18 year old teens - activities?

[Colorado Kat]

My daughters will both be 18 when we cruise next summer. Will they be allowed into the various bars/nightclubs/dance-floors/casino? I am guessing they are not allowed to drink at 18, but have to wait till age 21?

 

Are there activities specifically for 18-20 year olds?

 

If it matters, we are looking into Mariner of the Seas, next June.

 

Thanks!

Kathy

[rummenroman]

Having not been on the Mariner (yet), i can't answer for her specifically. She will be allowed into all venues for adults, and you are correct she will not be able to drink.

 

While on the Serenade there was a few days where they did Wii bowling for the 18-20 crowd. I didn't see anything else, but that is because i wasn't looking. I just saw the Wii bowling and was jealous that i was too old to participate.

[Debde]

This is one place where RCCL lacks creative thinking IMO.

 

At 18 they are allowed in all venues-including the casino but can not drink. Most 18-20 year olds I feel are the most important age group to have functions to entertain this group so the main thought of the day is not how to get a beer!!! :p

 

We always cruise off season and kids clubs are fairly empty. My 18 and then 19 year old had no problem hanging out with his brother during certain activitiies. I think it depends on the ship and counselor though. If it is busy-i have read more then once that they will not be allowed in and when you think about it-what else is there for them to do??

 

I hope this is one thing RCCL has some time-very soon-to modify activities for this age group.

[scubapuss]

They will not be allowed in the night club after 10pm I think it is on liberty. We were on Liberty in 2007 and my girls were very disappointed unless it changed.

:)

[scubapuss]

oops sorry they were 17. you are right they can go in.

[cb at sea]

18 year olds are allowed to gamble, unless it's an Alaskan cruise....so the casino is open to them.

 

18 year olds MAY go to the nightclubs.

 

During the day, there really aren't any "specific" activities for them...most will make their own fun around the pool or sports deck...wherever the opposite sex hangs out!

[Annefran]

This is an issue for my DD who will be 18 next year while still in High School (2011). She loves the teen club and organized activities. I've written a letter and emailed RCI that they need to review their rules for the 18 yr olds that cruise and are still in HS. I think they should still be allowed to participate in the teen club as this is how they make their friends for the duration of the cruise. I never received a response, typical. DD doesn't want to cruise just for that reason. I don't think the teens that are still in HS (age 18) should be grouped with the 19-20 yrs olds, just my IMO. Any suggestions as to how to elevate this issue to RCI and actually get a response? :D

[El Mono]

Some posters really seems to amaze me... a 18-20 year old woman (or man) is an adult, has the right to vote and can be a war veteran with many lives on their conscience. Stop treating them as children and put them in kids clubs :eek: Let them have their fun in the casino or nightclub, if someone buys them a drink, so what? The world is not coming to an end because of that.

[akcruz]

I have to agree, this is one area RCL is very lacking in. My DD was 19 when we sailed on Mariner this summer and had a tough time. Did she love the cruise, yes, but not like when she was a teen and allowed into the clubs. The 18 - 20 year olds will have 1 hole punched in their seapass which will allow them to get into the casino to gamble as well as the clubs. This will, however, restrict them from purchasing alchohol. They do have a 'meet and mingle' for this age group 2 nights in the club, but there is no specific place for them to meet. Therefore they are wandering the club looking for others their age. When my DD was allowed in the teen club, she always made friends to hang around with. This cruise she pretty much stayed with us since it was almost impossible to meet others her age.

 

RCL if you are reading these board, please think about kids this age and get something a little more organized together for them!

[Annefran]

I have to agree, this is one area RCL is very lacking in. My DD was 19 when we sailed on Mariner this summer and had a tough time. Did she love the cruise, yes, but not like when she was a teen and allowed into the clubs. The 18 - 20 year olds will have 1 hole punched in their seapass which will allow them to get into the casino to gamble as well as the clubs. This will, however, restrict them from purchasing alchohol. They do have a 'meet and mingle' for this age group 2 nights in the club, but there is no specific place for them to meet. Therefore they are wandering the club looking for others their age. When my DD was allowed in the teen club, she always made friends to hang around with. This cruise she pretty much stayed with us since it was almost impossible to meet others her age.

 

RCL if you are reading these board, please think about kids this age and get something a little more organized together for them!

 

Thanks for your posting. Let's hope RCI gets on this issue right away. Hello RCI are you out there??? Happy Cruising! :D

[jamscckmc]

RC is better than others, at least they have M&M for that age group listed. We were on Carnival this past summer with 18yo DD and her friend. There was nothing listed at all for that age group. It was my DD's first time not being able to go to the kids club. If she hadn't had her friend with her it would have been really hard to meet anyone.

[lane87]

Well...technically they can drink on many destinations.

