1st cruise (Insp) taking the teens - what to expect?

[tennesseemom1123]

Hello All,

 

I've been reading on here for the past two hours! So thankful that I stumbled across this forum with such helpful and fun folks who are willing to share their cruise knowledge!

 

So, hubby and I are sailing in May, the week after school gets out, and bringing the kiddos with us. Daughter (17) and son (12). I've read all about camp Carnival for the kids - wondering if they will be able to come and go to that as they please? My fear is that I'll be lounging by the pool or having beers at the sports bar, and I won't know where my kids are. Since our normal method of communication will not work on the ship (the cell phones), how will we keep in touch with where everyone is?

 

Thanks so much for whatever advice you can give! :)

[shipty2]

Children participating in camp Carnival activities in circle C and club O2 (which are the two age groups yours will be in)are able to come and go as they please.

 

We use post it notes on the vanity mirror in the cabin as a means of telling each other where we are.

[firefly333]

Some people buy walkie talkies. You can use the ships phones to call the cabins from up on the Lido deck. They are near elevators ... so you dont have to always go to the cabin to see if someone is there.

[cb at sea]

Tell the kids where you'll be...they'll find you! And have them tell you where they'll be...it's really not hard to keep up with each other on the ship....there isn't as much "public" space as you think...the majority of the ship is taken up with cabins (no need to be anywhere but your hallway!) and dining room/theaters.....

Your kids will most likely find you at the pool, casino or your favorite bar. You'll find them in the club, sports deck, pool and arcade.....so it won't take much searching.

[Buffettfan 225]

OK we have taken our son on cruises from age 10 thru 18.

 

Communication- have teens call cabin phone and leave messages, leave post it notes for you, even specific check in times. I read one mom who said- if misbehave, you will be sunning on chair next to me! Now that is a deterrent.

 

Yes, there have been times we have wandered just "to see" where he was. Usually in a pack (growing bigger each day) and hanging out. Funny they like to gather in weird areas- cigar bar (because it is empty), helicopter pad area, mini golf course,pizza area, internet cafe etc. We had strict rules of no going in cabins of other "friends"

 

 

Son often dubbed camp carnival as lame as he got older..but sure enough found friends via basketball court, pizza area, arcade, pool.

The 17 year old will be in age 15-17 and have their own disco time (strict age on that -noone older allowed.) However does she look old? They will also not care as much about piano bar etc - so put those off limits.

A good spot they should enjoy will be karaokee area, it is entertaining and keep it clean -child appropriate, and then have adult time after 10 or so and ask younger to leave. You will find them running around ship doing games at pool, dance nights,scavenger hunts, they will enjoy themselves.

 

P.S. depending on how responsible they are-- we did not put charging priveleges on sons sign n sail card. That way if lost, are credit card was not exposed. Oh- and yes once a card did get lost. Also lanyard around neck that have plastic windows tend to blow and I have seen some sign n' sail cards go flying! Better to have card punched (purser or casino can do it-casino offers free lanyards at cashier cage) and attached to lanyard on neck.

[familycruzr]

Tell the kids where you'll be...they'll find you! And have them tell you where they'll be...it's really not hard to keep up with each other on the ship....there isn't as much "public" space as you think...the majority of the ship is taken up with cabins (no need to be anywhere but your hallway!) and dining room/theaters.....

Your kids will most likely find you at the pool, casino or your favorite bar. You'll find them in the club, sports deck, pool and arcade.....so it won't take much searching.

 

This has worked well for me. We tell each other where we will be. If one of us decides to go somewhere else, we have to go and tell the other. I also tell them that they should never be anywhere but our stateroom or in the public areas of the ship. They are not to go to anyone's stateroom nor bring anyone to our stateroom. It may seem like common sense, but teens don't always use good sense. I have never had trouble finding my kids.