17 year old cruising with all "adults"

[dfosberry]

Looking for advice, I was talked into a mother daughter cruise, which sounded like a great idea at the time.  My problem is I have two daughters- 1 will be turning 17 day of sailing, the other is 20...  The other daughters in the group are all 22-20 year olds...  We also booked a thermal spa suite, without realizing the age restriction.    Is my 17 year old going to be miserable being blocked from all 18+?

[KeithJenner]

It totally depends on what you will be doing. Under 18s can do lots onboard, but it could be that the thing they particularly want to do is restricted (ie the spa).

 

We sailed for many years with our son who was under 18 and there were very few things that we wanted to do that he would have been excluded from. However, one thing that he (and all of us) would have hated would be being dragged to the spa, so it shows that everyone is different.

[mma__leanne]

It really depends on what your 17 year old is into.

 

Granted it's been 15 years since I've been in the program, but I loved the teen program when I was her age!  I was not the most outgoing kid but very rarely did I not find a group to fit in with.  I would suggest if she is going to spend any time with the teen program, to have her go on the first day as that's sort of when the cliques are formed.  

 

Otherwise, depending on the ship, I always liked mini-golf, swimming, the occasional rock climbing, and watching the game shows.  Now-a-days they have laser-tag, obstacles courses, and race tracks (ship dependent of course).  Heck I'm 32 now and wish my cruise next month had the obstacle/ropes course - love it!

 

[mjkacmom]

My kids loved meeting others at the teen club, so I’d suggest going the first night. My kids were 14, 14, 16, 19 and 20 on our last cruise, the teens all met a group of kids their age, but we also spent a lot of time as a family going to shows, karaoke, hanging in lounges - I don’t recall anything the younger kids couldn’t do with us (except spa, we didn’t get passes for the over 18’s, just for us)

[dfosberry]

Thanks for the responses..  so she absolutely will not want to go off and find other 17 year olds to hang with..  she'll want to be with us.  I've sailed RCL and Disney, I guess my question is more how restrictive is NCL..  are there multiple over 18 only venues where she will completely blocked from enjoying even if she's with all of us... or is the ship mostly open to all..   

[mma__leanne]

Well, I gave 7 options in my response of stuff she could do that was not hanging out with other teens, though I do STRONGLY suggest it, but if you are fixated on the spa and only the spa, you perhaps should have researched that beforehand as they will likely not budge on their age restrictions.  When I was a kid the only things I remember restrictions on were the spa/fitness center, certain late night shows, adult only pool, adult only sun bathing area, and travelling thru the casino.  Literally, nothing I wanted to do anyways.  

 

Everything else I remember being fair game. 

[complawyer]

they have a great program for teens under 18 (entourage) while my grandson is now 24, he sailed with us until he was 20. we always signed him up for the entourage program. he met some terrific teens (some of which he is still in contact with) and except for some excursions and a few meals, we hardly saw him throughout the cruise. im sure your 17 year old will have a great time. the entourage has a designated room just for teens 

[Liljo22]

What ship are you on?   

[dfosberry]

We are booked on Breakaway.    seriously considering canceling..not just for the spa...

 

but I don't want her to feel like she's excluded from the group or others not able to enjoy things for fear of her being left out.. 

[mjkacmom]

3 minutes ago, dfosberry said:

We are booked on Breakaway.    seriously considering canceling..not just for the spa...

 

but I don't want her to feel like she's excluded from the group or others not able to enjoy things for fear of her being left out.. 

As I posted above there really aren’t many adult areas besides the spa and casino.

[KeithJenner]

48 minutes ago, dfosberry said:

We are booked on Breakaway.    seriously considering canceling..not just for the spa...

 

but I don't want her to feel like she's excluded from the group or others not able to enjoy things for fear of her being left out.. 

There are a few venues that are over 18's only, but the vast majority of places are open to all.

 

Spice H2O (area at the rear of the ship) is over 18's only until 7pm. Bliss night club is over 18's after 11pm, and Howl at the Moon (duelling pianos) is also over 18's after 11pm (they perform from 9pm-1am).

