New Club for Teens?

[lcpagejr]

I am trying to remember...Its possible they may still require picture ID....but they will figure that out on 1st night. For sure the card does stop them from ordering alcohol...atleast on their own

[lcpagejr]

Moobear... you do bring up good points... I am not against your thought process. It just seemed my children adapted very quickly on each cruise and easily met others even before we left port on 1st day!! Also... they, atleast the girls were, happy to hang by the pool during the day and sun bathe and since we always had late dinner...they would leave dinner and get dressed again to begin the evening fun.

[jma624]

The reason for the kids clubs, from the cruise lines' perspective, is to give kids a plact to go so their parents are free to spend $ in the bars and casinos. This is the reason there is so little attention spent on the 18-20 yo group - they dont spend alot of $ on board, but they also dont require parental supervision. If the cruiseline was interested in attracting 18-20 yo, there a number of ways they could make their experience more entertaining. Truth is, they just dont care about this group.

[TerReuv]

While mine are older than that now, I agree that they should have some meet & greets for that age group. Not a room or a place like for the younger ones, but just a meet and greet. Not sure why some people are seeing this as a totally ridiculous thing to ask about. Maybe your kids are wonderful social butterflies. Some are not and would like to be able to meet others their age to hang out. Just one or two meet & greets on a cruise would be fine.

 

Yes, 18 is technically an adult. However, as others have mentioned, that does not mean that they can participate in all the adult activities on board. I personally thing a M&G would be fantastic.

[Cardancer4]

I'm wondering - by the way your first sentence reads - have YOU heard anything from Carnival about this possibility? It kind of reads like you have been expecting to hear news of this, but I've never heard of it being considered. Has anyone heard that it is actually in the works?

 

No, I have not heard anything about a new club for teens from Carnival. I was curious if anyone else had any info on the subject and what their opinions were. Plus I really do feel that this age group is ignored by Carnival. The 18 - 20 age kids could really use a Meet and Greet every day along with their own events and parties to enhance their vacation just like the adults and the other teens and small children on the ship. Carnival should be interested in providing a vacation destination experience for ALL AGES on the ship.

[dbsb3233]

I'm 22 right now and my first cruise was when I was 18. I was bored, to put it nicely. I don't think they need a full on dedicated space like the younger clubs but how about meet and greets on certain days in certain places. Close down the piano bar for a couple hours and serve virgin drinks only. Or the club from 9-11 and then start serving alcohol after. It gives them a chance to hangout and chat and then continue once friendships have been made to hang out once the place gets back to normal. They are adults and can go with adults just not buy alcohol. Just give them a chance to meet each other and give them time and space.

That's exactly what I was going to post. No need to create a whole "club", but just give kids/young adults of similar age a meeting place early in the cruise to meet and greet. Some may become friends and then have someone else to do stuff with through the rest of the cruise.

[Need-a-vacation]

Our trip on the Imagination was the first cruise for either of my boys. The youngest liked it a lot, primarily because of the kids he met in Club O2 and being able to run around with them all evening. He and I are going on the Freedom this summer and I fully expect it may feel a lot like a solo cruise for me. :) My older son was 19 at the time and he was pretty bored and I think he wouldn't go again except maybe if he was bringing a friend with him and it'd have to be the right cruise!

 

On that trip, the piano bar was closed most of the time. They used it for trivia a couple times. I think it would have been very suitable place to have open a few hours in the afternnon and evening for kids that age to touch base

 

It's perfectly common for cruises to arrange and host LGBT, Singles, Friends of Bill and other targeted meetups, why is it so bizarre to suggest facilitating something similar for the young adult age group? In theory, those people are all adults as well and should be able to have fun and magically find each other for companionship without the cruise line doing anything special for them.

 

These young adults are forming opinions about what kinds of vacations they may like in the future and it does no good to sour them on cruising!

 

ETA: Well hand me my crow. Right after I finished this I flipped over to an old Fun Times from the Dream last May that I had up in another window looking for something else and it's a miracle -- that cruise DID have an 18-20 meet and greet scheduled for very late on the first sea day. So maybe someone is listening?

Edited March 25, 2015 by Need-a-vacation

[steph7021]

Our trip on the Imagination was the first cruise for either of my boys. The youngest liked it a lot, primarily because of the kids he met in Club O2 and being able to run around with them all evening. He and I are going on the Freedom this summer and I fully expect it may feel a lot like a solo cruise for me. :) My older son was 19 at the time and he was pretty bored and I think he wouldn't go again except maybe if he was bringing a friend with him and it'd have to be the right cruise!

