Some General Mom ?'s. Tween & Teen

[LucyB.]

My kids are older, will be almost '17 & will be 10 on our Oct. 17, Elation sailing. Their & DH first cruise, my 2nd.

I set them both up for the Carnival kids activities. I'm not worried they won't have fun or hear the dreaded, "I'm bored."

I gave my 10yr old sign out privileges, so he can participate in out of the club activities. I'm concerned about giving him charge privileges. He's Denace the Menace & Tom Sawyer in one adorable & knows it kid. Don't laugh, my concern is he'll sign himself out of camp, treat himself & 5 new friends to virgin daiquiris & I'll be frantic looking for him. Only to find him, in a deck chair, shades on, 5 buddies sipping drinks on my dime, truly enjoying himself! (I want him to have fun). Can they notify me or DH if he signs himself out? Can I get an alert on my hub app of all charges, immediately? What age do you let yours charge? (16 yr old is responsible, so that was an easy choice for yes)

There will be rules, curfew for the 16 yr old, & plan on the post it in the cabin communication method.

Second, it's an early Oct. sailing on their Fall Break. I know not all kids get a full week. What if there's only a handful of kids each of their ages sailing? Is it possible they'd really get bored?

I do plan to find some time for DH & myself. Me at the casino & maybe a cocktail together on the Serenity deck. I want all 4 of us to have the best vacation ever. I know my concerns might sound silly. I'm very type A. I plan plan plan, so I know most of our options.

My teen is very anxious about sailing. He had a baseball career (& future Army) ending knee injury a year ago. He's worried something will happen to his knee, on board, & there won't be any help. I've tried to reassured him & leave the worrying to me. I'm taking a brace for both knees, and zippy bags incase we need to ice them.

Debating on passports or even passport cards. It's an added expense, esp bc it's their first sailing & they may not like it. I know it's better to have it & not need it. Do your kids have passports?

Thanks for listening to my somewhat irrational concerns. I'm protective, but not a helicopter mom. They aren't picky, so food thankfully isn't an issue either. I hope to get all my concerns addressed, relived, & actually enjoy our cruise.

Thank you.

[momoftheseas]

I can't help in regards to the cruise questions especially since my oldest is 6 so hopefully someone else can help there. as far as passports, my kids are 6 and 2 and both have passports. Will you be fine with out them, yes you will. For me the piece of mind is worth the expense. On the plus side, if you get your 16 year old a passport it will be valid for 10 years as opposed to the 10 year old where it would only be valid for 5. It makes that money go a little bit farther. Just my opinion! Have a great cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[gingersvp]

My sons are 14 and 10 and have sailed twice before. My sons do not have passports (I had an issue with obtaining one for my second son - father issues). We are, however, going to get passports before our trip this July. Our issue has since been resolved and we want to take a train ride that crossed into Canada and that requires a passport. We didn't have any issues without the passport, but if you're a Type A worrier, it may be worth it to you just to check an item off your list.

 

If there is true concern that you may need access to medical facilities on the ship while you're there, I highly recommend adding insurance. They will charge you for every item, etc.

 

 

 

We let our boys charge on their own last time at ages 13 and 9. For charging privileges - you have a couple of options depending on your trust level with the 10 year old:

 

 

1. Only allow the 17 year old to charge. Have the younger one come to him when he needs something.

2. Go over charging expectations beforehand. I know that my 10 year old is great with instructions like, You can charge 1 beverage per day to the room. Anything more, talk to me. (Personally I like not having him pester me over every little thing).

 

 

Does Carnival have any sort of internal app? We'll be on NCL and they have a free app that works on their wifi with a small charge to allow instant messaging back and forth. I've also seen families utilize walkie talkies if you have concerns about finding your son.

 

 

We've found it helpful to layout ideas on what we expect: If you sign out of Kid's Club, you can go to OPTION A or OPTION B. You must meet up with us at lunch at XYZ time. We will be in either PLACE A or PLACE B. They've always been great about checking in periodically.

[A&Jfamily]

My kids are older, will be almost '17 & will be 10 on our Oct. 17, Elation sailing. Their & DH first cruise, my 2nd.

I set them both up for the Carnival kids activities. I'm not worried they won't have fun or hear the dreaded, "I'm bored."

I gave my 10yr old sign out privileges, so he can participate in out of the club activities. I'm concerned about giving him charge privileges. He's Denace the Menace & Tom Sawyer in one adorable & knows it kid. Don't laugh, my concern is he'll sign himself out of camp, treat himself & 5 new friends to virgin daiquiris & I'll be frantic looking for him. Only to find him, in a deck chair, shades on, 5 buddies sipping drinks on my dime, truly enjoying himself! (I want him to have fun). Can they notify me or DH if he signs himself out? Can I get an alert on my hub app of all charges, immediately? What age do you let yours charge? (16 yr old is responsible, so that was an easy choice for yes)

There will be rules, curfew for the 16 yr old, & plan on the post it in the cabin communication method.

