Ahoy, Amy!
Thanks so much for cruising in with your question - I'm happy to help!
Disney Cruise Line's Youth Clubs are so great - a safe, fun place for young cruisers to stay and play while the adults in your sailing party enjoy all that a Disney Cruise Line vacation has to offer. Highly-trained Youth Counselors keep the kids engaged and entertained with games, activities, crafts, and even Disney Character interactions during their time in the clubs. My kids have grown up visiting the Youth Clubs, from "it's a small world" nursery! to Vibe, the teen club. We've had wonderful experiences, and my kids have made memories to last a lifetime.
Each Disney Cruise Line Youth Club is geared specifically for certain age ranges:
- "it's a small world" nursery! - ages 6 months to 3 years
- Oceaneer Club/Oceaneer Lab - ages 3 to 12 years
- Edge - ages 11 to 14 years
- Vibe - ages 14 to 17 years
While certain age restriction rules must be followed (no children under the age of 3 in the Oceaneer Clubs, and no cruisers 18 and up in Vibe), sometimes Youth Counselors will allow siblings/friends with "on the line" ages to be together with special permission. For example, my daughter was a few months shy of her 11th birthday, but wanted to be with her older sister in
Edge, the tween club. We spoke with the Youth Counselors and were able to sign a form allowing our girls to be together in the club. Your best bet is to meet with the Youth Counselors on embarkation day to discuss your particular situation - it never hurts to ask!
I hope this helps with your planning - please let us know if you have more questions before your Disney Cruise Line vacation! - Diane W.