Options for 11-yr-old

[MrsMMark]

Just booked a fall cruise on the Fascination for our family including 17, 15 and 11 yr. olds. From what I am seeing online, there are two "teen clubs" one for 15-17 yr. olds and one for 12-14 yr. olds and and a separate "kids club" for 2-11 yr. olds. This has freaked my DD out as she will be 11 "and 1/2" and she is afraid she will be stuck with "the babies." Can anyone give me some information that will reassure her?

[jackdis]

Absolutely!! They group the 9-11's together, so they are not with the younger ones. On our past cruise, our DD was just a few months past 12, and I think she wished she was still with the 9-11's. Ages 12-14 is not all day long, mostly just after dinner, except on sea days, and a lot less "activities" and more hangout time. She was ok with it, but not as excited. I also think it might have been a bit better if she had a friend to go with.

[jackdis]

Oh, and one more thing.....she LOVED the late night parties they had in the Camp Carnival groups (up to age 11)!! Something about staying out later than mom and dad!!!!

[martini_guy]

2-11 is not as bad as it sounds. They actually split them up within the club into more similar age groups like 2-4, 5-7, 8-11 (roughly). My daughter just chose to do the activities that she wanted and skipped the babyish activities like building a bear, and things like that. In addition we signed with the club to give her permission to sign herself out and we made sure she knew her way around the ship to make it back to the room and where to find us.

[MrsMMark]

That is just what she (and I) needed to hear! Two more questions:

 

(1) how many of the kid activities are included and how many will be at an extra charge? I thought I heard someone say the late night party was $26 ?? I really don't "need" babysitting -- I just thought she'd have fun with kids her age.

 

(2) what areas of the ship are kids NOT allowed in (serenity deck (for sure), casino (I assume), . . .)? For example, DD plays piano and was excited about the pictures of the piano bar. DH and I don't drink much and I am not going to take her (or her brothers) anywhere extra rowdy, but if we go in a lounge before or after dinner can they come with us?

[tmt218]

That is just what she (and I) needed to hear! Two more questions:

 

(1) how many of the kid activities are included and how many will be at an extra charge? I thought I heard someone say the late night party was $26 ?? I really don't "need" babysitting -- I just thought she'd have fun with kids her age.

 

(2) what areas of the ship are kids NOT allowed in (serenity deck (for sure), casino (I assume), . . .)? For example, DD plays piano and was excited about the pictures of the piano bar. DH and I don't drink much and I am not going to take her (or her brothers) anywhere extra rowdy, but if we go in a lounge before or after dinner can they come with us?

 

 

The all night party is held one night from 10pm to 3 am it is 26 for the whole party. They have alot of fun things going on and keep them alot more busy than the reg. late night babysitting. It's more a party atmosphere. I'm not 100% sure but I think you can pay by the hour. My DD went and didn't last all night. She wanted to be picked up. It was 12:30 and the counsler said if I picked her up by 12 then it would have only been the per hour rate. Because I signed her up and picked her up after 12:30 I was charged the whole thing.

All of the activities were free except the all night party and the animal building they were extra charge. The babsitting service was each night from 10 to 3am and that is 6.00 per hour.

On the Fascination they had PG family comedy and all ages karaoke until 9:30. The piano bar is very smokey but she could go in with you. She could do alot with you. On the Fun Times it will say which activities are adults only. They tend to be later at night. After 10pm I also didn't see anyone being rowdy. My cruise was more family as it was winter break. We had over 750 kids on board.