Cruise with 17 & 18 year old boys?

[dismorgh]

Please help and advise! We are looking to book a cruise for a graduation present for our oldest son next year, but we are concerned that there might not be enough to do for 17 and 18 year old boys during the cruise.

Are there enough activities to keep them busy, or would they be bored to death? What kinds of activities are there for that age group? How long a cruise would you recommend, 4 or 7 days?

Thanks!!

 

[lborne]

I know I'm going to get an ear (umm, eye) full here, but I have to say it. Unless your boys are Disney nuts, they probably would prefer a different cruise line. One of the newer bigger ships with more activities, such as the Flowrider wave simulator, rock climbing walls, putt putt golf, ice skating, etc. One with more 17-19 yr old girls and less 3-10 yr old girls dressed as princesses. (Then again, maybe the Disney cruise is not such a bad idea).

The length of the cruise really depends on your budget and the personality of your kids. I don't think they would get bored on a week cruise if they make friends easily.

Anyway, it is worth looking around some of the cruise line web sites with reviews.

 

[frdeb1999]

I don't know about that. My 16 and 18 yr old dd's absolutely loved the cruise in August. They had a wonderful time and only went to the teen area once. There were a whole lot of kids in this age range. Now if your sons are into extreme activities then maybe a different cruise line. But they have a ton of things to do even for older teens.

 

[MickeyD]

We just went in May for ds's graduation trip and he had a wonderful time. We never saw him! He did go to the Stack a few times, but I think he mainly met up with a group of kids (I saw them all over the ship, so I know who he was with) and they watched movies, played basketball, went to the arcade, played Guitar Hero, watched the shows, etc. He was NEVEr bored that is for sure. BTW, he is 17. I would recommend the 7 day if your budget can swing it because it gives the kids time to get to know the other kids on board. Also, the ports are more preferable IMHO.

Lisa

 

[dismorgh]

I know I'm going to get an ear (umm, eye) full here, but I have to say it. Unless your boys are Disney nuts, they probably would prefer a different cruise line. One of the newer bigger ships with more activities, such as the Flowrider wave simulator, rock climbing walls, putt putt golf, ice skating, etc. One with more 17-19 yr old girls and less 3-10 yr old girls dressed as princesses. (Then again, maybe the Disney cruise is not such a bad idea).

The length of the cruise really depends on your budget and the personality of your kids. I don't think they would get bored on a week cruise if they make friends easily.

Yup, they are pretty much Disney nuts (almost as bad as their parents ) We asked them if they wanted 1 week in a 1-bedroom, or 2 weeks in a studio at SSR, and they both agreed they wanted the 2 weeks! The never agree on anything!
It seems that they do make friends pretty easily. They were moved around alot growing up (military family and all).

We just went in May for ds's graduation trip and he had a wonderful time. We never saw him! He did go to the Stack a few times, but I think he mainly met up with a group of kids (I saw them all over the ship, so I know who he was with) and they watched movies, played basketball, went to the arcade, played Guitar Hero, watched the shows, etc. He was NEVEr bored that is for sure. BTW, he is 17. I would recommend the 7 day if your budget can swing it because it gives the kids time to get to know the other kids on board. Also, the ports are more preferable IMHO.

Lisa

We are leaning towards the 7 day. The both love Guitar Hero, so I'm sure they would be doing that! Are the pools any good on board?

 

[dismorgh]

I don't know about that. My 16 and 18 yr old dd's absolutely loved the cruise in August. They had a wonderful time and only went to the teen area once. There were a whole lot of kids in this age range. Now if your sons are into extreme activities then maybe a different cruise line. But they have a ton of things to do even for older teens.

I don't think they would be into extreme activities. They are both fish in a pool, and play video games. They get along well with others, so meeting new people is fairly easy.

 

[MickeyD]

The only pool onboard that is worthwhile is the adult only pool at Quiet Cove. Your 18 yo would be allowed into that one. The other pools are small and extremely crowded on at sea days.

Lisa

 

[wdw1014]

I say go for it. We went on our last cruise when ds was 17 going to be 18 in two months. He loved it. He loved the Stack. We made it a rule that everyone was to meet at the evening meal, no exceptions. Thank heavans for this rule, 'cause this is the only time we saw him. This was his fourth Disney Cruise and he can't wait to go back.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I went on a cruise when I was 17 and when I was 18(for graduation present) on the Disney magic on a 7 day both times, and had a blast. And made friends I still talk to. The one when I was 18 I was allowed to go to the stack, but didn't because I went to the college club social for 18-25 year olds. I also went on a cruise in september and was 19 and am going next summer and I'll be 20 lol I need to stop going every year

 

[4cogscruzin]

My sons are 13 & 16. They have been on two disney cruises and when asked this year if the would prefer to try another cruise line they look at us like we grew horns We have been really blessed by two great cruises. They always find guys to hang with on the sports courts and hang with on the ship. Unless it is a suprise, you could always ask what they prefer.

