To anyone who's cruised with teens...

[Drcell01]

Ever since we booked our first Disney Cruise my daughter was planning her activites. Upon our arrival we walked her to the door of the Stack and barely saw her for the remainder of the cruise.

I will admit that she makes friends easily and by the time the cruise was over she had made several new friends and now communicates with them via email almost every day.

One word of advice...if your DD or DS does not return to your cabin till early in the am hours, don't panic! I was told by several of the crew that many times when your teens make new friends on the ship (after the Stack/Common Grounds closes) the teens go off to stairwells and portholes to continue their conversation. My reaction of panic of where my DD was at 2 am is a normal reaction for a parent during their first cruise (it was the first question they asked me..LOL).

The group of teens that my DD made friends with ended the cruise with hugs and tears that they might not see each other for quite awhile or maybe never.

 

[Hollyster2]

Last Summer we cruised with our then 16 yr old twin daughters. They had a wonderful time, and can't wait to cruise again next summer when the Magic comes to CA. BUT....They didn't participate in any of the teen clubs. They felt they were much more for the tween set. They loved exploring the ship, ordering room service, going to the movies, chatting with the young men and women working on the ship and learning about where they lived and came from. The girls also loved ordering new foods every night in the restaurant and dressing up. (basically, playing grown up) They enjoyed hanging out with us at dinner especially when the younger kids stayed in the kids clubs. The biggest gripe they had was that there wasn't enough to do for the 16-18 yr old set. They didn't even meet anyone their own age. They loved the dueling piano show, and really wished they could attend the adult shows with us. The only dance club we found was one with mostly little kids and their parents, and they wished there was a dance club outside of the teen club that they could just hang out in. I deemed the show appropriate enough for them, but we respected the enforced "no one under 18" rule. They are really looking forward to being 18 this fall and being able to experience Palo's and the Rain Forest Spa (I forgot, that exclusion got alot of gripes too. LOL) I think it depends on the teen. There was plenty to do for all ages, they just wanted to do more. I am anxious to see what changes the Magic has made, and will miss the piano shows tremendously. Any word on if they will bring that back on the West Coast cruise?

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Hollyster2,

The link I found on the meet board is filled with very knowledgeable and helpful cruisers...maybe they can help answer your question.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=603013


And judging by all those on the meet board, my girls will have plenty "DISer children" their same age on our cruise.

My daughter is actually looking forward to formal night...this from a child who lives in jeans and tshirts.


~Grumpy's Mom~

WD40! (LOL)
Will he be in charge of bringing it on this cruise?

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Aisling,

Any more photos? I read your trip report (looking for the
continuation to the CR.) I have enjoyed reading of your trip so far
and would love to see more shots from your trip.

Here's Brittany:

and Stefanie:

from our NC vacation this past August...

 

[yamahaboy]

ive cruised two times. the first i was 13 and second i was 14...both times i made friends the first night. i bearly saw my family both cruises...they had to make me come to dinner haha. Were hoping to go again on the march 5th cruise. I was up everynight untill at least 1 or 1 30..i had to be in by then but other kids are out later. The dances were untill 1:30 everynight i think. The crew guy is right. after the dances or when the stack closes we hang out on the stairways or by the elevators. The whole experience is awesome.

 

[Aisling]

Tiggerwannabe,

My sons were happy to see the photos of the girls...putting faces to names! I put up a pic of my youngest, Jesse, who'll be 13 when we cruise, on our Meets board.

I want to continue my trip report, and put up pics, now that I figured out how, but I feel embarrassed that there's such a big gap! I got caught up in other things, and didn't finish the report. I guess I should just go over there and put it up anyway!

Back on topic,
my Jesse is looking forward to the teens he'll meet on board, especially since he'll be a brand-new teen!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Aisling, Hey again!

OT

~Your boys look alot alike, very handsome~

Just a little something I've learned from these boards;
when you have the photo open online, right click and copy the "properties." When you paste the photo into your post put "

" at the back, and the photo shows on the thread.

I was interested in your trip reports because your family reflects mine...
when we go back in December, I'll have my 18 yo son, my Mom, 16 yo DD, my DH is coming, as well as my BIL and his 14 & 15 yo boys. My current dilemma is we have 2 extra days I have decided to book for my family and I am still flip-flopping between staying at AKL or WL...
Hearing how Chad, Jesse, you and your Mom spent your time at AKL has leaned my decision back towards AKL. Would it be worth it without a Savannah view?

I also like your writing style (very detailed) and would love to hear how the rest of your trip went. Please don't be embarrassed of the delay, because Life interviened. It happens to the best of us.

Back on topic...

I was reading the "Cruise Line Book" last night, has anyone here done the Castaway Cay 4 hour Teen excursion?

A: Jesse would be the right age for this next year...
Hey Aladdin's Clone, Yamahaboy or DSGirl21;
Should I bother with this or do you have any other recommendations?
(Activities don't have to be limited teen only, my DD does like to hang out with her momma.)