Explorer of the Seas with a 3 year old

[Doglady]

Has anyone cruised recently with a 3 year old on the Explorer of the Seas? Could you tell me how the Adventure Ocean activies were and just how everything turned out. Thanks in advance!

[#1TravelMom]

We just disembarked form the 6/7/12 sailing. My daughter was in the age 6-8 group, but the rooms are beside each other so I could see what the little ones were doing each day.

 

The hours vary each day. I will list some of the names of the activies - but, I have no idea what some of them are. Each session - morning, afternoon, and evening each have a theme.

 

Samples:

Cartoon Chaos: Where's Dora, Jelly Fishing with Patrick Star, Wiggles Dance Party, Let's Make Blues Clues Paws, Backyardigan's Obstacle Course.

 

Superhero Night: Cape Creation, Face Painting, Super Heros Test - High Jump, Long Jump, Walk the Line.

 

Clowning Around: Face Painting, Crazy Clown Dancing, Circus Dress Up, Pin the Nose on the Clown.

 

Luau Beach Party: The Limbo, Lei Making, Wave Ball, Sharks and Minnows, Wacky Water Workshop.

 

Beach Blast: Sand Volcano, Let's Make Picture Frames, Parachute games, Bury the youth staff.

 

Animal Actions: Rooster tag, Get Buggy, Animal Charades, Paper bag Puppets, Copy Cat, Duck Duck Goose, Crocodile, Crocodile

 

Little People Birthday party: Birthday Cards, Crownmaking, Musical Colors, Pass the Parcel, hokey pokey, Chicken Dance, Pin the Candle on the Cake

 

I will say that the kid's club facility is less than impressive. It is much smaller than any area we've seen. However, the staff is very friendly and made the activities lots of fun. Our DD really enjoyed herself.

 

I'm not sure if you are new to cruising. Some info just in case. You can check your child in and out for any time frame you choose. Sometimes our daughter likes to go for 45 minutes, sometime 2 or 3 hours. We just check on her every hour. Also, if your child doesn't seem to want to stay, let him/her fuss for a little while to make sure they want to leave. We often see children crying when the parents leave, but a few minutes later the staff has them joining in laughing with the others in no time.

[Doglady]

Thank you for all the info. We have been cruising for years and have taken our teen age and grown children. But now we have a grandson who will be 3 next year. He is very well behaved and loves to play with other children. I'm very pleased to hear that you liked the staff.

Thank you again for replying.

[#1TravelMom]

What ports are you visiting? We've taken our DD(Now 7) on 9 cruises so I have lots of good tips for ports. What month are you sailing?

[Stratus22]

I am taking my child on the Explorer as well in 2014. She will be 3 by then. We are going to Labadee, St. Martin, Bermuda and San Juan. My older one can't wait to get on the ship and she will be 6 at time of our first cruise!!

[Doglady]

We are sailing the 2nd week of February. Our ports are Port Canavral, nassau, Coco Cay. Any and all tips much appreciated.

Thank you so much.

[dorito6778]

we sailed with our 3yo this past February. she LOVED being in AO. she would beg us every chance she could for us to take her to "the club."

 

We didnt leave her much during the day, but we did almost every night after dinner. They had themed nights (super heroes, pirates, olympic night). They did face-painting and arts and crafts and took them on "walkabouts" where they would go around the ship as a group to visit something (like the cafe on the promenade). they always wound down the evening with story time too.

 

they do need to be fully potty trained, as NO ONE will help them in the bathroom. they will escort them to the bathroom, but stand outside.

 

here is a link to my review if it helps!