Second, it's an early Oct. sailing on their Fall Break. I know not all kids get a full week. What if there's only a handful of kids each of their ages sailing? Is it possible they'd really get bored?

I do plan to find some time for DH & myself. Me at the casino & maybe a cocktail together on the Serenity deck. I want all 4 of us to have the best vacation ever. I know my concerns might sound silly. I'm very type A. I plan plan plan, so I know most of our options.

My teen is very anxious about sailing. He had a baseball career (& future Army) ending knee injury a year ago. He's worried something will happen to his knee, on board, & there won't be any help. I've tried to reassured him & leave the worrying to me. I'm taking a brace for both knees, and zippy bags incase we need to ice them.

Debating on passports or even passport cards. It's an added expense, esp bc it's their first sailing & they may not like it. I know it's better to have it & not need it. Do your kids have passports?

Thanks for listening to my somewhat irrational concerns. I'm protective, but not a helicopter mom. They aren't picky, so food thankfully isn't an issue either. I hope to get all my concerns addressed, relived, & actually enjoy our cruise.

Thank you.

 

 

My sons are now 18 and almost 13. And have 10 cruises under their belt. Relax - you clearly know your kids and that is the important thing. There will be kids on board and plenty to do so neither should get bored. Mine are often happy to chill out an watch a movie, play putt-putt, go to comedy etc. yet also carry Kindles and 3DSs for down time entertainment.

 

Yes. We all have passports. We take them ashore in non US ports in case something happens and we miss the ship. We love to travel and so it has been repeated peace of mind. It's really a cost benefit analysis - if you aren't wandering far from the ship on your excursions, and are comfortable without, don't bother. For me, being Type A - it's worth the money for peace of mind.

 

You can also tell your older son to relax - he isn't gonna go anywhere on that ship that is out of shouting distance of another human. He and his knee will be safe.

 

As for little "Dennis" momma is going to have to lay down the law. If you tell him rules will he abide? My sons know any improper behavior - running in halls, not using manners - will result in a grounding to their room. The threat is very real because the ships are small and there is only so many places they can go. I have never had to invoke - thought at 16 my oldest rolled into dinner 15 minutes late and it almost cost him.!

 

If you can't trust him to follow your rules, don't give him sign in/out or charging. My older didn't get it til 11; my younger started at 9 - all because of their personalities. When they were younger, it was Camp, me or room - with a stop for ice cream allowed - no other place. Now, they come and go as they please - they have their own room across from ours. Some nights one or both are resting at 10 when we check in - perhaps with plans to step out later. But more often than not, they are tired and ready for the boat to rock them to sleep.

 

Hope that helps!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[kitkat343]

I'd call carnival and ask if they can put a daily limit on how much a minor can charge to his card.

 

There should be plenty of families on this cruise and your kids will have a wonderful time

[LucyB.]

Thank you ALL for your replies & not laughing at me. They're seasoned travelers, we camp regularly & road trip several times a year. This ship life will be totally new. DH & I will for sure have rules. I'm a strict parent off vacation & expect them to behave. They know it already. Your help has been great. I like the idea of letting the oldest have charge privileges & make Little One go to him.

[Kerry's Girls]

I can answer about the medical facilities on board - they're amazing and well-equipped. Many people (including the employees) get injured or ill on board - the doctors can handle it. I agree with the above poster to have trip insurance that covers medical - the facility is a bit more expensive than land-based, and on the off-chance someone needs airlifting, you don't want to get stuck paying for that.

 

Have a great time!

[cb at sea]

There is no way your kids will be "bored"...if they are...then SHAME on them...and you! After age 9, kids are allowed to sign themselves in and out of the clubs....it's up to YOU to enforce YOUR rules. I would have them find you if your pre-arranged plans change...physically come to YOU and tell you their new plans. Up to YOU to allow it.

 

You will need to tell them where to find you...a physical meeting is the best way to see how your kids are doing.

[lbjen]

If there's a chance you would need to fly back early (I'm thinking because of the knee mostly) then you will need passports to do that. My kids have had passports since they were both newborns but we travel a lot. Someone else mentioned insurance, make sure you verify what the coverage will be for his 'pre-existing condition'.

