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We recently cruised with our 20 year old daughter - what a let down for her. We are Diamond c&a members but being 20 gives little benefits as you dont fit into the kids benefits and cannot access the adult benefits! So no offer of wifi benefit and obviously no alcohol. 

Having grown up with the amazing adventure ocean and teen lounge all of a sudden we have a 'lost' 20 year old hanging out with her parents! 17 year old sister in teen lounge and us as next best option! I'm really surprised there is no meet up for these young adults, in fact I'm disappointed really for us and her haha! On second last night there was a Club 18-20 meet up in a bar area but at a time when we were dining unfortunately, and also the fact this was second last night was too late. 

Anyone have any good experiences on RCI of meet ups for this age group- aware our next cruise might be with a younger daughter in the same situation!

 

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Thanks for asking.  Our daughter will be 19 on the Liberty next June and I have the same concerns with her.  We don't want her hanging out with us all of the time while her 17 year old brother is off having the time of his live.  This is our 3rd time on the Liberty and I had that discussion with her before I booked it.  She swears she will be fine just hanging out at the adult pool and stuff (her words). 

 

She doesn't care that she can't drink.  We just went to Ireland where it was legal for her and she wouldn't try it.  (I ended up getting her free Guiness during that tour so bonus for me.)  Hopefully she is able to find some other girls her age.  

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We did a couple of cruises when our son was 19/20 and at uni. We made sure we stuck to Europe so he was able to drink and was treated as an adult for C and A benefits. He came to the lounge with us and chatted to people of all ages. On one of the cruises there was a family from the US on our roll call who had a son and daughter in their early 20s. We shared a transfer to the ship with them so they all met up and became friends. He would often meet up with them on the ship.

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I know that this has always been an issue on Celebrity and Princess but I'm very surprised to read this on the RC board. My kids are past this stage but when I joined the Facebook group for our last RC sailing there were a group in the 18- 20 somethings making plans via social media. I found the FB roll call more active than the CC roll call and there were members such has my self using both social media sites. 

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We have gone through this with 2 kids and still have an 18yo. It is a weird age on the ship because you can’t  go to the kid club but you can’t drink. However all of our kids have had fun in the casino and night clubs because that is a new privilege for 18+.   But definitely a change because it’s more on them to meet people independent of kids club. 

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2 hours ago, yummymummy99 said:

Anyone have any good experiences on RCI of meet ups for this age group- aware our next cruise might be with a younger daughter in the same situation!

No, we don't have any good RCI experiences either, when it comes to this.  When our son was 18 we took a cruise and had the exact experience as you are discussing.  We would see other young adults (that I think were college age) with their parents.  We did let him go on excursions by himself, so he could do something more adventurous.  But on ship he was with us.  As someone else mentioned he and I would go to the casino.  

 

I know this not the place to say this.  When he was 19, we took him on NCL.  They let us sign a consent form to let him have beer and wine.  This let him go into the nightclubs, bar parties, and hang out at the deck parties.  He never got drunk enough that we became aware, and he did meet some others his age that he could hang out with. 

 

I love RCI, and they are our cruise line of choice,  but at that time we benefited from NCL's policy. 

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2 hours ago, yummymummy99 said:

We recently cruised with our 20 year old daughter - what a let down for her. We are Diamond c&a members but being 20 gives little benefits as you dont fit into the kids benefits and cannot access the adult benefits! So no offer of wifi benefit and obviously no alcohol. 

Having grown up with the amazing adventure ocean and teen lounge all of a sudden we have a 'lost' 20 year old hanging out with her parents! 17 year old sister in teen lounge and us as next best option! I'm really surprised there is no meet up for these young adults, in fact I'm disappointed really for us and her haha! On second last night there was a Club 18-20 meet up in a bar area but at a time when we were dining unfortunately, and also the fact this was second last night was too late. 

Anyone have any good experiences on RCI of meet ups for this age group- aware our next cruise might be with a younger daughter in the same situation!

 

An 18 or 20 YO can do anything on board that a 22 or 25 YO can do except drink alcohol. They are welcome at any of the bars or events.

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19 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

An 18 or 20 YO can do anything on board that a 22 or 25 YO can do except drink alcohol. They are welcome at any of the bars or events.

Exactly right. There actually are 22 year olds who do not drink alcohol. Does that mean they a doomed to a boring cruise?

