Teen Safety Disney Cruise

[JohnDS]

So I think I have read every post here and have had a lot of reservations about posting. I'm going to leave my opinion to myself (especially since I don't have kids so I'm not sure what I would do in this situation). I do have a question though. I'm 22 and look like I'm 16. If I'm out late, say to take pictures of an empty ship), should I be concerned about people telling me I shouldn't be out? I personally think it's up to my parents and grandmom to make that call (whom I will be traveling with very soon!) Thanks! I also appreciate how civil the discussion has generally stayed. Yay!!

At 22, if someone tells you that you shouldn't be out, I personally think you should politely remind them that you're not their concern.

For me, I can say as long as you kids stay off of my lawn I will not bother you.

 

[mab2012]

One thing I wanted to say also.....a lot of people have said that at 16, these kids are "just a couple of years away from being 18 & therefore adults"....

There is a HUGE amount of maturity yet to be obtained between the ages of 16 and 18. And again another huge amount between 18 and 21.

Almost all 16 year olds are nowhere near being mature enough to handle adult situations.

There's also a pretty huge difference between living as an independent adult and being allowed to stay out late on a cruise ship, IMO.

But then, I don't suppose most kids are expected to live as independent adults at university age anymore. I think almost all kids that age could be mature enough to handle "adult situations", if they've been given appropriate opportunities to act independently and responsibly in progressively more complex situations from a young age. Whether or not most 16 year olds actually are mature enough is another matter entirely, and that's where parental judgement has to come into play.

 

[JohnDS]

There's also a pretty huge difference between living as an independent adult and being allowed to stay out late on a cruise ship, IMO.

But then, I don't suppose most kids are expected to live as independent adults at university age anymore. I think almost all kids that age could be mature enough to handle "adult situations", if they've been given appropriate opportunities to act independently and responsibly in progressively more complex situations from a young age. Whether or not most 16 year olds actually are mature enough is another matter entirely, and that's where parental judgement has to come into play.

At the local university the policy used to be, that incoming freshmen had to live either in Dorms or at home with parents. It's been a long time since I cared what their policy is so I can't say what it might be now. But with that in mind, back then they had policies such as no visitors after a certain time, there were curfews etc. Penalties for infractions could be severe up to potential expulsion. Again, that's one University and that was once upon a time.

So it isn't as though rules all of a sudden disappeared at age 18 back in my day. Unless of course you wanted to move out, get a job and pay your own way.

There was always join the Army, do they have curfew for new recruits?

 

[DMMarla07860]

So I think I have read every post here and have had a lot of reservations about posting. I'm going to leave my opinion to myself (especially since I don't have kids so I'm not sure what I would do in this situation). I do have a question though. I'm 22 and look like I'm 16. If I'm out late, say to take pictures of an empty ship), should I be concerned about people telling me I shouldn't be out? I personally think it's up to my parents and grandmom to make that call (whom I will be traveling with very soon!) Thanks! I also appreciate how civil the discussion has generally stayed. Yay!!

no you shouldn't be worried I'm 25 and look like I'm 18, and never have a problem, people don't really say anything, maybe a hi

 

[Vidia2]

There was always join the Army, do they have curfew for new recruits?

Yes! You have bed check when you're in training beyond even bootcamp. Training can last well beyond a year in some cases. If you're single living in the barracks after training you still have many restrictions regarding visits from the opposite gendered. That can last for years!

 

[JohnDS]

Yes! You have bed check when you're in training beyond even bootcamp. Training can last well beyond a year in some cases. If you're single living in the barracks after training you still have many restrictions regarding visits from the opposite gendered. That can last for years!

lol, I know, that was a rhetorical question.

 

[Vidia2]

lol, I know, that was a rhetorical question.

Sorry! Lol

 

[cgdogs3]

At 22, if someone tells you that you shouldn't be out, I personally think you should politely remind them that you're not their concern. For me, I can say as long as you kids stay off of my lawn I will not bother you.

Yes I definitely agree! I don't really care what other kids are doing either as long as they're not being loud in the halls at 1AM or something like that. Thank you!

no you shouldn't be worried I'm 25 and look like I'm 18, and never have a problem, people don't really say anything, maybe a hi

Awesome! Thanks!!

 

[justmestace]

So I think I have read every post here and have had a lot of reservations about posting. I'm going to leave my opinion to myself (especially since I don't have kids so I'm not sure what I would do in this situation). I do have a question though. I'm 22 and look like I'm 16. If I'm out late, say to take pictures of an empty ship), should I be concerned about people telling me I shouldn't be out? I personally think it's up to my parents and grandmom to make that call (whom I will be traveling with very soon!) Thanks! I also appreciate how civil the discussion has generally stayed. Yay!!

I don't think any other passenger will say anything to you at all.

BUT....be prepared to be "carded" in the clubs and at the adult pool.

You don't like it now, but someday it will be a blessing to look younger than you are.

 

[tinkerone]

So I think I have read every post here and have had a lot of reservations about posting. I'm going to leave my opinion to myself (especially since I don't have kids so I'm not sure what I would do in this situation). I do have a question though. I'm 22 and look like I'm 16. If I'm out late, say to take pictures of an empty ship), should I be concerned about people telling me I shouldn't be out? I personally think it's up to my parents and grandmom to make that call (whom I will be traveling with very soon!) Thanks! I also appreciate how civil the discussion has generally stayed. Yay!!

maybe i missed something but where did you read anything that sounded like someone would stop a child and tell them they shouldn't be out? i think most have stated it should be up to the parent and have left it at that. what did i miss that has you concerned about this?

