Carnival Club O2 for High School Seniors

Our family just returned from our Spring Break Cruise on the Carnival Glory. This was our 9th cruise with Carnival. I'm very disappointed with how Carnival manages the kids programs. During each of our cruises our son's have been attending the initial night mixer to meet other teenagers on the cruise. Unfortunately our high school senior was not allowed into Club O2. This was due to him already turning 18 years old. He even brought his high school ID to prove that he is attending high school. After talking to the Kids Program director to see if there is any chance of changing this we were told no that he will not be allowed into Club O2. I then asked what recommendations she has for a high school senior to meet other individuals his age. The response from her was that he can gamble, attend the late night dance club, or the comedy over 18 shows. Not really the recommendations that I was hoping for. Carnival really needs to rethink allowing high school students into Club O2! Overall he did enjoy the cruise, but it was a totally different experience then what he is used to and has decided that he won't be taking anymore cruises with us.

Our family just returned from our Spring Break Cruise on the Carnival Glory. This was our 9th cruise with Carnival. I'm very disappointed with how Carnival manages the kids programs. During each of our cruises our son's have been attending the initial night mixer to meet other teenagers on the cruise. Unfortunately our high school senior was not allowed into Club O2. This was due to him already turning 18 years old. He even brought his high school ID to prove that he is attending high school. After talking to the Kids Program director to see if there is any chance of changing this we were told no that he will not be allowed into Club O2. I then asked what recommendations she has for a high school senior to meet other individuals his age. The response from her was that he can gamble, attend the late night dance club, or the comedy over 18 shows. Not really the recommendations that I was hoping for. Carnival really needs to rethink allowing high school students into Club O2! Overall he did enjoy the cruise, but it was a totally different experience then what he is used to and has decided that he won't be taking anymore cruises with us.

I can see what Carnival means though, 18 year old boy at the club where a young 15 year old girl is may not be ideal. I can also understand you being upset as well.

I am sure there were some girls between 18-20 around or even some older cougars, lol

Unfortunately, its a legal thing. At 18 he's an adult. This isn't something they can be flexible in.

Unfortunately, its a legal thing. At 18 he's an adult. This isn't something they can be flexible in.

This.

When you're 18 years old, you're an adult. It doesn't matter if you're in high school or not, you're an adult when you're 18 years old. I understand your frustration but they have to draw the line somewhere. Make it black and white. If not, we would add this topic to the daily dress code discussions.

It is a tough in-between age... but it is a legal issue NOT at the discretion of the kids club. How our girl did it is she would hang around with the other O2 kids but just not go into the actual club... the teens rarely stayed in the O2 club anyway... the hot tubs at night seem to be a choice hangout, as is the pizza and ice cream stations...

I agree with Poz222, it is a tough in between age. Maybe in the future Carnival can do a meet and greet on the first night for the young adults 18-20, then they can meet others in their age range.

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My youngest turned 18 a few weeks ago. He's been in and out of Club O2 activities the last few years, and one of his suggestions to meet people is the sports deck.

Yep! This question comes up a few times and it always comes back to legal issue. I mean, what if a 20 year old was still in HS, possibly a alternative HS type setting, would you want them with your 15 year old just because they're both in HS? They have to do it the best way they see fit, which is going by the legal age of an adult. Maybe they could look at programs for the 18-20 year old group though, they certainly seem to be lost at times.

They had a meet and greet for 18-20 year olds a couple years ago (not staffed, just a time/place).. but stopped it “due to lack of participation”... for boys, yes, the sports deck is THE place to hang out. On the Dream class the sports area is great for boys and girls as they have lots of games.

Anorther Weird but accurate idea, around the stairwells every night/evening there are usually groups of teens sitting around hanging out... random floors and especially in the forward and aft stairwells. On one cruise our teen could usually be found sitting in the deck 3 forward stairwell with a group of girls she met... they would just sit around and talk... then get pizza, then Meet back in the stairwell???? It’s apparently a “thing”

They had a meet and greet for 18-20 year olds a couple years ago (not staffed, just a time/place).. but stopped it “due to lack of participation”...

That's too bad this didn't work out. Hopefully they continue to try. I can see this being an odd age to find things to do. Too old for "kids stuff" but too young for "adult stuff".

I agree with the others though. 18 is an adult and these rules should be black & white. No adults allowed with the kid's club.

That's too bad this didn't work out. Hopefully they continue to try. I can see this being an odd age to find things to do. Too old for "kids stuff" but too young for "adult stuff".

