Camp Ocean for (Barely) Twelve year-old

[KmomChicago]

Hello Carnival expert cruisers! We are sailing on the Carnival Sensation five days after DD's 12th birthday. She really enjoyed Camp Ocean's scheduled activities on our recent spring break cruise on the Carnival Triumph and would like to participate again. Of course the ship has her birthday information so we can't fib. I realize Circle C has fewer planned activities with more limited hours and more open "hang out" time.

 

This school break happened to be oddly scheduled which dropped our fare into off-season rates, so I expect fewer kids aboard than usual. Any chance we will be able to sweet-talk our way into Camp Ocean for her? Or do we need to peacefully accept her graduation to Circle C?

[Havingfun2010]

Sorry, kid's grow up, and they must move on to their age appropriate activities.

[sasha620]

She'll be fine! My daughter was 1 day past her birthday and loved circle C. She won't want to be with the little kids.

 

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[hrwi]

My daughter will be four days before 12 and is worried that the camp she's slated for will be too babyish. Too bad we aren't on the same cruise and they could pal around!

 

I haven't cruised yet, but I think that first night they get a decent idea of how the children on board shake out - so maybe if the 12-14 group leans more toward the younger end, they'll up the activities a bit?

[A&Jfamily]

Sadly, accept that the book on her head didn't stop her from growing...:')

 

My DSs are now 19 and 13 and have both graduated out of Camp Carnival (now Ocean), and the oldest really missed the programs when out grew them as he is not a dance club or casino guy (more anime and Pokemon go type) and so he struggled. The youngest is very active and sports oriented and also didn't really care for Circle C even though he is more outgoing. It was a cruise pre-Christmas and it was all focused on practicing for the show and arts and crafts. So, for the first time ever, my sons actually chose to hang out together on sports square!

 

The things we have learned about Circle C - and I think since both my introvert biology major and my extrovert athlete both had issues - is that some of this is the awkwardness of the age. To help over come that, it is critical that they go the first day any time they can and look for friends. Groups form early and often don't spend much time in camp after that. If that fails, you will find tons of kids out with sports square, pool, putt-putt, arcade etc...wander around, be brave and meet people.

[springs741]

You can ask. I has been done before. That does not mean it will be done for you. The fact that your sailing has a lower number of children will likely help with the move around.

I was worried about my grandson on our last cruise. It was Thanksgiving week so there was no wiggle room. He did fine. It is part of growing up.

[gigem_aggies]

My niece turned 12 in April and my DD will be 11 in July (2 weeks before our sailing). The girls want to be in camp together. We called Carnival and spoke to Guest Services and they moved my niece to Camp Ocean vs. Circle C. Now, my niece does have special needs, so they likely took that into account, but when I called they told me they don't mind making moving them up or down 1 age group if there is space. :)

[KmomChicago]

Thank you all very much for the positive replies! All wise words, and especially I appreciate examples from those of you who have been in the same boat (pun intended!). :)