Adventure Ocean Questions

[tlmcma]

We will be leaving on the Rhapsody out of Galveston next week and will be taking our 3 1/2 yr old son with us. Could someone please answer some questions for me? My son generally does well with babysitters and goes to Sunday School class on his own - the problem is he ALWAYS cries for the first 10 minutes! It doesn't matter how many times he has been somewhere! Then if you sneak a look at him in a few minutes he is happily playing with the other kids and is always happy when we pick him up. I am concerned that the AO staff will not let us leave him if he tries to follow us out and is crying. Also, how easy is it for little kids to get out of the area? If no one was paying close attention to him I wouldn't put it past my son to open the door and try to come find us on his own! Did you find the area secure? I know my son will love the program but am afraid they won't give him a chance due to that initial reaction! Has anyone else experienced this and how did the staff handle it? Did anyone's preschool "escape" from the program's designated area? Thanks

[jgwolf]

Just got back from the Radiance with my 3 1/2 yr old and your son should be fine. They are used to kids like that and will give you a beeper if your son does not stop crying for you to come get him. There was another mother this haapened to on my cruise. The problem with this age is they are so active and my son by the end of the week was so tired from going and having less sleep than normal that he was more wild than he usually is. He had a great time an never not wanted to go the staff was good although they seemed a bit tired after the big spring break month. there is a gate that is up but the kids could run thru it . I think he will have a great time and take advantage of the 7-10 time at night to give yourself some time. Hope you have a great time

[boatbunny]

Don't worry at all, I think most kids are either a little teary or a little shy for the first few minutes. Last cruise our youngest was 3 and oldest was 6. They were in 2 different age groups so I was a little nervous that the younger one was going to have a tough time. No way! We came to get them around 9 and they both begged to stay til 10. We are cruising next week on Explorer, and both girls are reminding me every hour that the first thing we are doing when we board the ship is heading to Adventure Ocean to sign up!

 

The area is very secure, they watch the kids very carefully. You have to sign them in and sign them out, and there is only one way in and out. The group does not venture from the AO area except for prearranged events. There is one night the kids all go to Johnny Rockets together (you actually drop off at JR and the restaurant is closed to all others) and another night they have Pirate Night where the dress the kids up as pirates (think face paint) and they go on a parade through the dining rooms and Royal Promenade. But, there is a tone of staffers in the front, back and middle of the parade.

 

Definitely take advantage of the 7-10 pm timeframe. My kids will be doing it quite a bit next week, during the day they go on excursions with us.

 

Have a great trip!