19 years old on Carnival Conquest-What to do?

[fergusonvt]

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. We'll be on 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.

 

My son was 18 when we all went on our first cruise. Because it was January and he was on break from college there weren't many his age on board. He used the time to relax before the second semester began. He went to the shows with us, got a lot of sun, went to the gym, got a massage and did some fun excursions with us in all the ports. I thought he was a little bored but wants to go again with us in 2014.

[chasinraynbowz]

So far, the only people on our Roll Call are much older. So far, about 90% of the posts have been from an older lady that keeps asking if anyone else is coming...

 

Still though, it's half a year away.

 

 

I do more than ask if anyone else is coming... lol! I post once a week to say hello and keep the thread alive. You found it, right? haha Honestly, as people have said, it will pick up. That's the reason for my weekly posts on the roll call board.

[Monalis]

You still have a while till you cruise, and I have heard they are going to try and restart a meet and greet for the 18-20 year olds. You won't find it in the old capers (Funtimes) since it would be a new thing. Just make sure to check your funtimes every morning. Go out to the clubs in the evening, the pool and basketball court/mini golf during the day. Most important keep your eyes open for anyone that looks like they are about your age, I am sure they will be looking for you. :D

 

Also check out FB and Carnival's forums for roll calls, there may or may not be one for your cruise. If not why not start one. :p

[ourfamilylovescruising]

My kids having cruising since they were little and know my oldest is 27 and next is my son who just turned 20 on our last cruise we never saw him, he was 19 at the time. I was worried that he would not have anything to do but he found all kinds of friends to hang out with. so just be out going the first couple of days and I am sure you will meet up with some people your age. he did meet most of them on the sports deck and casino

[Uhfolks]

I do more than ask if anyone else is coming... lol! I post once a week to say hello and keep the thread alive. You found it, right? haha Honestly, as people have said, it will pick up. That's the reason for my weekly posts on the roll call board.

 

Haha, I definitely found it. Posted in there already. It'll stay alive even if it isn't on the front page of the forums, haha.

 

You still have a while till you cruise, and I have heard they are going to try and restart a meet and greet for the 18-20 year olds. You won't find it in the old capers (Funtimes) since it would be a new thing. Just make sure to check your funtimes every morning. Go out to the clubs in the evening, the pool and basketball court/mini golf during the day. Most important keep your eyes open for anyone that looks like they are about your age, I am sure they will be looking for you. :D

 

That would be great if they started that back! Hopefully in time for me to head out. :)

[Quilting_Cruiser]

You are going on a cruise with 5 star dining...

 

Five-star dining? Seriously? Not even close.

 

 

 

Oh and one more thing....

 

 

Don't concern yourself with people that reply complaining how this thread 'chaps their hide.' There is always one in every thread.

 

 

LIKE!

 

 

 

 

I realized when I asked this that I would get a few grumpy old people that don't remember what being young was like. I'm not bothered at all by it, chose to just ignore them. :cool:

 

Some of us old people do remember what it was like being young and I understand your concerns. I'm 53 and going on my first solo cruise next year and have some of the same concerns! LOL.

 

You're doing the right thing coming here for advice and checking out your roll call. Be sure to hang out where people your age are likely to go. If your ship has a basketball court or mini golf, check those out. My older daughter didn't want to have anything to do with the organized activities for late teens when we took her and she was still able to make friends by going to places people her age were likely to hang out. You'll find that most people on a cruise are pretty friendly.

 

Have a great time and I hope you meet some new friends. :D

[waldocruiser1]

I realize I can go to any of the regular activities, that's not the problem.

 

My thing I'm worried about is not meeting other people my age to enjoy them with. I'd prefer to actually have company rather than just doing stuff alone the entire week. There would be a huge difference.

 

Are you going with a group or alone?

 

you will not be aloud to do the 15 to 17 age group functions, that carnival sets up, you are too old.

 

This is a tough age group that the cruise line misses.

