnect, there are many stories to share!
I hope this helps you plan your kids’ upcoming adventure at sea, Jennifer. Please let us know how else we can help you make the most of your Disney Cruise Line vacation.
Wishing you a magical cruise,
Amy