Cruise Ship Kids Clubs: The Age Rules Parents Should Know

Cruise ship kids’ clubs sound simple… until you realise your children might not be allowed in the same one.

Most cruise lines split kids into strict age groups. Even siblings travelling together often have to go to different clubs.

That can be a problem if your kids only want to go as a pair. And it catches a lot of families off guard.

But here’s the surprising part.

A few cruise lines do make exceptions. And choosing the right one can make a big difference to how much your kids enjoy the cruise.

So which cruise lines are the most flexible… and which stick firmly to the rules?

1. Carnival Cruise Line

Kids Club: Camp Ocean

• Penguins: Ages 2-5
• Stingrays: Ages 6-8
• Sharks: Ages 9-11

Carnival’s Camp Ocean is a vibrant, ocean-themed kids club that engages children with interactive games, creative crafts, and educational programmes inspired by marine life. The club offers three distinct groups where kids can explore, learn, and make new friends through a variety of fun activities.

Carnival also offers Turtles, a programme for babies and toddlers aged 6 months to under 2 years, with limited supervised play sessions. These sessions are chargeable, unlike the main kids’ clubs which are included in the cruise fare.

Teen Programs:

• Circle “C”: Ages 12-14
• Club O2: Ages 15-17

For older kids, Circle “C” provides a space for pre-teens to socialise with dance parties and games, while Club O2 offers teens a cool hangout spot with music, movies, and video games.

In most cases, children must stay within their assigned age group. Carnival generally doesn’t allow kids to move between groups, so siblings in different age bands will usually attend separate clubs.

2. Royal Caribbean International

Kids Club: Adventure Ocean

• Aquanauts: Ages 3-5
• Explorers: Ages 6-8
• Voyagers: Ages 9-11

Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean offers a fun and educational environment with themed activities tailored to different age groups. Kids can participate in science experiments, arts and crafts, and adventure-themed games. 

Royal Caribbean also offers Royal Babies & Tots, a nursery for children aged 6–36 months. This service is chargeable, although some ships offer limited complimentary play sessions.

Children are usually required to stay within their assigned age group, although Royal Caribbean may occasionally allow siblings to move between groups depending on numbers and the ship’s policies.

Teen Programs:

• Social100: Ages 12-14
• The Living Room: Ages 15-17

These dedicated teen spaces feature karaoke, sports tournaments, video games and movie nights, along with lounges where teens can relax and socialise with others their age.

3. Norwegian Cruise Line

Kids Club: Splash Academy

• Guppies: Ages 6 months-2 years (with parents)
• Turtles: Ages 3-5
• Seals: Ages 6-9
• Dolphins: Ages 10-12

Norwegian’s Splash Academy is a dynamic and colourful space where kids can engage in creative play, sports, and educational activities. The club is divided into groups that cater to different age ranges, ensuring everyone has age-appropriate fun.

The Guppies programme is designed for babies and toddlers and requires a parent to stay with the child, as it’s not a drop-off nursery.

Children are usually expected to remain within their assigned age group, although staff may occasionally allow siblings to move between groups depending on numbers.

Teen Program:

• Entourage: Ages 13-17

Older kids can enjoy Entourage, a trendy hangout with video games, movies, and dance parties, providing a perfect spot for teens to meet new friends and have a great time.

4. Disney Cruise Line

Kids Club: Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab

• Oceaneer Club and Lab: Ages 3-10

Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab offer a magical experience with themed play areas inspired by beloved Disney characters and movies. Children can take part in storytimes, interactive games and imaginative play in highly immersive spaces.

Unlike most cruise lines, Disney doesn’t split younger children into multiple age groups. Kids aged 3 to 10 attend together, which means siblings are much less likely to be separated.

Until late 2023, 11- and 12-year-olds could choose between the Oceaneer Club and Edge, but Disney has since changed the rules so that Oceaneer is now strictly for ages 3–10, with 11–14-year-olds required to attend Edge instead (except during occasional open house sessions).

Disney also offers “It’s a Small World Nursery” for babies and toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years. This is a chargeable nursery service rather than a free kids’ club.

Teen Programs:

• Edge: Ages 11-14
• Vibe: Ages 14-17

Edge is designed for tweens with games, music and organised activities, while Vibe gives older teens their own lounge-style space to hang out, watch movies, play video games and socialise with others their age.

5. Princess Cruises

Kids Club: Camp Discovery

• The Treehouse: Ages 3-7
• The Lodge: Ages 8-12

Princess Cruises’ Camp Discovery, created in partnership with the Discovery Channel, offers a range of activities that spark curiosity and adventure. The program features themed crafts, games, and educational activities that cater to different age groups.

The programme is split into two main age groups so activities can be tailored to different stages of childhood. In most cases, children are expected to stay within their assigned age group.

Princess also offers group babysitting from around 10pm–1am for children aged 3–12, which usually costs about $5 per hour.

Princess Cruises doesn’t offer a nursery for babies and toddlers. Children under 3 can visit the kids’ club during open house sessions, but a parent must stay with them as drop-off care only begins from age 3.

Teen Program:

• The Beach House: Ages 13-17

The Beach House provides teens with a cool space to socialise, play video games, and participate in talent shows and dance parties, making it a hit among older kids.

6. MSC Cruises

Kids Club: MSC Kids Club

• Baby Club: Ages 1-3
• Mini Club: Ages 3-6
• Juniors Club: Ages 7-11

MSC Cruises’ kids programme, often called Doremiland, offers a wide range of activities designed for different age groups. Children can take part in arts and crafts, games, sports and dance competitions, with many activities created in partnership with LEGO.

