18 year old - What to do - Thoughts Experiences

[sbnuggie]

Howdy,

 

Wife and I are taking the family on the Conquest in May/2010. We are thinking of taking our nephew for his high school graduation present. He will have just turned 18 by the time we sail but still in high school (Graduates in June/2010).

 

I thought I had read somewhere/sometime that from age 18 - 20 is kind of a boring age for cruising. Can't participate in any of the teen program (Club 02) even though all the types he would normally hang out with back home are 17. Can't go to the bars (although I wouldn't want him too anyway), he can gamble but I don't want to be the one to show him that, his dad can ha! He is not a dance club kind of kid. My wife called our PVP and he told her that at 18 you can still participate in the teen programs. I told my wife that didn't sound right because at 18 you're an "adult" and I'm fairly certain that they don't want "adults" hanging out with teenagers. She didn't get specifics.

 

His only other cruise was to Alaska on Princess last july and he had a lot of fun. He has been talking about it ever since he came back but he took part of Princess Teen Club.

 

Soooooo, any thoughts from experienced cruisers with 18 - 20 yr olds in tow on what to do or your experiences?

[jsglow]

That's kind of a tough one. Our kids are 17 and 15. We are purposefully planning a cruise in November, two weeks before our oldest turns 18. They both LOVE Club O2.

 

With that said, my 17 year old daughter actually spends most of her time hanging out with friends she meets the first night at the Club networking event, but not actually spend too much time in the Club itself for the week. They'll meet to tan, they'll meet to play bean bags, they'll meet to "hang" at the fantail bar, drink fruit juice and gossip. So of course your nephew could be part of that unofficial crowd that simply got to know each other through O2 on the first night.

 

And I can't tell you about the "rules". I do know that they'll sometimes let those within 90 days of their 15th birthday into O2. But I bet the rules for 18 year olds are very strict given liability issues, etc.

[pe4all]

I definitely can relate to your worries. We were on the Fantasy on 7/25 - DD had graduated high school, and turned 18 3 1/2 weeks before we sailed. On past cruises she would go to Club 02 the first night to meet new friends, then would hang with them for the rest of the cruise. However, this past cruise, she was very much alone. Doesn't gamble, or do the dance stuff. Most of the other older teens on this cruise had friends along, or cousins, siblings, etc. to hang with, and didn't want to "meet" anyone else. DD is very social, but really was a bit disappointed with the "social life" on this cruise. Your nephew is a different case - as he will still be in high school, there is a very good chance he will be allowed in club 02, even though he is 18. Check once on board.

[LHP]

I definitely can relate to your worries. We were on the Fantasy on 7/25 - DD had graduated high school, and turned 18 3 1/2 weeks before we sailed. On past cruises she would go to Club 02 the first night to meet new friends, then would hang with them for the rest of the cruise. However, this past cruise, she was very much alone. Doesn't gamble, or do the dance stuff. Most of the other older teens on this cruise had friends along, or cousins, siblings, etc. to hang with, and didn't want to "meet" anyone else. DD is very social, but really was a bit disappointed with the "social life" on this cruise. Your nephew is a different case - as he will still be in high school, there is a very good chance he will be allowed in club 02, even though he is 18. Check once on board.

 

Sadly, 18 years of age is the cut off regardless of if they are still in high school.

 

Next month will be our son's first cruise since turning 18. He was blessed to have had the Club O2 experience 18 times.

 

I know he will miss it....and since he is a special needs child...we are anxious to see if he still enjoys cruising as much without Club O2.

[LHP]

Howdy,

 

Wife and I are taking the family on the Conquest in May/2010. We are thinking of taking our nephew for his high school graduation present. He will have just turned 18 by the time we sail but still in high school (Graduates in June/2010).

 

I thought I had read somewhere/sometime that from age 18 - 20 is kind of a boring age for cruising. Can't participate in any of the teen program (Club 02) even though all the types he would normally hang out with back home are 17. Can't go to the bars (although I wouldn't want him too anyway), he can gamble but I don't want to be the one to show him that, his dad can ha! He is not a dance club kind of kid. My wife called our PVP and he told her that at 18 you can still participate in the teen programs. I told my wife that didn't sound right because at 18 you're an "adult" and I'm fairly certain that they don't want "adults" hanging out with teenagers. She didn't get specifics.

 

His only other cruise was to Alaska on Princess last july and he had a lot of fun. He has been talking about it ever since he came back but he took part of Princess Teen Club.

 

Soooooo, any thoughts from experienced cruisers with 18 - 20 yr olds in tow on what to do or your experiences?

 

 

Some ships have started trying an 18-20 age "meet and greet"...not just the "singles" thing.

 

They do not have a dedicated room like Club O2 or a "director"...one the Entertainment Staff hosts it....like an hour or so a night.

