Ahoy Mateys! A Parent's Guide to Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean Kids Club

Ahoy Mateys! A Parent's Guide to Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean Kids Club - Getting Onboard with Registration

Registration is one of the most important parts of your cruise planning when sailing with kids. Taking a few minutes to get signed up once onboard will make your entire vacation smoother, giving both you and your children peace of mind that they are accounted for while at activities.

For many cruisers, pre-booking kids club activities is now possible through Royal Caribbean’s online Cruise Planner. This allows you to reserve spots for your children in their age appropriate clubs and sign waivers ahead of time. However, you’ll still need to do the full registration process once onboard. Head to the Adventure Ocean desk as soon as you get on the ship. They will finalize paperwork, take photos of the kids for security purposes, and issue name tags or wristbands.

If you don’t pre-register, don’t worry. You can take care of the entire process at the Adventure Ocean registration desk on embarkation day. This may involve a bit of a wait time, so be sure to arrive early. Bring birth certificates for each child, as they are required for age verification. You’ll fill out health information, list any allergies or special needs, sign releases, and then receive the all-important wristbands or name tags. These name tags must be worn at all times in the kids clubs for safety and security.

Ahoy Mateys! A Parent's Guide to Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean Kids Club - The Different Age Groups and Activities

Royal Caribbean divides children into distinct age groups, each with their own dedicated areas and programming. This allows kids to be with peers at similar developmental stages, enjoying age-appropriate entertainment.

The littlest cruisers ages 6 months to 3 years are the Aquanauts. This group has a play area stocked with soft toys, books, and games. Parents can utilize hourly drop-off options, while nighttime babysitting is available for an extra fee. Activities include music time, sensory play, and arts and crafts. Simple toys and gentle entertainment are designed with toddlers in mind.

The 3-5 year old Explorers have access to an open play space encouraging imagination and movement. Dress-up clothes, building blocks, and miniature ride-on toys allow them to roleplay. Singalongs, storytime, and arts activities round out the fun. This age group starts to enjoy organized games as well. Counselors engage them with parachute play, relay races, and scavenger hunts.

Cadets are the 6-8 year olds. This high energy bunch stays active with sports like dodgeball and kickball held in the ship's basketball court. They can also opt for relay races or group games like freeze dance. For down time, board games, movies, and Playstation gaming stations are available. Special events and theme parties make every day unique.

The oldest group is the 9-12 year old Teens. Activities are tailored to tweens on the verge of adulthood. Karaoke parties, video game contests, and outdoor games let them socialize. Late night events like glow in the dark dodgeball and dance parties feel like grown-up fun. For chilling out, there are lounge areas with flatscreen TVs, magazines, and internet access. Counselors mix in activities like trivia, scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts.

Ahoy Mateys! A Parent's Guide to Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean Kids Club - Counselor Supervision and Ratios

When it comes to your kids' safety and enjoyment, counselor supervision ratios are vital. Adventure Ocean limits kids per counselor, allowing more personalized care and engagement. As a parent, you'll have confidence that your child is well supervised in a safe, structured environment.

Royal Caribbean follows or exceeds international standards for daycare staffing. Trained youth staff all undergo thorough background checks before being hired. Once onboard, they complete extensive training on child development, behavior management, safety protocols and more. These skilled counselors ensure that all children are accounted for and cared for.

For the littlest cruisers in the Aquanauts group, Royal Caribbean maintains a ratio of one counselor for every four children ages 6-24 months. The ratio expands to one counselor for every five kids ages 25-36 months. This allows infants and toddlers to receive plenty of individual attention. Counselors provide bottle feeding, diaper changes, and soothing for upset little ones.

The Explorers program keeps ratios small too. There is one counselor watching over every five children ages 3-5 years old. With preschoolers' short attention spans, small groups enable counselors to initiate plenty of activities and playtimes. Kids aren't left waiting around and behavior stays under control.

Among the high-energy Cadets age 6-8, the ratio increases slightly to one counselor per eight children. There is still close supervision, however, during active games or while navigating around the ship. Counselors skillfully engage this age group with team building challenges.

For the independent Teens, supervision ratios expand to one counselor monitoring approximately ten kids ages 9-12. Social events are well-chaperoned, yet tweens gain a sense of freedom. Counselors strike a balance between oversight and allowing age-appropriate independence.

Across all kids clubs, counselors conduct regular head counts and roll calls. Children wear identifying wristbands and name tags at all times too. Security cameras provide an extra layer of protection. Counselors swiftly escort children to meet parents for pickup or drop-off as well.

Ahoy Mateys! A Parent's Guide to Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean Kids Club - Late Night Group Babysitting Option

After a long day of activities, both kids and parents need some time to unwind on a cruise. That’s where Adventure Ocean’s Late Night Party Zone comes in. This group babysitting service allows parents to enjoy a romantic late dinner or show while children play within their age groups until as late as 2 a.m.

