a few questions from a first time cruiser

[gonegoing]

Hi everyone! I'm going on my first cruise, departing next Sunday (the 19th!) I'm sailing on Explorer of the Seas. I've spent countless hours on the net, specifically searching these & other similar message boards. I have two questions, both simple, but I'd appreciate some answers.

 

I'm celebrating my birthday on the 20th, and I'm not the type of person who likes to be put out into a group and be singled out. I'm in a younger age group, specificially I'm a teenager (I'll be turning 15). I was wondering if while dining, the waiters or anything sings Happy Birthday, or makes a commotion? I know you can purchase a birthday cake, but I don't know if they do anything else for you.

 

My other question refers to the teen activites. I've looked up a lot about the "teen disco" and other teen activites on the Royal Caribbean website. I see it says that for ages 12-14, and 15-17, you can enjoy the dance club, or something along those lines. Does this mean that the 12 year olds would be in the same area as say the 17 year olds? I don't know if I would be looking forward to spending the night with the younger kids, though they probably head back to the cabins earlier. I can always see what happens the first night, too. Also, "The Living Room," I read up what I could on the Royal Caribbean website, and it basically says it's a hang out area for teens, but I didn't understand if it was on all ships. Does anyone know if they have one of these "Living Rooms" on the Explorer? Feel free to share with me, whether you're a parent, a teen yourself, or someone who's knowledgeable about the subject, what your children did as a teen on the ship, ect.

 

I appreciate the help in an advance!

[Merion_Mom]

1. Birthday - if someone at your table informs your waiter that it is your birthday, they will gleefully take whatever dessert YOU order and dress it up for your birthday: icing or sauce, spelling out "Happy Birthday Murgatroyd", plus they will sing lustfully, and usually, everyone within earshot joins in. My daughter had a GREAT 20th birthday this way.

 

2. Teen club/activites. Bad news/good news. As far as Royal Caribbean is concerned, you are 19. The teen places are only for kids until they hit 18. At 18, they can go in the adult disco and the casino, and can drink beer and wine, if their parent/guardian signs a waiver taking responsibility. But you are no longer permitted in the "teen" areas.

[gonegoing]

thanks for the reply!

[*erika*]

1. Birthday - if someone at your table informs your waiter that it is your birthday, they will gleefully take whatever dessert YOU order and dress it up for your birthday: icing or sauce, spelling out "Happy Birthday Murgatroyd", plus they will sing lustfully, and usually, everyone within earshot joins in. My daughter had a GREAT 20th birthday this way.

 

2. Teen club/activites. Bad news/good news. As far as Royal Caribbean is concerned, you are 19. The teen places are only for kids until they hit 18. At 18, they can go in the adult disco and the casino, and can drink beer and wine, if their parent/guardian signs a waiver taking responsibility. But you are no longer permitted in the "teen" areas.

 

 

She's turning 15 I thought?

 

In that case, the teen area is more of a "go the first night, make friends, then do your own thing" rather than hang out there every night. Also, the younger kids aren't put with the older kids, so don't worry about that either.

[LindaandJeff]

Hi GoneGoing

I haven't been on Royal Caribbean but I ran a Teen Program on another cruise line for a few years. I also have a 15 year old stepdaughter and a 12 year old step daughter. Sad to say that your family will make sure that the dining room sings happy birthday to you ....this is probably already planned (you are booked on a birthday cruise after all!) So, be prepared to sit there and be mortified. ;) It'll be over in less than a minute and then they will owe you big time.

 

As far as the organized activites go, just go hang out at the teen center the first day/night and make some friends and then take it from there. Basically, the teens on our ship showed up as a group or left as a group based on what we had planned for them. For example, low turn-out for bridge tours, big turn-out for free ice cream. It really is much like the first day of high school when everybody is checking everybody else out. Try to go check out the teen center by yourself rather than with your folks...you will naturally fall in with the right group for you. You will be surprised how kids from different areas of the country age faster than others. A 12 year old from southern California or New York is likely to act older than a 14 year old from a rural area. If people aren't around the first night don't worry because lots of kids have parents who will make them stay in the room to unpack and stuff, so try again the next morning near the pool or coffee place or internet place. Go where teens would go if there was no teen center. YOu'll find them and you will have a great cruise. Happy 15!:)

[Merion_Mom]

She's turning 15 I thought?

OOPS. TURNING 15 ON the 20th. DUH. So sorry.

 

As Gilda Radner would have said, "Never mind."

 

:D

[gonegoing]

Thanks SO much, everyone who's replyed so far. It's helped me figure some things out :).

 

& to reply LindaandJeff, it's not specifically for my birthday, it's my mid-winter break so it just so happens I'm lucky enough to celebrate my birthday out on the cruise!

[LindaandJeff]

Thanks SO much, everyone who's replyed so far. It's helped me figure some things out :).

 

& to reply LindaandJeff, it's not specifically for my birthday, it's my mid-winter break so it just so happens I'm lucky enough to celebrate my birthday out on the cruise!

 

Parents are parents though...so they will still want to make it a big deal!

[gonegoing]

I suppose you're right.

[*erika*]

I wouldn't worry about having them sing happy birthday. I think I've celebrated my birthday onboard for atleast the last 4 cruises I've been on, since it's always less than a week before, or less than a week after (can never get it RIGHT on my birthday as finals conflict) but it's still fun nonetheless. We get a kick out of how they all say "happy birthday" - you will understand once you hear them.

 

I wouldn't recommend having your parents order the cake, however. I don't think its very good, and I much prefer whatever dessert is that night anyways.

 

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask away! I've done the teen programs many times too (I started cruising when I was...9? And I'm almost 20 now, so I've participated many many times.)