Joseph2017China

18 is an adult. I have kids, who are older now. One did not really like going on a cruise, and yes, they were left to making their adult decision to go or not to go. There is a huge difference between a social gathering and a babysitting club (kids club). Kid's clubs are for kids and are a "safe" spot for them to hang with kids. It is not up to you to take them, but up to them to say if they want to go or not. Even though an 18 year old might be in HS, remember, that 18 year old does not need parental permission for anything, and they can drop out without your permission (hopefully not). All the issues you pointed out, is not a cruise line issue. They have social activities from shows, to trivia etc, and the ships are filled with areas that young adults can mingle. But you said it, that a cruise is not really a great place for him, since he does not socially mingle very well. Nothing wrong with that, many don't, and that is why your adult kids can make their decisions. You are not leaving them home because they are no longer your responsibility to make their vacation decision. You gift them a cruise or any vacation, and let them decide. Remember an 18 year old can sign contracts, get credit, go to military, travel, and do anything that any adult is allowed. IF they are on a cruise, in a port, they can drink also. My youngest boy owned a house before age 20, the very same age, you are saying kids are TEENagers. But yet, he owned a house, and a car and decided to work before finally deciding college. The other one, was spending a year in South Korea in the Army, as a teen, before he used his funds for college during and after the military. Your son does not really like a cruise and so it is not the companies fault, that a person, does not enjoy the product offered, which is the vacation experience. Everyone is different, and next time, just let him decide.

To solve your problem, you can take you 18 year old on a European/Asian cruise, than he could drink! Also, 18 is an adult, not a teenager. The Cruise lines do not put ADULTS in the kids rooms that are not staff. No, most new adults seem to hate just about anything, when it comes to vacations unless they picked it. But the good news, is you don't need to take them, if they don't really want to go. The cruise lines have been trying to have mixers for that age group, the in between for USA and the new adults in Europe. But like all adult activities, whether people go or not, is also dependent on the cruise itself. It seems that people expect to babysit the fun for younger adults, when in fact, they have full access to the ship, and clubs, and casino, and activities except for drinking based on the local age. It is up to them to find people to "hang out with" which is easy at areas like the pool, or sports decks, or around the bar (drinking a nice mocktail).

How do single adults meet other single adults on a ship?

I know you are trying to make a point that wearing shorts and a t-shirt was acceptable on a night the is specifically requested that you dress up, but it was not widespread as you said, but rather a small few that just want to dress like teens. Look, all the European cruises I have been on, the dress by the majority is not the same as a cruise out of Florida on Carnival. So glad you were not turned away, but your choice of clothes on the cruise is only a reflection of you, and not the majority. In my travels, I have seen many people get turned away from certain events, including places off a ship because and the best advice for anyone is simply follow dress codes, and avoid the embarrassment of being turned away. I'm not here to argue with you, but offer the other point of view, and than others can make the decision of dressing nice when asked and appropriate, or ignoring it, and hope for the best.

I wish I was on all the ships, so that I can give you a proper answer, but before I know it, a ship is retired and a new one comes out, and I still have 15 more ships to get on to analyze this question!

It's not the space, but the weight for many people on a cruise with airlines? If two of us are going on a 15 day trip, we would each have a 50lb bag, and a carry-on bag each. If I really needed it, I would just bring a second 50lb bag, and pay the airline fee for it, before I pay the cruise line to destroy my clothes. Outside of that, remember to wear each item more than once, the temps will not be that hot, and you won't be sweating in it. Basically 15 underwear, and a 7 day supply of clothing and that is plenty

I always wonder when a post like this happens, where does the poster live, in a small farming community of 5000 or a large mega city. Asking if a city is safe because of an incident does not make any city safe. All cities because of the population levels have a different level of safety, and one must always be aware of their surroundings and protect their belongings and avoid areas with large gatherings of drinking people (like on a cruise ship LOL). So follow safety practices, and pay attention. For the record, I grew up in a big city, but live in a small farming community now. I'm never concerned about cities, but I do become extra careful.

The policy does not prevent you from bringing something wider. It simply is that you can drive it in, which is very common. You can fold it, so no issues. I do this all the time with my wife's scooter, simple fold up, and slide in.

