Teen Safety Disney Cruise

[Teencruiser]

Hello all this is my first post so I would like to apologize if I accidentally mess up on something out front. So the main reason that I made this account is to show my own experiences and to show other teens how fun Disney Cruise is; and parents how safe they actually are. I would like to start by saying that I am a 16 year old male who has been on 6 Disney cruises (3 While at vibe) 1 Norwiegan (as a teen) 2 RC (1 as a teen) and 1 Carnival as a preteen. My next cruise will be another Disney during February of 2014. The focus of this thread is the safety of your teenager. I am slightly appalled by some of the parents who are amazingly strict about their teen cruising regardless if it is a boy or a girl. Personally I have never felt afraid on a cruise ship, I actually feel safer on a cruise ship than I do in my own hometown which is one of the safest places in my state. Two of the biggest concerns I saw from this was the use of the 4th floor entrance to vibe (also walking alone) and curfews. To address the first issue, first unless your teen has a strict curfew they will never be leaving vibe alone during the later hours because they will typically be out with a group of friends. The second part of this 4th floor entrance issue is that in all reality it is just as dangerous as using the 5th floor entrance (not dangerous at all) as there is a constant flow of people as well as it being very well lit. And in all truthfulness if you insist on using the 5th floor entrance just don't tell the counselors and be quiet when you use it. Curfews. This is easily the most appalling thing to me about cruises, especially Disney Cruises. Approximately 50% of the fun that I have had on cruise ships occurs after 11 PM. Many people complain about how hard it is to keep a teenager happy, and if you have a strict curfew (I consider anything before 2 am when vibe closes to be strict) then that is the main reason your teen is happy. Cruising is a great form of relaxation and fun but when parents harp on children to be in the room before all of their friends they become stressed and the vacation becomes much less fun. So parents I beg you to give your children some freedom and instill a curfew no earlier than 2 AM or whenever vibe closes because they will always have someone else around them and are most likely to be still in vibe. And to my fellow teens, if your parents insist on an early curfew don't be horrendous to them but be polite and use evidence to change their mind. (A good person to talk to is any of the counselors during the open house)
I hope this helped clear some issues for people and will lead to happier stress-free vacations.
Please comment with any views or suggestions I will try to respond.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello all this is my first post so I would like to apologize if I accidentally mess up on something out front. So the main reason that I made this account is to show my own experiences and to show other teens how fun Disney Cruise is; and parents how safe they actually are. I would like to start by saying that I am a 16 year old male who has been on 6 Disney cruises (3 While at vibe) 1 Norwiegan (as a teen) 2 RC (1 as a teen) and 1 Carnival as a preteen. My next cruise will be another Disney during February of 2014. The focus of this thread is the safety of your teenager. I am slightly appalled by some of the parents who are amazingly strict about their teen cruising regardless if it is a boy or a girl. Personally I have never felt afraid on a cruise ship, I actually feel safer on a cruise ship than I do in my own hometown which is one of the safest places in my state. Two of the biggest concerns I saw from this was the use of the 4th floor entrance to vibe (also walking alone) and curfews. To address the first issue, first unless your teen has a strict curfew they will never be leaving vibe alone during the later hours because they will typically be out with a group of friends. The second part of this 4th floor entrance issue is that in all reality it is just as dangerous as using the 5th floor entrance (not dangerous at all) as there is a constant flow of people as well as it being very well lit. And in all truthfulness if you insist on using the 5th floor entrance just don't tell the counselors and be quiet when you use it. Curfews. This is easily the most appalling thing to me about cruises, especially Disney Cruises. Approximately 50% of the fun that I have had on cruise ships occurs after 11 PM. Many people complain about how hard it is to keep a teenager happy, and if you have a strict curfew (I consider anything before 2 am when vibe closes to be strict) then that is the main reason your teen is happy. Cruising is a great form of relaxation and fun but when parents harp on children to be in the room before all of their friends they become stressed and the vacation becomes much less fun. So parents I beg you to give your children some freedom and instill a curfew no earlier than 2 AM or whenever vibe closes because they will always have someone else around them and are most likely to be still in vibe. And to my fellow teens, if your parents insist on an early curfew don't be horrendous to them but be polite and use evidence to change their mind. (A good person to talk to is any of the counselors during the open house)
I hope this helped clear some issues for people and will lead to happier stress-free vacations.
Please comment with any views or suggestions I will try to respond.

