Princess or RCCL with older teenagers

[MERLOTCHAMPAGNE]

We are considering doing a 7 -10 day Carribean cruise with our sociable 17 yo high school senior DD and athletic 18 yo college freshman DS in Mar 08. Suggestions on whether Princess or RCCL's ships would be better for all of us. Do either allow 18 yo in their casino's???

 

We have sailed with each line many times but not with the "children" at this age!

 

Thanks

[lurkernomore]

We have never done Princess, but 2 years ago did the RCCL Voyager over Christmas with our then 16 and 18 year old sons. They had their own cabin across from us and it was awesome! The Voyager class has everything imaginable for teen-agers. Rock-climbing wall, basketball, ice-skating, teen clubs, Johnny Rockets for a fun meal. This Christmas we will be going on the Adventure of the Seas to the Southern Caribbean, same thing two cabins, and I can't wait! My 16 year-old took on a whole new identity - "Chaz", we still laugh about it.

[KC_fn]

I recently cruised Mariner of the Seas with a group of teen girls & their parents. The girls had a blast. (So did the parents :D ) The "teen-only" area was apparently quite cool, not the case on another line we've cruised. There were ALOT of mid-teen to early-20's types onboard, and all appeared to be having a good time.

[DEcruiser1]

I've never sailed with Princess, but I did with RCCl once before. They're cruise seemed to skew much older than the carnival cruises that I'd been on. I know that RCCl has been campaining for younger clientele but I just think I'd go with Princess.

 

Hope its a great trip whatever you decide.

[Keith1010]

I think either cruise line will be fine. They will find others their age on both lines. RCCL likely will have more teenagers and those younger than Princess but there should be enough ones their age on Princess too.

 

Keith

[newmexicoNita]

I go along with the others: RCI would have the most young people, but Princess will have plenty as well. Spring break time always brings out the young people of all ages.

 

Nita

[doone]

I agree with the others here who said RCI, Voyager style ships. My friend and her teenage children have done both Princess and RCI Voyagers style ships, the teens voted for RCI. They had a great time on each line, but if given a choice, they said RCI, they loved the rock climbing walls.

[Kailyn]

Go with RCI Voyager class. They have so much to do for younger people, especially your athletic son. Will your DD be 18 by the time you cruise? I hope so for her sake...the adult clubs have always been more fun for us than the teen one.

[isujim]

I have sailed on both lines and either would be a great choice for older teens...........they will find plenty their age and have a great time.

[serene56]

let me chime in for a 7 day cruise. More families will be on the 7 day cruise compared to the 10 day cruise.

[momofmeg]

We have never done Princess, but 2 years ago did the RCCL Voyager over Christmas with our then 16 and 18 year old sons. They had their own cabin across from us and it was awesome! The Voyager class has everything imaginable for teen-agers. Rock-climbing wall, basketball, ice-skating, teen clubs, Johnny Rockets for a fun meal. This Christmas we will be going on the Adventure of the Seas to the Southern Caribbean, same thing two cabins, and I can't wait! My 16 year-old took on a whole new identity - "Chaz", we still laugh about it.

 

Princess has teen clubs also and a great basketball court etc. no rock climbing wall, no iceskating rink but a great huge movie screen by one of the pools which the teens loved.

 

We liked CP much better then MOS the year before and our daughter found that the rock climbing wall and inline skating was closed on sea days-so she never got to do them-since she had booked excursions.

[MERLOTCHAMPAGNE]

Unfortunately the DD won't be 18 at the time of sailing.... I was concerned that the 18 yo DS will be too old for the teen club but not old enough for "adult" 21 clubs. Last year when we were on the NCL Spirit, only because of the NYC departure and timing for all of our schedules, the 19 yo DD didn't fit in either of the groups and she spent most of her time in the cabin sleeping or reading a book. She isn't sociable like her younger sister or athletic like younger brother. The then 16 yo DS and 15 DD had a great time and still get together with a couple of kids they met from the teen group. I'm more concerned about the 18 yo DS than the 17 yo DS. She can still go to the "teen" group whereas the 18 yo is neither here nor there. Hopefully there will be many 18-20 yo since it will be during spring break.

[Kailyn]

Unfortunately the DD won't be 18 at the time of sailing.... I was concerned that the 18 yo DS will be too old for the teen club but not old enough for "adult" 21 clubs. Last year when we were on the NCL Spirit, only because of the NYC departure and timing for all of our schedules, the 19 yo DD didn't fit in either of the groups and she spent most of her time in the cabin sleeping or reading a book. She isn't sociable like her younger sister or athletic like younger brother. The then 16 yo DS and 15 DD had a great time and still get together with a couple of kids they met from the teen group. I'm more concerned about the 18 yo DS than the 17 yo DS. She can still go to the "teen" group whereas the 18 yo is neither here nor there. Hopefully there will be many 18-20 yo since it will be during spring break.

 

The adult clubs on both Princess and RCI and both 18+, not 21+, although you do have to be 21 to be served alcohol (and they check ID!). I've never had to sneak in since I was 17 ;) . Last time I cruised RCI under 21, we could drink beer, wine, and champagne (now its all 21+), go to the club, casino, no curfew, etc. Your DS will be just like an adult without the alcohol-buying capability. It's very odd to me that NCL clubs are only 21+....what do they expect all the others to do?? Just one more reason why I never want to cruise on NCL. Especially if it is Spring Break, there will be tons of people your childrens age. Go for it!

[NthernLgts]

On Princess the casino age is 21.