Those of you who have cruised with teens

[Mary Anne]

My boys will be 16 and 13 1/2 when we go in August assuming everything falls into place this week and we do book.

They have done the 7 day disney cruise before and have been on two other cruises also (both 7 days).

With the exception of Palo; dinner is eaten as a family. Neither had any interest in the clubs when we went in 2000 and have already said they would check them out but doubted they'd participate. I'm thinking the younger one will as he is far more outgoing and enjoys the group thing more then the older one.

They know better then to create a problem on board ship and know when they are due back in the room to check in. We have not in the past used two way radios on board ship; but we have gotten very use to a family plan wireless services that we can talk to each other all the time so I'm thinking we might do the two way radio's just because.

We don't care for most of the shore excersions and enjoy the ship when in port when it is quiet and we are alone.

My boys do love to cruise and are already looking at the menu's.

 

[SeaSpray]

mmouse37: I've seen your pics already, thanks! I'm glad your family has been able to enjoy so many cruises together!

Mary Anne: I think we'd be on the same cruise next August, I saw you posting on the August 28th thread Our DSs would be the same ages. I'm not sure how much into the club my older DS will be. Just like your younger DS, I can see my younger one getting more involved than my older one. I really just want them to have a great time, no matter what they do or don't do, as far as activities. I am hoping they'll like some of the teen activities and/or find some other teens to hang out with. What kind of activities do your DSs like to do while at home?

While I do want to get off the ship at each port for at least a short while, I don't think we'll overbook ourselves with excursions. I've seen a handful that I think will appeal to our sons, but we won't force them to go on excursions, with the exception of the Tulum ruins. They already know that if we do that excursion, they'll be with us, and they're fine with that.

 

[KarenB]

Hi!

We have been discussing this same topic lately! Our DSs will be 14 1/2 and just days shy of 16. Our guidelines match up with yours. The only other thing I would think about is NOT going into another cabin, no matter how well they think they know a person or other parent!! I know it sounds non-trusting, but there are enough public places on the ship to join friends.

Karen

 

[Mary Anne]

My boys are into baseball and video games. The last Disney cruise my oldest had just broken his leg and he didn't have the best time. He's really looking forward to this one.

Karen, that is a great rule about the cabin. I am going to add that to the guidlines. Sadly, these days you can't be too careful.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by KarenB
Hi!

We have been discussing this same topic lately! Our DSs will be 14 1/2 and just days shy of 16. Our guidelines match up with yours. The only other thing I would think about is NOT going into another cabin, no matter how well they think they know a person or other parent!! I know it sounds non-trusting, but there are enough public places on the ship to join friends.

Karen

Hi Karen!

That is a great thing to mention to our DSs. I hope they wouldn't have a reason to go into anyone else's cabins anyway, but you just never know. We'll definitely tell them to NOT go into any cabin except ours. And I really don't want any other kids in our cabin, either. On a ship that large with so many places for the kids to go, there's no reason they need to go into anyone's cabin.

Mary Anne: Sorry about your DSs broken leg on the other cruise I hope he has a great time on the next one My sons played a lot of sports when they were younger but don't play on any organized teams anymore. They like to play with their friends, for the fun of it. They're also into computer games and video games.

 

[Lswilmot@aol.com]

We have taken our Girl Scout Troop (TEENAGERS, NOT BABIES) on two cruises in the past, and are now planning a third. We require all members of our party, both teens and accompaning adults to eat dinner together. Most all wanted to go to the shows together anyhow, so this wasn't an issue. We had a reasonable curfew for the girls each night, that was adjusted each night based on the planned activities. If curfew was 1:30 am, that meant 1:30 in the cabin. With their freedom came responsibility, as no girl was allowed to travel anywhere on the ship alone and wasn't allowed off the ship without an adult. We spelled out all this to the girls and their parents prior to the trips, so there wasn't a problem while on the cruises.

 

[lsmac]

Not that I can add too much to what has already been said, I just wanted to let you know what our rules are for our 14 yo too.

1. He is NOT to go into any other cabin, nor is he allowed to bring anyone back to our cabin.

2. Curfew is 1:00 am: take it or leave it, but either way, be in the room at 1:00am...not 1:03, or 1:05. Mess this up and the curfew moves to 11pm!

3. He is allowed a set spending amount for the week that includes smoothies, video games, souvenirs (sp) etc. For last year it was $10/day...this year will probably be similiar as he NEVEr spent that amount.

4. We keep a pad of paper and a pen on top of the big chest and he is to check in on that every 2 hours IF he is not involved in an activity with the group. (in the morning we check Navs to figure when and where these are to be). He has to mark time he came in and where he is going. Last year we used two way radios..these were a pain as half the time they never worked or you couldn't hear him through the static...and we had nice radios with numerous sub channels.

5. He has to eat dinner with us nightly and come on shore excursions. (This way I can be assured he is eating more than just pizza and smoothies for the week!)LOL

And the most important rule of all....HAVE FUN, BE SAFE, and don't fall OVERBOARD!

Lisa

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Just something I thought I would mention to you all -

We also had the "must eat dinner with family rule" -

Well, the second night, our daughter shows up and looked, well, not appropriate for dinner! She had lost track of time and ran straight to dinner - She was wearing the same clothes she had on all day, hair a mess, make-up smeared, flip-flops on her feet - Needless to say, my husband and I were very embarrassed!!

Right after dinner, we talked to her and told her in no uncertain terms would she look like that at dinner again - She would be turned away and miss out on that evenings teen activities -

Needless to say, she was very well groomed for the remainder of the cruise!!

Just something to think about!

Karen

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Karen, thanks for the heads-up on that - wouldn't have thought to have that talk, but wouldn't doubt at all that one of mine could show up that way!!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

We didn't think we would have to talk about it either - She is always looking in the mirror (as girls do) - She usually always looks great - I think she just lost track of time and just didn't want to get in trouble for being late (although we did have 2-ways) - But I know once she heard she might lose the teen activities, that was all it took!

 

[aprilgail2]

Those are some good ideas....my almost 15 year old god daughter will be coming on the next cruise with us...I know she is going to get the unlimited internet access and she will have a set amount of waht she can spend otherwise...between 150-200 for the whole cruise...no going to others cabins and for usre some type of curfew...I hate that staying out the last night only becuase we are going to Magic Kingdom that next morning when we get off the cuirse and she will be a monster with no sleep! My 4 year old is saving all the money she gets right now from her allowance and gift money so she can shop in the store on the Disney cruise....of course I am not goingto let her spend her own money there but I will let her think she did and just stick her money in her bank.