14 year old programs

[dairyou]

If you have read my report on Royal Caribbean posted on Thursday, you'll know how important it is for my kids to connect on vacation.

Getting ready to book a 7 day on DCL. Can anyone tell me something about the 14 year olds? Especially those who have boys and have gone to the kids club.

Thanks,

Deb

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

My DS was 13.5 when we last cruised. He went to the "loft" quite a bit. There were a lot of activities, but he is very shy and on a 3 night, was just starting to make friends when it was time to go.
I did ask him if he wanted to do DCL again though, and he was psyched. He'll be 15 then. He's happy, too, because his brother will be 13, and able to join him.
If you are looking for a list of activities, I can try to dig out a navigator and list some...

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Forgot to add in my last post...

We have also done RCCL and DCL. That said, we enjoyed RCCL, but LOVED DCL. For us, it is the only line, and the kids feel the same. We aren't gamblers, so that isn't a factor. We found DCL to be much more relaxing, and that's my idea of a vacation.

Also, will your kids be in different clubs when you cruise? 13 is the cut off for the teens area. But there are lots of things to do as brothers or as a family. Our two older boys really loved going to the movies alone, as well as going to get food, playing ping-pong, etc. I think having freedom was "so awesome," as they put it, because they can't do a lot of that stuff alone at home.

 

[kcashner]

We are veterans of 12 trips on the Magic, and DD has been in each of the kid programs. She chose a cruise for her 13th birthday so that she could celebrate it in The Stack. We followed that with another cruise at age 13. In fact, she pointed out a few days ago that she hasn't been on the ship since she turned 14.

She LOVES the teen activities. Some "not to miss" are the "Gotcha" game, the Wild Side excursion on Castaway, and just hanging in The Stack. There is always a counsellor there, and a list of activities that they can do at any time (just ask for supplies)....as well as scheduled activities and just hanging out. The Stack opens about noon each day and stays open till about 1 am.

Go to the "meet and greet" on the first evening.....from then, it is solid fun.

 

[pittypat]

Last summer our 2 boys were 15 and 13.5. They LOVED the Stack. There seemed to be more older kids, and it did take my younger son a little longer to click with the group, but once he did, he had a blast. They have chess tournaments, PS-2 tournaments, scavenger hunts, etc. Also, the captain comes and talks to them and one day someone came and taught them about animation. Our family stuck together on the excursions, but they both found their new buddies on Castaway Cay and spent the day hanging out with them. As the previous poster said, it's a good idea to go to the "get acquainted" meeting the first night. Also, we had to get over our 11:00 pm curfew rule, since the Stack stays open so late!

 

[dairyou]

Ahh....Thank you for putting my mind at ease. We got our quote so we will book since all of you gave great responses. Having cruised with DCL before the boys always loved it. But, as they get older you never now. At the age of 13 now, my son is at such an awkard age. My youngest will be 12 at the time so they won't be together, but sure they will hang out together.

Since we are going in January I'm sure there won't be a ton of kids, but a few would be great!

Any experience on this?

Deb

 

[kcashner]

DD's birthday is in Feb., so that is normally when we cruise. I like it much better than busier times. There are usually 12-20 kids in The Stack age group, in our experience, usually tilting toward the younger group. I like it because the kids can get to know each other, and I've usually found it to be a really nice group. DD was surprised to find several other homeschoolers in the bunch (I laughed--most kids can't take off school in Feb!)

If you go to the Cruise Meets section, you can see if there is a listing for your cruise. If so, post for any other teens sailing and ask that they e-mail you. The kids can get aquainted thru chat or e-mail before sailing, so once on board, it is like meeting an old friend.

If you can 't find a section for your cruise date, you can always start one!

 

[dairyou]

We are also homeschoolers which makes traveling easier. We like to go when it is not too busy. We accidentally went during Jersy week and the ship was very crowded! That was one wonderful thing with RCL. The ship was full and you couldn't even tell.

Thanks all for easing my mind!

Deb

 

[minniemoms]

Do you sign up your 12 DS and 15 DS year olds into these programs? 12 year old will be 13 in June, but he is 5'11", so could pass for much older, but do you sign them up, or do you just read the navigator, and they go when they want to go?? NEver cruised with kids before, so I dont' know how it is done.

 

[Heathercat]

I have a 12 year old and a 15 year old. We were on the April 2 Eastern....My 12 year old was uncomfortable at the stack because during thsi cruise, the teen club were mostly older teens. And she didnt like the Lab because it consisted of mostly 10 year olds...so I had a bored 12 year old making crank room service calls from the hall phones......beware....she learned of this from the stack....lol.......we ended up with 10 pillows, 10 towels, 3 plates of choco chip cookies, and 10 packets of shampoo and lotion.....lovely......I laughed hysterically...but my dh didnt think it was amusing one bit......