 

My older one was 11 when we cruised last. She did have sign out privileges but knew that we didn't want her using it. She was only allowed to sign out if it was to come and find us, not to go wandering around the ship by herself. She knew we would check the log to make sure she had not done it when we came to pick her up so she didn't do it behind our back. We didn't block her card from charges but she was instructed to not do it and she did as we asked. She's well behaved but also very immature and easily led astray so I was concerned that someone would befriend her and get her to charge a bunch of stuff to her card, but that didn't happen thankfully. Again, she knew we would be checking her account regularly.

 

You know your own kids, and whatever rules you set before you get there can always be changed once you are on board and get a feel for it. I think you have started off on the right foot though with this!

[LucyB.]

Thank y'all again. I spoke w a Mom CSR at Carnival yesterday. She suggested setting a per day limit for each child, or say $100 total for the cruise. I can add the money to their individual cards either every day or at the beginning. Basically they spend it how they want, like in the arcade or virgin drinks. Once they're out of money, that's it. I liked that too & wanted to pass it along. It's a short sailing, with port days in Nassau & Half Moon Cay. Those days will definitely be family days. We will all meet for dinner at a time we set as a family. We're taking sodas to save money. We also have anytime dining for dinner. The CSR sailed with her kids first at 11. She was a huge help, too. She said one kid didn't do kids activities & the other one didn't want to leave. Thank you for the concern over DS knee. I'd be a lot more concerned if it was a new injury. We traveled fine last Oct. He just tends to worry more. It was an awful experience for all of us. Thankfully we seem to be on the upside of both the physical & mental issues that came with it.

This may seriously be our only family cruise before he leaves for college. Unless he just loves it & gives us the green light for a Senior trip family cruise. To be straight honest, oldest DS will complain about ANY family vac. He has about a New Orleans/ Beach trip, then last year in the mountains. It's not stopping us from traveling. I've flat laid my big foot down. Told him 3 of us are stoked! He for one can live on room service & stay in the stateroom the whole time. (Aside from the port time) That his bad attitude won't stop the rest of us from enjoying every single minute!

Thankfully he does like camping and that's our Spring Break.

I appreciate the input from all of you.

[LucyB.]

Oh! And we DO have insurance, through Allianz. The policy covers a lot of medical stuff. My prayer is, not just for my guys, but anyone, is we never need it.

[LucyB.]

There is no way your kids will be "bored"...if they are...then SHAME on them...and you! After age 9, kids are allowed to sign themselves in and out of the clubs....it's up to YOU to enforce YOUR rules. I would have them find you if your pre-arranged plans change...physically come to YOU and tell you their new plans. Up to YOU to allow it.

 

You will need to tell them where to find you...a physical meeting is the best way to see how your kids are doing.

 

Thank you. I fully agree in person is best. I'm thinking maybe check in certain times, in person, certain places. Say Lido buffet at lunch & def supper.

Maybe scanning the daily & seeing what family activities we might all 4 like & agreeing to meet then & there will be good. All 4 of us will wear a watch set to ship time. ( Waterproof Walmart specials for the boys) Sometimes just laying around is all 4 of our idea of a good time.

I do plan to let them Oder as much room service as they want, but with in time frames to not mess w family meals. Ordering it in hotels, esp dessert, is a family tradition we started in St.Louis.

My boys are seasoned travelers. They already know to pack once to wear twice. Things like that.

I have no doubts they'll eat their own weights, but not waste. I don't abide that at home, hotel, camping, & now adding at sea to it.

Thank you ALL for taking time to reply. I just panicked there for a minute.

[ommax2]

I am taking my 17 year old boy and 15 year old girl and 10 year old girl on Magic this summer...my" bigs" love cruising...and often just hang together...my little loves the kids clubs...and even though she can sign out...that is only for kids club activities for her...otherwise a "big" or a parent must come get her. My have signing privileges, but have never abused it. They know the wrath that would be upon them! We do have passports for everyone, but my "bigs" are adopted internationally, so we have lots of crap that happens at security every time. We carry adoption papers etc....uhg.

We are looking forward to this summer's adventure...

[LucyB.]

I am taking my 17 year old boy and 15 year old girl and 10 year old girl on Magic this summer...my" bigs" love cruising...and often just hang together...my little loves the kids clubs...and even though she can sign out...that is only for kids club activities for her...otherwise a "big" or a parent must come get her. My have signing privileges, but have never abused it. They know the wrath that would be upon them! We do have passports for everyone, but my "bigs" are adopted internationally, so we have lots of crap that happens at security every time. We carry adoption papers etc....uhg.

We are looking forward to this summer's adventure...

 

As an aunt of adoption, this makes me smile. I call my kids, "Big One", "Little One" and "extra one". Who extra one is changes depending on which niece or nephew is with us. 😊