19 years old on a cruise-what to do?

[Uhfolks]

I'll be going on my first cruise this Winter & I'm really wondering how much I'll be enjoying it... Obviously, being able to relax, swim, & explore for a week will be fun, but there are literally zero activities planned for my age group on our cruise (going on Carnival Conquest near the end of December).

 

The closets thing is the 15-17 year old "club" they'll have. There aren't any college age events that I can find mentioned anywhere. I'll be at an age where that group will be extremely far behind as far as maturity goes & I wouldn't fit in/enjoy myself with them whatsoever. On the other hand, I'm still too young to really fit in with the older group (the majority, as far as I've read) on the ship who wil also be able to drink. I'm perfectly fine with getting along with older people; most of the people I work with are over 50. However, I'd much prefer to be with my own age group.

 

All of that being said, is there something for the college age group that I'm just missing? Or am I stuck trying to fit into a completely different age group? Yes, I realize I can go on my own & find other people my age... but it will be very hard to find them & organize things when everyone else has specific places to be & things to do.

[CruiserBruce]

I would look over on the Carnival board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=215

 

I think some research will find plenty to do.

[spunkyhungry]

There are plenty of adult activities for 18+ and activities for all ages that you can participate in. My brother and I each cruised at age 18/19 and had a great time! You will be fine and have lots of fun.

[Uhfolks]

Thanks, I'll check out the Carnival boards!

 

Also, Spunky, exactly what kind of stuff did you & your brother do?

[spunkyhungry]

Thanks, I'll check out the Carnival boards!

 

Also, Spunky, exactly what kind of stuff did you & your brother do?

We went to the production shows, comedians, karaoke, game shows, organized activities (such as scavenger hunt, shuffleboard tournament), tv theme song trivia, swam in the pool, watched pool games/listened to music at pool, played mini golf/used water slides (when available on ship), etc. There is so much to do. We also cruised as teens and only did 1-2 activities with the teen club. We really didn't need it.

[1025cruise]

Just one thing to keep in mind, you will not be allowed in the 15-17 "club" due to the fact that you are over 17. You will still get to enjoy the night clubs etc.

[paul929207]

You may want to join the Roll Call for your cruise. There you can meet others sailing with you. To join, Click Boards at the top of this page, Scroll down to Roll Calls, click on your cruise line, Click on your ship. Find the thread for your sailing.

[SadieN]

The only thing you cannot do is drink alcohol onboard or go to the Serenity deck.

 

All the shows, discos, comedy shows, karaoke, casino, piano bar, pools & Jacuzzis (except in Serenity area) are available for your use.

[DonnaK]

My daughters were 18 and 20 on our last two cruises. They were able to do everything an adult can do, except drink. They "met" others in their age group beforehand via the roll call, and met even more once onboard. They had a blast!

[sherryf]

I don't know if they do this on Carnival, but when we cruised on Princess last year, they had a special event the first night for 18-21 year olds to meet up. My 18 year old son went and met a few people, and they hung out together the whole week. There were a few other organized activities for their age group, such as a scavenger hunt, but mostly they just did their own thing. They were old enough to use the "adult" pool, participate in things like Princess Pop Star (karaoke contest for 18+) and hang out in the adult night club. They also went ashore together in one port with no parents. My son had a great time and I think it was great for him to get to be an "adult" for a week before heading off to college. He is still "friends" with all his shipboard friends on Facebook now.

 

Ask on the Carnival board if they do a similar "meet and greet" activity for young adults.

[Uhfolks]

The only thing you cannot do is drink alcohol onboard or go to the Serenity deck.

 

All the shows, discos, comedy shows, karaoke, casino, piano bar, pools & Jacuzzis (except in Serenity area) are available for your use.

 

Just curious, why would I not be able to go on the Serenity deck?

 

I don't know if they do this on Carnival, but when we cruised on Princess last year, they had a special event the first night for 18-21 year olds to meet up. My 18 year old son went and met a few people, and they hung out together the whole week. There were a few other organized activities for their age group, such as a scavenger hunt, but mostly they just did their own thing. They were old enough to use the "adult" pool, participate in things like Princess Pop Star (karaoke contest for 18+) and hang out in the adult night club. They also went ashore together in one port with no parents. My son had a great time and I think it was great for him to get to be an "adult" for a week before heading off to college. He is still "friends" with all his shipboard friends on Facebook now.

 

Ask on the Carnival board if they do a similar "meet and greet" activity for young adults.

