Tween boys on wonder

[terryellen1]

Would anyone be able to tell me some of the things their boys did on at sea days...while we will be spending a lot of time as a family I have 2 boys ages 14 and almost 13 who are pretty active and want to do more than hang out eat and chat. Specifically are there basketball games, foosball tourneys,dodgeball etc organized for the Tweens during the day....do they enjoy the pool or is it too crowded....do they do scavenger hunts? What types of specific organized activities have your boys done in the past?

Thanks for your responses. We were on a Disney cruise years ago and loved it but I am worried that these two (of our four children) will be disappointed

Theresa

 

[kcashner]

Video scavenger hunt is huge--the kids are in groups with a list of things to find on the ship. They prove that they found it (solved the clues) by filming members of their group in front of the object or location. Another biggie is also film--make your own commercial. They are given a product to design an ad for and film it. They play basketball, etc. on the sports deck. If they do "Invade the Arcade" all games are set to free play during that time. They have smoothie parties. There are lots of computer games/simulators in the Edge space.

They have a "rules" meeting on the first night and supposedly choose their activities for the week. DD says this is bunk--the same activities always show up on the schedule regardless of what the kids say they want. I can't prove it one way or the other. But they do have a schedule of organized activities each day.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Theresa - no worries, there are plenty of things to keep the boys busy! Be sure to have them go to the Edge / Vibe (whichever their age puts them in) on the first night - that's when the counselors have the kids select the activities they want to do and it produces the schedule for the cruise.

Our boys love the youth program on DCL - they are currently 14 and 15 and have participated since they were 8 and 9 back in the days of the Oceaneer Lab. They liked the freedom of the Edge and Vibe to be able to participate in the group activities or to hang out in the space even if they don't want to do the group activity (they let the kids hang as long as they aren't disruptive - they always have video games, cards, board games, puzzles, etc. available).

The kinds of things they've done - they have an "Out and About" program that sends them on scavenger hunts, up to the sports deck for dodgeball or other games. They do an ice cream party. They have themed parties. They go to the family lounge (Studio Sea, I think it's called) and play Mickey Mania and other events.

We've sailed with DCL, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean - my boys hands-down prefer DCL's youth program because of the supervision, the accessibility to supervised space - on the other lines, the space was closed more than it was open. On DCL, it's open a long time and they have some "free time" to just hang out.

 

[crafty91]

I agree with the PP's. There are always pick up basketball or soccer games on the sports deck, movies to watch, ping pong to play, pool to hang in (yes it is sometimes crowded), food to eat, etc. It kind of depends on them as to whether it will "be enough". My DS and DD routinely find friends to hand out with and it ends up being more about just being around others than specific things to do though those are fun. I agree you need to get them plugged in the first day so they can meet people and figure everything out. Bottom line, if they can't have fun on DCL there wouldn't be a another cruise line that could do it any better!

 

[terryellen1]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies.... I am feeling excited again... So follow up questions: one son will be 14 1/2 and the other will be 2 months shy of 13...what are their options if they want to stay together?

Also we are booked for presidents week on the wonder and now I am getting worried about the weather...opinions anyone?

Thanks

 

[silence]

Also we are booked for presidents week on the wonder and now I am getting worried about the weather...opinions anyone?

Thanks

We did President's Day week last year on the Wonder. We had PERFECT weather in Mexico. It was raining the day before we left (buckets, we got soaked at Disneyland), and it was a little chilly when we boarded. That did not stop my DD from checking out the pool and slide though It was also a little chilly our first sea day as I recall. However, in Mexico, it was low 80's and gorgeous. One Cabo day was slightly windy, but nothing terrible.

Enjoy your trip! We are headed out again for Spring Break.

 

[threeboysny]

Also we are booked for presidents week on the wonder and now I am getting worried about the weather...opinions anyone?

Thanks

We're on the Wonder for President's week too. I don't think I've seen you on our cruise meet. You should join us-there are a couple other boys in you boys' age range.

 

[JJsmama]

I wrote my reply about Tweens, but just realized that you will actually have 'teens.' I am not sure how staying together will work, since they have recently become stricter about the ages. I do know a 14 or 15 yr old was asked to leave the Edge when DS was in there. They make these rules for the kids' well-being, I know, but it does make it harder to 'stay together.' The following is about the Edge for 11-13 yr olds.

We just got off the Wonder a week ago. My tween son had more fun than anyone! I, too, was worried that this age group would fall through the cracks, so to speak, but they had so much fun! Yes, there were lots of actual activities both in the Edge and all over the ship.

A few things that I remember specifically:
T- Shirt painting
Dodge ball vs the teenagers
late night pool party
scavenger hunts
going to the late movie together...

I thought the Edge CMs were fabulous and involved and seemed excited. I was not impressed by the CMs for the younger kids clubs unfortunately.

 

[terryellen1]

Thanks everyone.....Jennifer we are most concerned about the almost 13'yr old so glad to hear your comments....if the two boys can't be together all the time it will be ok...we like to do lots of things as a family as well...

On a completely different note...I see you are in shanghai...we have done 2 expat assignments ( in Europe) and are hopeful for another in the coming years...china or Japan....how do you like shanghai?

Theresa

 

[JJsmama]

...how do you like shanghai?

Theresa

Depends on which day you ask me

I'm in my 6th year here so wishing for a change to Europe... All in all, Shanghai is good. Feel free to PM me if anything does come up for you guys and you have questions. Another DISer found me on these boards before she moved over here and we got together in Shanghai to plan someone's WDW trip .

 

[terryellen1]

Also thanks to three boys ny and silence....we are actually going on the wonder in feb 2013.... It will be back in the caribbean....just looking for reassurances !