Princess Teen Program (Remix) -- Comments and Cautions

[junglejane]

We just returned today from the Sapphire Princess cruise to the Mexican Riviera. We had a great time and will definitely be returning for more Princess cruises. This was our 7th Princess cruise, but the first time when our DD was old enough for the teen program. I’ve found it hard to find much feedback on teen programs, so I thought I’d post some comments. This was a Spring Break cruise and there were about 350 kids onboard, of which about 125 were teens. Of course, only a fraction participate in the organized teen activities.

 

Summary of the Remix Activities: The Princess teen program runs from ages 13-17. On our previous Princess cruise in Oct. ‘09, DD turned 13 the day after disembarkation. Princess is, as far as I know, very strict on age groups and they would not let her move up from the Shockwaves. This time, however, DD was 14. The Remix program started with Icebreaker activities at 10:15 pm on the first night followed by the Battle of the Sexes and a Music Jam Session. The first involved Wii Dance and Wii Boxing battles, and trivia questions for both teams (makeup for guys, sports for girls), and the second was a PlayStation running Rock Band. The other days there were activities like Wii games (e.g., Mario Kart), a ping pong tournament, dodge ball challenge, trips for ice cream, casino night, dance/disco parties, name that tune, foosball, scary movies, etc. One of DD’s favorite activities was a hot tub party at the Lotus Spa Pool (they closed the Lotus Spa pool for this at 10 pm one night.) Another fun activity was a Mocktail Making Contest at Club Fusion one night.

 

Comparison to Royal Caribbean: For Spring Break in 2010, we sailed on the Mariner of the Seas. DD was 13 by then and participated in their teen program as well. Of course, on the MOTS they had a rock climbing wall and ice skating rink. But DD definitely felt like she had a great time on Princess. She had a great time just hanging out with the other teenagers at the pool, in the buffet, in the teen center, etc. DD actually felt that there were more organized activities in the teen center on Princess, whereas on the MOTS the teen area was often open but unsupervised.

 

Comments and Cautions about the Age Groupings: RCI breaks down its teen program into ages 12-14 and 15-17. Princess, by contrast, lumps all teens together in the 13-17 age group. When I registered DD at the teen center on the first day, another mom was asking whether her son, who would turn 13 in two months, could participate. They told her no. Now that we have experienced the program, I believe people should think twice about trying to push their 12 year olds into the teen program.

 

Just like in school, there are good teens and some not-so-good teens. (Or should I say, “up to no good” teens?) After a few days, DD told us that many of the teens were slipping out of the teen center for regular cigarette smoking breaks. One 17 year old kept one of the little booze bottles from his parents’ minibar in his pocket and took swigs from it in the teen center when the staff wasn’t looking. Several 16 year olds bragged constantly about going back to their cabin to “smoke weed.” DD had the good sense not to go back to their cabin with them (that’s one of our family rules: never go to someone else’s cabin without permission from Mom or Dad). So DD never saw whether they were really using illegal drugs, but they certainly bragged that they were to the younger teens. I don’t blame the Princess staff for this at all. Obviously the parents involved were totally failing to keep tabs on what their kids were doing. What I do wish is that Princess would adopt the RCI age grouping model. I’m afraid that younger kids might find it harder to avoid the peer pressure from older teens. Overall I think Princess does a great job with the teen activities. DD quickly learned which teens she felt comfortable with and which to avoid. My message to parents is: set rules for your teens and keep track of where they are and who they hang out with.

[Cruisin' Chick]

My daughter was eligible for the teen club for the first time on our December cruise on the Golden. She said she felt the activities were "lame" but that could be more that the teens onboard were saying that. Since there was MUTS on the Golden, she and the girls she did hang with (about three or four around her age) went to the pool area a great deal of time (despite the cool and wet weather) to watch the movies or sit around the hot tub and talk. She saw a lot of the entertainment too (she saw some of the shows that we missed). She found that some of the other teens were into too much drama for her, but she didn't mention whether if some of them were smoking or worse (and she would probably say that....will have to ask her when she's done with skyping with a friend of hers on the other computer).

 

She said the best part of the cruise was the food, and she's not even a big eater (so that was a plus).

[Pam in CA]

Mary, great post and very helpful for other Moms. I agree with you that lumping 13YOs with 17YOs is not a good idea.