 

[mrouch]

What is the college club social for 18-25 year olds? We are going on a 4 day next June and my oldest son will be 18. I hadn't heard of this club. Thanks for any info.

 

[Sack66]

Have 2 boys, 10 years apart. Went when they were 16 & 6 and again when they were 18 & 8. They absolutely loved it...both of them. Only two rules and one like poster above: 1. Have to dress for and attend dinner each night; 2. Must be back in room 30 minutes after the Stack closes (approx. 3am - sorry, overprotective...just want to get sleep without allnight worry!!). We left a notepad and pen in the room and we just left notes for each other throughout the day as you came and went.

It was wonderful...now, he's graduated and we are taking a few "non" Disney cruises over the course of the next few years but we are planning our Christmas Cruise for 2011 on one of the new Disney ships as soon as there is any information. Guess what...he wants to go...I know it seems VERRRRYYYY far out, but he has to save for his trips and wants to make sure he knows how much money he needs to "pull together"...

Sack

 

[LisaBi]

My DS17 hates Disney but loves Disney Cruising. On our two cruises so far, he has met kids in the Stack and had a lot of fun with them all week. He wants to go again before he turns 18.

I would be concerned about an 18 year old, since they can't use the Stack. I don't know if there would be any concessions if they were with a younger sibling.

 

[frdeb1999]

They will allow a 18 yr old into the teen area as long as their still in high school and as long as it's alright with the counselors during that cruise. We recieved permission for our 18 yr old in August. Though after the first night she did'nt want to go back and went to the mixer they had for college age and preffered that. They don't have a club for that age group, although they have a couple mixer type things. She and my 16 yr old dd stuck with quite a few kids from that group during the cruise and had a wonderful time. And we too made them be back in the room at a certain time at night and also they had to eat supper with us as a family. It worked well for everyone.

 

[Julylady]

Although I am a bigtime Disney Cruise fan (6 cruises), I would suggest that you take a look at the RCCL Freedom and Liberty ships. We did a family cruise on the Freedom last December that included five teens (13, 15, 17, 16, 19). It was awesome! The Freedom compared positively with Disney is many ways and some things I liked even better on the Freedom. Our teens played minigolf, did the Flowrider, loved the parades, and shopped in the Mall area. They spent some time in the teen clubs, but mostly hung out together. After the 7-day cruise we spent another five days at Disney World. So they felt they had the best of both worlds.

I am back on a Disney cruise with two small girls next month. For them, its all about the Princesses.

I would say do some research before deciding.

 

[LCTsMom]

Yup, they are pretty much Disney nuts (almost as bad as their parents ) We asked them if they wanted 1 week in a 1-bedroom, or 2 weeks in a studio at SSR, and they both agreed they wanted the 2 weeks! The never agree on anything!
It seems that they do make friends pretty easily. They were moved around alot growing up (military family and all).
We are leaning towards the 7 day. The both love Guitar Hero, so I'm sure they would be doing that! Are the pools any good on board?

My vote is for the 7 night DCL! My DS14 & DS16 would give their right arms for it! They had an absolute blast and can't wait to go back again next year. They had such a great time that they have no desire to even consider another cruise line!

 

[dismorgh]

Thank you all for your replies!! We really appreciate the information, and we will need to do our research. I think the boys, since they love Disney, might really like the cruise.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

We just finished a 7 day cruise with ...4 boys... ages 11, 16, 18, & 20. They were soooo busy. They all said they want to go again when we go. (The two oldest boys are my nephews who even paid their own way...) They ate like pigs of course, but they also had bets going and losers had to get pics with princesses etc. They used the gym, went on ship tours, went to college meets and singles lunches.... They went to the movies and loved the fact that they could go to the clubs since they were 18. They had a great time!

 

[DMMarla07860]

What is the college club social for 18-25 year olds? We are going on a 4 day next June and my oldest son will be 18. I hadn't heard of this club. Thanks for any info.

it's where young adults ages 18-25 get together, not really a club, on my last 7 day in august 2006 and 3 day in september 2007 they had it on the first night in the sports bar and you all meet and get to know each other if you want. It was only listed like the first two days on my 7 day cruise and on the 3 day cruise the first day, but we usually met up after dinner and danced at the club

 

[KathleenlovesMickey]

We took our almost 18 yr. son and his 16yr. old sister with us when we went a few years ago. I know he was not expecting much but within 10 min of being on the ship he was hooked. So much so he never came back to the room the first night. My husband was convinced he had gone overboard sometime in the night! I knew he was just having fun (it was the last night he did that tho) My kids are realy great kids and they hooked up with other really good kids and just had a fantastic time they still talk about it and they are both VERY jealous that there Mom and Dad or going on a 7 day without them in April! Note: We had actually thought about using Carnival but I decided that I would feel better with my teenagers on the Disney ship. I say go for it they will have a great time.