 

There is a gameroom you can go to,

[4hunters]

I'm sorry OP but threads like these chap my hide. If I see one more 'my mommy and daddy are taking me on a cruise and I'm afraid I'm gonna be bored' thread I think I am going to scream.

You are going on a cruise with 5 star dining, and exotic and wonderful ports of call. Do you realize how lucky you are? You can do anything your heart desires. There are so many things to do on a cruise. Trivia, bingo, contests, swimming, sunning, meeting people all ages etc etc etc.

When I was 19 I was lucky if my parents got to take me camping for a weekend an hours drive from where we lived.

You are a 19 year old, you can meet people just like you meet people at your school or college. Just remember to spend some time with your parents and thank them for this wonderful chance to travel. One day you will wish you could eat one more dinner with your mom and dad because you won't have them with you forever.

Have a great cruise and cherish the memories.

 

Amen. Just remember, the OP is a teenager and might actually realize how lucky he/she is when they finally have to make it on their own (unless mommy and daddy continue to support them). In the future they actually might have more important things to worry about than being bored on a cruise. :rolleyes: lol

[Uhfolks]

 

Some of us old people do remember what it was like being young and I understand your concerns. I'm 53 and going on my first solo cruise next year and have some of the same concerns! LOL.

 

You're doing the right thing coming here for advice and checking out your roll call. Be sure to hang out where people your age are likely to go. If your ship has a basketball court or mini golf, check those out. My older daughter didn't want to have anything to do with the organized activities for late teens when we took her and she was still able to make friends by going to places people her age were likely to hang out. You'll find that most people on a cruise are pretty friendly.

 

Have a great time and I hope you meet some new friends. :D

 

Wow, have fun on that! Solo cruising sounds like it could be a blast.

 

I'm sure the people will be extremely friendly, the problem is going to be getting together with them. Especially since we won't be able to use cell phones to keep in contact even if we DO manage to get a group together.

 

Are you going with a group or alone?

 

you will not be aloud to do the 15 to 17 age group functions, that carnival sets up, you are too old.

 

This is a tough age group that the cruise line misses.

 

There is a gameroom you can go to,

 

I'll be going with my family. I definitely won't be trying to do the 15-17 events anyway, haha. My younger brother will be with all of them. There's a huge maturity gap between kids who will be nearly mid-way through high school & myself who will be nearly mid-way through college...

 

Unfortunately, it does seem like they do a terrible job with my age group :( My parents considered booking an entirely different cruise because even they noticed it.

[HarpHarp]

Go to the single meet & mingle the first night.

Basketball, the pool parties & contest, mini golf and the more active excursions like ziplining are all good places to meet folks your age.

Ask on your roll call if any of the folks my age are bringing sons & daughters. If yes, why not set up a facebook page or twitter page just for all of you. Have a sailaway meet-up or plan an informal lunch or dinner at the cantina or burger joint.

You may have to put a little effort into this, but I bet there are 20 or 30 young cruisers thinking the same thing you are.

Make sure you e-mail the cruise director to make SURE an 18-21 meet & mingle makes it onto the schedule. He or she can also help schedule other group activities.

[Uhfolks]

Go to the single meet & mingle the first night.

Basketball, the pool parties & contest, mini golf and the more active excursions like ziplining are all good places to meet folks your age.

Ask on your roll call if any of the folks my age are bringing sons & daughters. If yes, why not set up a facebook page or twitter page just for all of you. Have a sailaway meet-up or plan an informal lunch or dinner at the cantina or burger joint.

You may have to put a little effort into this, but I bet there are 20 or 30 young cruisers thinking the same thing you are.

Make sure you e-mail the cruise director to make SURE an 18-21 meet & mingle makes it onto the schedule. He or she can also help schedule other group activities.

 

Excellent suggestions!!

 

How would I go about finding the email address for the cruise director?

 

Also, I'll definitely get a Facebook group together once there are more people on the Roll Call.

