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

[PatsGirl]

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

 

[happygirl]

No, way to young
Not over Christmas break

 

[Took]

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.

ITA

 

[GEM]

I'd let him go without hesitation, as long as I trusted the family...which it sounds like you do. Sounds like great fun for him!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Well, from the sound of it, it isn't him being away during Christmas... and it's not about the family he would be going with. From what I read, your real concern was the safety of the ports and the fact that your DS is older than his friend, i.e., there's a little more responsibility on his part.

With that in mind, I would say no. If Jamaica has scared me enough that I wouldn't even go back myself, I would have a really hard time letting my kid go by himself at that age.

Or maybe, you can speak with the family he would be going with and express your concerns. Maybe, they'll already be thinking about the safety of the ports and or maybe you can get a read of their plans at the ports.

I wouldn't be worried about an earthquake because it's just as likely to happen at home than at sea, and he would be safer at sea anyway.

 

[bethy]

No.

 

[manning]

If you are worried that if you say no this would disappoint your son. Then consider that life is full of disappointments. Sounds like you have some doubts and you know what they say "when in doubt, don't"

 

[shortbun]

OP, I feel you regarding Jamaica. The first time I got off a cruise ship there it rocked my confidence and I was a very experienced traveller. I can tell you however that as a travel agent(27 year veteran) I never knew of anyone having serious trouble there. Yes, I've know people to be pickpocketed or given false information and I know there is a faction of locals who bother people BUT none of my clients had serious trouble. I did make sure they all knew about the hassling, the semi-automatic weapons being carried by men who looked about 16 and the drugs. Some people chose to travel elsewhere, others went and loved it. Why not discuss your concerns with your good friends and perhaps they can agree to take an escorted tour that would be safer in Jamaica rather than walk into MoBay or Ocho alone.

My issue would be Christmas rather than safety.

 

[tinatark]

At that age, I'm not sure the friends wouldn't spend more time "together" than with the youth groups on the ship.

If you are comfortable with the family and with him being gone, I would let him go. I would not use "port safety" and earthquakes as reasons to say no.

That said - would I let my (now 14,16) boys go? Probably not, but that's just me. We are cruising in 3 weeks, taking our 17 year old nephew with us, and it was tough convincing his mom he should go! She is more worried about ports (Grand Cayman, Honduras, Princess Cays, Cozumel) than ship safety. I think I promised her I would handcuff him to me when we are off the ship!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i definatly don't blame you for thinking twice about it, because of the ports.

have you spoken to your son about it? is he still nervous about the guards and such? if it bothers him, then i'd say skip it. but if it doesn't, and you trust the family, i don't see the harm.