First, thank you for taking the time to post your comments here.

I would ask, in the future, if you post lengthy posts like this that you break it up into paragraphs. A big block of words is difficult to wade through for some of us.

In response I'd like to say, at 16 you really haven't had enough experience to make some of those assessments that you have. Just because you are in a "closed environment" onboard, doesn't make it any safer than going out in a large city. There may be (and have been) people onboard that are not ones that I would feel safe about letting my children having a lot of contact with on a continual basis. This includes some in their own age range.

The kids onboard, while in your age group, may be just as unsafe as adults. They certainly are strangers, even after spending time with them onboard, I'd worry about what they might be exposing my child to, or getting them into trouble.

Personally, a 2 am curfew for a 16 year old just won't happen in our family (both nuclear and extended). Even on vacation. Unless it's a special event, and then an adult will be there to "pick them up".

 

[CarolyninCO]

I can hear it now, "But mom, all the other kids are doing it!"

 

[PrincessJo]

Many people complain about how hard it is to keep a teenager happy, and if you have a strict curfew (I consider anything before 2 am when vibe closes to be strict) then that is the main reason your teen is happy.

I understand what you're saying and if I was 16 again, I'm sure I'd agree with you.

Now I'm a 40-something adult with a teenage son and I have a different outlook. It's not my job to make sure that my teenager is happy... it's my job to make sure that he's safe, that he's making good decisions, to make sure he knows right from wrong, that he's hanging out with good people... you know where I'm going with this. Right now has no business being out at 2am.

Most of the time my teen is annoyed with me and doesn't understand why me and his Dad have the rules as we do. The rules are there for a reason and one day he will understand (just like I did)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Another thought, not all 16 year olds can have an unlimited free reign. I know that at least one of mine needed much closer monitoring than my other kids.

 

[disprincess4ever]

I'm 16 too, yet I don't agree with your opinion. Anything can happen, even on the high and mighty DCL. Everyone should always be on their guard. Not paranoid, but attentive.
I also don't agree with not having rules or allowing a teen to be out all night! Personally, no one should be wandering the ship; or anywhere, at 2am. To me, if it's after midnight, it's not good to be out and about.
And yes, parents should have somewhat strict rules for teens. It's necessary.

 

[Teencruiser]

I completely understand where your coming from that yes I am 16 and yes it is easy to play the I can be reckless card. As well as I agree that not all teenagers should be able to stay out as late as they wish because not all have attained a high enough rate of maturity for it. The largest underlying belief that I have on this whole issue of curfew is that you only have so long to spend on a ship and my family takes one vacation a year. So why waste 10-12 hours of your day asleep when you can enjoy more of your vacation. Just a response to how it is unacceptable to be out at 2 AM. The teen as well as the tween club close after midnight. There are counselors there to make sure everyone in the club is safe so I don't understand how the fact that it is late at night and still being protected by 3-4 counselors is unsafe. In all reality there's more people cleaning the ship awake than any other group, along with the fact that there are video cameras that are constantly monitored around the clock for safety.

 

[sskem96]

I have 2 daughters who will be in Vibe on our first cruise in a few weeks. I plan to let them stay til closing, but only because there are 2 of them who will be walking back to the room together. If it was 1 teenager alone, I wouldn't feel comfortable with it, and therefore they would have to be back to the room before I go to sleep. And I guarantee I'm not staying up til 2am!
Every family is going to have different rules on the cruise, just like they do at home. My girls will be required to check in with me every couple hours, and they will not be allowed to go in anyone else's stateroom, nor invite anyone into ours unless we are present. They are also to stay together at all times unless they've made other arrangements with us ahead of time. I think they can follow those rules and still have a great time!

