Cruising with Teens

Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Cruising with Teens
6
Tue, 01-24-2006 - 2:12pm

Hello,

We're booked on a 7-night cruise to the caribbean in early March and only my 16dd is coming along with us. We'll be traveling with another family which includes 2 17 y/o boys and one 15 y/o girl. All the kids are acquianted though they never really hang out. My dd is sharing a room with the 15dd of our friend right across the hall from us. I'm sure that as far as getting along goes, it should be fine. A lot of the time we'll all be together and then in the evenings the adults might do to the clubs while the teens go to thier disco or club.

My question is has anyone here ever traveled on a cruise with teens? Did you ever have any concerns about safety? And what are some tips you can offer for preparing dd for this cruise (after all she WILL be responsible for herself some of the time; we're buying those walky talky's also)?

And what about clothes? I am a horrible packer, as in I always pack waaaaaay too much and wind up wearing only half of it, but I want to be prepared for anything, so I over pack. We're supposed to have two formal nights, whatever that means and we're advised that women must wear cocktail dresses and men should wear jacket & tie or suit. That sounds like a lot of extra packing to me! Do you mostly wear shorts and/or sarongs on the boat? Oh, and I heard that jeans are not allowed on cruises? Does that include capris?

The cruise line is Royal Caribbean and our ports are San Juan, St, Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau, Bahamas - any one ever been? If so, can you offer any ideas on what sights to see and which to skip?

Thanks in advance everyone. I've traveled a lot, but never cruised before, and I have so many questions.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-24-2006 - 2:44pm

We've been on several cruises, so I'll try to answer all your questions as best I can. What happened to 18 DD? Did her BF throw a fit about her going and she decided not to? I remember you posted about this a couple of months ago.

Our teens and the other families teens also shared cabins and everything was fine. The cabin housekeepers really seem to watch for them. I.E., one other mom and I were trying to find our DS' one day around lunchtime and came to their cabin and she was outside and said, oh, they're still asleep. And she left them extra chocolate at night on their pillows, which was really appreciated. ;-)

However, saying that, and I don't want to scare you, but recently I saw a program about one of the men that went missing and it included a woman who had been raped by a ship personnel. So, that could and does happen. Just tell the girls to always be together, especially when walking to/from the cabin. I honestly feel totally safe on a cruise ship, maybe I'm being Pollyanna, but I've never personally heard of any problems, and neither has anyone I've ever cruised with.

Don't be surprised, however, if the girls say the teen club is lame and stupid. My kids, and every other teen we've cruised with, has never liked them. They are usually filled with the 13-15 group. Don't worry, though, they'll find plenty of other things to do. Activities are posted in several places, and there's a "newsletter" every night. The girls will probably participate in certain teen activities, but may not "hang out" at the teen club.

If you're planning on hanging out by the pool a lot, especially on "at sea" days, have a family member get out there early and save lounge chairs. This is the single most annoying problem on cruises, as far as I'm concerned. Also, you can't save them all day, usually there is a time limit of being "away" from your chair, and some passengers can get really nasty and in your face if you're holding chairs for hours on end. Again, I'm not trying to scare you, just a fair warning that lounge chairs are very limited on cruise ships.

Also, if you're going to the pool a lot, you will be in your bathing suit a lot, so pack lightly with the other clothes. Normally, we wear our bathing suits most of the day, and change into dinner gear or into shorts/tops for a short time. Pack really lightly!!! Pack, then take half of it out of your suitcase. Trust me, you won't need a different outfit for every day of the week. No way! I've never heard of the no-jeans rule, and especially not on Royal Caribbean. I LIVE in capris of all kind, by all means, bring them. Of course, there are certain areas of the ship you can't wear your bathing suit--casino coming to mind, and the dining areas you need to have a coverup.

Formal nights are just that -- and I've seen everything from evening gowns and tuxes, to nice dresses and a sports jacket for the men. Just bring one outfit for both evenings. Sometimes, now that we've done the cruises a lot, we don't participate in formal night--we take that opportunity to order room service and eat it on the balcony, or eat in one of the casual dining areas.

As far as the ports go, I've been to St. Thomas and St. Maarten, but to be honest, it was a long time ago, and I don't remember much. I remember on one of the islands we went to a lovely private beach, just hired a taxi and asked them to take us to a locals beach. Another of those islands, we went to a beach very near the port and the shopping area and rented jet skis, etc.

