18 year old in teen club

[Tropical09]

Has anyone had any luck getting 18 year old in teen club

[Mrs Miggins]

Also interested in this question - my daughter will just be 18 when we cruise in October - she is meeting up on board with friends from previous cruises who will be 15 and 17.

My daughter doesnt think there will be any problem as the teens come and go as they like at that age anyway.

Hope she is right !

[alny5810]

I dont have any experience personally. I know that rccl considers them adults at 18. If they want to go in there with their friends , I would tell them just go and act like they belong there. Its not like that far off from the ages of the other kids in there.

[cruiseguy1016]

Sorry, it will not be allowed. They will be denied access at the door. They are very strict about it. They are concerned about the 18 year olds "hanging around" the 15 year olds that will also be in with the 17 year olds.

[reallyitsmema]

I dont have any experience personally. I know that rccl considers them adults at 18. If they want to go in there with their friends , I would tell them just go and act like they belong there. Its not like that far off from the ages of the other kids in there.

That won't work since the counselors have a list of kids who belong in the teen area. They do check sea pass cards and they do mark them.

 

To the OP, your 18 yr old may be allowed in if they give up there rights to the casino and the adult disco and sign a waiver but this is not allowed all the time. My son sailed with us at 16 and 17. One cruise they said absolutely no 18 yr olds and the other cruise they allowed them to sign the waiver. Both cruises were on the Mariner.

 

My son said that they were very strict about checking sea pass cards at night especially when the 15-17 yr olds had Fuel late night. They would not let the 12-14 yr olds in or anyone 18 or over.

 

As with most rules on RCL, it depends, sometimes they enforce them, sometimes they don't.:rolleyes:

[toxicfairy]

We were on FOS this past August. My DD's 13 and 18 had both just had birthdays in july (3rd and 8th) the 13 yr old had a blast while the 18 yr old was not admitted into any of the teen club palces.

People get VERY nasty on this subject. I personally think it is kind of crazy. My daughter had just finished her junior year of HIGHSCHOOL ! Many people give me the almighty she is an adult at 18. To that I say maybe legally as in they can arrest her as an adult if she goes all stupid, however I have rarely seen an 18 yr old ADULT!! I know many young "men" in the service ( I have a son who has had friends go in right after highschool) and let me tell you it takes them years to become adults. The old battle well they can go into war yadda yadda ok but have you seen them out on leave:eek: . You don't become an ADULT on your 18th birthday EXCEPT in the eyes of Uncle Sam!

[jgreco5]

My 14 year old will be just 2 weeks shy of her 15th birthday, I am hoping they will let her hang with her 17 year old brother in the same activities. Carnival would not let them last year and they were miserable.

 

I am curious if RCI is strict about that.

[alny5810]

That won't work since the counselors have a list of kids who belong in the teen area. They do check sea pass cards and they do mark them.

 

To the OP, your 18 yr old may be allowed in if they give up there rights to the casino and the adult disco and sign a waiver but this is not allowed all the time. My son sailed with us at 16 and 17. One cruise they said absolutely no 18 yr olds and the other cruise they allowed them to sign the waiver. Both cruises were on the Mariner.

 

My son said that they were very strict about checking sea pass cards at night especially when the 15-17 yr olds had Fuel late night. They would not let the 12-14 yr olds in or anyone 18 or over.

 

As with most rules on RCL, it depends, sometimes they enforce them, sometimes they don't.:rolleyes:

 

My apologizes then. Like i said no proir experience with it. Just thought It wouldnt be a huge deal. Sorry.

[reallyitsmema]

My apologizes then. Like i said no proir experience with it. Just thought It wouldnt be a huge deal. Sorry.

No worries:), the whole 18 yr old and the teen areas is a tough subject. The cruiseline has to set a cut off age and it doesn't always work for all since a lot of these 18 yr olds are still in high school and want to be with their peers but the 17 yr olds can't get into the adult disco and the 18 yr olds can't get into Fuel. It is a tough age to make work.

 

Some kids will choose just to hang out together on deck or by the pools but then they get labeled on these boards as gangs of kids all over the place. They really can't win.

[atush]

Personally, this just proves the stupid position of the 18 rule once out to sea. where the rest of the world treat 18 yr olds as adults.

 

18 yr olds, being adults across the world and in the USA when I grew up there, are treated as such everywhere but the USA. And RCCL.

 

But of course, they are actually adults. according to RCCL. When having 'contact' with 'minors'. Which is why RCCL don't allow an 18 yr old (who is a child on the rest of the ship as they aren't allowed to have their own cabin or drink a beer) but are nasty predatory adults who might want to date a 17 yr old (above the age of consent) on a ship while only allowed to drink a coke.

 

 

I say decide. 18 yr olds are adults, with the priviledges that come with the restraints. Or they are not. Decide and treat them one way or the other.

