Carnival Triumph with Teens -- first time cruisers too

[BarefootMom]

Hi all,

We are first time cruisers and are doing a 4 night on the Carnival Triumph out of New Orleans in April. My girls are 12 and 15 and are not the type that will want to go to the kids clubs (especially since they would be in separate ones)...they like to hang with us which is fine with us on such a short cruise. I am wondering what events, shows, etc. we can do with teens. Can they go see shows like the comedy shows with us? Can they do karaoke or play bingo? Can they even walk into the casino? Any help or hints would be great! thanks

[louanne93]

They have PG comedy shows every night. They also have Family Karaoke. They can be in the Casino, just not by the machines or tables. They will have a blast! They will probably want to go off on their own for awhile too! Even kids that don't go to the kids clubs seem to hook up with other teens and hang out!

[momof4girls]

As a mom of girls I just want to warn u that there is a possibility the ship could be carrying a lot of partiers. I normally wouldn't even say anything but last year when I went on the Triumph I was a bit shocked at the amount of "party goers" I saw. I was sooooo happy I had left my younger girls at home. The pools were always full of couples that were making out. There wasn't room for anything else, especially swimming.

 

I am not trying to be a downer. I just want to warn you so you can be prepared. I had been on previous cruises and I was a bit surprised.

 

How exciting to be going on your first cruise though! I remember how excited my girls where when they saw the ship for the first time. They were hooked right from the start. :)

[JAMST3RZ]

Hi all,

We are first time cruisers and are doing a 4 night on the Carnival Triumph out of New Orleans in April. My girls are 12 and 15 and are not the type that will want to go to the kids clubs (especially since they would be in separate ones)...they like to hang with us which is fine with us on such a short cruise. I am wondering what events, shows, etc. we can do with teens. Can they go see shows like the comedy shows with us? Can they do karaoke or play bingo? Can they even walk into the casino? Any help or hints would be great! thanks

 

 

1) There are PG comedy shows every night

 

2) Most shows are family friendly other than quest

 

3) Bingo is classes as gambling on board so 18+

 

4) Under 18s MUST remained on the tiled area around the casino and NOT on the carpet.

 

 

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[BarefootMom]

thanks for the heads up about the "partiers"! I had a feeling that might be the case - especially with the cost of this cruise being so low. I will have them prepared and be watching over them for sure! Can anyone tell me more about what the show(s) are in that big theater area? I have not found anything yet about that. Also, what do people recommend for the shore excursion with teens on Cozumel? I know we want to get in the ocean for sure and do not want a long ride (no Xel-Ha) so am thinking either one of the catamaran to a beach excursions or maybe Chakanaab(sp?)?

[NCbmwmom]

1) There are PG comedy shows every night

 

2) Most shows are family friendly other than quest

 

3) Bingo is classes as gambling on board so 18+

 

4) Under 18s MUST remained on the tiled area around the casino and NOT on the carpet.

 

 

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My 14 year old dd was allowed to not only play, but win at BINGO. This was 5(?) years ago. Did it change recently?

[louanne93]

I have seen many teens playing bingo with their parents.

 

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[pblack]

thanks for the heads up about the "partiers"! I had a feeling that might be the case - especially with the cost of this cruise being so low. I will have them prepared and be watching over them for sure! Can anyone tell me more about what the show(s) are in that big theater area? I have not found anything yet about that. Also, what do people recommend for the shore excursion with teens on Cozumel? I know we want to get in the ocean for sure and do not want a long ride (no Xel-Ha) so am thinking either one of the catamaran to a beach excursions or maybe Chakanaab(sp?)?

 

 

Look into Nachi Cocom Beach Resort. It's not part of a carnival excursion, but it's an all inclusive resort that is absolutely gorgeous. It's $55 a person and includes food and drink. There's also other things you can add on while you're there. It's a short 10-15 min cab ride from the dock to the resort. It's about $20 each way for the ride. We had a fantastic time back in October!

 

Plus they limit themselves to only 100 guests per day, so you'll want to be sure and reserve it ahead of time.

[Docforpetz]

thanks for the heads up about the "partiers"! I had a feeling that might be the case - especially with the cost of this cruise being so low. I will have them prepared and be watching over them for sure! Can anyone tell me more about what the show(s) are in that big theater area? I have not found anything yet about that. Also, what do people recommend for the shore excursion with teens on Cozumel? I know we want to get in the ocean for sure and do not want a long ride (no Xel-Ha) so am thinking either one of the catamaran to a beach excursions or maybe Chakanaab(sp?)?

 

 

Check out Chankanaab...great snorkeling/swimming and we did the Manatee swim with our 12 and 14 yr old there. Fantastic!!!

