RCCL Adventure Ocean Question

[sshuttle]

We were on the Mariner two years ago and Adventure Ocean didn't open until after early dinner had started. Is this still the case? We're going again on November 26th. Also, my son is 8 (9 in Feb.) and wants to be with this 9 year old cousin in the next age group. I understand they will take this into consideration depending on number kids, age difference, etc. Anybody have any experience? Thanks for all your help/advice!

[brooklintee]

Adventure Ocean opens at 7pm every night. They are pretty strict on keeping the kids in their appropriate age groups. The last RCI cruise I did, my boys were at the ages where the younger one was 5 and the older one was 6, so they were in different groups. Eventually, the 6 year old moved down into the younger group to be with the 5 year old. RCI would move him down, but would not move the 5 year old up (the 5 year old was 4 weeks shy of turning 6!)