Cruising with 17 and 19 year old boys

[careschocolates]

We plan to go to Bermuda this Spring on NCL Breakaway and want to take 17 and 19 year old brothers with us for their first cruise. Both are quite active with outdoor interests. They are not really interested in going saying they will be bored with nothing to do because of their ages. Also, they could not do things together because of the age split. Any ideas on how to convince them it will be a great trip? Any ideas from people in this age range?

[luddite]

Tell them there will be skirts.

[YubaSutter]

All it will take is one girl in a bikini next to the pool for them to have the most awesome vacation ever.

[careschocolates]

I have already mentioned the girls. Besides girl watching what other activities can they do together?

[luddite]

Girl watching is usually followed by skirt-chasing which obviates most other activities.

[sherryf]

Also, they could not do things together because of the age split.

 

Their ages do not prevent them from doing things together. Just certain things, like they can't both go in the teen club (probably not of much interest at that age anyway) and they can't both go into adult only areas, but that still leaves lots of things that they CAN do together! My teens spent a lot of time in the buffet, pools and sports court.

[UPGrandma]

Have you narrowed down your options to a couple of ships? Have the boys check out the activities onboard. Basketball, water slides, etc with rock wall climbing and a whole gamit of other choices on larger ships. Excursion options also good for them to take a look at.

[OCruisers]

Do consider planning your shore excursions around things they would really like to do ... the more active, the better. (This cruise, it's all about them.)

 

We have grandchildren and have noticed the older teens like to hang out in the hot tub and pizza areas.

 

Get them to take some t-shirts with the name of their college or where they plan to attend college. Also, ones with concerts they've attended. It's a conversation opener.

 

LuLu

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[cruiserking]

If your sons are active beyond chasing skirts they're are tons of sports activities to keep them busy.

 

-Atop the ship on deck 15 the largest aqua park at sea with 5 slides including first ever at sea twin free fall slides.

 

-The Sports Complex includes Miniature Golf, Basketball, Rock Climbing, Bungee Trampoline and the largest rope course at sea.

 

-Swimming Pools, a wide variety of restaurants, movies, the thrill of being aboard an ocean liner.

 

They probably won't want to leave...

 

Jonathan

[careschocolates]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. They are still on the fence but looking to fall a little more to the cruise side.

[alexspepa]

Girl watching is usually followed by skirt-chasing which obviates most other activities.

 

Like!

[ehfl]

They can try surfing, rock climbing, play basketball, go snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing. It just depends on the ship, but there is lots of stuff to do.

[Hlitner]

Gonna get flamed for this, but assuming you have a good safe place for them to stay (like with Grandparents) we say "leave em home!" There is just no sense trying to force teens (young adults) to do what they do not want when it comes to travel.

 

Hank

[hansolosmom]

I would try to find some YouTube videos of the ship with all the activities.

 

Also there is so much to do in Bermuda with the beaches that they should find some great activities to take part in while there. My guys are 15 & 17 & love cruising.

Edited February 15, 2014 by hansolosmom

[Sherlock43031]

at 17 & 19 they would probably be very happy to stay home and at 19 and 17 unless you have past problems with them they could probably make it a week alone.

[MollyFlyer]

Remembering that age . . . you need to think of them as more than just an age bracket. Staring at girls in bikinis isn't for everyone. Tell them that on the vacation, they'll be free to do their own thing around the ship -- and let them know about the rock climbing wall and other on-board activities.