At what age could your kids roam the ships by themselves?

[HeatherLassell]

Im just curious. I still can't remember some things on the Dream class ships and I'm 13! I'm just curious to know.

I let my son roam the ship on his own on our first cruise and he was 12. My daughter was only 9 and she was only allowed to roam the ship when she was with her friend (same age, but had done over 6 cruises already).

 

[adSimba]

Being you are only 13 you really can't give advice to parents.

really? she can give any advice she wants, they have the choice to listen.

 

[HeatherLassell]

really? she can give any advice she wants, they have the choice to listen.

*profile says male*

But I agree. He just gave his opinion on saying "15/16yrs old" (which made me laugh too cause wow that's high school age already) and he said it in a respectful way.

 

[adSimba]

*profile says male*
.

Oh, my apologies, I thought I had read a different post from this person before that indicated otherwise, I must have mixed them up with someone else.

 

[MUN]

our daughter was 11. she was not allowed to ride elevators at all. and had to check in at certain times and respond to our texts within a certain amount of time or she was grounded.

She's almost 13 and makes lots of friends on the ship. she doesn't want to be with us anymore.

Do you allow her to ride the elevators now?

 

[JW9DVC]

A problem with society is that people haven't gotten more dangerous. It's people see the news now 24/7. They have scared so many to believe evil exists everywhere. So children will play indoors more. Be on electronics more. Not be as social in person.

The cruise in the supervised kids clubs allows for social interaction. Having some freedom outside these realms helps a child at any age grow up some.

No matter the age of the child or even adult. Remember to stay safe and teach safety. Teach your kids self defense and self respect. Stay out of the stateroom hallways. Have a photo of your kids that day on what they are wearing. Set check in times. If they can't reach you. Where do they go? Tell them to see a ships officer or personnel. Don't go behind closed doors with them though. Key words to yell. Help help. Stranger stranger. Scratch the bad person to. DNA under finger nails if they had to, kick hit.

You know the drill.

JW

 

[kid-at-heart]

Depends on the maturity of the child, if they know the difference between inside voices and feet and outside voices and feet and behave accordingly then a lower age would be warranted. (Respect the enjoyment of others while having fun yourself). If the children are aware of how to protect themselves in "iffy" situations and how to avoid those situations (if possible) then again a lower age would be acceptable. For most children, this is around the age of 13 to 14. My sister was born an old soul, for her, I would say around age eight or ten (she is now a grandmother so much older than eight ), sadly, I was your typical kid, so for me, age 14/15 would have been appropriate.

Our first cruise was when our daughter was fifteen, we had rules. She followed them. She also told us of a couple of times when she felt "older" men (20s-30s) were trying to hit on her and her Vive friends. Nothing too strong but enough that she knew they were trying to flirt with her. Just saying.... stay safe.

I do think it shows maturity that you are trying to find out what is the norm.

 

[keishashadow]

I totally agree with everything you said. Some people seem to think bad things won't happen to children on a Disney ship. They have and unfortunately will happen again. Having been involved with criminal law for over 30 years, I guess I am more protective than most but I found it interesting that our grown son was very watchful of his children while on our cruise. I guess being a helicopter parent didn't harm him as he is now a fantastic dad. Lol

I'm of the same mind, especially now when I find myself often responsible for my GD on vacation. Wouldn't dream of letting a young child (definition - not old enough to babysit younger children) roam solo @ home or vacation, yes, even onsite @ WDW in resorts/cruise.

Let your kid of a certain age get off the school bus alone and you can be reported & charged with endangerment/neglect. Yet people let their guard down on vacation where they think it's safe.

A group of kids with said 'babysitting' elder child is fine as long as the older child knows they are in charge & will be held accountable by the parental units. However, we've all seen groups of kids running the halls late into the night on cruises, nobody ever thinks it's 'their kids' lol.

 

[Dug720]

Oh, my apologies, I thought I had read a different post from this person before that indicated otherwise, I must have mixed them up with someone else.

It's Spring Break season. There have been a couple of new young teen posters around. So the confusion is understandable.

 

[chik1987]

Our cruise in October our kids will be 10 and 12. We plan on giving them a certain amount of freedom on the ship to check in and out. I don't k

I'm of the same mind, especially now when I find myself often responsible for my GD on vacation. Wouldn't dream of letting a young child (definition - not old enough to babysit younger children) roam solo @ home or vacation, yes, even onsite @ WDW in resorts/cruise.

Let your kid of a certain age get off the school bus alone and you can be reported & charged with endangerment/neglect. Yet people let their guard down on vacation where they think it's safe.

A group of kids with said 'babysitting' elder child is fine as long as the older child knows they are in charge & will be held accountable by the parental units. However, we've all seen groups of kids running the halls late into the night on cruises, nobody ever thinks it's 'their kids' lol.