[kendon]

Overall, very good advice. My kids have always signed up in the teen center but not necessarily the activities. While the activities are good, all teens think that organized activities are "lame". If they didn't think of it first, it must be lame, right? :)

 

It's important to have them check in with their parents every so often, and warn them to NEVER go to someone else's room.

[forfamily]

Hi JungleJane-

 

This was the best insight into the teen program I have run into. There is very little info anywhere on what to expect.

 

Thank you for taking the time to write it all down and get it out! And thank you too, for posting the link on my thread!

 

-Kim:cool:

[cruisemom42]

My son loved the teen program on Princess at 15 and the very next year thought it was lame. Part of it depends on the other kids on board, part on the counselors/activities and part on the age of your own child, I'm sure.

 

(He participated at 13, but that was on the Baltics cruise where there were about 4 other teens, total, on our sailing, so hard to judget that one!)

 

He did mention on the sailing where he was 16, that some older teens were being served alcohol -- I don't know where or by whom. Not when in the teen club area, of course. But it does happen.

 

As for the age grouping, I don't really have an issue with it. In a great many high schools, you're going to find that same age range where kids socialize before, during, and after school.

[jean s]

Good description of the teen program. Great comments about the age span being too broad.

[junglejane]

As for the age grouping, I don't really have an issue with it. In a great many high schools, you're going to find that same age range where kids socialize before, during, and after school.

 

That's a valid point. I just think parents need to be aware and also understand why it's a good thing that Princess strictly enforces the minimum age of 13.

 

The funny thing is that we'll be on Celebrity in June and Celebrity uses the same age grouping as Royal Caribbean. I pointed out to DD that since she's 14, she'll be in the 12-14 group. She wasn't thrilled to hear that!

[jeromep]

I'm not even a parent yet, and that was a great overview and post. I especailly like the fact that you believe that parents need to be responsible for their kids actions and activities.

[Iamcruzin]

Just like in school, there are good teens and some not-so-good teens. (Or should I say, “up to no good” teens?)

 

"Birds of a feather flock together". Parenting begins at home. If your kids are hanging around the wrong crowd at school they will also associate with the same type on the cruise. Your review is dead on and I have had the same experience and have been told the same stories by my sons. I have to say that I have met a lot of really well mannered teens and their parents through the Remix Program.

[cruisinreunion]

"Birds of a feather flock together". Parenting begins at home. If your kids are hanging around the wrong crowd at school they will also associate with the same type on the cruise. Your review is dead on and I have had the same experience and have been told the same stories by my sons. I have to say that I have met a lot of really well mannered teens and their parents through the Remix Program.

 

I agree here. My daughter was 15 last year on NCL's Dawn trip over spring break and had a super time. She loved all the activities, which included a Prom, dinner on formal night as a group. She has remained feriends with several and has gotten together with a couple also. Most of the kids who actually participated activities were not the kids parents had to worry about. NCL groups all kids 13-17 together, but I would have preferred as RCCL does it. My son was 12-turning 13 in couple of months and two friends were already 13 could to to teen center to hang out and he felt left out, and refused to participate in the 9-12 group, especially since his younger sister was in that one and she was just 10.

[DrivesLikeMario]

...My message to parents is: set rules for your teens and keep track of where they are and who they hang out with.

 

OMG, I have been saying that for about 21 years now! It's almost always the parents' fault for the bad behaving teens. Too many parents are into themselves and getting their precious "me time" instead of being parents. :rolleyes:

 

I totally agree with your point about the age breakdowns. Once our sons turned 13, they pretty much gave up on the teen program because it was usually too packed and unorganized (not just with Princess, all of the cruise lines).

 

Thank you so much for clear, concise and helpful information, Jane. Even though mine are off at college now, I would've been very happy to see this information when they were younger. I know there are many parents of teens that will be able to use this information and will be very grateful for it. Thanks again! :)

[BoPippy]

OMG!!!

Leave them all at home or somewhere else!Let them cruise when older and can afford it themselves!Leave them pizza and movie money and they will be just as happy and u save enough to take another one next year and u and your DH can have a relaxing,romantic trip!

My Dw and i were on our own completely by the age of 20.Nowadays kids r clingy until age 30 or so!

[junglejane]

OMG!!!

Leave them all at home or somewhere else!Let them cruise when older and can afford it themselves!Leave them pizza and movie money and they will be just as happy and u save enough to take another one next year and u and your DH can have a relaxing,romantic trip!

My Dw and i were on our own completely by the age of 20.Nowadays kids r clingy until age 30 or so!

