what to do for 18 yr old

[MBD1215]

we cruised on the wonder twice now,would love to do it agian,but worry about things for my 18 yr old son to do on the boat.the past two trips he enjoyed the clubs, on the last trip he was able to be in club with his brother(13)and they had a GREAT time togeather, but by the next time we cruise he will be 18 and not allowed in clubs. do they ever let 18 yr olds participate in the club if they want to, or do they cut them off at 18.there just dosn't seem to be anything for the 18,19,20 year olds to do...

 

[CarolAnnC]

My oldest daughter was twice allowed into the Common Grounds program at age 18. I attended the open house on embarkation day with her and spoke to the counselors. They were more than happy, on both cruises, to allow her entry into the program.

Go up and speak to them. It is worth a try, and they decide on a case by case basis. On one of our cruises, they even had allowed a 19 year old into the program. So you never know. At least it gives that age teen some options if they can attend some of the activities or do some other things on their own.

 

[disneyholic family]

18 year olds are welcome in common grounds...
it's more a question if there will be kids old enough to interest him...
my daughter was 18 when we were on the wonder in the summer, but on our cruise there were no other 18 year olds on board....in fact most of the kids were about 15....
the two 17 year old girls in common grounds had come on the cruise together and weren't interested in widening their circle of girlfirends (according to my son they did a lot of interaction with the boys they met in common grounds, though little of it verbally, if you get my drift....although i suppose that woudln't necessarily be a problem for your son)...
anyway....my daughter spent all of her time with us.....she and i went to the adult clubs together and danced the night away...
she also was with us during the day.....which was wonderful from my point of view but not exactly how she'd imagined the cruise would be...
despite her disappointment at the absence of activities for kids her age, she still had a great time and can't wait to go on another DCL cruise...although next time she's planning on taking her same age cousin along with her...

 

[patches-4]

I WAS WONDERING THE SAMETHING. OUR DS HAS ASKED FOR A CRUISE FOR GRADUATION IN 2004 AND HE WILL BE 18 THEN, ON THE LAST CRUISE HE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME AT COMMON GROUNDS AND WITH ALL THE FRIENDS HE MET, THAT HE ASKED FOR THIS FOR GRADUATION 4 DAYS AFTER GETTING HOME. I THINK THERE ARE SEVERAL PLANNING TO GO WHEN WE ARE GOING SO THAT MIGHT HELP SOME. IF NOT IT WOULD BE FINE WITH ME IF HE DECIDED TO SPEND TIME WITH US AS HE IS PLANNING ON GOING INTO THE NAVY AFTER GRADUATION. THIS WOULD BE OUR LAST FAMILY VACATION TOGETHER FOR AWHILE.

 

[MBD1215]

this is good news, I thought at 18 he was out, my boys really enjoyed being off on their own, coming and going as they like,and my wife and I enjoy the time togeather. my oldest isn't into the clubs unless they play his type of music(Disney deffinatly doesn't)I was a little nervous the last trip, thinking he was Disney'd out, but just the opposite, and I for one have never been happier, or in a better moodthen when i'm on that boat.We will most likely do the 7 day westren. Thanks for the advice.

 

[CarolAnnC]

The age group for Common Grounds is 13 to 17. If you want to try and have your 18 year old attend, you must do as I posted above in this thread.

Description from the DCL Website:

It's the ultimate place to hang. A New York-style coffee house complete with music, games and large-screen TV, even an Internet Cafe. It's Common Grounds, a place for teens ages 13 to 17 to meet on their own terms

 

[MBD1215]

I understand that I would have to go to the open house and ask, is there anyway to get some feedback from DCL before we book, I would hate to spend the money and then find out they wouldn't let him in.like i said NOTHING for 18,19,20 yr olds to do the way they have it set up now. my son dosn't drink but even if he did the age limit is 21, and the night clubs don't offer entertainment he would be interested in, yet common grounds with their program does. I think DCL should address this issue.

 

[MBD1215]

I just had a great idea,my wife, my younger son, and myself will do the cruise. I'll give the older one a few bucks, a couple of changes of underwear,some sunscreen, and a hat and send him of to CANCUN with" E on Hollywood". I'm sure he'll find something to do!!!

 

[disneyholic family]

well you could lie and tell them he's only 17 (the rate is the same whether he's 17 or 18).....that would be a cute reversal.....everyone's always trying to make their kids 18 to get into palos etc...

or you could call DCL directly and talk to someone in charge to attempt to get a guarantee about this....
in fact, that's what i would do....call DCL directly...

by the way on our cruise they didn't seem to make a big deal about our daughter being 18....the main issue seemed to be that if she picked to be in common grounds, her 'adult' priviledges would be revoked.....so she woudln't be able to use the spa, get a massage, etc...
at least that's what they claimed to us...that it was either or...either common grounds or adult....not both....

 

[CarolAnnC]

Forget lying about your teen's age. DCL inspects all birth certificates upon checkin, and your birthdate is encoded onto your Key card. Common Grounds does have a preprinted list of all the teens aged 13 to 17 on board for registration purposes.

Most likely DCL will not approve ahead of time allowing your 18 year old into the Club. Heading up there on embarkation day will be your best bet.

BTW my daughter was not disallowed from participation in other areas of the ship where 18 year olds are allowed. She enjoyed several spa appointments on both of these cruises.

 

[mmouse37]

My DD18 was just 18 last Feb when we sailed on the Westen. This was the first time she was able to participate in the adult clubs. She couldn't wait to get out of Common Grounds. Though there were hardly any another young adults her age, she had a ball at all the nite clubs and danced the night away. She enjoyed the spa, Palo, Quiet Cove Pool, the Navigator series, etc.

I guess it depends on the teen. MY DD felt CG was too childish even at 17. Since we have been sailing DCL since day one of the first cruise she has moved up through the clubs. Even though she does not drink onboard (on Cozumel she can) she has a fantastic time.

DCL has a Mix and Match onboard in Rockin Bar D the first night. It is at 9:45 and it is for all 18 to 25 year olds to meet and get to know each other.

MJ

 

[disneyholic family]

i was JOKING about lying about the age....
i still say that DCL shortchanges the 18 year old set in terms of activities....
my daughter was way too old for the kids in common grounds and way way way too young for the singles who came to the mix and match.....
but as i already mentioned, she had a great time regardless...going to the clubs and sailaway parties and playing shuffleboard and walking and just hanging out with dear old mom and dad......(while her brother hung out at common grounds)...
the only thing she regrets is having missed the 70's party because she was wasting her time at the 411 in common grounds...(she was hoping that just maybe there might be someone her age there....but no luck)...