Newly turned 18 on NCL? Go before birthday or after?

[kelly-NYC]

The only weeks we have available for our family vacation are several weeks before or several weeks after oldest child’s 18th birthday.  If we cruised it would be likely with NCL and out of a US/Canadian port - Bermuda or Alaska.  

 

I seem to remember years ago someone posting here (maybe not NCL) to say that their over 18/under 21 family member was bored and disappointed on sea days because they were too old for the teen club and excluded from other places/activities.  Is that common?
 

Our kid loved their pre-Covid, NCL teen cruise experience.  And we loved a vacation where we weren’t with the teen kids 24/7 like we are on U.S. beach vacations or trekking around a U.S. or European city.  Should we go before the 18th birthday so the kids can hang in teen club together?  Any disadvantages/advantages of going after?  What’s the drinking age on a NCL Bermuda cruise?

[ColeThornton]

10 minutes ago, kelly-NYC said:

What’s the drinking age on a NCL Bermuda cruise?

 

 

From the NCL FAQ'S:

 

What is the minimum age for purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages?

 

Passengers must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcohol. With the exception of US sailings, Norwegian permits young adults to purchase and personally consume wine and beer only while onboard and with the consent of an accompanying parent. Authorization will be given only when the accompanying parent completes the Young Adult Alcoholic Beverage Waiver form. This form can be obtained and completed at the Guest Services Desk upon embarkation of the vessel. However, passengers 18 years of age or older are permitted to consume beer and wine when sailing on round-trip European and Australian voyages without having to complete the Young Adult Alcoholic Beverage Waiver form.

[JGmf]

My daughter has/had the same issue as your kid - they are in the in-between social zone for cruising.  At 17, even if she could've been technically able to attend the teen club, she wouldn't as she'd be the senior person there...(and, as you know, there's a big difference in college-aged kids vs. kids coming out of middle school).

 

[mjkacmom]

On our last cruise my oldest were 19 and 20, they did meet others but it was more work, they would’ve preferred being 17 vs. being able to order beer and wine (since it’s so expensive, if they had a drink package I’m guessing they’d have preferred that). My teens never spent a lot of time in the club, but they liked to go the first night to meet others.

[Indyopie]

My boys cruised almost every year from 7 to 17. They always enjoyed meeting other kids in the club and hanging out all week. They are now 21 and going on their first cruise, in May, since they were 17. There isn't a central place for 18 to 20 year olds to meet and thought they would be bored so they opted not to cruise during those years. If they had a vote, they would go definitely go before their birthday. Will see how cruising at 21 goes! 🙂 

[mjkacmom]

12 hours ago, Indyopie said:

My boys cruised almost every year from 7 to 17. They always enjoyed meeting other kids in the club and hanging out all week. They are now 21 and going on their first cruise, in May, since they were 17. There isn't a central place for 18 to 20 year olds to meet and thought they would be bored so they opted not to cruise during those years. If they had a vote, they would go definitely go before their birthday. Will see how cruising at 21 goes! 🙂 

On NCL parents can sign a waiver allowing beer and wine for 18+, there are young adult meet ups and they are allowed everywhere on the ships.

[laudergayle]

See if you can find the dailies for the ships you are considering. On the Epic a few weeks ago they had a 18-21 self led get-together every night starting at 9 pm in The Bliss Lounge.  

[cruiseny4life]

2 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

See if you can find the dailies for the ships you are considering. On the Epic a few weeks ago they had a 18-21 self led get-together every night starting at 9 pm in The Bliss Lounge.  

I'm glad you said that! I remember seeing 18 - 21 year old meet ups every evening in one of the lounges on Getaway too. I totally spaced on that until reading your post. 

[vacation44]

33 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

See if you can find the dailies for the ships you are considering. On the Epic a few weeks ago they had a 18-21 self led get-together every night starting at 9 pm in The Bliss Lounge.  

I also remember my two children going on the first night once or twice.

[Cruise4usnow1]

Just go off the Gem, they had the 18-21 get together also. But I noticed that the group including gd went dancing and chatting most nights outside of the getogether. Not bad for a retiree cruise.

[SunshineGal2022]

At 18, they can go into Vibe or the Thermal Spa.  They may like that more than the kids club.

[vacation44]

5 hours ago, SunshineGal2022 said:

At 18, they can go into Vibe or the Thermal Spa.  They may like that more than the kids club.

Mine did and still are big fans at 23 and 24.  

[vswan]

Many years ago, but we took our kids on their second cruise just after my son's 18th birthday. The year prior both of my kid loved the kids club. This was on HAL and there were so few kids that they all pretty much stayed together and had a ball - whether planned activities or just out at the pool. It was much harder for him to find something to do and someone to do it with at 18. Even if they don't want the kids club activities at 17, it's a good way to meet others and find a group of people to do things with.

[vswan]

I would also say it depends on your child. Some are joiners, some enjoy spending time alone or with siblings and parents. Is the trip port intensive, what other activities are there they might enjoy? Is one itinerary more appealing to them then the other?