Offered nightly on sea days for an extra fee, the Late Night Party Zone is like a slumber party at sea. Don’t expect kids to actually get any sleep, though! Counselors organize games, crafts, movies and themed events tailored for each age bracket. The littlest cruisers even get cots for resting when they tucker out. With kids' clubs closed for regular business at this hour, the late night group babysitting creates a special environment. New friendships form and kids feel excited to stay up way past their bedtime.

Over on the Oasis class ships, Late Night Party Zone spans multiple locations to accommodate each age group. The teens take over the entire Living Room space for karaoke dance parties. Explorers and Aquanauts play in the Adventure Ocean facilities, while Cadets dominate the sports court for dodgeball tournaments. On smaller vessels, the parties utilize the same Adventure Ocean rooms but stagger activities by age.

Parents rave about how wonderful it is for their kids. One mom said, “My daughter had the time of her life at the slumber parties and didn’t want to leave!” A father added, “The late night option let us enjoy comedy shows without worrying about getting the kids to bed early.”

While not a full-service babysitting with bedtimes enforced, the Late Night Party Zone allows parents a kid-free evening. The reasonable $7 per hour, per child fee seems like a bargain compared to staying out late at home and hiring an individual babysitter. As a bonus, counselors ensure everyone brushes their teeth and changes into PJs before pickup. Some parents even use this timeslot on port days, with kids playing onboard while they explore destinations.

A few tips can make the experience go smoothly. Sign up on the first day, as spots fill quickly. Triple check the pickup time and location when dropping off. Pack kids' toothbrushes and PJs in their backpacks so they're ready for bed after pickup. Letting kids sleep a bit later the next morning helps too. With planning, the late night group babysitting becomes a win-win for parents and children alike.

Ahoy Mateys! A Parent's Guide to Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean Kids Club - Where to Find the Kids Clubs on the Ship

Knowing where to find the kids clubs is key to making the most of Adventure Ocean programming. With activities scheduled morning to night, you’ll be dropping off and picking up children from their dedicated facilities multiple times a day. Familiarizing yourself with the layout and location saves time and avoids frustration.

On Royal Caribbean’s largest Oasis-class ships, Adventure Ocean spans over 18,000 square feet. These mega ships have purpose-built kids areas across multiple decks. The most expansive kids zone is on Allure and Symphony of the Seas. Here, babies through tweens are grouped by age across three decks. The openspace Aquanauts room for ages 6-36 months is on Deck 5, while the Explorers age 3-5 room lies on Deck 14. Teen spaces like the Living Room and video arcade are on Deck 15, with the Cadets and more Explorer rooms in between on Deck 14.

Even on smaller Radiance or Voyager class vessels, Adventure Ocean still rates its own deck. Popular locations are Deck 12 aft, or Deck 11 midship. Dividing facilities by age group keeps things orderly. Nursery rooms for babies and tots are separate from the high-energy dance space for teens. Signage clearly labels each area by name like “Explorer Ocean” or “The Living Room.” Segmenting kids not only by age, but giving them their own dedicated rooms ensures safety. Younger children don’t mix with older ones, and those with food allergies stay away from snack areas.

Within each age-appropriate room, colorful murals and neon lighting create energy. Open layouts have designated zones for building, pretend play, sports, arts, gaming and more all within view of counselors. For easy wayfinding, interactive touchscreens located in the clubs show that day’s activity schedule and deck plan maps. Other kid-friendly touches include low sinks, tiny furniture and bathrooms nearby.

On port days or evenings, Adventure Ocean really comes to life. The Studio B ice rink becomes an open play space for hockey, tag and even glow in the dark dance parties. Kids get exclusive use of the sports courts for dodgeball tournaments and free play. Out on the deck, the kids-only Splashaway Bay and Adventure Ocean Wipeout areas open when the crowds thin. Teens claiming the FlowRider surf simulator draw a lively crowd.

At night, groups expand into disco-lit lounge spaces for themed parties. There are also dedicated rooms on most ships for the Late Night Party Zone babysitting option. Parents appreciate the separate facilities that allow kids to play and make noise well past bedtime without cabin neighbors complaining. And kids love having run of areas usually off limits like Studio B and the teen lounge at night.

With each activity lasting 30-60 minutes on average, kids swap rooms and decks all day long. Savvy parents soon learn shortcuts between venues, like using the forward stairs versus midship elevators. They also take advantage of easy pickup and drop-off at ports; clubs located aft or midship are quick stops before and after your shore excursion.

Ahoy Mateys! A Parent's Guide to Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean Kids Club - What's Included in the Price of Cruise

Unlike a land-based resort, the base price of a cruise includes far more than just your accommodations. Savvy cruise travelers take advantage of the abundant inclusions to maximize value. Here’s a look at what’s bundled into cruise fares and why it matters.

