What do 16-20 years old do on Carnival? (An abys of activities offered)
Jun 22nd, 2004, 08:25 AM
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What do 16-20 years old do on Carnival? (An abys of activities offered)
Hello Folks, First post, Love the discussions here. We are going aboard Carnival Paradise in a couple or weeks. This is our second family cruise, and now that our children are 14-16, we have rented two cabins that will eventually give them a cabin of there own after check in.
Our question is this, we have studied the itineraries for programs for kids. There appears to be so much to do and our 14 year old daughter is so excited, but our 16 year old son is Depressed.
You see, the programs offered for children end at 13-15 years of age, then the offering for adults kick in at 21, but WHAT IS A 16 YEAR OLD TO DO. Our Son is really a big child at heart, and would love to play bingo or participate in the games my daughter is going to do, but he is 220 pound, 6 foot 3 and every bit a young man in his build, and it is simply not going to work with the little 13 year olds.
We would really love to hear of any reports or ideas of what he can expect. He is talking to us about wanting to gamble with some of his fun money, and frankly, even thought its against the rules, we really can find any reason to say no if the cruise line is going to cut him out of the chilren activities.
Maybe its there way of unofficially increasing the casino revenue, I don't know. I think he will go to shows with us and hang out alittle here and there, but according to the brochures and everything I can find from carnival, there is a huge gap of offerings for this age group,
Any and all comments will be greatly appreciated,
Chris
Roseville Ca.
Our question is this, we have studied the itineraries for programs for kids. There appears to be so much to do and our 14 year old daughter is so excited, but our 16 year old son is Depressed.
You see, the programs offered for children end at 13-15 years of age, then the offering for adults kick in at 21, but WHAT IS A 16 YEAR OLD TO DO. Our Son is really a big child at heart, and would love to play bingo or participate in the games my daughter is going to do, but he is 220 pound, 6 foot 3 and every bit a young man in his build, and it is simply not going to work with the little 13 year olds.
We would really love to hear of any reports or ideas of what he can expect. He is talking to us about wanting to gamble with some of his fun money, and frankly, even thought its against the rules, we really can find any reason to say no if the cruise line is going to cut him out of the chilren activities.
Maybe its there way of unofficially increasing the casino revenue, I don't know. I think he will go to shows with us and hang out alittle here and there, but according to the brochures and everything I can find from carnival, there is a huge gap of offerings for this age group,
Any and all comments will be greatly appreciated,
Chris
Roseville Ca.
Jun 22nd, 2004, 09:27 AM
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I'm not familiar with Carnival, having sailed Princess several times, once with a teen. Does Carnival offer classes at sea? Princess has some afternoon artsy kinds of classes as well as some on web development (something a computer savvy teen might like), and there's usually mini-golf, workout rooms, the pools, and afternoon movies. Even if there isn't a specific activity for 16's, isn't there a teen lounge with music, videogames etc. You may not have a lot of sea-time anyway, depending on your itinerary. Undoubtedly he will meet some other 16's - both guys and girls, and want to hang at the pool with them. Don't know about Carnival, but Princess does a good job of keeping minors out of the casino. I don't think they feel the need to unofficially increase casino revenue.
Jun 22nd, 2004, 11:51 AM
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Now remember, we're talking about Carnival here, not some normal cruise line.
Actually, a 16 year old will find other 16 year olds to hang around with. Both of our daughters at that age did just that. Found one or two others their age and wandered around looking for "hot" guys.
Peter
Actually, a 16 year old will find other 16 year olds to hang around with. Both of our daughters at that age did just that. Found one or two others their age and wandered around looking for "hot" guys.
Peter
Jun 23rd, 2004, 04:26 AM
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Its time to balance out Peter again. 
Carnival is fine. You'll enjoy it. We have. Old Pete has never taken them before nor is he likely to ever take them. We have and it was pretty cool. Gambling is out. He is too young. Actually for days in port you are fine because you will be out I assume. A friend is a good idea if that can be arranged this late in the deal, esp. for airfare. I have a hunch things will work out pretty well. Bon voyage!
Carnival is fine. You'll enjoy it. We have. Old Pete has never taken them before nor is he likely to ever take them. We have and it was pretty cool. Gambling is out. He is too young. Actually for days in port you are fine because you will be out I assume. A friend is a good idea if that can be arranged this late in the deal, esp. for airfare. I have a hunch things will work out pretty well. Bon voyage!
Jun 23rd, 2004, 12:35 PM
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Most Carnival ships offer a dance area with a DJ playing music just for this age group. They also (especially the larger ships) have a room filled with video games and activities. Most ships also have basketball courts where teens gather and don't forget the pool which is popular with teens.
When you get on any ship (any line) ask the cruise director or his/her assistant to give you advice on how to get your teen involved in these activities. Many times people don't realize that the cruise director is there for this type of assistance and think that they are only there to make apperances on stage each night. Actually, helping guests like you with issues like this is the very heart of their job.
Hope this helps and have a good cruise.
When you get on any ship (any line) ask the cruise director or his/her assistant to give you advice on how to get your teen involved in these activities. Many times people don't realize that the cruise director is there for this type of assistance and think that they are only there to make apperances on stage each night. Actually, helping guests like you with issues like this is the very heart of their job.
Hope this helps and have a good cruise.
Jun 23rd, 2004, 06:28 PM
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Ok, I have read about Princess cruises and how they specifically address in writting how they have programs for this age group 16-20.
But I am talking specifically about Carnival here. And reading from the discussion answers, I am practically out of luck. Thanks for the suggestions about hawking for girls, finding other lonely teens who don't have a programed event. Bringing a friend of course is wonderful, but it isn't happening with us this round. My idea of satisfaction is not sending him to the arcade with a pocket full of quarters, he gets enough computer games at home.
I am basically disapointed in the basic lack of activities offered for young adults not old enough to drink and gamble but too old to be a kid. These responses seem to support my observations that Carnival isn't really to concerned about providing programs for these ages, cause they probable don't participate in them anyway as a group. Perhaps there will be a disco offering a place to meet others.
But I am talking specifically about Carnival here. And reading from the discussion answers, I am practically out of luck. Thanks for the suggestions about hawking for girls, finding other lonely teens who don't have a programed event. Bringing a friend of course is wonderful, but it isn't happening with us this round. My idea of satisfaction is not sending him to the arcade with a pocket full of quarters, he gets enough computer games at home.
I am basically disapointed in the basic lack of activities offered for young adults not old enough to drink and gamble but too old to be a kid. These responses seem to support my observations that Carnival isn't really to concerned about providing programs for these ages, cause they probable don't participate in them anyway as a group. Perhaps there will be a disco offering a place to meet others.
Jun 24th, 2004, 09:48 AM
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Kenton: Hate to say it but the under-21 year olds I've observed seem to spend much of their time trying to convince the bartenders that they are old enough to drink! For some of them, it appears to be a full-time job at which they are frequently quite successful. Bon voyage!