[momof4girls]

We've been to Cozumel three times. First time we went to Chankanaab. It was beautiful and the girls loved the sea life. It was more money than it was worth for what the girls wanted to do though. It was after that first cruise that they told me all they care about is going to the beach. Second time we went to Paradise Beach. $3 entrance fee and they ask that you spend $10 each on food/drink. Not hard to do and I recommend the big nacho plate if u go there! Very affordable and easy to share between four people. Once we only spent $30 and I just tipped $10. It's not strictly enforced though. We paid extra for the kayaking and inflatables there. Loved the beach. Had a GREAT time. Third time we went to Cozumel, we went back to Paradise because of the last experience. Sadly the beach was much more rocky than before. I twisted my ankle in the water and could barely stand on it. But because we were already there, we decided to head to the pool to finish out the day. Awesome pool!!! The girls never got out except to eat. Service there is excellent. I love the people that run it. Food is delicious and not outrageous in cost. You could always go there and try out the beach area first. If not for u, head back to the pool. I think we paid $20 with tip for taxi there and the same on return trip.

 

We are heading back to Cozumel this November and we are going to try Playa Palancar this time. The girls are hoping for some beach time

[Saint Greg]

I wouldn't say there are PG comedy shows every night. My 5-day on Triumph had two nights with two PG comedy shows and the second night was a repeat of the first night...all of my 5-days have been that way...now if you have Stanley Ullman...He does his version of "kids say the darndest things" so it comes out different each time. Billy D. Washington mostly talks about and to audience members so his comes out different. The others I've seen repeat the same PG show. Most comedians aren't fans of PG shows...some say PG stands for "Pretty Good".

Edited February 27, 2017 by Saint Greg

[Saint Greg]

They have dive-in movies on the Triumph. Check out my 5-day Fun Times from September for an idea.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2401596

[BarefootMom]

Thank you for posting those Fun Times - that helps a lot!

 

Another newbie question...I have seen some menus online for dinners but am wondering if the main dining room also have menus for breakfast somewhere? and lunch? Or is lunch just in buffet and places like the Burrito Bar and Burger place? Finally, is it always an upcharge to order lobster tails when they are offered? Someone mentioned in a post that they had several but when I saw a menu today it said $20 each so I just wasn't sure...

[Mommy2three]

My 14 year old dd was allowed to not only play, but win at BINGO. This was 5(?) years ago. Did it change recently?

 

 

It has not changed. Previous poster is incorrect when stating 18+ for bingo. We just got off this ship on March 4th and we played bingo twice with my 10 and 12 year old and there were many many other children playing.

[JAMST3RZ]

It has not changed. Previous poster is incorrect when stating 18+ for bingo. We just got off this ship on March 4th and we played bingo twice with my 10 and 12 year old and there were many many other children playing.

 

 

 

Mistaken am I?? [emoji106]🏾[emoji106]🏾[emoji5][emoji5]

 

 

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[Mommy2three]

 

Mistaken am I?? [emoji106]🏾[emoji106]🏾[emoji5][emoji5]

 

 

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I understand what it says but I just got off the Triumph on the 4th and the lady walking around with the tablet calling bingo balls was literally interacting with all the kids, clearly saw them with the bingo marker and did not make them leave or give the marker to an adult to play. They allowed all the kids to play along with the adults.

[JAMST3RZ]

I understand what it says but I just got off the Triumph on the 4th and the lady walking around with the tablet calling bingo balls was literally interacting with all the kids, clearly saw them with the bingo marker and did not make them leave or give the marker to an adult to play. They allowed all the kids to play along with the adults.

 

 

Not the point the is it?

 

 

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[trirae]

Hi there! I have two girls, aged 10 and 15, and we are taking our third spring break cruise this year in April (Also first on Triumph).

Neither of my girls do teen or kids clubs, and they LOVE cruising. Mostly during the day they spend time at the pool with me, the youngest sometimes makes friends there and swims with them. At night, we are mostly together at comedy, shows, or dive-in movies. Looking at the Fun Times, schedule, there appears to be some time that's appropriate for them in the piano bar as well which we may try. We will do every PG comedy that's available. It's our favorite thing, I think. You can definitely do some of karaoke (it'll be labeled if it's older than 18).

 

I really thought they would want to find peers, but they have each other and us, and find a nice balance between exploring and eating ice cream together and being in our vicinity.

 

Hope you have fun!

[IPlayWithString]

thanks for the heads up about the "partiers"! I had a feeling that might be the case - especially with the cost of this cruise being so low. I will have them prepared and be watching over them for sure! Can anyone tell me more about what the show(s) are in that big theater area? I have not found anything yet about that. Also, what do people recommend for the shore excursion with teens on Cozumel? I know we want to get in the ocean for sure and do not want a long ride (no Xel-Ha) so am thinking either one of the catamaran to a beach excursions or maybe Chakanaab(sp?)?

 

If your girls like thrill rides, then I'd suggest taking the Twister boat to La Isla Passion. We've done this excursion with our son several times (he was 9 the first time, he'll be 13 soon) and he LOVES it. They have lots of water floatables (giant water trampolines, etc) and it's an open bar. They also have soda, etc for the kids. The food isn't great but it's not terrible either. It's totally worth it though because the beach is really awesome.