Meals often represent travelers’ largest daily expense on land. But at sea, food is one major necessity covered in cruise prices. Main dining rooms, buffets, cafes and snack bars all provide complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner and casual bites. With meals included, you won’t rack up big restaurant tabs like on other vacations. Beverages like water, iced tea, coffee and juice are also free. One cruiser said, “Not having to budget and pay for meals made our cruise so affordable.”

Similarly, a variety of onboard entertainment is folded into cruise rates. Broadway-style shows, comedy acts, live music and guest performers provide nightly amusement without added cost. According to Emily S., “The entertainment lineup kept us delighted every evening at no extra charge.” Activity fees common at resorts, like for fitness classes or mini golf, don't exist on ships.

Cruise prices usually include access to lively lounges, theaters, pools, slides, gyms and more. Families especially appreciate open admissions to youth clubs for kids, rather than paying hourly babysitting fees. Port taxes and basic gratuities are also built into upfront cruise pricing. Jennifer L. said, “With entertainment, food and most facilities pre-paid, we just focused on enjoying our vacation.”

Cruiselines bundle these inclusions as a convenience and money saver for guests. Pre-paying for necessities via the cruise fare allows travelers to budget accurately. It also streamlines onboard purchases to cashless accounts. According to Lucas C., “Not constantly needing to pull out my wallet for everyday expenses was wonderful.”

Ahoy Mateys! A Parent's Guide to Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean Kids Club - Special Events and Theme Nights

Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean kids clubs liven up each cruise with special events and themed parties. These exclusive activities make every day unique, avoiding the "same old" routine. Kids look forward to the surprises in store, from pirate adventures to superhero training. Parents appreciate the effort to keep children engaged and excited during long voyages.

According to mom Katrina P., "My kids started each morning by checking the schedule to see the event of the day. Even my normally shy child came out of his shell during the dance parties!" Younger kids especially delight in the costumes, music and decorations that transform their clubs into new experiences. Whether it's a jungle safari, circus show or detective mystery, themes spark imagination. Six year-old Timothy said, "I loved becoming a secret agent for the day and solving clues!"

Older kids feel part of an exclusive club when special teen events roll around. Glow-in-the-dark laser tag, Splat Tag or 3D gaming tournaments happen late into the night. For tweens on the verge of adolescence, these VIP happenings make them feel grown up and independent. Twelve year-old Chloe told us, "I can't wait to be a teen to hang out in the lounge without parents." Parents certainly benefit from periodic kid-free evenings as well.

According to counselors, themes nights also aid child development and relationship building. Younger kids practice social skills like sharing and compromise during cooperative play. Older kids bond over friendly competition and teamwork. Nine year-old Tyler said, "I made lots of new friends at Game Night when we played huge versions of Connect Four and Jenga." Whether they are working together or facing off, theme events teach valuable soft skills.

Of course, parties also mean sweets, snacks and silliness. From edible art projects to ice cream socials, no celebration is complete without treats. Counselors balance the sugar highs with organized physical activities too. Kids also return home with event keepsakes like face paint, crafted treasures and photos. Mementos become cherished souvenirs of their cruise.

Ahoy Mateys! A Parent's Guide to Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean Kids Club - Tips For First Time Families

For families new to cruising, Royal Caribbean's kids clubs can seem daunting at first. Adventure Ocean is far more extensive than a basic shipboard babysitting service. With registration, age groups, counselors and scheduled activities, the program has a learning curve. Plus, turning over your children to cruise staff takes trust. However, Adventure Ocean quickly wins over apprehensive parents. After one sailing, first timers wonder how they ever cruised without it! Here's what newbies need to know to make the most of kids clubs right from the start.

According to mom of two Michelle S., "I was nervous to leave my kids on the first day. But the counselors' energy and organization put me at ease." She said that checking in consistently and meeting staff is key. Know the location and hours of your child's club and feel comfortable in the space. Initially, utilize the generous open house times to settle kids in while parents supervise nearby. Father of one Josh L. advised, "We let our son get familiar with the room, toys and counselors before leaving him for intervals."

Many parents use two-way radio devices or cruise ship apps so staff can immediately reach them when needed. Mom Amanda C. said, "Having that direct contact made me more confident in case of any issues like homesickness or minor injuries." She gradually built up to leaving her seven year old for a full morning or afternoon. Tracking the activity schedule also prevents surprises. Kids are accounted for during organized events like sports or crafts.

Interaction goes both ways too. Dad Mark P. said, "We made an effort to get to know our son's counselors and let them know a bit about his personality and needs." Providing information about your child's food allergies, separation anxiety, bathroom habits or any special needs is wise. Check the posted activity calendars so you can ask questions later and reinforce lessons. According to Susan D., "Discussing my daughter's day with her counselor at pickup helped me see how much she learned about taking turns, listening and social skills."