And I think a lot of the opinions on "letting your guard down" depends on where you live as well. I'm sure parents in big cities aren't nearly as relaxed as I am with my children being from a small town. My (son started at 8 years old) walks the block to school every day and I know a lot of parents probably wouldn't of ever dream of not watching a now 9 year old walk into the school to make sure he gets there. Here you can let a child off a school bus without an adult present to walk home from the bus stop at 8yrs old.

You also have to judge how responsible your children are in general just not at home or on vacation. I know a lot of 22 yr olds who should not be allowed out without adult supervision and I have no qualms about letting my 12 yr old walk to the park with a friend and come back at an appointed time. Its all relative to each child.

 

[keishashadow]

Our cruise in October our kids will be 10 and 12. We plan on giving them a certain amount of freedom on the ship to check in and out. I don't k

And I think a lot of the opinions on "letting your guard down" depends on where you live as well. I'm sure parents in big cities aren't nearly as relaxed as I am with my children being from a small town. My (son started at 8 years old) walks the block to school every day and I know a lot of parents probably wouldn't of ever dream of not watching a now 9 year old walk into the school to make sure he gets there. Here you can let a child off a school bus without an adult present to walk home from the bus stop at 8yrs old.

You also have to judge how responsible your children are in general just not at home or on vacation. I know a lot of 22 yr olds who should not be allowed out without adult supervision and I have no qualms about letting my 12 yr old walk to the park with a friend and come back at an appointed time. Its all relative to each child.

Yes, lol, being clueless isn't relegated to age.

IDK city kids are usually pretty savvy. I live in the burbs, bordering on farmland; best of both worlds. My kids were certainly out with others by that age too. Yet I can't help but think of those two tween ? Girls that disappeared on the RR bridge in what looked to be rural area. Such a tragedy.

It's good they set an age where you live, perhaps the cruiselines should follow suit for those who find themselves on the fence over this decision?

I'm just really glad I don't have to worry about it making that decision onboard with my GD for some time!

 

[bbel]

Children from the club can be a self check out from the age of 7.
In the past I've had parents ask if their kids as young as 5 could have the self-check priveledge and they'd sign anything...

By agreeing to your kids being a self check out, you're basically agreeing to give your kid the freedom of the ship, whatever rules you put in place around it...

 

[AustinMommyofThree]

As others have noted, in my mind there is a difference between the ability to roam freely and to go point-to-point freely. With our daughter, who was very mature but who got (and still gets) easily lost, we started letting her go point-to-point at 9 (almost 10, as it was right before that birthday) but held off on free range until, I believe, 13. With her brothers, they also got point to point at about 10 but due to issues of--let's just say maturity--one will not get roaming privileges until 14 (the age he'll be at our next cruise, which will be on a different line but the point still stands) and the other may never get them at the rate he's going.

 

[MunFam]

And I think a lot of the opinions on "letting your guard down" depends on where you live as well. I'm sure parents in big cities aren't nearly as relaxed as I am with my children being from a small town. .

I agree with this. We live in the second largest city in California...downtown...and 20ish minutes from the Mexican border. We have lived in the same place for 6 years and we have never met our neighbors...and we share walls with them! Its very different than living in the country or suburbs where you know your neighbors, people look out for each other, etc. Here, you walk out the door and there are a number of transients with serious mental health issues and/or substance abuse issues right at your doorstep. Sometimes they chase you asking for money...and the "ladies of the night" come out and proposition you. Human trafficking is an issue here as well...so I definitely have a different view on the "world" than perhaps someone who lives in a small town and everyone knows everyone.

 

[Dug720]

And I think a lot of the opinions on "letting your guard down" depends on where you live as well. I'm sure parents in big cities aren't nearly as relaxed as I am with my children being from a small town. My (son started at 8 years old) walks the block to school every day and I know a lot of parents probably wouldn't of ever dream of not watching a now 9 year old walk into the school to make sure he gets there. Here you can let a child off a school bus without an adult present to walk home from the bus stop at 8yrs old.

Oh you would be surprised. There are elementary school age kids who take the subway alone or maybe with an older sibling to get to school every day in NYC. They walk multiple blocks to get to school. Kids are sent to neighborhood bodegas on their own. Some even take cabs or car services on their own.

Most of them are FAR more savvy than kids I've known and worked with in suburbs - and they have a lot more freedom at an earlier age.

(Obviously not EVERYONE - there's a 13 year old at my dojang who has his black belt (earned in one of the strongest tests seen in recent history there) whose parents still will make sure that one or the other or both is there to get him after class, but there are others even younger (and flakier and lower belts) who come and go on their own.)

 

[Sytrace]

Just a lil late? The boat has around 3500 people on the ship I really think she would be fine. Now what you said you are the parent so it's your choice although think about it, your daughter will be in college in 2 years once she's 16. I get the ship can't be weirdo free but it definitely has less than other cruise lines. I think you could set some ground rules for her. Although final your are the parent and it proves you care. I just disagree but it's your money.

