Packing for Teens, Anything Special?

[ecn81126]

This time we're cruising with our children, ages 15, 13, and 9. Can you think of anything we'd need to pack specifically because they are kids/teens? Any and all ideas are welcome, thanks in advance. :)

 

I also apologize if this topic has been asked about before. I've been trying to use the Search function for a few days now and it's not working for me.

[Perfect Stranger]

Band-aids and lots of sunblock.

[GeekyMom]

Ipod, Ipod speaker, Nintendo DS, Gameboy, any good books, our teen is reading the rave: "Twilight", I'm also taking "Hamlet" since she will be reading it soon in her LA's class for 9th grade.

 

Chargers, extra batteries, their favorite snacks and if they don't own a digicamera, pick up a disposable one if you think they will use it. Our 9 yo dd has been taking pictures with her digital camera since she was 7.

 

I also encourage my kids to write in their individual journals the places they see, things they do and the things they learn. This makes it educational as well as fun! (I hate to mention Homework, but my kids are required to keep up on assignments while on travel). :eek:

[lilpootr]

This time we're cruising with our children, ages 15, 13, and 9. Can you think of anything we'd need to pack specifically because they are kids/teens? Any and all ideas are welcome, thanks in advance. :)

 

I also apologize if this topic has been asked about before. I've been trying to use the Search function for a few days now and it's not working for me.

 

I also have a 15 and 13 year old. One thing I have learned not to pack would be new shoes/clothing. Dealing with blisters from new shoes is just not fun!

 

Suggestions would be ipod (or mp3 player), two way radios (very handy if they are off on their own exploring the ship), sunglasses, hats (baseball caps), hair products (yes, I have a boy and girl) and hair brush. Although my daughter usually wears her hair down I bring a few elastic hair bands that have been handy!. Enjoy!!:)

[HighSeaslover]

Money! lots of it! :)

[Ship Addict]

This time we're cruising with our children, ages 15, 13, and 9. Can you think of anything we'd need to pack specifically because they are kids/teens? Any and all ideas are welcome, thanks in advance. :)

 

I also apologize if this topic has been asked about before. I've been trying to use the Search function for a few days now and it's not working for me.

 

your 9yo may feel more comfortable at the bathroom sink with a stepstool, depending on their height. We brought along a small flat-topped cooler and this worked wonderfully.

[afcj1]

A deck of cards for the airport, car, hotel, etc and small travel board games. Pencil/paper to keep score. These don't usually take up too much space and can keep the entire family busy.

I used to take Rummikub (tile game) on every trip, even if I was traveling with other adults:D

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

Don't laugh...snacks. My 12 and 4 year old sons, both cruising veterans, have a tradition as soon as they get on board...they want a meat/cheese/fruit basket to enjoy on the balcony (very civilized if you ask me). :D

 

I know that RCCL has such baskets available to pre-order and have delivered to your cabin. If Carnival doesn't have the same, I will buy a hickory farms basket before I leave. I also bring chips, fruit roll-ups, candy, little things for the cabin, for the times that the boys (or mom or dad or gramma) want a little something but don't want to leave the room.

 

And juice boxes-a case or 2, because those sodas in the mini-bar will kill you in the end, and there's nothing worse than a thirsty kid who doesn't understand why you don't want to pay 6 bucks for a coke. I bring a 24 pack of juice boxes that runs about $5.99, that covers the whole trip for both of them.

 

I also make sure my 12 year old has his DS and ipod, and lord don't forget all necessary chargers, or they will be useless after the first day. I also bring a DVD player and movies for each child for airplane or car rides, as wll as nights in the cabin.

[OrlandoD]

The only thing I'd add to all the electronic stuff is a extention cord cause sometimes the plugs aren't convenient to recharge or play while plugged!!:D

[abitaturbodog]

We bring UNO, a couple decks of cards, sunglasses (2 pair) with neck straps, a couple boxes of juice pouches, a couple 12 packs of soda (no need for drink card), lots of money for the arcade (Grandparents supply this), extra clothes, disposable waterproof cameras, blanket and pillow if you have a long car ride to the port, books.

 

We don't bring walkie-talkies (don't work well and the kids kept losing them), any electroncs such as ipod, gameboy, etc, (just asking to get broken/stolen), formal clothes.

[Tncontrygirl]

What do your kids tend to play with at home? Books? electronics? computer? sports?

 

My son was a sport nut. So for him the one must we alwasy brought along was his own Basketball or Volleyball. (last trip at age 18 took basketball, volleyball, frisbee, cards, soccer ball, laptop and ipod.)

 

He deflated the balls at home and took a small hand pump. Everything fit in a small backpack with his laptop and carry ons.

 

I know you can take out the balls on the sport decks..but at 20 dolalrs to replace them, and having to wait for a turn..it's easier to take our own. He even left the soccer ball with a couple crew guys who seemed to always turn up when he had it on deck...

