?'s about your teens and Vibe

[ctc917]

My 15yr old son and I will be taking a 4 day cruise on the Dream soon and he has never been to the Vibe club and so I was hoping to get some information from others with sons on what their teens said about the club, did they like it? if so, what did they like? not like? I think I read somewhere they have some video games but what ones are currently in the Vibe? Also what do you do with your teens and the internet when onboard if they are really into their phones and keeping in touch with their friends at home? Have they found internet to access while in the Bahamas? I have also seen "Smoothie hour" listed on a Navigators and I was wondering what that means? Any other information that you might think would be helpful please send it my way.

Thanks
ctc917

 

[FigmentSpark]

My DS loved the Vibe. It was his hangout place. He makes friends easily, so that's what he did there. I think there's video games, too.

He's also a high phone user, but because we are Canadian and I was loathe to pay $7 a day for roaming charges, he got used to just using wifi for his data/texting needs. By the time we got on the ship, he was okay keeping it on airplane mode. He was too busy anyway. But when we went to port, he spent the daily roaming charge and caught up with friends then.

 

[CamColt]

My DSs are now 19 and 22 but during the teen years we cruised at least once a year. The Vibe was their favorite part of the cruise! They never wanted to leave the ship and I had to force them to go to dinner with us. I think the biggest draw for them was the freedom to come and go as they pleased. They also enjoyed meeting and hanging out with other kids. The Wild Side Adventure on Castaway Cay was a big hit with them. I believe Smoothie Hour is just when they have free smoothies for the kids.

As for internet we would buy a package and use it sparingly. The highlight of Nassau for them was going to Dunkin Donuts for a Coolada and wifi. In more recent visits as they are older we have also gone to Margaritaville and a little restaurant/bar in walking distance from the ship, Frozen Paradise. Their wifi worked great!

 

[SDJEL]

My sons are now 16 & 17 and live Vibe. The leader in the Fantasy was awesome and they felt he helped them make the most of the place. They didn’t enjoy it as much on the Dream. In addition to video games, they have scavenger hunts and games they play all over the ship. They produce a video over the course of their time there and my older son loves theater so that was one of his favorite projects. They staged a flash mob during the pirate night party.

They most important thing to help maximize the experience is to go to the orientation on the first night where everyone gets to know each other.

My boys have very different personalities. One is more outgoing and a joiner and the other is the complete opposite. They both found something to do there. I hardly ever see them on the boat. As far as the internet goes, unplugging is one of the best parts of the cruise. We never get an internet package. They catch up when we get home.

 

[mickeymom22]

We never get the internet package. When in Nassau we grab a snack somewhere that has free wifi and they enjoy catching up then. My kids know going in that we are going to unplug while we are cruising. They have never complained...how could they...Disney cruising...we love it!

 

[PurplePencil]

During smoothie hour, the smoothies are free. "Smoothie" is taken loosely, as it is just fruit, not a fancy as Smoothies from Frozone (the upcharge smoothie bar). Depending on the ship and staff, free milkshakes/smoothies may be available outside outside of smoothie hour, but not guaranteed.

 

[Lilsia]

My daughter loves the clubs. She would play video games(and beat all of the boys at mario cart) and do some of the group events. We all unplug during our cruises. There is no way that I am paying for the internet on the ship and neither of my teens have complained about not getting on their phones. They know we do not get internet on the ships and they enjoy themselves the old fashioned way. I think it is good for them to go a few days without it.

 

[Pens Fan]

Our son did not enjoy the kid's clubs when he was younger, so after a couple of bad experiences we just decided it was best to hang out as a family - which was fine. We have always looked at vacations as a way to spend time together anyway, so it was all good.

Flash forward to our trip on the Fantasy when he was around 15 or so. He loved Vibe!! He spent hours there every day. It was the first time that my husband and I actually spent time in the adult areas because our son was never around. Then, when he was 17 we were on the Magic and while he did go to Vibe a couple of times he said it was pretty "lame" (his words, not mine ). Now if this was due to the difference between the Dream class ships vs the classic (which is significant when it comes to Vibe) or just a 17 year old who no longer wanted to hang out with 14 year olds, who knows??

 

[darnheather]

During smoothie hour, the smoothies are free. "Smoothie" is taken loosely, as it is just fruit, not a fancy as Smoothies from Frozone (the upcharge smoothie bar). Depending on the ship and staff, free milkshakes/smoothies may be available outside outside of smoothie hour, but not guaranteed.

My daughter went and grabbed cookies from Daisy's and they made cookie smoothies as well.

 

[PurplePencil]

My daughter went and grabbed cookies from Daisy's and they made cookie smoothies as well.

Yeah, I've seen cookie smoothies, vanilla, and chocolate before.

 

[ctc917]

Thanks everyone

 

[anjuan]

My daughter loves Vibe! One thing that helped her to meet other kids online prior to the cruise was that the Facebook group for my past 2 cruise dates and upcoming one set up a separate group for the teens. So she at least had talked to some of the kids online prior to the cruise.