Camp Ocean Sharks (9-11) Scavenger Hunts

[SERK]

Our daughter will be entering the CO Sharks on our cruise next month as she is now 9 years old.  I've read where they go on Scavenger Hunts in this age group and they can also sign in/out themselves with parent permission.  Do they NEED this permission in order to participate in the Scavenger Hunts?

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Yes they do. They go on the hunts in groups of about 3, without a councilor. 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Also, the hunt is a good way for them to get to know a couple of friends.  They do one the first day. 

 

If you allow it, go over rules carefully before hand. 

[SERK]

We may have to go over some rules if we give her permission to sign out such as only for the scavenger hunts.  Thanks for the info.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

24 minutes ago, SERK said:

We may have to go over some rules if we give her permission to sign out such as only for the scavenger hunts.  Thanks for the info.

You can give and withdraw permission also, if you feel that is needed.  You can change it back and forth as much as you like.

 

Also, if you give her a smartphone to use for the cruise (it can be any old one lying around that can use wi-fi, it doesn't have to have cellular service on it), you can instruct her to ask your permission via the hub chat before signing herself out.  

 

A bonus is that she can take pictures herself.  However, she'll have to have a pocket that she can keep it in.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

One more thing I should add...

 

The Sharks meet in other places around the ship, occasionally, as well.  I believe they would need sign out privileges to do these activities as well.  Not 100% sure on this, but if you see something on the schedule that does not meet in Camp Ocean, be sure to ask.

[Jamesatgsu]

23 hours ago, SERK said:

We may have to go over some rules if we give her permission to sign out such as only for the scavenger hunts.  Thanks for the info.

We have given our sons permission to sign themselves out for this very reason. Talk to the staff, and they will generally do their best to work with you. I haven't had any issues with giving mine permission, but we also have messaging on board to keep track of each other, which I recommend. It is only $5/per person for the entire cruise, and it just has to have wi-fi, so you can use an old phone without service if concerned about them losing or breaking it. Once night owls starts, you will have to come get them even if they have permission.

 

22 hours ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

One more thing I should add...

 

The Sharks meet in other places around the ship, occasionally, as well.  I believe they would need sign out privileges to do these activities as well.  Not 100% sure on this, but if you see something on the schedule that does not meet in Camp Ocean, be sure to ask.

No, they do not need permission. There are times Sharks have to be signed out (Around 4) while not in Port, and they will have to be dropped back off (earliest is at dinner, which is around 6 in the Lido, but can be very hard to spot them hidden in the corner, or upstairs if they have upstairs seating). But moving from Dinner to Camp Ocean or to the Conference Room or Circle C or the Dance Club, they'll be escorted by staff and no need to sign in and out. Be mindful of the schedule (it is available in the Carnival Hub if you don't have the paper copy), as it will tell you where they should be.  On the 3 cruises I've taken my kids, the Sharks have rarely met in Camp Ocean. Carnival does a terrible job having adequate space for 3 age groups because at best Camp Ocean is split into 2 rooms. My best experience involved them combining Sharks & StingRays into Circle C and Circle C in with O2 (Dream in 2017). Otherwise they mostly seem to stay in the Conference Room.