Princess Teen Program (Remix) -- Comments and Cautions

[junglejane]

I posted this on the Princess board but thought I would post here as well.

 

We just returned on Saturday from the Sapphire Princess cruise to the Mexican Riviera. We had a great time and will definitely be returning for more Princess cruises. This was our 7th Princess cruise, but the first time when our DD was old enough for the teen program. I’ve found it hard to find much feedback on teen programs, so I thought I’d post some comments. This was a Spring Break cruise and there were about 350 kids onboard, of which about 125 were teens. Of course, only a fraction participate in the organized teen activities.

 

Summary of the Remix Activities: The Princess teen program runs from ages 13-17. On our previous Princess cruise in Oct. ‘09, DD turned 13 the day after disembarkation. Princess is, as far as I know, very strict on age groups and they would not let her move up from the Shockwaves. This time, however, DD was 14. The Remix program started with Icebreaker activities at 10:15 pm on the first night followed by the Battle of the Sexes and a Music Jam Session. The first involved Wii Dance and Wii Boxing battles, and trivia questions for both teams (makeup for guys, sports for girls), and the second was a PlayStation running Rock Band. The other days there were activities like Wii games (e.g., Mario Kart), a ping pong tournament, dodge ball challenge, trips for ice cream, casino night, dance/disco parties, name that tune, foosball, scary movies, etc. One of DD’s favorite activities was a hot tub party at the Lotus Spa Pool (they closed the Lotus Spa pool for this at 10 pm one night.) Another fun activity was a Mocktail Making Contest at Club Fusion one night.

 

Comparison to Royal Caribbean: For Spring Break in 2010, we sailed on the Mariner of the Seas. DD was 13 by then and participated in their teen program as well. Of course, on the MOTS they had a rock climbing wall and ice skating rink. But DD definitely felt like she had a great time on Princess. She had a great time just hanging out with the other teenagers at the pool, in the buffet, in the teen center, etc. DD actually felt that there were more organized activities in the teen center on Princess, whereas on the MOTS the teen area was often open but unsupervised.

 

Comments and Cautions about the Age Groupings: RCI breaks down its teen program into ages 12-14 and 15-17. Princess, by contrast, lumps all teens together in the 13-17 age group. When I registered DD at the teen center on the first day, another mom was asking whether her son, who would turn 13 in two months, could participate. They told her no. Now that we have experienced the program, I believe people should think twice about trying to push their 12 year olds into the teen program.

 

Just like in school, there are good teens and some not-so-good teens. (Or should I say, “up to no good” teens?) After a few days, DD told us that many of the teens were slipping out of the teen center for regular cigarette smoking breaks. One 17 year old kept one of the little booze bottles from his parents’ minibar in his pocket and took swigs from it in the teen center when the staff wasn’t looking. Several 16 year olds bragged constantly about going back to their cabin to “smoke weed.” DD had the good sense not to go back to their cabin with them (that’s one of our family rules: never go to someone else’s cabin without permission from Mom or Dad). So DD never saw whether they were really using illegal drugs, but they certainly bragged that they were to the younger teens. I don’t blame the Princess staff for this at all. Obviously the parents involved were totally failing to keep tabs on what their kids were doing. What I do wish is that Princess would adopt the RCI age grouping model. I’m afraid that younger kids might find it harder to avoid the peer pressure from older teens. Overall I think Princess does a great job with the teen activities. DD quickly learned which teens she felt comfortable with and which to avoid. My message to parents is: set rules for your teens and keep track of where they are and who they hang out with.

[lmg1230]

Jane, thanks for the info! We are cruising this summer and it will be the first time that my 14 year old has been on a cruise where she is old enough for the teen program. I must say that I have been a little concerned about what temptations might be available. I know from friends with older teens that there is a big difference between what 14/15 year olds typically get up to and what 16/17 year olds do. I know that you have sailed Celebrity in the past, do you happen to know if their program is divided into younger and older teens? Thanks again,

 

Lisa

[junglejane]

Lisa, the last time we were on Celebrity was 2008 when our kids were 7 and 11, and I don't remember what the breakdown was for the teen program. I am hoping that they follow the Royal Caribbean model, since that is the parent company. We'll be on the Equinox in June so I'll report back after that cruise. Of course, that will be a very port intensive cruise so DD will spend a lot less time in the teen activities.

[chipmaster]

A good summary and a cruise is just like the real world for our children. As they get older and we give them more freedom they will discover all the good and bad out there and will need to make their own choices. We simply must insure that we equip them with the right tools and values when that time comes.

[junglejane]

A good summary and a cruise is just like the real world for our children. As they get older and we give them more freedom they will discover all the good and bad out there and will need to make their own choices. We simply must insure that we equip them with the right tools and values when that time comes.

 

Very true. I also think that parents should think twice before asking that their "very mature for his/her age" 12 year old should be bumped up to the teen program. I would not want my 12 year old hanging out with some of those 16 and 17 year olds.

[Ellanora]

Thanks so much for posting this. I have been interested in Princess, but the reviews seem mixed on whether my son (currently age 14) would really enjoy it. This makes it sound like he would! :)

 

I'm actually glad to hear Princess is strict with the age groups, though I agree that breaking the tween/teen group up would be a benefit. It always makes me a little crazy to read posts asking or complaining about cruiselines not bumping up someone's "very mature for his/her age" little darling. I can never understand why a parent would think it would be better for their child to be the very youngest in a group spanning three to four teenage years, rather than the oldest and surrounded with their own age. :confused: