kid club cliques?

[megann831]

We're going on our first cruise with kids in April. My daughter will have just turned 4 and my son will be a few weeks shy of 2, even if they bend the rules for him I'm not so sure he'd stay.

We'll be on Carinval Pride and I've heard great things about Camp Carnival. My daughter isn't very vocal, she's shy in that way, but she is usually pretty excited about trying new things, even the 1st few days of a new daycare she goes running off alone. I know alot of families do cruises as extended family vacations. We're going on Easter, so alot of schools will probably be out that week. Do many of the kids in the kids club already know other kids or do you think many will be in there and not know anyone like my daughter?

[SadieN]

The other kids will know those who they travel with. How many can that truly be? Not many families travel with a multitude of kids the same age.

 

Many times our DDs didn't know anyone or just the other kids we traveled with. Only once in many cruises did we run into a 'problem' on a cruise from our homeport over a school holiday weekend. Club02 on Carnival (HS age). The club was inundated by footballers and cheerleaders from the local HS. Our kids were in the band, lol.

[sailinglisa]

If you have the chance, do go to the orientation and first night get-together; it gives the kids and counselors a chance to get to know each other before the first full day of Camp. And sometimes friendships form that first night.

 

Also, there is no chance your less than 2 year old will be allowed into camp. Their liability insurance states the minimum age for CC is 2 years old; not 1 year and 364 days.

Edited December 31, 2013 by sailinglisa

[cb at sea]

Definitely take her to the very, first orientation night...that way, EVERYONE is a stranger! There are no "cliques" at that age!

 

They are pretty strict on ages...be prepared for that. Generally, the age you are when you board is the age they consider you to be for the entire cruise. Just a "heads up"!

[Lerin]

4 year olds have cliques now? Goodness, I thought this thread was going to be about teens.

During holidays and school breaks there can be up to 1000 kids on the biggest ships. There is no way all those kids know each other. Your daughter will be fine. :)

You son, on the other hand, will not be allowed in camp. You can go with him to the family playtime in the morning for an hour or so.

[Sparkygirl]

Even in extended family vacations it is very rare that the kids are of the same age and will be in the same group in the kids club. Carnival groups children in 3 ages 2-5, 6-8 and 9-11. We are purposely sailing now when our 3 children will be in 3 different age groups onboard the ship. I do not think that most of the kids will know each other and if you have experienced cliques among 4 year olds I would look at the parents. My 3 year old loves to meet new kids and draws them into playing with her.

[Athankfulheart]

I agree with what the other folks mentioned. We are a family of 10 ( mom, dad, 8 kids) PLUS we have other families traveling with us. Even with all of us, we only have 2 in each age group of camp. Where we do kind of create a "crowd" is in the teen club. We have 4! LOL . Luckily these are kind, outgoing and inclusive type teens, so they shouldn't contribute to any clique issues. I bet your daughter will be just fine. Heck, I would need some time to warm up to a room full of strangers. I am just not a "people person".

[Blk_Amish]

We're going on our first cruise with kids in April. My daughter will have just turned 4 and my son will be a few weeks shy of 2, even if they bend the rules for him I'm not so sure he'd stay.

We'll be on Carinval Pride and I've heard great things about Camp Carnival. My daughter isn't very vocal, she's shy in that way, but she is usually pretty excited about trying new things, even the 1st few days of a new daycare she goes running off alone. I know alot of families do cruises as extended family vacations. We're going on Easter, so alot of schools will probably be out that week. Do many of the kids in the kids club already know other kids or do you think many will be in there and not know anyone like my daughter?

 

I went to the roll call and checked if anyone was traveling with kids my age. I do the same in finding people who like to dance. My daughter walked on the elevator and was so surprise when someone said Hi Mikki. The roll call really helped even thought she is not shy just not as outgoing as her brother. They were buddies for the entire cruise.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Blk_Amish