 

I'd be more than happy to put in effort ahead of time if it results in a more enjoyable cruise for myself & others that are going to be in the same situation as me.

[MississippiMom]

My daughter went to the meet and mingle for 18/21 year olds and met a bunch of people. They hung out the whole week and hit the disco and late night comedy club. You have to look for it on the first night of cruise and head there.

 

It definitely made my daughters cruise more fun. It is a tough age, but there really is more you can do then can't.

 

I had no idea there was a meet and greet for the 18 - 21 year olds. I am so glad! I will make sure that our 19 year old drops in. The last time we cruised, she was 15 and had such a great time hanging out with the kids that she met. They were rarely in their designated club, though, since there was so much else to do on the ship - karaoke, ships tour, dance lessons, towel animal class, etc.

 

And to the OP, you will have tons of fun!

[sredheada]

MSgt, I don't think he wanted to be judged whether or not he was 'whiny'. There was a time on CC where you could ask a question or post a review and not be flamed by the trolls. Represent. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

I am NOT a troll. And how did I flame the OP? By telling them to cherish the memories? How horrible. To thank mom and Dad? Double horrible.

 

You are only as old as you feel and I do not feel old. I feel 20 except when I look in the mirror. But I remember how things used to be. I would pay dearly to have one more dinner with my mom and dad.

[Umbarger]

I'm sorry OP but threads like these chap my hide. If I see one more 'my mommy and daddy are taking me on a cruise and I'm afraid I'm gonna be bored' thread I think I am going to scream.

You are going on a cruise with 5 star dining, and exotic and wonderful ports of call. Do you realize how lucky you are? You can do anything your heart desires. There are so many things to do on a cruise. Trivia, bingo, contests, swimming, sunning, meeting people all ages etc etc etc.

When I was 19 I was lucky if my parents got to take me camping for a weekend an hours drive from where we lived.

You are a 19 year old, you can meet people just like you meet people at your school or college. Just remember to spend some time with your parents and thank them for this wonderful chance to travel. One day you will wish you could eat one more dinner with your mom and dad because you won't have them with you forever.

Have a great cruise and cherish the memories.

 

Double Amen. However this is falling on deaf ears as the OP is a teenager. Teenagers think they are kings of the world. They know everything, don't you know. :rolleyes:

 

And how does a teenager thank you for this priceless advise? By calling you 'old'. LOL

[Pellaz]

Wow, some mean-spirited attitudes in this thread! Saying that any advice given here will fall on deaf ears simply because the OP is a teenager is amazingly close-minded. Frankly, I've seen FAR worse grammar, usage and diction in posts from alleged 'adults' on CC than in the OP's posts. I don't think he'll have any problem figuring out and implementing our suggestions. :rolleyes:

 

You'll find that most people on a cruise are pretty friendly.

Have a great time and I hope you meet some new friends. :D

 

Now THAT's a great point to bring up.

 

I'm not a teenager -- far from it nowadays -- but I don't quite 'fit the mold' in many ways. I have long hair, I'm a volunteer radio deejay, I help sponsor bands for a music festival here, etc. I tend to be a bit different from the usual cruising population -- which trends older, with different musical tastes (among other things) -- plus, I'm fairly shy.

 

On our January cruise on Imagination, one of the (relatively few) younger cruisers, a cool guy named Quinn, noticed one of my music t-shirts and struck up a conversation, and I explained my musical background. Later on during the course of the cruise he told some of the other younger folks on the cruise (basically all twentysomethings) about me, so on numerous occasions people would come up to me and say "Hey, you must be Paul, the radio guy! Cool! We've heard good things about you!"

Even though I'm not a drinker (and they mostly were), they made me feel welcome, and they extended that welcome to my sister also, who is mobility impaired.

Heck, if it hadn't been for them, I might have gone to bed earlier on the last night of the cruise and missed an event that "made" the whole cruise for me. Instead, I was hanging out with some of them on the Lido and the bars had just closed down (2 am?) when another, bigger Carnival ship came ghosting out of the night, passing by within just a few hundred feet, ablaze with light like we were. It was totally unexpected...and glorious. What a nifty end-of-cruise surprise, and we were the only ones on deck and awake to see it!

