We are a group of 12 cruiseing for 4 days to Mexico this summer. My son will be the only boy. Will he be able to meet kids his age on eith RCC of Carnival. He things that it might be awkward to intrude on group so kids. Any thoughts?

they always have a get together for 18 - 20 year olds on most cruises. plus he can go to the bars and meet people but not drink of course.

At 18, he can legally hang out in the casino and gamble, so you'll have to decide how you feel about that. Our son spent quite a bit of time watching others gamble, as he had never been in a casino before. He apparently brought good luck to a gambler he was watching and the guy gave him a hundred bucks. 18-year-olds can also legally drink in Mexico. Our son was thrilled to be able to buy himself a Pina Colada on the beach in Cozumel. We kept him away from Carlos and Charlie's though

Depends on persnality of your son. We cruised Boston to Bermuda 2 years ago when our son was 18. He is a shy kid - not inclined to just walk up to groups of kids his age. He was too old for teen programs, there were no advertised get togethers (NCL) for older teens/young adults, and hanging in a bar to meet people older than he while not drinking did not seem like the best of ideas for him.

So he really did not meet anyone, but still had a good time. We are used to traveling as a family, so it is the only time during the year he actually acts as if he likes us - something to do with not being around anyone he knows.

He did some reading, played some video games, slept and at a lot - and had a great time on various activities once in Bermuda.

I think a person this age would be welcome approaching a group of others that age, but I am the Mom, so what do I know. (He felt a similar awkwardness doing so)

If I was 18 years old and my Mom call me a "boy" or a "kid" in addition to feel she needs to find me entertainment, I would jump overboard the first chance I get!

Plenty of sports, pool, sun decks, plan activities, let him decide. I have taken my 16-18 y/o nieces on cruises and by mid-afternoon departing day they have figure out the week pretty well on their own.

Viajero: Are you or have you ever been a parent?

That is why I said depends on personality of son - some people are just more outgoing than others.

Regarding need to find entertainment - whenever I travel with anyone and am the one making arrangements, I have some interest in whether or not my traveling companions, regardless of age, will enjoy themselves. I call it being considerate of the needs of others.

Jack, well, I raised three boys, no girls though, so I can't offer much advice there (but, I am very close w/nieces, do that counts as experience?). My oldest backpacked solo Italy after HS/before college. He is now saving every penny to start his own business. The second is in charge of his dorm bldg in college and working very hard to maintain his baseball scholarship, a third one still at home. Not sure why you asked...?

Thank you. I asked because I didn't understand your comment about an 18 yr. old being called a "kid." Semantics I think.

We ended up cruising on Royal Caribbean just because our son was 19 and to old for the teen programs. RCCL had the climbing wall, skating rink etc.

My son is about a medium on the out-going scale. He did find some youth which was good but that had its hassles too. Stephen is really sensible and one young lady in their group was being served all the alcohol that she ordered, even though her Seapass Card clearly had the hole punched to indicate that she was not old enough for alcohol. The number of guys in their mid 20's looking to take advantage of her impaired judgment made my son feel like he had to stick with her until she went back to her cabin.

If you son jumps right in, he won't be intruding in on a group because the groups won't have formed yet - most people won't know each other. There will be exceptions but that is generally the case.

We did a lot of family type activities. My husband & son are divers and did a wreck dive together. All of my kids loved the Family Feud games and Family Disco - that took us by surprise.

My son is almost 19 and I still consider him a "boy" and a "kid". Males don't mature as quickly as females. He's more like going on 17 than 19.

On a recent Christmas cruise, our 18 year old found some others in his age group (they were 18-20) and they actually ended up with a few of the older 17 year olds hanging around the "kids club" during the evening. The older kids club activities don't get started until 9pm. The counselors didn't have any problem with them joining the group. These were the ones who chose not to head to the bars and casino for which I was glad since there were several 18-20 year olds on board who seemed to have a drink in their hands at all times (just because they could) and ended up passed out in deck chairs.

If I was taking my son on a cruise, I'd rather have him hanging with younger kids than drinking.

No matter the age many parents, to one degree or another, will regard their ofspring as "kids."