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2 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

I know that this has always been an issue on Celebrity and Princess but I'm very surprised to read this on the RC board. My kids are past this stage but when I joined the Facebook group for our last RC sailing there were a group in the 18- 20 somethings making plans via social media. I found the FB roll call more active than the CC roll call and there were members such has my self using both social media sites. 

I was on roll call but not fb group, maybe next time will check that out. 

 

3 hours ago, KsucAts said:

Thanks for asking.  Our daughter will be 19 on the Liberty next June and I have the same concerns with her.  We don't want her hanging out with us all of the time while her 17 year old brother is off having the time of his live.  This is our 3rd time on the Liberty and I had that discussion with her before I booked it.  She swears she will be fine just hanging out at the adult pool and stuff (her words). 

 

She doesn't care that she can't drink.  We just went to Ireland where it was legal for her and she wouldn't try it.  (I ended up getting her free Guiness during that tour so bonus for me.)  Hopefully she is able to find some other girls her age.  

Our daughter doesnt drink much either but it's more that she was a kind of misfit! She left home to go overseas to study when 18 and although we get on really well her (and our cruise experience) has never involved spending whole evenings together! We loved the silent disco, danced to dj's etc but I'm sure she would have rather had some ship friends to at least have options! She has been to teens lounge consistently and as someone else aid our w7 guest old had a ball, never back til the 1am curfew with lots of new friends....! Tbh neither daughter usually comes to any of the shows so she kind of enjoyed that with us and did enjoy watching the gambling. 

Will maybe look at NCL for cruising eith younger daughter, thanks. 

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My 23 and 25 year-olds had the same experience. Being old enough to drink doesn't make that much of a difference. They spent most of their time with us. There just didn't seem to be anyone their age looking to connect with new folks.

 

They had fun though. 

Edited by schlimazel_traveler
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Been there done that! My then 18 yr old very intrevert daughter and my 13 yr old very extrevert step daughter cruised with us. Of course the one that could make friends if she were stranded on an island is the one who could go to the teen lounge and the one that couldn't is the one who had nothing to do. She hung out with me in the evening and found things to keep bust during the day.

She did have fun in the evenings in the casino.

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I can never understand comments about 20-year-olds who suddenly can no longer have fun on a cruise.  They can do anything anyone else can do, except drink alcohol.  So sad that alcohol should be part of the equation.  Lots of people of all ages do not drink!  There’s plenty to do for all ages.  If young adults cannot have a good time perhaps they shouldn’t cruise.  What do they do for enjoyment/socialization at home?  

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11 minutes ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

I can never understand comments about 20-year-olds who suddenly can no longer have fun on a cruise.  They can do anything anyone else can do, except drink alcohol.  So sad that alcohol should be part of the equation.  Lots of people of all ages do not drink!  There’s plenty to do for all ages.  If young adults cannot have a good time perhaps they shouldn’t cruise.  What do they do for enjoyment/socialization at home?  

Lighten up Grandma. 

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22 minutes ago, Mtumbleston said:

Lighten up Grandma. 

 

I don’t need to “lighten up” -  I’m not the one complaining.  I simply asked what the specific 20-year-olds do when not cruising.  There’s so much to do on a cruise ship that I find it hard to comprehend that they are bored, nothing to enjoy, etc.  

 

Lucky their parents take them!  I have cruised solo several times and find the majority of people - young and old - friendly and it’s easy to talk, mix, etc.  Even crazy stuff like Quest has all ages!

Edited by Grandma Dazzles
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I must admit, my transition from being a teen to an adult (17 - 18) was hard. But I figured the reason why I like cruising is not primarily due to the teens club, or alcohol, but is just being on the sea and embracing the natural environment. Sure, the teens club was definitely an added bonus for me as a teenager, but it wasn't the reason why I begged my parents to try going on a cruise in the first place. I think the 18-20 year old age group is great for individuals to become independent to explore their own interests and to experience what its like 'adulting'. Especially with the bigger ships, many travel with families and extended families, so it's not an area Royal would deem worthy of investing in. 

 

I would definitely welcome a scheduled brochure with activities dedicated for individuals in this age group, like those seen in Adventure Ocean, but would think a specific place dedicated for people within this age group a far stretch.

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2 minutes ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

 

I don’t need to “lighten up” -  I’m not the one complaining.  I simply asked what the specific 20-year-olds do when not cruising.  There’s so much to do on a cruise ship that I find it hard to comprehend that they are bored, nothing to enjoy, etc.  Lucky their parents take them!  I have cruised solo several times and find the majority of people - young and old - friendly and it’s easy to talk, mix, etc.  

