Pre-teen AND teen
 

I am having a problem finding a ship whose kid programs accomodate both a 12-year-old girl and 16 year-old-boy; most teen groups seem to start at 13 which means they can't go off together, she would have to go to different activities. How rigid are the age limits adhered to? I'm Looking at Caribbean or Bahamas on NCL, RCI, Carnival or Disney week of 3/19. My daughter won't be 13 until May, my son turns 16 in February. They would both go to the teen hangout together, if she would be allowed. On Carnival Celebration, CruiseCritic states the teen bracket on Carnival Celebration is only 12 to 15 so that eliminates my son. Anyone have any experience traveling with kids these ages?? I figure if I ask the cruise lines directly they'll tell me anything they think I want to hear, just so I will book the cruise!

I went in May on NCL. With 12 y/old. When you bring her in with your son - write down she is 13. That is it.

i am really doubt your son at 16 will go into these groups. Maybe for a day...

Enjoy Bahamas!

Carnival pulled my 12 yr old out of the teen program after the party where she met several others. She was 3 weeks shy of her 13th birthday and totally humiliated. She never interacted with any kids after that and totally hated Carnival (both the Jubilee and Sensation) Last year they went on the RCI Voyager and had a great time and didn't even bother with the programs, there were so many activities.

And how did they found out? She blubbed it out...it is not like they serving alcohol for 13 and not 12...

NCL has teenpassports for sale. You can bring a friend to 2 parties. No matter what age so he will be able to bring her. Also i wanted to buy it before the cruise and i was told NO she is too young, get it on the ship.
Obviously when on the ship she is older LOL

Also my friend's 15 y/old daughter spent 2 nights in casino playing slots next to her mom and NO she doesn't look like 21 at all. So I say go NCL and have fun! Those stuck ups on Celebrity can sail alone. Humiliating a child??? And you let them???

She did not "blub" it out. They had to wear wristbands and hers was color coded. They said they were too crowded to bend any rules. What do you mean "I let them?" What choice did I have but to follow their rules. If you know about 13 yr olds, just about anything "humiliates" them...including competing in finals of the Karaoke Idol contest which was my best ever revenge against my kids for anything they've ever done to me, LOL!
I think you should just book the Voyager class and let your kids decide if they want to do group anything.

My guess is that even if you asked cruise line the answer you get may be different than reality - I think it is will depend on individual staff "gate keeper" at time of visit to teen center.

I applaud your concern about letting your 12 year old must run loose on the ship - it has always been a little scary to me that normally careful parents who would not let their preteen loose with no rules or supervision in a group of over 2000 strangers act differently on vacation. My kids are also 4 years apart with older one being the boy - and there is no way he would have hung out with his younger sister in such a situation.

LivLafLov:
Did I miss something?
How did Celebrity humiliate?

HAL's teen program is great and HAL does everything possible to make kids feel comfortable so I would say go HAL and don't worry. My 16 year old loved their program and met boys and girls her age who all seemed to love the program also. Ususally the programs are big enough so your son won't have to "claim" his sister anyway and they can both havve fun.