 

If you do not see it listed in the Capers on Embarkation Day...I would ask at the Purser's Desk to see if they are going to be offering it on your cruise.

 

Also, if you are on a Conquest class ship...there are tables right outside the Club O2 area that some 18's hang out without being "in" Club O2.... usually this happens when a group has some who are Club O2 age and some who are not....

[pe4all]

LHP - I know we have had these "discussions" on other similar threads, about 18-20 year olds being the "lost group." Even a 1 hour meet and mingle is all these "kids" would need to meet someone to hang with. They know within 5 minutes if it is a "match" or not. We wrote our concerns about this issue on our comment card, and in a separate letter that dd18 wrote to Carnival, in which she discussed solutions such as a short meet and mingle, etc. She got back a generic "I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise" response, in which none of her concerns/solutions was addressed. In fact, this was her "saddest" cruise, as she hung with us most of the time. She still wants to cruise, and as she is leaving for college tomorrow, I think she feels cruise vacations (or any vacations, for that matter) will give her family time. Unfortunately, she didn't want this much family time on the Fantasy! LOL! P.S. - I am sure DJ will be fine!

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

Might sound lame to you but my daughter was 17 last cruise & she hung out with us most of the time. She said the club was lame. She enjoyed karaoke and the shows etc. She'll be 18 on our upcoming cruise so she won't be able to participate anyway so I'm sure she'll be hanging out with us again. Not that bad. I think if he is outgoing and approachable, he might just find someone his age to hang with.

[ringram]

There have been other posts about this topic and it's a tough one. The 18-20 group are definitely the tweeners. Our DD had just turned 18 on our cruise last year, and she admitted it wasn't as fun as previous years. But that said when asked if she would like to go again this year it was a definite "Yes". So it must have not been that bad. Five years ago our DS cruised with us when he was 20. He is very our going and had a blast doing Karaoke. But during the sea days we was a little bored.

[parrotthead]

Heres the link to the "Lost Group" thread, about this very subject.

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1033512&highlight=

My DD (20) does not drink, (would not even if she was old enough) does not gamble (says she works too hard for 'her money'), she is not comfortable going into the "night Culbs" even tho she likes to dance, she says she does not want to be around 'older guys that sometimes make her feel 'creepy" and she misses Teen Club. She is outgoing and usually is at karoke everynight, and sometimes the pinao sing a long. But other then that, she hangs out with us or at the pool.

And she wishes there was at least a 'meet and greet' for 'kids' her age.

[sbnuggie]

Awesome info all thanks, especially for the link to the other posting, I did trying doing a search 'cause I know having researched a few cruises in the past the subject comes up but couldn't find anything (I'm a fan of the search, works well most of the time).

 

I will pass this info along to the admiral....errr...wife and we will discuss, thanks all.

[hawaiikat]

We were on the Valor in July, 2009. My 15 year old daughter got a "crush" on one of the boys. Turns out he was 18 (by 3 months) and just graduated from high school They let him in the club because he was traveling with his 17 year old cousin. He had to "give up" his rights to go in the adult clubs though.

 

I didn't really like the idea and am glad he lives far away because he and my daughter "clicked" but I think he is too old for her.

 

Good luck.

[parrotthead]

When we went to Alaska in 2006 (RCI), they let my (then) 18yo DD in the teens club because her sister (then) 17yo was there also. And they also let another girl who had just turned 19 come in because of her little brother. All the 'kids' got along nicely and my girls still stay intouch with some of the other kids to this day, and now enjoy telling people about the 'good friends' they make who live all over the country and even one guy from England. they were a very well behaved group and they formed a little group and you would see then all over the ship, playing pool, meeting for sushi, or at the pool swimming or doing kareoke. They had a lot of fun, we barely saw them.

[jbroons]

Meet 18 year-old girls and have fun hanging out and being 18....(Boy, I wish:)).

[jbroons]

We were on the Valor in July, 2009. My 15 year old daughter got a "crush" on one of the boys. Turns out he was 18 (by 3 months) and just graduated from high school They let him in the club because he was traveling with his 17 year old cousin. He had to "give up" his rights to go in the adult clubs though.

 

I didn't really like the idea and am glad he lives far away because he and my daughter "clicked" but I think he is too old for her.

 

Good luck.

 

Girls can be far more mature, emotionally, than boys at that age. When I was just 18 I was seeing a girl that was almost 16. We really liked each other and I was totally respectful;). Well, her parents didn't like the age difference so they tried to break us up by putting an APB on my car when we went out one night. This was at 10:30pm. Really unfortunate....and no, there's not more to the story as far as drama goes. I was a good kid:).

