We're going on the Sapphire Princess to New Zealand in January which will be our first cruise. Our kids are 16 and 14. What happens with the formal nights? Are teens included? If so what is the dress code for them?

No experience on that particular cruise, but on cruises we have been on formal night attire for kids and teens was not that much different than adults - under age 10 or so, I collared shirt and tie for boys and dress for girls would get by, but older than that at least a jcaket, tie, dress pants for boys. Don't remember what our 14 year old dtr wore, but getting her to dress up is never an issue.

Also, if your teens are boys and anything like mine, going on a cruise involved purchasing clothing other than t-shirts and jeans for even regular dinner nights.

Traditional formal attire means a tux or a dark suit with tie. However acceptable formal attire is different. I've seen people w/o a jacket seated on formal night. My suggestion is to take advantage of formal night, dress up and get some family pics. BTW we sailed the Sapphire last yr. and its a beautiful ship. Do try to attend the "meet the captain" opportunity. If he is still the same fellow we had you will be delighted with his stories. Have fun. Larry

Thanks for the tips! Our 14 yr daughter needs a lot of convincing to wear a dress and our 16 yr old son is very much a t-shirt and jeans sort of guy, so will endeavour now to get them organised!

ozcruiser - you will enjoy seeing your kids dressed up for once - we loved it. We bought our son a nice navy blazer and some decent pants. Also some collared polo/golf type shirts for other dinners.

Sorry your dtr does not like to wear a dress - my dtr has a closet full of them that she bought for some occasion or another, wore once, and then moved on to the next dress for the next occasion - so you really are better off.

Shoes for both may be an issue - our son has only owned one pair of real shoes i his life and that was to go to a wedding many years ago - the rest of the time it is just sandals or sneakers. He borrowed my husbands shoes for the cruise - refused to even buy real shoes.