Are my kids too old for a Disney Cruise?

[lisareneeo]

I am thinking about a 4 night Disney Cruise on the Dream over Thanksgiving 2015.
My kids will be 19 and 17. We are a "Disney" family and have been to WDW about 15 times. We have also been on a Disney Cruise (The Wonder) about 10 years ago.
My children have been very lucky and have also been on 2 other cruises (Royal Caribbean) with several families we are friends with. They have also been to a few all-inclusive vacations. Most recently, this past summer to Mexico (again with several families we are friends with) We went to Mexico celebrating 4 of the kids graduation from High School.
My son is away at college and Thanksgiving is probably the best time for us to go. My daughter will be a senior in high school. I was talking with my son today and "feeling him out" on the idea. I think he is most concerned as to what he will be doing at night. I did explain this is a trip to spend some quality family time and he is fine with that. I just don't want them to be the oldest kids on the ship with a bunch of younger children.
I would greatly appreciate any thoughts/feedback from anyone who has traveled with children this age. I know my kids will enjoy a show or two but they are interested in what other activities are offered for people their age.
Thank you!!
Lisa

 

[sharksfinatic17]

I am thinking about a 4 night Disney Cruise on the Dream over Thanksgiving 2015.
My kids will be 19 and 17. We are a "Disney" family and have been to WDW about 15 times. We have also been on a Disney Cruise (The Wonder) about 10 years ago.
My children have been very lucky and have also been on 2 other cruises (Royal Caribbean) with several families we are friends with. They have also been to a few all-inclusive vacations. Most recently, this past summer to Mexico (again with several families we are friends with) We went to Mexico celebrating 4 of the kids graduation from High School.
My son is away at college and Thanksgiving is probably the best time for us to go. My daughter will be a senior in high school. I was talking with my son today and "feeling him out" on the idea. I think he is most concerned as to what he will be doing at night. I did explain this is a trip to spend some quality family time and he is fine with that. I just don't want them to be the oldest kids on the ship with a bunch of younger children.
I would greatly appreciate any thoughts/feedback from anyone who has traveled with children this age. I know my kids will enjoy a show or two but they are interested in what other activities are offered for people their age.
Thank you!!
Lisa

My daughters will be 17 and 19 when we sail to Alaska this summer. They are the catalyst for these cruises as this will be our third DCL cruise.

 

[Twinprincesses]

Nope, plenty for every age.

 

[KashasMom]

Even though it's a holiday week when there will be more kids, I think the 19 year old may have a tough time. The kid's club (Vibe) is for kids 14-17 so even your 17 year old is on the older side. The shows are VERY G rated - characters & princesses included. I'd suggest taking a look at the daily activity newsletter (Navigator) so you can all see the kinds of things going on. Here is a link to some recent ones - http://disneycruiselineblog.com/category/cruise-planning/personal-navigators/. Disney does a great cruise but depending on what your kids like to do, other cruise lines may be a better choice for them.

 

[KashasMom]

My daughters will be 17 and 19 when we sail to Alaska this summer. They are the catalyst for these cruises as this will be our third DCL cruise.

I think Alaska is a very different cruise. It's all about the destination and there is just so much more to do in Alaska than in the Bahamas especially for older kids.

 

[lisamarie12]

I am turning 40 this year and taking a Disney cruise for my birthday. I am bringing my 4 year old along for the ride but its mainly for me. I haven't been on Disney yet, but I don't think anyone is too old for Disney, as long as you love it.

 

[AngelDisney]

My DD will be 18 on our 4th Disney cruise (to Alaska). We are both excited to be dining at Palo for the first time and exploring the Adult only area on the Wonder. We will be booking another cruise onboard. I truly think that Disney cruises are for any ages depending on how much a person is into Disney. Check out the personal navigator for some activities that may interest them. Have fun planning!

 

[purfectlyweird]

Me and my friends will all be 24/25 for our december 2015 cruise and our age hasn't stopped us from enjoying anything yet. I know how stressful it was to be a senior and finding the right college & I also know what it's like being in college stressing over payments and finding a job. I think your kids would appreciate the Disney cruise b/c they pamper the adults just as much if not more than the kids. If i could've had the food at palo/remi when I was in college I would've stayed there longer lol

 

[Sunshine2U]

It depends completely on your kids. My daughter at that age, yes. My son, no. Home is the best place to ask

 

[over50visits]

Cruising for the 18-20 crowd can be a challenge on DCL. No youth clubs exist, it is an introduction to adulthood where you create your own environment for socializing, yet many of the adult clubs are closed to you until you are 21. Disney does publish scheduled meeting times/places for this age group, but they have to take it from there.

The right attitude can make it a huge success, but unfortunately the wrong one can make the cruise less enjoyable than in the past. I believe your 19yo will be able to have a great time, but it won't be handed to him. As for others that age, my prediction is there will be enough around to find new friends for the cruise without a problem.

 

[lmhall2000]

Ten reasons why my kids will never be too old for the Disney Cruise:

1. Characters!! What human does not smile when they're attacked by a Donald Duck hug or Goofy pulls their ponytails up?

2. 24 Hour room service

3. Mickey Bars on that 24 hour room service

4. No casinos...no matter how you look at it, my kids appreciate the kinder/gentler environment...as do we.

5. No smoking...we can easily avoid the smoking areas on Disney thanks to having the strictest smoking policy in the industry (that I know). Having 2 asthmatics, this is a boon!

