Disney cruise lame for 18 yr old?

[herecomesthesun]

Hi, I have been on a Disney cruise before when I was 16. I actually really enjoyed it, but I didn't participate in the teen activities, as they were sort of contrived and juvenile - most of the kids in "The Stack" were under 15.

 

Anyway, my family has decided to take another cruise next summer as my senior trip after I graduate in a year. We have booked a 7-day Disney cruise to the Western Caribbean. I am also bringing at least one friend, maybe two, so that will make it more fun.

 

I am excited and I am not trying to be negative, but I am beginning to have second thoughts about whether Disney is the right cruise. I loved Disney, but my friend(s) and I will be 18 and I am worried we will be bored. It seems like only married couples go on Disney cruises, and there is a shortage of single 18-25 year olds. Is this true? I didn't pay much attention to what they had for adults last time because I couldn't participate in anything.

 

I have heard the clubs are lame, but slightly better on Magic than Wonder, and I will be on the Magic. I'm not a big partier, but I don't want to be surrounded by older people all the time, which is why I'm beginning to think Carnival might have been a better choice, though I heard it is overall a lower quality cruise. Is there a lot to do for young adults on the Magic? I would particularly love to hear from someone who has been on the cruise and is in their late teens, early twenties, but all comments and advice are appreciated!! I really just want the best for my whole family, but I want to have fun myself too. Do you think we would be happier with Carnival, or something else? My family is sort of set on Disney, though, and its already booked, so I don't even know if we can change now. :rolleyes:

 

Note: My parents have already told me that I can explore the ports of call on my own, and we are going to Mexico, so that is something really fun I'm looking forward to. My friend(s) and I are also going to eat at Palo one night, and get cabana massages at Castaway Cay. So there's definitely great stuff for me to be excited about. I am just wondering about how many people my age there will be, and if there will be fun stuff for us to do. Thanks in advance!!

[serene56]

I think its sad that people who have never tried a cruiselines form opinions based on others. We have sailed Carnival and Royal and loved everything about our cruises. I have not sailed Disney--only because I cant afford those cruises... I like to cruise and go at least once a year. I like Carnival for their night time activities. There is always something to do. With being 18 you could use the casino. Disney doesnt have one.

 

May I suggest that you look at http://www.cruiseclues.com and search the left side for your ship. Maybe someone has posted the ships daily activity pages for you to look at.

[not Cozumel again cruiser]

I think that age 17-20 is a difficult age for cruising. You are really too old for the kids activities and too young for some adult activities. We have been on the Disney Magic and it is really geared to families with young children. We went a Christmas time and there were literally hundreds of kids running all over. The shows were Disney type stuff so most older teens foung it boring. My 19 year old felt that there was nothing for her to do. She was too young for the adult clubs ( 21 and over) and of course the ship has no gambling. The best thing is what you are doing - bringing a friend- if you have someone along you will have fun..........just be careful in the ports.....

an understanding mom

[not Cozumel again cruiser]

I think that age 17-20 is a difficult age for cruising. You are really too old for the kids activities and too young for some adult activities. We have been on the Disney Magic and it is really geared to families with young children. We went a Christmas time and there were literally hundreds of kids running all over. The shows were Disney type stuff so most older teens foung it boring. My 19 year old felt that there was nothing for her to do. She was too young for the adult clubs ( 21 and over) and of course the ship has no gambling. The best thing is what you are doing - bringing a friend- if you have someone along you will have fun..........just be careful in the ports.....

an understanding mom

[herecomesthesun]

Thanks, everyone.

 

Serene, I'm not sure what you were suggesting by the first part of your post about people assuming things about cruises....but I'm sorry if I offended you. I was only mentioning what I have read in review books written by professionals. Carnival is half the price and does not score that much lower than Disney at all. In fact, I expressed my concerns to my mom and she was very open to what I had to say. She researched and even reserved with a refundable down payment a cruise on the Carnival Glory to the Carribbean!

 

I was initially really excited because I am pretty sure that Carnival will have more people my age and more nightlife, but looking at the website, the rooms seem not nearly as nice as Disney's, and I am not as excited about the Carnival ports of call as I was about the Disney ones. It is going to be a hard decision, but I am glad I at least have the choice.

 

Any advice about whether the Disney Magic or Carnival Glory would be better for fun-loving 18 year olds who still like some luxury would be appreciated. Please note my 8 and 14 year old brothers will be going, and my parents.

 

I think I may end up with Disney because of the nicer ship, and because I am much more keen on Mexico than the Virgin Islands. I am beginning to think any boredom on the ship could be made up for on the beaches of Cozumel, which I think may be what Not Cozumel Again was referring to. Don't worry - my mom is very protective and I am very responsible. :) By the way, since I am going to Cozumel after all, why the username?

[serene56]

You did not offend me in the least-- I was jsut stating an opionion. I see your second post is much more postitive then the first one--so thats a good thing. A cruise is what you make it to be. I guess I was getting worried that you wouldnt have a good time on the ship and only find a better time at the beaches.

