Keeping track of kids

How are you planning/hoping to enforce that?

Our kids are very disciplined...I'm actually quite surprised!

Having specific areas where your kiddos are allowed to "roam" is very important!

When this is not enforced you see groups playing in the elevators pushing all the buttons or running down hallways knocking on doors and pulling decorations off doors. This does not happen when children know where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing .

Having specific areas where your kiddos are allowed to "roam" is very important!

When this is not enforced you see groups playing in the elevators pushing all the buttons or running down hallways knocking on doors and pulling decorations off doors. This does not happen when children know where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing .

I know... I see some kids running around in total anarchy and often wonder what sort of rules they have at home...if any. Mine are VERY disciplined. Naturally, we have to discuss behavioural limits. The elevator is a great point. I think we'll have to write out a list of "do not's" to go over with them... Elevator rules, cabin area off limits, respect for others, etc. I know that when we lay down a rule, our kids are REALLY good at not crossing the line.

Going to have to make that list soon.

We also have the rule about not using the pool unless an adult is on Lido. They have always adhered to this rule and I spend a lot of time on Lido! Mine are also pretty good kids and we haven't had a problem with them being where we agreed they could go at a certain time. They actually like to spend time together as well so we do a lot of activities together too.

The only time we had an issue was on our 2nd cruise the boys would only order an appetizer at dinner saying they weren't really hungry. What, growing boys not wanting dinner? Turns out they were getting a Guys burger and fries around 5 when they started to get hungry :eek: Yeah, we discussed what constitutes a snack and what does not after that.

 

The only time we had an issue was on our 2nd cruise the boys would only order an appetizer at dinner saying they weren't really hungry. What, growing boys not wanting dinner? Turns out they were getting a Guys burger and fries around 5 when they started to get hungry :eek: Yeah, we discussed what constitutes a snack and what does not after that.

If that's the worst thing your kids did then I think you raised some pretty great kids! 😀

If that's the worst thing your kids did then I think you raised some pretty great kids! [emoji3]

I agree. I'd be happy they were only ordering what they thought they could eat, rather than wasting food.

People kept up with each other before cell phones. Notes, Meeting times, etc

What about using one of the pet type beepers. We have some that work up to 200yds away.

I was ok for awhile until you said they were 11 years old. Ships are filled cities of people from all over and like any city, would you let you kids roam around it? Best way to keep track of them is to let them go on the slides etc, while you are nearby watching.:D

I agree. I wouldn't let my kids wander the mall and there are a lot more people on ships.

We used the in house phone system and voicemail. Whenever DS would go to a different location he would go to the nearest house phone and call in or left a voicemail if we were not in the room. We were also very specific on the rules. I think one problem is that as parents we keep things at a high level and just assume they know everything else that should not be done. I googled something like "rules for cruising tweens" and found some great lists that included things I had never thought of. I don't presume my son will never make a bad choice, but I know him well enough to know he is pretty responsible. He also knows exactly what will happen if he does make an error in judgement and that I am known to show up for a spot check at any time.

We also have the rule about not using the pool unless an adult is on Lido. They have always adhered to this rule and I spend a lot of time on Lido! Mine are also pretty good kids and we haven't had a problem with them being where we agreed they could go at a certain time. They actually like to spend time together as well so we do a lot of activities together too.

 

The only time we had an issue was on our 2nd cruise the boys would only order an appetizer at dinner saying they weren't really hungry. What, growing boys not wanting dinner? Turns out they were getting a Guys burger and fries around 5 when they started to get hungry :eek: Yeah, we discussed what constitutes a snack and what does not after that.

My husband is the worst about this!!!

OP, are your children not going to check out the carnival thingy for tweens? (Turkey coma is maKing the name of the program impossible to recall!)

I was ok for awhile until you said they were 11 years old. Ships are filled cities of people from all over and like any city, would you let you kids roam around it? Best way to keep track of them is to let them go on the slides etc, while you are nearby watching.:D

Ships are not cities, 5,000 people barely rates a small town. And people who live in the city do let their kids get on public buses use subways and walk to stores and schools. Folks who don't live in cities seem to think cities are some hive of scum and villainy that their children need to be protected from. Of course there are things to be wary of anywhere, especially at certain times, but kids learn by doing and I really can't think of a much more controlled environment to let kids that age take some small steps towards larger responsibilities that are just a couple years away.

And again, ships are not cities, the arbitrary, incorrect comparison is repeated so often that folks just accept it as fact and it gets in my nerves.

I agree. I wouldn't let my kids wander the mall and there are a lot more people on ships.

Good lord, I'm sure there are more people in my local mall today than on any Carnival ship. Ship security is way better, every pax and crew presented ID to get on board and your kid can only go or be taken so far. So it's not like a mall either.

I'm sorry, I know it's wrong to tell others how to parent, but when I see people repeat incorrect facts and encouraging others to make parenting decisions based on those facts...

And I don't get it. How are kids supposed to be ready to drive at 16 or 17, go to college or get a job at 18 if they can't experience and learn responsibility a couple of years before that.

I know I always get in trouble or get deleted on these kinds of threads because helicopter parenting isn't my thing. I think the OP is reasonable and has a good plan despite the typical over-reacting "the ship is a city" comments.

Camp Carnival.

No roaming, no worries.

Good lord, I'm sure there are more people in my local mall today than on any Carnival ship. Ship security is way better, every pax and crew presented ID to get on board and your kid can only go or be taken so far. So it's not like a mall either.

