If you think that sailing on Disney Cruise Line, will be a ship full of kids, you're partially correct, but Disney boasts so many activities for children and teens, making the majority of spaces aboard serene and quiet. Seriously, not to mention all of the areas exclusive to adults. I always chuckle on the second or third last day of the cruise when all the kids come out of the children's clubs and they're as white as ghosts, mainly because their parents cannot get them OUT of the clubs, that's how much fun they have!
Security is Disney's first item on the list. You can be certain that your children will be fully and closely supervised. Disney does not take security for children lightly. Highly skilled, and trained counselors are present with a ratio of 1:6 (one counselor for every six children of toddler age), one counselor for every fifteen kids aged 3-4, and one counselor for every twenty-five kids aged 5-12.
Disney Cruise Line offers a tight security program allowing each counselor to know where each child is at any given time. Once kids are checked into 'Youth Activities' (register on-line, or soon after you board the ship), kids are required to sign in when entering, and sign out when exiting. An authorized guardian MUST drop off the child and MUST pick up the child. At check in, the child is given and must wear an electronic wrist band which aids with checking in and exiting. Parents are instructed on how to operate their personal Wave Phones (found in all staterooms) and can be reached in a moments notice should anything arise or even if their child just wants to see their parents.
Cleanliness on any Disney ship is paramount and the policy extends here too. Children entering any program are asked to wash their hands, all areas are cleaned thoroughly three times a day with a deep cleaning at the end of the day.
Children's clubs are generally divided by age group, but kids between ages 3-12 can either play in the Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab and friends and siblings travelling together can still be together regardless of age, making all feel comfortable. Parents are also welcome to come in and play with their children if that's what they want. I know that with my autistic son, I always take him in and stay with him so that he can enjoy some fun without inconveniencing or disturbing others. Often times, however, upon speaking to the Special Needs Coordinator, some accommodations have been made for my son with a counselor.
There is no fee for the children's clubs but there is an hourly fee for the nursery. I will list each club and describe each a little bit just to give you an idea. The kids clubs are open from 9 a.m. to midnight everyday and offer your children lunch and dinner if necessary.
Flounder's Reef Nursery (Disney Magic and Disney Wonder)
It's a Small World Nursery (Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy)
These areas are for children aged 3 months to 3 years of age. There is a minimal hourly fee for this service and on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, Flounder's Reef Nursery offers two rooms, one being a quiet room, conducive for napping or resting where they even have cribs and the other room more activity based. They offer story-telling, movies, games, and really operate based on the mood of your child.
Oceaneer Club (ages 3-12, generally)
Disney Imagineers leave no stone unturned and they've made this club a marvel to be in. On the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the theming is a pirate based adventure land. On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the theming is from Toy Story and Monsters Inc. Here you will also find many computers with age appropriate games and educational tools as well as dress up areas for all children.
Oceaneer Lab (ages 3-12)
The Oceaneer Lab is geared all around exploration, discovery and adventure. Here kids can play games, watch Disney movies, do safe and supervised lab experiments and have a lot of fun. On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the Oceaneer Lab has differently themed sections such as the Media Room, where kids can read a book or watch a Disney movie, the Animator's Studio, where kids can learn how to create their own hand drawn characters or create a computer animation, with the aid of a counselor, the Wheelhouse where kids can have friendly competition on giant screens and play the exclusive Pirate's of the Caribbean Game, and Sound and Craft Studios where kids can create their own music and crafts.
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
The Edge (ages 11-14)
This club offers activities that interest kids of this age group, such as the most current video games, they can watch television, listen to music or surf the internet (age appropriate sites that are monitored). There are group activities offering opportunities for kids to make new friends.
The Vibe ( 14-17) Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy
The Stack Disney Magic, Aloft Disney Wonder
A very cool spot where kids can play video games, attend parties, and surf the internet. On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy they even have their own sundeck where they can sunbathe or take a dip in their own splash pool.
Security is Disney's first item on the list. You can be certain that your children will be fully and closely supervised. Disney does not take security for children lightly. Highly skilled, and trained counselors are present with a ratio of 1:6 (one counselor for every six children of toddler age), one counselor for every fifteen kids aged 3-4, and one counselor for every twenty-five kids aged 5-12.
Disney Cruise Line offers a tight security program allowing each counselor to know where each child is at any given time. Once kids are checked into 'Youth Activities' (register on-line, or soon after you board the ship), kids are required to sign in when entering, and sign out when exiting. An authorized guardian MUST drop off the child and MUST pick up the child. At check in, the child is given and must wear an electronic wrist band which aids with checking in and exiting. Parents are instructed on how to operate their personal Wave Phones (found in all staterooms) and can be reached in a moments notice should anything arise or even if their child just wants to see their parents.
Photo: courtesy Rechker Family
photo: jackiepsarianos
The Wave Phones, found in all staterooms.