 

This Limbo you have have going for 18-20 yr olds is what has kept our family from cruising these last few years as mine are both sides of the devide and we can't have a family holiday with one not being able to go with the adult group or the teen group.

 

And to make an actual non discrimanatory decision won't beak anyone and won't allow hoards of partying spring breakers to ruin your ships. It will give clarity.

 

When bad children of rich parents (who are the only 18-20 yr olds to cruise on their own) it doesnt' matter. It isn't the age but the wealth of the parents who matter.

 

I have heard story after story (just see the allure trip reports from the innaugurals) of rich parents allowing under 15s to run amok esp in the royal suites and other suite accomodations. Many complaints from full paying suite Pax are made, many cabins flooded. But no one from RCCL puts the behaviour right, and no families are put off ship (or even put off their bad behaviour).

 

What I would like is consistancy. Of treatment for the 18-20 yr olds (esp as many like mine have the proper decorum and morals necessary) and treatment of those who don't comply (incl the progeny of the rich and famous and RCCL big wigs).

[galavant3]

 

To the OP, your 18 yr old may be allowed in if they give up there rights to the casino and the adult disco and sign a waiver but this is not allowed all the time.

 

This was our experience. Our 18 year old had the option of going to the teen club or the disco/casino. She opted to have access to the adult venues so she was not allowed in the teen club.

[cruiseguy1016]

My 14 year old will be just 2 weeks shy of her 15th birthday, I am hoping they will let her hang with her 17 year old brother in the same activities. Carnival would not let them last year and they were miserable.

 

I am curious if RCI is strict about that.

 

Here's how they usually work this. Tell them that she would like to be in the 15 - 17 year old group. They will probably ask that she go to the 12 - 14 year old group on the first night where they will monitor her. If the counselors feel that she will be all right with the older group, they will allow her to move up. They will usually allow someone to move up one level but very seldom do they allow someone to move down.

[Canuck455]

They will take their money at the casino at 18, but not let them play games in the teen club. What lesson is this teaching? My son will be 18 on our upcoming cruise..I know he enjoyed the teen club two years ago..I'm sure he will have a good time either way.

[Tropical09]

Thanks for all the feedback. We are going on EOS for Thanksgiving the second year in a row and she had met other teens that she wanted to hang out with again this year that would be on the same ship. She is shy so the teen club was a great place for her to meet other kids to spend time with. She has no interest in the casino or the older clubs. I would sign anything to allow her to get in the teen club so that our cruise isn't ruined.

[galavant3]

Thanks for all the feedback. We are going on EOS for Thanksgiving the second year in a row and she had met other teens that she wanted to hang out with again this year that would be on the same ship. She is shy so the teen club was a great place for her to meet other kids to spend time with. She has no interest in the casino or the older clubs. I would sign anything to allow her to get in the teen club so that our cruise isn't ruined.

 

 

Good luck! I hope it works out for her! I really do think the cruise lines want the kids to have fun so I'll be surprised if they don't work with you.

 

However, I will say that the older kids seem to spend a lot more time outside the teen club than inside so even if they can't admit her I'm sure she'll have a great time anyway!

[SailorMom37]

I can understand the cruise industry on this. BTW - I was 18 when I got married (and no - not because of that!), been married 18 years. DH and I were adults then.

Here's my issue - everyone knows their 18 yo's best, and most are fine and not threat to anyone. But there are some that will be an issue, and the cruise lines would be in HOT water. The parents of the younger kids could possibly sue, since they were told that it would only be 15-17.... Howare the cruise lines going to be able to tell which parents actually have the good kids, and which are just cleuless about thier kids' bad behavior?

Also - can't 18 yo's drink on cruises with a waiver signed by an adult? If that is the case - then you could have 18 yo's sneaking alcohol into the teen clubs.

[cruiseguy1016]

I can understand the cruise industry on this. BTW - I was 18 when I got married (and no - not because of that!), been married 18 years. DH and I were adults then.

Here's my issue - everyone knows their 18 yo's best, and most are fine and not threat to anyone. But there are some that will be an issue, and the cruise lines would be in HOT water. The parents of the younger kids could possibly sue, since they were told that it would only be 15-17.... Howare the cruise lines going to be able to tell which parents actually have the good kids, and which are just cleuless about thier kids' bad behavior?

Also - can't 18 yo's drink on cruises with a waiver signed by an adult? If that is the case - then you could have 18 yo's sneaking alcohol into the teen clubs.

 

Not any more. RCI ended that policy a few years ago. 18 year olds can drink on cruises originating from European ports.

[SailorMom37]

Ah - I didn't know they had stopped that... No 18yo's around...

[gerif]

I say decide. 18 yr olds are adults, with the priviledges that come with the restraints. Or they are not. Decide and treat them one way or the other.

 

This Limbo you have have going for 18-20 yr olds is what has kept our family from cruising these last few years as mine are both sides of the devide and we can't have a family holiday with one not being able to go with the adult group or the teen group.