 

My post was mainly about 12-14 year olds and being of aware of what they're doing and who they're hanging out with. I hope you aren't advocating leaving them home alone with pizza and movie money while Mom and Dad go cruising! It's one thing to push the 19 and 20 year old out of the nest. I do think that a few of the troublemakers that DD encountered didn't particularly want to be there and would've been thrilled to be left home unsupervised to get into mischief.

[sandi57]

Thanks very much for the info!

 

We will be on a multi-generational family cruise in August. Since we knew our 13-year-old would have no fun on her own, we are 'borrowing' a friend for the trip. As a team, I think they will have a blast! Getting more info from experienced folks is really helpful for our own planning, so should make it even better.

 

Questions I still have. How frequently teen activities might/will replace standard "dinner with the grownups"? Can 13-year-olds get away with their standard uniform of skinny jeans in the regular dining room? Is a "prom" sort of dress appropriate for teen or adult formal nights?

 

thank you all!

[rdsqrl]

Thanks very much for the info!

 

We will be on a multi-generational family cruise in August. Since we knew our 13-year-old would have no fun on her own, we are 'borrowing' a friend for the trip. As a team, I think they will have a blast! Getting more info from experienced folks is really helpful for our own planning, so should make it even better.

 

Questions I still have. How frequently teen activities might/will replace standard "dinner with the grownups"? Can 13-year-olds get away with their standard uniform of skinny jeans in the regular dining room? Is a "prom" sort of dress appropriate for teen or adult formal nights?

 

thank you all!

Skinny jeans are fine on smart casual nights (just none w/ holes/rips/tears). Prom attire is perfect for formal nights.

[Cruisin' Chick]

OMG!!!

Leave them all at home or somewhere else!Let them cruise when older and can afford it themselves!Leave them pizza and movie money and they will be just as happy and u save enough to take another one next year and u and your DH can have a relaxing,romantic trip!

My Dw and i were on our own completely by the age of 20.Nowadays kids r clingy until age 30 or so!

 

Tell me you're kidding. In what universe is it okay to leave those under 14 at home by themselves?

[rdsqrl]

Tell me you're kidding. In what universe is it okay to leave those under 14 at home by themselves?

He posts that on every thread about bringing kids along. I think he's on a little crusade to make Princess a no-kids line' date=' discouraging parents one post at a time. [/color']

[Cruisin' Chick]

He posts that on every thread about bringing kids along. I think he's on a little crusade to make Princess a no-kids line, discouraging parents one post at a time.

 

I don't think his crusade is going to be too successful. Fortunately.

[notentirelynormal]

Tell me you're kidding. In what universe is it okay to leave those under 14 at home by themselves?

 

He hates kids and makes sure to post on every thread he can that mentions them. I pity his step kids. What a sad sad person he must be.

[Trey]

My nephew has traveled with me for many cruises on Princess, most are during Spring Break or Christmas break. He is now 15 and will turn 16 on our cruise 4/16. He loves Remix and the activities. He knows my rules are simple: 1. NEVER, EVER, go into someones cabin, 2. NEVER, EVER, bring someone into our cabin, 3. NEVER be late, we agree on a time, be back in the cabin at that time. 4. If I need to find you, you better damned well be where you say you will...

 

Yes, there are the kids with booze, lots of pot smokers, lots of trampy teen girls, but "nephew" knows, one screw up means bon-voyage to his cruise vacations.

 

Like a post before, if your kids associate with "those types" in school, they will certainly hook-up with the same type on board.

[Tatka]

Our son went thru all kids-teens programs starting from 11 till 18 yo.

 

He actually preferred RCCL program the best because of "Living Room" (teens club place) and activities, including many sports competitions. He liked Princess program, but not as much, unlike us who rate Princess experience the best overall.

 

I believe Princess has it's own ways to limit the number of kids/teens on board and by doing this makes experience very nice for both kids, their parents and other adults.:)

[Cruisin' Chick]

He hates kids and makes sure to post on every thread he can that mentions them. I pity his step kids. What a sad sad person he must be.

 

There's at least one other member (Richie2pies, if I remember his screen name correctly) who makes the same type of statements on threads about taking kids on cruises.

 

Back when I was pre-child (and wasn't even thinking about having one), I didn't cringe when I saw children onboard. In fact, I thought it was nice that the cruiseline had all these activities that kept them busy and happy. It didn't occur to me that they shouldn't be able to enjoy themselves or even be deprived of being on a cruiseship.