Best Choice for 18 & 15 teen boys

[cruisewantabe]

In July of 2005, would like to take my family on a 5-7 night cruise. Interested in hearing which cruise line would be the best suited. I have read that Carnival shuts down the teen disco to the 15 year old and below and opens to the older kids. This concerns me in that it now separates my boys. Need some help. On a budget, looking at Carnival out of New Orleans--Sensation and RCL out of Houston.

thank you for any help you can provide:)

[cali-croozer]

On Carnival, the teen program is from age 15-17, so that would leave your 18 year old out, if they are strict with the age groups (can vary from ship to ship, from sailing to sailing). If he is outgoing, he should be able to meet friends without the program, and your 15 year old can meet friends his own age. If you need them to stay together, and Carnival is strict on the age groups, they won't be able to participate in the programs, but they will still have the rest of the ship to occupy their time (pool, slide, pool games, basketball, ping pong, shows........).

 

 

Cannot comment of RCI, have only sailed Carnival.

[cruisewantabe]

thanks for the reply. After posting it, I read some of the older post and saw where the cruiselines are pretty strick.

 

next question: Do the cruiselines consider an 18 year an adult? Which of course means he will access to the adult areas. Just curious.

 

thanks again

[cali-croozer]

Here are a couple of statements from Carnival's brochure:

 

"Please note that guests under 16 are not permitted in the spa"

"Guests under 18 are not allowed in the casino"

"Alcoholic beverages will not be sold or served to anyone under the age of 21"

 

I think the adult disco is for ages 18 and older.

 

So, your 18 year old can work out in the spa/exercice room (in the FAQ's at Carnival.com, it says guests between the ages of 16-18 must be accompanied by an adult), go to the casino (could be good or bad ;)), hang out in the adult disco, but cannot drink alcohol. The bars/lounges on the ships are not like here in the states. Minors can go into them, they just cannot order alcohol. If your kids get soda cards, they'll be going to the bars to get their sodas.