 

I agree with the others though. 18 is an adult and these rules should be black & white. No adults allowed with the kid's club.

Yep! I was 19 when I went with my parents to Hawaii. I stayed with my older brother and his somewhat crazy wife (they were 24-25) and he was in the Navy. So we went to the Navy base bar, since there were people my age, but it was still somewhat awkward. I couldn't really drink at the bar, and I was too old to want to hang with my parents. I came home truly disliking Hawaii! LOL! So much so, that my parents sent me a postcard from there, while we were there, so I would get it at my college when I got back. But I do want to go back now! I do remember the great things we saw when we were there.

my 14 year old and 16 year old want to be in the same club. guess that is not happening.

Our family just returned from our Spring Break Cruise on the Carnival Glory. This was our 9th cruise with Carnival. I'm very disappointed with how Carnival manages the kids programs. During each of our cruises our son's have been attending the initial night mixer to meet other teenagers on the cruise. Unfortunately our high school senior was not allowed into Club O2. This was due to him already turning 18 years old. He even brought his high school ID to prove that he is attending high school. After talking to the Kids Program director to see if there is any chance of changing this we were told no that he will not be allowed into Club O2. I then asked what recommendations she has for a high school senior to meet other individuals his age. The response from her was that he can gamble, attend the late night dance club, or the comedy over 18 shows. Not really the recommendations that I was hoping for. Carnival really needs to rethink allowing high school students into Club O2! Overall he did enjoy the cruise, but it was a totally different experience then what he is used to and has decided that he won't be taking anymore cruises with us.

I am so sad to hear this and feel your pain. My family just got back yesterday from our 15th cruise and my kids, now 12 and 14, have been cruising since they were toddlers. I mentioned to my husband we only have a 3 more years of my daughter being able to attend the camps and we both teared up. Not because we want to "send them away to camp the entire week", but because my kids have both said their favorite part of cruising is meeting new friends. Without the camp and scheduled meet ups, it will be a challenge to make friends. My daughter will turn 18 in early October of her Senior year :(:(:(:(

my 14 year old and 16 year old want to be in the same club. guess that is not happening.

The two teen clubs are usually right next to each other. If the 14 year old is close to 15, they may let it pass.

I am so sad to hear this and feel your pain. My family just got back yesterday from our 15th cruise and my kids, now 12 and 14, have been cruising since they were toddlers. I mentioned to my husband we only have a 3 more years of my daughter being able to attend the camps and we both teared up. Not because we want to "send them away to camp the entire week", but because my kids have both said their favorite part of cruising is meeting new friends. Without the camp and scheduled meet ups, it will be a challenge to make friends. My daughter will turn 18 in early October of her Senior year :(:(:(:(

Based on our experience...if you plan on cruising normal March break....your then 18 year old daughter will have plenty of opportunities to make friends. Mostly College friends!! My oldest (then 17) was sitting with us on embarkation day around the pool. I went up to get a drink and when I got back...she was gone. Wife said a group of guys and girls immediately called her over and she immediately made a bunch of friends..... This was a guys Rugby team from Vermont and a group of different girls from the cruise. With the night club, casino and shows.... she will be fine. I do admit since girls seem to gravitate to older age guys...its easier for girls to feel comfortable hanging out in the club. When my son was 18/19.... he hung out around the pool, buffet area at nights and night club. You'd be surprised the number of 16 and 17 year old girls who had fake ID's allowing them to get in club. This was confirmed by my son. Regardless...they will find a way to have fun!!

my 14 year old and 16 year old want to be in the same club. guess that is not happening.

The Circle C kids and some of the younger O2 kids hang together. And depending on capacity, they may allow your 14 year old to move up into Club O2. It's never a guarantee, we've seen it happen with many kids, and then other times, they allowed only 1 kid.

We planned one last cruise just a matter of days before our oldest turned 18 for precisely this bright line reason. She's 26 now. This has always been the policy.

Are there any cruise lines which have 18-20 year old activities or meet groups?

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my question is can my 16 and 14 year old (now both high school students junior and freshman) attend the same club????

my question is can my 16 and 14 year old (now both high school students junior and freshman) attend the same club????

Probably not, but if you talk to the counselors they may allow it.

Circle C is 12-14

Club O2 is 15-17

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my question is can my 16 and 14 year old (now both high school students junior and freshman) attend the same club????

It will usually depend on the capacity/amount in each club on your cruise. And being siblings, that may give them a better chance. We've seen them allow it and we've seen them deny it.