 

I was just told they don't do this anymore, they used to. But they may be restarting it. Honestly with my luck, they'll be starting it in 2013 & our cruise will be the last one without it :p

[fleckle]

We went to the production shows, comedians, karaoke, game shows, organized activities (such as scavenger hunt, shuffleboard tournament), tv theme song trivia, swam in the pool, watched pool games/listened to music at pool, played mini golf/used water slides (when available on ship), etc. There is so much to do. We also cruised as teens and only did 1-2 activities with the teen club. We really didn't need it.

That is great for those who enjoy those sorts of activities. Not all 19 year olds do.

 

Many at that age have no interest in such things at all. Some go along on family cruises just to please their parents, but do not really enjoy themselves and would much rather be spending the time with their friends.

 

To the OP, if those types of activities appeal to you, you would probably have a great time on the cruise.

Otherwise, you may prefer to take another type of vacation.

[sherryf]

That is great for those who enjoy those sorts of activities. Not all 19 year olds do.

 

Many at that age have no interest in such things at all. Some go along on family cruises just to please their parents, but do not really enjoy themselves and would much rather be spending the time with their friends.

 

Many at that age can have fun with a group of similar aged friends no matter what activities they choose to do. My son met up with several others his age, all about to start college in the fall, and he had a blast. He did a lot of activities that I never would have expected him to enjoy. We walked into Trivia one day to find him and two buddies, and we ended up working together with them. We actually didn't do half bad, with them answering some of the more "current" questions and us getting some of the "oldies". My son would never perform karaoke, but one of his friends was into it and performed in the Princess Pop Star, so he went to every show and had fun.

 

A cruise is a great place to make new friends, try new things and have a lot of fun! If you try one activity and don't enjoy it, then do something else. There's always plenty of activities to choose from!

[gymbomb]

I guess it's because I'm an only child and somewhat introverted and actually get along with my parents, but I see these threads all the time and I've never understood them. I didn't cruise until I was (I think) 21, but on that cruise my mom and I split a grand total of 2 alcoholic drinks so I don't think it's a significant difference. In my late teens and early 20's I went on several beach house vacations, a couple of all inclusive trips, and a cruise with either just my mom or both of my parents. Have done several more in my mid to late 20's. It never occurred to me to look for other people my age because I don't go on vacations to make new "friends". I go to get away, relax, do/see new things, and/or hang out with the family.

 

I did the following: lay on the beach, walk/play in the ocean, read book by the pool, eat a lot, have photos taken, work out at the gym, explore the ship, climb the rock wall, watch shows, watch movies, learn to scuba dive (at an AI, but could do on an excursion), snorkel, go on lots of excursions -- some with my parents and some without, and basically just enjoy being on vacation.

 

Depending on the ship there are lots of other activities available including bowling, ping pong, deck games, mini golf, batting/driving cages, surfing simulators, giant Wii screens, etc. If you aren't a lay on the beach person most private islands and beach day type places have beach volleyball, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, jet skis, etc.

 

You are an adult, you are capable of entertaining yourself and having a good time. Now if you just aren't a cruise/beach/vacation person then stay home and go to school/work. Or suck it up and do something that isn't your favorite thing for a week to ensure a more pleasant relationship with your family for the next year! Take your ipod, dvd player, etc. with you and hide behind your ear buds :)

[luddite]

Don't 19 yr olds still chase skirts?

Don't tell me they need to be taught. :eek:

[spunkyhungry]

That is great for those who enjoy those sorts of activities. Not all 19 year olds do.

 

Many at that age have no interest in such things at all. Some go along on family cruises just to please their parents, but do not really enjoy themselves and would much rather be spending the time with their friends.

 

To the OP, if those types of activities appeal to you, you would probably have a great time on the cruise.

Otherwise, you may prefer to take another type of vacation.

I didn't say all 19 year olds like these activities, but the OP asked me what kinds of activities I did on cruises when I was 19, and I responded with some examples.

[beachchick]

Just curious, why would I not be able to go on the Serenity deck?

 

I was just told they don't do this anymore, they used to. But they may be restarting it. Honestly with my luck, they'll be starting it in 2013 & our cruise will be the last one without it :p

 

Because 21 is the minimum age for the Serenity deck.