 

I know he's odd...but he was always more sportsy then sit still type kid

[Sprint]

Hello from Canada!

 

All of the above are great ideas. The only thing that I would add is with my teens (ages 16 & 15) we use the post-it note system. Since we don't see each other much during the day, both parents and child keep an up-to-date accounting of where we are or what activity we are doing by writing on a post-it note and sticking to the mirror. Don't forget to include the time that the note was written.

 

Really helpful!

[soon to cruise]

They each need a lanyard for their S&S card.

AND...dont laugh...air freshener for the cabin. Gee those little monsters can stink up the place since it's so small. Believe me I know. My family of 5 shared one cabin the Fantasy this summer. 17 ds, 13 dd and 9 ds.

[mwebb]

Waterproof disposable camera About $8 at Walmart

I have also made my teens their own computer generated address cards similar to business cards to exchange and keep in touch with new friends.

Some ships have a teen talent contest so if they are inclined to participate they may want to bring the music.

Lanyard for SS card. You can get card punches at pursars desk

If inside cabin- tiny keychain like flashlight- the squeezy kind, night light in cabin

[Catrin]

Thennnnn.......

 

When everything is said and done.... take the suitcase and EMPTY out half the clothing.

 

My Sons (10 and 13) wore their bathing suits for most of the day, then their shorts, then thier pants for dinner (and changed back into shorts after dinner).... and I was able to do a few loads of laundry!

 

In addition to many of the ideas listed, we brought water toys for the beach.... those spongy water balls and frisbees. The kids had a lot of fun with those.

 

Catrin

[kristyintx]

You can get lanyards for free on board in the casino.

 

The only other thing I would add is to NOT overpack. We have two boys and they could have easily worn the same nice pants more than once to dinner, as they tended to change back into comfy clothes afterwards.

 

Have fun!

[rocky3]

We just got back today. They had a few themed parties on Carnival liberty like sweatpants night and black and white night. They can still go without having those but may feel better about fitting in. Also they have scavenger hunts in the 12-14 group and a digital camera would be helpful if they want to participate, again our son did not have one but went with a friend that had a camera phone (to take pictures of the things they need to find). I have no idea how you could find out in advance what the theme nights would be.

[cheeseheads1]

Money! lots of it! :)

 

 

LOL Yes, Yes, Yes Money. Also electronic gadget with appropriate cards, batteries and cords.

 

Also, as I have learned from experience put the cell phone turned off in the safe. The 17 yo thought she needed it as a clock. Text can reach by Cuba and the Caymans and they are expensive......:rolleyes:

[TennisLover]

Chargers for the electronic equipment previously mentioned here. (DD brought the portable DVD player one year, but not the charger :eek:)

 

DS loves ping pong, so he brings his own paddle and balls (sometimes hard to find on the ship)

 

I forgot DD's shorts one time (all of them). Don't ask. That wasn't such a good thing. :eek: :eek: Bring their clothes.

[travelntreats]

No trying to sound negative or anything, I think the simple answer to this would be BRING WHAT THEY LIKE.... only YOU know what appeals to them, or just ask them !

[calicruise74]

The money, power strips and Ipods...all great ideas by the way and seem to be a staple for our 16yr DD.

 

My DD started bringing an address book to keep track of all her new cruise friends..email address, ph#'s, etc.

[steffaroonie]

LOL I agree with the "Pack their suitcase, and then take out half of everything." My 15 year old is going on her second cruise with me in February and her one complaint with last year was that she brought "too much stuff." All she really needed was her ipod, a couple pairs of shorts, and several tops. She and I share a makeup bag (don't need to wear much) and we share hair stuff. I also go to the beauty supply stores and get sample sizes of shampoo, conditioner, mousse, etc.

 

She collects playing cards (we are big card sharks) so she brings a deck on the trip, and then picks up decks in port.

 

My daughter says the most important thing she brought on the cruise........her HOMEWORK! She did it on the plane and while sitting in misc airports waiting for the next flight. Then didn't have a lot to catch up on.

[Loves_Dogs]

Acne medicine! On our first cruise my son was 14 years old. All the sunscreen broke his face out something AWFUL (even though I bought sunscreen for faces that supposedly wouldnt do that). Anyway, there was no acne medicine to be found anywhere, and I asked. Felt bad for him, what I wouldnt have givien for a Stri-Dex pad or some clearasil gel!

[abitaturbodog]

No trying to sound negative or anything, I think the simple answer to this would be BRING WHAT THEY LIKE.... only YOU know what appeals to them, or just ask them !

 

Good suggestion, but not very helpful if you've never brought your kids on a cruise before.

 

I believe that the OP was looking for some hints/tips from folks who have been there, done that. Would the OP have know that they could bring their own basketball/ping pong paddle with them? Probably not. I've been on 5 cruises with my kids and I'd never considered it.

 

So thanks to everyone who has posted!

[nagster]

Our last cruise DD (13 at the time) said she brought way too many clothes.