Cruising for a Graduation?

[sailingby]

My sister and her husband are taking my neice on a Baltic cruise for her high school graduation in July, along with their whole family, a friend of my Dneice, and my parents (and we might go along as well!) Since my Dsis doesn't have a DIS account, she recruited me to ask:

What type of things does DCL do for graduations, if any? Would you have to request any type of celebratory things onboard, or would you mark the event on your ressie and be done with it? Thanks in advance.

 

[kcashner]

There is nothing specific for a graduation. Last May, I took 5 teens on a cruise for DD's graduation. We did have a cake at dinner one night along with "I'm Celebrating" buttons. This was orchestrated by our serving team as I hadn't requested anything.

Teens who have completed high school but not started college can participate in the teen activities in The Stack or Aloft if they choose. If they are 18 or older, they can choose to participate in adult activities. They are told that they must choose one or the other, but there is no enforcement of this.

 

[sailingby]

Thanks for the response. I'll pass it along to my sister.

My niece has a later birthday (November) so she'll only be 17 when sailing. Reportedly, this is a huge bummer for her, because while hanging out in the clubs with the college kids at night might be more appealing, she'll have to stay in The Stack. Oh, the misery! I don't know how she'll go on.

Just out of curiousity... Say she sailed in September or October (which she won't, but just hypothetically) would she be allowed to participate in the adult programs? She'll have already started college, so I'm assuming The Stack would be off limits at that point, but she still wouldn't be 18, so the clubs wouldn't be available to her either. Would she be in some middle-ground activity limbo, or are there special rules in place for these rare circumstances?

 

[jedijill]

I celebreated my MBA with a 4 nighter in May, 2006. I made a magnet for the door saying I was celebrating. My stateroom host presented me with a set of the graduation ears that they gave to the kids in the Club Graduation ceremony that they used to do. I was thrilled!

Jill in CO

 

[Doingitagain]

Thanks for the response. I'll pass it along to my sister.

My niece has a later birthday (November) so she'll only be 17 when sailing. Reportedly, this is a huge bummer for her, because while hanging out in the clubs with the college kids at night might be more appealing, she'll have to stay in The Stack. Oh, the misery! I don't know how she'll go on.

Just out of curiousity... Say she sailed in September or October (which she won't, but just hypothetically) would she be allowed to participate in the adult programs? She'll have already started college, so I'm assuming The Stack would be off limits at that point, but she still wouldn't be 18, so the clubs wouldn't be available to her either. Would she be in some middle-ground activity limbo, or are there special rules in place for these rare circumstances?

Last cruise DS was only 17 and they were very strict about not letting him into adult events/shows. Because his older sister was in the college age group, they knew he was not 18 yet. Other general activities with the college age group was fine, but rather limited since many take place in the bar area after 9:00 when it is 18 and over.

 

[kcashner]

No, the definition of the "college" program is adult, which according to DCL is 18 and older. They are quite strict about this. Yes, I was in college at 17 also, but it won't fly with DCL regs.

 

[sailingby]

Last cruise DS was only 17 and they were very strict about not letting him into adult events/shows. Because his older sister was in the college age group, they knew he was not 18 yet. Other general activities with the college age group was fine, but rather limited since many take place in the bar area after 9:00 when it is 18 and over

But how many months out was he? Would it matter whether the child had just turned 17 vs. being a few months away from 18 and already a high school graduate? Kind of like moving up an age group (when there were such things) in Oceaneers because you were closer to the next age than you were to your own. Her main argument is that had she been a few months premature, she would be allowed in with the college club. She doesn't think that's fair. I say she should take what she can get and be done with it (she's lucky she's going on this cruise in the first place). But hey, I'm not a teenager. I don't know anything.

 

[grlzmom]

But how many months out was he? Would it matter whether the child had just turned 17 vs. being a few months away from 18 and already a high school graduate? Kind of like moving up an age group (when there were such things) in Oceaneers because you were closer to the next age than you were to your own. Her main argument is that had she been a few months premature, she would be allowed in with the college club. She doesn't think that's fair. I say she should take what she can get and be done with it (she's lucky she's going on this cruise in the first place). But hey, I'm not a teenager. I don't know anything.

In my opinion, they are strict with the 18 rule, I have seen castmembers go around and check key cards for teenagers in the clubs at night before shows or activities.

On our last cruise, the CM in charge got on the microphone before an adult show started and said if you aren't 18 you can't be in here.

Sometimes they check ages at the adult pool and hot tubs.

Close to 18 won't help.

We cruised the week of our dd18 birthday. The three days prior to the birthday she couldn't participate. On her birthday, she went down, got a new key card (showing adult) and could participate in adult activities.

 

[MassDisLovers]

We cruised last week and our daughter who is 20, but looks younger, was "carded" on several occasions - at Palo brunch, at Serenity Bay, and on one of the first nights in Rockin' BarD. Once they knew her in Rockin'BarD they never asked again (and, they greeted her by name each night after that) but they are strict. There was a code on her card ( a "B" I think) that indicated that she was over 18 but under 21 - so "yes" to adult activities, "no" to ordering alcohol.

She went to the "College Club Meet" on the first night, but she was the only one who showed up - everyone her age was at college (where she should have been, too!). So she had to make do with hanging out with the old folks .. which she said was better than not being on the cruise at all!

 

[Doingitagain]

But how many months out was he? Would it matter whether the child had just turned 17 vs. being a few months away from 18 and already a high school graduate? Kind of like moving up an age group (when there were such things) in Oceaneers because you were closer to the next age than you were to your own. Her main argument is that had she been a few months premature, she would be allowed in with the college club. She doesn't think that's fair. I say she should take what she can get and be done with it (she's lucky she's going on this cruise in the first place). But hey, I'm not a teenager. I don't know anything.

They had no idea if he was close to 18 or not, they just held firm on no admittance if not 18.

 

[jedijill]

It's a lot like being able to drink at age 21. You can't drink the day before you turn 21 but you can on your 21st birthday. Does someone get more mature in 8 hours? Nope but they have to draw a line in the sand someplace to make it fair for everyone.

Jill in CO

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

We were celebrating my niece's high school graduation and nephew's college graduation when we cruised and they got a cake and buttons also. That was it.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

We are sailing the Dream in 7/11 and I want a cake for SURVIVING my DS's high school years!

 

[Kaizen]

We are sailing the Dream in 7/11 and I want a cake for SURVIVING my DS's high school years!

I am on that cruise as well and will be celebrating my DD's 10th birthday. Hope they will give her a cake or something at dinner!