 

From RCI:

ALCOHOL POLICY

Effective as of all sailings commencing on or after July 28, 2006, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Royal Caribbean International ships is 21.

 

However, on cruises departing from European and South American countries, where the legal drinking age is typically lower than 21, a parent who is sailing with his or her son(s) and/or daughter(s) who is between the ages of 18 to 20, may sign a waiver allowing the 18 to 20 year old to consume alcoholic beverages. Please note: Waivers will be provided to parents upon check-in.

 

The 18- to 20 year-old must agree to comply with Royal Caribbean's policies, including among other things, agreeing to not provide alcoholic beverages to any other person, regardless of age. Restrictions apply, and this policy is subject to change without notice

[akcruz]

RC is better than others, at least they have M&M for that age group listed. We were on Carnival this past summer with 18yo DD and her friend. There was nothing listed at all for that age group. It was my DD's first time not being able to go to the kids club. If she hadn't had her friend with her it would have been really hard to meet anyone.

 

While the do say they have theo M&M they don't truly happen. One night the meeting place was the promenade. Good luck finding who is there for this activity when they have nobody from Royal there or even a sign. We used to sail Carnival but went over to Royal due to their lack of a 12-14 program at that time. I understand they now do have it so maybe the lines are listening?? I can only hope.

 

Well...technically they can drink on many destinations.

 

From RCI:

ALCOHOL POLICY

Effective as of all sailings commencing on or after July 28, 2006, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Royal Caribbean International ships is 21.

 

However, on cruises departing from European and South American countries, where the legal drinking age is typically lower than 21, a parent who is sailing with his or her son(s) and/or daughter(s) who is between the ages of 18 to 20, may sign a waiver allowing the 18 to 20 year old to consume alcoholic beverages. Please note: Waivers will be provided to parents upon check-in.

 

The 18- to 20 year-old must agree to comply with Royal Caribbean's policies, including among other things, agreeing to not provide alcoholic beverages to any other person, regardless of age. Restrictions apply, and this policy is subject to change without notice

 

The issue is this does not apply to most sailings. Believe me the kids that want to find the alchohol will. Fortunately for me my DD is not interested in this aspect yet even though in sophmore year of college. Another reason she finds it more difficult to meet up with others her age as she does have different interests.

[luv2cruz64]

I agree about the lack of activities for older teens, my dd wants to go on a grad cruise in 2011 but she is a little hesitant because she will be 18 by then and is not sure if she will find enought to do in her age group. I just figure that she will hang out with me--spa treatments, shows ect.. It will just be a mother daughter thing.

[akcruz]

I agree about the lack of activities for older teens, my dd wants to go on a grad cruise in 2011 but she is a little hesitant because she will be 18 by then and is not sure if she will find enought to do in her age group. I just figure that she will hang out with me--spa treatments, shows ect.. It will just be a mother daughter thing.

 

Enjoy, my DD and I did this when she graduated from high school. It was a wonderful experience and one I recommend to all in the same position.

[apk1389]

just getting off a north europe cruise being eighteen i believe i can be a real good source here. I do agree rccl does lack in the 18-20 age. there was i believe two or three meet and mingles for this age group..did the events really occur or exist.. no .. so what did i end up doing to meet people for a two week cruise in europe. Well first off i got my parents to request to the head of the mdr to request another family with others my age.. I actually got a family with three girls two were my age.. met some others playing basketball or ping pong. had a blast we made our own activities had a abosolute blast.. altough we lucked out in a european cruise which is generally led to a older age group lucked out to several others my age.. We all could drink.. most of us choose not to. we all could gamble and we did minimally but all in good fun.. we had no restrictions on the clubs or casinoes... 1 note the family had a girl who was 18 and 17 .. on the cruise they were really strict about who was out past curfew.. 17 and under are not allowed out of the cabin after midnight unless they are accompained by adult..(not a 18 teen year old according to secuirity).. or they must be in the teen club.. when the 17 year old came up to the club she was carded and escorted to her room.. the secruity guards make rounds and make sure 17 and under are in bed.. one night playing basketball at 1150 ish with a mix of kids 16-20 one security gaurd waited for 12:00.00 and then looked at everyone cards and walked the younger kdis home

[sldcruiser]

I don't know if anyone has ever been in this position, but we're taking a cruise with our 2 daughters for the high school graduation of our youngest. One will be 21 and the other will be 2 weeks shy of 18. How strict are they about 17 year olds getting into clubs if they're with their parents? She won't be drinking, but she likes to dance and would like to spend time with her sister. I know she won't be interested in the "teen club". I just wondered if it makes a difference if she's with us and so close to 18!