 

[jjje]

I probably would have agreed with you when I was 16 too. If/when you have children you should revisit this topic and see if your opinion has changed any.

 

[sweetlovin']

I'm 16 too, yet I don't agree with your opinion. Anything can happen, even on the high and mighty DCL. Everyone should always be on their guard. Not paranoid, but attentive.
I also don't agree with not having rules or allowing a teen to be out all night! Personally, no one should be wandering the ship; or anywhere, at 2am. To me, if it's after midnight, it's not good to be out and about.
And yes, parents should have somewhat strict rules for teens. It's necessary.

This exactly. I am not 16 but even at 16 I would not want to be out all hours.
I am a single mom a cruiser so I would be more than willing to get up and walk my teen back to the room, but that requires me leaving my younger ones. I would not let my child wander a hotel at 2am. Why would a cruise ship be any different?

Previous poster made a valid point. These kids don't truly know each other. So if it works for you and your family, great. It will not fit every family or every teen. Parents have to make the rules they feel are best for their child and their situation.

What rules would you suggest for 16yo?

 

[gzmtlock]

I mostly agree with the OP. With the caveat, each family has to decide what's right for them. And, more importantly, each parent(s) for each of their children.

My teens have been on four or five cruises, starting as pre-teens. They have always had more freedom on DCL than they had at home.

We have raised them to be good decision-makers, and are blessed that they have accepted that raising without much trouble. We have to restrict them more at home because so much of their environment is not controlled. They have curfews, have to let us know where they are when not in school or pre-arranged activities, have to be willing to introduce us to any of their friends. Even worse - have to let us view their on-line activities whenever we ask!! Yes, we're "those kind" of parents! But here's the key - neither one of them have EVER given us a reason to not trust them. They tried once or twice when they were younger, but found out they didn't like that much. (And yes, I fully appreciate how fortunate we are!!)

So why more freedom on DCL? Because there are counselors keeping an eye on them. They do get asked to return to their staterooms when out "after hours." They are always hanging out with others, and they tend to choose the right "others." I look at it as a great opportunity to allow them another level of freedom/decision making opportunities, in an environment that is more safe than our home city is!

But. . .if they were not so level headed, I would feel compelled to continue tighter limits, to help them learn to make better decisions.

Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes (but I can never remember who said it):

Life is a series of choices. Choose wisely.

 

[lady9]

We have allowed our DS over the last few years while in Vibe to have more freedom, even to stay until 2am. This is because, to our knowledge, he has never betrayed our trust. We have rules for him while on a cruise and one of them is to check in every hour after 11. He also texts us when Vibe closes, and he is heading back to the cabin. We then know when to expect him. (We've also been known to hang out in the lobby and look for him.) He doesn't stay out and roam the ship after Vibe closes. He lets us know where he is on the ship at all time and texts when he changes location. We've also been known to check that he is where he says he will be. Overall, you can't let your guard down, teach your kids to be alert and aware and find a CM if they need help.

 

[insureman]

OK, I'll bite

Here's why my daughters have a curfew and why they must check in with us periodically while on board. The following is a news account of someone that was caught. There have been instances where this has happened but the perpetrator was not prosecuted in the US.

"A Rochester man was sentenced to 46 months in prison Friday for sexually assaulting a teenage girl while on a Disney cruise in Florida in 2007.

Lucas Wickes, 25, pleaded guilty in September to knowingly engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old on board the Disney Wonder cruise ship in 2007.

The girl and her family boarded the ship in Florida. After the girl attended the ship's teen club, Wickes ordered her to follow him. He then led her to the rear of the ship where he engaged in sexual contact with her.

The girl was afraid she would be subjected to serious bodily injury if she did not comply.

In addition to the 46-month prison sentence, Wickes was ordered to pay restitution of more than $2,000."

 

[Teencruiser]

Please do not believe that I recommend you to let your teen roam without restriction as I too know of cases similar to this. It truly is a frightening thing. I am purely delivering my opinion; I like to see others opinions as well on certain topics.

