What about 18 yr. old DS?

[Liz]

My son wants to go on a Disney cruise for his high school graduation gift (our first cruise). I was just looking at what they offer for teens and see the cut-off is 17 yrs. old. He will have just graduated from high school but has an early birthday. Any ideas on what he'd be able to do and enjoy? Thanks!

P.S. Edited to add there would be four of us traveling: DH and me, DS18 and DD17.

 

[SeaSpray]

We're going in the summer of 2006, after DS16 graduates high school and he'll be 18 by that time, too. On our recent Disney cruise he enjoyed the Stack and spent a lot of time there. But some of the things I'm hoping he'll enjoy next time will be the theme nights in Rockin Bar D, such as 60's night when they do an hour of Beatles' songs (my DS likes the Beatles), and they also have 70's night and 80's night. He'll be able to enjoy the nice, quiet, but yet still FUN adult pool and the Cove Cafe at Quiet Cove. He can go to all of the comedy shows and see all the live music, which I know he'll enjoy. He plays the drums and loves to see live music but at his age, the opportunities are rare. I have read that sometimes the counselors at the Stack will let the kids who just got out of high school go in there, but I'm not sure, and I wouldn't count it as being definite.

Maybe some other parents of 18 yr olds can comment on what their kids liked to do.

 

[Liz]

Thanks SeaSpray! Sounds like our sons have a lot of similarities because my DS likes the Beatles and plays the drums too! And he graduates in 2006! What's the date of your 2006 cruise (if you know)? We're looking at 8/19.

 

[Regina]

We took our DD when she was 18, and she fell in love with DCL, so much so, that we took her on two more cruises within the year that followed, and she's doing the 14 day repo with us in May.

She liked being an "adult." Her favorite was the late night comedy shows.

On the second cruise, there was a younger classmate from her High School onboard. (Which was a surprise.) She had just graduated. She did stop by the Stack by thought that they were "little kids" LOL.

And, of course, there was the shopping. She had a great time.

 

[antmaril]

We are taking my DS (18) and his DGF (17) on the 2/13/05 Disney Wonder as a graduation gift. They graduate in June. I'm just a little worried because he will be 18 when we cruise and she is only 17. I am assuming that since he is still in high school he can go with her to the teen club. However, I also assume, she cannot go to the adult pool or Palo for dinner.

I'm not going to worry about it. I'm sure they will have a good time.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Liz
Thanks SeaSpray! Sounds like our sons have a lot of similarities because my DS likes the Beatles and plays the drums too! And he graduates in 2006! What's the date of your 2006 cruise (if you know)? We're looking at 8/19.

Our DSs definitely have things in common. We are already booked on the 8/19/2006 cruise! If you decide to book, make sure you check out the thread over on the Meets board, we've got a group of DISers going too!

 

[pediatric-rnp]

We were on the April spring break cruise this year, as an early graduation gift for DS, who had already turned 18 in January . He spent every free moment on the basketball court on the Wonder, and met a lot of others near his age doing the same - they had a great time hanging out together on the court and then getting snacks/sodas together later. My other DS, who was 16 at the time, also did the same. On CC they rented the jet skis and absolutely loved doing that - they go out in a group with a guide who keeps an eye on everyone - this was the highlight of their trip!

Both boys also had fun playing BINGO at night, altho I'm sure they would never admit it to their friends back home!! DS (16) won $100.00!! I had to claim it for him, but they let the kids play.