 

Other than that, and apparently the Spa, you are fine.

[JGmf]

1 hour ago, dfosberry said:

We are booked on Breakaway.    seriously considering canceling..not just for the spa...

 

but I don't want her to feel like she's excluded from the group or others not able to enjoy things for fear of her being left out.. 

 

I'd like to think that most of your activities, with a few exceptions, will be inclusive for your 17 year old. 

 

I'm assuming she'll have plenty of fun; and to cancel, would stick your other daughter with disappointment....to the extent she's looking forward to it.

 

 

[DCGuy64]

1 hour ago, dfosberry said:

We are booked on Breakaway.    seriously considering canceling..not just for the spa...

 

but I don't want her to feel like she's excluded from the group or others not able to enjoy things for fear of her being left out.. 

I don't know your daughter, but I'd be fuming at my parents if they cancelled my birthday cruise! *I realize it's not a birthday cruise per se, but you did mention the one daughter turning 17 the day the cruise starts. I say "full steam ahead." 🚢

[dfosberry]

ha..you've got a point..   she's got one of those birthdays that aligns well with vacations so she tends to benefit there.  

Thanks for the responses specifically with the times.. i.e. 11 PM  switch to18+ is doable. She'll want to do comedy clubs/ shows..  We may want to sit in a bar area, as long as she's not blocked completely from being there.   

The SPA age stinks, RCCL i think is 16. I can totally understand adults only on Disney Cruises, they can be overwhelming but not seeing the problem for a mother and her 17 year daughter to hang in a spa together but whatever.

[JGmf]

17 minutes ago, dfosberry said:

Thanks for the responses specifically with the times.. i.e. 11 PM  switch to18+ is doable. She'll want to do comedy clubs/ shows..  We may want to sit in a bar area, as long as she's not blocked completely from being there.

 

Just going on personal experience, I don't recall having a card swiped or having anyone at the door at the later night Dueling Piano show.  Similar at the 'adult' comedy shows, esp. when persons with reservations are let in and the doors are open to all.  Hence, I think your daughter will be fine attending.  Same for hanging in a lounge listening to music and people-watching along with you and your larger group.  You'll have a blast.

 

(Sorry about the spa thing. Yeah, I agree.  Seventeen seems old and mature enough to be allowed in).

 

[sanger727]

It seems like the spa access is your main sticking point. If you don't want your daughter to feel excluded, why not change your room to one that doesn't have thermal suite access? Use any cost savings to treat her to a spa treatment.

[KeithJenner]

21 minutes ago, JGmf said:

 

Just going on personal experience, I don't recall having a card swiped or having anyone at the door at the later night Dueling Piano show.  Similar at the 'adult' comedy shows, esp. when persons with reservations are let in and the doors are open to all.  Hence, I think your daughter will be fine attending.  Same for hanging in a lounge listening to music and people-watching along with you and your larger group.  You'll have a blast.

 

(Sorry about the spa thing. Yeah, I agree.  Seventeen seems old and mature enough to be allowed in).

 

They don't particularly police the ages at these venues, and a 17 year old sitting at a table would probably be fine.

 

I have seen the performers at Howl noticeably tone down their show a bit when there are younger people in the venue (before the cut off time). On one occasion I remember them making some comments about youngsters in the venue after that time. I don't think they were asked to leave, but it was clear that their presence was a problem.

 

Generally it isn't a problem, and at the age of the OP's daughter I don't think anyone would even notice unless she looks young for her age.

[JustAPilot]

It sounds like a cruise is really not what your looking for, Book an all inclusive beach vacation to Punta Cana or Cancun.

[mjkacmom]

7 hours ago, JustAPilot said:

It sounds like a cruise is really not what your looking for, Book an all inclusive beach vacation to Punta Cana or Cancun.

The OP said it’s a group mother/daughter trip that is already planned.

[SimplyAlbert]

Traveled with my children when they were 17 and 19.  We didn't use the spa so I can't comment on that, but we used all the other areas of the ship (except the casino) and no one said anything.  DS, who was 17 at the time, and DD went to the late night comedy show and dueling pianos by themselves and no one kicked them out.