 

[racingfandj]

I mostly agree with the OP. With the caveat, each family has to decide what's right for them. And, more importantly, each parent(s) for each of their children.

My teens have been on four or five cruises, starting as pre-teens. They have always had more freedom on DCL than they had at home.

We have raised them to be good decision-makers, and are blessed that they have accepted that raising without much trouble. We have to restrict them more at home because so much of their environment is not controlled. They have curfews, have to let us know where they are when not in school or pre-arranged activities, have to be willing to introduce us to any of their friends. Even worse - have to let us view their on-line activities whenever we ask!! Yes, we're "those kind" of parents! But here's the key - neither one of them have EVER given us a reason to not trust them. They tried once or twice when they were younger, but found out they didn't like that much. (And yes, I fully appreciate how fortunate we are!!)

So why more freedom on DCL? Because there are counselors keeping an eye on them. They do get asked to return to their staterooms when out "after hours." They are always hanging out with others, and they tend to choose the right "others." I look at it as a great opportunity to allow them another level of freedom/decision making opportunities, in an environment that is more safe than our home city is!

But. . .if they were not so level headed, I would feel compelled to continue tighter limits, to help them learn to make better decisions.

Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes (but I can never remember who said it):

Life is a series of choices. Choose wisely.

Oh my, this sounds exactly like I wrote it! My oldest knows that if she breaks my rules, she will spend the rest of the vacation holding my hand.

 

[tinkerone]

op, you could be my son when he was 16. all I heard was 'when my children blah blah blah, i'm going to let them blah blah bla'. he is now 39 with a 13 year old daughter and I take great pleasure in reminding him of his comments every time he tells his daughter no.

i'm really sorry but I am in total disagreement with your statements. just last year a girl was assaulted in the elevator, during the day! this is not a one off incident. it happens more often that you would care to believe. am I willing to let my child roam a ship that late at night? no! you mention the kids being together so they are safer. not the way I see it. I have walked deck 11 and seen tons of teens in groups doing stupid things like seeing how far they can reach over the railing. children (yes I do consider 16 a child) do not always do what we would hope they would do. i'm just not willing to take the chance that someone falls over, gets molested, has a few drinks because even if its not my child that does it, if he/she is with that person it will haunt them forever.

glad your parents are okay with you doing your own thing. sounds like its a good fit for you but I would never never allow my children to be out that late with strangers. ever!

 

[VS85]

I don't have children, but I do have a younger brother over whom I am very protective, so I get where parents are coming from in this thread. I'm sure every parent's decision to not let their child roam around on the ship after a certain hour doesn't come from not wanting them to have fun. Why the heck would they take them on a Disney Cruise if not to have fun? But at the relatively inexperienced age of 16, "fun" has to have its limits, for a kid's safety, and quite honestly, a parent's sanity. Why? Because contrary to what you all believe, you actually don't know everything I say that as the former queen of know-it-alls when I was a teen!

For the record, I am 28, so it hasn't been THAT long since I was 16. There were lots of limits that my parents put on me that I found irritating at 16, but now I understand and appreciate them. Give yourself a few years and I think you will too! In the meantime, follow your parents advice and encourage your friends to do what their parents ask of them as well. Because what they say is true... they're only doing it because they love you.

 

[AndyLL]

My 11 year old son had free rein on the cruise we just took. (our 1st) He called me when he left an area ( 90% of the time he was in the Edge ) The last night he was allowed to stay there until it closed at 12 then walk back to the room himself.

I felt more comfortable allowing that then I do when he is at the park unsupervised for hours or wandering around the neighborhood at various friends houses.

Bad things can happen anytime anywhere to anyone. The best you can do is to talk to them and educate them about the dangers and being careful. Over and over again. My son must get so irritated at me because almost every time he is left home alone I remind him of the rules he has to follow.

 

[bumbershoot]

So why waste 10-12 hours of your day asleep when you can enjoy more of your vacation.

