1st time cruisers - 3 teens on celebrity solstice?

[tkalex9052]

Hi--

 

This is our first cruise ever. Our travel agent recommended the Celebrity Solstice Eastern Caribbean cruise departing this January 3. My husband and I are looking for a more upscale, relaxing cruise experience with better quality food, and for these reasons we are leaning toward Celebrity versus RCCL and the like. We have three kids--one 18yo and 14yo twins. Since it is our first cruise, I know that it will be exciting just by virtue of it being our first, but I want to make sure that the kids will not be bored.

 

I guess there is an X club for the 14yos and there's stuff for them. I am sort of worried about the 18yo. I think he may enjoy some of the lectures about nautical navigation, etc., but I am not sure.

 

It is amazing how when I call the Celebrity customer service they aren't very helpful. Here I am, ready to dish out $8K, and they can't tell me much if anything about the youth activities except what I can read on the website.

 

Any help appreciated!

[gprentice]

We're booked on the Solstice Jan. 3 with our 2 teen girls. (16, 19). They've cruised with us for about 15 cruises since they were young. They're still coming back for more, so it can't be that bad :) They usually like to do their own thing, but the atmosphere is pretty good on these cruise ships, so who wouldn't enjoy it?

 

Graham

[CPT Trips]

Hi--

 

This is our first cruise ever. Our travel agent recommended the Celebrity Solstice Eastern Caribbean cruise departing this January 3. My husband and I are looking for a more upscale, relaxing cruise experience with better quality food, and for these reasons we are leaning toward Celebrity versus RCCL and the like. We have three kids--one 18yo and 14yo twins. Since it is our first cruise, I know that it will be exciting just by virtue of it being our first, but I want to make sure that the kids will not be bored.

 

I guess there is an X club for the 14yos and there's stuff for them. I am sort of worried about the 18yo. I think he may enjoy some of the lectures about nautical navigation, etc.,

 

 

I'm surprised that your TA would recommend X, although you certainly won't be disappointed (especially since it's your first cruise). I suggest that your teens post on your Roll Call; hopefully they can connect with others of their age before the cruise even starts. Also, this time of year is more likely to have college age kids, since most colleges have an extended winter break at this time (as opposed to many high schools which start up right after New Years). We frequently cruised with our DD at this time (when she was in college).

 

If the cruise is port intensive, your kids will be busy during the day (assuming that they like beaches, snorkeling, etc as our DD did). There will be shows each evening (suggest that they always go, even if the small write-up about each evening's show doesn't sound interesting!). Plus late night party's (usually with a DJ). Celebrity doesn't have as many onboard activities (as does RCCL or other lines) that would help younger adults to "meet up" (for example-singles party, daily karaoke), but, by using the Roll Call forum and then going to the Connections Party, they should be able to find an interesting group of onboard friends. You may find that, by the end of the cruise, you'll be disappointed that you have spent so little time with your kids.

 

Another piece of advice: make sure you read-up (on Cruisecritic) about cell phone use onboard and discuss this with your kids in advance. If you're going to St Thomas or Puerto Rico, you may want to designate that port as the one to "touch base" with all the friends left behind (assuming your cell phone package is nation wide).

[GeorgeL]

Hi--

 

This is our first cruise ever. Our travel agent recommended the Celebrity Solstice Eastern Caribbean cruise departing this January 3. My husband and I are looking for a more upscale, relaxing cruise experience with better quality food, and for these reasons we are leaning toward Celebrity versus RCCL and the like. We have three kids--one 18yo and 14yo twins. Since it is our first cruise, I know that it will be exciting just by virtue of it being our first, but I want to make sure that the kids will not be bored.

 

I guess there is an X club for the 14yos and there's stuff for them. I am sort of worried about the 18yo. I think he may enjoy some of the lectures about nautical navigation, etc., but I am not sure.

 

It is amazing how when I call the Celebrity customer service they aren't very helpful. Here I am, ready to dish out $8K, and they can't tell me much if anything about the youth activities except what I can read on the website.

 

Any help appreciated!

 

I am also surprised that your travel agent recommended Celebrity in your situation with the teens. Celebrity is a great cruise line but it is definitely geared more toward an older crowd (many times quite a bit older :)) so even entertainment is quite adult and sedate. Not your ususal teen thing for sure. I think, especially at this time of the year when very few kids (teens) can travel, your kids may indeed be bored. This may effect not only them but also your own enjoyment of your very first cruise.

In my opinion, when you are traveling with your kids during this quiet season, it's best to go with a more "lively" cruise line.

[MGNY]

We are also booked on the Jan 3 cruise along with our 3 sons, ages 19, 21 and 24. It would be nice if there were some way all the young people on board could meet up. I told the kids to check facebook to see if anyone has started a group.

[jaycor]

We went with our 13 and 20 and 21 year old last Jan.

They loved it but they were disappointed that all pools and hot tubs close at 8:00 pm

not as many kids on as RCCL for sure-

[hylasgirl]

We sailed the Mediterranean this summer with our teens... and they had a blast. I think you will find the Solstice has a much more diverse group than other Celebrity ships. ANYTHING out of Florida on ANY cruise line will have a majority of older people. It's just the way it is. I have sailed on many lines out of Florida from Carnival to you name it... not that big a difference in people.

 

I think the Solstice is a very well rounded ship in the terms of things to do... appealing to a wide variety of people. Our teens had a great time playing up on the Lawn Club. I think it's actually geared more for older children. There are basketball courts, bocce ball... and the pool is great.

 

I really don't think you can go wrong with the Solstice. It's a great ship for group. And the activities to do on shore are the same no matter what ship you choose. I would sail Solstice over Royal Caribbean anyday... but I love that I have found a ship that appeals to both the younger in our group, and the older. We are in between.