6. CMs...honestly, if Disney Cruise line did not attract some of the best personalities for these roles, we likely would say we'd try another cruise line. My kids (19, 17, 16) love the connections they make with people who genuinely like fun and are sincere in their efforts...it counts!

7. More hangout areas for teens that are appropriate/fun (Vibe/college age group hangouts/fun games/amazing Cruise Directors that give that FUN FESTIVE FEEL)

8. Main Dining Room, how many times can you experience meals with your family and no interruptions, having the same CMs get to know you and your likes...it's a treat to just show up and know your favorite drink will be there to greet you...they ask about your day, and give great tips, you feel like they are cheering your family on for a memorable vacation!

9. The people who cruise Disney. I've been on four cruises...we have made lifelong friends with others who get as excited about a family getaway as we do...in fact, many have repeated cruises with strangers that have now become great family friends. How many cruise lines can promote that? My kids still communicate with friends they made in their groups...love it!

10. We have literally laughed, cackled, cried tears of hysterical snorts on our Disney cruises...I can't invent those as easily in daily life, but somehow the environment of a Disney Cruise makes it almost a daily occurrence...it's worth it! Just wish our bank account could see the value as easily as we do!

 

[firepuppy]

My DS was 18 on our last cruise and it was his 1st time in the adult only areas and he loved it. He told me several times I was in his areas and I needed to find a new place to go. I made sure he had a great time and we have another booked and looking for the next one. Make sure the kids go the 18-21 group meet the 1st night.

 

[dugthetalkingdog]

My daughter and I went on the Dream for New Year's Eve cruise for her 20th birthday and had a wonderful time. She enjoyed the AquaDuck and the movies that were shown after dinner (usually at 10:30pm) which included Maleficent, Into the Woods, Guardians of the Galaxy, Hero 6 to name a few. She also enjoyed the Broadway Shows before dinner and having a chance to meet all her
favorite Disney Characters at the Meet and Greet. On the ship there is an adult only pool and she was able to have dinner at Palo's. On Castaway Cay there is an adult only beach. This August
we will be going on the Alaskan Cruise and for her 21st birthday, she chose the Southern Caribbean cruise. You are never to old for Disney! HAVE A MAGICAL TRIP!

 

[disneypoor]

Our daughter is almost 20, and our son is almost 17, and we're going again this spring break (we've done the same cruise the last three years for spring break). Last year, our daughter was a senior in high school and chose Disney Cruise Line for her senior trip, so we sailed with some of her friends. I will admit that it can be an awkward age because there isn't a club for them and the adult only shows are supposed to be for guests 21 and over, I believe. However, they had a wonderful time! They weren't able to enjoy the adult areas on the ship because a couple of her friends were still 17. This year, she is so excited to go to Palo and explore the adults only pool. She is also excited for Serenity Bay and possibly visiting the spa. Our son is taking a friend again this year, so they always tend to entertain themselves and usually end up hanging out with a large group of boys during the cruise. He is fine whether he takes a friend or not--it seems he always meets people to hang out with. I agree with previous posters and think you're never too old for Disney.
Susan

 

[sharksfinatic17]

I think Alaska is a very different cruise. It's all about the destination and there is just so much more to do in Alaska than in the Bahamas especially for older kids.

They would go anywhere the ships go. We have done Nassau, Eastern Caribbean, and now Alaska. We were hoping to do Europe, but my dad just started dialysis, and we need to start closer to home. So although we are all excited for Alaska, they would be happy to be on a DCL ship regardless of the destination.

 

[Shanajc]

We just finished our 1st Disney cruise a few weeks ago, our son just turned 17 today and we took our International student with us as well - he is 19. Both boys had a great time! Our son is a Disney nut and had the best time ever. Our International student had a blast, he tends to be a shy around strangers - so no young adult activities for him. He found a lot to do, and didn't want to get off the boat at the end of our trip. Personally, we found that there wasn't enough time in the day to do everything.

I hope that helps,
Shana

 

[Aznaflacattack]

I'm 25... I enjoyed the kids club at the open house hahaha. Don't get me started about the daycare. They'll be fine, especially since you guys are a Disney family.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

Just wanted to clarify that all the adult venues - restaurants, spa, adult pool, bars and nightclubs - are open to guests 18 and older. The only thing they have to be 21 for is drink alcohol. So 18-20 year olds can go to the adult shows and participate in the late night activities in the adult nightclubs, they just can't order and drink alcoholic beverages.

 

[Oregon Bogey]

No way! We went on our 6th Disney Cruise with a 19 year old daughter and a 17 year old son.
As always, they had a great time. They were ready to book another one! The activities change
as they get older, but they always find fun people and fun things to do. They refuse to book a cruise
on any other line.

 

[perditax]

I saw your thread on another forum, and I saw another poster make a point worth keeping in mind:

Your 17 year old won't be able to go to the 18-21 lounge (or any of the 18+ options such as gym, Palo/Remy, adult clubs, adult coffee shop etc--and reportedly enforcement is somewhat consistent, even if the 17yo in question is only days away from 18), but your 19 year old will. The 19 year old won't be able to go the 17yo's club. The split could be awkward.