Teen Clubs on Royal VS DCL?

[dreamer17555]

So in less than 3 weeks I am embarking on my very first non DCL cruise on a 4 Night Allure of the Seas with my 17 yo autistic son. He absolutely loves Vibe on DCL and we have found most teens to be overwhelmingly kind and inclusive on DCL (a few outliers here and there but for the most part they have been wonderful). However in day to day life at home that has not been the case and he has been badly bullied. Any insight on the teens and teen clubs on Royal (especially Oasis class ships)? I'm wondering if I should plan now to mostly keep him with me or if it will be a similar experience to DCL... Anyone have experience they want to share?

I know teens can (and do) act up no matter the cruise line but since we have almost exclusively sailed DCL in the off season we have not experienced some of the more outrageous teen behavior I hear reported, just curious about what others have experienced so I know what to plan for. Thanks!

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I'm sorry, I never cruised Royal with my kids so I have no insight. We did do their sister line, Celebrity and they loved it. But I do want to say, I am so sorry and sad that your son experienced bullying. I think, in general, the less kids on the cruise, the more one on one they can get with counselors and supervision, in general, and hopefully less of this kind of behavior you mentioned. If you are cruising in 3 weeks, that would be "off season" for a lot of kids on the ship so maybe there will be more supervision.

 

[Alicatt]

I have also only cruised DCL and one of the reasons is because my teens love the clubs so much. i get your concern but I am hopeful that he will have a good experience. I would think that bullying behavior wouldn't be tolerated in any kids club and would be easier to monitor in off season.

 

[DCLMP]

My kids have done both and enjoyed both. They did sail on Allure. It really comes down to the mix of kids in the clubs on any particular cruise. Activities are similiar. I would say there is more to do on Royal out side of club if they make friends.

One difference is I don't believe Royals clubs are open all the time like DCL and Royal has a 1am curfew for under 18's. It's been four years so that could have changed.

Our cruise on Allure was offseason and there were a dozen or more kids in the teen club most of them homeschooled. My kids didn't have any issues. One of my kids liked Royal better because of the ship and more to do. The other one the Vibe was always his favorite.

 

[Dug720]

Royal has a 1am curfew for under 18's. It's been four years so that could have changed.

It was that way on Anthem in February 2024.