kmcruise Posted January 17, 2008 #1 Share Posted January 17, 2008 My son will be 1 month shy of 12 when we cruise in December 2008 on the Splendor. Will they let him join his 14 yr old sister in the older group? How do they verify the ages? Will the two groups interact at all? Thanks, Melissa S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfam5 Posted January 17, 2008 #2 Share Posted January 17, 2008 On the Glory in October, they would not allow it. They would not let our nearly nine year old bump up to be with our ten year old. They also would not allow our ten year old to move down to be with our nine year old. We were surpried by that because there were so few children on the ship. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvtotrvl1 Posted January 17, 2008 #3 Share Posted January 17, 2008 They are very strict and 99% of the time will not mix age groups..Understand, if they do this for one, they need to do it for everyone...not a great idea. They will know the ages from the sign and sail card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted January 17, 2008 #4 Share Posted January 17, 2008 They let us do it. I can tell you that they are *usually* very strict. In our situation, my friend's daughter would be 6 in a few weeks. She wanted to be in with her brother and my daughter in the 6-8 year old group. The counselor said she could move up but would have 24 hours to basically prove herself ;) When you go to register them, just ask NICELY. :D I saw a few moms demanding that their children move up, that didn't work....lol. You should know though that there are more structured activities in the 9-11 year old group. He actually would have more choices of things to do in that group. The 12-14 year old group isn't as structured. SO before you ask for him to be moved, check out the schedules for each group. I have some of those pages in the link in my signature, just click on the link, then Camp Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty9 Posted January 17, 2008 #5 Share Posted January 17, 2008 A lot depends on when your cruise departs and if there are loads of kids on board. But generally speaking, they are VERY strict with their ages for good reason---like someone said, if they did it for one, all heck would break loose with parents demanding that their kids be allowed to move groups. And, in your cruise contract, it clearly states that a child is the age they are on the FIRST day of the cruise, regardless if they should celebrate a birthday during the cruise. So if your child is 2, and should turn three during the cruise, it doesn't matter, they will remain 2 for the entire cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two if by Sea Posted January 17, 2008 #6 Share Posted January 17, 2008 And, in your cruise contract, it clearly states that a child is the age they are on the FIRST day of the cruise, regardless if they should celebrate a birthday during the cruise. So if your child is 2, and should turn three during the cruise, it doesn't matter, they will remain 2 for the entire cruise. So, if you take a 7-year cruise, round-the-world-several-times cruise, they'll keep your two-year-old in the toddler group the whole time? :D :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1TravelMom Posted January 17, 2008 #7 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I agree with an earlier post. Before you ask, make sure it is what is best for the child. On our last cruise, the younger group seemed to have more structured, but fun activities than the teens. The younger group took cooking and baking classes - cooked food, baked a cake and decorated it, disected squid,.....etc. The teens had a lot of things like -"come hang out and play board games. Just a thought! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty9 Posted January 18, 2008 #8 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I don't think a family exists that would take a 7 year cruise. And if there were that rich of a family, they own their own yacht. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin' Chick Posted January 18, 2008 #9 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Remember that you have to provide the birthdate for each passenger, including kids. They can ask to see your child's birth certificate if you don't have a passport for them. So they already know how many kids in each age are going to be onboard and have set up the age groups and hired the staff. Plus, there are insurance considerations for the cruiseline. Our girl was 23 months on her first cruise and we brought her to the first night of activities, which was okay for the counselors for the activities planned. But we didn't ask for her to be in the program, even if her birthday was three weeks away. And certainly wouldn't think to ask her to be moved up to an older age group on the other five cruises she was on. I'm sure the counselors constantly hear the "but she's so mature for her age" agrument, that they hear it in their sleep. If they can't make the change, it's easier on them and probably better for all the kids as often a parent isn't the best judge of how mature their kid really is (no offense, but many parents aren't). Plus think of the 13-yr-olds who finally made it to the teen group, and then find 12-yr-olds among them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abitaturbodog Posted January 18, 2008 #10 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I our experience (our boys are 1 year apart) they have always let my younger son move to the oder son's group. (We started cruising when they were 8 and 9 years old. ) That being said, we never ask at the registration party on the first night. The second day, we bring our boys to the older group and ask the counselor if the younger can join. They have always said yes. Also, my boys don't spend a lot of time at the kids club. They just show up for certain activities that interest them and spend most of their time with mom and dad, but the counselors don't really know that when we ask. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMK1970 Posted January 18, 2008 #11 Share Posted January 18, 2008 We are going on the Holiday in May(19) and I'm a little worried about my 18DS...I talked with my PVP and she said they are pretty strict with each age group..I have a DS15 and a DD13 so I thought maybe my 18 year old can "hang" with his brother in the camp but I guess this will not be the case...I really wished they offered a group for the 18-20...DS can do everything but drink but he still is a teen...my PVP said maybe he could check out the singles group but I'm betting this will have an older group..plus not to comfortable with him hanging out with 21 and up... He might like it though with all the "older" girls:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty9 Posted January 19, 2008 #12 Share Posted January 19, 2008 There's a reason they won't allow an 18 year old with younger teens, and that's for liability concerns. Just as you wouldn't like your son to hang with 21 year olds, parents don't want their 14 year olds hanging with an 18 year old. Plus, I've not met a kid 16 and up who liked the teen activities. Those kids just generally hand together and don't go near the kid's clubs. And as for the singles group, don't bother. For the most part, it's either not attended at all or the singles are over 50. