Age you let your kids roam unsupervised on ship?

I realize this is a subjective question, but at what age did you feel comfortable letting your child navigate the ship by himself/herself; and/or what age did you allow him or her to hang out in the room alone?

We have a singleton who will be almost 10 when we sail. He has sailed once before and loved it- but he tends to be a homebody- he enjoys hanging out in the room and disliked the kids club (that was NCL Star, I have higher hopes for MSC Seaside's lego-themed club). I'd like to give him some freedom this time to explore a little on his own, or to spend time alone in the room for short bits. We all ended up going to bed with him at 8:30 every night on our last cruise, which wasn't terrible, but we missed all the shows. He's very rule-driven and isn't a "wild child," but I do worry about him getting lost and being too afraid to ask someone for help (he has high-functioning autism).

I understand technology has changed, too. MSC Seaside uses GPS bracelets. I think you can also text via their app- is that correct? That way we could keep tabs on him easier.

I have no problem letting a child go to and from specific activities. I do NOT let my kid's "roam"...that's asking for trouble! And, it really depends on your child, and how mature they are. Most kids will hang out in the clubs and enjoy the activities...or will find friends and do stuff with them. It's up to YOU to physically check on your child, and make sure they're doing what they said they would do...

10 is on the younger side of freedom, IMO....some freedom...frequent checks...lots of "meet up" times.

My son was almost 9 when we sailed and he made a friend on the ship who was 11. They had wanted to hang out together and I had already met the parents a few times. I gave him specific instructions of where I was going to be and that at x time he was to come back to the room. I was at the pool for the most part and he checked in with me a few times to let me know where him and his friend were going. It was fine and he met us back in the room at the time we specified.

Can you trust him to stay in his room while you go to the shows? I don't think I'd let him wander the ship by himself due to his inability to ask for help if he gets lost, but I would be comfortable leaving him in the room with his iPad if he is completely trustworthy. Just make sure you escort him to the room, make sure he's already eaten dinner and that he has snacks in the room in case he gets hungry (or knows to call for room service if he needs more food). In case of an emergency, the ship may be able to reach you if you tell your son where you are going (I cannot guarantee this, but on ships without beepers for parents of young children they'd ask where we were going to be and said that in the past they were able to find people if they were at the pool, or wherever they said they'd be on the ship. I have no experience with being found, but it is what I was told by kids club staff).

Would you allow him alone at home or roam around the city alone? Cruise ship is just micro city, you don’t know who may be on the ship. I was amazed to see these young kids wandering around alone on our last trip. I knew how old they were as they were on granddaughter splash academy class. She was almost 7 and was with us unless she was in splash academy. Asked my DH when she could roam freely and he said “21”. LOL

Would you allow him alone at home or roam around the city alone? Cruise ship is just micro city, you don’t know who may be on the ship. I was amazed to see these young kids wandering around alone on our last trip. I knew how old they were as they were on granddaughter splash academy class. She was almost 7 and was with us unless she was in splash academy. Asked my DH when she could roam freely and he said “21”. LOL

Actually, at 10 my kids were able to stay home alone for an hour or two, started walking to school at 8, and could walk or bike to the park to meet friends at 10. On a ship, my kids were allowed to stay in the cabin at 10, or go to a specific activity, grab a snack at the buffet, go to the arcade, see what was going on at the sports court. They could either stay where they were going, or head back to the cabin.

On our last cruise they were 14, 14, 16, 19, and 20, definitely old enough to fend for themselves.

My brothers were 12 and 11 when they first travelled on an overnight ferry (18 hour journey) without any parents or other relatives.

If he can find his way to school and home, then I don't think you need worry about him getting lost. Once you've shown him round a couple of times, it's easy; all you need do is find a lift, find the right floor, and follow the numbers. If he can't do that, then don't let him out of your sight.

Here is a current thread that was started five years ago, and gets pulled up again occasionally...

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1647293

My son has been on many cruise from the time he was 8 years old. He was not allowed to check himself out of the kids programs. He was finally allowed to "roam" the ship when he was about 13. This was when I knew he was responsible enough to hang out with newly found friends. However, he had a curfew as well.

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My son was 11 when we went on our cruise. We allowed him to do certain things on his own. He had his phone which we downloaded the Norwegian App on it so we could be in communication. He was allowed to go to the arcade and buffet on his own. On sea days if we were near the pool, we would let him do the rock climbing wall and water slides too on his own. We would never leave our spot until he came back.

We set guidelines from the beginning and he is a pretty good rule follower. He knew if he got himself into trouble by being late etc it would mean consequences of being stuck by us the whole time. LOL

Thanks everyone for the replies. I talked to DS about it and even he said he was worried about getting lost, so we'll play it conservatively at first and begin to give him a little bit of freedom at a time. Looking at my thread post I guess it's a little inflammatory (Kids Gone Wild!!!!).