 

On that trip, the piano bar was closed most of the time. They used it for trivia a couple times. I think it would have been very suitable place to have open a few hours in the afternnon and evening for kids that age to touch base

 

It's perfectly common for cruises to arrange and host LGBT, Singles, Friends of Bill and other targeted meetups, why is it so bizarre to suggest facilitating something similar for the young adult age group? In theory, those people are all adults as well and should be able to have fun and magically find each other for companionship without the cruise line doing anything special for them.

 

These young adults are forming opinions about what kinds of vacations they may like in the future and it does no good to sour them on cruising!

 

ETA: Well hand me my crow. Right after I finished this I flipped over to an old Fun Times from the Dream last May that I had up in another window looking for something else and it's a miracle -- that cruise DID have an 18-20 meet and greet scheduled for very late on the first sea day. So maybe someone is listening?

 

 

I hope it's scheduled on the Freedom in May! Thanks for the info!

[bowen9475]

We are cruising on the 4 night Imagination in a few weeks. I have an 18 year old son who has absolutely LOVED the kids clubs on all our previous cruises. I am worried about him possibly not having a lot to do or meeting many people. Does anyone know if the Imagination offers a meet and greet for this age group early in the cruise?

[dvond]

My daughter is now 19, she had always went to camp right through 17 and always loved meeting people especially key early in the cruise on her 1st 14 cruises. She has now been on 3 since turning 18 and not having as good a time, she is shy and most others that age bring friends so its awkward. Meet and Greet's and a few activities would be fantatsic

[spleenstomper]

My son will turn 18 a few days after our cruise. He is looking forward to going to club O2-- this cruise was his idea!

[cantthinkofanythingfun]

When my son turns 18 I expect to pay him to go on cruises with me. He can push me around in my wheelchair, get me drinks, and place my bets on the craps table.

[anewmac]

No, I have not heard anything about a new club for teens from Carnival. I was curious if anyone else had any info on the subject and what their opinions were. Plus I really do feel that this age group is ignored by Carnival. The 18 - 20 age kids

YES YES YES... This is one of the thoughts I have about not cruising in a yr. My son will be 18 and he said without being able to meet friends he would rather not cruise. Along with I... if he's not having fun, it will trickle down lol.

 

It's perfectly common for cruises to arrange and host LGBT, Singles, Friends of Bill and other targeted meetups, why is it so bizarre to suggest facilitating something similar for the young adult age group? In theory, those people are all adults as well and should be able to have fun and magically find each other for companionship without the cruise line doing anything special for them.

 

These young adults are forming opinions about what kinds of vacations they may like in the future and it does no good to sour them on cruising!

 

ETA: Well hand me my crow. Right after I finished this I flipped over to an old Fun Times from the Dream last May that I had up in another window looking for something else and it's a miracle -- that cruise DID have an 18-20 meet and greet scheduled for very late on the first sea day. So maybe someone is listening?

 

Im so glad there are other parents that are interested in finding things for this inbetween group. I just checked my fun times from my Breeze cruise in March and noticed everynight there was a LGBT and Friends of Bill meet but nothing for the inbe"Tween" group.

 

We all should write to John Heald on his Facebook page and Blog. Maybe if more of us bring this up, they will take note of this age group that they have left behind!

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

And the helicopter blades go round and round....

 

Well adjusted, active 18 to 20 age kids don't have trouble meeting people, whether its at the water slides, or the pool, the gym (best meeting place ever) or even in the lounge areas. And parents who bring kids should be alert to the fact that any traveling for teens is usually more fun with an age appropriate buddy along for the ride.

 

18 year olds are welcome in the bars (they just need to order non-alcoholic drinks) and they have plenty of places to go to dance the night away. Besides what 18 year old wants to be subjected to a camp counselor or to be involved in monitored activities.

 

The only place someone under 21 is restricted is the serenity area and who at 18 wants to hang with a bunch of oldies.

[RaiderFaninNM]

LOVE the idea of a meet and greet for the 18ish young adults, we are booked for a 11 day Journeys cruise in Jan and would HATE for my son to not have fun. The previous cruises he was involved in the various clubs and no, it was not a daycare for them, the counselor involved with them had one job, to keep them from getting to rowdy. He would meet up his crew and decide what to do for the day, sometimes to the club but mostly just to hang out with people in his age group, very selfish of those who come in here to cause trouble, oh well, it happens, ignore them, to those whom have young adults in this age, what has been your experiences?

