13 Year Old On Dcl

[SAWYERMAW1]

My grandson will be 13 when we take our first Disney Cruise in Aug. 2006. I've seen a lot about activities for up to 12 years old, but what about for his age. Can he go to the lab I keep reading about or is that for younger kids. What activities are there for 13 year olds and where do they hang out?

 

[westjones]

The 13-17 year olds have their own area called "The Stack" on the Magic and "Aloft" on the Wonder. They have activities, but not as many as there are for the younger kids.

I do not have teenagers yet, but my neighbors went with their 13 and 15 year old this year and the kids loved it! They made friends and hung out together throughout the cruise.

From what I have read on this board, it is very important for teens to go the first evening for the 'get to know each other' gathering.

DJ

 

[jgalecpa]

it is very important for teens to go the first evening for the 'get to know each other' gathering.

Agreed.

My 15 yo DD went up to the stack in the first hour we were on the ship and hung out there. (She brought a book, since there weren't that many people in there yet.)

As people drifted in she met lots of great friends and counselors.

She enjoyed the stack experience a lot.

BTW They went on the Catamaran teen cruise in cozumel and were VERY disappointed. Did not have a good time at all, overall It went out around 6-9pm (dinner hour) and they only served very light snacks.

 

[musicgirl]

My ds-13 (in June) loved it. He did some of the activities in the stack, but he found friends and they hung out most of the time. He enjoyed the "elimination" game and did the Teen Wild Side at CC. He still keeps in contact with them, one was even a girl!!!

Lorie

 

[PoohJen]

Sawyermaw, which Aug 06 are you taking? My DS will be 13 when we sail on the 8/19/06. We're here in Chesapeake, Neighbor!

 

[tvguy]

My 12 and 16 year old had a great time. However, they didn't do a single club or kids activity. The found all the adult stuff too much fun. We were only apart one hour the whole week, while DW and I did the wine tasting.
Same thing happened the year before on HAL.
It was a GREAT family vacation.
They got to see mom and dad as friends, not mom and dad.

 

[shmora]

I just returned with a 12 and 14 year old boy and they had the time of their lives and they met some nice kids.

Shmora

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

PoohJen - We're going on the 8/19 too!!! My grandson turns 13 in January of 2006. I was worried he would be too immature for the teens but he is too big (size wise) for the younger kids. How neat to have a neighbor going on our cruise!! We'll have to get the boys together.

 

[kcashner]

My 13 year old LOVED The Stack. Yes, they "hang out" a lot. There are music videos, computer games, etc. available all the time. In addition, there is a list of activities that can be done at any time--they just need to ask the counsellor for supplies.

In addition, there is a schedule of activities. The single most important thing is to go to the "meet and greet" on the first night to get to know the counsellors and the other teens. The "Gotcha" game was a big hit, as were some of the evening parties.

The programming for teens runs from noon or 1pm till about 1 am every day.