An 18 in teen program?

[cruisinreunion]

We are cruising in April with a couple of families. There are several kids, from 10 to 17, however one turns 18 six days before we travel. The kids club on NCL says its for 13-17 year old. Will the one 18 year old be able to hang out with her cousins in the teen program (this is where most of the kids ages fall). They were online checking out the facilities and were all excited until they saw the age limit. How strict will they be? Will they even check her age or ID? Do they make exceptions in cases like this? I have a feeling if they dont let her in the program, then none of them will go because they all want to hang out together.

[cb at sea]

Most likely, not....18 is a bad age for cruisers...not young enough for the "kids" programs, and not old enough for all of the "adult" activities.

I can almost guarantee that the 17 year olds won't spend much (if any) time in the organized activities, anyway---they usually don't! You'll find the older teens will "self-organize" and just hang out! Usually, by the pool, gameroom, or sportsdeck!

[reallyitsmema]

Most likely, not....18 is a bad age for cruisers...not young enough for the "kids" programs, and not old enough for all of the "adult" activities.

I can almost guarantee that the 17 year olds won't spend much (if any) time in the organized activities, anyway---they usually don't! You'll find the older teens will "self-organize" and just hang out! Usually, by the pool, gameroom, or sportsdeck!

Have you actually taken an older teen on a cruise? What are you basing this information on? Many participate in the tournaments run by the teen staff. We have seen foosball, texas hold'em, ping pong, Wii, dodgeball, basketball and many other tournaments, all of which were well attended. They ran a prom night, teen pool party, mocktail party and many other activities. Not all teens hang out in the teen areas all the time but they are not empty either.

 

To the OP, everything I listed were on RCI not NCL. They did check ages and had a list of all the kids names and ages. We sailed when my son was 16 and 17. He said they turned kids away that were 18 the first year but the next year, they did allow 18 yr olds in if they waived their casino rights. I did look into NCL for an 18 yr old and saw people on the NCL board say they would not allow 18 yr olds in the teen center at all. We didn't end up sailing on NCL this summer with our 18 yr old due to too many other things happening but would be interested in hearing how it goes if you do end up sailing NCL. We are still considering sailing this winter break with our son who will be 19 by the time we do sail.

[sharktums]

As someone who cruised several times during the 18 - 20 age group, I can tell you from personal experience on Disney and Carnival that it was kind of difficult.

 

We were not allowed in any of the 'teen meets' which made it hard to find similar age people, and we weren't allowed in any of the 'adult only' type stuff. So it can be difficult.

 

I do agree though, that eventually we found people because no one did the older teen activities anyway, they just hung out on their own after at least meeting up with people their age.

 

So since you'll at least have some kids eligible to go to the teen activities, they can then inform the 18 year old of when and where they're meeting 'unofficially'.