[toxicfairy]

This is an issue for my DD who will be 18 next year while still in High School (2011). She loves the teen club and organized activities. I've written a letter and emailed RCI that they need to review their rules for the 18 yr olds that cruise and are still in HS. I think they should still be allowed to participate in the teen club as this is how they make their friends for the duration of the cruise. I never received a response, typical. DD doesn't want to cruise just for that reason. I don't think the teens that are still in HS (age 18) should be grouped with the 19-20 yrs olds, just my IMO. Any suggestions as to how to elevate this issue to RCI and actually get a response? :D

 

I don't understand this either. We will be cruiseing with our 13yr old and 18 yr old (both having just had that birthday in July) in August. The younger one who is more out going will be able to go into the teen rooms and hang out however the 18 yr old will not?! They do alot of things together and this will really pardon my wording but ~Suck~. The older of the two has a harder time making friends so she is the one who would benifit from group activities. Plus I hear alot of people say will my 18 yr old be able to drink...What parent in their right mind wants their 18 yr old daughter hanging out in a club with older men and drinking?? NOT I !!!!! Wake up Royal Caribbean!

[akcruz]

Plus I hear alot of people say will my 18 yr old be able to drink...What parent in their right mind wants their 18 yr old daughter hanging out in a club with older men and drinking?? NOT I !!!!! Wake up Royal Caribbean!

 

To ease your fears a bit, 18 year olds can only drink on European sailings IF the parent give permission. Most parents from the US will not give that permission, however a lot of kids find the alchohol anyway.

[Bobal]

I'm another who thinks that RCCL are lacking in this. We were looking at cruising out of the US next Easter but by that time my oldest son will be 18 and my youngest just under 17. Although they don't hang out together much at home they get on really well and love spending time together on holiday. We've had a couple of cruises over the last year where they've gone to the teen club and met some fantastic friends. However, at 18 my eldest can't go to the club and spend time with his brother (and his brother's new friends). As a consequence we've decided to forego the cruise next Easter and take a land-based holiday where they can hang out together.

 

I don't agree with whoever said they're now adults and don't need to go to teen clubs. The teen club is just an opportunity (and location) for them to meet up with people the same age - it isn't a lot of 'kiddie' organised activities. As far having an 18-21 year old group, I did look out for these activities on our last cruise, since our son was coming up to 18 and I wondered what would be available for him but there's really not a lot going on.

 

We will be cruising from Europe in the summer and will be signing the waiver form for him to buy a beer. However, I think that on sailings out of the US/Caribbean where 18 year olds can't go to a bar they should reconsider moving the age limit at the teen club or creating more opportunities for this age group to get together.

[Tabbymom]

Our son was 20 last summer on the Mariner; it was his first cruise and the lack of activities for his age group was our biggest disappointment. It seemed like most of the other college age kids were in groups already; about the only good opportunity to meet them was on the sports courts. He tried tons of activities but usually ended up on his own. I always thought the staff was supposed to help integrate singles but nothing like that happened. Overall he thought the experience was awesome but there were various times when it was somewhat depressing. A mother-daughter bonding cruise would be completely different, though.

[pinkroses]

We, along with other parents, will be traveling this summer on FOS with 5 pretty good 18 year old boys!! ( I know, never say never!) We figure they will provide their own entertainment! You will find them on the sports courts!! Join them!!

[English Rose]

I returned from the Liberty of the Seas yesterday and this one was my one and only problem whilst on board. My son had just turned 18, his sister and friend were 15 and 16. The 3 of them decided to stick together and as there were very few kids on board anyway, they could only join in the family things - very little to do after dinner for them. Fortunately they were very tired from busy days ashore or being on the Flow Rider. We had a fantastic cruise but this is a problem for the 18 year old plus. I would seriously think again about booking my teens unless they both have friends with them and understand their limitations. It's a real shame, there must be a lot of lost business in this area....

[Perfect Stranger]

Some posters really seems to amaze me... a 18-20 year old woman (or man) is an adult...and can be a war veteran with many lives on their conscience.

 

And that should be raised as well. 18-year old "men" are more like boys lacking muscle, maturity, instinct and critical thinking skills. Five more years and they're more developed physically and intellectually.

[toxicfairy]

Some posters really seems to amaze me... a 18-20 year old woman (or man) is an adult, has the right to vote and can be a war veteran with many lives on their conscience. Stop treating them as children and put them in kids clubs :eek: Let them have their fun in the casino or nightclub, if someone buys them a drink, so what? The world is not coming to an end because of that.

 

My "ADULT" will be just 18 a few weeks before we sail. And I'm not really sure how many children you have but in the "nightclubs" there will be other ADULTS that are actually adults and have plenty of experience and that is not what I want for my 18 yr old daughter who will be just out of her junior year of highschool ! She is not in the military has never killed anyone and will not have ever voted. And as her mother I know that she would much rather be in a teen club with her sister than in a bar. Thankfully I have raised her to be a good girl. God Bless your children!!!