What do the 18-20 year olds do on a Disney cruise?

[Presley]

After reading so many trip reports and seeing the pictures of the Fantasy, I'd really like to cruise on the Fantasy someday. Because of the expense of the cruise, needing to fly across the US and needing to close our business to take the cruise, I am estimating it would be at least 2015 before we'd be able to do that.

At that point, my son will be 18. We've been on 2 Disney cruises and both times, he spent most of the time on board in Vibe. He is normally very introverted, but the activites/staff in Vibe have been so awesome, that he likes to stay there until they close. I'm starting to think that when he is too old for Vibe, he won't have much to do on the ship. I'm curious what other 18-20 year olds do to keep busy on the ship. Maybe it will just be better to not take him when he is at that age?

 

[lbgraves]

Recent reports are that the CMs assigned to the 18-20 group have been planning more activities due to the comments they have received since the 18 yos could no longer go to the Vibe. The key is to go to any group the first night to meet everyone.

 

[neg58]

Kids change a lot in 2 years, so maybe when he's 18 he'll enjoy sitting by the cove pool, playing games in Diversions, watching sports on TV, reading on deck 4. There are a few meetings for 18-21 age group, and if he meets others there he can plan a few things.

My 16 year old went to Vibe once but didn't really like it. The next cruise she went with her sister and met quite a few kids so spent more time there. However, she liked doing many of the family things with me, and would have liked more of the trivia, shows, tours allowed to the adult guests too.

Nancy

 

[Sir William]

We took our 20 year old on his first cruise in May (5-day Bahamas on the Magic). I suggested he attend the young adults group meeting but he wasn't interested (he is also introverted), though he did seem to meet quite a few others his age without difficulty.

He hung out at the pool, roamed the ship, attended the evenings shows, family programs (game shows, etc), an occasional movie, and otherwise kept himself entertained. On at-sea days I rarely saw him before dinner. In port, he'd spend some time with us and some on his own (same as in the parks).

After the cruise we went to WDW for 4 days, and I asked him if he had to choose, which would he do and, to my surprise, he said the cruise. Consequently, we're doing a cruise for his college graduation next year.

 

[over50visits]

Recent reports are that the CMs assigned to the 18-20 group have been planning more activities due to the comments they have received since the 18 yos could no longer go to the Vibe. The key is to go to any group the first night to meet everyone.

That's an excellent idea. All we've seen in the past is posting in the Navigator a meeting time for that age group. Disney should create a real program for them, especially in the evening when they can't go to the adult clubs. Why they don't do anything for this important age group is something I really don't understand.

 

[neg58]

That's an excellent idea. All we've seen in the past is posting in the Navigator a meeting time for that age group. Disney should create a real program for them, especially in the evening when they can't go to the adult clubs. Why they don't do anything for this important age group is something I really don't understand.

They can go to the bars, they just can't drink. About the only thing I know that is 21+ is the tastings.

I think most in the 18-21 age group are with their families, and they do things with their families. There just aren't big groups of college kids traveling together on a Disney cruise like there are on some of the other cruise lines. When I was 18, I would not have wanted to spend my vacation in a group of other my age who I had just met and may not have had much in common with. I would have enjoyed a lunch or playing games in one of the clubs for an hour or two, which are things that are offered, but not much more.

Nancy

 

[DMMarla07860]

That's an excellent idea. All we've seen in the past is posting in the Navigator a meeting time for that age group. Disney should create a real program for them, especially in the evening when they can't go to the adult clubs. Why they don't do anything for this important age group is something I really don't understand.

They can go to the clubs, just can't drink

 

[Presley]

Thanks for the feeback/suggestions. I'm also thinking a concierge room might be a good idea. Between the larger room and the extra lounge, he could probably keep himself occupied if I can't convince him to hang out with us oldies.

He prefers the ships vs. the parks, also.

 

[racingfandj]

I've posted my navigators from both the Fantasy and Dream vacations. Here's a pic of the page with the 18-21 club and a link to my folder for both. I hope they're helpful.

http://s153.beta.photobucket.com/user/rjharmon/library/Disney Cruise

http://s153.beta.photobucket.com/user/rjharmon/library/Disney Dream

ETA: Changed pics from the farewell pic to show more activities. Sorry.

 

[Dizzyworld]

A lot depends on the make up of the group traveling on a particular week. Our kids have had some great groups in the different kids clubs and some not so interesting weeks on certain cruises. Our kids love Disney but our nineteen isn't as interested in DCL at this point. (He's been on 9 DCL cruises.) Our DD asked for a cruise for her HS graduation/18th birthday. We had to move the cruise up 4 months so she could play in the Vibe one last time. Then she wants to take a break from DCL.

I guess DCL doesn't have large groups of this age group to really expand the activities. Most kids in this age group are in college and working.

 

[moore523]

Our cruise is coming up in April and my whole family is coming along. In the mix is my 19 year old (just a few weeks shy of 20) nephew.

I think he will mostly hang with the family--but you guys provided some new information for me that I wasn't aware of--but I just want to confirm...

There will be a section on the Personal Navigator for the 18-20 age range? And do most of the people that attend have someone with them they already know or will there be some traveling alone, like my nephew? I'd love for him to have the chance to meet some other young adults--I think he'd have more fun!

Thanks!!

 

[DMMarla07860]

Our cruise is coming up in April and my whole family is coming along. In the mix is my 19 year old (just a few weeks shy of 20) nephew.

I think he will mostly hang with the family--but you guys provided some new information for me that I wasn't aware of--but I just want to confirm...

There will be a section on the Personal Navigator for the 18-20 age range? And do most of the people that attend have someone with them they already know or will there be some traveling alone, like my nephew? I'd love for him to have the chance to meet some other young adults--I think he'd have more fun!

Thanks!!

it depends on who is traveling at the time. I've been on cruises where people who attended who were with someone and others were not.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

I'm happy that there are at least some activities for this age group. My ds is 18 and my dd is 20 so hopefully they will be able to meet some nice kids and have a good time.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our cruise is coming up in April and my whole family is coming along. In the mix is my 19 year old (just a few weeks shy of 20) nephew.

I think he will mostly hang with the family--but you guys provided some new information for me that I wasn't aware of--but I just want to confirm...

There will be a section on the Personal Navigator for the 18-20 age range? And do most of the people that attend have someone with them they already know or will there be some traveling alone, like my nephew? I'd love for him to have the chance to meet some other young adults--I think he'd have more fun!

Thanks!!

On our MR cruise, our DS19 was traveling only with us. Everyone he met in the group was new to him.