Our DCL experience with an 18 year old

[MelissaE1]

For those of you who are cruising with an 18 year old who can no longer go into the teen area, I wanted to relate our experience this past week on the Fantasy with our just-turned-18 son.

We had booked this cruise especially for him for his graduation/18th birthday and at the time 18 year olds were still welcome in the teen area. When they changed the rule I was worried that his enjoyment would be compromised, and had read that that 18-21 group was iffy depending on the cruise.

It turns out my worry was baseless. DCL made sure the 18-21 activities were prominently displayed in the Navigators each day, usually a 10:00 p.m. meeting with another activity or two thrown in during the day. We did have a large group in this age range and the CM who coordinated it was great. My son spent time with us during the day enjoying what the ship and/or ports had to offer and after dinner we did not see him until late. The group really seemed to gel with each other. Besides having the group, he really enjoyed the evening acts, our dining room servers, and many other things the ship had going on, plus the young CM's really seem to relate to this group and he ended up with some of them as friends as well, so he would have still enjoyed himself even if there hadn't been a great group to hang with.

I did feel like DCL has heard the request for this demographic and is trying to make sure they are not left out.

Just wanted to post this for other people who might be worried about the DCL experience for their "too old for the teen club" kids.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Thank goodness I'll be 17 this time. That'll be next time.

 

[dgmommie]

Thank you for your post. We're cruising next month 2 weeks after my son turns 18.

 

[Lorraine]

Thanks for sharing - my son turned 18 2 weeks ago and we are sailing in 5 weeks. Sounds like Disney are listening!

Lorraine

 

[pillow]

Good to know this. I was considering doing the same thing for my son when he graduates from high school.

What happens if my son is 17 when we cruise, but his friend is 18? Are the 17 year olds allowed into the activities for the 18-21 crowd? I'm thinking this might be a problem.

Thanks!
Jodie

 

[TDC Nala]

Good to know this. I was considering doing the same thing for my son when he graduates from high school.

What happens if my son is 17 when we cruise, but his friend is 18? Are the 17 year olds allowed into the activities for the 18-21 crowd? I'm thinking this might be a problem.

Thanks!
Jodie

This is where the biggest problems lie. The 18 year old will not be permitted in the teen club under any circumstances.

In general, the 17 year old will not be permitted into the adult areas. He could meet with the 18-21 group as long as they meet outside the adult areas, but if they plan anything in the adult areas, he can't accompany them.

Some posters were saying they intended to ask if a 17 year old would be given "dispensation" to enter the adult areas in order to stay with a group that included a sibling or friend who was 18. I don't know if that works or not.

 

[detroitdad]

Wow that is funny that you posted this today because I sent you a PM to see how it went. When we went in Feb, they didn't have anything listed other than the 1st evening and only 4 girls showed up. I was surprised because it was over a winter break. She still had a great cruise though. Glad it worked out for you because I know you were concerned as were many of us in the same boat.