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMK1970 Posted January 19, 2008 #13 Share Posted January 19, 2008 There's a reason they won't allow an 18 year old with younger teens, and that's for liability concerns. Just as you wouldn't like your son to hang with 21 year olds, parents don't want their 14 year olds hanging with an 18 year old. Plus, I've not met a kid 16 and up who liked the teen activities. Those kids just generally hand together and don't go near the kid's clubs. And as for the singles group, don't bother. For the most part, it's either not attended at all or the singles are over 50. This is the reason I wished they would provide something for teens 18-20..My 18DS loves to play Xbox, games and dance so I guess he is one of the few that would enjoy the teen activities...:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abitaturbodog Posted January 20, 2008 #14 Share Posted January 20, 2008 We are going on the Holiday in May(19) and I'm a little worried about my 18DS...I talked with my PVP and she said they are pretty strict with each age group..I have a DS15 and a DD13 so I thought maybe my 18 year old can "hang" with his brother in the camp but I guess this will not be the case...I really wished they offered a group for the 18-20...DS can do everything but drink but he still is a teen...my PVP said maybe he could check out the singles group but I'm betting this will have an older group..plus not to comfortable with him hanging out with 21 and up...He might like it though with all the "older" girls:p I seriously doubt that your 18yo would be caught dead in the kids club!:eek: I think that by the time kids are 16, they don't want anything to do with the teen programs and instead make their own fun with other teens on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMK1970 Posted January 20, 2008 #15 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I seriously doubt that your 18yo would be caught dead in the kids club!:eek: I think that by the time kids are 16, they don't want anything to do with the teen programs and instead make their own fun with other teens on board. Then I guess my teen is just different;) He is small for his age..looks 16 more than 18 and I guess because he has younger siblings he doesnt mind being around younger teens...he is very social and the type that would give any activity a chance...especially if it invloves Xbox 360 and Guitar Hero:D Now if he found kids his age of course he would hang out with them... Also he doesnt care what others think..he still tells me he loves me, give me hugs and kisses in front of his friends!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinMermaid Posted January 24, 2008 #16 Share Posted January 24, 2008 I our experience (our boys are 1 year apart) they have always let my younger son move to the oder son's group. (We started cruising when they were 8 and 9 years old. ) That being said, we never ask at the registration party on the first night. The second day, we bring our boys to the older group and ask the counselor if the younger can join. They have always said yes. Also, my boys don't spend a lot of time at the kids club. They just show up for certain activities that interest them and spend most of their time with mom and dad, but the counselors don't really know that when we ask. Hope this helps. My son and nephew were supposed to be in different groups but because the younger one didn't want to stay without the older one, the counselors let them stay together in the younger group. My son was only a year older. I appreciated that they let them stay together because my nephew was a little apprehensive about being in a new environment and we would've been paged right back to the kids club within a few minutes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutnhoney Posted February 8, 2008 #17 Share Posted February 8, 2008 First let me say that I am addicted to this site. I have received tons of helpful information. A lot of great tips. Thank you everyone :D !! We will be sailing this summer on the Glory. My kids are 9 (girl), 12 (boy), and 15 (boy). From what I understand, none of my kids would be in the same group. I understand the reasons why they're strict on the age groups. I get it. My question is, if my children choose NOT to participate in the group activies because they would feel "alone", what is for them do? Do they have alot of "family" activities which we can all do together? Also, if me and my husband (along with other adults in our party) want to have an adults night (casino, show, etc.) what is available for the kids to do other than Camp Carnival? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted February 8, 2008 #18 Share Posted February 8, 2008 First let me say that I am addicted to this site. I have received tons of helpful information. A lot of great tips. Thank you everyone :D !! We will be sailing this summer on the Glory. My kids are 9 (girl), 12 (boy), and 15 (boy). From what I understand, none of my kids would be in the same group. I understand the reasons why they're strict on the age groups. I get it. My question is, if my children choose NOT to participate in the group activies because they would feel "alone", what is for them do? Do they have alot of "family" activities which we can all do together? Also, if me and my husband (along with other adults in our party) want to have an adults night (casino, show, etc.) what is available for the kids to do other than Camp Carnival? Well I have never been on Glory but I can try to answer this. Some of the Carnival ships have a big movie screen on the Lido deck for movies at night. There's miniature golfing, basketball and swimming. My kids honestly could care less if they are in the same group...so don't count your kids out yet. Odds are, your younger ones will go and your teen will meet up with a gang of new friends and you won't see him the rest of the cruise ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RatherBFishin Posted February 10, 2008 #19 Share Posted February 10, 2008 My son will be 1 month shy of 12 when we cruise in December 2008 on the Splendor. Will they let him join his 14 yr old sister in the older group? How do they verify the ages? Will the two groups interact at all? Keep in mind that the 12-14 year old group doesn't do very much. On some ships they don't even have their own space. On the Victory last summer my daughter had just turned 12, so both my kids were in that age group. They usually met in the disco after dinner. My honest impression is that at that age, the youth concellor's only agenda is to help facilitate the kids making a cruise buddy to hang out with (or as DD refered to it a "BFF"). Luckily my daughter did just that, and the two girls actually still IM each other even now. But I knew I was in trouble with my 14 yo son when the councellor's first ice breaker actity during the orientation was a rousing round of the "Cha Cha Slide". I mean really, how many 12-14 yo boys are into Line Dancing? Seriously, since 12-14 yo's don't need to stay in the activity (they can leave any time they want), that age group is plagued with apathy toward the planned activity. I'd seriously consider leaving your son in the lower group. Espacially since you daughter will then have the freedom to not be put in the role of his baby sitter (which isn't really fair to her). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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