Packing for Teens, Anything Special?

[hightownCO]

DD was 14 on last two cruises and will be 15 on our cruise over new years. Between cruises and trips to WDW, I have her musts/needs down pat:

 

o Don't overpack clothes but she will not wear the same thing twice. She says the kids will notice and do talk about others wearing same clothes. We compromise in that she'll have a different top every night/day but wear the same shorts/slacks twice.

 

o She has to have ITouch, portable DVD, movie discs, chargers. We don't have speakers for her I touch but will look for some sort of cable connection so we can plug into the cabin TV.

 

o Acne meds, make up is a must now.

[abitaturbodog]

 

o Don't overpack clothes but she will not wear the same thing twice. She says the kids will notice and do talk about others wearing same clothes. We compromise in that she'll have a different top every night/day but wear the same shorts/slacks twice.

 

Too funny! My boys are just the opposite. They will wear the same shorts and t-shirt everyday if I don't stop them. Girls are just so much cleaner:)

[Buffettfan 225]

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

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I would suggest getting hole punched in S&S card (casino cage does this) and a lanyard type that can accept it on a key ring. I have seen many S&S cards in wind get flipped out of plastic window type lanyards.

-Also suggest a magnetic bin type holder for back of cabin door (I think it is really a school locker pencil holder?) anyhow that is where cabin keys can be kept.

-While we haven't taken one, many people suggest the hanging type shoe organizer.

-My DS always has brought a basketball- labelled with our cabin number on it. We always said we'd leave it on ship...however same ball is going on its 4th cruise ~ kinda like Wilson from Castaway!

-small snacks like peanuts,granola bars,m&m's- these area allowed off ship since they are sealed.

-many Carnival tv's have RCA type input jacks on front- we brought the little self contained video game - it is a cube that has a joystick. Easy to pack and many games included. Just remember more batteries.

-items not readily available on ship- tums,immodium, hair conditioner

-outlet strip

-small flashlight

-travel alarm as no readable clock in dark

-for a girl- a small purse that can go across body over the shoulder- hold sunglasses, camera etc. that way it is not set down- always on her. I really like my Vera Bradley "Amy" style purse for this purpose.

-I loaded audiobooks from CDs from library onto ipods. Great for by pool or travel when want to close eyes. Many libraries have a great young readers audio section.

-preprinted labels of friends & Family addresses in case want to send postcards.

[Grits53]

If you said whether your teens were boys or girls, I missed it. If you have teenage girls, be sure to pack their "feminine hygiene products". :o Better to have them packed and not need them than to have an emergency situation, you know? The ship's store has a very limited selection of such items.

 

I also pack any medicines that I MIGHT need....for stomach trouble, headache, cold, fever, first aid, cough drops. You don't need to pack a large amount of each product, just enough to address the problem IF one should arise. I keep a small "medicine kit" in my suitcase at all times, just in case. I don't travel with kids, but the same thing applies to all ages. I'd rather have some meds that will allow me to enjoy my trip than to be miserable with a cold or something and have the trip ruined. Anything can happen! I use the Girl Scout motto.... Be prepared.

Have fun!

[misguidedangel]

Ask them to make of list of what they would like to bring and then pare it down from there. They will be so busy with activities that if they bring a portable game system and MP3 player that should be enough. Camp Carnival keeps them busy and the teens will likely hook up with others and you'll see them at key points of the day only.

 

Also, if you are flying, do pack anything electronic and valuable in your carry on. It is well known that when items go missing from luggage that the baggage handlers are to blame for the missing item. Each bag is Xrayed, so they can see if you left anything in there and have it out so fast it isn't funny....This also applies to ANY port, pack all electronics and valuables with you in your carry on. There was a post here or a site I go to that a parent reported a list game system and the cruiseline couldn't do anything about it because when the luggage is loaded ont he ship there isn't much time for them to snoop for valuables, hence, the chances were 100% that the porters say the kid put in one of the suitcases zippered spaces and helped himself to it for him/her or their child (as if they don't make enough already--the ports likely make more than I do!)