What Can An 18 Year Old Do On A Cruise?

[Elaine515]

I never thought I would hear my daughter (who will be 18 years 1 month old at time of cruising) tell me she doesn't want to go on the cruise with her (her 17th!!).. It's not because she doesn't like cruising..she loves cruising. The problem is that we have in the past always cruised with her cousins or friends and this time its not to be :(

 

I don't want her gambling all the time (because that would be my money she'd be using!!) and she thinks that after a certain hour, she isn't even allowed in the disco. According to John Heald, even through she is a HS Senior, because she will already be 18 she can't even join in the Circle C group....(or whatever the 15-17 age group is called)

 

So, what can/does an 18 year old do on a cruise? I can leave her home but we paid ES and I know I would lose money (don't know how much but would still lose something, cruise is Carnival Glory 03/18)

 

Thanks for your replies...

[cruise_pirate]

Tough age, I guess she can go to the adult disco until what? maybe 10:30? She can attend the Adult comedy club, and Casino.. Maybe find some other kids on the ship to pal around with...

[Jennfor5]

I am in the same boat(lol) with my son.. He is 18 , and the only way I could get him on there was if the gf came along.. thus, we are all 3 going

[cruise_pirate]

I am in the same boat(lol) with my son.. He is 18 , and the only way I could get him on there was if the gf came along.. thus, we are all 3 going

 

Now it will be a PARTY!!:D

[retiredgram]

Granddaughter just returned from cruise and was able to find some kids to hang out with. If your daughter looks around, I am sure she will find someone. She is 18 and 1 month also. She did go to the disco, but said a lot of adults were there also. The cruise industry needs something for the age group 18-20, the group left out.

I believe I read somewhere on here that if she shows she is still in HS, ( High school ID)they will allow her in the 15-17 teen club. I am sure if this is right or wrong someone will let you know.

Edited January 27, 2012 by retiredgram

[greenhorncanuck]

Hi

We too are taking our 18 year old son on this cruise. Our rep says they can't drink, but are allowed in the disco until close, it is under 18 that has to leave at 10:30. Yes they can gamble -eek and are allowed in all the bars.

Hopefully since it is a March cruise, there will be lots of younger people on board.

[Jennfor5]

now it will be a party!!:d

rofl!!!

[cruise_pirate]

I am in the same boat(lol) with my son.. He is 18 , and the only way I could get him on there was if the gf came along.. thus, we are all 3 going

 

Well, there is something he can do now!!!!!;):D

[ladyd11933]

Our 18 year old had a good time last year. He was allowed in the disco until close, our 17 year old had to leave at 10:00. There were plenty of other kids in the same age category and they hung out together.

[deetrayn]

I will have this issue in March when my daughters and I cruise. One is 16, the other is 19. I really think the cruiselines should have some form of gathering/activities for the 18-20 yr olds.

 

And I think 18 year olds who are seniors in high school, should still be able to participate with the teens. They really should lighten up on that. I turned 18 as a senior and would have been sad to be turned away from teen activities. :( ;)

Edited January 27, 2012 by deetrayn

[5waldos]

Many of the ships will in fact allow an 18 year old still in high school into the O2 club with their hs id. I am hoping that the Magic will since I have 3 18 year olds I am bringing with me. And my son loves the club so I will fall on my knees and beg if need be.

[T. Advisor King]

A better solution would be for the cruise lines to change their alcohol consumption policies to better align with international standards. It is only by policy that ships choose not to serve 18-20 year olds. And you have to admit, it is pretty silly to be docked, for example, at a Mexican port and be able to buy a beer in the dockside bar but not on the ship. Just treat the 18+ passengers as adults, since that is how they are treated under most apects of domestic law (e.g., voting, military service) and almost universally internationally.

Edited January 27, 2012 by T. Advisor King

[5waldos]

Just what we need is a bunch of 18 year olds drinking onboard. I've seen problems arise with kids onshore who aren't really used to drinking and do themselves in with only an hour or so to imbibe. Yes some can be quite responsible- some, not so much.

.

I would rather see it made a policy that the O2 club would automatically accept teens still in high school even if they have turned 18. That is a far better place for them, and more enjoyable, than hanging out in the bars.

Edited January 27, 2012 by 5waldos

[MegLib]

I know it was a few years back and policies may have changed, but when I went on the Liberty for spring break senior year of HS in '07, I was 18. The kids in the other families we went with were also seniors but 17, and so of course I hung with them. Never had an issue walking into club O2, and no one ever questioned me.

[meatloafsfan]

A better solution would be for the cruise lines to change their alcohol consumption policies to better align with international standards. It is only by policy that ships choose not to serve 18-20 year olds. And you have to admit, it is pretty silly to be docked, for example, at a Mexican port and be able to buy a beer in the dockside bar but not on the ship. Just treat the 18+ passengers as adults, since that is how they are treated under most apects of domestic law (e.g., voting, military service) and almost universally internationally.

 

I agree.