I have sailed 5 times with my boys. They started when they were 15, 17 & 19. All on Carnival except one. Even the older two had a great time and were never bored.

Since you have already sailed Disney--youkind of know what to expect--so thats a good thing. ANd taking friends along can make ait a bit better,

I have not sailed the GLory--(a conguest class ship-) thats up next come February 2006.

[herecomesthesun]

Thanks, Serene. We've talked about it more, though, and we really have decided against Carnival, so we are most likely cancelling. Just a personal choice. :)

 

Now we are actually looking into Royal Caribbean, the Voyager class ships. It seems a little more what we are looking for. Any thoughts on Royal Caribbean? We are so indecisive!

[serene56]

I have sailed the VOyager with my kids -- it was nice. good ice show. Play quest--dont ask and dont read posts about it- coz it ruins it. Parades twice during the week. (your friends can see you online through the cams)

[not Cozumel again cruiser]

I think cruises are the best vacations and we have been on 23 . We usually like to get a big family group or friends together at the holidays and we usually end up inthe caribbean. My husband likes more exotic cruising- we have gone around Cape Horn and to the Galapagos, so he sort of complains "not Cozumel again!" so hence the name.. by the way last time we were in Cozumel (last Dec.) we did the clear Kayak and snorkel tour which was great............ Have a great time on your cruise. We are off to Norwegian Fjords and North Cape in June on the Sea Princess out of SouthHampton, England .

[shipty2]

Glory, Glory, Glory!!!!

Disney is wonderful but for a couple of 18 year olds I would suggest the Glory. You will not feel too old or too young as there will be a broad mix of ages.

[norcalgal]

If your family is set on going on a Disney Cruise, go and plan to have fun! I think you'll be fine as long as you have some friends coming with you. We purposely waited to do the 3 day Disney cruise with our kids until the oldest turned 21, so he could participate in any and all adult activities. I have to admit - they were bored with the night-life anyway! That said, if you and your frineds plan on swimming everyday, snorkeling at the ports that you can do that, bring a game that you all enjoy....you should be fine. Maybe some other people have some other suggestions.

[deborahjo]

Took my 15 and 17 year old last year on the Wonder. They had a ball. They went into Route 66 and listened to the Piano couple. They were way to funny. They got together with a bunch of teens they meet and hung out. Final night they had a scavenager hunt over the entire ship.

 

Would not take them today. They would not enjoy it as much. But of course to them a cruise is a cruise no matter where it goes as long as they are on it.

[cruislovin]

Even my 13 year old was bored on Disney, compared to Royal Caribbean! And there are TONS of little kids on Disney...

 

IMO go on a Royal Caribbean Voyager class ship - Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Navigator, or Mariner (in order oldest to youngest, but all basically the same ship). OR go on the NEW Freedom of the Seas that Royal Caribbean is building. It is even bigger than the Voyager class and it has all the amenities of the Voyager class and much more! Now, that's a graduation celebration!!! And the Freedom itinerary also includes Cozumel.:)

[ducklite]

We sailed DCL when our son was 16, and we all had a great time.

 

In a few months we are sailing RCCL, our son is now 19, and we feel they ave a lot more to offer him at that age.

 

The rockwall, ice rink, casino, miniature golf, it just seems that there is a lot more geared to a young adult audience than DCL offers.

 

Anne

[mrsfuzzmo]

I started cruising with my family (Mom, Dad, 4 girls ages 15-21). We were all at the age that we didn't want to be around Mom & Dad much and just wanted to go to the disco, and hang out meeting the cute bartenders, etc.

 

We have since cruised many times since and have been hooked since the first on on the NCL Skyward back in 1988.

 

I am now 39 and cruised Disney last year for the first time....and I was bored. We like fun nightlife, dancing at the pool in the afternoons, piano bars and socializing. DCL is primarily shut down in the evenings after the shows (not literally, but at least in the social aspect) and there is little to do during the day other than sit at the adult pool....which played awful music all day. The middle pool which had the most families had the great party music, but no one partying and dancing like we like to do.

 

There will be VERY FEW young singles aboard. Most are families and some older married kidless couples. The only ones you are likely to run into are the others who's parent's thought DCL would be a great fit for their family.

 

I would look into RCCL or Carnival. Less money, AND much more to offer someone your age. If it is your parents dream to cruise Disney, or you are booked on it because of younger siblings, then just go with the flow and have a good time. Your saving grace is that you will have a friend with you and you will be able to make your own fun.

[mrsfuzzmo]

Oh, yes, one more thing...I think the Western is a fabulous itinerary for someone your age! Lot's of activities. Lot's of watersports, bars, adventure activities(if you go to Cozumel, you HAVE to to the Dune Buggies......BLAST!)

Try and stick with western! You'll love it!

 

Mrsfuzzmo