Is going to Edge first night important?

[mikewdw]

Read here some time ago that kids going to edge first night is important because their form into groups or something like that. Any info appreciated. Kids are 14 and 12 Have sailed before but not in couple years
Thanks for any info
Mikewdw

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

My son said on the first night they do intros and as a group decide on what the activities are for the cruise.

 

[Dug720]

Also from all reports, that's when the cliques form in either Edge or Vibe - and those who choose not to go the first night seem from reports to be the ones who don't like it because they don't have a group and feel shut out.

 

[bumbershoot]

Unless the kids are extreme extroverts and don’t care about perceived cliques, they should go the first night.

Like it’s not something my son would care even a little bit about (on Royal he didn’t go to the kids club until day4 and still won “king” at the end of the cruise in a big contest they were having that was on a voting system from the other kids), but many other kids would not feel able to come in and make friends even one day later.

(It is so weird as a wannabe hermit to have this alien extrovert child lol)

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I'd say it is more a thing for parents, than for their kids. Parents worry that I kid won't like it or won't fit in. And some of them won't like it. But a lot of the events are one-offs, and if your kid sees something he/she likes, they are free to go to it and participate, even if they don't have a crew. Plus, my sense was definitely that is more of a case of one or two bad apples than a whole boat full of cliques.

Still, if your kid is on the shy side, going the first night could be helpful, as no one else knows anyone either. When I went off to college, I found that for the first 3 weeks, just about anyone would talk to me because no one knew anyone. So I made sure to talk to a LOT of people those first three weeks and as a result made a lot of friends with people I NEVER thought I would have gotten along with, but all I had to do was say Hi. Then, each year, a couple of buddies and I made sure to spend those first three weeks saying hello and talking to the Freshman. Consequently, to this day, I have good friends from each of the 4 years at that college. So if the cruise is like that in microcosm, figure that the first 2 days your children have a great chance to make new friends just by talking to people they don't know. It can be a great social opportunity for a child to practice being outgoing, knowing that they won't have to deal with any of these kids a week later if they don't get along with a certain person.

One other thing, my sons were Vibe age, but they did say that that first night was WAY more crowded (like 50 plus teens) than any other time on the trip, so if your child goes the first night and is intimidated by all the crowds, encourage them to try again the next day, as it will probably be much less crowded.

 

[Canadian Girl]

On our last cruise, the kids got together before the muster drill as well. We did the TA and the kids formed a tight group which continued after the cruise.

 

[Senaby]

And what about the kids who don't want to belong to any group or clique like my son who is really shy, polite but extremely introvert and prefer doing everything solo?
Can he feel at ease on Edge? He used to love the clubs on previous cruise but he turns 13 just before our next cruise and is eager to discover the Edge but not make friends as it can take weeks from him to really get at ease with someone...

 

[dvcdisney]

When my son was in Vibe, he said that it wasn't necessary to go to the first meeting. He'll see what's going on when he goes. He is not extremely extroverted, more reserved and friendly. I think the grouping is based on interests and not so much exclusions of others. At least that's what it seems like. So, his "group" tends to have teens who love to play sport and eat...yes, I said it, eat (these kids are bottomless pits - or is that just my son and his friends???) By the end of the cruise, he's made "life long friends". It's also much easier when the cruise is 10+ days.

My daughter, on the other hand, is shy and reserved at first. The first time she was able to go to the Edge, she didn't even want to go to the first meeting. Now, she insists that it's very important because they discuss the events for the cruise.

However, it appears that with the Edge, a lot of changes in groups happen (my son eluded to this when he was there). Since they are still a bit younger, these kids tend to have less time to spend with their friends. Sometimes showing up to the first meeting doesn't necessitate being in a group. It wasn't until the first event my daughter attended that she found some friends. Since the event usually brings together kids with the same interest, this seems to be a better facilitator.

 

[PurplePencil]

And what about the kids who don't want to belong to any group or clique like my son who is really shy, polite but extremely introvert and prefer doing everything solo?
Can he feel at ease on Edge? He used to love the clubs on previous cruise but he turns 13 just before our next cruise and is eager to discover the Edge but not make friends as it can take weeks from him to really get at ease with someone...

Kids that don't want to belong to a group or clique still have fun. The groups tend to hang out outside of the club, versus in the club; but they do often participate in activities.

There is almost always a craft sitting out, and often some array of video game being played. Anyone Can Cook is especially fun, and he may find that he enjoys the scavenger hunts.

 

[Spiffy MacSpiff]

My DS14 has been Edge-aged for two cruises now and will age out after our next cruise in August. He loves the activities there and is comfortable engaging with kids he doesn't know, but prefers to do things with family outside of the club... so being there the first night isn't that a big concern for him. He can usually find someone to hang out with when he's there, and if not there are things he can do on his own. The counselors are pretty helpful in engineering relationships and/or finding kids who want to be alone something to do. That said, don't sweat it too much. If your tween/teen likes the clubs, then hooray! If they don't, they don't. There are plenty of other things for them to do on the ship and other places to meet people. My son's favorite shipboard friendship didn't happen in Edge, it happened in line for the Aquaduck. They still keep in touch two years later.

 

[CrawfordMomof3]

I'd say it is more a thing for parents, than for their kids. Parents worry that I kid won't like it or won't fit in. And some of them won't like it. But a lot of the events are one-offs, and if your kid sees something he/she likes, they are free to go to it and participate, even if they don't have a crew. Plus, my sense was definitely that is more of a case of one or two bad apples than a whole boat full of cliques.

Still, if your kid is on the shy side, going the first night could be helpful, as no one else knows anyone either. When I went off to college, I found that for the first 3 weeks, just about anyone would talk to me because no one knew anyone. So I made sure to talk to a LOT of people those first three weeks and as a result made a lot of friends with people I NEVER thought I would have gotten along with, but all I had to do was say Hi. Then, each year, a couple of buddies and I made sure to spend those first three weeks saying hello and talking to the Freshman. Consequently, to this day, I have good friends from each of the 4 years at that college. So if the cruise is like that in microcosm, figure that the first 2 days your children have a great chance to make new friends just by talking to people they don't know. It can be a great social opportunity for a child to practice being outgoing, knowing that they won't have to deal with any of these kids a week later if they don't get along with a certain person.

One other thing, my sons were Vibe age, but they did say that that first night was WAY more crowded (like 50 plus teens) than any other time on the trip, so if your child goes the first night and is intimidated by all the crowds, encourage them to try again the next day, as it will probably be much less crowded.

I never would have thought about that. Thanks!

 

[PurplePencil]

Read here some time ago that kids going to edge first night is important because their form into groups or something like that. Any info appreciated. Kids are 14 and 12 Have sailed before but not in couple years
Thanks for any info
Mikewdw

The first night is when Ice Breakers occur, Profiles are made, rules (such as the food policy) are reviewed, and the counselors are introduced. Tweens do find friends during ice breakers, however most of the groups tweens form throughout the cruise hang out outside of Edge.