I have a 14 year old son (he is a freshman in HS) and a 15 year old daughter (Sophmore in HS) so far from college.
We will be going on our 13th cruise in a few weeks and they have been cruising DCL since the ages of 11 and 12.
They typically hang out together, but in random times where my son does not want to go to a club and my daughter does there are very clear rules that are set before this is allowed to happen.
Rule number 1: She carries a wave phone and checks in every 45 minutes to an hour.
2. She contacts me if she is leaving an area to go to another one.
3. She does NOT go into anyones cabin with them for any reason.
If they are hanging out together, then rule number 1 is lifted.

As for weirdos not being as plentiful on a Disney ship as compared to others.... totally wrong.
If anything because DCL is so family and kid friendly it would be a prime stomping ground for a variety of weirdos. One must not be complacent about where weirdos might be, but one must take the time to educate their kids on scenarios of what might happen and how to avoid being a victim of those situations by following simple guidelines and using common sense. And to teach them to rely on themselves for making good judgements.

Finally, and with much thought as you are still a child and I am being as kind as I can, your agreement with parental decisions of the previous poster (or lack thereof) is irrelevant.
She was describing her rules for her child and that was that. The rules your parents make for you are what they are as well. I would be willing to bet that your parents would not be pleased if the other poster said she did NOT agree with their choices for you either. Just a thought.

 

[chaseg03]

Many people have said they let their kids go from Point A to Point B on their own at a younger age. I will do the same. We let DD (at 4) have free run of the pool deck when we were there. We were on chairs and kept an eye on her.

However, I answered the question "at what age could your kid ROAM the ship alone?" and to that, my answer was 15 or 16. That means, not knowing where my kid is for hours on end, not checking in, not having a set destination. That means full adult privileges to do whatever her heart desires. So yeah...that stands at 15 or 16.

If your kids are going from point A to Point B and the do not show up...15 minutes later, you are looking for them...but when your kids are just our roaming, you do not know where they are, nor would you be alerted to something being "off".

I understand that now. That makes since. I thought like it was she can't go anywhere unless supervised.

 

[chaseg03]

I have a 14 year old son (he is a freshman in HS) and a 15 year old daughter (Sophmore in HS) so far from college.
We will be going on our 13th cruise in a few weeks and they have been cruising DCL since the ages of 11 and 12.
They typically hang out together, but in random times where my son does not want to go to a club and my daughter does there are very clear rules that are set before this is allowed to happen.
Rule number 1: She carries a wave phone and checks in every 45 minutes to an hour.
2. She contacts me if she is leaving an area to go to another one.
3. She does NOT go into anyones cabin with them for any reason.
If they are hanging out together, then rule number 1 is lifted.

As for weirdos not being as plentiful on a Disney ship as compared to others.... totally wrong.
If anything because DCL is so family and kid friendly it would be a prime stomping ground for a variety of weirdos. One must not be complacent about where weirdos might be, but one must take the time to educate their kids on scenarios of what might happen and how to avoid being a victim of those situations by following simple guidelines and using common sense. And to teach them to rely on themselves for making good judgements.

Finally, and with much thought as you are still a child and I am being as kind as I can, your agreement with parental decisions of the previous poster (or lack thereof) is irrelevant.
She was describing her rules for her child and that was that. The rules your parents make for you are what they are as well. I would be willing to bet that your parents would not be pleased if the other poster said she did NOT agree with their choices for you either. Just a thought.

So all the adults that have said stuff and because I'm a teen I'm obviously wrong. Some of the adults have said the exact thing I have. Not trying to stir up an argument but the reason I asked is to figure out answers and to understand WHY. Alls I'm trying to do is to figure out stuff. I just don't see why my answer isn't as valid as some of the other answers. Just saying.

 

[chaseg03]

Being you are only 13 you really can't give advice to parents.

Im not trying to give advice, Im trying to put my 9 cents in. Im really in search of a board that has no problem with kids saying what they want (within reason). I can say what I want, just because I'm 13 doesn't mean I'm limited. Sorry if Im sounding rude but Im kind getting tired of being stereotyped as a teen. I get I don't know as much as an adult but I will stay whatever I believe.

 

[MunFam]

Im not trying to give advice, Im trying to put my 9 cents in. Im really in search of a board that has no problem with kids saying what they want (within reason). I can say what I want, just because I'm 13 doesn't mean I'm limited. Sorry if Im sounding rude but Im kind getting tired of being stereotyped as a teen. I get I don't know as much as an adult but I will stay whatever I believe.

What you believe and what you KNOW are two very different things. Kids BELIEVE in Santa...just saying...and you do indeed have a right to say whatever you believe, keep in mind, if you are seeking the respect of adults on this board, ensure you are speaking from experiences and facts instead of simply acting like the stereotypical, entitled, know it all teen that you do not want to be accused of being.