Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean on Navigator of the Seas: Tips for Parents
Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Deck 12 aft
Adventure Ocean is located on Deck 12, aft (at the back of the ship) on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. It’s a great spot of fun for kids onboard, designed so parents can enjoy a little downtime while kids have their own adventures.
We’ve sailed on Navigator of the Seas three times (and have another trip planned!) and every time, our kids have loved spending time at Adventure Ocean. Depending on your sailing, the setup may vary. Sometimes the six- to eleven-year-olds are grouped together; other times they’re split by age (6-8 and 9-11). This depends on the ship’s itinerary and number of children onboard.
This post shares our parent tips and real-life experiences to help you make the most of Adventure Ocean. If you’re looking for a full walk-through with photos, check out my companion post: Adventure Ocean Photo Tour on Navigator of the Seas
About Adventure Ocean
Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean’s signature kids’ club, open daily throughout your cruise. While it’s not a 24-hour program, it runs most of the day and into the late evening—perfect for both sea days and dinners when parents want a little adult time.
It’s divided into three age groups to keep activities age-appropriate and engaging:
Aquanauts (Ages 3–5) – Creative play, building projects, and staff-led games that spark imagination.
Explorers (Ages 6–8) – Hands-on science experiments, scavenger hunts, and themed adventures.
Voyagers (Ages 9–11) – The most independent group, with more free play, social time, video games, and team challenges.
The Living Room (12-17) - If your kids are older, check out my photo tour of the teen space on Navigator of the Seas.
Navigator of the Seas leans toward more free play than strict scheduling. There are structured activities led by staff, but kids can choose whether to join in or do their own thing. There’s no set schedule compared to other ships we’ve been on. That flexibility is supposed to make it easier for them to relax, make friends, and find their favorite spaces onboard.
Adventure Ocean gives kids a space that’s entirely their own on the ship. The hours vary, but it usually closes during lunch and dinner times. Parents can even leave their kids in Adventure Ocean while exploring ports of call. Just note: if your child has sign-out privileges, they can’t use them while the ship is in port. There’s usually lunch served during port days since they are essentially “the responsibility” of the Adventure Ocean staff. It’s a great option for families with younger kids who’d rather play indoors while parents stroll through town for a few hours.
In our experience on Navigator of the Seas, always grateful for the kids’ club but there’s so much to do around the ship that we find ourselves very busy on a 3-day cruise. Between the water slides, mini golf, laser tag, ice skating, and endless activities, there’s never a dull moment for any age.
Don’t skip Adventure Ocean’s Open House
Kids have space to hang out, play games, and join trivia or team challenges.
When you board, ask when the sign-up or open house time is for Adventure Ocean. Don’t skip it! Enjoy the welcome lunch buffet and then head straight to Adventure Ocean for check-in. It’s one of the best ways to help your kids feel comfortable right from the start.
It’s the only time you can freely walk through, see the play spaces, meet the Adventure Ocean staff, and let your kids explore before official drop-off begins.
Parents who tell me their child refused to go often skipped the open house and I totally get why it can be intimidating to walk into a new space cold. A quick preview helps kids feel confident and curious instead of nervous.
I like to make time to meet the staff before dropping our kids off later that night. Each cruise line handles their youth programs differently, and I like to ask plenty of questions and get to know the staff a little bit as this truly is the only time they will be this available to speak and answer questions.
If you’re hoping for some adult time while your kids enjoy the club, make sure they attend the first-night opening session. That’s when they’ll go over the rules (yes, it can feel long for kids), but it’s also when friendships begin. The rest of the cruise goes so much smoother once they’ve met other kids early on. It’s fun to see my kids say hello to other kids as we walk around the ship and always ask, “Are you going to the Kids’ Club tonight?”
Why the Open House Matters
It’s the only time you can freely walk through, see the play spaces, meet the Adventure Ocean staff, and let your kids explore before official drop-off begins.
Parents who tell me their child refused to go often skipped the open house and I totally get why it can be intimidating to walk into a new space cold. A quick preview helps kids feel confident and curious instead of nervous.
Every Cruise is Different
We’ve learned over 25+ cruises that kids’ clubs really vary—even within the same cruise line. The experience depends so much on the counselors, activities, and the group of kids onboard. Our rule is simple: always give it a try. Even if a previous ship wasn’t their favorite, each cruise has its own personality. When they say they don’t want to go, we usually say, “Just try it for a bit.” Nine times out of ten, they end up staying longer than they planned.
What We Love About Adventure Ocean
Navigator of the Seas
Now that our kids are older and responsible enough to sign themselves in and out, it’s been a game-changer. They love the independence to check in, see what’s going on, and leave if the activity doesn’t interest them.
Whether you’re sailing with preschoolers or tweens, it’s worth taking the time to get familiar with the space early as it sets everyone up for a more relaxed and fun cruise.
Do you also have a 12 – 17 year old? Check out my photo tour of Royal Caribbean’s Teen Club: Inside The Living Room on Navigator of the Seas.
If your children spent time in Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, I’d love to hear what their experience was like. Drop a comment or message me on Instagram or X @FreshCruiser!
Whether you’re sailing with preschoolers or tweens, it’s worth taking the time to get familiar with the space early—it sets everyone up for a more relaxed and fun cruise.
Want to see more Adventure Ocean photos? Take a look at my Adventure Ocean Photo Tour here.
FreshCruiser Tip:
If your kids are on the shy side, stop by Adventure Ocean right after boarding for the Open House. Meeting the counselors early and exploring the space before drop-off makes a big difference—especially on short sailings when friendships form fast.