Bored Teens

[curly275]

This is our first and we are bringing to teens 15 and 17 both male. Need activity ideas to reassure them they are not going to be bored.

[Memphis_Wife]

Hi! We are taking our teen boys on their first cruise (with us) in June. From these boards I have learned that you should get your boys to go to Camp Carnival on the first night - whether they want to or not. Mine are saying NO way but I am insisting. That way, they will get to see and hopefully meet, other kids their age on the ship.

[kiraryker]

I thought Camp Carnival was just for the very young kids - like 10 & under?

[TheVegasMan]

15 and 17 year old girls.

 

From the FAQ pages.

 

"Is there a program for my children?

 

Camp Carnival, Circle "C," and Club O2 are year-round, fleet-wide programs that provides daily fun-filled and age appropriate activities for children and teenagers between the ages of 2 and 11 years old. In addition, there is supervised "free play" and babysitting service in Camp Carnival. Scheduled activities are planned for the following age groups:

 

2 - 5 years old

6 - 8 years old

9 - 11 years old

Circle "C" 12 - 14 years old

Club O2 15 - 17 years old "

 

 

"From the moment they step onboard, Club O2 teens are part of a cruise experience unlike anything else. Every activity and event -- from outdoor activities like: basketball, volleyball, ping pong, pool parties and high-energy dance parties -- has been specially created with 15-17 year-olds in mind.

 

Club O2 Daytime activities are designed to be a little more relaxed. Teens can hangout with their friends while watching a movie, listening to the latest music, playing video games or joining karaoke jam sessions. We’ve even set up teen-only shore excursions so your young adults can enjoy the sites and sounds of our beautiful ports with their peers.

 

All activities are coordinated by a Club O2 Director dedicated to keeping the activities fun for our 15-17 year old guests."

[pe4all]

It is a must that they go to Club 02 orientation the first night. This is for your sanity, also. Nothing worse than bored teens. Since they are 15/17, they will be "together" in the same age group, which should help get them to go to the orientation meeting. I can almost guarentee they will meet someone/a group to hang out with for the rest of the cruise. They may not use the club after that, which is what usually happens with my teens. They make times/places to hang/meet with their new friends. My teens have never been "bored" on a Carnival cruise.

[Memphis_Wife]

I thought Camp Carnival was just for the very young kids - like 10 & under?

 

Camp Carnival is for all age kids and they keep them seperated by age.

[cathalane]

I thought Camp Carnival was just for the very young kids - like 10 & under?

 

Nope, they have a group for younger teens (12-14) and also older teens (15-17). Both of the OP's boys will be in the same group. They have a special club on most ships (maybe all ships at this point) dedicated to teens. The teens will have their own set of events - there's plenty to do....

[yogi2929]

Club O2 can be fun or a dud, it just depends on the makeup of the kids on the cruise. They need to go to the meet and greet.

 

There were parties, socials, Karaoke, Texas Hold-em, Scavenger Hunt, Guitar Hero and dances. NintendoWii, XBox and Playstation2 are available also. There was also a shore excursion (Horseback Riding) planned. They also served some sort of food.

 

The first night DD was given a mesh carrybag. Have your sons get those for you. They make great bags for the wet stuff.

 

If you get your boys the lanyard at the casino do that before they get their ClubO2 sticker. The casino would not give me a lanyard for DD because they knew that she was under 18. I gave her mine and I got a new one.

[Safetyal]

As a semi rhetorical question, when are teenagers not bored? :D:D

[afcj1]

Just don't get too concerned if they're not interested in going to Club O2. My 17 yo didn't go, on our Oct cruise, and met a lot of teens who he hung out with.

 

Otherwise, there's an arcade and "club" setting for their age range. Tell them that they'll have a GREAT time whether they meet new "friends" or not.

[beach410]

My eldest refused to go to the club. I just let him be bored, he didnt complain. I did feel bad, because his brothers had their friends there too and he didnt. But he ended up saying he enjoyed it. Our last cruise our 15 year old and his friends really enjoyed club 02 at night, I dont even think they did the orientation. They did mini golf and basketball during the day. they had a great time and never once complained about being bored!

[june2006]

back in 2006 thought he was going to die as he couldn't get into the disco for the 18 and up ... however he had the best time on his crusie ... you meet up with that age group were they end up hanging out, having pizza, video games, the shows, basketball, ping pong ... you will be amazed at what there is for them to do .... ENJOY

[kiraryker]

I didn't realize Camp Carnival & Club 02 were the same - so when they have "Camp Carnival" orientation my 15yo should attend that as well as my 8yo?? They won't be having a seperate one? Just want to make sure I send them to the correct one or ones

[pe4all]

No, they are not the same. Club 02 is for ages 14-17. If you go to the Camp Carnival orientation, you will be there with the parent of the younger kids. Club 02 has it's own orientation. As you board, there will is usually a counselor right there as you get your s and s card back handing out booklets with the info - especially if they see you have teens.