The programme is divided into several age groups so activities are tailored to different stages of childhood. In most cases, children are expected to stay within their assigned age band.

The Baby Club caters to toddlers aged 1–3, although younger children usually need a parent to stay with them during activities.

Teen Programs:

• Young Club: Ages 12-14
• Teen Club: Ages 15-17

Teenagers can enjoy the Young Club and Teen Club, which provide spaces for socialising, playing video games, and participating in sports and dance events.

7. Holland America Line

Kids Club: Club HAL

• Kids: Ages 3-7
• Tweens: Ages 8-12

Holland America’s Club HAL youth programme offers a variety of supervised activities designed for different age groups. Younger children can enjoy storytelling, arts and crafts and games, while tweens take part in scavenger hunts, sports competitions and karaoke.

Children must usually be fully toilet trained to attend the kids’ club, and activities are organised by age group so kids can socialise with others their own age.

Teen Program: The Loft

• Teens: Ages 13-17

Teens have access to an exclusive lounge where they can join dance parties, video game tournaments, and themed events, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.

8. Celebrity Cruises

Kids Club: Camp at Sea

• Shipmates: Ages 3-5
• Cadets: Ages 6-9
• Captains: Ages 10-12

Celebrity Cruises’ Camp at Sea youth programme offers a wide range of activities designed to match children’s interests. Kids can take part in science experiments, art projects, games and team challenges, with more than 500 different activities available across the fleet.

The programme is divided into age groups so activities are appropriate for each stage of childhood, and children are normally expected to remain within their assigned group.

Celebrity also offers parent-attended sessions for toddlers under 3, but there isn’t a drop-off nursery service.

Teen Program:

• Teens: Ages 13-17

For teens, the program provides a dedicated space with video games, sports, and themed parties, ensuring a fun and interactive environment where they can meet new friends and have a great time.

9. Costa Cruises

Kids Club: Squok Club

• Mini Club: Ages 3-6
• Maxi Club: Ages 7-11

Costa Cruises’ Squok Club offers a lively programme of games, sports and creative activities designed for different age groups. Children can take part in arts and crafts, competitions and themed events while making new friends on board.

The programme is divided into age groups so activities can be tailored to different stages of childhood, and children are normally expected to stay within their assigned group.

Costa also offers Squok Baby, a programme for children under 3 years old, with activities designed for toddlers and parents to enjoy together.

Teen Programs:

• Teen Club Junior: Ages 12-14
• Teen Club: Ages 15-17

Older kids can join the Teen Club Junior and Teen Club, which offer spaces for socialising, playing video games, and participating in pool parties and themed evenings.

10. P&O Cruises

Kids Club: The Reef

• Splashers: Ages 2-4
• Surfers: Ages 5-8
• Scubas: Ages 9-12

P&O Cruises’ The Reef is a lively kids club offering a variety of activities including arts and crafts, games and sports tailored to different age groups. The programme is split into three groups so children can take part in activities designed for their stage of development.

Children aged 2–4 in the Splashers group can attend limited supervised sessions, but they must be potty trained to take part in drop-off activities.

Teen Program:

• H2O: Ages 13-17

Teens can enjoy H2O, a dedicated area with video games, talent shows, and late-night movies, providing a cool hangout spot for older kids to relax and have fun.

Kids Club Age Groupings Are Strict, But There Are Exceptions

Whether children can attend a different club from that of their age group is a common question. In general, the answer is no, but there are some exceptions.

1. Groups May Be Merged on Quieter Cruises

When we cruised on P&O Britannia in term time, we found that the Splashers (age 2-4) and Surfers (age 5-7) were joined together. That’s because there simply weren’t enough kids on board to warrant having two separate groups.

On school holidays cruises, when there are a lot of kids, the groups will be hosted in separate rooms for most of the time. However, there may be occasions when they join together, such as to watch a movie at the end of the night.

2. If Your Child Has a Birthday on the Cruise They Can Choose

My son turned 5 on the last day of our two-week cruise. That meant that he was allowed to choose whether to go in the Splashers with the other 4-year-olds or in the Surfers with his older sister.

He chose the Surfers, which was excellent as they could play together, and it was easier for us to collect both kids from the same place at the same time.

3. If Your Child Has Additional Needs the Cruise Line May Be Flexible

This doesn’t apply to every cruise line, but most will be able to be flexible for children with developmental delays or other additional needs. This means that they may be able to join a group with younger children if it would suit them better there.

If this applies to you, then it’s vital that you contact the cruise line ahead of time to make the request. If you leave it until you’re on board, there’s less chance that they will be able to accommodate you.

Kids Clubs Are a Lot of Fun!

It’s normal for children to be nervous about attending the club for the first time. I would always recommend that they go to the first session of the cruise, as this is when there will be ice-breaking sessions and “getting-to-know-you games”.

I always try to leave the children for just an hour at first rather than the full session. I would rather they be disappointed that it’s time to leave already, than waiting for me to come back.

After the first couple of days, most kids are well-settled, and then your only problem will be trying to keep them away from there!

Oftentimes, teenagers like to join Snapchat groups for their cruise so that they can get to know people before they sail. This takes away any first-day awkwardness, and they make friends right away.

You’ll often find that although teenagers meet in the teen area, they don’t tend to stay there. You’ll see large groups of them in the hot tubs, on the sports courts or going to the cinema together.

Related Posts

• The Best Cruise Ships for Kids
• These Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Are The Best For Kids
• Cancellation Charges Introduced For Kids’ Clubs