 

What I would like is consistancy. Of treatment for the 18-20 yr olds (esp as many like mine have the proper decorum and morals necessary) and treatment of those who don't comply (incl the progeny of the rich and famous and RCCL big wigs).

 

They DO treat 18-20 year olds as adults in that they are permitted into all adult venues (casino, disco) and do not have a curfew on board, so I really don't understand why you cannot have a family holiday as those in the 18-20 group can be with the adults in all venues.

 

They do NOT permit 18-20 year olds to book cabins on their own (nor can this age group rent a car for that matter) - it's a liability issue. I don't know where you got the idea that wealthy 18-20 year olds can do this. They also do not permit them to drink (again, thanks to the college student overboard a couple of years ago), but they can still be with your adult group at any adult venue, so, again, I don't understand what your issue is.

[cruzin momma]

If they let 18 yr olds in, then how about the 19 yrs olds, and 20 yr olds aren't allowed to drink, soo... they have to draw the line somewhere. You have to remember that there are 15 yr olds in this group as well & I personally think that there is usually a big difference between maturity levels. It may sound harsh, but the rules are there for a reason, and 18 yr olds need to get used to the fact that they are considered adults & should learn to enjoy everything that comes with it.

[Tinkerdevil]

If they let 18 yr olds in, then how about the 19 yrs olds, and 20 yr olds aren't allowed to drink, soo... they have to draw the line somewhere. You have to remember that there are 15 yr olds in this group as well & I personally think that there is usually a big difference between maturity levels. It may sound harsh, but the rules are there for a reason, and 18 yr olds need to get used to the fact that they are considered adults & should learn to enjoy everything that comes with it.

 

The question I always have for those who are concerned about having 18 year old with 15 year olds is how is that any different than their high school? High schools have students ranging from 13 (early entry freshman) to 19 (late start/held back seniors.) They coexist peacefully and often to not have any more of an influence on each other than they would being together on a cruise.

[alny5810]

The question I always have for those who are concerned about having 18 year old with 15 year olds is how is that any different than their high school? High schools have students ranging from 13 (early entry freshman) to 19 (late start/held back seniors.) They coexist peacefully and often to not have any more of an influence on each other than they would being together on a cruise.

 

Good point, perfectly said

[galavant3]

If they let 18 yr olds in, then how about the 19 yrs olds, and 20 yr olds aren't allowed to drink, soo... they have to draw the line somewhere. You have to remember that there are 15 yr olds in this group as well & I personally think that there is usually a big difference between maturity levels. It may sound harsh, but the rules are there for a reason, and 18 yr olds need to get used to the fact that they are considered adults & should learn to enjoy everything that comes with it.

 

For us the issue is not that the 18 year old doesn't want to be an adult and go to the disco and casino. They do. It is usually that they are traveling with a friend that is not yet 18 and, since they are vacationing together and sharing a cabin, they want to be able to spend time together. The 17 year will, under no circumstance, be granted adult privileges so the only option for them is for the 18 year old to relinquish his/her adult privileges. Fortunately, RCI seems to understand this and is usually willing to accommodate families traveling together.

[akcruz]

The question I always have for those who are concerned about having 18 year old with 15 year olds is how is that any different than their high school? High schools have students ranging from 13 (early entry freshman) to 19 (late start/held back seniors.) They coexist peacefully and often to not have any more of an influence on each other than they would being together on a cruise.

 

I absolutely hear what you are saying and in one way agree, however the difference to me is that this is a vacation not school. In school there are a lot more rules and supervision. On vacation a lot of other stuff goes on that is not the norm at school. Yes, many schools have drug issues, etc but it is not quite the same. The other thing is these kids are around each other every day in school so know who is who. Are you the same person on vacation that you are at work everyday? If you know that you won't see the person after that week, do some people not act differently?

 

I do have 2 kids (15 & 20 at the moment) so do get it. My DD (the 20 year old) does let me know what happens at school so I am not being naive. Just being realistic, it is the same, but it is different. Unfortunately the cruise lines need to have a cut off and it is 18 for the teen clubs. Those legal issues always tend to get in the way!

[vcasey]

I absolutely hear what you are saying and in one way agree, however the difference to me is that this is a vacation not school. In school there are a lot more rules and supervision.

 

Actually my experience is there is FAR more supervision on the cruise then at school. Fuel/Living Room on the Freedom class ships is small area for the teen and there are several counselors. At least at our high school which admittedly is huge there are plenty of areas where no one is around and I trust me I've heard what goes on from bully to drugs to sexual conduct. I personally think RCCL goes a bit overboard on this, our last cruise they would not even let me in to give my daughter her sweater and were pretty put off when asked if they would give it to her instead. We were also traveling with a 14 yr old one month shy of 15, her sister who was 18, and my DD was 17. All of them were in High School together but the only place they could hang out together on the cruise was the decks. I think the cut off should be based on grade or school level not age.