older teen areas

[MichelleB]

My Girl Scout troop is looking at taking a Disney cruise as our final trip to end many years of G.S. The problem is that our troop will consist of girls age 15-18 because we're a mixed age troop. Three of the girls will have turned 18 a couple months before going. Will they still let them in the teen area with the others? The girls are all very close and I can see a problem if Disney separates them and won't allow them to hang out together.

[kcashner]

No, 18s will not be allowed into the teen area (Vibe) at all, regardless of their school status or anything else. By definition, 18s are adults and will be admitted to all the adult areas.

Until December, 2011 DCL did make exceptions and allow 18s still in high school or the summer after graduation into the teen areas. However, a situation developed where essentially one individual ruined it for everyone forever more.

There are NO exceptions to the current policy. The girls would all be welcome in the family areas on the ship.

[Meghatron]

Originally Posted by MichelleB

My Girl Scout troop is looking at taking a Disney cruise as our final trip to end many years of G.S. The problem is that our troop will consist of girls age 15-18 because we're a mixed age troop. Three of the girls will have turned 18 a couple months before going. Will they still let them in the teen area with the others? The girls are all very close and I can see a problem if Disney separates them and won't allow them to hang out together.

No, they will not be allowed into the teen areas. Someone abused the privilege when given an exception and it led to a very nasty situation onboard that was quite a problem for DCL. So now anyone over 18 is considered an adult, no exceptions.

[jbshell]

curious what was the situation?

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by jbshell

curious what was the situation?

Very simplified, a young adult was allowed into the teen area and began stalking a very young teen. It got ugly.

[MichelleB]

So what is there to do on the Dream or Fantasy that the girls could do together such as movies, games, etc.? Splitting them up isn't an option so none of them will be going into the teen area.

[love280mickey]

Originally Posted by MichelleB

So what is there to do on the Dream or Fantasy that the girls could do together such as movies, games, etc.? Splitting them up isn't an option so none of them will be going into the teen area.

I'm also a GS leader. My girls are now 7th graders and have been together since 1st grade. We just went to Savannah this summer and their favorite thing to do was to hang out in their two connecting rooms - 5 in each room. They also would not want to be split up at all. We would be in your same situation if we did a cruise right at the end of 12 th grade. only 3 would be 18 by the beginning of June, 5 more have mid June and July bdays and one is the same grade but a full year younger.

So, really what is going on in the clubs that they couldn't replicate on their own? Some games online or some such? They could still get together somewhere on deck and make up their own games. They could do exercise things together, dance in the family areas, pool games, etc. Ha, even napkin folding! I'm sure that if they've spent time together like my girls have they will find plenty to do to have fun together!

I wish you and them all the best, it will be bittersweet when my troop is ready to go off to college.

[kcashner]

I took a high school graduation group on the Magic. The kids made their own fun--they really weren't interested in going to any group.

[neg58]

They could do anything a family could do. Movies, the shows each night, sports and games on the deck, swimming in the family pools, aquaduck. They can do the family trivia games, bring their own games, swim together on CC.

We were just on the Wonder and one of the most disappointing things was that my 16 year old could only go to the workout room for 1 hour per day from 9-10 pm. This was supposed to be through Vibe, but she just went on her own because no one from Vibe ever wanted to go. However, we had late dinner and she usually came and ate something, then took off early. She supplemented this with running on deck 4, but she's an athlete and really missed working out with weights on her regular schedule.

There are plenty of of excursions they can all do together - snorkeling, stingrays, biking. Usually the 18 year olds can drive a boat, but I'm not sure if they can have a minor as a passenger. You'd also need to be creative in booking the staterooms since the 18 year olds can't be the 'adult' in the room with minors.

I do think they'd have plenty to do and lots of fun even without using the clubs. My 16 year old rarely went to the club on our first cruise, but when her sister joined her on our second cruise, and our table mates included a 16 year old, she went more often. She had just as much fun on the first cruise as the second, just different activities.

Nancy

[MichelleB]

Thank you all for making me feel better!

Question on the 18 year olds not being able to be the adult in a room with a minor.....can the 18 year olds be in a room of their own without an actual adult? Not sure at what age they're able to have their own room.

[PrincessShmoo]

Originally Posted by MichelleB

Thank you all for making me feel better!

Question on the 18 year olds not being able to be the adult in a room with a minor.....can the 18 year olds be in a room of their own without an actual adult? Not sure at what age they're able to have their own room.

DCL's policy is that an 18 year old can be in a room with anyone else over 18. Under 18 must be in a room with a parent or an adult over 21. (I think that's how it goes ).

[MichelleB]

I thought that's what it was but wasn't sure. Thanks!