First cruise, is there a ‘typical day’ at sea for a teen (14)

We’ve booked the Adventure in July, more sea days than we would’ve liked but unfortunately it was the only dates that coincided with my work and my step daughters school holidays (UK)

We’ve got cabin 7690 which I hope will be ok, teen is a little nervous of feeling seasick. Anyway my question is on sea days with there be much for her to do? she loves the water, movies ice skating rock climbing and hopefully there will be plenty of others in her age range that she can socialise with. Am I wishful thinking or will it all be ok?

(Please say it’ll be ok [emoji51])

I’m not entirely sure, I rarely saw my teens on sea days, except to see them in hot tubs or pass by them in the buffet. Make sure she goes to the teen club the first night.

I’m not entirely sure, I rarely saw my teens on sea days, except to see them in hot tubs or pass by them in the buffet. Make sure she goes to the teen club the first night.

Thank you, if you rarely saw your teen I’m going to take that as a positive that they were having a good time!

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Thank you, if you rarely saw your teen I’m going to take that as a positive that they were having a good time!

 

 

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We have been on quite a few cruises with our daughter since she was 4 and as she is an only child we love cruising. It really suits us, but as already mentioned they really have to go to the club on the very first night. It's the first thing we do when we get onboard, check out the teen club and the times. Our daughter has always had a fantastic time, she's shy and not very outgoing but has always made friends. She's 20 now and came on a cruise with us last year after a few years of holidaying with friends. I understand your concerns as we went through it again as she felt out of place, it was mostly couples and the first couple of nights she came with us. On the 3rd night I noticed a single sailers night, she went ( she was worried it was a dating night!) but she met up with some lovely people and had a great time. Cruises are great for kids but they need to get to the clubs/ teen zones to make friends.....they have such a great time you won't see her.....don't be disappointed when she knocks back dinner with you for dinner and a hot tub with all her new friends.

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I will be thrilled if she decides to have dinner and a hot tub with her new friends! I really want her to have an amazing experience. Thank you for the advice on teen club on the 1st night, do we take her and show her the door or take her go in and try to look ‘cool’ (won’t happen) until she’s found her feet?

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I will be thrilled if she decides to have dinner and a hot tub with her new friends! I really want her to have an amazing experience. Thank you for the advice on teen club on the 1st night, do we take her and show her the door or take her go in and try to look ‘cool’ (won’t happen) until she’s found her feet?

 

 

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Explain to her the importance of going on the first night. That's when friendships start to form and that's also when she'll hear about all of the planned activities for that week. Here's another option. Have your teen visit the roll call for your cruise. She might be able to find other teens that will be on the ship. Our daughter did this a few years ago. There were a bunch of teens that started their own Facebook page to start messaging each other about the cruise. The kids all "knew" each other and had formed friendships before ever even stepping on the ship. Coincidentally, one of the families was staying at the same hotel as us pre-cruise so the kids (and parents) got to meet face to face before getting on the ship.

Great idea thank you!

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I agree with previous posters about teen club on the first night and joining your roll call. As she is new to cruising (without putting a damper on her cruise experience), make sure you go over very specific rules. Cruise ships are no different than a small city. She should be aware of not visiting cabins, even her "new" friends, watching her drink, no alcohol, etc. Most ships have a 1:00 a.m curfew for young people out without their parents.

I am sure she will have a great time. My kids are adults now with kids of their own, and cruised from high school on. Again, not trying to be negative; just being sensible.

We took our 4 kids on the Anthem 15, 14, 11, 8. Only saw the younger two. The older two had their own cabin so we basically insisted they have dinner with us. As others have said MUST have her go to the teen hang out area on first night. Actually, I would go even before that after muster. Don't drop her off. It will be like the loud needle skip across the record.

We told our kids they were not allowed to go in anyone's cabin and no one was able to go in their's either.

Enjoy your cruise!

My teen always sticks with me on cruises, and we have tons of fun together. Although I still kind of act like a child in that I like doing the kid stuff (mini golf, game room, climbing wall) and she likes to do grown up stuff with me like exploring the ship, trivia and bingo, so she’s never had the desire to ditch me for the kids club, although I do see kids hanging out in groups that I assume met at the club and they always seem to be having a blast around the ship together.

If your teen doesn’t find they like the kids club or is too shy to go, don’t worry about the sea days because if you guys can tolerate each others activities then you can actually have a lot of fun together, no problem.

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We’ve booked the Adventure in July,

 

What sailing in July? We're booked on the the July 13th sailing, cabins 7301-7303...Our son is 14 and our daughter is 12, their first cruise also...

When I first took my 3 teens for their first cruise....they were blown away. They are all in their 30's now and still cruising (with or without us).

My 15yr old has been going on cruises for several years now and while she didnt really like the kid's clubs, she does enjoy the teen clubs. The activities are good for getting them to male friends.