[nskysarah]

Actually, I felt that I didn't really need a club or anything to keep me occupied or to have fun:). I am 18, and on my last cruise, because it was school time, I was worried that there wouldn't be anyone my age, and that because I was with my brother I would be bored and not have anyone to talk to:confused:. But that was my first cruise and I wasn't aware of how easy it was to make new friends and talk to people:p. Just by talking to others on board I wasn't even worried about finding something to do on the ship!! As long as your friendly you won't have to worry about being bored...just talk away and hang out with the people you meet!:D

[red1der1]

I took my then 18yo niece and nephew last year for their grad present. They not once felt left out of anything. So they couldn't drink! I didn't want them to anyway!! No biggie there!! They did go to the disco and felt a little too young but then again, so did I. That didn't stop them from having fun. They participated in all the activities in the capers and had a blast. In fact, they are coming with me again in 3 days!! I think it really is up to the person. If they are outgoing and don't mind hanging with you, they should still have a blast!!

[pe4all]

I took my then 18yo niece and nephew last year for their grad present. They not once felt left out of anything. So they couldn't drink! I didn't want them to anyway!! No biggie there!! They did go to the disco and felt a little too young but then again, so did I. That didn't stop them from having fun. They participated in all the activities in the capers and had a blast. In fact, they are coming with me again in 3 days!! I think it really is up to the person. If they are outgoing and don't mind hanging with you, they should still have a blast!!

 

I think the major factor here is the word "they." Your niece and nephew had each other to "break the ice." DD18 is a social butterfly (voted "most social" in her high school yearbook by her class of 400) She is not shy - but definitely hung with us more than the previous cruises due to the fact she was "alone." The only time she really met people was when she went into the hottub - then there were a couple of guys immediately in there with her - LOL!

[happy cruzer]

Try signing up for the roll call for your cruise. There may be other families with kids the same age as your son. He could make a friend ahead of time and meet him at a "meet and greet"

[danixbanani]

I've been cruising since I was 16...

 

My family would always cruise together so my cousin, who is the same age as me, would come as well. It was easier having a person that I already knew to hang out with. However, I always remember just meeting random kids our age and having fun with them for the rest of the cruise. We happened upon a group of kids our age hanging in one of the side window observation areas...we sat down, started talking, and that was that!

 

I think if you're nephew likes to talk and make friends, he should be fine. But, if he's a bit shy, that's where it can be tough. I'm not shy at all, I'll talk to ANYONE. My cousin was more shy but since I was there to help break the ice, she was ok. It can be tough but I'm sure he'll have a great time :)

[UFQ202]

Does he have a friend that could go? We let our kids take one friend on their graduation cruise. Not much more to add that 4th person in the cabin. Worked for us.

[txtwinmom]

Better get that "yes, he can participate in Club 02" in writing from whomever told you that because it will not happen. My DD tried to go to 02 with her friend who was 17, but DD had turned 18 3 weeks earlier; they would under no circumstances let her stay. Bummer because friend wanted to stay and party; DD had no where to go but with mom and dad to the casino. But she did win that night, so I guess it was okay.

[rekfla]

From what I have heard recently, the 18 year olds (or over) will not be allowed to stay at Club O2. I certainly would not rely upon someone's prior experience as an indication of being able to gain access.

 

We have 3 children in the 18-20 year old bracket and have cruised 2 times during this period of time with them. I really think kids in this age group need to take it upon themselves to try and make some new friends as there are plenty of kids in this same situation on each cruise. The cruise lines may be working on this too but we just got off a ship 10 days ago and there was no meet and greet for this age bracket.

 

Not an easy situation by any means for this group but an opportunity to work on meeting some new people.

[Celandine]

I guess it depends on this kid's personality.

 

I was 18 on my second cruise, and really just hung out with my mum or on my own (it was just my mum and I).

 

I never took part in the youth clubs on carnival, even when I was 15. and I always had a good time.

 

Maybe find out what other general activities there are? and see if he likes those?

[tea4ular]

Well yes, and no.

 

My D started cruising when she was 4. She's now 21. Up until she hit 14 she totally loved the camp Carnival and other "camp" programs on the ships. Then she started feeling the "I'm too old for this" stuff. From that point to her last trip (May 2008) she hangs with me and or her dad. And that's fine with us. She's not a pest, we play Scrabble, go to the gym, do yoga on the top deck, sunbathe, find quiet places to read, go to the shows together, and on our last trip went to the movies together twice. Now that she's hit 21, she might be willing to venture into a disco on board and find some young people to hang out with.

 

So yes, there could be some "bored" time, but if your family doesn't mind including him in your day to day 'stuff' he could be just fine.

[sbnuggie]

Well, I drug this thread up from the past summer, we are 18 days or so away from sailing. We did end up adding my nephew who is now 18 but just about to graduate from high school. Anyone recent see if they (Carnival, or specifically Conquest) has added any type of Meet/Greet. Just curious, thanks.