Cleanliness on any Disney ship is paramount and the policy extends here too. Children entering any program are asked to wash their hands, all areas are cleaned thoroughly three times a day with a deep cleaning at the end of the day.
photo: jackiepsarianos
Hand washing station found at the entrance to any club.
Children's clubs are generally divided by age group, but kids between ages 3-12 can either play in the Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab and friends and siblings travelling together can still be together regardless of age, making all feel comfortable. Parents are also welcome to come in and play with their children if that's what they want. I know that with my autistic son, I always take him in and stay with him so that he can enjoy some fun without inconveniencing or disturbing others. Often times, however, upon speaking to the Special Needs Coordinator, some accommodations have been made for my son with a counselor.
Any signs of illness, even a runny nose, means no participation and you'll be summonded, it's only fair afterall. Preventing the spread of illness is strictly abided by. If your child becomes unruly, you'll have to either take your child out or stay with them. Do note, that this rarely happens as children have a lot of fun.There is no fee for the children's clubs but there is an hourly fee for the nursery. I will list each club and describe each a little bit just to give you an idea. The kids clubs are open from 9 a.m. to midnight everyday and offer your children lunch and dinner if necessary.
Flounder's Reef Nursery (Disney Magic and Disney Wonder)
It's a Small World Nursery (Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy)
These areas are for children aged 3 months to 3 years of age. There is a minimal hourly fee for this service and on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, Flounder's Reef Nursery offers two rooms, one being a quiet room, conducive for napping or resting where they even have cribs and the other room more activity based. They offer story-telling, movies, games, and really operate based on the mood of your child.
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
Flounder's Reef Nursery (Disney Magic and Disney Wonder)
On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, It's a Small World Nursery offers three distinct areas such as an acclimatization zone, helping children get used to the nursery setting, a second area features an active play area modeled after It's A Small World attraction, and the third room offers a quiet area for resting and napping.
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
photo: jackiepsarianos
photo: jackiepsarianos
Again, story-telling, dress-up, playing games and doing crafts are offered but they follow the temperament of your child.
Oceaneer Club (ages 3-12, generally)
Disney Imagineers leave no stone unturned and they've made this club a marvel to be in. On the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the theming is a pirate based adventure land. On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the theming is from Toy Story and Monsters Inc. Here you will also find many computers with age appropriate games and educational tools as well as dress up areas for all children.
photo: jackiepsarianos
Oceaneer's Club Disney Wonder and Disney Magic.
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
Oceaneer's Club Disney Wonder and Disney Magic.
photo: jackiepsarianos
Oceaneer Club Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
Oceaneer Club Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
photo above/below: DisneyCruiseLine
photo: jackiepsarianos
This Magical Playfloor is an industry first. It's an interactive floor with games tied to Cars, Princess and the Frog, The Streets of London-Peter Pan, Tron and A Bug's Life. You can even race a car like Lightning McQueen. It's 15' x 15' in size with sixteen light pads and twenty-eight monitors.
This club offers many activities such as Mouseketeer Training with a special visit from Mickey Mouse, and the kids have fun with Snow White doing a Do-Si-Do dance. They do, Who Wants to be a Pirate? Here they'll have Captain Hook telling swashbuckling stories and adventures and they also do Toy Story Boot Camp, where the Green Army Man leads fun activities. The club will provide lunch and dinner, if you wish.
Oceaneer Lab (ages 3-12)
The Oceaneer Lab is geared all around exploration, discovery and adventure. Here kids can play games, watch Disney movies, do safe and supervised lab experiments and have a lot of fun. On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the Oceaneer Lab has differently themed sections such as the Media Room, where kids can read a book or watch a Disney movie, the Animator's Studio, where kids can learn how to create their own hand drawn characters or create a computer animation, with the aid of a counselor, the Wheelhouse where kids can have friendly competition on giant screens and play the exclusive Pirate's of the Caribbean Game, and Sound and Craft Studios where kids can create their own music and crafts.
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
Animation Studio, Oceaneer Lab, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
photo: jackiepsarianos
The Edge (ages 11-14)
This club offers activities that interest kids of this age group, such as the most current video games, they can watch television, listen to music or surf the internet (age appropriate sites that are monitored). There are group activities offering opportunities for kids to make new friends.
photo: jackiepsarianos
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
photo: jackiepsarianos
The Vibe ( 14-17) Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy
The Stack Disney Magic, Aloft Disney Wonder
A very cool spot where kids can play video games, attend parties, and surf the internet. On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy they even have their own sundeck where they can sunbathe or take a dip in their own splash pool.
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
photo: DisneyCruiseLine
photo: jackiepsarianos
photo: jackiepsarianos
The Vibe's sundeck on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
It's no Wonder, or Dream, or Fantasy, or Magic, that Disney Cruise Line was voted the number one cruise line by Conde Nast!
Ahoy!
Wonderful post Jackie and thank you for all of the great photos. I hope to someday cruise with Disney and having this information is super helpful. You know, I think you would make a great addition to the Disney Moms Panel ;-)
ReplyDeleteSuz