Warning: when you disembark on these islands, or get to a location, you are bombarded with "bargainers" trying to get you to (a) buy their wares, or (b) rent their jet skis--we're the best. These people are usually very friendly, but are very loud, and it's best to just smile and shake your head "no" and keep walking. Don't fall for the "we have better prices than town" because, honestly, you can bargain in any of the stores and get a good price. I always feel sorry for the "beach" people, though, and especially a young mother dragging several children behind her trying to sell sarongs or whatever, and usually buy something. I know this is a marketing tool for them, but still, it gets me. We have so much and they have so little.

If I can answer any other questions, go ahead and email me. I'll be happy to help if I can.

Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Tue, 01-24-2006 - 4:16pm

You probably already know this, but don't forget too that if you take pictures of any of the fascinating locals by the port (who dress precisely so that you would want a picture) you will be expected to pay them a fee for taking their picture. Just another way to scam the rich American tourist. Have fun, I envy you! We're lucky if we take a vacation every other year....

Avatar for deenow17
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2004
Tue, 01-24-2006 - 10:04pm

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. I have been on several cruises and enjoyed them all. However, I have never been brave enough to take the kids but then I'm a wimp. I've then then to resorts where they can't fall into the water. I have a friend who is taking his teens on their 3rd cruise. He says it is an amazing trip for the kids.

St, Maarten is my favourite island. I'm more comfortable on the Dutch side rather than he French. I would suggest not going to the beaches on the French side unless you are comfortable with the clothing optional approach. We found the prices for jewellery better in S. Maarten's than St. Thomas but there wasn't the same variety. Make sure you bargain in the shops if you want to buy. We have stayed on islands where the ships stop and the prices always go up when a cruise ship docks. Also, ask your cruise director for advice on shopping & site seeing. We tend to go on the trips sold on the ship. They are more expensive but you get what you expect.

I'm so jealous, we were to take the family to Mexico in Dec but I had a ruptured appendix 5 days before we were to leave. I'm so missing my holiday. Dee

Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-25-2006 - 9:00am

Thanks for the tips (I cannot believe you get charged for taking pictures!) everyone. I am printing them out and still *hope* to get more. Our travel agent isn't very conversational and I almost feel like I'm bugging her when I call. And all I've called for is our reservation numbers! Jeesh.

I am so excited, but H isn't. He says cruising is not his thing. He'd rather go find a remote island and park on the beach, which I can totally relate to, but the idea of being able to see everything and not have to worry about cleaning up or doing chores for a whole week sounds so inviting to me. Perhaps if he had to do more household chores he'd be excited as well! ;o)

My 16dd is excited about it, but I know that she's also a little unsure about rooming with the other girl. My dd tends to worry about what others think of her too much. Hopefully she will get over it and relax. We talked a little bit when you're on vacation you get to reinvent yourself and just have FUN!

I read that the average temp is around 80F so now I'm thinking that knowing what to pack will be somewhat easier - its the overpacking that kills me.

Anyway, thanks again!

Avatar for mily12
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Wed, 01-25-2006 - 5:06pm
When I first read the heading I thought you were going to get into your teen's car and "cruise." LOL

I've never been on a cruise, but my Mom as been on numerous ones, including the Royal Caribbean. My understanding is that for the formal nights you do have to wear formal wear, such as what you'd wear to an evening wedding.

My family and I just returned from San Juan. It's beautiful. I suspect that you won't have too much time to tour the island, but definately walk through Old San Juan, especially the area around the Governor's Palace. You can get a walking tour map from the Tourist Office right off the pier. Also, if you have time, visit El Yunque, the rainforest. There aren't many in the world and so I think it's worth seeing. Bring rain ponchos with you since it's called the "rain forest" for a reason. LOL The food is delicious. I especially like anything made out of plantains, such as tostones and mofongo. YUM! We had a fabulous lunch in Old San Juan at a casual, in expensive restaurant that we just randomly found. I'm not sure we even noticed the name, but I'll try to get it's location for you. If you get to the Condado area (minutes from Old San Juan) there is a good restaurant call El Dorado that we enjoyed so much that we dined there twice (we were only in PR for 3 full days).

I've been to St. Thomas, but it's been years and so I can't tell you much about it. I'm sure that someone else on this board will have more information.

Have a terrific time on your cruise. I've been told that there are activities to please everyone of all ages.

Mily
Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 01-26-2006 - 9:24am

"I thought you were going to get into your teen's car and "cruise." LOL, Mily!

Thanks for the thoughts on PR - I am torn between the Rain forest and walking Old San Juan....we only will have enough time for one of these. Which would you choose? Since my 16dd will be with us. She's not much for hiking so I'm thinking the Old San Juan might be a better choice.

Thanks!