 

So, to the OP, I think you'll be fine. People on a cruise are mostly friendly, especially those with like mindsets and similar ages. Just don't hog the deck-chairs and don't cut in line at the buffet. :D :D

[TMWTim]

I am NOT a troll. And how did I flame the OP? By telling them to cherish the memories? How horrible. To thank mom and Dad? Double horrible.

 

You are only as old as you feel and I do not feel old. I feel 20 except when I look in the mirror. But I remember how things used to be. I would pay dearly to have one more dinner with my mom and dad.

 

 

Are you sporting a MSgt avatar? Nope. Thanks. I wasn't referring to you. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Uhfolks]

I'm not a teenager -- far from it nowadays -- but I don't quite 'fit the mold' in many ways. I have long hair, I'm a volunteer radio deejay, I help sponsor bands for a music festival here, etc. I tend to be a bit different from the usual cruising population -- which trends older, with different musical tastes (among other things) -- plus, I'm fairly shy.

 

On our January cruise on Imagination, one of the (relatively few) younger cruisers, a cool guy named Quinn, noticed one of my music t-shirts and struck up a conversation, and I explained my musical background. Later on during the course of the cruise he told some of the other younger folks on the cruise (basically all twentysomethings) about me, so on numerous occasions people would come up to me and say "Hey, you must be Paul, the radio guy! Cool! We've heard good things about you!"

Even though I'm not a drinker (and they mostly were), they made me feel welcome, and they extended that welcome to my sister also, who is mobility impaired.

Heck, if it hadn't been for them, I might have gone to bed earlier on the last night of the cruise and missed an event that "made" the whole cruise for me. Instead, I was hanging out with some of them on the Lido and the bars had just closed down (2 am?) when another, bigger Carnival ship came ghosting out of the night, passing by within just a few hundred feet, ablaze with light like we were. It was totally unexpected...and glorious. What a nifty end-of-cruise surprise, and we were the only ones on deck and awake to see it!

 

So, to the OP, I think you'll be fine. People on a cruise are mostly friendly, especially those with like mindsets and similar ages. Just don't hog the deck-chairs and don't cut in line at the buffet. :D :D

 

Ups for the DJing! I do a show on our Campus station when schol is in session.

 

Great story, I'm sure some of my favorite moments will be those little unexpected things like that.

[RuthlessBoss]

I'm sorry OP but threads like these chap my hide. If I see one more 'my mommy and daddy are taking me on a cruise and I'm afraid I'm gonna be bored' thread I think I am going to scream.

You are going on a cruise with 5 star dining, and exotic and wonderful ports of call. Do you realize how lucky you are? You can do anything your heart desires. There are so many things to do on a cruise. Trivia, bingo, contests, swimming, sunning, meeting people all ages etc etc etc.

When I was 19 I was lucky if my parents got to take me camping for a weekend an hours drive from where we lived.

You are a 19 year old, you can meet people just like you meet people at your school or college. Just remember to spend some time with your parents and thank them for this wonderful chance to travel. One day you will wish you could eat one more dinner with your mom and dad because you won't have them with you forever.

Have a great cruise and cherish the memories.

If you feel you will be bored, you will. You have to use some initiative to look around or go to meets for people your age, or other things people here have posted. Or, look around your roll call. The fun isn't coming to YOU, You must go to the fun. (And let yourself have fun)

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Wow, some mean-spirited attitudes in this thread! Saying that any advice given here will fall on deaf ears simply because the OP is a teenager is amazingly close-minded. Frankly, I've seen FAR worse grammar, usage and diction in posts from alleged 'adults' on CC than in the OP's posts. I don't think he'll have any problem figuring out and implementing our suggestions. :rolleyes:

 

:D

 

 

Agree and like!