We go and check out the club when we first get on board and sign her up, get the schedule, etc. The have personnel there to go through any needed paperwork and sometimes the can meet other teens then. Its a low key way to check out where the club is and she get to know where she needs to go. Then going to the first night induction is important, its where they start to make friends. In the past, I have walk her part of the way to the club, but only as far as she was comfortable with.

The roll call or facebook groups are a good idea, also. If you have an active roll call.

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What sailing in July? We're booked on the the July 13th sailing, cabins 7301-7303...Our son is 14 and our daughter is 12, their first cruise also...

We’re on the 20th, I hope you have a fabulous time!

Have spoken to her tonight and she seems reluctant to enroll in teen club..she’s quite shy, obviously we won’t force her but I do feel she would benefit from making a few friends outside of her usual group here at home. She’s never been out of Europe I wonder if it will be a bit of a culture shock for her!

We’re on the 20th, I hope you have a fabulous time!

 

Have spoken to her tonight and she seems reluctant to enroll in teen club..she’s quite shy, obviously we won’t force her but I do feel she would benefit from making a few friends outside of her usual group here at home. She’s never been out of Europe I wonder if it will be a bit of a culture shock for her!

You should really try to get her to go the first night. Let her see what they have to offer and meet a couple other kids her age. If she finds it not to her liking, she doesn't have to go back, but she really should give it a chance on the first night.

We’re on the 20th, I hope you have a fabulous time!

 

Have spoken to her tonight and she seems reluctant to enroll in teen club..she’s quite shy, obviously we won’t force her but I do feel she would benefit from making a few friends outside of her usual group here at home. She’s never been out of Europe I wonder if it will be a bit of a culture shock for her!

I will also be on that sailing with my 14 year old daughter. She is shy with those she doesn’t know. Elena feels that everyone else in the teen club has a friend from home. What is your daughter’s name? I will tell her to look for her.

I will also be on that sailing with my 14 year old daughter. She is shy with those she doesn’t know. Elena feels that everyone else in the teen club has a friend from home. What is your daughter’s name? I will tell her to look for her.

Hopefully she will manage to go, even if it was for 30 mins, I'm sure she would enjoy it. It will be everyone's first night so they will all be nervous. One other suggestion is to book the set dinning time and request a table with children around your daughters age. This way she will know someone, I really feel for you and your daughter as we have been through it.

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My oldest was 14 and very reluctant the first time (oldest of 5 and the only teen). The next time I saw her she was laughing and having a blast. I was nervous on our last cruise because dd14 and dd16 tend to stick together in new situations. I was happy to see they each made a different group of friends, it was a great experience (and dd14 is SHY). Everyone is in the same situation on the first night).

Will be keeping track of this one. We just booked a April, 2020, on Adventure with our granddaughters who will be 13 and 15 then.

I will also be on that sailing with my 14 year old daughter. She is shy with those she doesn’t know. Elena feels that everyone else in the teen club has a friend from home. What is your daughter’s name? I will tell her to look for her.[/quote If you are on the roll call maybe the teens could chat ahead of time.

 

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My DD was 17 at her first (& only!) cruise. It was a family cruise, my mom was celebrating her 80th birthday & took the whole family. There was also my 17 & 14 yo nephews. Mom's only rule was that the family have dinner together every night, otherwise we were on our own. Most of the time during the day (excursions, pool, meals) she was with us, but she went to the teen club almost every night, made friends, & had a good time. Nephews went 1st night, decided it wasn't for them, & just hung out together. I was glad she had other people to hang out with, & she enjoyed it. I would encourage her to try, but welcome her to stay with you if it gets to be too much.

Hi Wandering Dust - we're on the same sailing, and our 15 year old (Brooke) is also shy among new folks. We'll follow the other posters' advice and encourage her to visit the teen club area on the first night. We also bought her an arcade card (20% off pre-sale) so she could hang out there a bit, thinking she could make friends that way. Hope our kiddos meet!

-Marie from Upstate NY

We’re on the 20th, I hope you have a fabulous time!

 

Have spoken to her tonight and she seems reluctant to enroll in teen club..she’s quite shy, obviously we won’t force her but I do feel she would benefit from making a few friends outside of her usual group here at home. She’s never been out of Europe I wonder if it will be a bit of a culture shock for her!

There will be PLENTY of kids of all ages in July...no worries at all! I have a feeling your child will "join in" and have a great time!

The only concern would be if you are going at a time when kids are in school. There are a lot less kids during those times so its a little more hit or miss on matching up to some kids the same age. My son makes friends very easily so I don't worry about him making friends.

Hi Wandering Dust - we're on the same sailing, and our 15 year old (Brooke) is also shy among new folks. We'll follow the other posters' advice and encourage her to visit the teen club area on the first night. We also bought her an arcade card (20% off pre-sale) so she could hang out there a bit, thinking she could make friends that way. Hope our kiddos meet!

 

 

 

-Marie from Upstate NY

I hope so too! She’s decided to go to the teen club so I’m sure they’ll get to know each other. :)

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