 

[justmestace]

There's also a pretty huge difference between living as an independent adult and being allowed to stay out late on a cruise ship, IMO.

But then, I don't suppose most kids are expected to live as independent adults at university age anymore. I think almost all kids that age could be mature enough to handle "adult situations", if they've been given appropriate opportunities to act independently and responsibly in progressively more complex situations from a young age. Whether or not most 16 year olds actually are mature enough is another matter entirely, and that's where parental judgement has to come into play.

My point was that some people were saying that a 16 year old is only a couple of years away from heading off to college and being on their own....but those two years are BIG years as far as maturation goes.



Call me old fashioned or maybe even stupid, but I don't think anyone needs to be wandering around the ship at 2:00 in the morning. I'm not comfortable doing it when I have a night that I can't sleep. If I have a balcony, I usually just go sit out there.

 

[jjje]

My 13 year old had much more freedom on our recent cruise than he does at home. Staying out till the Edge closed, running up to deck 9 whenever he wanted pizza or ice cream, that sort of thing. He was even allowed to leave dinner early to walk his sister to the Lab. Overall I feel like my kids are pretty safe on a cruise ship with the understanding that there is no place in the world that is 100% safe. My issue with groups of kids wandering around the ship late at night is one of personal responsibility. When I think back to myself at the age of 16 or 17 on my own I was very responsible and mature. Mix in a friend or two and we all turned into idiots. Teenagers in groups just do stupid stuff. Frankly I think there's no good reason for a group of 16 year olds to be wandering around unsupervised at 2 in the morning. That's just prime stupid time. Are they having fun? I'm sure they are. Is is the kind of fun their parents want them to be having? I'm less sure of that.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I don't think any other passenger will say anything to you at all. BUT....be prepared to be "carded" in the clubs and at the adult pool. You don't like it now, but someday it will be a blessing to look younger than you are.

I will second this, though I've noticed on the past few cruises they haven't carded me as much, maybe because I lot know me lol

 

[cgdogs3]

maybe i missed something but where did you read anything that sounded like someone would stop a child and tell them they shouldn't be out? i think most have stated it should be up to the parent and have left it at that. what did i miss that has you concerned about this?

I am so sorry! I never did. This forum just got me thinking/worrying. That is all. Sorry you misunderstood me!!!

 

[4mousefans]

Our girls, now ages 17 and 21, have a good deal of freedom on the ship. We follow the same rules that we have at home: let us know where you are going, when we can expect you back, who you are with, etc. At home, our girls don't have a curfew...gasp!...we talk about where they are going/who with and then what time they think is reasonable to return. They have never let us down. We have raised our girls to be smart and educated them in the sense that they recognize that a cruise ship is nothing more than a city on the water...with many of the same good things and many of the same bad. While on board, we expect them to adhere to the buddy system. Now that they are 17 and 21, this will be a bit different in that the 17 and her friend (also 17) will be expected to travel together; the 21 year old is more than a worldly traveler (she has spent summers in Japan as well as participates in an internship that has her flying to different locations several times a month). Personally, while I know that I may be in the minority, I don't have any problem with a group of teens hanging out on the top deck and quietly enjoying the company...even at 2am. My kids know that if they mess up, they will be my buddy for the trip...lol!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

no you shouldn't be worried I'm 25 and look like I'm 18, and never have a problem, people don't really say anything, maybe a hi

Now, now, no need to brag.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Now, now, no need to brag.

lol not bragging just saying lol

 

[Cruiselady]

Yes , that's what we usually do. It's a long walk to get back to your stateroom if you're on the upper decks.

Thanks for clearing that up. We are going on our first cruise and I will let my children have fun but, I wont let them walk the halls by themselves day or night. I will pick them up at the door.

 

[Summerl30]

My kids spending all day with their new friends until 2am is not my idea of what family vacation is about. I don't envision us spending every waking moment together, but surely a heck of a lot more than when we are at home. Dh and i enjoy staying up late, so if the kids want to be up, we can do it as a family. Or plan a different vacation that allows us to. Family vacation was always the highlight of our year growing up and we spent all of it together.

Dh and I have our own vacay every year so our fAmily trip is to spend time with the family.

 

[Ofinn]

Our girls, now ages 17 and 21, have a good deal of freedom on the ship. We follow the same rules that we have at home: let us know where you are going, when we can expect you back, who you are with, etc. At home, our girls don't have a curfew...gasp!...we talk about where they are going/who with and then what time they think is reasonable to return. They have never let us down. We have raised our girls to be smart and educated them in the sense that they recognize that a cruise ship is nothing more than a city on the water...with many of the same good things and many of the same bad. While on board, we expect them to adhere to the buddy system. Now that they are 17 and 21, this will be a bit different in that the 17 and her friend (also 17) will be expected to travel together; the 21 year old is more than a worldly traveler (she has spent summers in Japan as well as participates in an internship that has her flying to different locations several times a month). Personally, while I know that I may be in the minority, I don't have any problem with a group of teens hanging out on the top deck and quietly enjoying the company...even at 2am. My kids know that if they mess up, they will be my buddy for the trip...lol!

It sounds like you have done a great job of raising your kids. Morality and good judgment aren't something you can force on your kids. If your kids are trustworthy and smart I see no problem with giving them freedom. I know a lot of people disagree with this, but we each have our own style of parenting.