DS 12 was asked to go on a cruise w/friend

[stsomewhere]

Our son,12 , was invited to go with a friend and his family on the Allure of the sea over Christmas.

We have cruised many times and have even been on a cruise with the family that asked him. We are booked to sail with them Aug. 2011 on DCl.

We trust this family completely. They moved about 2 hours away a few years ago. We see them about once a month. The boys will stay a week here then a week there during school vacations. We have taken his friend camping with us.
We have gone on a few vacations together.

If they were going to WDW, we would definitely let him go.
We have concerns about the ports- Jamaica and Mexico.
The kids went on their first Western carribean cruise in Aug.
My son was bothered by the armed soldiers in Mexico .

DH and I have not been to Jamaica in about 7 years because we did not feel safe there. Even 15 years ago, there was armed guards at the resort we stayed at.

Also, another concern is all the earthquakes.

I forgot to mention. The boys would be in different age groups my son will be 12 and his friend -11

Would you/ have you let your child travel out of the country with friends?

 

[flipturngirl]

I have no kids so don't take what I say seriously.. or you can.. But do you really want him away over the holiday season?

 

[iwrbnd]

Yes, I would if I trusted the family.

 

[foolishmortal]

Yes, I would if I trusted the family.

what she said. If i knew and trusted family I would have no hesitation

 

[ICF]

Probably not....and I wouldnt really want him away at Chistmas either.

A weekend or so away with them in a few hours from home is one thing, but on a cruise ship for a week over Christmas, would be too much for me.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Yes, I would if I trusted the family.

Assuming that my DS wanted to go with no hesitation. Before he made a decision, I would remind him that it would mean Christmas away from home. I would think it would be a great opportunity.

 

[Erin1700]

I wouldnt let him go over Christmas.

 

[dislaney]

If he wanted to go and I trusted the family I would probably let him go. If you just want him home for the holidays- there is nothing wrong with that either.

 

[5lilfish]

My kids are 12, 11, 10, 2 and 2. I would want my kids home for Christmas. I think they would want to be home for Christmas too. We only get so many years with them at home to celebrate Christmas. I couldn't give up one year.

We actually had something similar. Our 11 yr old was invited to go with a family. She is friends with this family's 11 yr old. We know and trust the family and have also cruised with them. We said no. We enjoy our family vacations. Our kids are lucky enough to have been on several cruises and will go again. We didn't want to deal with sending just 1 kid off on a vacation especially since our 3rd child is just as close to this family's 3rd child. Thankfully, she never even knew she was invited. We'll be cruising with this family again next year...so she really didn't miss out on anything.

Jess

 

[kbheap]

I would definitely have issues with this. Thanks goodness my kids are still too little for this.

 

[golfgal]

Without hesitation, yes. Where the ships dock it is safe even though there are armed guards. If there is an earthquake they are safer at sea then on land so not an issue. As for being away at Christmas, as long as he is ok with it, I would be ok. We would just do our family celebration later.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If he wanted to go then I would let him since you trust the family completely.

 

[brockash]

Probably not....and I wouldnt really want him away at Chistmas either.

A weekend or so away with them in a few hours from home is one thing, but on a cruise ship for a week over Christmas, would be too much for me.

I agree, especially at 12, for me it's too young to be going to a different country without mom/dad.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

No problem with any part of this except the timing. Christmas is family time for us...

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

Probably not....and I wouldnt really want him away at Chistmas either.

A weekend or so away with them in a few hours from home is one thing, but on a cruise ship for a week over Christmas, would be too much for me.

This.

 

[nmmom95]

Probably not....and I wouldnt really want him away at Chistmas either.

A weekend or so away with them in a few hours from home is one thing, but on a cruise ship for a week over Christmas, would be too much for me.

I have a DS11 (he will be 12 next week). I would not be comfortable with him being out of the country without me, especially not over Christmas.

 

[eeyore65]

If you do decide yes - there are many legal hoops you need to jump through for a child to travel out of the country without parents or legal guardians. They go through lots of extra questioning at immigration and customs. This is done for good reason, so that they know no one is stealing the child.

As the parent of an only child - I understand why the other parents would want to bring your child and it is very nice for them to ask.

 

[MinnieMe87]

No problem with any part of this except the timing. Christmas is family time for us...

Same here!

 

[mjkacmom]

OP, is the vacation during the actual day of Christmas, or the week they're off from school after Christmas? I wouldn't let my child travel Christmas Eve/day, but I wouldn't hesitate to send my child afterwards if I trusted this family. I would like my children to have as many opportunities to travel as possible, and with 5, they don't get many. I've had my kids travel with friends/family without us.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

As long as you trust the family, then the cruise itself and the ports wouldn't bother me. I'm sure they will do all they can to keep him safe, and bad things can happen anywhere. My bigger concern will be that it's over Christmas. That is a very important holiday in my family, and I wouldn't want to be away from my kids on Christmas. Now, if it's like Dec 26 through New Year's I'd be fine with it.

Also, as to the ages and being in different age groups. Check with the cruise line. Many will allow a child a year older to go down to the younger age group.

As a PP said, if you do decide to do this, definately check to see what types od documentation is needed for him to travel without you.