 

 

At 18, your daughter can go to the Club until close. She can also go to the comedy shows, Kareoke, Superstar Kareoke, piano bar and the casino.

 

Tell her to hang out around the hot tubs or pizza station - there will be tons of other young adults she can meet and hang out with there.

 

I don't really get what the issue is - I'm 37 and cruised with a minor - she had her "club" but it's not like there was a club for those age "30-40" that I could attend. The fun times are full of events she can go to and stuff she can do.

 

Her only restriction is she can't attend kids clubs (like everyone else age 18+) or drink.

 

The rest of the ship is her oyster - tell her to start shucking! :D

[mindymp]

The adult comedy and disco, karaoke, carnival jam live (or whatever its called, it's like karaoke but with a live band instead of just soundtracks), piano bar, deck parties, theatre shows. Honestly I'm not a big partier and don't stay up drinking yet I always have a good time and I'm never bored on a cruise :)

[Cruzface]

It's so much easier for boys. Play basketball, eat, wander around, eat, play basketball, eat and then try to pick up girls...

[kermer]

It's so much easier for boys. Play basketball, eat, wander around, eat, play basketball, eat and then try to pick up girls...

 

 

This one made me really Laugh Out Loud

[cespo]

This has to be the toughest age...my son at 18 was bored out of his mind for the most part. He is on the shy side and we went on an off time, so not a lot of teeneagers on the cruise. He did gamble a bit, but the one nice thing was he did hang around us a lot more than in the past and this was right before he left for college. So could be a nice bonding time.

[Havingfun2010]

I'm lost here. She was on 17 cruises???? My guess is that she should already know how to mingle, and find other cruiesers here age without an issue.

 

Kid's have the "kid's" club. They meet friends, and than hang out around the ship.

 

Adults have the "adult" clubs. They meet friends, and than hang out around the ship.

 

They both sound the same???? Each one is age appropriate.

 

I just never understand this question each time it is brought up. I have two kids, both boys, and one is 19. He goes out to "dance clubs" in town now, but he can't drink at them. My younger can't go.

[Cruzface]

I'm lost here. She was on 17 cruises???? My guess is that she should already know how to mingle, and find other cruiesers here age without an issue.

 

Kid's have the "kid's" club. They meet friends, and than hang out around the ship.

 

Adults have the "adult" clubs. They meet friends, and than hang out around the ship.

 

They both sound the same???? Each one is age appropriate.

 

I just never understand this question each time it is brought up. I have two kids, both boys, and one is 19. He goes out to "dance clubs" in town now, but he can't drink at them. My younger can't go.

 

I think she went with cousins before and that makes it so much easier to meet other people.

[RunsWithFlyingDolphins]

When my family (wife and 5 boys all within 7 years of each other) would my boys would always have someone to hang out with because they're all really close. But last year when my last son graduated high school he was in the same boat as your daughter and didn't really want to go because he didn't have anyone. And when I asked my other kids they were all busy will work asks college and couldn't do it. So I had him ask a few friends to see if they wanted to go with him. Now we didn't pay for them, their parents did but they had their own room. Anyway there was my son and 2 friends and they had a great time. They found some girls on the ship and they all hung out the whole week. So I would look at the prices to add a booking to your room and see if your daughter wants to take a friend. Either way, have a great cruise!!!! :)

[elcuchio24]

Pretty much anything but drink and go to some clubs. Also, if you want, you can always get her drinks, the staff really doesn't care.

 

I know when I cruised at that age with my parents I always had a blast, never quite understand why people stress about nothing for 18-20yo to do, I never had a problem;)

[T. Advisor King]

Just what we need is a bunch of 18 year olds drinking onboard. I've seen problems arise with kids onshore who aren't really used to drinking and do themselves in with only an hour or so to imbibe. Yes some can be quite responsible- some, not so much.

.

I would rather see it made a policy that the O2 club would automatically accept teens still in high school even if they have turned 18. That is a far better place for them, and more enjoyable, than hanging out in the bars.

 

If a young person is going to get stupid drunk at 18, chances are that won't change at 21. On the other hand, if society treats these people like the young adults that they are at 18 (and they know they will be treated that way as they approach that age), then they are much less likely to get stupid drunk at 18.

 

Go spend some time in a country where alcohol isn't "forbidden" before age 21. They actually learn to taste and enjoy the quality of alcoholic beverage, and not just use it as a tool to get drunk. But that doesn't happen without a social structure around it.

Edited January 28, 2012 by T. Advisor King

[elcuchio24]

If a young person is going to get stupid drunk at 18, chances are that won't change at 21. On the other hand, if society treats these people like the young adults that they are at 18 (and they know they will be treated that way as they approach that age), then they are much less likely to get stupid drunk at 18.

 

Go spend some time in a country where alcohol isn't "forbidden" before age 21. They actually learn to taste and enjoy the quality of alcoholic beverage, and not just use it as a tool to get drunk. But that doesn't happen without a social structure around it.

 

What I love is the parents who think their 18yo has never drank:)