Taking 14 yo niece on 1st cruise, what do I need to know?

[Murphy]

We will be taking our 25th RCCL cruise in Sept, so I'm hardly a newbie, but I've never taken any kids with on a cruise. We've decided to take my 14 year old niece with us on the Liberty. I know we need a notarized letter from her parents stating we can take her with us and we need a medical release and her passport and birth certificate, but what am I missing? Anything we should be sure to bring, do or avoid????

[phoenix1181]

Don't forget to bring plenty of patience and a very large bottle of your favorite headache remedy!!

[karen116]

Originally Posted by phoenix1181

Don't forget to bring plenty of patience and a very large bottle of your favorite headache remedy!!

wow

[moneygirl]

Hi.

I took my niece on her first cruise when she was 16. Just a couple of my thoughts. What I found was that the kids program doesn't work well for older teens, it was mostly hanging out. She made a few friends and would hang out with them. We also had dinner together every night and would determine times to meet up just to check in. Also, had to remember to make sure she had a watch since cell phone don't always have the right times. Hope that helps.

Angela

[Murphy]

Originally Posted by moneygirl

Hi.

I took my niece on her first cruise when she was 16. Just a couple of my thoughts. What I found was that the kids program doesn't work well for older teens, it was mostly hanging out. She made a few friends and would hang out with them. We also had dinner together every night and would determine times to meet up just to check in. Also, had to remember to make sure she had a watch since cell phone don't always have the right times. Hope that helps.

Angela

A WATCH!!!! Thank you! That was not on my list, but yes, I can see it being important!

[MrsPete]

Originally Posted by Murphy

passport and birth certificate

You don't need BOTH of these items.

You might have her parents include in the letter that she has permission to travel with you to and from the cruise. I'm guessing you're at least crossing state lines, and it's better to be safe than sorry. If you're traveling by airplane, you might well be asked for it.

Changing the subject slightly . . . we're taking our nieces on our next cruise, and I plan to go over my expectations with them (and their parents) in detail beforehand. You know, things like packing, family curfew and family rules, spending money, etc. I know their parents will agree with our ideas of right and wrong, but it's always better to be proactive and make sure you're all on the same page beforehand.

[moneygirl]

Originally Posted by MrsPete

I plan to go over my expectations with them (and their parents) in detail beforehand.

Great point. I did the same with my niece. She knew the rules going in and it made for a much better vacation for the both of us!

[ellbelle]

You will want to give her guidelines about what and what not to do. I picked up some great hints from the Carnival Board. Try Kids Contract as the search. Also, if you think she wants to meet others her age, have her to go the the teen gathering the first night. If she misses it, most of the kids will have "hooked up" so to speak, so she might find it hard to find someone to hang with. Hope you have a great time...

Cheryl

[Murphy]

Originally Posted by MrsPete

You don't need BOTH of these items.

Well, you might be right, but I was confused by the following statement taken from the RCCL website. She her last name is different than ours, I may have misinterpreted the issue if her parents have a different name than she does:
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/before...il87?cS=NAVBAR

"Family Legal Documents

Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) and the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation.

Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child. "

[jmf123]

Originally Posted by ellbelle

You will want to give her guidelines about what and what not to do. I picked up some great hints from the Carnival Board. Try Kids Contract as the search. Also, if you think she wants to meet others her age, have her to go the the teen gathering the first night. If she misses it, most of the kids will have "hooked up" so to speak, so she might find it hard to find someone to hang with. Hope you have a great time...

Cheryl

And along this train of thought (I'm the worry wart in my family), perhaps a 'safety talk' for her to be aware of her surroundings, to not ever find herself alone with anyone, and use common sense.

[dmbfiredancer03]

I just took my 13 y/o niece on a cruise last month, and she had a good time.

I would buy a lanyard to put your niece's seapass in, or plan on buying one in the ship's store the first night. It made it easier for her to keep track of it.

Explain to her the curfew - the ship's curfew for teens is 12 midnight, so we followed that. To be honest, she was in the cabin earlier than that most nights, anyways.

If she has a cellphone, make sure you see with your own eyes that it's turned off if you are not participating in the "cellular at sea" program or don't know what potential charges could be.

[Murphy]

Thanks for all the feedback. We've addressed a few of these safety/manner items with her over the phone BEFORE I even added her to the reservation, so she knows the scoop! But I hadn't even thought about addressing not going in another cabin, etc! Keep the ideas coming! I need all the help I can get!

[jmf123]

Originally Posted by Murphy

I need all the help I can get!

I can tell that you are a thoughtful and caring aunt (uncle?) to have started this thread, Murphy. Just think about how much enjoyment you will get out of sharing your niece's experience of her very first cruise! Maybe be sure she has a camera to capture memories, (even surprise her with a disposable one?). Have a wonderful cruise!

[ellbelle]

Originally Posted by Murphy

Thanks for all the feedback. We've addressed a few of these safety/manner items with her over the phone BEFORE I even added her to the reservation, so she knows the scoop! But I hadn't even thought about addressing not going in another cabin, etc! Keep the ideas coming! I need all the help I can get!

I was able to find two links, there is one other that I have seen, but I can't find it.

I already had addressed elevators and sitting in stairwell thing on previous cruises but one of the biggest tips I read was never leave your drink unattended.


http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...=kids+contract

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...=kids+contract