Adventure Ocean - 6 yr old in Aquanauts (3-5 yr age group)?

[kmcphee26]

Hi! Looking into booking our next cruise for next summer. My kids (currently 5 and 3) had so much fun in Adventure Ocean on our recent cruise, but my oldest will be turning 6 just before we sail which would put her in the 6-8 year age group. She may love this as they’ll do more age-appropriate activities but ideally we’d have the option of keeping her in the 3-5 year group with her little brother if they don’t want to be split up. 
 

Has anyone had any experience trying to put a child into a different age group in Adventure Ocean? Are they flexible so long as there is room and the child isn’t insanely older? Or do they need to strictly adhere to designated age ranges? Going on the Oasis class if it makes a difference. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[smokeybandit]

You just have to ask when you board. It all depends on numbers for that given cruise.

[NateUpNorth]

Cruised in December of 2022.
Had one child in the group move down an age category and had one bump up a category to have all 4 kids meet in the same group.
I think it really depends on the sailing, how nicely you ask, the kids club crewmember and the way the wind is blowing as to what will be allowed.

[CaribNomad]

When my newly 6 yo arrived at Adventure Ocean last month (May 2023), the older kids were in the middle of a riotous game of soccer. Thankfully, I had decided to wait a few moments to see how he was settling in and saw him taking refuge and cowering in the corner. I asked if he could be moved down and the staff pretty much said only if he had 1) a special need 2) a younger sibling. Technically, he had niether but I said he had mild anxiety (!). The staff then asked me to complete the check-in form again with his "special need" and he was allowed to be downgraded. He had a lovely time with the 3-5 year olds and the staff commented on how comfortable he seemed and how well the group had bonded. Every child is different, but I do think that 6 is rather young to be with the 10 year old crowd. We're on Princess later this year and I believe their age divisons (3-7; 8-12 etc) make slightly more sense.