 

Good topic for a thread...........:D

[spleenstomper]

And the helicopter blades go round and round....

 

Well adjusted, active 18 to 20 age kids don't have trouble meeting people, whether its at the water slides, or the pool, the gym (best meeting place ever) or even in the lounge areas. And parents who bring kids should be alert to the fact that any traveling for teens is usually more fun with an age appropriate buddy along for the ride.

 

18 year olds are welcome in the bars (they just need to order non-alcoholic drinks) and they have plenty of places to go to dance the night away. Besides what 18 year old wants to be subjected to a camp counselor or to be involved in monitored activities.

 

The only place someone under 21 is restricted is the serenity area and who at 18 wants to hang with a bunch of oldies.

 

You are discussing well-adjusted extroverts.

 

We are discussing well-adjusted introverts.

[StolidCruiser]

You are discussing well-adjusted extroverts.

 

We are discussing well-adjusted introverts.

 

Cruise lines should provide extensive unique activities for every age demographic breakdown, personality and gender.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Cruise lines should provide extensive unique activities for every age demographic breakdown, personality and gender.

 

And I'll assume that you are being facetious with tongue planted firmly in cheek.:D

 

Id bet my last dollar that young adults who have graduated from the confines of high school and are into the freedoms of adulthood wouldn't be to excited about being "clubbed" and set apart on a cruise ship. It sounds more like there are some parents who are still concerned about their "now adult" children moving beyond the confines of the boundaries they would like to set (ie: not being friends with those over 21...you know people who may drink and may offer temptation to their little ones).

 

I've seen many a young adult perfectly happy to hang with their parents, or even grandparents on a cruise and no longer need the stimulii of "kids" their own age to have fun. If they need that they will find a friend to travel with them or they will just stay home (that is if helicoptering parents will let them).

[StolidCruiser]

Cruise lines should provide extensive unique activities for every age demographic breakdown, personality and gender.

 

And I'll assume that you are being facetious with tongue planted firmly in cheek.:D

 

 

Who, me? ;)

[travler27]

Aren't most meet & greets organized by passengers and simply listed in the Fun Times as a convenience for the organizer? If that's the case then couldn't anybody set one up?

 

And I'm not sure I'd want my 18 year old son or daughter hanging out in an adult bar with a bunch of drunk grown-ups. Remember, 18 year olds are only legal adults for some activities and not all.

Edited June 24, 2015 by travler27

[Ready 2 Go]

I'm just curious what 18-20 Year old activities would be included in such a club? If it is a matter of meeting people, I think if your child in that age range has any type of social skills, it would be easy to foster new relationships/friendships while on board.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

And I'm not sure I'd want my 18 year old son or daughter hanging out in an adult bar with a bunch of drunk grown-ups. Remember, 18 year olds are only legal adults for some activities and not all.

 

You've illustrated my point exactly. Your 18 year old is AN ADULT with the single caveat that they cannot be served liquor. And, much to many a parent's amazement, not all people who go to bars are "drunk grown-ups", that's being a bit presumptive and is non-factual stereotyping.

[isaiahsnana]

I am the grandmother to three young boys, but I taught High School for 30 years and believe this would be a great idea. There are a lot of kids who are not trying to talk their way into alcohol and relationships with much older crowds. I would be a fan of this age group having a place to gather so they can meet like minded others. This group struggles regularly fitting in if they don't drink or party, even on dry land if they do not attend college and have, again just like HS, a built in way to meet others who have similar interests. Carnival arranges all sorts of meetings on board for like minded groups to get together - why not this group? Even a Meet and Greet, during the same hours that the Camp Carnival has a meeting for parents and kids - there are a lot of empty venues that early in the cruise. One staff member could be assigned to manage it and give away a few sodas and maybe plan a ice breaker game with a ship on a stick to be won.

[isaiahsnana]

Aren't most meet & greets organized by passengers and simply listed in the Fun Times as a convenience for the organizer? If that's the case then couldn't anybody set one up?

 

And I'm not sure I'd want my 18 year old son or daughter hanging out in an adult bar with a bunch of drunk grown-ups. Remember, 18 year olds are only legal adults for some activities and not all.

 

Nope, meetings for an LGBT and Friends of Bill are regularly held by Carnival or at least given a place to meet.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

I'd like to hear from someone who is out of highschool and not yet 21 who actually wants the cruiseline to be responsible for their social welfare. It seems to me like there are lots of parents or "older" adults who want this but until the "kids" themselves express their views the situation is probably mute.