[HeidiHo]

I didn't realize Camp Carnival & Club 02 were the same - so when they have "Camp Carnival" orientation my 15yo should attend that as well as my 8yo?? They won't be having a seperate one? Just want to make sure I send them to the correct one or ones

 

Just check you Capers after you 1st get to your cabin. It will tell you when and where. The different age groups will probably have separate meetings.

[Rochmom]

As of last summer, there were separate meetings for all age groups - one for the 11 and under set (Camp Carnival), one for the Circle C (12-14), and one for the Club 02 (15-17).

 

Some ships already have separate "rooms" for all three groups. Some have facilities for Camp Carnival and Club 02, but the Circle C kids have to move around (with their counselors), mostly using the upstairs of the Lido buffet seating area for card games and stuff, and then had a few hours a day in the Camp Carnival room when the "little kids" weren't around.

 

My girls spent about 2/3 of their time with us, doing shore excursions and family activities, and about 1/3 with the groups. I have to agree that going to the orientation is a good idea, because the kids get a chance to scope each other out and adjust.

[G'ma]

Hi! We are taking our teen boys on their first cruise (with us) in June. From these boards I have learned that you should get your boys to go to Camp Carnival on the first night - whether they want to or not. Mine are saying NO way but I am insisting. That way, they will get to see and hopefully meet, other kids their age on the ship.

 

At 15 and 17, it's not Camp Carnival....it's Club 02. The have a get-together the first night but it's usually sometime during the next day that these teeners sort of wander in to the Club out of curiosity.

 

My grandson always has a good time with those he meets in the older teen club and enjoys hanging out with them. He makes friends easily and is outgoing. He and his new buds always have a good time. They love the arcade and late night pizza on Lido deck, sitting around yakking....and trying to impress each other (especially members of the opposite sex--HA).

[G'ma]

I didn't realize Camp Carnival & Club 02 were the same - so when they have "Camp Carnival" orientation my 15yo should attend that as well as my 8yo?? They won't be having a seperate one? Just want to make sure I send them to the correct one or ones

 

They aren't "one and the same"-but 3 different venues. There are separate orientations for each. Here, from the website, more info:

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Camp_Carnival_Program.aspx

.

[matj2000]

I sure they will find a group of others to hang out with. Most likely someone in the group will be able to get alcohol for everyone. My nephew and his friend both 15 were plastered the whole Glory cruise.

[Memphis_Wife]

They aren't "one and the same"-but 3 different venues. There are separate orientations for each. Here' date=' from the website, more info:

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Camp_Carnival_Program.aspx

.[/quote']

 

Thanks! G'ma - I did not know they were not the same. I am sure my 15 year old would have figured it out REAL fast - he does not want to hang out with his little bro. I hope they have something for the teenager the first nite as we are on the Victory - Port everyday.

[Memphis_Wife]

I sure they will find a group of others to hang out with. Most likely someone in the group will be able to get alcohol for everyone. My nephew and his friend both 15 were plastered the whole Glory cruise.

 

I hope you are trying to be funny or to stir the pot. I really REALLY do not ever want my son to be plastered at 15....or 16.....or 17!

[wolveptg1]

A bored teen is a spoiled teen. Most ship have teen clubs, all the fun but no alcohol.

[LemurCat]

Tell 'em to go read a book. And get off my lawn. :)

[L2J]

This is our first and we are bringing to teens 15 and 17 both male. Need activity ideas to reassure them they are not going to be bored.

 

15/17 y/o boys will do what boys that age do...chase the 15/17 y/o girls.

[G'ma]

Thanks! G'ma - I did not know they were not the same. I am sure my 15 year old would have figured it out REAL fast - he does not want to hang out with his little bro. I hope they have something for the teenager the first nite as we are on the Victory - Port everyday.

 

I know what you mean. No teener wants to hang out with the "babies"...HA!!

 

The first night will be a "gathering" in the Club o2 for those 15-17...it's usually not real full because most kids that age are shy...but, eventually, they will connect and meet friends their own age. They'll find things to do that they like.

 

My grandson (who is now 17) usually has 2/3 or more buddies to hang out with before the end of the 2nd day. I never see him, frankly. He's a good kid and has been cruising with me once a year since he was 8 years old...so I don't have to worry that he's into something I wouldn't like...:p

 

For the last 3 cruises, since he was 14, he's had no curfew but usually returned to the cabin sometime after midnight. The last 2 years, it was later and earlier this month we were on Liberty...he was coming in at 3/4 in the morning.

 

As for the alchohol problem.....no bartender will serve them..none. If they find someone of age to buy it for them, that person can and will be removed from the ship at the next port...Carnival is very strict about that and it is clearly laid out in their policy. It's never been an issue in all the years grandson has traveled with me.

 

Be aware, however, that most of the ports you will visit have no age limits for alcohol. If the kid has a coupla dollars, he can buy just about anything at any bar ashore.... Don't know if that would be an issue with yours or not.

 

Go, turn 'em loose and let them enjoy the experience. They will have a great time..and, if they're bored at anytime, threaten them with a good book!!!!! :D That'll get them up and moving for sure. My grandson has never been bored for there is always something to do........