 

OP came to this forum to ask questions and several posters have decided he's an ungrateful teenager. :rolleyes: I'll never understand why people feel the need to bash others--anonymity is a lovely thing for them. :cool:

[serene56]

I realize I can go to any of the regular activities, that's not the problem.

 

My thing I'm worried about is not meeting other people my age to enjoy them with. I'd prefer to actually have company rather than just doing stuff alone the entire week. There would be a huge difference.

 

 

the first night---around midnight they have a singles meet and greet. If you do not see it inthe Funtimes-- ask the Cruise Director.

 

 

On our first cruise my oldest was 19 and he had a ball.

[Uhfolks]

the first night---around midnight they have a singles meet and greet. If you do not see it inthe Funtimes-- ask the Cruise Director.

 

 

On our first cruise my oldest was 19 and he had a ball.

 

I haven't been able to find out who are cruise director even is. Much less get in touch with him/her. Any help on how I would find out? :confused:

[RuthlessBoss]

Agree and like!

 

OP came to this forum to ask questions and several posters have decided he's an ungrateful teenager. :rolleyes: I'll never understand why people feel the need to bash others--anonymity is a lovely thing for them. :cool:

Are we supposed to say "Hello Sweetie". We'll find someone for you to hang out with. We'll do the search, tell you where to go, where the teens are, we'll even find out the cruise director and tell him your plight. We'll take care of it.

I think we have a very "needy" cruiser here, needs to be entertained and have things plotted out for him/her. Clearly does not want family time.

I'll wait for the blast now:p

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Are we supposed to say "Hello Sweetie". We'll find someone for you to hang out with. We'll do the search, tell you where to go, where the teens are, we'll even find out the cruise director and tell him your plight. We'll take care of it.

I think we have a very "needy" cruiser here, needs to be entertained and have things plotted out for him/her. Clearly does not want family time.

I'll wait for the blast now:p

 

 

No, of course not. I would simply expect people to answer his questions without making judgmental comments. But, this is the Carnival board so that doesn't often happen. It used to, but not anymore.

[RuthlessBoss]

The more I think about it...in the first post it states no planned activities for this age group.. Why does there need to be any? you are an adult (in years). Below that age, yes, they need guidance or all they'd do is run the halls, sit on the stairs, push elevator buttons etc.

I just briefly peeked at some Fun Times from 2 other ships. One has a dance meet late, must be over 18. Another has a kareoke for over 18. Maybe someone with a Funtimes for Conquest will peek at theirs and give you the scoop.

[Pellaz]

Ups for the DJing! I do a show on our Campus station when schol is in session.

 

Our show is on Georgia Tech's radio station, WREK-FM. I'm not a student there so I'm a "community host," a local expert who helps out with the show. If you're interested, it's dubdubdub dot wrekage dot org. Around 30 years and still going strong! (Warning: the music is kinda intense....)

 

Great story, I'm sure some of my favorite moments will be those little unexpected things like that.

 

I'm from N. Georgia, so for me, the entire maritime experience of a cruise is pretty new and nifty. Little things like....

 

....Sailing away out of Miami, but going "the wrong way" west to the turn-basin so the ship can ponderously spin in place and then chug out into the Atlantic through Government Cut.....

...Watching as the Nassau pilot boat races to catch up to our ship -- already speeding along at a pretty good clip! -- and then right below me, the pilot jumps aboard from the ship. No-one else was even looking over the side, as it was a midnight departure from Nassau....

...Being escorted into Cozumel by a Mexican boat with a deck-gun. Umm, what's up with that? Still, pretty nifty....

...Sitting in one of the hot tubs in the Serenity area aboard Imagination at about 1am -- they'd 'forgotten' to come by and close them at 12 -- with the smoothest seas of the entire voyage (finally), and looking at the ship's wake curling away into the distance under clear skies and silvery moonlight, and thinking "THIS is why people love to cruise! You can't do THIS at home!" :D :)