How much (or little) sleep do your teens get on a cruise?

[LeoEdre]

On MSC ships there is no curfew and teenager are allowed in the disco all night, this means a lot of fun for them, but also little sleep, expecially on port intensive cruises.

On our last cruise, we let our 14yo stay up really late every night, even when she had to get up early for excursions on the next day, so she actually slept 6 hours or less every night, except for sea days,  when she could sleep in. 

She was really tired of course, so we convinced her to take naps in the afternoon on most port days. Actually, she always had better plans for the afternoon, but we insisted a bit and she surrendered because she knew she was exhausted. 

Do your teens sleep enough on cruise? Do you enforce early bed times when they have to get up early? Do they ever take naps in the afternoon or before dinner? Do you let them sleep in? 

Edited August 13, 2022 by LeoEdre

[Homosassa]

We were the adults, she was still the child even in her teen years.

 

We set the curfew and limitations as we though appropriate and she followed the rules.

 

She had plenty of sleep and could fully participate in daily activities.

[wcook]

Just our family (lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, etc.) but the requirement for teens is they present themselves for dinner. On time. No whining. If they’ve booked a shoe excursion, they have to take it. Other than that, they are responsible for themselves. If they want to skip sleep, or sleep the trip away that’s on them. 
 

Obviously not all teens are the same. “Teen” doesn’t necessary mean the day they turn 13. Some will need more supervision. But - again this is just our family - cruises are a great opportunity to give kids more freedom and let them grow. Soon they will be off at college and have to fully manage their time. It’s interesting watching the choices they make. Some stick with the family and follow the adult schedules. Some get involved in the ship activities. And some just disappear, magically appearing at dinner and then disappearing again. 
 

Note: there are of course rules - no going in anyone’s room for any reason, never accept a beverage from anyone but crew, etc. But that’s different from time management. 

[LeoEdre]

1 hour ago, wcook said:

Just our family (lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, etc.) but the requirement for teens is they present themselves for dinner. On time. No whining. If they’ve booked a shoe excursion, they have to take it. Other than that, they are responsible for themselves. If they want to skip sleep, or sleep the trip away that’s on them. 
 

Obviously not all teens are the same. “Teen” doesn’t necessary mean the day they turn 13. Some will need more supervision. But - again this is just our family - cruises are a great opportunity to give kids more freedom and let them grow. Soon they will be off at college and have to fully manage their time. It’s interesting watching the choices they make. Some stick with the family and follow the adult schedules. Some get involved in the ship activities. And some just disappear, magically appearing at dinner and then disappearing again. 

Totally agree with you. Dinner and excursions are mandatory, and my daughter never complained. "Naps" of course are not mandatory, but when we come back from an excursion and she looks too tired we "strongly suggest" her to get some rest in room.  Otherwise, she is free to do what ever she wants as long as it is allowed by the rules of the ship. 

[Homosassa]

Just a note about sleeping in - we like to have our cabin serviced as early as possible.

 

Having some one sleep in means the cabin may not be cleaned until much later in the day.

[LeoEdre]

13 hours ago, Homosassa said:

Just a note about sleeping in - we like to have our cabin serviced as early as possible.

 

Having some one sleep in means the cabin may not be cleaned until much later in the day.

Good point, however I never stay in the room when I'm not sleeping, so I don't really care if it is serviced later. But I understand that it may be a valid reason to wake the kids up for other parents. 

Edited August 14, 2022 by LeoEdre

[carlmm]

Sleeping in might be one of the key points for teens.

Well, but than I like to sleep in myself and don't mind to start even a day of sightseeing at noon.

[baelor]

Speaking from personal experience, my parents viewed my getting 8+ hours of sleep a night as a total non-negotiable regardless of where we were and what we were doing.  That is the only thing I can remember from a family cruise from ~15 years ago that I otherwise have no recollection of whatsoever.

[Nunagoras]

On 8/13/2022 at 3:24 PM, wcook said:

Just our family (lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, etc.) but the requirement for teens is they present themselves for dinner. On time. No whining. If they’ve booked a shoe excursion, they have to take it. Other than that, they are responsible for themselves. If they want to skip sleep, or sleep the trip away that’s on them. 
 

Obviously not all teens are the same. “Teen” doesn’t necessary mean the day they turn 13. Some will need more supervision. But - again this is just our family - cruises are a great opportunity to give kids more freedom and let them grow. Soon they will be off at college and have to fully manage their time. It’s interesting watching the choices they make. Some stick with the family and follow the adult schedules. Some get involved in the ship activities. And some just disappear, magically appearing at dinner and then disappearing again. 
 

Note: there are of course rules - no going in anyone’s room for any reason, never accept a beverage from anyone but crew, etc. But that’s different from time management. 

That's it. So very well written!... Obviously for kids, and teens it's important to have a proper sleep time. But now and then; holiday time should be a time for discovery and change of routines. When on holiday as a teen I was always permitted and recommended to stay later... Happens that soon I discovered I'm one of the kind I need a good sleep time to go on the next day... Obviously not all of them are equal, but in general, more important than that sort of rigid time management rule, it is to make clear the general good standing rules, and it is not bad to repeat and affirm the ones I find more important; some of them like yours:

 

1. Respect the ships regulations and obey to the crew directions, even if "odd".

2. Come to dinner or family booked shore ex and activities on time. No excuses.

3. Do not accept drinks from anyone else than crew and never to consume even if the smallest sip of alcohol.

4. Do not play on the paid arcades, unless supervised by one of the parents when and if they allow it.

5. Do not charge anything to the room card, apart the things that are authorized, or if an older teen, within the family defined amount.

6. Do not go on adults only venues, if there's any, whatever the reason.

7. If they find lost themselves, let the crew to direct them, never other passengers.

8. Never go on anyone cabin whatever the reason, even if crew.

9. Never go out of the ship with anyone other than family.

10. In any case of doubt and family not present; guest services or ship safety crew are the ones to visit.

 

And I believe that if those rules are followed all will be good. Let the teens to be teens and have their time. They'll learn to adapt. This is for what they're teens. And as far as venues go, MSC tends exactly to be very inclusive. Teens are welcome on general bars and lounges, except the adult disco from 11PM onward and the Casino at evening.

 

Have a nice day!...