It’s an awkward age because your not a teen but but not a “legal” adult. I found your comment that “if young adults cannot have a good time perhaps they shouldn’t cruise” very condescending. So yeah, lighten up. 

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1 hour ago, Mtumbleston said:

Lighten up Grandma. 

 

42 minutes ago, Mtumbleston said:

It’s an awkward age because your not a teen but but not a “legal” adult. I found your comment that “if young adults cannot have a good time perhaps they shouldn’t cruise” very condescending. So yeah, lighten up. 

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Perhaps attacking another poster is not the best way to begin.

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9 hours ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

I can never understand comments about 20-year-olds who suddenly can no longer have fun on a cruise.  They can do anything anyone else can do, except drink alcohol.  So sad that alcohol should be part of the equation.  Lots of people of all ages do not drink!  There’s plenty to do for all ages.  If young adults cannot have a good time perhaps they shouldn’t cruise.  What do they do for enjoyment/socialization at home?  

Agree with you 100%.  What does drinking have to do with enjoying a cruise?  Know to many people addicted to alcohol and drugs.  Why encourage drinking?

 

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15 hours ago, Domino D said:

No, we don't have any good RCI experiences either, when it comes to this.  When our son was 18 we took a cruise and had the exact experience as you are discussing.  We would see other young adults (that I think were college age) with their parents.  We did let him go on excursions by himself, so he could do something more adventurous.  But on ship he was with us.  As someone else mentioned he and I would go to the casino.  

 

I know this not the place to say this.  When he was 19, we took him on NCL.  They let us sign a consent form to let him have beer and wine.  This let him go into the nightclubs, bar parties, and hang out at the deck parties.  He never got drunk enough that we became aware, and he did meet some others his age that he could hang out with. 

 

I love RCI, and they are our cruise line of choice,  but at that time we benefited from NCL's policy. 

Royal used to have a similar beer and wine policy. 18-20 on Royal was no different for me than 21+ it was awesome. 

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11 hours ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

I can never understand comments about 20-year-olds who suddenly can no longer have fun on a cruise.  They can do anything anyone else can do, except drink alcohol.  So sad that alcohol should be part of the equation.  Lots of people of all ages do not drink!  There’s plenty to do for all ages.  If young adults cannot have a good time perhaps they shouldn’t cruise.  What do they do for enjoyment/socialization at home?  

I don't believe that has anything to do with it. They can't drink at home yet they still have a social life. It comes down to the cruise line not having a organized event for this group like they do for the adolescents. They can go anyplace on the ship but a 20yr old isn't going to go off into a bar by themselves whether they can drink or not. It's just awkward. 

Edited by Iamcruzin
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10 hours ago, Ethanol95 said:

 

I would definitely welcome a scheduled brochure with activities dedicated for individuals in this age group, like those seen in Adventure Ocean, but would think a specific place dedicated for people within this age group a far stretch.

I think that's a great idea.

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11 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

I don't believe that has anything to do with it. They can't drink at home yet they still have a social life. It comes down to the cruise line not having a organized event for this group like they do for the adolescents. They can go anyplace on the ship but a 20yr old isn't going to go off into a bar by themselves whether they can drink or not. It's just awkward. 

 

This is exactly the concern we have with our 19 year on our upcoming cruise.  Drinking isn't the issue.  It is the lack of anything organized to do with other people her age.  My daughter loves karoake, line dancing and stuff like that.  She will go to any and all of the adult activities similar to those.  I just hope there are other people her age and she won't feel awkard hanging around about of older married couples whose kids and teenagers are having fun at organized activities.  

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6 minutes ago, KsucAts said:

 I just hope there are other people her age and she won't feel awkard hanging around about of older married couples whose kids and teenagers are having fun at organized activities.  

There will be other people her age, the question is, is she the type that will initiate anything? if not and they don't want to hang around their parents I would consider a different vacation  

Edited by Tulsacoker
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I guess my comments on this subject were based on my own kids.  They cruised at that age and just didn’t have any problems.  Both (boy and girl) went to the sports court, joined in pick up games, met other young people at the pool, etc.  Both are outgoing, athletic, and were in high school (18 - so no kids club) and college. So much depends on the kids involved.

 

Unfortunately, people expect the cruise line to set things up and when the cruise line does, events are often poorly attended.  I have made a few solo cruises.  Cruise line staff set up meetings and lunches, advertised in the compass for “solo” cruisers - never had more than 2-3 people show up and age was never mentioned.  

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