Convincing 13 yo dd she wants to cruise!

[Mermaid02]

Thinking of cruising next January- my 13 yo (who is generally disagreeable lately anyway ) said last night: "I don't really want to go on a cruise." I cruised last year and I know she would love it. Has anyone else had to prod a reluctant teenager? I swear she is such a pain in the neck lately.

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

why dont you try letting her look at some of the things that she could dpo on the cruise? i know it is a lot of fun and you get to make many new friends from all over the US. maybe all over the world!

 

[mmouse37]

We have the opposite problem...all my kids want to do is cruise....we just came back from the 1/4 Magic and they already want to go on another one immediately!!!

MJ

 

[Gillian]

January is so far away! She could totally change her mind several times between now & then. I'd be tempted to just book it & deal with her later!

Is she worried about (not) making friends? Maybe there are some other teens on the board that she could talk to about what it's like?

Good luck!

 

[kendall]

she may not want to cruise because you do - young teens tend to want the opposite of the parent to demonstrate they have choice too and are stretching those independent wings. So, turn the choices to her - print out the teen navigator as well as the regular navigator so she can see the different types of activities from which she can choose to participate, or not. Maybe she would like the teen spa activities, as she is "older" now. There are many unknowns if she hasn't cruised before, and she may be thinking about being "stuck on a ship with my parent for 7 days". I agree with Gillian, you may be able to locate some fellow teens here for her to email before the cruise.

I'd book it. Once onboard, she will be fine - although she may choose to be the reluctant participant up until the trip starts, just because she can be (and she knows it will bother you). Don't worry - keep your attitude positive and it will be fine!

Ah, isn't youth great!

 

[nearlychildless]

I think Kendall is right on! There is a thread on here "13 year old in common ground" try printing that and leaving it where she will read it. When she see some parents are reluctant to let 13 year olds in common ground, she might decide to go!

 

[ducklite]

First of all, your the parent, and she's going if you want her to, even if she sits and pouts in the cabin all week (which she won't once she gets on board )

Next, how about offering to buy the unlimited Internet package for her? If nothing else she can keep in touch with her friends at home that way. Last, if you have room in the cabin, does she have a friend or cousin you might consider taking? (Be very careful on this one though, those cabins can be tight...)

Anne

 

[Verandah Man]

We were having the same problem with our DD12 when we first started talking about going on our cruise this coming August. We found another family that will be on the same cruise as us and their DD just turned 12 a few weeks ago.

We have been in contact with them via the Disboards and we now have their e-mail address. The two girls have been e-mailing back and forth for a few weeks now. The other Dcouple and their DD was on a cruise last year, and loved it.

The Dcouple DD told my daughter she will have a great time on our cruise. Another thing, the two DD's have a lot in common and have been hitting it off rather well via their e-mails. They intead to hang around together on the cruise.

Maybe you can find another family that will be taking the same cruise and see if they have a DD her age, maybe you can get in touch with them. I'm sure you've seen at the top of this forum about the unofficial cruise list. Check the cruise you are on, and she what other people are listed there, or start a new thread of your own, stating the dates of your cruise.

It worked for us, maybe it can work for you. Good Luck! We know what you are dealing with.

I do agree with ducklite, we told our DD she was going with us, whether she liked it or not.

 

[mmouse37]

She doesn't have a fear of cruising does she??? I know the movie Titanic came out a few years ago and many 8 and 9 (her approx. age when move came out?) year olds were a bit frightened of the whole cruise thing. I remember reading an article when the move came out about how many people did not want to cruise because of the move.

MJ

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Fortunately our about to turn 13 year old has cruised twice before so we aren't getting quite that route BUT everything else is a battle. It HAS to be the age. But we were never this way were we?

Deb

 

[DisneyPoly]

We have the "Titanic" problem with our 10 year old daughter. We surprised our 4 children with a cruise last May, in fact two other families from school joined us, it was a surprise for all of the children.

What I thought would be wonderful time for everyone, was shear fear for my 10 year old. She is a Titanic "freak" in that she knows everything about it, has read everything and constantly talked about it. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the ship she started counting life boats, hyperventilated at the drill and unfortunately was "out of sorts" for the whole trip. The fear overtook her.

We are all anxious to cruise again and have tried to encourage her to try it again. She is coming around and I think realizes that the last cruise was enjoyable, once she allowed herself to relax.

It's difficult when there is one in the family who isn't quite sure.

Good luck!

 

[Irishmom23]

My DD was almost 14 when we cruised last June. A couple of months prior to the cruise, she "met" 2 girls on these boards and they IM or e-mailed frequently until we sailed. When we arrived, she already had a couple of friends. They went to the clubs and hung around together the whole time, except when each of the families wanted "family" time (meals, excursions, etc.) It was a great experience, and I got to know each of the parents through my own e-mails to them, and found they had the same values, expectations of behavior, etc. She can't WAIT to cruise again. I still keep in touch with one of the parents too!

 

[cathie]

Hi We're going on the 3 Day Wonder Feb. 27 with my 15 yr. old son, 11 yr. old nephew & 8 yr. old niece. My son has already met a 14 yr. old girl who will be cruising the same time. Try posting the cruise you'll be on & look for some friends for her. They can e-mail each other & plan to meet. My son is looking forward to meeting the girl he's been talking to on IM. My 8 yr.old niece will also be meeting the sister. Good luck. We'll let your daughter know how it was!!

 

[Mic]

My 2 oldest daughters(12 and 14) told us the same thing last year. DH and I cruised alone in Jan.02, and booked a cruise for the whole family for the folllowing Oct. as soon as we got home(the lucky $99 deal). I think the biggest problem is most teens don't think they will enjoy a "Disney" cruise. My 14-year-old's friend cruised the same week on another ship, and it turns out my daughter had more fun on the Wonder. Our daughters had so much fun they keep begging to cruise again, but with a family of 6, that is quite expensive. Try to get her to choose an excursion or 2, and give her a set amount to spend on the boat for things she may want. All teens like to feel they are in control of things. I know from experience that most 13-year-olds complain about EVERYTHING at some point. Just ignore it and save your worrying for the whining that will come from her the day you disembark!