Teens program questions please

[Hockeychic]

Can someone please clarify for me. I have a 16 and 13 year old that I assumed would be in the same programs. I am sure I read 13 - 17??? I was talking to a travel agent today on another matter and she told me that they can go to the Stack together but will be in separate groups??? Can someone explain this to me a bit better??

Thanks

 

[westjones]

Try this website:

http://www.dcltribute.com/navigators/bahama_3day/kids.htm

These are old navigators, but will give you an idea of what activities they do. It appears for the most part, the teens are all together, but sometimes they do activities and split them 13-15, 16-17 year olds. I have read that they can request to be with a sibling in the younger group (in other words, your 16 can go with the 13 year old).

My kids aren't old enough yet for the teen program, but I have been trying to do some research on it for the time (in the way too near future) they go to the teen club.

DJ

 

[kcashner]

The programming in the Stack is very different than in the younger groups. There are very few officially scheduled activities. Yes, there is a different schedule for the 13-15 and for the 16-17. However, in reality, the kids are all in there together (or at least they were for the 2 cruises that DD was in the Stack). They can listen to music, dance, do crafts, play PS2, whatever. THere is a long list of "you can do this anytime, just ask counsellor for supplies" activities....and very few scheduled activities. Even when there is a scheduled activity, each teen can decide to participate or not...and many of those activities are together.

So....technically the kids will be in different "groups," but in reality, they are mostly together. One caution--our cruises were both during the school year so there were relatively few teens. There may be more separation on cruises with more teens....but you still have the "hang out" feature where they are together.

 

[Allie in Wonderland]

I was just wondering how many of the activities are separated. Are there a lot or is it only a few like sports and stuff? Last time we cruised that was the only separated thing but you sounded like more than a couple where.

 

[kcashner]

Only a few activities were separated on our cruises.

 

[SeaSpray]

Are you cruising AFTER drydock? I am pretty sure I read that when the Magic goes into drydock this fall, they are putting a new, separate club just for the younger teens, ages 12-14.

Last year our sons were 16 and 13, and the 13 year old did not enjoy the Stack very much because it was mostly older teens and he didn't feel comfortable there. He ended up finding some kids his own age to spend time with on the ship, playing ping pong, video games, etc.

I am glad to see that DCL is finally making a separate club for the younger teens; I wish it was in place last year for our cruise. We are cruising again next year, but younger DS will be 15 by then and will be in the Stack again.

EDITED TO ADD: I guess it's just a rumor that the new kid's area on Deck 2 will be for 12-14 year olds! I thought I had read somewhere that it WAS going to be for that age group, but after doing a little research just now, I don't see anything that definitely says that.

 

[Hockeychic]

Yes we are cruising after drydock. I was kinda hoping they would be together. Safety reasons more then anything. I didn't expect them to hang out together but at least kinda be in the same room so they could keep an eye out on each other. Over protective mom here...lol

THanks for the info.

 

[SeaSpray]

Yes we are cruising after drydock. I was kinda hoping they would be together. Safety reasons more then anything. I didn't expect them to hang out together but at least kinda be in the same room so they could keep an eye out on each other. Over protective mom here...lol

THanks for the info.

I totally understand, I am "overprotective" too. lol However, after being on the ship for a couple of days, I felt comfortable with letting my 13 year old go off on his own. Another thing; if your 16 year old doesn't mind, I have heard where they will sometimes allow an older child to "step down" to the next lower age group club. You can let them both go to their own age-group clubs and see how it goes. If you or they are not comfortable being separate, maybe they can work something out so they can be together.

I hope this helps, and I hope you and your kids have a great time!

P.S. Do you have boys or girls? Since mine are boys I felt a little better about it, with girls, I know I would've been much more hesitant to let the 13 year old out on their own!

EDITED TO ADD: I guess it's just a rumor that the new kid's area on Deck 2 will be for 12-14 year olds! I thought I had read somewhere that it WAS going to be for that age group, but after doing a little research just now, I don't see anything that definitely says that.

 

[Hockeychic]

Hey there

Ya the 13 year old is a girl, the 16 year old is a boy and I agree what is one of the reasons I wanted them together. Big brother kinda looking out for his little sister.

Thanks for the info.

One of the reasons I picked Disney was I thought they would be together, our other choice was Carnival Glory which separates the kids. I might reconsider and save myself $900.00 and go with Carnival. I have more time to decide so I think some research is in order

Thanks
Kim

 

[DVC Jen]

When we cruise next June I definately want my two teen DD's together. No questions about it. They will be 13 and 17 then. I understand Disney ships are as safe as they can make them I do not feel comfortable letting the girls just walk around by themselves ..together is fine..not alone. Disney can make the ship as safe as humanly possible but they can't promise some wack job isn't going to be on board. Safety in numbers ya know?

And YES you can add me to that overprotective Mom list too.

 

[DisneyTart]

My DD13 & DD16 stayed together almost all the time at the Stack. But I will have to also say that they didn't do many "actvities" that were planned. They just weren't things they were interested in. The counselors were very nice and friendly but the music at the parties was hip hop/rap and my girls don't care for this style. Many of the other teens were on the "Wild side" (their words not mine) so they stayed with a more select group 2 /3 others they clicked with. They also weren't allowed to eat/drink in the Stack except at a special counter.

I never considered it a problem letting them come and go as they pleased.
I know them well and trust them completely. They never had a curfew though many other teens on board did.
~Bethany

 

[kecall]

I hope the 12-14 yr olds are more separated...but my reasoning is very different from yours!

I have a dd that will be 9 and another that will be 13 when we cruise. My 13 yr. old is definitely NOT in the boys/music/dancing phase of teenage life! I haven't said much, but I know she will NOT be interested in just "hanging out" with the older crowd. I'm sure this would be different if she were going with some of her older friends, but on her own she will never try and make herself "fit in" with the older crowd....

Oh, well....I'm not going to worry about it too much! I'm sure she will make her own fun one way or the other.....

karen

 

[Hockeychic]

I agree Jennifer there are alot of wackos out there and I trust my kids completely they have never given me a reason to doubt them. Unfortunately it is the other people out there you can not control.

I don't know what my kids will do there seems to be alot of kids cruiseing with us their ages so that will be nice and whatever they decide to do is great, I just want them together. They may spend most of the time with us ...lol

Thanks everyone

 

[Bethipooh4]

We never saw our DS(15) on our recent cruise, except for meals. He was always in the Stack, and loved it. He did say they had alot more avtivities this cruise then the one we took in 04.

One thing we did have him do, we kept a notepad in our room, and when his plans changed, he came to the room, and wrote down his new location and plans.

We went to the Stack on embarcation day and met with the counselors and talked with them about supervision and activities. It made me feel easier talking with them, knowing all the time he was going to be spending there.