Teen Club or Disco on Elation?

[cruzlovinmom]

In July, we (my DH and DD and her best friend - both 14) are going on the Elation. (July 10th, 2005). I keep reading these posts about how much more there is for teens to do on the larger and newer ships and it's gotten me worried.

 

Is there a teen club for the kids to hang out at and is there a disco that the two girls can go to at night? :confused: I don't want the girls to think there's something there when it's not. Also, does anyone know how much the video arcade costs? This is our first cruise and I'm just trying to figure everything out that I can. These boards have really helped a lot.

 

Any pointers for letting the girls go off by themselves on the ship?

 

Thanks!

[aggieastrosfan]

There is a teen club. It's called Spirals, and is right off the atrium in between the arcade and casino.

 

I don't remember how much the arcade games were, but they were about on par, or slightly higher than what you'd find on shore - anywhere from 50 cents to $1.

Have a great trip!

[Philly Steve]

Spirals is a small club, but I believe they used some of the other lounges, off hours, too. I was surprised that many of the arcade video games were FREE.

[GoinCruisin]

Cruzmom, take it for what it is worth, but letting 2 14 year old girls off the ship by themselves, in my opinion is a VERY bad idea. First, they will likely be served alcohol if in Mexico (and many other places), there are always unsavory characters looking for a situation JUST like this... some ports are not safe for grown adults on their own, much less barely teens. I think it is very risky to do this... you are talking about a foreign country, and children... I would definitely rethink this... ANYTHING can happen, it's just too young to let them wander in a foreign country by themselves... IMHO.

[iluvtravel]

Cruzlovinmom, We are going on the same cruise! We also have a 14 year old daughter, as well as a 14 year old son (twins). They also have an older sister. We've been on one cruise with them previously, and they loved it! They participated in very few of the organized activities. They mostly loved the idea of their freedom. They could get pizza or ice cream, listen to music, sun by the pool, shop in the shops, or just gossip on the deck. Encourage your teens to go the informational meeting the first night just to meet some other kids. If they are even a little outgoing, they'll have a great time!

 

If you're worried about keeping track of them, we're bringing the little write-on/wipe off boards with magnetic backs that you buy at the dollar store to put on our door (or beside it if it doesn't stick on the door). That way, we can leave notes for each other. We have cousins coming with a younger son, and they're bringing walkie-talkies. You can always set up a daily time to "check in". Just set it up ahead of time. Everyday at 2:00 we meet by the pool. Then they're free until dinner.

 

I think GoinCruisin misunderstood your question. You were asking about letting them have their freedom ON the ship, right? I believe that it would be perfectly safe, as long as you have some kind of arrangements to check in every once in awhile.

[GoinCruisin]

Sorry I misunderstood!!!!! On the ship, yes... they should be okay as long as they know the "rules"... just make sure they check in with you. Have fun!!!

[cali-croozer]

Regarding the teen club/disco; I have read that it is for ages 15-17. I think that's what all the recent posts have been about, because it looks like Carnival has improved it's offerings for that age group. As far as your 14 year olds, there will be more than enough for them to do. Make sure they go to the first night meeting; that's where they'll meet other kids and get their schedule for the week. After that, "camp" is a pick and choose type thing. There will be, at least, a few activities each day that they'll be interested in. Other than that, like the other poster said, there's the swimming pool, pool slide, 24/7 pizza and calzone!, ping pong and just hanging out. If they like to play cards, have them ask the purser for a free deck (makes a fun souvenier too).

 

Have a great time on the Elation; my family did!:)

 

PS.......even if age group for the teen club is enforced, there will probably be certain hours for the younger teens for dancing/music

[cruzlovinmom]

:D :D :D Thanks sooooo much for the information about the teen club and the disco and also about running around on the ship. That magnetic write-on board is a great idea. We've also thought about bringing the walkie talkies, but don't know if the girls are going to think that is too "uncool" and for little kids.

 

I sure hope the girls can go to the disco or some type of dancing as my daughter has been dancing since she was 3 and the other since she was 2. That's such a big thing to them.

 

Also, to the mom that's going on our cruise, too -- YEA! -- I finally found someone else going on it - and with 2 fourteen year olds. I feel like I just hit the jackpot! Where are you guys from? We're from Texas (little town).

[iluvtravel]

Cruzlovinmom,

 

We are from a little town north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. We are meeting up with a few extended family members from Texas. There will be three teenage girls altogether in our party, from ages 14-17. Maybe we'll have to get our girls together.

 

Do you know what you're doing at the different ports?

 

We're already getting excited. I just looove cruising!

[cruzlovinmom]

:)

Cruzlovinmom,

 

We are from a little town north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. We are meeting up with a few extended family members from Texas. There will be three teenage girls altogether in our party, from ages 14-17. Maybe we'll have to get our girls together.

 

Do you know what you're doing at the different ports?

 

We're already getting excited. I just looove cruising!

 

That's so great to know about the teenage girls. It would be great for the girls to meet. I'm sure they would love that.

 

In Progresso, we're planning to take the city bus tour and go shopping. I want the girls to see how people from another country live. (Maybe they will appreciate the US a little more.) Also have heard that Progresso has the cheapest souveneirs. I would personally like to go to Chichen Itza (sp?) but it has a really long bus ride (about 2 hours each way I think) and I'm not sure the girls would think that was so great.

 

In Cozumel, the current plan is to go to Paradise Beach. We thought about going to Chankanaab Park too but think that would be too much for one day and the girls will probably love that Iceburg thing and the water trampoline that are at PB.

 

In Belize, we're planning on going cave tubing. I'm thinking about going with somebody named Reggie's Tours (or something like that). I've seen him mentioned many times on these boards. The only thing I'm nervous about is getting back to the ship on time and not getting left behind.

 

Anyway, these are our thoughts as of now. We might change our mind as things get closer but I don't think so.

 

I'm so excited, tooooo. I'm driving my daughter nuts talking to her about the cruise. She doesn't know what to expect since this is our first cruise.

 

What are your plans in the ports?

[Randy & Carmen]

.

 

In Cozumel, the current plan is to go to Paradise Beach. We thought about going to Chankanaab Park too but think that would be too much for one day and the girls will probably love that Iceburg thing and the water trampoline that are at PB.

Great plan.......tell Tom I said hi!

 

.In Belize, we're planning on going cave tubing. I'm thinking about going with somebody named Reggie's Tours (or something like that). I've seen him mentioned many times on these boards. The only thing I'm nervous about is getting back to the ship on time and not getting left behind.

Don't be worried....Reggie is awesome......He'll make you feel right at ease....get you to the caves fast......take you thru two caves instead of one and have you back to the pier well before the Carnival bunch gets back....Have fun and tell Reggie hi!

[cruzlovinmom]

To Host Randy: Thanks so much for the information. Everyon says Reggie is great so I should just quit being such a worry wart. I'm sure it will be fine. Your comment about him just settles it for me. :)