Everything is easier with a fold up scooter, which includes space, airlines, taxi, busses, hotels, and ease of use. Disadvantage is many are 24 volts instead of 48 volts and this presents sometimes less power, and less range. however, many fold up scooters have removeable batteries, and you can carry a second battery to solve the issue.

Same as charging an iPhone.

I did. If you want to load up on food for dinner, the buffet is available, but if you eat in the main dining room, you get one serving at a time. You won't go hungry

there is a big difference between a converter, power cord and a simple adapter. Converter is a no. Power strips are a no. A usb adapter (which you think is a charger but it is not, it is a adapter) is good. You can plug your iPhone, and camera charger into either the 110 or 230 outlet. All you need for the 230 is a simple adapter (costs about $.99 but usually sold in packages of 6) or a 230 plug with two USB outlets on it. It is a tiny square with the Euro plug. You can charge both iPhones at once. Also, the very same type of plug can be brought for a 110 volt outlet, with two USB plugs. The rules for ship is not dependent on the country, but the port. The adapters are also able to be used if the ship was in the USA since the ships are exactly the same.

There seems to be a difference between a sit down restaurant and a buffet. In a sit down restaurant, with the large number of passengers in the room, the waiter must serve those passengers their meal and the kitchen needs to focus on producing the orders as they come in. It is really important for the super majority to get their food quickly and mostly without any gaps for each serving. On the other hand, a buffet is designed for those that want to heap food on a plate. He is following a set of rules, to insure the majority of their enjoyment, and if you get the early seating, you can than go to the buffet later.

I have an idea. Now that it is over, do a full analysis how you would handle it, and submit it to corporate office. Because honestly, I don't think their is a fast and easy way to track 6000 passengers.

So I leave my auto grats in place plus I paid 18% for the specialty package. so I leave nothing, and do not feel any form of guilt over it. Plus I also work hard just like the staff on the ship. I keep the money for myself, and pay the customary amounts

So, when my kids wanted a friend, the friend did pay. I never paid for an extra person. I was being serious.

I don't know exactly how much you plan on saving, parking costs anyplace in MIami. Maybe you can save $5.00 a day, but you are going to pay more for the hotel night to get that savings. Parking is part of the cost of going on a cruise. Something just accept it, and enjoy.

Ask the friend to pay the difference.

Mega ships sail from Asia, Australia, and Europe. n

When I first went on a cruise, I went on a ship, that was the biggest in the fleet back in 1990. Since then ships got bigger. I looked at the old ship, and I have to admit, it would be boring today because it was a floating hotel, with activities, but it visited places not normally gone to back in 1990. So it was exciting. Ships are not amusement parks. Amusement parks are filled with rides. Ships are very limited to the "family" sections with a family water pool and kids clubs. Some other items on the top deck which are just gimicks but serve the purpose of keeping some people busy. Mega ships have not eliminated the same concept of a cruise. But let's face it, kids need to be entertained, and the different options for adult entertainment in the evening is a welcome. So everyone doesn't go one place, but is spread out to one's own likings. I'm older, I'm Diamond, and I welcome the idea that I can still do the same things on a ship from 1990 but now, I can do many other things and not get bored with the same ole stuff.

For any port, anyplace in the world (except private islands which are not really ports) the cruiseline (any cruiseline) is not responsible for you once you exit the ship. They will help you on and off the ship, but that's where it stops. Yes, Nassau and other ports will sometimes have carts to help, but those are done by the country and port you are in. Even if carts are available, the timing, of them would not be reliable. The driver only job is to pick people up, drop them off, and go get someone else. That's all they get paid for, and it is random. Reason I'm telling you this, is because no one can answer your question, outside the fact that maybe you will get lucky and see a driver. When traveling, you need to have zero expectation for help, and then when help is available, be thankful.

You go through immigration in the USA on closed loop.

The best and most up to date info can be found with Google and Google maps and is a short 39 minute walk if you want to save money

depends on what time you go to bed. The Centrum has shows, but not late night activities.

On the mega ships (Oasis class/Quantum/Icon) the capacity of passengers far exceed the number of seats and normal cruises will have an early and late show. The mega ships, will have the same show at several different times AND days and you reserve the time. That way, everyone has a chance. Example they might have 5 or 6 shows of the ice show but you only pick one.