 

I'm sorry, I know it's wrong to tell others how to parent, but when I see people repeat incorrect facts and encouraging others to make parenting decisions based on those facts...

 

And I don't get it. How are kids supposed to be ready to drive at 16 or 17, go to college or get a job at 18 if they can't experience and learn responsibility a couple of years before that.

I've seen kids wander the ship after midnight (12 and 13) and once saw a crew member with a very young girl smooching in a corner outside the casino. You're entitled to your opinion and so am I, but when you arbitrarily state that you are correct and others are wrong is condescending.

I've seen kids wander the ship after midnight (12 and 13) and once saw a crew member with a very young girl smooching in a corner outside the casino. You're entitled to your opinion and so am I, but when you arbitrarily state that you are correct and others are wrong is condescending.

I am pretty sure there is a no "smooching with pax" rule for crew, did you turn this crew member in???

My son was 13 on our last cruise, there were nights he was out past midnight. He was never alone, buddy system, and most times they were getting pizza or cokes. I know my boys, and I am not stupid to believe he will never do no wrong...I drive a school bus, need I say more...but there are rules, he follows them or he doesn't cruise. Simple. Kids have to learn responsibility, learn from mistakes, and learn to fight their own battles. Independence is a good thing. JMHO

Just for the record... NONE of my kids will be wandering the ship beyond midnight. We will likely have an 11pm curfew (or similar) and there will likely be NO wandering alone once dinner hits anyway since we will be at all dinners and shows together. I'm of the opinion that we bubble wrap our kids WAY too much and it's part of the reason why our children are unprepared for life after school these days, why so many of them still live at home at 30 years of age. At some point, you have to have faith in the values you've instilled into them and allow them to make some mistakes and learn from them.

I believe a ship to be safer than most resorts and even than most urban centres. The rules we set (no elevator, no playing in cabin areas, respect for others, etc) aren't for their sake but rather, for the sake of other people and their sanity. Sure, I can think of many bad things that can happen but they're no different than the things that can happen here at home and to fill my head with these things is like deciding not to fly because the plane could crash.

This is only my opinion and it may be wrong... trust me, I've been wrong before.;)

I've seen kids wander the ship after midnight (12 and 13) and once saw a crew member with a very young girl smooching in a corner outside the casino. You're entitled to your opinion and so am I, but when you arbitrarily state that you are correct and others are wrong is condescending.

I'm pretty sure that "ships are cities" and "There are more people on a ship than In a mall" are incorrect statements of fact. I'm sorry if my contradicting that sounds condescending but it is what it is.

Further, 12 and 13 year olds out with friends in a controlled environment... Seems like your opinion that it's wrong is what makes it so- so If you're looking for examples of condescension - start there but there are also thousands of other examples of well meaning protective parents telling others that they are bad or irresponsible for granting their children the opportunity to grow in what is all and all a pretty safe environment.

Of course I would agree that an underage girl with a crewman is wrong, something my teen daughter already knows. I also think minors having sex with teachers and priests is wrong but my kids went on overnight functions with schools and churches because we believe that the opportunity to learn and grow in such situations outweighs the risk. We've also sent our kids to Camp Carnival knowing that there's a possibility that there are bad people there too.

Just for the record... NONE of my kids will be wandering the ship beyond midnight. We will likely have an 11pm curfew (or similar) and there will likely be NO wandering alone once dinner hits anyway since we will be at all dinners and shows together. I'm of the opinion that we bubble wrap our kids WAY too much and it's part of the reason why our children are unprepared for life after school these days, why so many of them still live at home at 30 years of age. At some point, you have to have faith in the values you've instilled into them and allow them to make some mistakes and learn from them.

 

I believe a ship to be safer than most resorts and even than most urban centres. The rules we set (no elevator, no playing in cabin areas, respect for others, etc) aren't for their sake but rather, for the sake of other people and their sanity. Sure, I can think of many bad things that can happen but they're no different than the things that can happen here at home and to fill my head with these things is like deciding not to fly because the plane could crash.

 

This is only my opinion and it may be wrong... trust me, I've been wrong before.;)

I completely agree with you. I also think that everyone's kids are different. Some kids are very mature at 11 and could handle this responsibility, others would go crazy and couldn't handle it. I think you know your kids the best, and as long as you lay out the rules and the consequences if those rules are not followed you'll be fine. Kids want independence, and I think for the most part they want to earn your trust. I'm sure they won't want to have their freedoms taken away on day one! But yea, set limits. Like if you are together stay on the lido deck or higher, no going into cabins, no crew areas, no taking drinks from strangers. Etc...

Is smartwatch the most convenient way? For example Apple Watch? I don't know much about this. I usually use Google Maps for tracking, but if you need to further monitor your child's other details as I do, I recommend using the Parental Controls app. Some apps can help you track child's phone without them knowing.

On our last cruise our daughter was 11, we rarely let her our of our sight even though we used walkie talkies and the Carnival hub app to communicate. This did meant we had to spend time with her going down the water slides, splashing in the pool, making teddy bears, playing games, and such. 

On 11/24/2015 at 7:39 PM, ladygal4.4 said:

There aren't that many places for them to go besides the sports deck, pools, and kids area. Letting your kids have free reign of the boat is an easy way to make a lot of people mad at you. It's best to give them time constraints when they're allowed some free time away, but not enough to get bored and cause trouble.

 

 

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This!

I am all for giving kids some freedom while on vacation with limits and rules in place.  It is the kids that have free run of the ship, cause chaos on the stairs and elevators and simply piss off other passengers with their poor behavior.  

Pretty sure the OP figured it out 4 years ago.