Are you sure you're 16? When I was a teen ALL I wanted to do was sleep 12 hours a day. OK so I wanted to go to bed at 2 and sleep until 2pm, but still. You would never have heard me say a bad thing about sleeping literally half the day. (this continued in college...I would go home for breaks and sleep upwards of 14 hours sometimes each day...so tired...the jetlag didn't help, of course)

So parents I beg you to give your children some freedom and instill a curfew no earlier than 2 AM or whenever vibe closes because they will always have someone else around them and are most likely to be still in vibe.

This is coming from someone who had no curfew for certain times in high school.

No no NO. Cruise ship with total strangers? NO. Not even fellow teenagers can be totally trusted.

My mom let me have no curfew sometimes. Mostly on dates, which sounds opposite from the norm. But the difference was...she KNEW the boys I would go out with. She spent long periods of time talking to them and making sure they understood the importance of getting me back safe and sound. (except for when I drove...then I needed to get the car back safe and sound)

With my friends? Heck no. She didn't trust them more than she could throw them. She knew what evil they wanted to be up to, and I had to call if I was going to be 5 minutes late (which was hard when the dinosaurs walked the earth in the 80s, because of the no cellphone issue) and BEG for permission to stay later. Sometimes she said "no" and I had to get home as fast as legally possible.

On some sort of vacation, surrounded by total strangers, have no curfew or a 2am one? No.

And since I was once in a position in my 20s where I very likely had something put into my drink (thankfully from the moment I drank it I was surrounded by friends so nothing bad came of it), again, NO.



I went to my Senior Prom with my date and then we had a group that hung out after. I had no curfew. Everyone else but the 25 year old brother of a friend that escorted another friend had curfews.

I GET that it's boring as anything to not have a curfew when others do. But it's a fact of life that some people go to bed earlier than others. Sometimes that's not our choice.

Close friend in college was happiest when she got to bed by 10. If we dragged her to a party she was yawning by 10:30.

DH is a nightowl like me, but has a job that he has to wake up for at 5:30. He tries to stay up late and is miserable in the mornings. I'm now having to practically give HIM a curfew LOL. Life happens, and sometimes you just have to go to bed or deal with others going to bed.

 

[debsters41]

I mostly agree with the OP. With the caveat, each family has to decide what's right for them. And, more importantly, each parent(s) for each of their children.

My teens have been on four or five cruises, starting as pre-teens. They have always had more freedom on DCL than they had at home.

We have raised them to be good decision-makers, and are blessed that they have accepted that raising without much trouble. We have to restrict them more at home because so much of their environment is not controlled. They have curfews, have to let us know where they are when not in school or pre-arranged activities, have to be willing to introduce us to any of their friends. Even worse - have to let us view their on-line activities whenever we ask!! Yes, we're "those kind" of parents! But here's the key - neither one of them have EVER given us a reason to not trust them. They tried once or twice when they were younger, but found out they didn't like that much. (And yes, I fully appreciate how fortunate we are!!)

So why more freedom on DCL? Because there are counselors keeping an eye on them. They do get asked to return to their staterooms when out "after hours." They are always hanging out with others, and they tend to choose the right "others." I look at it as a great opportunity to allow them another level of freedom/decision making opportunities, in an environment that is more safe than our home city is!

But. . .if they were not so level headed, I would feel compelled to continue tighter limits, to help them learn to make better decisions.

Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes (but I can never remember who said it):

Life is a series of choices. Choose wisely.

THIS. I think it all depends on how well you prepare your teen to handle difficult situations. I took a mother - daughter cruise when my daughter was 15. I gave her free reign, but with the normal rules. She had the best time of her life. She took some videos and a lot of pictures which I stumbled upon a few months later, and I saw a great group of kids interacting and learning about different cultures and having a great time.

So, I think it does indeed depend on the individual child/parent but it is nice to hear both sides of the story so that each parent can make more informed decisions.

By the way, if you want your teen to come earlier one night, have a super awesome early morning excursion planned for him/her like parasailing.