 

beachchick

[Tiggertastic]

Hi

 

Too old for the teen club, too young for the 21 and over stuff

 

My son - who was 18 on our last cruise and is 19 on our next said - that there were lots of people the same age group hanging about and all got together - they found each other at the arcade, pool and areas such as climbing walls etc

 

The fun bit was they could participate in the adult only things for 18 and over and being young and fit could win a lot of it and they had a great time in the nightclub each evening where all of them around that age and upto 25 hung around

 

He was apprehensive for the last one and can't wait to get onboard this time

[Jana60]

I'll be going on my first cruise this Winter & I'm really wondering how much I'll be enjoying it... Obviously, being able to relax, swim, & explore for a week will be fun, but there are literally zero activities planned for my age group on our cruise (going on Carnival Conquest near the end of December).

 

The closets thing is the 15-17 year old "club" they'll have. There aren't any college age events that I can find mentioned anywhere. I'll be at an age where that group will be extremely far behind as far as maturity goes & I wouldn't fit in/enjoy myself with them whatsoever. On the other hand, I'm still too young to really fit in with the older group (the majority, as far as I've read) on the ship who wil also be able to drink. I'm perfectly fine with getting along with older people; most of the people I work with are over 50. However, I'd much prefer to be with my own age group.

 

All of that being said, is there something for the college age group that I'm just missing? Or am I stuck trying to fit into a completely different age group? Yes, I realize I can go on my own & find other people my age... but it will be very hard to find them & organize things when everyone else has specific places to be & things to do.

 

I always see lots of people your age at the Comedy Club, Disco, Karaoke, shows, pool, and of course even 19 year olds like to eat so the Buffet is a favorite. None of them looked bored!

[jamessemaj]

I hesitate to say this, but I have seen 18-20 yr. olds link up with 21s and skirt the drinking rules and have crazy parties late at night. On a TA I was on, I joked with a group of them that they were like Dracula, out all night, sleep all day. That was on a line other than Carnival, but from what I have read about Carnival, I would think that would happen. Just offering my observation with no judgmental comment, but I would caution that indiscretion can lead to being put off the ship at the next port.

[luddite]

I hesitate to say this, but I have seen 18-20 yr. olds link up with 21s and skirt the drinking rules and have crazy parties late at night. On a TA I was on, I joked with a group of them that they were like Dracula, out all night, sleep all day. That was on a line other than Carnival, but from what I have read about Carnival, I would think that would happen. Just offering my observation with no judgmental comment, but I would caution that indiscretion can lead to being put off the ship at the next port.

 

No no no. Underage drinking? That never happens anywhere! Everyone follows the rules, I'm certain.

After all, I live in a dry county and obviously there is no drinking here, 14,000 square feet of liquor stores on the highway at the county line notwithstanding.

[mabones]

Went on a family cruise 10 years ago with my 3 kids ages 18, 20 & 23. At the time, RCCL allowed 18-21 year olds to purchase beer & wine. We unknowingly picked the best week which was the 1st week in January. The ship was filled with families w/college age kids. Every night they met at the Schooner Bar & did sing-a-long's (our old songs & Show tunes etc) then went to the Nightclub until closing. I don't think drinking is allowed any more but it was an experience they totally enjoyed. When they got home one of the girl's had a CD made up of all the songs, & sent them out to everyone.

[beachchick]

Went on a family cruise 10 years ago with my 3 kids ages 18, 20 & 23. At the time, RCCL allowed 18-21 year olds to purchase beer & wine. We unknowingly picked the best week which was the 1st week in January. The ship was filled with families w/college age kids. Every night they met at the Schooner Bar & did sing-a-long's (our old songs & Show tunes etc) then went to the Nightclub until closing. I don't think drinking is allowed any more but it was an experience they totally enjoyed. When they got home one of the girl's had a CD made up of all the songs, & sent them out to everyone.

 

Correct that 18-21 year olds are not allowed to have their parents sign an alcohol waiver for beer and wine anymore, except on cruises that are in Europe or South America (and maybe Australia and New Zealand?) where I believe 18-21 are allowed full privileges with alcohol.

 

However, they can still do everything you mention, just without drinking alcohol. I think what you describe sounds like a whole lot of fun and great memories

 

beachchick

[mabones]

Yes, back then, as I said, drinking was allowed in International Waters. I know that has changed since then. Everything changes. I remember when I was 18 they had lowered to drinking age from 21 to 18. That only lasted a couple years, but we were grandfathered in.

[gymbomb]

NCL still allows 18-20 year olds to drink beer and wine on most cruises (not Alaska or Hawaii) if a parent who is sailing with them signs a waiver.